Although some of the inner monolog sounds a little clunky at times, the story supercedes it and the action is well written. Recommended read for sure.

if you're in the mood to feel greatly depressed by our political and social climate, yet also oddly hopeful. It's good. It's not happy, but it's good.

I'm a hardcore fan of dystopian novels and this only slightly disappoints, with jumpy plot and characters that should have been fleshed out more. Thoroughly enjoyable tho!

This apocalyptic story has suspense and heart that grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the last pages. Worth a read for fans and those new to genre fiction.

The After War was incredible.

It was quite obvious to me that the author spent well over a decade crafting and perfecting this book. It's the kind of book you only write once in a lifetime.

The characterization was wonderful. The depth and nuance with which they were written was second to none. It was plainly obvious who was narrating at any given time without needing to be told the character's name.
I loved every single one of them, but of course, the loyal and beautiful pup Winston will always be the best boy (please don't kill him later in the series, Brandon!!!).

The prose was stunning. Intricate and full of rich worldbuilding, but never slowing the story down.
QUOTE: Some things can be unseen, but the death of Stanley Jacobs was not one of them. There was no funeral or eulogy given. Stanley Jacobs' corpse was left frozen to the marrow of his bones, deep underground in the bunker, where he would remain forever in darkness.

The plot was everything I wanted. It played out like the best post-apocalyptic movie ever.

The pacing and tension were expertly done, combining heartracing horror with deep breaths of philosophical beauty that everyone could learn from. The whole ride was a rollercoaster in the greatest possible way and the ending didn't let me down.

My favourite part of The After War, was the ingenuity of the plan of action at the end. It was so exciting to read. I didn't predict any of it, yet it remained completely within the realms of possibility.

I have nothing negative to say about this book. I've read other reviewers state their concerns that the plague wasn't more clearly defined. I don't think that fact impacted the book negatively at all. If a plague suddenly ravished the world today, would the survivors all know exactly what it was and where it came from? The not knowing added an extra element of horror, as I believe it would in real life. Besides, the story isn't about the plague, it's about how these wonderful characters overcame it and everything else thrown at them, in a completely believable and heart-wrenching way.

My very favourite quote says all that needs to be said about the importance of the Second Amendment:

"Today - just hours ago," Simon said as everyone found seating around the fire, "we witnessed Nick Byrnes deliver a speech where he announced the greatest threat yet to us all. He took away our means of survival. He took away our weapons. And he did so under the guise of friendship, security and the town's overall advancement. What's scarier yet is the majority of people, our friends, don't see the danger in him stripping us of our power. They applauded Nick's speech and handed over their weapons without the slightest reservation."

My mind will keep going back to this book in time to come, such is the impact it's had on me. I wish there were 10 more books in the series.

5*.

I thought that I already reviewed this one, but here it goes again. I loved this apocalyptic thriller by Brandon Zenner. It had family ties, emotional aspect, psychology, a killer virus (which thank goodness in this story has mostly run its course and ALREADY fizzled out leaving humanity/society ravished...I don’t quite like those epidemic stories! ☺️) This will leave you on the edge of your seat aand you almost root for villains....five star read for sure!!! ✨✨✨✨✨ (5Stars)!!

There are good twists in this post apocalyptic suspense. My rating 4.5.

Brian and Steve are best friends/cousins. They have lived together for two years in a well-supplied bunker hoping to survive the plague and chaos that hit America. Steve is a huge ‘bear’ of a fellow who goes in to red rages. He relies strongly on Brian to help him deal with day to day living and navigating when people are around. They were unhappy to leave friends on the surface but they promised to stay hidden for two years and then set out on their goal. They are to travel to collect Steve’s sister, Bethany, from her bunker states away. Then they are to continue east to find Bethany and Steve’s Uncle who was in the military and had some foreknowledge of the troubles to come.

Simon and his dog, Winston, emerge from a secluded cabin in the Canadian woods on the edge of America. They too are headed east to meet up with his wealthy, political family who sent him off shortly before the devastating war began two years earlier. Simon is a skilled naturalist who embraces nonviolence but is also an adept tracker with hidden warrior abilities.

Both character groups (and that includes wonderful Winston) face danger, evil and heart ache as they travel. There are some calm experiences but those don’t last long. Eventually their paths will intersect as they come together in a tense battle to save their communities from a brutal, megalomaniac, evil tyrant.

