American Exodus: A Post-Apocalyptic Journey

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

Keep Them Coming!

I was provided this free review copy audio book by the author or narrator." This review is for the audio copy of: American Exodus: A Post-Apocalyptic Journey: Catalyst by JK Franks and narrated by Steven Varnum. So you need to know that this is my favorite genre of audio books and that this is the third book by this duo that I have listened to. So here goes: It was great. That’s it. That is all you need to know. So get it and listen to it and if you disagree with me, then leave a review. I’ll leave you with the fact that the first two books were as good and you can find my reviews for them. This one is a different storyline for a different group of people set in the same world. So a great idea that was well thought out and executed. While the story for this group has a satisfactory ending, it can keep going. I for one hope that it does and I cannot wait for the next book. Oh, yeah. I was listening to a different book when this opportunity came up and I jumped this book ahead of that and 2 or 3 others that were already in my listening queue. Great work JK and Steven, please keep it up!

2 people found this helpful

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.

1 person found this helpful

American Exodus

This is a really good apocolyptic book from JK Franks.He seems to be able to figure out ways to survive in every area of the country.Whie the ne government is putting people into work camps ,Steve and his new friends are trying to go south without detection.Steven Varnum is an excellent narrator for these books.“I was given this free review copy audiobook and have voluntarily left this review." 

1 person found this helpful

plot thickens

JK did a great job with this one. We got a little more back story to what is going on with the government that wasn't covered in the first books plus a new plot set up to the in with the previous mentioned.

1 person found this helpful

Survival without weapons. That’s new

The second half of the book for me was better than the first half. Though I don’t know how realistic it would be to survive this situation with virtually no weapons, it was good to see this version. He makes a point of avoiding trouble rather than meeting it head on, which is different than most books in this genre. Main character is no coward, but is smart and goes around trouble if possible. And there is a lot of trouble.

1 person found this helpful

Great Addition to the Catalyst Saga

Great story of an unprepared average guy caught in a bad situation. If you are familiar with the Catalyst world, this slots in nicely.
The main character is a fish out of water in a world that no longer respects his money and influence. He stumbles through, grows up and learns to take responsibility for himself and others.
He does get lucky a few times too many, but nothing the really stretches credulity other than the blimp episode. The book seems short compared to the other books in the Catalyst series and it is by about a third. The story moves along well, but leaves one hanging at the end with the possibility of a sequel or a merge into the other books.
Well narrated by Steven Varnum.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

2 people found this helpful

A Side Novel that adds to the Main Story

American Exodus was a good side story to the main Catalyst series. I don’t think you have to read the other books in the series before reading this, but it adds to the book if you have. Although I’ve only just started the last book in the series, Ghost Country, I think some of the insight you receive about the politics going on behind the scenes is going to be a major part of this next book. This book also made some aspects of the rest of the series I found somewhat unbelievable fall into place.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book, and I hope the make an appearance in the main series. It was interesting to see the CME event from Steve’s perspective as a car dealership owner as opposed to Scott’s. We also were able to get a look at what is happening in major cities as most of the main series takes place in small country towns. The one criticism I have is that the part of the story involving river travel seemed a bit too much like Bobby’s story from book 2. Overall though this was an enjoyable side book that adds to the narrative of the main story.

Just like the rest of the series I think Steven Varnum is a great narrator.

Believable & Thought Provoking Scenario

This story gets you thinking about how unready we are for a catastrophe. Good read.

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.

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.