Wendig is like, some kind of master with pop trivia and really sharp, maybe bloody, wit. And delightfully complex characters.īut for me? I love the pop culture references. What sets this above all the rest? Clever fundamental choices and trope inclusions, baby. They're quite happy to be all opportunistic on humanity's ass. This book is full of heart even while it DOES have a rather usual trope of religious nutters, white supremacists, and NRA hotheads. It is, however, quite free of rampant female humiliation, gratuitous rape, and violence in general. No, it's not a zombie apocalypse or a big meteorite spoiling everyone's day or the ultimate reversal of the sexes. Wanderers, however, is leagues above most of the current runs of epic dystopias. And I had a bit of a rough time with some of the 70's sexism in Lucifer's Hammer. I'm not saying it has MORE to gloam onto than the Stand, but I had myself a few issues with the Stand. And perhaps a few others that I rank higher than the rest.īut let me be clear. That's including the Stand, Lucifer's Hammer, or The Power. I think I had more fun reading this book than I have for ANY apocalypse book.

Let me tell you something, my fine folks. Boots, and your grandmother’s mysterious brooch.It's the end of the world and I feel. (Also! If you’re looking for a write in in the fantasy category, too, might I suggest Paul Krueger’s truly excellent Steel Crow Saga?)Īnyway, that’s it from me, thank you for your time and consideration and I definitely haven’t stolen a beloved pet or family heirloom from you to use as leverage in this negotiation, ha ha, who would ever do that, not me, definitely not me, says the guy who is holding your wonderful kitten, Mr.

(I’m sure there’s some question as to what category it belongs in - but I’d say it’s probably too long to be a proper thriller, and though I wrote it as a horror novel, its watermarks are ostensibly sci-fi.) But if you think it should, I’d love for you to write it in. (Also okay if you don’t, as there are many wonderful books on the list to choose from.) Why is Wanderers not there? I confess, I don’t know - in what is obviously my hubris, I kinda figured it would be? It did well in both sales and critical reception, and I humblebrag again that it made Publisher’s Weekly best SFFH of the year - but what do I know? Maybe it shouldn’t be.

You just click that link and go down to the bottom and, zip zop zoom, write it in. I also note, with a sad-face emoji, that Wanderers is not on that list, but I’ll also remind you that it could be, as a write-in in the science-fiction category. Why, hello there - ’tis the time for the Annual Goodreads Choice Awards, and I feel like I should make special note that there are many excellent books on it.

Wanderers by chuck wendig