Book Review: Wayward by Blake Crouch

Title: Wayward

Series: Wayward Pines #2

Author: Blake Crouch

Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller

About the Book: Welcome to Wayward Pines, population 461. Nestled amidst picture-perfect mountains, the idyllic town is a modern-day Eden...except for the electrified fence and razor wire, snipers scoping everything 24/7, and the relentless surveillance tracking each word and gesture.
None of the residents know how they got here. They are told where to work, how to live, and who to marry. Some believe they are dead. Others think they’re trapped in an unfathomable experiment. Everyone secretly dreams of leaving, but those who dare face a terrifying surprise.

Ethan Burke has seen the world beyond. He’s sheriff, and one of the few who knows the truth—Wayward Pines isn’t just a town. And what lies on the other side of the fence is a nightmare beyond anyone’s imagining. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: I loved this book - even better than the first.  I am really happy that I started this series.  My husband and I are watching it on Hulu and even though it is different from the book, I am enjoying it as well.  Wayward Pines is built on an interesting premise and is a new take on a dystopian book.  I don't want to tell you much about the town, because if you haven't read book 1 you must go back and read it now.  I would highly recommend this series if you like science fiction or thrillers!  

Book Review: Pines by Blake Crouch

 

Title: Pines (Wayward Pines #1)

Author: Blake Crouch

Genre: Science Fiction/Thriller

About the book: Wayward Pines, Idaho, is quintessential small-town America--or so it seems. Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrives in search of two missing federal agents, yet soon is facing much more than he bargained for. After a violent accident lands him in the hospital, Ethan comes to with no ID and no cell phone. The medical staff seems friendly enough but sometimes feels...off. As days pass, Ethan's investigation into his colleagues' disappearance turns up more questions than answers

Why can't he make contact with his family in the outside world? Why doesn't anyone believe he is who he says he is? And what's the purpose of the electrified fences encircling the town?  Are they keeping the residents in? Or something else out?

Each step toward the truth takes Ethan further from the world he knows until he must face a horrifying fact—he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive..... (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: While the premise of this book was right up my alley, I will admit that when I started it, I really didn't like it. The writing seemed a little disjointed and I felt like there was something missing.  However, I still liked the storyline so I kept reading.  I ended up finishing it really quickly and after reading the Afterword by the author at the end of the book it began to gel for me.  The author stated that one of his inspirations for this series was Twin Peaks.  And I thought - yes - the way it was written did give me a little bit of a Twin Peaks vibe.  That was the disjointedness - that on the surface everything seemed perfect - just don't look beneath the surface.  I then saw that this was a series on Hulu called Wayward Pines and my husband and I are now three episodes in.  I have also started the second book and am enjoying it more than the first.