Wayward

A Novel

By: Chuck Wendig

Narrated by: Xe Sands, Dominic Hoffman

“If King had written a sequel to The Stand, it might look something like this monumental epic of a story.”—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Kingdom of Bones

“As great as Wanderers was, Wayward is better.”—Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Road of Bones

Five years ago, ordinary Americans fell under the grip of a strange new malady that caused them to sleepwalk across the country to a destination only they knew. They were followed on their quest by the shepherds: friends and family who gave up everything to protect them.

Their secret destination: Ouray, a small town in Colorado that would become one of the last outposts of civilization. Because the sleepwalking epidemic was only the first in a chain of events that led to the end of the world—and the birth of a new one.

The survivors, sleepwalkers and shepherds alike, have a dream of rebuilding human society. Among them are Benji, the scientist struggling through grief to lead the town; Marcy, the former police officer who wants only to look after the people she loves; and Shana, the teenage girl who became the first shepherd—and an unlikely hero whose courage will be needed again.

Because the people of Ouray are not the only survivors, and the world they are building is fragile. The forces of cruelty and brutality are amassing under the leadership of self-proclaimed president Ed Creel. And in the very heart of Ouray, the most powerful survivor of all is plotting its own vision for the new world: Black Swan, the A.I. who imagined the apocalypse.

Against these threats, Benji, Marcy, Shana, and the rest have only one hope: one another. Because the only way to survive the end of the world is together.

Critic reviews

“Chuck Wendig’s Wayward proves that there’s always more story to tell. If King had written a sequel to The Stand, it might look something like this monumental epic of a story. I don’t think I’ll get this book out of my head for a long time—maybe never.”—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Kingdom of Bones

“As great as Wanderers was, Wayward is better: The best post-apocalyptic fiction combines grim extrapolation, great characters, and hope. Wendig nails it!”—Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Road of Bones

“Chuck Wendig has done it again. Salient, masterful, this is an author at the top of his game.”—Adam Christopher, New York Times bestselling author of Empire State

“IMAX-scale bleeding-edge techno-horror from a writer with a freshly sharpened scalpel.”—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Wanderers

“This career-defining epic deserves its inevitable comparisons to Stephen King’s The Stand.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A suspenseful, twisty, satisfying, surprising, thought-provoking epic.”—Harlan Coben

“A true tour de force.”—Erin Morgenstern

“A masterpiece with prose as sharp and heartbreaking as Station Eleven.”—Peng Shepherd

“An inventive, fierce, uncompromising, stay-up-way-past-bedtime masterwork.”—Paul Tremblay

“An American epic for these times.”—Charles Soule

“Epic, electrifying, poignant—Wanderers is a tsunami of a novel.”—Meg Gardiner

“A riveting examination of America—fiction that feels more real than reality itself.”—Scott Sigler

“Beautiful and harrowing—and timely as hell in its depiction of a very real world on the edge of the abyss.”—Richard Kadrey

“If you ever wanted to know what America’s soul might look like, here’s its biography.”—Rin Chupeco

“A brilliant Hollywood-blockbuster of a novel.”—Peter Clines

Excellent Conclusion

If you lean right, skip this book or you'll get big booty hurt and want to burn your method of listening while filming it to make a ridiculous TikTok about it. If you lean left, listen with care. I had to 30-second skip a few times bc Chuck was way too close to reality and I don't need to know depraved details and vitriol of white robe-wearing, arm-straight-out saluting pieces of dog poops we have living in our country and the world. Good job, Chuck, you made me hella uncomfortable! And I mean it in the best way. LOL!
In regards to the story, he did an excellent job crafting this non-zombie apocalyptic story with a stunning, yet kinda sad, ending. Again, I would've preferred Xe to narrate the entire book, but Dominic wasn't horrible.

Interesting and timely story about the dire possibilities of AI and nationalist politics

The story wove a very interesting, maybe prophetic tale with parallels to today’s headlines. Well performed and very engaging voice actors made this a pleasurable listen

great sequel, loved returning to this world

this is my favorite series by Chuck Wendig. be sure to start with Wanderers or you'll be lost!

Truly Exemplary

This book soars and soars then soars some more, all while pulling the listener through pit after pit of worry and anxiety for characters dear not only to us, but to others in the story. A few times I had to take small breaks to settle my nervous system.

Absolute masterful storytelling. Bravo, Chuck.

Legend

What an amazing ride. The voice acting is exceptional and the story had me in tears a couple of times. Excellent work. Highest rating.