The first part of the book follows the travelers in alternating chapters fill in their histories as well as their encounters on the journey. The second part shows the communities where they arrive and find a chance at home and future. The writing moves well with good action set with mostly realistic scenes and dialogue. There are some situations which aren't fully believable such as Simon’s successful hunt first time out and Brian and Steve dumping food cans at the edge of their camp and being generally careless in their travels. On the other hand, I really liked the tidbits of natural food spources and cures the author shares through Simon’s character.

All of the main characters are well developed and had me rooting for their success. The chaos, devastation, greed and survival by theft and violence seem all too real and plausible. There are secondary characters in the mercenary tribes who are terrifyingly evil. I was able to guess some of the problems that would be faced but there were some surprise events too. It was a nice change to have a story with real (sadly enough) evil rather than zombies. There is violence and some, but not excessive, foul language.

This is a strong post-apocalyptic/dystopia story that kept my attention from beginning to end. I recommend this to readers who enjoy the genre.

A little forethought into how to survive the apocalypse has paid off for cousins Brian and Steven. Following the firm instructions given to them at the very beginning of a global pandemic, the two young men are now ready are ready to re-emerge back into the land up top. Two years spent in a bunker with only each other was not easy, but the time was not wasted. They are physically strong but are they mentally tough enough to face what the world was become?

Alone with his dog in a remote forest cabin for years since it all went to hell, Simon is finding it hard to leave the safety of his isolated surrounds. The time however has come to find out what has become of his parents who did what they had to do in order to give Simon his best chance – the heart-breaking act of sending their son away.

When not actively reading this novel, I found myself thinking it quite a bit and wondering what everyone was up to, as if all the mayhem and survivalist horror was playing out whilst I wasn’t around. I enjoy reading a fair few pandemic novels (reading ‘sorbet’ away from dark crime) so if the authors are managing to keep their creations active in my mind when my eye is way from the pages, there’s been some solid work put into character development.

THE AFTER WAR I can’t see as being categorized as young adult fiction, but I feel that teenagers were probably the target audience for this work. (Also taking in consideration the lack of page time spent on female characters, possibly it was aimed at the boys?) The book’s plot doesn’t follow an overly complicated arc but this doesn’t necessarily detract; there is lots of action, a good assortment of young folk making tough decisions in a brave new world, redemptive opportunities offered to characters when they fall off the moral path – and a dog. (The staunch and loyal pet is always a welcome addition, though you are scared throughout that the furfriend will come to some horrible end).

A little more attention to editing would have professionalized this book. There’s a few shlocky inclusions such as a mad doctor and gorey scenes of dismemberment that don’t actually achieve in giving to give the novel a more mature tone – quite the opposite – but these are minor pick points.

THE AFTER WAR would translate well to the screen for sure with its punchy action scenes flipping back and forth between the perspectives of survivalist Simon and (mostly later) to the man mountain Brian. The first half of the novel I found to be the more absorbing as Simon and cousins Brian and Steven emerge separately back into what is left of civilization. The “road” chapters are the strength of THE AFTER WAR. It gets a little bit more pedestrian once the three young men are in contact with newly established communities, with all the associated power struggles and politics. It is so difficult to create a new world, fully populate it and evolve it through to a brave new order, all within the confines of just one book and you can see that writers’ conflict in THE AFTER WAR. So much to detail, so little time.

There is a great story here in THE AFTER WAR and hopefully we are seeing the beginning of a brand new series.

A great addition to the post apocalyptic book world!! I originally had reservation about this book as i could not get past the first chapter but once it picks up it is riveting. The whole time reading this book i was imagining it take place as a movie. I would not be surprised if a movie appears once a movie writer, producer whatever their called, reads this book and has the same reaction.

3.5 stars. The story was easy to follow and kept me interested. I wish there was more description of the dystopian post - apocalyptic world and what lead up to it. The ending felt a little rushed and the story unfinished but overall I enjoyed reading this book.

I absolutely loved reading this. It pulls you in and you're immediately wrapped up in the two converging stories. Two cousins who waited out the war in a comfortable bunker, and one who eked out his existence surviving off the land and wild. Even after the devastation is over they face corruption in those who still have power in this shell of a world. A thrilling read.

