Surviving Home

A Novel

By: A. American

Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

No electricity. No running water. No food. No end in sight. If life as you knew it changed in an instant, would you be prepared?

In A. American's first novel, Going Home, listeners were introduced to Morgan Carter, the resourceful, tough-as-nails survivalist who embarks on a treacherous 250-mile journey across Florida following the collapse of the nation's power grid. Now reunited with his loving wife and daughters in this follow-up to Going Home, Morgan knows that their happiness is fleeting, as the worst is yet to come. Though for years Morgan has been diligently preparing for emergency situations, many of his neighbors are completely unready for life in this strange new world - and they're starting to get restless.

With the help of his closest companions, Morgan fights to keeps his home secure - only to discover shocking information about the state of the nation in the process.

©2013 A. American (P)2013 Penguin Audio

He made it home... now what?

This is a view at what happens in a neighborhood when some have and some don't. You see this type of setup in books like "Jakarta Pandemic" and "Cyber Storm" (books I enjoyed) and "The End" (didn't). This is not a stand alone book... although you can stop reading after book one, you must read book one to understand this and you will be left falling off a cliff needing to read book three afterwards... and then waiting impatiently for June 2014 to read four. I almost wished I had stopped at one and waited for four to be ready before making the plunge.

The writing style is still very basic, the narrator instead of getting better gets worse (goes from one set of characters to the next without a breath or pause, leaving a person confused at where the heck he is... plus blatant mispronunciations which he finally gets corrected (but they didn't go back and edit). The plot continues to be brilliant and original, with less named brand supplies and more military involvement.

There is strong language peppered though it, lots of gun violence, minor sexual innuendos and lots of hungry, beaten down folks and others who take advantage of them. The characters become even more real in this book and you follow not only Morgan and his family, but the friends he made in "Going Home."

Great story

What made the experience of listening to Surviving Home the most enjoyable?

The story was good, but the performance was not so good.

What did you like best about this story?

Good story line.

What three words best describe Duke Fontaine’s performance?

stunted. The editing of this novel left a lot to be desired. For example, there were no gaps between changes in the characters. One second the narrator is talking about Sarge, and the very next second, the scene has shifted to an entirely different set of characters. I had to back up the book several times to get my mind to shift to the different set of characters.

Great sequel

Book 2 of the Surviving Home series continues the story line. The author keeps the story moving, provides a lot of information in addition to the story, and makes me look forward to more. The narration is good, too.

I am still right there with this story

this is not the best written story out there, this author presents this story like it is a first draft, and it is still great. If you are into the prepper world and feel that the current government is to intrusive, you will love this book, it is overall a great story from the first book and continues into this second story as well. The author is way into the tech of prepping, as are a lot of preppers, so for that audience it is great. If you are not a prepper then this book will outline at least one scenario for your fate, and it is that of the silly little totalitarian who thinks that "resource sharing" is now the current plan since you were to busy laughing at those who were diligent and put resources into the rainy day fund. This is a fun book and it brings to focus all the big gov plans for those who are content with watching T.V. and hitting the pipe, hey, if you like your current lifestyle you can keep your current lifestyle - what ever!
Highly recommended

Wow....let's return to the 1950s

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

People who are into survivalism and wish for the good old days when men were men and protected their women folk who basically cooked, cleaned, and fell apart.

Would you ever listen to anything by A. American again?

Nope...racist (token African-american character's) homophobic and sexist. I got sucked into the first book and decided against my better judgement to give the second a chance. I should have known better.

What character would you cut from Surviving Home?

The lead.

Any additional comments?

The disappointing part of the book is that it is intriguing but this guy is only writing for "the guys". Women read too and I imagine that some men enjoy books where women aren't just token characters.

Riveting!

I found myself literally staying up all night, just to find out what happens next in Book 1... Only to download the this one immediately after. Finished this one too, and now plan to download the 3rd when I'm done with this review. Gripping... Makes you think a bit too...

Highly recommended.

