The Long Road (The New World #2) by G. Michael Hopf

The Long Road (The New World #2) Reviews

• 
  Lori L (She Treads Softly)

  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 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.
  
  
  
• 
  Myste

  Do not read this if you've not read the book. It's a hidden review for a reason.
  
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  Though I knew it was going to happen, my only comment is that I had a very difficult time stomaching Hunter's death. It made me so deeply sad... I wish he had at least seen his mother again before he died. Kudos to the author for making me feel so much.
• 
  Giselle

  In the second novel, we learn that one of the characters from the first has lived. The war has stopped and it seems life has gotten back to a more civil time. This character ends up being interviewed by a journalist and ends up delivering the story that picked up right where we left off.
  
  As, the previous novel, we’re bounced around from several plot lines making it hard to decipher what’s going and who is still alive and what else has escalated. This type of pacing had me so confused and I hated how it bounced and forth. There is also a lot of military jargon used and even though it was incredibly detailed and written well, I didn’t care too much about it. I cared about the characters and their stories. I cared about what was going on with all the civil unrest. Even though it was hard to care about any of these characters, I still wanted to know who was behind these nuclear attacks. Sad to say I didn’t get my answer.
  
  I still don’t understand Gordan’s thought process. I know he’s trying to survive, but he does this in the most basic android like form. Like he’s not human and incapable of emotion or empathy. Only when the ending came did I find any semblance of a human emotion.
  
  If you enjoy fast paced reading about the end of the world as we know it, then this is for you. If you’re looking to connect with characters, this book is can be passed on.
• 
  Jeff

  I'm like another reviewer, I like the Gordon storyline especially. Curious to see how Haley ends up where she does. With this author, no one is safe! Hooked in for the whole ride. I could do without the profanity.
• 
  John Darling

  As an author myself, I know it’s not easy writing stories that can keep readers on edge the entire time. It’s especially hard in the apocalyptic genre, which has become populated with very similar versions of the same storyline. However, Mr. Hopf does a fantastic job of writing a sequel to his first book, The End. In The Long Road, we follow Gordon and his band of families as the desperately set off in search of a new place to call home. The journey is abruptly put on hold when Gordon and Hunter are captured by a lunatic, obsessed with “cleansing” the world of people who do not share the same beliefs as him. Samantha and another member of their group, Nelson, desperately search for them, but by the time they find them, it’s too late. My heart practically sank into my stomach when I found out who had died.
  
  This book, and this series, is phenomenal because it has several different elements that I personally love. First off, it has short chapters. I love short chapters and exerts because I can either read one or two, or read 12, depending on how much time I have. Either ay, it’s much easier to pick up where you left off and remember all of the little details of the book.
  
  Second, the books follow multiple sets of characters in different places. As I read books 1 and 2, I constantly kept trying to figure out how and when these characters were going to cross paths with one another. I’m still trying to figure that out as I jump into book 3.
  
  The third thing Mr. Hopf added which is great is the foreshadowing element. By adding it bits from the future from Haley’s perspective, we as the reader get a small taste of the future and get some satisfaction knowing that at least she lives through all of the events of the series. After reading this book, it’s very comforting knowing that at lest someone from the original group will survive.
  
  If you are hesitant about picking up this series, let me tell you that you have no reason to be whatsoever. I’m blunt when it comes to books and there are several authors I won’t read again because their books were that bad. With Mr. Hopf, that is far from the case. This series is fantastic and I highly recommend The End and The Long Road. I will keep writing positive reviews on these books until I have a reason not to. Although, with the way the first two books have gone, I doubt that will be the case with The New World Series.
  
• 
  Michelle

  The 2nd in the series and I almost gave it a 2-star rating but felt the last few chapters brought it up to a 3-star.
  
  This book picks right up where the first ended. Gordon is travelling with his family and a small group in hopes of reaching their place in Idaho. It follows mostly the same group of characters over about a month period and how they are dealing with the end of the world as they knew it. The new world has become a very different and violent place where people kill for food, survival, power, and fun.
  
