Awakening: A New World, Book 5

By: John O'Brien

Narrated by: Mark Gagliardi

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

Awareness grows... The gathering commences.... The world has changed. Jack Walker and the other survivors must adjust with it if they are to have a chance. They've managed to stay one step ahead so far but the gap is narrowing. The night runners are growing and adapting. The rules are changing. Winter is coming and the survivors must ready themselves for the long season. With Robert and Bri rescued from captivity, Jack focuses on the days ahead. His mind weighs on ensuring their supplies will see them through and clearing the night runners away from their sanctuary. There are changes in the air that threaten not only the safety of the small band of survivors, but perhaps the entire remnants of mankind. The deadliest threats Are those that build unseen...Book I - A New World:Chaos, Book II - A New World: Return, Book III - A New World: Sanctuary, Book IV - A New World: Taken, Book V - A New World: Awakening, Book VI - A New World: Dissension, Book VII - A New World: Takedown, Book VIII - A New World: Conspiracy Book IX - A New World: Reckoning

©2012 John O'Brien (P)2014 John O'Brien

This is the best book in the series so far

For me, there has been time in between Taken and Awakening. For Jack and the crew, very little time has passed.

Right form the get go O’Brien explores the area I wanted so much more if in the pervious books. I wanted more of the “thinking” zombie-like night runners. I wanted to know more about the strange connection that Jack now has to these creatures. While nothing was truly explained, much was revealed about both areas. Such as the night runners do not necessarily need to eat flesh to survive. And they are getting smarter and smarter. I have a feeling that there will be mush more revealed about Jack’s connection as well. Then there is the issue of the unexpected discovery of a mystery survivor right at the end.

O’Brien was able to make his characters so much more. By exploring their backstories, revealing what makes hen who they are. Sure, sometimes this approach can be a tad drab and uninteresting. This. Is. Not. So. The depth of the characters that he is able to create, simply make the book so much more. Also it helps get me vested in their survival.

Because of all of the character development, the action that I became accustomed to was there but mostly near the end of this story. It was worth the wait! Jack and the crew decide to invade a secure facility. You will want to know how they did it, all I will say is that it involves an airplane, as so much of these stories do. Vicious action sequences and very descriptive gore.

I always love it when a crazy cultish group is found in these types of books. Ever reminding me that humans are quite capable of going completely loony tunes within a short period of time. And with that they tend to become so much easier to manipulate.

If I wasn’t hooked yet, I would be after listening to Awakening. I feel utterly invested in the survival of all of the individuals in the group. Needing to know more about how they survive and rebuild a semblance of society.

I may have said this before but. This is the best book in the series so far. Leaves me wanting to get into the next book as soon as possible.

Mark Gagliardi continues, through this series, to grow and polish his narration skills. He has been able to accomplish something that I would think many narrators strive for. To make the story their’s. He has made this a reality. I could imagine no one else making the night runners and Jack and his crew come alive. His characterizations are getting better and better. Pacing changes are spot on. Very hard to find a flaw.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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17 of 20 people found this review helpful

JACK IS MY HERO!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

if they liked the Zombie genre...yep!!! :)

What other book might you compare Awakening: A New World, Book 5 to and why?

Its more of a military based zombfic...I am going to kind of compare it to Day by Day Armageddon...another really interesting zombfic...its kinda of in journal form though like Adrian's diary..Anyway this is Jack's story...and I like how he tells it!!

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

This series...but i like him very much!

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

The rescue's of his soldiers families!!! Jack is a true hero!

Any additional comments?

This series gets better and better each book...in this one Jack and the crew go on more of a search and rescue kind of mission looking for survivors....and start to learn that the Night Runners are becoming smarter, and some may even be recovering! Jack also admits he can sense and communicate with the Night Runners..and they discover more and more that humanity is fading fast..and people are becoming ore and more of a threat! On to book 6!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

just hate waiting on the next one.. <br />

Great series. He has done his research and the continuity is flawless. The narrator does a great job.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

good but what is going on

i really like the emotional/actuom of this book but we dont know whats going on back home. mark and john... amazing combo keep up the good work

Awesome series

Ready for the next book. Jack must have 9 lives. Must have series if you like end of Society books.

fantastic

johns books keeps getting better and better. I can't get enough of this story. I hope he keeps them coming

Amazing series. A must hear.

Action, great storytelling and amazing feelings come from thus book. I got attached from book 1

Another great book in the New World series.

Lots of adventure, the Night Runner danger increases as they seem to get smarter...lots of action and humor and great stirytelling.

Jack is Back!

What did you love best about Awakening: A New World, Book 5?

Jack''s growing ability to sense the NIght Runners

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

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

In this new reality, there is no such thing as safe

Any additional comments?

Loved the continuation of the series, with Jack doing everything he can to help the men and women that also helped him. This is his new family and taking risk are a part of him. For his family, Lynn and his team, Jack will always make the choice to help. He can't walk away because he knows to do so would allow the Night Runners to win becase there is no where he can go, no safe zone as the Night Runners continue to hunt and feed on humans and all living creatures decimating everything in their path. It is literally an US or THEM situation.

Apocalyptic gold!

Love the characters. Great story. Vivid images you can see in your minds eye. Must read!

my review

Brilliant, well read and performed totally enjoying the story looking forward to starting the next book.

Overall an enjoyable book.

Any additional comments?

Listened to this book in one day so can't be bad, i find this funny as only got these because he is doing a collaboration with Mark Tufo but so glad i did, very enjoyable books, maybe not the best of 5 and sameish to others but hey a zombie book where can you go? overall a very good book :)

more of the same

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Half and half. I want to know what happens but there seams to be quite a bit of filling like repeating the same scene from different peoples points of view (when there doesnt seam to be any real reason for it other that to make up the words).

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

Progress the story more with each book. Its all just getting the same thing over and over again. They go somewhere to pick some people up. Then they have to free said people from humans or they have to get supplies and get attacked by night runners while doing it

Do you think A New World needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I think it needs to speed up a bit. i already know there are more books