Prepper Fiction Meets Kidnapping Thriller
4.5 out of 5 stars
You may have never heard of Joe Russell but that should not prevent you from checking this book out. He’s been a fan of the genre for years and lives in the area that this book takes place. Given that information, the surroundings that are in the book felt super realistic and were probably all real or based on real areas. And I can tell that he’s been a fan of the genre for some time because this book definitely draws from a lot of different books that I’ve read and enjoyed.
The biggest comparison I could make is Opus Odessey by Boyd Craven. It reminded me a little of One Man’s Opus (minus the dog) for the first 40% or so (explaining the people and how/why they were preparing but no real “threat” or apocalyptic event has happened). But the second half reminded me a lot of Odyssey. It blends in aspects of a really good kidnapping thriller with the preparedness mindset of a prepper book. Russell was able to blend these genres seamlessly and wrote a book that could be enjoyed by Prepper/Post-Apocalyptic and Thriller readers alike.
The main characters filled the spectrum of typical-PA stereotypes with some slight differences. There was still a lot of unknown. Most of the preppers weren’t full-time preppers (most people aren’t) and most of them were just preparing for anything. I also like that even being fully prepared for any situation doesn’t mean that you will have everything you want/need when SHTF. He showed that aspect too when one character was mad that he didn’t bring NV-goggles (he’d left them in the truck).
I knew I wanted to read this story when another PA author suggested the book. I picked the Kindle edition up the day it was released to help Russell’s numbers. But I held out hope that it would be turned into an audioboook (and I really hoped that Pierce would narrate it). My hopes came true and I’m glad that I held out. Pierce just added that little extra to an already good story.
I am intrigued to see where Russell goes in the next book since a lot of stuff was mentioned and hinted at for more to the story… but I’m not sure how it’ll go for the characters and how things will work out.
Book Description:
The Storm Before The Storm by Joe Russell
Narrator: Kevin Pierce
Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
Series: American Sundown #1
Published by Self Published on February 13th 2018
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic, Prepper
Pages: 250
Format: Audiobook
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As an avid outdoorsman and prepper, Dave Galanos has always made an effort to do what he can to prepare for the unexpected. But when something goes terribly wrong halfway through a backpacking trip with his wife and family, his world is turned upside-down and he is tested in a way he had never planned for.
The trip into the Alleghenys of West Virginia starts off well enough, but takes an unexpected turn when the two women, Sandra and her sister, Jen, leave camp and don't return from a nearby stream. Dave and Mike, Jen's new boyfriend, go looking for them and find evidence that the women may have been kidnapped. Miles from civilization and with no working cell phones, Dave and Mike will set off to find Sandra and Jen, unconnected and unconcerned about what is happening in the world around them. Dave has been hardened by real-world, self-defense scenarios in the past, and has naturally equipped himself with tools that may be required for an unexpected circumstance. He will have to work together with Mike, who he sees as more of an annoyance and a liability than a useful ally. They will have to work together to beat the clock, the elements, and a group of dangerous locals, in order to rescue their companions in this realistic, rugged, and action-packed story of preparedness and survival.
The storm is just beginning. Will Dave and his companions have what it takes to survive?
The Storm Before the Storm is the premier novel by Post-Apocalyptic author Joe Russell, and the first installment in the American Sundown series.
I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
