Dark Journey

He never wanted to hunt. Now he’s fighting to survive.
Sixteen year old Jim, who doesn’t like hunting, is forced by his stepfather, Max, to hunt deer in Idaho. While there, nuclear weapons detonate high in the atmosphere, causing an immense EMP. Their car and phones are dead. Jim wants to get back home to his mother and young sister, with or without Max. They have 250 miles to travel, little food, and it is late summer. Gangs start stealing food and shooting people who protest. Max falls victim. Jim rescues a young woman from another gang. Can they escape and make it home?

Great Book!

I’ve read a lot of books of this genre. This book is one that I liked the best.

A Storyteller like Heinlein. 😎

Mr. Eslinger doesn't get bogged down by over-explaining or the necessary violence in a shtf scenario. He focuses on the world at hand, which results in a character-driven storyline which is heroic and believable.
Thank God. no zombies!!
Thank God, no focus on getting kicks from gore!
And in the world of just two young people, there's enough violence as it is as many survivors turn to killing as they loot for food.
In a world without police,
a young lady (Laura) is taken captive to be a sex slave. Her screams are heard by the teenager, Jim, who comes to the rescue.
As they travel together for safely, they finally rescue a little wait of a girl who is 10.
I like thst the author told a character-driven story worthy of the likes of Robert A. Heinlein.
I like that it had no sex or vulgar swearing. It was way interesting without that junk.
Finally, I like that in retrospect, Jim's rough stepfather Max, is ultimately appreciated as Jim's remembers the knowledge given by him to survive, as well as dying to save Jim's life.
I hope there's a follow-up.

Good listen

I’m not a huge fan of the virtual voice storytelling, but overall story was good!

Hate virtual voice.

Once the dog appeared I liked it, though fantasy this was. Moved well and kept my interest although very little reality showed though.