Five years ago the Sleepwalkers reached their destination, Ouray, CO surviving a chain of events that ultimately ended the world as we know it. Now, the sleepwalkers and their shepherds have started rebuilding a new world while still grieving those they lost along the way. They were not the only survivors and despite their plans to build a new future together they will have to fight for it first. A self-proclaimed leader and bigot, Ed Creel, has plans to destroy them. And the AI who led them to safety and anticipated the apocalypse, Black Swan, is unhappy with citizens of Ouray and is plotting some changes of its own. If they want to survive again then they will need to choose sides as an epic battle of good vs evil ensues.

Wayward is the second novel in the Wanderers series by author Chuck Wendig. This was quite a large book to get through so thank goodness it was so enjoyable to read...well as enjoyable as post-apocalyptic novels with killer viruses and bigoted villains can be. I love so many of the characters in this series and it was nice to revisit some of them once again. The novel picks up five years after the first novel where the remaining sleepwalkers and their shepherds have made it to Ouray and woken up. The best and brightest minds are hard at work trying to rebuild their world after White Mask. Tensions are high as residents begin to have different opinions on Black Swan and its involvement with the end of the world. As with the first novel, there is a lot of graphic violence, intense gore, and sexual situations which may not appeal to all readers. If you haven't read the first novel then you need to read it first before trying to start this one. This series is definitely one of my top post-apocalyptic novels and a must read for 2023!

I took it as a good sign for my mental health regarding the pandemic we are currently living in that I could read this book, given that it's a book about a post-apocalyptic society ravaged by a pandemic. Wendig has revisited Ouray, Black Swan, and the sleepwalkers and shepherds in WAYWARD, the sequel to 2019's WANDERERS, and we are taking a look at what the end of the world looks like for our characters after it has ended as we know it. Wendig keeps familiar faces at the forefront, with characters like Benji and Shana and Marcy back, and gives deeper looks into previous characters like the horrible President Creel (who is a very familiar characterization of a certain other totalitarian sociopath we just can't quite free ourselves from, and who has violent and terrible followers). I liked the fact that the characters have changed and grown in ways that still feel true to their characterizations, and I like that Wendig inserts some good insights into the darker sides of human nature, as well as fears of technology run amok. But what I liked best about this book is that even though it has very dark and bleak moments regarding human nature, there is also a lot of humor, heart, and, most importantly, hope. Lord knows we need a lot of hope these days.

WAYWARD is another enjoyable book from Chuck Wendig. I'm very glad that he decided to continue this story.

Wow, I wasn't sure if Wending would be able to nail this sequel but he SURE DID. This was terrifying in that it felt so real and so wide in scope. Despite it's length, I absolutely tore through it. I do suggest reading the first one before this though it could be a standalone.

While I knew that this was gonna be a long book, since I read the first one, I gotta say that this one is too long. Even a good story can be hurt by going on too long.

Anyways, onto the book.

This one picks up 5 years after the first one ends. There are some of the main people back for this, like Benji and Shana. Also the bad guys, they stayed the same as well. There were a couple of newbies, but they were not really fleshed out.

Things are weird in the location that Black Swan chose to bring the flock to. Speaking of the flock, they act more like cultists than people. Shana feels like an outsider, like they know more about her and what is supposed to happen and they are not telling her what that is.

So things happen, the various people all get into situations that need resolving, and eventually Benji and Shana return to the town after having to leave. Not getting into spoiler details, but I gotta say that whole thing left me asking myself WTF??

Let's talk about that ending. Like, I was reading that and muttering out loud cause really? After all the years, all the suffering, and that's it?

All in all, it was a decent book. Not as good as the first one, but close enough.

This is a sequel to Wanderers. This novel is a bit hard to describe, it is complex and highly detailed. It continues the story of the sleepwalkers, the shepherds, and those left alive after a pandemic devastates the world. Black swan, the artificial intelligence who orchestrated the pandemic and the shepherds begins to develop feelings and starts to resent those she was previously protecting.

This was an extremely engaging book. It was hard to put down and I found myself reading long into the night. The word is extremely detailed and well thought out. Overall, I highly recommend this book, and the author.

Wayward by Chuck wendig is a superb and engrossing read with a great plot and engaging characters. Well worth the read!

