Just finished this book as well as the first chapter preview of Book 7 and I must admit that I’m getting a bit bored with this series. I gave the first book a good rating, and still do, even after I waited to write the review after completing book 4. This series started out as a down to earth and realistic view of the world today, and the near future, and made sense that society wouldn’t collapse and turn Mad Max after just a few days. I accept the drama over action because I believe that’s a more practical reality than expecting to live as a gun slinging ninja when the sectors of our nation start to crumble. Sure, some will need to make hard choices but not constantly. Therefore, understand that this series, though well written, is a slow drama with only a few moments of action, so far.
Having said that, I’m at the point where I think I’m going to give this series a rest and move on to other books for a while. I’m still interested to find out how the rest of the series plays out, but I’m not ready to invest another 20+ hours to do so right now. So far I’d have to agree with other reviewers and say that this whole series should have been condensed to 4 books or fewer. I listened to an interview with the author on a podcast and he mentioned that the last book was mostly a bunch of speeches. Can you say boring or anticlimactic? I’ll read the reviews and make my determination to buy it if and when I get there.
My one criticism about this series so far, apart from the dragging storyline, is the main character Grant. At first he came across as your average guy, but now he’s always the smartest person in a room… I guess the arrogant lawyer has surfaced. In addition Grant can seem to do nothing wrong, even though he lies, or hides important info from his own family. Finally, It seems the whole collapse scenario was custom tailored just for Grant. And Grant’s wife has to be the most stubborn princess… I guess that’s second criticism.
Overall, a good series. I can’t say that I’d ever listen to it again though. FWIW, Mark Goodwin’s “American Exit Strategy” series was a better listen.