L. Michael Rusin

I received this book for free in return for a honest review. I understand this is based on a true story, but the author does state that it is a work of fiction. I wanted to like the story, but I found it really incredible that a orphan would manage to come across so many kind and caring people as he did in the story. Maybe I am biased as a former social worker (and having a spouse who was in the system during his childhood), but not many people have that kind of luck. Plus, I felt like we were being lectured to when the story goes into the Vietnam War era. It is a book not for me, but I am sure others really enjoy it.… (mais)

The story opens with unfamiliar sirens blasting through the air and one of the main characters immeaditely springs into action, gathering supplies, getting dressed and talking to himself as he prepares to leave his home for good. The reader is captured with this openning and as they travel along the way, collecting their supplies in hiding, one can't help but wonder what is going to happen next to them. At times, the story does become tedious, esp with the history of the Avalon retreat and how it came to be deserted and repaired, but I can see how it is useful to the story itself. Most of the characters are the same and perfect of course. At times, I would skim through portions, but at the end the story does pick up to end on a high note and of course, there's another book coming. The story, like so many these days, doesn't really have a true ending.

Also, I had unanswered questions I felt would have benefitted the story more than all those boring descriptors. The ending is curious and things such as how the man became the new president, wasn't answered. The man just pops up out of nowhere one day giving a speech on a radio. How did the man get to be the new president? It just doesn't make sense that these hard core survivors would just believe this without question? I know he explained the politicians were murdered by mobs, but he didn't really explain about those in undisclosed locations. I have a feeling the president is alive and well, watching the show from a facility hidden deep within the mountains, maybe Mount Rushmore, and this new fellow is some trick by one of the invading govts. Wouldn't it be interesting if the Antichrist is behind the whole scheme?

Another thing I liked about the story, is that the author involves the entire world. He tells us what happens to other countries, in general terms, as these events unfold in the USA. It makes mention of gun control, reminds the reader of militia men and even, to my surprise, mentions the fact that the founding fathers meant for God to play a role in govt without govt really controlling religon.… (mais)