  I found the writing in this one was much better, but there were a few more editing mistakes. The story was pretty slow throughout and does jump around between characters a lot but the ending gets much better. I will probably continue with the series but am not in a big hurry to get out and buy the next book.
  
  There was a major mistake with the dates/timeline. Nothing that affects the story too much but it should have been picked up. The 1st book takes place mainly in December 2014 and Jan 2015. Then the 2nd book picks right up in Jan but the date is Jan 2014.
• 
  Reeka (BoundbyWords)

  As seen on my blog:
  
  
  
  
  *JOINT REVIEW with The End by G. Michael Hopf*
  
  I'm not going to lie to you: I KEPT EXPECTING ZOMBIES. 
  
  It's impossible not to, what with post-apocalyptic horrors, mixed with a dwindling supply of food, mixed with intense starvation, mixed with the fact that The End and The Long Road were my very first ADULT post-apocalyptic books. I'd grown SO accustomed to the plot lines of teen books that follow the fall of the world as we know it, and c'mon, let's be honest, there's usually zombies. But these books were refreshingly different, and SO detailed oriented. It took me a moment to throw out the (sometimes) horridly unrealistic explanations of apocalypse found in YA books, and embrace the VERY real possibilities that The End and The Long Road expressed to me.
  
  I use the word "refreshingly" up there very lightly, both of these books are definitely not for the faint of heart. They both contain blunt, no-holds-barred accounts of what our planet could possibly spiral into, should a weapon of mass destruction be used against us. These realities included brutality, rape, murder, savagery, and all around hostile situations. In The End, the book begins (and ends) not too far into the future (2066), where a now aged descendant of the Van Zandt family is about to recount to a reporter, the disturbing events the day of, and weeks following, the attacks. The meat of the books take place in present day, where we follow the storylines of four main characters, all spread throughout the country, fighting their own battles for survival. All four characters were intricately linked, each making decisions that would inadvertently, or directly, affect the others.  The Long Road continues to detail the events following the attacks, though with more intensity, and urgency.
  
  The areas that completely lost me were the technical military terms and situations. The author comes from a U.S Marine background, so it was understandable that he would use that knowledge to his advantage. However, it tended to leak into moments that should have been more candid, and natural. Dialogue between Gordon and his family, or moments between those not in the military, came across as robotic, and stoic. This aspect made it hard for me to connect to some characters on a personal level. I couldn't empathize with them as much as I would have liked to-their words just didn't seem to come from a genuine place.
  
  To reiterate, The End, and The Long Road are not books that simply brush the surface of world apocalypse. This is the camera zoomed into the specific details, the exact realities of what measures need to be taken to prepare for survival; what sacrifices, and split-second decisions, need to be made to keep those you love the most, safe. I enjoyed this aspect the most. Again, as an avid reader of YA dystopian books, I only get to read about the OUTCOME of an apocalypse-the "new world" that has been established, MANY years into the future. Hardly ANY details are ever given about how it ended up that way. 
  
  But The End and The Long Road were RIGHT NOW, they were the events leading up to that, the "behind the scenes," and I appreciated them for exactly that reason. They were fast-paced reads, and COMPLETELY eye-opening: the attack that triggered mass hysteria is a REAL possibility, and that scared me half to death. 
  
  Read these books for some real-life knowledge. I learned about things in these books that I might be very thankful that I learned, one day.
  
  Recommended for Fans of: Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic fiction, Dystopian, Controversial topics, Political Fiction, military situations.
  
