Thunder Wells

By: Terry W Ervin II

Narrated by: Jonathan Waters

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

No one ever said surviving an alien invasion would be easy.

Jack Fairbanks made it through the initial wave of attacks, but now the Mawks have seeded the Earth with dozers and crawlers, tracking beasts that crave human flesh and are bent on hunting the remnants of humankind to extinction.

Joined by Lucia, a hardened urban survivor, Jack finds himself caught up in a secret plan to turn the course of the invasion. Can a college sophomore and a ragtag force of soldiers survive when the Mawks descend from orbit and begin their final assault?

©2016 Terry W. Ervin II (P)2017 Gryphonwood Press

Well written, well crafted invasion story

I am always a little hesitant about diving into alien invasion novels, despite my love of the post-apocalypse and sci-fi genres. Thunder Wells blew my negative expectations totally out of the water. What a fantastically crafted story this turned out to be. Yes, there were aliens, but their presence didn't overtake or detract from other aspects of the story. Nothing about the plot was hokey or entirely unrealistic. (However, I must air my reservations about whether or not large groups of people would voluntarily agree to regularly eating dry dog/cat kibble when food resources are scarce.) The love interest of main character Jack is developed and portrayed in an organic, realistic manner. The survival and warfare techniques described by the author seem plausible. Even as the author describes the aliens' technology, it isn't so far-fetched it turns me off the story. (My fiction needs to bear at least some passing resemblance to non-fiction, I guess!) Overall, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Thunder Wells; with its well-written storyline, thoughtful ending, and superb narration. Do give this one a listen because it won't disappoint!

I was provided a free copy of this audiobook by the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity!

Bob @ Platypire Reviews

​I requested and was granted a code for the Audible version of this book.

This was pretty good. A fresh perspective on an alien invasion that happens in the aftermath. The good guy, bad guys, and other bad guys all played their parts quite well, and I liked how the story wove everything together. Honestly, though, one my absolute favorite things about this book was that there was a "team" (I consider Jack and Lucia a team in my own mind haha) consisting of a man and a woman. And it wasn't sexual! Seriously, you don't actually find that very often, and it was AWESOME to see two people who could be just friends in an apocalyptic novel. I know, I'm weird. But I don't care. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being able to find something new, and this book had just the thing I needed. I was getting a little overwhelmed in too much lovey dovey lately lol.
I give this book 4 Platypires. And that is the rating I'm going with for Goodreads and Amazon.

The Audible version is going to be a 3, as the narrator wasn't my cup of tea. He had a pleasant voice, a steady pace, knew the story. But, I found myself bored and lulled into a state of not even paying attention a few times, causing me to have to go back and listen again. I'm not sure why it was like this for me. I realize that most others loved his narration, but something was just off for me.
If you like aliens and survival of the fittest and smartest, you should definitely check this out.

So, overall: Book is 4 Platypires, Audible is 3.

Tremors anyone?

Its pretty good but reminds me too much of tremors. Lucia is pretty dang annoying so I really dont know why Jack puts up with her. Its still worth a listen however as long as it stays a single if it turns out to be a series I dont see any reason to stay with it.

Unique storyline, invasion from the front lines.

Author has taken a tale and woven it into a story of indomitable human spirit, without making humans the three musketeers. "All for one, and one for all."

Good story, good performance

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

I would recommend this book since the story was well written and kept flowing very well.

What other book might you compare Thunder Wells to and why?

I would recommend Dawn of Wonder

What three words best describe Jonathan Waters’s voice?

Wonderful, relaxing, and soft

Any additional comments?

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

I must recommend that Jonathan Waters gets a popfilter for his microphone. His S's were a bit harsh on my ears and I think that might help with a bit of that.

Very good

Not a whole lot I didn’t like about this book other than the author could have make it in to 2 or 3 books Jonathan Walters was the perfect narrator for this book good call

Not stop action!

Would you consider the audio edition of Thunder Wells to be better than the print version?

Didn't read the print version, but the audio version was amazing! I loved the overall story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Main character was honestly a badass. Jack is one of those cocky characters that you love right off the bat. But he also has a side that is vulnerable as well, you see that through how much he cared about his mentor.

What does Jonathan Waters bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sarcasm and cockiness in abundance! You can tell exactly what type of character Jack is and what matters to him. Surviving is whats most important and get by to the next day.

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

Independence day move over, the real alien invasion has arrived.

Any additional comments?

Would love a story about the initial invasion before jack became the badass he is now.

Top Tier Sci FI!!

I do not want to damn Terry W Ervin II 's Thunder Wells with superlatives but... I loved this book and can't wait for the inevitable second volume. Time well spent. Jonathan Waters's narration added to this well written story. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

How to survive AFTER aliens are ruling

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

The story in the book starts after the aliens have already attacked and almost decimated humanity. Our hero is trying to survive this world. Thus, it had "Falling Skies" vibe to it. And similar to that, I was expecting a flashback showing the first contact and first attack of the aliens, a chapter detailing how we reached here; but that never came and I was disappointed. That would've really made this story so much more relatable / enjoyable.

What aspect of Jonathan Waters’s performance would you have changed?

The narrator did a good job, I would say. The different characters had their on distinct voices and there weren't any distracting elements in the narration / pitch.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I had liked the TC show Falling Skies and since this book follows somewhat similar arc, I guess I would love a movie too. So, if a movie is made with similarly impeccable cast as the tv show, I will go see it.

Any additional comments?

I voluntarily received a free copy of this book from the author / narrator / publisher and I'm leaving an unbiased review.

A Great Read/listen

A good listen great Narrator and great story well assembled story believable characters I Highly recommend Listening or reading this book