This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This was a very interesting concept, and it was executed quite well. This was a pretty classic, solid apocalyptic story with a twist. I found all of the intertwining stories equally compelling, and I was definitely hooked to the plotline–I finished the audiobook in one day. The pacing was great–it never felt slow. I also found the characters very interesting, but I wish they would have been developed a bit more. I felt like I was just starting to get to know them when the book ended. Either way, I would definitely read the second book. I’d love to revisit this cast of characters and see how they would handle a different apocalypse. I very much look forward to seeing how the author tells the story of the same characters in a different way.
The biggest weakness would probably be the narration, and I still rate it a 4/5. There was almost no variation in the characters voices, and at times it felt a bit monotone. Regardless of the action or emotion of the scene, the pacing, pitch, etc. was very even. Not at all unpleasant to listen to, but it almost felt more like he was reading rather than narrating. Like I said, definitely not a deal-breaker, but not ideal.
Overall, I would recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves apocalyptic novels. It was a quick, fast-paced listen, and the premise of the series is absolutely fascinating. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.