REVIEW - BIG SKY FALLEN - THE UNRAVELING BY KEVIN CRAVER

  

Title: Big Sky Fallen
Series: The Unraveling
Author: Kevin Craver
Genre: Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: 22nd January 2024

BLURB
In an instant, it was all gone.The survivors called it the Unraveling—a merciless one-two punch of economic collapse and deadly plague that brought the United States, and the world, to its knees.For history teacher and Army veteran Eric Jaeger, the collapse of the nation he once swore to defend is only the beginning.As civilization crumbles around them, Eric and tough-as-nails paramedic Susan Walker flee the Milwaukee suburbs for the safety of the Montana home of his Army buddy, Manny Landeros. They join an eclectic group of friends forced to adapt to survive in a violent and lawless post-apocalyptic world in which kindness and decency end at Manny’s property line.Eric’s hopes of staying hidden to weather the catastrophe are dashed when a wealthy despot seizes power in the nearby state capital and hatches a horrific plan with the remnants of a federal government desperate to regain control at any cost. When the enigmatic leader of a growing resistance movement asks Manny’s group to join the fight, they must decide whether to risk everything to defeat a tyrant—and in Eric’s case, risk sacrificing Susan on freedom’s altar.

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PURCHASE LINKS
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REVIEW
The cover of the book really does its job well with the two lonely armed figures looking out into the desolation around them. You really want to learn who the two figures are, what has happened in the world and how they are going to cope with it. If I saw it on a book store shelf I would certainly be picking it up to learn more about the book.

The book separated into three parts as well as a kind of aftermath/epilogue at the end although it is not referred to as one. The first part is the background and the planning that went into the homestead idea, and everyone arriving. The second part is kind of surviving, the gathering of forces and the build up to the third part which is the big battle. Then finally the aftermath/epilogue where all the loose ends are tied up.

The first part introduces the characters and contains their background information and how they come to be part of the rather eclectic post-apocalyptic family living, fighting and surviving together on Manny & Carmen’s land, which I found really interesting and it explains all their quirks, traits, skills, triggers and behaviour as the book goes on. Each character brings a skill or is with someone who brings a necessary skill to survive and thrive. It sets out all the final preparations the group have to still put in place, and reiterate who is responsible for which jobs. Sadly some of their group don’t make it, succumbing to the pandemic, becoming too ill to travel, meaning their jobs have to be reassigned.

I would say the main characters are Eric Jaeger, who is ex-military, high school teacher who is very into prepping for the end of the world when it comes. Eric, along with his friends are in no doubt “the end”, an “event” is coming its just a matter of when “it” happens. Eric is a bachelor but its quite clear to both his friends and us, the reader that he is besotted with Susan, a fire department paramendic, who quickly becomes head medic when the nurse of the group never makes it to the homestead. Eric and Susan travel to Eric’s Ex-military best friend, Manny Landeros’ home/homestead where others in their group will also be heading to bunker down and survive whatever is happening and what is to come afterwards. Manny is married to Carmen and they have a 13year old daughter Luisa. Manny’s cousin Benny is promoted to keeping track and doing inventory on all supplies when the guy whose job it would have been doesn’t make it.

There’s lots of ex-military as that’s where the idea of this safe haven, homestead was formed. Others have been brought on board by the original members. One such couple are Pastor Kriss Reynolds and her husband Roger who as organic gardeners are deeply involved in the nurturing, planting, and tending of produce needed to sustain the diets of the group. Obviously being ex-military the have also bought in MRE food packs and tins and cans etc etc. To be honest the group seems to have all bases covered but Manny is determined that things will be done in a certain way under his roof such as no co-habitating between non married couples. So, the couples have their room/dorms and the bachelors have an area as do the bachelorettes. Everyone has shared chores and duties such as guard duty, manning the radio, as well as their specialities. They also continue keeping fit and doing army manoeuvres to cover all scenarios. These people know that eventually refugees, strangers will turn up at their door and they have to have systems in place to deal with every eventuality.

As the book goes on the group have to deal with what they at first think are local bandits but it soon becomes apparent that these men who just take from others are part of a larger, more well organised army. They soon become part of a greater machine fighting back against what is a militia.

There are a few times when a democracy rules the decision process for the homesteaders, such as the decision to deal with the bandits that have terrorised their neighbours and could be coming for them next. Then the couple needing food and supplies for their attempted journey to relatives. There’s discussion about asking them to stay, but instead they are given help to progress on their journey, but they leave with knowledge of the homestead and it’s a decision that could have disastrous consequences for the group. Finally, there’s a group of three military deserters nearby the homestead, who want nothing of the harsh ways of the militia type army that exists and the government that wants to rule now. The one female and two males have useful skills for the battle that is rapidly approaching.

I found I became attached to the characters at the homestead really quickly, even ones that were only briefly mentioned that never quite made it to the homestead. I enjoyed the different relationships within couples and with the other characters. I really adored the way the characters were romantically paired off. I found their secret trysts really amusing, from Julie & Allan's in the bachelorette pad when Suan finds them asleep in each others arms, both snoring! Then later in the book the newer couple of Kaytie & Tim rolling around in poison ivy, with Kaytie full of shame and embarrassment having to approach Susan for advice and treatment for the poison ivy. Finally, the tryst between the couple I was really willing everything to work out for (and both be alive at the end) Eric & Susan who snuck off behind the barn! Luckily and wisely, Susan checked for poison ivy before rolling around on the floor together!

I really grew to love some of the characters and when a couple of them do potentially dangerous, crazy acts of sacrifice I was internally shouting “Noooo” at them in my head whilst reading the drama and devastation unfold.

I'll be honest quite a bit of the military manoeuvres, weaponry, political and American geographic detail 'went over my head' but I still enjoyed reading it and I am sure others will appreciate it and fully understand it more than I did. I adored the little details in the book such as the nick names each character had, some for obvious reasons such as Doc, and Meat others perhaps not so obvious to outsiders of the homestead group.

I loved how all the loose ends were tied up, and how it was explained how life had progressed in the aftermath of the great battle. The tying up loose ends and the surviving characters coming together to reminisce about what they went through as well as remembering and toasting those old friends that didn’t make it.

The only critisms I had, were that the aftermath section jumped a few years more than once without it being clearly stated. Some of Eric’s “diary/book” entries were long, quite complicated and heavy on political and military jargon, though I did still enjoy reading them.

Also, at one point I had to google what a “beaner” was” It’s a derogatory term for a person of Mexican, Hispanic or Latino heritage, which explained the reactions of the characters to someone they loved being referred to as a “beaner”

My immediate reaction upon finishing reading this book were Wow, I really enjoyed this one but I need to digest this one a little before reviewing, so I don’t give too much away.

Summing up, it has been a difficult review to do without giving away any major spoilers. This book has an amazing action packed well thought out plot, with believable, easy to love characters. What authors would I compare this one to. . . Kyla Stone, Stephen Konkoly and Grace Hamilton are the ones that spring to mind. I don’t know how the series will continue but I am really looking forward to reading more.