Like watching a train wreck in slow motion

Where do I start? The author clearly has a huge hero complex, as in let the men do the talking. Even when we toss in a 'strong' woman, she obviously can't do anything without the men. This should be labeled as a political novel because I've never seen more beating up on the Democrats and praising the GOP in one place, well maybe at a Trump rally. The story line doesn't hold water, it has so many holes and contradictions that there's not enough space to list them. Last but not the least...the performance. It's down right terrible. I'm not sure if the narrator makes things up (like confusing the name of the Texas Governor Abbott and Barnette doesn't even sound the same if you say it FAST). Pronouncing Sabine river WRONG. No, just no. Unless you want to read far right wing 'porn' scroll past this book and anything else written by this nut job.

6 people found this helpful

Just Great (A Love Letter To Texas)

4.5 out of 5 stars

I should know the end is coming from the three other series that I've read by Akart, but man - he gets me every time. Right when I think there is going to be more, boom! Much like the EMP he writes about - the story is over.  Darkness. I  have to wait another month until the third book is released.  Upon finishing, I tweeted this:

"Just finished Beyond Borders by @BobbyAkart and all I can say is... (insert picture of Hank Hill from King of the Hill saying "Dangit Bobby!""

Beyond Borders is the continued story of a family trying to survive amidst a changing world. Living home on the ranch - trying to protect its massive grounds.  Or trying to get home - thousands of miles away only on horseback.  It also tells of an American, trapped in North Korea who is helped by an unlikely friend.

Easily my favorite storyline in Beyond Borders was the one featuring Duncan and Sook.  It felt a little different for an Akart book and I can't help but feel like there will be more here (I have some thoughts and curiosities, but I won't air them here in case they are right). But their story felt like it was leading up to something.  I can't tell what yet. I know that in the Pandemic series there was an overarching love story at play but in Beyond Borders it felt like Akart was going to give us a little more emotion.  Open his heart up a little.  Now that I'm writing this I'm extremely scared of what will happen with Duncan and/or Sook. (Akart is no George R.R. Martin, but I can't help feeling like not everyone is safe).

I follow Akart's Facebook page - and he mentioned that we would have an appearance of Red Rover in this book. But it was even more enjoyable than I expected. I wasn't sure how he was going to weave his baby into it, but he did it and it was in a way that made me smile. I'm also pretty sure that he even brought a version of his pup into the story.

But, back to my title for this review.  Man, if this isn't a love letter (or a letter of longing?) to Texas, I don't know what it is.  I know I'm reading a series called The Lone Star Series but most of Beyond Borders focuses on Texas and the fact that they have prepared for this for a long time.  Akart is a prepper and I think that the fact that Texas has taken a prepper-mindset to the way they run their state really resonated with him.  As with pretty much every Akart book I've read, I learned a lot of things (and looked a lot more up) that were factual inside of it. Akart has a way of teaching me something while entertaining the heck out of me at the same time. It's hard to do without boring the user or making it glaringly obvious that someone is trying to do it, but Akart pulls it off with ease.

Beyond Borders might be Akart's most-cliffhanger-esque book to date, but wow was it a blast to read from beginning to end.  I sat here, listening to 50mph winds, watching it snow, then get sunny, then snow (in April), and get sunny with the wind howling and the power flickering on and off wondering... has he taught me enough? Am I prepared? I know I'm not, but I think I might start.

Overall, a great story with interesting story arc's inside of it.  If you enjoyed book one and wanted a little more action (and a lot more EMP) - Beyond Borders will satisfy that. Just be warned - the ending will leave you begging Audible and Akart to release book three early.

I was voluntarily provided with a free copy of this book. It has not affected my review in any way. If you enjoyed this review, please vote for it! Every vote helps.

2 people found this helpful

Good story Great endjng

Story very well written can't put book down a great series and interesting tale Could happen.

Skip this one

Although I like the series and will continue reading, very little occurs in this installment. Just a way to make you buy 5 books instead of the 2 or 3 books it should have been. I suspect the publisher had more to do with this decision than the author.

Don't Mess with Texas

The President, in her arrogance has decided the fate of Texas(possible spoilers), take her resources, distribute them as they see fit; the most needed particularly the densly populated cities. And she plans on using Texas as a dumping ground to transport thosands of refugees on Texas because "they have the room anyway". In short Texas would loose it's autonomy and become nothing more than one large refuge base with no say as it's fate.
Yes that went over well with the Governor who immediately declared Texas a free Repulic and secceded.
Meanwhile the Armstrongs are facing their own dilemma at the ranch as hundreds of people are pouring over the border and looting. The Rodeo kids are hundreds of miles away and slowly attempting to make their way back home but face their own troubles as town after town has closed it's borders and now Canada is also expelling all foriegners.
Ducan and Soke are also attempting to leave the very dangerous situation that he has inadverdantly placed the family in and make an attempt to make it to international waters in the hope of rescue.
This is just the beginning of the conflict they and many Americans now find themselves in as the rule of law crumbles and lawlessness is rampant. How each group faces adversity will test their courage, innner strength and faith in a deity that appears to have forggotten them.
Very well written and as authors note state, there is no vulgarity of words, sexual or violent gratuitous scenes. The scary parts are extremely plausible actions that might actually occur if the chess pieces fall into or are placed in just the right place.
Will you be ready for it...?

Lost me at ....

I was enjoying the continuation of this story until there was a sudden 'love' . One of our main characters suddenly is in love with someone he met a week ago at most. And of course she 'loved' him. Sorry not buying it and now i really am not interested in hearing the rest of this story.

Fabulous story and enjoyed a new (to me) narrator

Bobby Akart is truly a masterful writer and seems almost prophetic in his books. We will just have to hope that not everything he writes comes to pass. I love all of Mr. Akart’s work, but this series really hits home with me. Not only do I have an emotional attachment with the characters, but I am drawn into the story and feel like I am one of them. I’m traveling with the rodeo kids, weary and scared; I’m trying to hold it together at home on the ranch with Miss Lucy; I’m facing big decisions and Texas proud with Governor Burnett.

In addition to the gripping story is the research that had to have gone into it. I’m subconsciously learning how to prepare for incidents, should any occur, and keep my family safe. The lessons learned are invaluable, and mixed with the entertainment of a fantastic series, I can’t recommend it more.

This series is my first encounter with Sean Runnete as a narrator. I feel like he has really connected with the story during this book and I truly enjoyed his performance.

Fantastic book

great book. I highly recommend it. The aerator was great as well!. I am going to go look for book 2.

Well written, well thought out!

Mr. Akart thought of every contingency in this series. He covers all the bases with members of the Armstrong family. Family trying to come home from opposite ends of the world. Trouble in Texas, even on the plains, there's no place that isn't touched by the disaster.

I will eagerly buy the next in the series and continue with knowledge that I need but don't really want. I want everything to stay sane and stable. But, just in case.....

Great new approach to apocalyptic novels

A very well written novel series that grabs you and pulls you into the novel great character development at narrated very well