G. Michael Hopf

Recommended - if you are looking for sheer, mindless escapism of the postapocalyptic variety - sans zombies. So-so if you require good writing and character development along with a shoot-em-all-up plot.

The End and The Long Road are both postapocalyptic novels by G. Michael Hopf. The novels have several storylines in the narrative, but begin by mainly follow former marine Gordon Van Zandt and his family after a super EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack against the USA. Gordon immediately show more realizes what is happening and takes measures to secure supplies for his family. As he knew would happen, society immediately begins to break down. Unless a group of people can somehow manage to work together to protect their members without infighting, it is every man/family for themselves.

Originally self-published novels they are now being released by Plume/The Penguin Group in anticipation of the pending third installment of the story to be published soon.

Pros: The plot is interesting and will keep you engrossed in the story development and action. The movement of the scenarios in both of these books progress swiftly along. Whether you find the actions of characters believable or not at least the various storylines keep up a quick pace. It's always interesting to speculate what would happen to society and people under these kind of circumstances. Hopf includes all sorts of crazy groups and leaders. The Long Road is better than The End.

Cons: Someone got out their binos. If you read my reviews, you will know what this means. I may have to make a New Year's resolution or enact a rule that I will not read books where binos are produced.
Lots of violence and not all of it seems to be entirely necessary for forward movement of the plot.
The writing isn't the best. I would have set the first book aside well before the 50 page mark if I hadn't agreed to read it for a review. The second paragraph in The End would have been enough, but the following passage would certainly have ended my reading: "Hayley was small for her age, very girly with long, blond curly hair and very fine features. She was definitely all-girl and loved everything princess." (The End, pg. 16) especially when Gordon loved the same things about his wife: "He loved everything about her from her small frame and long, wavy blond hair to her light green eyes and full lips."(pg. 19) I sure would have liked to know something else about her, like maybe some character traits, besides her looks.
There are many other examples before the 50 page mark, so be forewarned: not good writing.

I might be tempted to say it would be a good airplane book - mindless escapism to keep you busy - but with the EMP hitting and sending planes falling from the sky...


Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher and TLC for review purposes. show less

Recommended - if you are looking for sheer, mindless escapism of the postapocalyptic variety - sans zombies. So-so if you require good writing and character development along with a shoot-em-all-up plot.

The End and The Long Road are both postapocalyptic novels by G. Michael Hopf. The novels have several storylines in the narrative, but begin by mainly follow former marine Gordon Van Zandt and his family after a super EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack against the USA. Gordon immediately show more realizes what is happening and takes measures to secure supplies for his family. As he knew would happen, society immediately begins to break down. Unless a group of people can somehow manage to work together to protect their members without infighting, it is every man/family for themselves.

Originally self-published novels they are now being released by Plume/The Penguin Group in anticipation of the pending third installment of the story to be published soon.

Pros: The plot is interesting and will keep you engrossed in the story development and action. The movement of the scenarios in both of these books progress swiftly along. Whether you find the actions of characters believable or not at least the various storylines keep up a quick pace. It's always interesting to speculate what would happen to society and people under these kind of circumstances. Hopf includes all sorts of crazy groups and leaders. The Long Road is better than The End.

Cons: Someone got out their binos. If you read my reviews, you will know what this means. I may have to make a New Year's resolution or enact a rule that I will not read books where binos are produced.
Lots of violence and not all of it seems to be entirely necessary for forward movement of the plot.
The writing isn't the best. I would have set the first book aside well before the 50 page mark if I hadn't agreed to read it for a review. The second paragraph in The End would have been enough, but the following passage would certainly have ended my reading: "Hayley was small for her age, very girly with long, blond curly hair and very fine features. She was definitely all-girl and loved everything princess." (The End, pg. 16) especially when Gordon loved the same things about his wife: "He loved everything about her from her small frame and long, wavy blond hair to her light green eyes and full lips."(pg. 19) I sure would have liked to know something else about her, like maybe some character traits, besides her looks.
There are many other examples before the 50 page mark, so be forewarned: not good writing.

I might be tempted to say it would be a good airplane book - mindless escapism to keep you busy - but with the EMP hitting and sending planes falling from the sky...


Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher and TLC for review purposes. show less

So, this is another apocalypse series, and I have to say I am a little surprised it is YA. It is very graphic, very military, and all the main characters are grown adults. I really liked this book. It is a very serious subject that resonates with what is currently happening in our world with ISIS. As attacks around the world are occurring at frequent pace, the US is hit with EMP that takes out all electronics and world changes forever. Society soon collapses, and nuclear attacks occur at show more Washington, D.C. and then New York. The book focuses on one family where the husband is former military and is trying to keep his family safe, while his brother is current military and trying to find his way to his brother. It ends with you wanting more, so of course I immediately purchased the second book in the series. show less

I am quickly becoming a fan of postapocalyptic books. There is something about them that intrigues me. Maybe it is getting a new beginning, the characters, or the survival instincts. Whatever it is, I enjoy these books. Which with the author's background of being a combat veteran in the Marine Corps, it helps lend to this book and series. Speaking of this series. This is book three. So if you have not read the prior two books than you should start with The End. This book pretty much picks up show more from the prior one so if you do not know what happened than you will be confused. Also, this type of series is better read if you have started from the beginning to develop the character relationship. Although I liked this book and all the different places around the United States it took me. I did grow weary of all of the talking. Which seemed to me to be a lot of talking. A little more action would have been nice. show less