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  *DISCLAIMER* I received this book as a print copy from the publisher, in order to participate in the blog tour
• 
  Charlene

  I loved this book by G. Michael Hopf. I also loved the characters. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book and all of this authors books. I listened to this book on audiobook.
• 
  Chris

  These books seem to get better as you go. The first book was easier to put down and didn't draw me in like book 2 and 3 have done so far. This book I finished in a couple of sittings. The story gets better as we go. I'm now on book 3 and read half of it in a single sitting.
• 
  Sebastian O'Malley

  The Long Road, book two of The New World series, is fantastic. Not only does the series get better as it goes on, but The Long Road truly sets the stage for what is to come in the series overall. Can't get enough of this series.
• 
  Anthoney

  This was barely a 3.
• 
  Brooke

  The story is coming together and it makes for a very interesting and thought-provoking read. I enjoyed this second book in the series. Can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
• 
  David A.

  A good read, if you like postapocalyptic storys, which I do.
• 
  Books A-Brewin'

  
  
  Of course, I had to read the sequel! Why would I simply read the first book and not continue on in a series that marks one of the best dystopian worlds I have ever found myself entrenched in. When asked whether I wanted to read the first book, second, or both, I naturally went for all I could get (and that was even before I knew I was going to adore them). After reading The End, I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Gordon and the rest of the motley crew of characters.
  
  In The Long Road, Gordon, his family, and a caravan of his best and brightest neighbors are on the way to Idaho where they hope to find safety and a place to start over. Gordon's family owns property out that way and he figures that's as good a place as any to begin forming his own community. What Gordon didn't count on was that danger would lurk around every corner. He and his group have not even made it out of California before they are plagued by violence and devastation.
  
  Whereas before Gordon's instincts worked in his favor, now they threaten to be his downfall. His desperation to always have enough resources for his people drives him to investigate a military base outside of Barstow, California. This mistake in judgment and the determination of his eight-year-old son to help his father, leads them both to be captures by a religious zealot and his psychotic followers. Now Gordon can only hope to find a way to escape with his son and find his way back to his wife, daughter, and group.
  
  Meanwhile, the government is collapsing and Colonel Barone has set himself up to be it's new leader with the help of his Marine followers. Little does he know but the current government AND a drug cartel leader both have their eyes set on running the ruined country.
  
  Sebastian has sought out his brother's neighborhood but found only death. Others and even, almost, his own when his helicopter crashes. He is rescued by a Mormon community headed by bishop Sorenson and his very attractive daughter. Sebastian is torn between continuing his search for his older brother and staying with the Mormon's to be the leader they so desperately need.
  
  Gordon, Sebastian, Colonel Barone, and others all have a lot to accomplish and a long road ahead of them in all their goals.
  
  This book was vastly different from the first book. The first book set the stage for the new world and this one was more into a concise story line of events and character development. I was more emotionally drawn to the characters than I was in the first one. I felt their plights. I was teetering on the edge of my seat most of the time, reading as fast as I could so I could know what happened to some of the fictional people I had come to admire or love. Avoiding spoilers, I absolutely sobbed my eyes out at some points in the book. My heart broke, my stomach turned, and rage coursed through my veins the likes of which I have ever experienced in all the books I have read. In short, this book rocked my world.
  
  Hopf's New World series continues to make me appreciative of the things I have and the world of luxuries our country has. A Long Road will make it's readers who have children clutch them tight and never want to let go.
  
  
  
• 
  RJ

  The story continues with Gordon, wife Samantha and two children Hunter and Hailey preparing to leave San Diego for hopefully safer digs in Idaho. Meanwhile Barone and crew leave the undesirables on the San Diego shore, after rescuing what family members they could find, and steam towards Oregon and a new home. Meanwhile back at Cheyenne Mountain, President Connor is suspected dead and Vice-President Cruz debates what to do with stockpiled supplies. The government’s plan is to save and reconstruct the government rather than the surviving population; in other words themselves. This was their vision to restore the United States; government first, then attend to what civilians are left. During a recon mission Gordon and son Hunter are captured by a group of religious zealots led by Rehab. Samantha and Nelson continue to search for Gordon and Hunter. What will be the outcome? Sebastian, Gordon’s brother, after being left in San Diego hunts for his family. Unfortunately for Sebastian he is detained by a community of Mormons led by Bishop Sorenson. The Mormons are preparing to leave for Zion. How will this turn out for Sebastian? You’ll have to find out for yourself.
• 
  Tiffanie Monroe