It's 5 years laters and this is the epic apocalyptic sequel to Chuck Wendig's Wanderers

The white mask plague (the long sleepwalk) is dormant, or retreating and people are coming out of their enclaves and Ouray is at the center. Favorites characters including Shana return and a few new are introduced. A collision of points of view, feelings and emotions make this very long treatise to our world, or one very close to it. Wendig has the ability to draw you in and I am happy to follow anywhere he wants to go! If you like dystopian, plague stories, or are just seeking an odyssey of modern times, Wayward is for you!
#RandomHouse

Such a great read and a wonderful follow up to the Wanderers. Like book one, it did drag a bit for me in parts, but the world and storytelling and characters are so rich that I didn’t mind much.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Chuck Wendig, Ballantine Del Rey and Random House for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

While many found Chuck Wendig shone in the series debut, I was not as captivated as I would have liked. However, with this ARC in my possession, I wanted to give things a chance to see if I could be drawn into the middle of things with the sequel. While I was not, I surmise that it could be my own personal issues and not Wendig’s abilities throughout this detailed novel.

It was five years ago when a number of everyday Americans began randomly sleepwalking across the country. The reason was unknown, though the malady caught the attention of many. Making their way to a specific place, these sleepwalkers were followed by people, self-identified as shepherds, in an effort to protect them as they wandered in their trace-like state.

Upon arriving in Ouray, Colorado, the group began setting up their outpost, as though they were the chosen ones and all others were set to perish. While a militia sought to destroy them, the sleepwalkers remained diligent in their mission, advised that this was only the first step in a slew of significant changes to come.

Those who are setting things up in Ouray include a scientist who tries to piece together a plan to lead, a former police officer with ideas on how to protect a select few, and a teenage shepherd who is still trying to come to terms with what’s happened to her and what awaits the world. While outside forces continue to push around the outskirts of Ouray, many will have to sacrifice it all to protect themselves. From ruthless politicians to those who do not fully understand the special nature of the sleepwalkers. At the heart of it all is Black Swan, an A.I. program behind the entire ‘end of days’ scenario. Wendig does well to stir up the reader’s emotion throughout, even if it did not impact me as much as I would have hoped.

While I have only read the series debut by Chuck Wendig, I have tried other books in the genre, so there is a general understanding of the premise. Wendig provides a strong foundation and keeps the reader wondering throughout the narrative. Continuing with the apocalyptic theme, the story clips along and will likely grab many readers. For me, my mindset was not entirely into the experience, though I can see Wendig’s abilities clearly.

The story continues with a great narrative that serves to guide the reader. Bleak when needed but also well-paced, the story adds more surprises and roadblocks found in the debut novel. Using strong characters with their own personalities helps to shape the story once more. Plot twists emerge to offer some excitement as things take a darker turn. Some may get lost in the premise of this novel or simply not like where Wendig is headed. While it was not for me, I can see how many would really enjoy this series and find themselves excited by this new publication.

Kudos, Mr. Wendig, for a thought-provoking piece that is sure to impress your fans.

This book continues the story started in the author's epic novel, "Wanderers.." I thought that book had ended, but it didn't!

I just finished this read tonight and I am hard pressed to explain it, so I won't. The adventure after the annihilation of the majority of the population in the country continues and the story goes on from the end of "Wanderers." Everything starts out so well with the The Flock and the Shepherds, but then events do not have them living happily ever after. Happy for a time and some for longer, but wow, what a lot of twists and turns to the end.

Shana, Benjy, Nessie, Pete, Marcy, Matthew and the Dog are stars here and great courage is needed to try to right the wrongs that are taking place and restore independence to the Flock. The characters are people you won't forget. They just come alive in this book.

I loved this story. I am sorry it had to come to and end.

I thank NetGalley and Del Ray Publishing for the early read.

Wendig writes well, and it shows here. This thing is long, but it's well constructed and entertaining, even though the pacing seemed off at times. The author's fans and those seeking a good dystopian tale will likely enjoy this.

Thanks very much for the free ARC for review!!

A follow up that U I didn't know I needed, Wayward picks up where Wanders left off (in a way) and throws us back into the harrowing and insane future. Full of memorable characters and super disturbing scenes, Wayward is a must read for fans of the first.

This felt very similar to Stephen King’s The Stand, both in terms of content (small group forming a new society in a post-apocalpytic world) and length (this is a monster-long novel!). But that’s not a critique, The Stand is one of my all-time favorite novels. Similarly, the author does a great job in creating distinct characters I cared about, and in describing smaller aspects of this dystopian world, such as what would happen to zoo animals. I alternated between wanting to race through this addictive novel and wanting to stop and savor it. Highly recommend.

