Wayward

Better than Book One

I was ho-hum about the first book so I don't quite know why I ordered the second book, but I'm glad I did. The characters were much more developed and there was a great deal more dramatic tension in the second book. As others have noted, it's hard to say much more than that without getting into the plot, but I'll just say, if you find yourself rolling your eyes in the first book, hang in there to Book Two.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

I'm Hooked!!!

What did you love best about Wayward?

The story is amazing, and really makes you think; "What would I do with this information?"

What other book might you compare Wayward to and why?

Nothing comes to mind, you might compare it to a Twilight Zone episode... LOL

Have you listened to any of Paul Michael Garcia’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Listen to him narrate "Pines' the first book in this trilogy. I'm glad they are sticking with him, great job.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

F.S.A (Future State of America)... corny, but I'm feeling pressured to come up with something quick so I can finish this review....

Any additional comments?

Um, nothing other than, this series is AWESOME.

24 of 25 people found this review helpful

YOW

This is part II of a 3-part series about Wayward Pines, an odd-little town in Idaho which is either Heaven or Hell. Both part I ("Pines") and this one are creepy, tension-filled mysteries.

I HIGHLY recommend both, but I recommend that you WAIT to buy either one.

Why?

Because author Crouch's part III has not been released yet, and may not be available until spring 2014. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You will want to read all three, very quickly and in order, because you will want to know what happens next.

This series is a real nail-biter.

Loved it.

30 of 33 people found this review helpful

If you haven't read book 1, don't read my review!!

Recall Book 1: "The town of Wayward Pines, Idaho, is the last trace of human civilization on earth, built by billionaire David Pilcher to preserve the human race. Having discovered that Wayward Pines is a town inhabited by people suspended in animation for 1,800 years, Ethan Burke attempts to escape, survives, and is made sheriff by Pilcher – a job which Ethan reluctantly does to ensure the safety of his family."

David Pilcher's daughter is discovered dead and it is Ethan's job to determine "whodunit". Pilcher blames a secret society of townspeople. I found this book to be a surprising interlude in the story of Wayward Pines, it wasn't how I expected things to go. I enjoyed it!

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Take me away....

What did you like about this audiobook?

Okay I listen to books with a somewhat hindered attention span and I found both of Blake Crouch's book easy to follow, this being said any book that I don't have to rewind five thousand times gets at least a three. I really enjoyed this two part saga however I found the characters rather one dimensional and lack luster hence the three on story line.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

The author did a good job of catching my attention I don't feel that he added any insight into life although I don't feel that was his intent. He writes a decent thriller.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Nothing he did a great job enhancing the overall experience of the book a good narrator and can make a book or break it. This guy made it in my opinion.

Do you have any additional comments?

I think just about anybody would find this book fairly entertaining Blake Crouch is a mix of Harlan Coben mixed with James Patterson not to bad.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Gets a 4, for the absent ending

I would have gone another 5 stars, but the absent ending and the lose ends everywhere, kinda got my hackles up. The first novel seems to have an end, so if you would not like to continue, it's ended for that episode. This book just stops at a point, that really needs to proceed. A new character, that could be a real problem is brought in, and what happens to an old character is left a mystery.
That being said, I did enjoy the book. The first part seemed slow, with catch up from "Pines", but did pick up with plenty of background on the making of the town being filled in. Ethan figures things out, and believes he has a solution for the townspeople who just exist, in this planned life. His plan is a dangerous one and could put everyone in jeopardy. It's suspenseful and nerve wracking...the makings for a good thriller.
Maybe, wait for book 3 before listening to this, if cliffhangers drive you crazy.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Better the Devil you Know- - - -

I'm not as impressed with this sequel to "Pines" as I was hoping for.

I kept waiting for something to happen that would bring me back to the suspense of the first book, however, the first half is taken up with getting the reader acquainted with the characters and attempting a re-cap of what happened before. The second half didn't live up to my expectations either, but there was a bit more action.

**Listen to "Pines" first --there is too much information you miss in the 2nd book.

Very difficult to write an adequate review for this book without spoilers. The Secret Service Agent, Ethan Burke, has been made the new sheriff in town. He still doesn't agree with the town folk being watched 24/7 as there are hidden cameras and video links in all homes, streets and businesses. Also, everyone must have a chip implanted so they can be monitored at all times. However, he has been given a look at what is outside the electrified fence that surrounds the town--and knows it to be far worse than what anyone expects. Of course some of the people don't believe there is any danger, and they are never really told the truth-- so they escape--but they never return. For those who try to escape, but don't succeed, their fate is just as gruesome.

I didn't know this was going to be a trilogy when I listened to "Pines," and now that I have started, I probably will have to listen to book 3 as we are left with a BIG cliffhanger in book 2. Seems everybody has to do a trilogy these days, and it isn't always successful. The trilogy "The Strain" is a good example of the first book being great, and it went downhill from there. I'm going to hold out for a better conclusion with "Wayward Pines."

A big plus is the narrator--he does a great job.

**Note**I understand this is being made into a tv series for 2014, which I could see as being pretty good IF it is well done. However, I usually don't find that to be the case in "made for tv" mini series.

13 of 17 people found this review helpful

As Good as Pines

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, never lets up.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wayward?

The ending . . . what a cliff-hanger, quite chilling in its possibilities . . . is there another book?

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and lost sleep over it.

Any additional comments?

Read Pines first, the two books are really one. Worth the credits, though.
I'm glad I listened to the audiobook rather than read the print version. I so badly wanted to know how things work out that I am sure I would have flipped to the ending and scanned backwards (I know, no self-discipline). This way I enjoyed both the journey and the arrival at destination.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

The Prisoner

Pines reminded many, including myself, of The Twilight Zone. This reminded me a lot of The Prisoner. For you younger readers, the Prisoner was a great sixties series, involving a similar town as Wayward and lots of paranoia. I thought this was almost as good as book 1 and certainly better then the middle book in most trilogies. You learn more in this book about what it is like to live in a paranoid society, such as North Korea. This book has it's own separate mystery from book one and there was not a boring chapter, paragraph or sentence.

There has been a lot of talk about the ending to this book. Yes, it does end with a dilemma, but it is a new problem. It is not a problem at anytime earlier in the book, it is a new situation. This is a stand alone book, except I would suggest reading Pines first, only cause it is so good.

I will be getting book 3 and reading more Crouch.

18 of 25 people found this review helpful

Is this Jonestown?

In the first book, my review was positive, but it didn’t start out that way. I listened longer and my opinion of the first book improved immensely. With that in mind I purchase the second book, hoping with all the positive reviews that it only gets better. But again I’m 2 hours into the book and wondering should I finish. After finally finishing this book I'm irritated, it's just like what all the other reviewers are saying, there is no ending. It just stops right at the climax of the story. I don't mind trilogies but you need to at least finish a part of the story to end a book. I also feel that the characters are not overly developed and I know I would have been one of the towns folk that was immediately terminated, because I wouldn’t stand to be a stepford wife. I don't like the way the relationship is heading with Teresa/Ethan/Adam thing. I'm not sure I will purchase the next book. So my suggestion is buy this if it is on sale but only if you liked the first book really well.

8 of 11 people found this review helpful