  I really enjoyed the fast past nail biting action of this book. I like that the characters Aren’t I really enjoyed the fast past nail biting action of this book. I like that the characters Aren’t immune to death so no character has certainty. There are a few different story lines which I assume will all come together if not how does Haley know about them? Yes I work LD highly recommend this book and I choose the rating cause I liked it immune to death so no character has certainty. There are a few different story lines which I assume will all come together if not how does Haley know about them? Yes I work LD highly recommend this book and I choose the rating cause I liked it
  
  I really enjoyed the fast past nail biting action of this book. I like that the characters Aren’t immune to death so no character has certainty. There are a few different story lines which I assume will all come together if not how does Haley know about them? Yes I work LD highly recommend this book and I choose the rating cause I liked it
• 
  Darlene

  The Long Road by G. Michael Hopf is the second book in his post-apocalyptic series that started with The End which I reviewed yesterday (my review). Once again I listened to the audiobook narrated by Joseph Morton. This time around I was much more used to his manner of narration and I did find his voice pleasant to listen to. I had a minor issue with words not being pronounced properly but it was minor and I do think his voice suits this type of genre.
  
  The Long Road picks up where the last book ended. It has been a mere six weeks since the devastation hit from the super- EMP attack but life is in utter turmoil and every day is occupied with just staying alive and trying to find food and water. Everywhere you turn there are people dying, starving, and willing to kill for what they want especially the gangs but even your ordinary everyday people. It’s amazing what happens to people when they are faced with such uncertainty and no longer have the means to live safe lives.
  
  Gordon, his wife Samantha, and their kids along with some of their neighbors from the old neighborhood have headed out on the road searching for a safer place to live and start over. I don’t want to give much away but I will say that Gordon’s brother Sebastian played a great role this time and it was nice to get to know him better. Once again there are the stories dealing with the military side of things and this novel has more violence in it with two really cruel and sadistic characters. There was also more of a story with Julia, the president’s wife and I enjoyed seeing more of her. The Long Road has an ending I won’t soon forget and from the way it ends I feel there will surely be another book at least. I sure hope so anyway!
  
  What I found most interesting is how people react to a situation like this one and the author tells it very realistically. I could literally see this playing out in my head especially with listening to it on audio. It’s scary to imagine a world where all you knew has been wiped out and you fear for your life every single day. It’s also interesting how quickly people try to start rebuilding armies and governments to begin to reestablish control over the world again. Possibly the most frightening aspect about reading this type of genre is the very real possibility of it all happening one day.
  
  If you enjoy the post-apocalyptic genre then you’d likely enjoy both The End and The Long Road. Once again for my readers there is foul language and violence. If that’s not your thing and it bothers you steer clear. For me it doesn’t bother me and I was completely caught up in the story.
• 
  Lelia Taylor

  In The End, the EMP attack happens on December 5, 2014, and the small band under Gordon’s leadership leaves San Diego on January 6, 2015 . How is it possible that both the author and the publisher could fail to notice that the dates in this second novel are wrong all the way through? The first one concludes in January 2015; the story continues in January 2014 (after the introductory chapter with Haley) and it is not a flashback. I could understand an error getting past all eyes one time but this was previously self-published so it’s had more than just the publisher/author round of proofing. Chapter after chapter, the error goes on and that pulled me out of the story more than anything else could. It’s just sloppy and makes me feel that neither the author nor the publisher cared enough to correct it which is certainly easy enough to do in the digital editions if not the paperback and surely I’m not the first reader to notice this. (Note: I didn’t just get an uncorrected copy—the sample on Amazon is the same.)
  
  Another dating issue occurs on January 16th when a mention is made that one of the groups has been camped out for eleven days but they had just reached that spot on January 8th.
  