Oh boy. This is a big, big book just like its predecessor. It's an enthralling story, but sure, maybe it could have been trimmed down in some places, but if you're already 800+ pages invested (from Wanderers), what's another 800+ pages?

This sequel is satisfying and like the first book, leans heavily into Stephen King's The Stand, but updated, for our own special times (pandemics! neo-nazis! artificial intelligence! etc!) Definitely worth reading if you've read the first book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

Wayward is a phenomenal sequel to Wanderers. The plot is addictive with Wendig's brilliant writing. The world-building and character development are outstanding. The book may be long, but it is more than worth the read. If you're looking for an epic dystopian thriller, this is what you're looking for. Be sure to check out Wayward following Wanderers. Highly recommended!

Amazing sequel! This was an amazing read with great writing and perfect plotline, however; it was a long one! At 800 pages I felt at times overwhelmed because there are times the narrative dips and had me distracted and wishing the story would move a bit quicker. Having said this, I still highly recommend this one, especially to everyone who's read the prior installment Wanderers and even if you hadn't this one can still be followed without much confusion. Thank you @netgalley and the publisher for my advanced e-arc, I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this one.

Wayward is the follow up to Chuck Wendig’s novel Wanderers. This time, we are places 5 years ahead after the “White Mask” has decimated almost the entire population. Small groups remain, scattered and fighting to survive this world apocalypse.

This dystopian novel is charged with events not that dissimilar to events happening in our world currently, which amps up the horror and dread feeling throughout the read.

If you’ve read Wanderers, you will recognize the continuation of the socially charged atmosphere, which can evoke feelings within yourself, but if you’re a Wendig fan, you will just expect in this sequel.

There is such strong world building and character building you can’t help but be swept away. There’s even a nod to what happens to animals when the humans have gone away. Quite terrifying a thought and not unlike the tv series “Zoo” from recent past.

Wendig writes much along the lines of Stephen King’s the stand, or like Justin Cronin’s novels of The Passage Trilogy. Needless to say, it will sweep you up and carry you towards the madness in this decimated realm.

Highly recommended for people who love horror, dystopian thrillers, epic journeys, and books that will immerse you in a whole other world while you read.

This is one you shouldn’t miss on release date of Nov. 15, 2022. A strong 4/5 star read.

Thank you immensely to #NetGalley, the publishers and author for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

My full review will be posted on all my blogs and social media sites on release day!

This book is crazy, but in such a good, exciting way. This book was everything I wanted and more. It was so beautifully written and Chuck Wendig is simply a genius.

I loved how even though there are a lot of characters in this book, they are so unique and have their own distinct personalities. I was able to connect to a handful and I loved getting to root for them throughout all of their ups and downs. The story itself is so addicting. I personally love dystopian stories, specifically post-apocalyptic ones, so this was a gem for me. The story is so entertaining and was so well done. It is hard for me to find the right words, but this was a masterpiece.

I will say, though, this book is so long. There are some moments when the story starts slowing down and it's hard to get through, but it's worth it in the end. I would definitely recommend spreading this book out instead of just reading big chunks, as there's so much that goes on.

Yet, everything about this book is still so addictive. The plot, the characters, the twists. I absolutely loved it and definitely recommend it to absolutely everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for this free arc in exchange for my honest review.

Chuck Wendig's Wanderers became the book of 2020 thanks to its prescience and incredibly timely, relevant plot. Released in 2019, Wendig forecast an apocalyptic global pandemic set during the 2020 election year, in which a bigoted, racist businessman, Ed Creel, an obvious Trump surrogate, was running for election and drumming up the support of every racist dipshit in the US and using his most ardent white supremacist group-affiliated brownshirts to wreak violence on his behalf. The pandemic was predicted by an artificial intelligence called Black Swan (it turned out that, in real-life, an artificial intelligence named Blue Dot predicted COVID-19, further cementing Wanderers coincidental, and eyebrow-arching prognostications), which utilized nanobots to infect hand-picked Americans -- it's Flock -- to make a journey to the isolated mountain town of Ouray, CO.