I liked how this book was different as it started 2 years after a world breakdown. It kept my interest but I wanted more.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
I just cannot get into this book. It is sorta supposed the end of times,as we know it with only a few people left on earth. Somet hung happened to wipe out the population but it never really gives any background on what happens even though you are dying to know!! One guy is rich and his parents had warning of what was to come so they sent him to live in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, alone, for 2 years or until he felt like it was safe. Two other guys live in an under ground bunker for 2 years and one of them seems like he has some issues with mental stability. The whole thing is kinda unbelievable and by kinda I mean way unbelievable.
I'm sorry, I could not even finish this book and I tried to read it several times. It absolutely bored me to tears and did not ever catch my interest. There is no suspence and just no action. Just NO!!

Unfortunately I couldn't get past the first page although the synopsis sounded great.

I enjoyed this book. It's not your typical post apocalyptic book. I think it's more realistic than most. The beginning was very strong and kept my interest. I have to admit towards the end, some of the characters seemed to become a little excessive as far as being overly aggressive. I liked the fact that there are 2 men in one bunker with a plan once it seems safe to come out. They are going to find one of men's sisters along with her friend and her friend's husband. There is also a man who has been living on his own in the woods who is also leaving the safety of the place he's been hiding to find his family. All in all, it was a good book. It held my attention and I had a hard time putting it down at times. I couldn't wait to see how it would end and I was pleasantly surprised.
**I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in return I am giving my personal review of the book.**

It's after the end of the world and what happens next? Well, the dog I do love, who doesn't right? However, it feels like an addendum to The Walking Dead in some ways. Still a reasonable read, but not on my top favorite books list. I did get my copy from Net Galley, but the book was free about that same time and I got my own copy as well. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

Rated R for the language. There are some F-bombs and some foul language, and taking God's name in vain.

Let me first say that I am a dedicated supporter of indie publishing. I know that it is challenging, and I try to support anyone brave enough to do it, so kudos to Brandon Zenner for doing it.

The premise of this book is a bit formulaic so you expect certain things to happen, and they do. I have to say that I am not a fan of dual POVs. In this book one is in Canada and the other is in the heartland of America and it takes forever to bring them together. Every great book has a character that has good motivations--wants something desperately and is willing to do just about anything to get it. These characters don't have that. They act like they do, but they really don't. Survival isn't enough. They already survived some major war and plague. So survival doesn't cut it.

There just isn't any reason why the world is as it is, and really no motivations for the characters to start a trek across the country after the two years is up. Why two years? How did anyone know that at the end of two years it would be safe to come out?

So when reading, those questions come to the back of your mind, don't fret, they won't be answered. That's frustrating.

The characters are flat because there is no development for Steve and Brian. I can't remember the name of the fellow that was the outdoorsy guy who weathered the Whatever War and Plague in Canada, and he was one-dimensional as well.

However, if you are looking for a dystopian story that has such great narrative that you are living and breathing the atmosphere: the narrative and description in this book are top-notch. You are literally in their world.

The trouble is, if you don't know the characters and their motivations, then you don't care about them. The switching POVs with cliffhanger chapters is not my cuppa tea. Transitions from one POV to the other are non-existent. I've never found a writer who could do this well except Mary Stewart.

I would love to recommend this book, but I just can't.

I did not put this review on Facebook nor did I tweet it.

I couldn't put the book down. Loved the characters and found the plot to be so entrancing with enough action to keep the pages turning to see what would happen next that it was even hard put the book down. The book starts with a bang and doesn't let up. The author has an amazing imagination. The characters are well developed, realistic, complex and interwoven into a roller-coaster plot. One of the most addictive books I've read in years. The story grabbed me from the first page. Overall, I really really liked this book and recommend it highly, if you enjoy this genre.

I was a little hesitant to start this novel, as I feel the market is overly saturated with post apocalyptic/ dystopian young adult trash. ( we will save that rant for another post )

I am so glad I was given the opportunity to read this book via Net Galley.

It was brilliant! The cover was also a bit cliche and off putting at first, and could use a redo to be less gimicky

Great pacing, great indie novel. I will certainly pick up more books by this author.

Simon was an annoying character, let me just get that out there. He was way too granola, let's sit-on-the-ground-and-meditate before we actually do anything worthwhile for my taste. If that appeals to you, great, but it just irritated me. I think in an actual apocalyptic situation, he'd be one of the first ones knocked off. I liked the other characters much better, including the dog (though I doubt he'd have lasted long either, man was he poorly behaved) which is why rates 3 stars.

*ARC via netgalley*