This is fun and you'll enjoy

You'll enjoy this book and learn a bunch at the same time.
The series is awesome and I'm looking forward to more.
It's pretty much a prepper book and story but if you don't have a clue it'd be a good idea to get this book series and listen to them you'll do well.
Enjoy either way.

A must read

Where does Surviving Home rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book should be read by every American.

What other book might you compare Surviving Home to and why?

I can't think of any other books to compare it too. It is just a story that is hitting all too close home right now. As the Boy Scouts always say, "Be Prepared". I've lived that way my whole life.

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

His voice gave it life.

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

The breakdown of the community and how fast your neighbors would turn on you for a scrap of food if you had some and they didn't.

Any additional comments?

Final comment would be to always have a few cans of food on the shelf and some bottled water. I know this is just a book but look what looters did in Katrina. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I always try to hide away a couple cans of food every now and then (rotate you're stock) and some bottled water just in case. I highly recommend this book. It have me some insight as well as entertainment.

Average at Best

Would you try another book from A. American and/or Duke Fontaine?

It's hard for me to understand why so many people are in love with this series. It is painfully average. It doesn't completely suck, but that's what I mean by average.It's the same ole, same ole. EMP. Survivalists and bad guys, predictable events and expendable characters are plentiful. It's okay for the first book, but after listening to two of them, it's basically the same thing playing in a loop.I quit listening after this one. There was a cool idea, but they focused on too much drivel and not enough of the interesting plot points.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Probably SHTF, but I have no idea if it will be good or not yet.

What three words best describe Duke Fontaine’s voice?

It's okay, but I have heard a lot of better narrators. Maybe all of them have been better. This guy cannot even complete some sentences without taking a breath.

What character would you cut from Surviving Home?

Multiple characters.

Any additional comments?

This book does not completely suck. It is the definition of average. If you love this, check around and try a few others. There is lots of content out there that runs circles around this.

Great continuation of the first book.

Where does Surviving Home rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

better than most

What about Duke Fontaine’s performance did you like?

excellent

Any additional comments?

Fast and exciting adventure. Reading the 3 rd book now. I hope there will be a fourth book.

Review on the whole series so far 1-5

I have just finished book 5 in the series and thought I would write a review on the whole series (so far) as I loved all of them the same.

So if you've read the synopsis you'll now that Morgan was on his way home to his wife and 3 kids when.... the power goes out, an EMP maybe? and plunges the world back into the stone age. Now you might be thinking that there is a couple of other books on the same line and a successful TV show.

However what makes this different?
Morgans story and the situations that he finds himself in with people that are trying to survive. I continually thought "yeah, that is what would happen, thats how people would act in that situation" it is brilliantly thought through. The characters are fantastic as well all with very different backstories which really makes you care about what happens to them.

But the stand out thing is the narration by Duke Fontaine it is fantastic it probably the best I've heard, he puts constant voices on all the characters so you know every time who is talking but is still clear to understand.

The only thing I would have liked is an explanation to why Morgan prepared the way he did, it sort of does near the end of the series, its only a small thing but it bug me a little.

If you like excellent narration, brilliant characters and a believable story (with a little hollywood drama chucked in) give this a go.

Love it!

I keep re-listening to this series. Well worth the credits! The story is engaging, the premise and plot is believable and the execution is surprisingly well done. Thanks!

great

looking forward to the next one
great book have to keep on listening
great page Turner if ordenary book

original and exciting

this was a new author I decided to try whilst waiting for Hopf 's next book. it was so good I have found a new favourite author. story was original and captivating and characters were great. Couldn't put the book down and I left the world for 19 mins as I searched to find more books by this author but also find the next in the trilogy to this one!

surviving home. an awesome series.

I'm loving this series. book 1 was really good book 2 was the same. the characters are really memorable and grow on you as they grow. from the big bear of a man thaddeus to the mean but comical sarge and the lovely little bit to her tough protective father. the story line just gets better and better as you find yourself hanging on every word unwilling to but the book down until you've heard the next part and then the next. a fantastic change from my usual reading of zombie apocalypse books. I really am looking forward to starting the next in series.
all in all a great readable movie, recommended to any lover of the end of times genre.