Although Wanderers spent much of its page count in pre-apocalypse and apocalypses in-progress, its sequel, Wayward is very must a post-apocalyptic narrative. Set five years after the bulk of Wanderers, the White Mask fungal plague is in retreat (or at least dormant), and the people of Ouray are rebuilding, reinventing, and repurposing the remnants of civilization as best they can (they have solar cars! But, unfortunately, ice is still out of reach...). Much of the world outside the town's borders is a mysterious and dangerous place, though, and Black Swan... well, Black Swan is continuing to learn and grow...and change, presenting the survivors of White Mask with a new, possibly omnipotent, threat.

Like it's predecessor, Wayward is a thick, chunky boy, bigger even than the first one. At times, the narrative momentum does suffer under the strain of its gluttonous page count, and there are segments of the book that could have been cut without harming, and potentially improving, the overall shape of the story. We're introduced to new characters, a few of whom exist solely to serve as narrative threads for our returning characters, like Benji Ray, Shana and her sister, and Pastor Matthew Bird. One of these newbies, a former wildlife specialist who has retreated from humanity and has lived in the forests skirting Ouray lo these last five years, never really feels like a vital, fully fleshed out piece of the story and exists mostly as window dressing to get other folks from Point A to Point B.

Certain story elements, too, feel too much like pop culture mash-ups and on the nose odes to the works that inspired its creation. We get nods to Terminator 2 (one character infected with nanocytes is able to turn their hand into a blade a la the T-1000), some riffs that feel almost Stranger Things-esque, parallels to The Stand and Swan Song, and, naturally, some meta, almost-fourth wall-breaking commentary about 2020, the Year of White Mask, but also, sadly, the year COVID-19 got into full swing, along with about a dozen other real-life high-profile catastrophes. One character commiserates that she "[wished] the year 2020 never happened," and... yeah. I'm pretty sure we've all been there with that particular wish, but it rests here in a somewhat uncanny valley between the fictional landscape and the very real calamity we've all endured, and which persists still.

Coming in at over 800 pages, blessedly, there's more good than bad to be had in Wayward, even if it does demand a bit more patience and fortitude to scale than Wanderers required. Some of these demands are necessary, though, as Wendig has to essentially rebuild the world and present to us a changed and foreign landscape of life post-White Mask, five years on. America has been destroyed, cities -- some, anyway -- are empty save for the wildlife that has returned to claim the land, and bandits present a persistent threat. It's a hard, rugged world where any sort of ease has been lost. A small cut can lead to an infection that kills or demands amputation, there's no more Internet, and leaving the safety of the mountains opens the door to being robbed and murdered for what few paltry possessions one might have. It's a return to a Wild West sort of living, and Wendig takes us an epic, almost nation-wide tour of it, with a pacing that's very measured as Benji and Shana journey across all that's left of the US as they chart a path to the CDC, where Black Swan was created...or perhaps born. And, of course, much like Trump, Ed Creel is still out there, stirring up as much white resentment as he can capitalize upon in the wastelands, because hate never really dies, and he's as mad with power as he's ever been.

It's rare for a sequel to be better than its predecessor, and just as rare for it to be even as good as. Wayward isn't better than Wanderers, and it occasionally lapses into at least one familiar problem with sequels where more is mistaken for better. It's also not as good as Wanderers was, but it is still pretty damn good in its own right. There are some great and dreadful ideas at its core, particularly its explorations on religion, its anxieties over the unchecked growth of artificial intelligence, the tenuousness of community and relationships, and the ease with which cults of personality can form and wreak havoc. Wendig, too, is as good as he ever was at creating some truly dark, tense, and intense, moments, putting both his characters and his readers through the wringer, and drawing up some awfully, gut-lurching, horrific moments. To the good, too, is the realization that, on the bright side, Wayward will at least not feel like so much of a sad but true time capsule of Americana circa 2016-2020, and perhaps my appreciation for it will grow as more distance is put between us and current events. Wendig leaves open a door for a third trip to Ouray, but, honestly, it's one I hope that stays closed, if only because these characters deserve a break. Looking at the state of the world around us, I think we do too.

Not just a worthy follow up to WANDERERS but an absolutely essential one if you care about that book and its characters. Wendig expands on the sci-fi concepts introduced in the first volume and makes his world feel stranger and more alien. But then his characters remain so grounded and human that the entire story feels plausible, like it's happening now, for better or worse, in a timeline just askew from our own. WANDERERS & WAYWARD are truly defining genre stories of our time. If Wendig turns this into a trilogy, I'll be first in line.