  Faction leaders—Lt. Col. Barone, Bishop Sorenson, Rahab, Cruz, Pablo Jaurez, Gordon—all must be in control and all are victims of madness to varying degrees except for Cruz, who is just very weak, and Bishop Sorenson. He is a kindly man, too kindly for the circumstances, but it was a relief to find one person in a position of leadership who truly cared for other people.
  
  The one person who is consistently an honorable man is Sebastian and perhaps he and the bishop represent the minority that would be trying to survive with decency while all the others are the types we would most likely encounter in a post-apocalyptic world. Rahab is the scary monster living under the bed but Barone and Jaurez are the men truly to be feared. Gordon, the supposed hero of the story, is frightening if only because he is so deadly and can’t control himself. His impulses, as often as not, lead to terrible consequences.
  
  This part of the story covers just 10 days which I also found disappointing and, quite honestly, far too many pages are devoted to those 10 days. Still, with all my negative feelings about this book and its predecessor, I am completely caught up and need to know what will happen next; despite everything else, this is the hallmark of a good story, to be compelled to read on. I’ll be picking up Sanctuary as soon as I can.
  
  Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, November 2014.
• 
  Brian

  Good solid second book.
• 
  Bookworm

  The Long Road is the second installment in G. Michael Hopf's The New World Series, and I enjoyed this second book more than the first because it had more twists and turns to it. This one starts off in the future 2066 as Haley, Gordon's daughter, is telling the story of what happened to her family when the world ended.
  
  The story Haley is telling takes place six weeks after the events of the first book. Now that the world has changed and society has fallen, Gordon tries to keep his family alive as they make the trek to Idaho and to safety.
  
  There are a few different characters in this one like Rahab, a crazy religious fanatic, whose actions seemed outlandish and over the top to me. I have to say, without spoiling the plot, something Rahab did made me gasp out loud. Another character is Pablo, involved in his father's Mexican drug cartel and who is trying to build an empire. I felt like this one ventured off a bit too much in different directions sometimes with different story lines. I would have liked to just read about Gordon and Samantha and their struggles to survive, at one point they are separated as the story comes to its conclusion. I didn't mind reading about the President of the U.S., Vice President Cruz and Colonel Barone as well.
  
  This second installment ends in a cliffhanger, as Book 3 is due out in April. I am curios to see whatever happened to Gordon.
  I could definitely see these books being made into a tv miniseries of some kind.
  
  "After almost seven weeks, they estimated that more than 13 million Americans were dead. The initial day had killed hundreds of thousands, then those in need of urgent medical care had followed in tens of thousands over the next few days. Civil unrest took thousands more in the first days. Starvation began to take those weak, young and old by more tens of thousands."
  p.36, The Long Road by G. Michael Hopf
  
  
  
  Disclaimer:
  This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors, such as this one, I am under no obligation to write a positive review.
  I received my copy of The Long Road via TLC Book Tours in exchange for my honest opinion.
  
  http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/201...
• 
  Byron

  Hopf is a good writer. He keeps the reader engaged. The action is well-described and believable. However some introspective narrative can be repetitive and worth skipping. The editing and grammar are decent - few mistakes make for few distractions. This isn't a "prepper's" story but goes into just enough depth to maintain credibility without dwelling on terminology, prep lists and gear descriptions.
  
  I would recommend this series to those who enjoy the Apocalypse genre.
  
  I reserve 5 stars for an excellent novel from the likes of Steinbeck or Uris. 4 stars go to excellent novels from lessor known authors and 3 stars to books I enjoyed but didn't find to be necessarily great.
  
  As a continuation of the "New World" series, The Long Road takes the reader on an engaging journey. As Gordon van Zandt, the main protagonist, removes his family from a disintegrating San Diego they encounter all the expected dangers following an apocalyptic event - anarchy, hungry gangs, opportunists and a stunned, disorganized government.