The Lucky Prepper: A Gardener's Story of Surviving a Pandemic

Lucky Prepper, Book 1

By: Emma Zeth

Narrated by: Esther Wane

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

What do you eat when the shops run out of food?

Zoe loves teaching science, she loves her garden, and most of all she loves her quiet, peaceful bungalow. Then at school, people start falling ill. The virus is airborne and highly infectious. It starts with flu symptoms, confusion, and sleepiness, which worsen until one day they just don't wake up. It decimates the population and leaves chaos in its wake. Now Zoe has to find a way to survive.

Luckily, when the pandemic strikes, she already has a greenhouse full of vegetable seedlings, but not everyone around is as prepared. Can she avoid the people hunting for food: the "knockers" who don't always just knock? And will her strategy of stay in, hide, and wait be enough?

©2019 Emma Zeth (P)2020 Tantor

Not bad... I'd enjoy a second installment

So most books in apocalyptic fiction are are violent fever dreams of never-ending fights against hordes of men who have devolved into the very worst humanity has to offer. Perhaps they are correct. Perhaps once the facade of civilization has been removed, men are destined to Lord of the Flies it up and become not predators but packs of rabid dogs. Who knows? But, if you are sick of nothing BUT this type of apocalyptic fiction being produced, you might feel a bit better about this one. Sure, there's a bit of "bad guy" happening but it's nothing near what you've been subjected to in this genre.

Are there plot issues, sure. Would electricity, water and cell coverage continue... maybe. She never tells us that there has been full collapse but with the number gone and all of the other services gone, it's hard to believe those services manage to continue.

Other than that, not bad. I rated it a bit higher than I normally would simply for the lack of insanity. That was so refreshing. If you want another one to read that has its own load of improbability, basically no violence and a great bit of entertainment, try The Last Tribe by Brad Manuel.

No GUNS

This was a very interesting story. I am American, with Literally guns behind every blade of grass. I think this story was great but I cannot imagine the circumstances of only the army having guns. However I have never been to any part of the UK. I have heard there is a LOT of knives!

Refreshingly different

Nice Surprise twist and refreshingly different than other books in the post apocalyptic genre.
Enjoyable.

Well done

I enjoyed this book. It’s a different approach to SHTF. Especially the idea of an apocalypse in a gunless society

unexpected, but great nonetheless

like previous reviews, it's not your typical post apocalyptic book. But, it is a great listen and proves that literally anyone can become the person someone else needs them to be.

Not like all the rest

It was an interesting story with new ideas for apocalyptic novels. No zombies, plenty of twists though.

Not another dystopian novel....

The Lucky Prepper isn't particularly original but it's been so long since a book like this was written that it feels completely new and completely original.

It reminds me more than a little of the John Wyndham classic, The Day of the Triffids. It's thoughtful and avoids the usual tropes of this particular sub-genre. There is very little violence, no guns and for the most part it just bubbles away on a slow boil.

But despite action being thin on the ground I found myself enjoying it....and the lack of bangs and explosions is probably the reason I enjoyed it as much as I did.

Good listen.

I really enjoyed this. Not your typical ‘deadly catastrophe around every corner’ pepper/apocalypse story. Thought provoking too.

Refreshingly different!

The Lucky Prepper is a treat in the apocalypse genre. Well written. A less violent but still challenging environment. The story is smart, creative, and interesting. Brava.

Interesting story, fresh twist

Fresh story, great narration, hope there is a sequel as I can't wait to see where this is going.