Wayward

Wanderers, Book 2

By: Chuck Wendig

Narrated by: Xe Sands, Dominic Hoffman

“If King had written a sequel to The Stand, it might look something like this monumental epic of a story.”—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Kingdom of Bones

“As great as Wanderers was, Wayward is better.”—Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Road of Bones

Five years ago, ordinary Americans fell under the grip of a strange new malady that caused them to sleepwalk across the country to a destination only they knew. They were followed on their quest by the shepherds: friends and family who gave up everything to protect them.

Their secret destination: Ouray, a small town in Colorado that would become one of the last outposts of civilization. Because the sleepwalking epidemic was only the first in a chain of events that led to the end of the world—and the birth of a new one.

The survivors, sleepwalkers and shepherds alike, have a dream of rebuilding human society. Among them are Benji, the scientist struggling through grief to lead the town; Marcy, the former police officer who wants only to look after the people she loves; and Shana, the teenage girl who became the first shepherd—and an unlikely hero whose courage will be needed again.

Because the people of Ouray are not the only survivors, and the world they are building is fragile. The forces of cruelty and brutality are amassing under the leadership of self-proclaimed president Ed Creel. And in the very heart of Ouray, the most powerful survivor of all is plotting its own vision for the new world: Black Swan, the AI who imagined the apocalypse.

Against these threats, Benji, Marcy, Shana, and the rest have only one hope: one another. Because the only way to survive the end of the world is together.

©2022 Chuck Wendig (P)2022 Random House Audio

Excellent Conclusion

If you lean right, skip this book or you'll get big booty hurt and want to burn your method of listening while filming it to make a ridiculous TikTok about it. If you lean left, listen with care. I had to 30-second skip a few times bc Chuck was way too close to reality and I don't need to know depraved details and vitriol of white robe-wearing, arm-straight-out saluting pieces of dog poops we have living in our country and the world. Good job, Chuck, you made me hella uncomfortable! And I mean it in the best way. LOL!
In regards to the story, he did an excellent job crafting this non-zombie apocalyptic story with a stunning, yet kinda sad, ending. Again, I would've preferred Xe to narrate the entire book, but Dominic wasn't horrible.

great sequel, loved returning to this world

this is my favorite series by Chuck Wendig. be sure to start with Wanderers or you'll be lost!

Truly Exemplary

This book soars and soars then soars some more, all while pulling the listener through pit after pit of worry and anxiety for characters dear not only to us, but to others in the story. A few times I had to take small breaks to settle my nervous system.

Absolute masterful storytelling. Bravo, Chuck.

Legend

What an amazing ride. The voice acting is exceptional and the story had me in tears a couple of times. Excellent work. Highest rating.

Awesome!

Well written, well read. Compelling, thought provoking, interesting and entertaining about AI and human beings in a post apocalyptic era. Creative and clever.
Loved it as much as I did Wanderers.

Great story and narration

The story continues in a way that both fascinates and horrifies. We love and hate these characters, and the bittersweet finale is very earned, by the time we get there. The dual narrators are very good, even if it sometimes gets a bit strange when we hear the characters sounding differently through both of their voices - overall it’s a nice and entertaining way to separate the narrators.

In all, a great listen and a fitting end to the story.

Fascinating story

I was riveted the entire two books. Excellent story and excellent narrators. Long books but so worth the time.

One of the BEST stories I've heard / read in years!

End of the world, apocolyptic, deadly virus, good vs evil, characters you identify with and begin to love. This series has all that and more! This was one of those stories that you are eager to get to the end of, but dread getting to the end of because you don't want it to end! While the story isn't like The Stand, by Stephen King, it has the same feeling. Before reading this series, The Stand was my favorite book of all time. Now, it is tied with this series. I loved it that much! Well written, great story, well narrated and a good ending that tired everything up nicely. This will be one of those stories that I'll think of months, years later and wonder how the characters are. Or am I the only one that does that? I love a story that you can fall into as much as this one. Highly recommend this series!!!

Awesome follow up

A little on the long side , but characters that weren’t in Wanderers get a filled in nicely. The main thing I could have lived without is long drawn out chapters with people talking to AI. Overall it was a well written well crafted book that I won’t soon forget like many others that I’ve read. Keep up the good work Chuck, I’d love read another sequel about how Shanna, Nessi and Benji survive, thrive, or don’t in this new world. Anyways this book is def worth a credit and a listen. Enjoy

So good to be back

It was so lovely to go back to this world - even though this world is bleak. The characters are well designed and I couldn’t put it down, I wanted to know what was next!