Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for THE END and THE LONG ROAD by G. Michael Hopf! Today I have my review of The End to share and don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post! To follow along with the tour, click HERE.
The End (New World #1)
Author: G. Michael Hopf
Genre: Science Fiction/Postapocalyptic
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Plume
Description:
What would you do to survive?
Young Gordon Van Zandt valued duty and loyalty to country above all, so after 9/11, he dropped out of college and joined the Marine Corps. This idealism vanished one fateful day in a war-torn city in Iraq. Ten years later, he is still struggling with the ghosts of his past when a new reality is thrust upon him and his family: North America, Europe and the Far East have all suffered a devastating Super-EMP attack, which causes catastrophic damage to the nation’s power grid and essential infrastructures. Everything from cell phones to cars to computers cease to function, putting society at a standstill.
With civilization in chaos, Gordon must fight for the limited and fast dwindling resources. He knows survival requires action and cooperation with his neighbors, but as the days wear on, so does all sense of civility within his community—and so he must make some of the most difficult decisions of his life in order to ensure his family’s safety.
Young Gordon Van Zandt valued duty and loyalty to country above all, so after 9/11, he dropped out of college and joined the Marine Corps. This idealism vanished one fateful day in a war-torn city in Iraq. Ten years later, he is still struggling with the ghosts of his past when a new reality is thrust upon him and his family: North America, Europe and the Far East have all suffered a devastating Super-EMP attack, which causes catastrophic damage to the nation’s power grid and essential infrastructures. Everything from cell phones to cars to computers cease to function, putting society at a standstill.
With civilization in chaos, Gordon must fight for the limited and fast dwindling resources. He knows survival requires action and cooperation with his neighbors, but as the days wear on, so does all sense of civility within his community—and so he must make some of the most difficult decisions of his life in order to ensure his family’s safety.
The End is the first book in an apocalyptic science fiction series. It follows three main characters as they each personally deal with the end of the world as the know it. The first main character is Gordon Van Zandt - an ex-military family man who is now critical of the government and highly protective of his family. Secondly, we have Sebastien Van Zandt - Gordon's younger brother who is currently serving as a sniper for the United States Marines. The third character is Brad Conner - Speaker of the House of Representatives. As the United States is attacked and falls - and the entirety of their lives is turned upside down - these characters must figure out a way to survive and protect those they love, even if that means making some questionable decisions along the way.
This is the first apocalyptic book that I've read in a very long time and I highly enjoyed reading about the end of the world first-hand, as it's happening - compared to postapocalyptic fiction that just recalls history and details. The overarching plot was obviously the fall of the United States and the end of the world, but the author included three subplots that intertwine to tell the tale of survival, hope, sacrifice, and family. By telling the novel in varying points of view, we are able to get inside the minds of the characters in a way that would otherwise be impossible. We get to experience their emotions and thoughts during each event that occurs, which definitely gives a deeper level to the characters and the story as a whole. The story was well written with a quick pace, lots of action, and varying characters and settings. It keeps the reader on their toes as they bounce around the globe trying to keep up with each of the main characters. I found the flow of the writing to be a bit choppy and unnatural, which didn't allow me to fully immerse myself in the book like I normally do. Due to this, I wasn't able to get as into the characters and plot, and sometimes found it hard to focus. It felt like the author was over-explaining things - people, places, situations, etc. There seemed to be too much detail in things that I felt didn't really matter to the novel overall. Other than my own issues with the writing style, this was a great start to a fast paced and adventurous series that fans of the genre will definitely want to get their hands on.
The Long Road (New World #2)
Author: G. Michael Hopf
Genre: Science Fiction/Postapocalyptic
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Plume
Description:
The End was just the beginning of the new world…
Only six weeks have passed since a super-EMP attack devastated the United States, but already, life has changed dramatically. Most of America has become a wasteland filled with starving bands of people, mobs and gangs. Millions are dead and millions more are suffering, with no end in sight.
For Gordon, Samantha, Sebastian, Cruz and Barone, the turmoil and chaos they dealt with in the early weeks after the attack will seem trivial in comparison to the collapse of society that plays out before their eyes. Uncertainty abounds as they all travel different paths in search of a safe place to call home. The only thing that is definite is that The Long Road will take its toll on all of them.
Description:
The End was just the beginning of the new world…
Only six weeks have passed since a super-EMP attack devastated the United States, but already, life has changed dramatically. Most of America has become a wasteland filled with starving bands of people, mobs and gangs. Millions are dead and millions more are suffering, with no end in sight.
For Gordon, Samantha, Sebastian, Cruz and Barone, the turmoil and chaos they dealt with in the early weeks after the attack will seem trivial in comparison to the collapse of society that plays out before their eyes. Uncertainty abounds as they all travel different paths in search of a safe place to call home. The only thing that is definite is that The Long Road will take its toll on all of them.
G. Michael Hopf is the best-selling author of ‘The End – A Post
Apocalyptic Novel’ and its sequel, ‘The Long Road’. He spent two decades
living a life of adventure before he settled down and became a novelist
full time. He is a former U.S. Marine combat veteran and bodyguard. He lives with his family in San Diego, CA.
Visit G. Michael Hopf at his website gmichaelhopf.com, Facebook or Twitter.
Giveaway: (1) Paperback set of both THE END and THE LONG ROAD (US/CAN Only!)
