Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Wanderers by Chuck Wendig Narrator: Dominic Hoffman, Xe Sands
Series: Wanderers #1
Published by Penguin Audio on July 9, 2019
Genres: Dystopia
Length: 32 hours, 22 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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Shana wakes up one morning to discover her little sister in the grip of a strange malady. She appears to be sleepwalking. She cannot talk and cannot be woken up. And she is heading with inexorable determination to a destination that only she knows. But Shana and are sister are not alone. Soon they are joined by a flock of sleepwalkers from across America, on the same mysterious journey. And like Shana, there are other “shepherds” who follow the flock to protect their friends and family on the long dark road ahead.
For on their journey, they will discover an America convulsed with terror and violence, where this apocalyptic epidemic proves less dangerous than the fear of it. As the rest of society collapses all around them–and an ultraviolent militia threatens to exterminate them–the fate of the sleepwalkers depends on unraveling the mystery behind the epidemic. The terrifying secret will either tear the nation apart–or bring the survivors together to remake a shattered world.
Wanderers is the kind of dystopian story I love but it came out at the beginning of the COVID pandemic so I wasn’t sure about reading it then. I’m glad I finally read it now and can move forward with the sequel Wayward.
The story is set primarily in the United States. The characters are diverse. There is a lot of political violence and racism which are similar to things we see in our real world. We also have the scientists who are dealing with the situation and some technical information which I always find interesting.
A key factor in the study for the scientists is Black Swan, an AI, who is talking to them about their questions and ideas on how to handle issues. The primary scientist who helped develop Black Swan is Sadie, who brings in Benji. They work with the CDC and other groups to try to understand the walkers, and ultimately protect them and the “shepherds” who follow the walkers. The walkers are not a pandemic and come to scientific attention before the pandemic.
I really liked some of these characters, and others not at all. I did enjoy seeing their growth as people and what they want in their lives, what really matters. Some of them had to make very hard choices, or suffer a lot to find their way. Wanderers is also the sort of story where you have many individuals and their stories, not knowing how or if they connect, as it all comes together.
I am not spoiling the story by talking about details or even some of the characters. I am glad I went in not knowing what to expect beyond the blurb. Wanderers is very complex with many settings, and a large number of characters. Many individuals and groups are trying to survive in a very bad situation.
Narration:
Xe Sands is one of my favorite narrators. She provides a voice for the chapters from female points of view like Shana and Marcy. I enjoyed Dominic Hoffman who gives us chapters from Benji, Pete or Matthew’s perspectives. I thought they did very well with giving us different voices and the emotional tones. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Xe Sands
Award-winning narrator known for credible characterizations and an intimate delivery with more than a decade of experience bringing stories to life through narration, performance, and visual art. I believe an authentic performance demands authentic connection to the text and subtext.
About Chuck Wendig
Chuck Wendig is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Star Wars: Aftermath, as well as the Miriam Black thrillers, the Atlanta Burns books, Zer0es/Invasive, Wanderers, and the upcoming Book of Accidents (July 2021). He’s also worked in a variety of other formats, including comics, games, film, and television. A finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer and the cowriter of the Emmy-nominated digital narrative Collapsus, he is also known for his books about writing. He lives in Pennsyltucky with his family. His agent is Stacia Decker, with Dunow, Carlson and Lerner.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I loved this book, and wish I had started Wayward already but I’m behind😬 And I listened to the narration clip and I like her too!
I’m hoping to start Wayward soon. I really liked it. I’m not sorry I waited though because now I can read them pretty close together.
Xe Sands is one of my favorite narrators too. I’m glad you enjoyed this!
Thank you Wendy. I really love dystopian but I can be picky about them.
I’m picky about my dystopian reads, too. Glad to know this turned out to be a good one.
yes I might not have enjoyed it at the beginning of the covid stuff but the epidemic was sort of a backdrop to all the social / political issues highlighted so it might have been fine to read then too.
I didn’t have a problem reading plague/post apocalyptic type books even in the thick of Covid. If anything I was even more drawn to them. I think I just saw a review of the second installment somewhere. I might like this but wow, it’s a long audiobook!
yes, the second one is even longer but I’m on to it now. I probably could have handled it but it was more I wasn’t sure about such a long audiobook at the time.
I recently read a review by a friend for the sequel and it intrigued me enough to check out this one so I’m really glad to see your review. At 32 hours, it’s a commitment! Excellent review, Anne💜 I’m seriously considering diving in.
Thank you Jonetta. I enjoy this type of story a lot and I’m on to the second one now.
This is a book that I have wanted to read for a while but I had no idea the audio was so long! I really enjoyed The Book of Accidents and tend to enjoy dystopian stories.
yes, the next one is just as long. But I also enjoy this type of story.
Yes, I went in cold and really enjoyed this and Wayward. It was a cool blend of science fiction & dystopian.
Your review got me onto this first one and now the second. Thank you.
I do love a good complex story 😀
It’s a winner in that regard. Also the length of 3 other books. But I enjoyed it.