Two Journeys

Thanks to NetGalley and BookBuzz/Create Space for this post-apocalyptic adventure story in return for an honest review.
I found this book to be written in a seemingly effortless style, making it an easy and straightforward read. It is a long book. His frequent descriptions of his search for medicines, food, clothing and equipment might make some sections seem tedious, but I felt these preparations enhanced the plausibility of his survival.

Alan narrates the story Which reads like a diary of his incredible 10,000-mile journey. This makes the character seem very real and believable in extraordinary, and far fetched circumstances. As a businessman, he was not experienced as a survivalist or an action hero, but he is smart and shows remarkable resourcefulness.

He was on a short, routine business trip to Tokyo, a city he enjoyed on previous visits. On awakening at his hotel, he discovers that a viral pandemic has wiped out everyone in the city while he slept. He seems to be the last human alive in Japan, and perhaps in the world. Fearing that he might become ill or be injured with no one to help him, he knows he must take every precaution to stay healthy and to get out of Japan. He decides to try to get back somehow to his home in Berlin to find his family, with hopes that they may be alive. He prepares for his impossible journey by getting necessities from empty stores. Soon two dogs accompany him.

Making his way using abandoned vehicles and a boat, he travels through Korea, China, and the vast wildernesses of the Gobi Desert and Siberia to Western Russia. As he approaches Eastern Europe, he starts to see signs and hear radio transmissions that others have survived. Some are friendly and helpful, but he encounters a maniac who is gathering an army to take over Moscow. Alan is in danger and must rely on all the skills he has learned to survive the madman and his followers. Will he endure, and find his way back home to his family in Berlin? What conditions will he find on reaching Germany where many have died in the plague? I see that there is a sequel, Fields of Fire, and am interested in a follow-up story about what happens to Alan next.

I recommend Two Journeys for readers who enjoy exciting dystopian fiction. As a person who loves this genre, I found much to enjoy in this book.

ARC received from NET GALLEY, the digital world's CHAMPION lender!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was surprised. It had one of my "I will not like" clues when it was mentioned with King's "The Stand" because that is a promise of disappointment. (NEVER has another novel been close to the STAND) Two journeys didn't fall down that road or disappoint. A very detailed and different PA tale that I enjoyed.

This is a solid PA story. A good amount of suspense with a little too much detail at times, This is the author's first book and it's a pretty good first effort. I enjoyed the author's creativity via the main character.

I really appreciate the copy for review!!