American Exodus: A Post-Apocalyptic Journey

Catalyst

By: JK Franks

Narrated by: Steven Varnum

Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

One man's desperate journey to get home in a post-apocalyptic world.

Steven Porter had a mostly charmed life, one that most people would envy, that is until it all vanished. He was far from home on that day when his world changed forever. How far does the devastation reach - the whole country, the world? Millions of people are fleeing the cities trying to find safety. Steve finds himself as one of those lost souls wandering the highways. Each step forward is fraught with peril. What will he find if he even makes it back home?

To survive the dangerous journey, he must battle hunger, thirst, and the relentless attacks by others as well as a seemingly brutal response by our government that raises more questions than answers. What's left of his world? Normal is a fading memory, survival is all that matters. His challenge is simple, adapt or die.

American Exodus is a companion novel to the popular Catalyst series. This gritty standalone get-home journey offers an intimate view of one man's harrowing mission to return to his family.

©2017, 2018 JK Franks (P)2017 JK Franks

GREAT BOOK, HOWEVER...

This is one of the best books I've read in this genre, however, the voice of the Narrator fails to capture the essence of the books characters.

Great Likable Characters

I totally enjoyed this dystopian/post-apocalyptic book. It has great characters especially loved Steve, JD and Gerald and now Elvis cannot wait until next book to find out what happens next. They have exciting travels especially one where they go over a dam with homemade raft. Not everyone is a prepper. Some parts were very sad and depressing and see good in some people. Great narration and recommend listening to. I was given this audiobook by author and have voluntarily left this review. THANK YOU!

Tied in with catalyst quiet nicely

This book has a slow start and as it progresses you can’t help but root for success. Some parts were overly predictable but only because it was inline with the catalyst series. Either series will stand on its own for sure, I would have preferred to read this first but it is what it is. I do look forward to the next installment in both series. Steven did a good job narrating as usual and it went as expected.

Another perspective

Good spin off story following the first two books. I was wondering why he decided to do another story in the catalyst event for book 3 but I liked the story makes you realize a lot of people arent really prepared for anything like this and it gives more behind the scene details on who’s behind the catalyst events.

Most realistic post-apocalyptic story yet

The main character Stephen was a successful businessman before the event struck. Away on a business trip, he now has the daunting task of getting back home to his autistic son who needs him. Along the way he befriends a man and a young boy. They run into their share of roadblocks, aggressive people and physical challenges. They witness government official-looking teams helping the citizens… but what are they really doing? Do they keep going or turn back?

This is the second book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another.
There are situations I have considered but not wanted to really let my mind think about, about what would happen to the average person if this kind of scenario were to be true. There were things brought up in this book along the lines of what I was thinking about, but now hearing them it’s hard to get them out of my head. What a horrific, terrifying thing to have happen. The worst was the daycare center scene. This book and the Catalyst series brings a realism to the post apocalyptic genre that I have not read before.

This is the second book I’ve listened to by this narrator and I would listen to another. He brings the emotion and life into the story that allows me to forget I am listening to a book being read to me.

There are no explicit sex scenes, or excessive violence. There is the very occasional swear word.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.

Such a great series.

Everything about this series and the events seem to be exactly what would happen. Electricity, is so vital.

Happy surprise

What did you love best about American Exodus: A Post-Apocalyptic Journey?

The character development of the characters through the story.

What did you like best about this story?

This book had great local detail of the route the characters traversed. A lot of thought went into this.

Have you listened to any of Steven Varnum’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. This book is on par. Excellent narration and emphasis at the right point. Multiple characters are easily distinguished with his use of different voices and ranges.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The death of Gerald and Trey

Any additional comments?

This book was provided for free in exchange for a review.

This book is in the same universe as the Downward Cycle but with different characters and slightly different local. It is highly realistic in the problems encountered trying to travel across any distance during such and event.

One might wish for more "good guys" but this is the author's choice. The level of fall from civilized behavior is quite believable as is the way the government works to depopulate the world after the event.

Look forward to more works in this universe.

Just WOW!

what an amazing series. Well worth every credit. Relatable characters and believable story line. It gives you smiles, tears and suspense. I would recommend this book to everyone.

One of my favorite series continues!

I LOVE this series and I have recommended it to many people. I love how the characters grow from being every day normal people to survivors.
I hope Steve & JD meet up with Scott and the others from the first 2 books in the series in an upcoming story line. I love these two and I was so happy about Elvis. (That may be a tiny spoiler)
Franks is a master at creating characters you can relate to and love.
Varnum is an amazing narrator and does a fabulous job as expected.
I’m ready for the next installment in the catalyst world.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.

This is a Tale Set In the Catalyst Universe

JK Franks has crafted a wonderful separate story within the Catalyst Universe called American Exodus. I like to keep my reviews as spoiler-free as possible so here we go. This book is noticeably shorter than Mr. Frank's other book in the series but this is a stand-alone story. The shorter length does not have any effect on the quality of the storytelling. This is the hero's journey type of story in the post-apocalyptic world. When the crap hits the rotary impeller a man who never had to survive by his wits and physical skills gets a crash course in reality. If he wants to get home alive he's going to have to work for it. I highly recommend this stand-alone book in the Catalyst Universe.

Steve Varnum once again provides excellent narration. Mr. Varnum does a great job with the different accents for all the characters. I really enjoyed his performance.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.