The Remaining: Aftermath

By: D. J. Molles

Narrated by: Christian Rummel

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Nothing has gone according to plan.

To Captain Lee Harden, Project Hometown feels like a distant dream and the completion of his mission seems unattainable. Wounded and weaponless, he has stumbled upon a group of survivors that seems willing to help. But a tragedy in the group causes a deep rift to come to light and forces him into action. In the chaos of the world outside, Lee is pursued by a new threat: someone who will stop at nothing to get what he has.

The Remaining: Aftermath is the second book in the best-selling The Remaining series.

©2012 D.J. Molles (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Great Listen But Frustrating Character

If you could sum up The Remaining: Aftermath in three words, what would they be?

WHY DO THAT?

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Let me say right off the bat, this is a good book and worth the listen. The writing is crisp and dialogue is well done....

But, I have a very hard time believing in the main character. A highly trained soldier who is supposed to bring people together after the plague. But he makes very poor decisions for someone who is supposed to be giving survivors what they need to re-create society. I found myself constantly saying to myself "why would he do THAT?"

For example:
1. (book 1) OK. I saved this young kid who is traumatized and unstable. Should I should leave him in my bunker/house playing video games, promise to be back in a few hours and go rescue some people that may or may not be on the roof of their house, on a street that I'm guessing they live on, several miles away. Yes, you should. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?

2. So-and-so suddenly wants to help you save the camp, despite being weak and ineffective, never used a gun, has nothing to add to the mission and could be more useful back at camp? "Sure come along. After all, what's the worst that could happen?"

3. So-and-so asks you to check on her sister in a town that something bad happened in. "Sure I will do that, no matter what. Because you were nice to me, despite my having spent all of two minutes with you. I mean, really, what's the worst that could happen?"

3. I got supplies that will save the entire camp and give us a leg-up on the (known) bad guys. We'll be back to camp in an hour or two. Yay! "But first, I'll just leave them lightly guarded in an unknown town, in a world where people are dying left and right, from infected hordes and bad guys, and go wandering in search of some person that I've never seen, couldn't recognize and is probably dead. What's the worst that could happen?

It got frustrating.

Nevertheless, I got book three. So although the main character is unbelievable (to me at least) he is strong and likeable. The secondary characters are mostly awesome. Other reviewers have pointed out that the author likes his men manly and his womenfolk mostly weak and playing a strictly supporting role - you know, cooking, cleaning and nursing. While it didn't really alter my enjoyment it was a noticeable story flaw. Not once did a woman/girl pick up a gun and actually fight.

Still let me say it one more time: Good book. Worth the listen.
The narrator is top notch.

What about Christian Rummel’s performance did you like?

He does a great job of subtly changing his tone/accent/cadence for each character to make it easy to follow along with who is speaking. He truly made this more enjoyable.

Once again Molles delivers!

I started "The Remaining" series having never heard of DJ Molles. WOW!! I now know that I was really missing out. This is a great story with nonstop action and rich characters. The narration was great too. This is WAY bigger than what I expected and couldn't wait to get in the car or on the riding mower to listen to the story. All four books done back to back and now I'm sitting on the edge of my seat hoping the next one comes sooner than later.

Surprising Start!!!

Surprisingly better than the first book, and not what i was expecting. The ending of the first book hinted on a teamwork theme between Captain Lee and the new group. But the way Aftermath started was really surprising, which i really liked, and the "aftermath" was satisfying.

I'm getting the 3rd book soon, and looking forward to how it will be like, specially when you listen to the last chapter in Aftermath.

a good one

Would you consider the audio edition of The Remaining: Aftermath to be better than the print version?

alot of generic themes for this genre. but its a good one with a bit of a twist.

Exciting Awesome Series...

I'm an AVID listener to this genre. This series is one of the best. Great narration and overall great experience. Can't wait for #5......

Bad ace for sure

This series is bad a$$. You want to experience awesome narration and good story look no further.

Super alpha Cpt. Lee Hardin is here for you.

Even better than the first!

Oh wow! I thought the first book was good and worthy of 5-stars. This one was even better and blew me away! I’m almost reluctant to read the 3rd book in case this series becomes a disappointment, but no, I’m too hooked to give up now. Great storytelling and character development. The author isn’t afraid to put characters in tough situations and then making them even tougher once you think things are letting up. Some good twists and turns. There were a few places I got slightly confused, but overall, I never got bored and looked forward to reading the next bit. Definitely my cup of tea and a good break from the more daunting books I've been working on.

Christian Rummel is spot on with the character voices and adds just the right amount of tension to scenes. Never overdramatic nor boring. Couldn't think of a better narrator to do this series.

Almost

First, I almost gave up on the series after book one. A little too slow and took too long to develop the characters but by book 2 you understand why....Months passed and I got book 2. Now I am hooked.

More of the First and Getting Better

If you have not read the first book in the series you should definitely do that. These books do not stand on their own. The author does very little to recap the first book so the reader knows what is going on. Read The Remaining first or you will not appreciate the story nearly as much.

That said, this book just takes up where the first one left off and continues the saga with an entirely new set of twists and turns. Some new characters are introduced and new side quests from the main mission are introduced as well. All good stuff.

I am actually reading the fourth book as I write this review and it just keeps getting better. The narrative changes from first person a bit more in this book and even more so as the story progresses – for reasons I can’t mention here.

All I can say is this is a great series of books, so start at the beginning and you will not be disappointed.

no series #

the darn series doesnt have the book numbers. otherwise the series is ok, I like Adrians Diary's better