Item: Wayward
Rating: 4.00
Author: quirkycat

by Chuck Wendig

'Move over King, Chuck Wendig is the new voice of modern American horror' Adam Christopher
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The thrilling sequel to the bestselling Wanderers, a 'career-defining epic [that] deserves its inevitable comparisons to Stephen King's The Stand'. (Publishers Weekly)

Five years ago, they walked across America to a destination only they knew. The sleepwalkers, as the rest of the country named them, were followed by their shepherds: friends and family who gave up everything to protect them.
They finally stopped in Ouray, a small town of Colorado that would become one of the last outposts of human civilisation. Because the sleepwalking epidemic was just the first in a chain of events that led to the end of the world - and the birth of a new one.

The shepherds and the sleepwalkers, now awake, strive to rebuild the world that was taken from them. Among them are Benji, the scientist struggling through grief to lead; Marcy, the former police officer who just wants to protect those she loves; and Shana, the first to become a shepherd and whose bravery is sorely needed.

But the people of Ouray are not the only survivors, and the world they're building is fragile. Cruelty builds under the leadership of self-proclaimed president Ed Creel, and in the very heart of Ouray itself is Black Swan, the A.I. who dreamt up the apocalypse.

Against these threats, Benji, Marcy, Shana and the others have to find hope in each other. Because the only way to survive is together.

PRAISE FOR WANDERERS:

'A suspenseful, twisty, satisfying, surprising, thought-provoking epic.' Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Run Away

'A true tour de force.' Erin Morgenstern, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus

'With Wanderers, Chuck Wendig levels up and when you consider the high level he was already writing at, that's saying something.' John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author of Crucible

Book Summary:

Five years ago, the world changed. Some people fell victim to what appeared to be a sleepwalking sickness. Others followed the walkers in hopes of protecting loved ones from the world they could no longer see.

As it turns out, this was a sign that the world as we know it was ending. Now, the survivors are trying to rebuild society, but it will require careful work. This will prove challenging, as there is still quite a lot of cruelty in the world.

My Review:

Wow. Chuck Wendig sure has a way with words, doesn't he? I'll be honest; I never expected a sequel to Wanderers, though now I question why. Wayward felt inevitable – a follow-up that we've all been waiting for.

As one might imagine, this is quite a heavy read. Both literally and figuratively. The book is MASSIVE, yet I can't think of a single section I would have cut out, given a chance. Much of the story feels painfully relevant, so I can see why people have latched onto this series so strongly.

As with the first novel, Wayward is made up of several perspectives. This helps to give us a better view of the world. It also reminds us of the diversity among people – even a limited number of survivors. I liked that little implication.

Highlights:
Science Fiction + Horror
Post Apocalyptic
Dystopian
Rebuilding Society

Thanks to Del Rey Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Wayward (Wanderers, #2)

by Chuck Wendig

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on Jan 1, 2023

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