Mixed feelings on "The Last Stand" series

Pros –

• Narration: Consistent narrator; in a few sections, he handled switching Caucasian and Asian accents quite well.
• Overall Story: Very interesting, very plausible premise.
• Characters: Some interesting characters.
• Tasteful Content – very little swearing with no F-bombs. You could play this in the car with the family present. And fighting scenes are described but in very restrained ways.
• Chapter Construction / Travel ability: Short, easy-to-consume chapters. Most chapters are under 10 mins in length.
• Prepper Info: Helps build appreciation for preppers, their states of mind, etc. and opens the mind to the myriad considerations there are for prepping.
• Geography: Use of real locations that can be found on any map of the Knoxville area.

Cons –
• Preachy Prepping – There were, at times, places where characters were almost put down because they didn’t know what they should have done to prepare for a cataclysmic event. Other times, the book turned into a to-do list for prepping instead of a subtler manner of sprinkling this info into the story. I have to admit, I’m not sure I would know how to do that. But then again, I’m not an author.
• Look at me - The unrelenting need for constant/repeated detail about each firearm / piece of weaponry in each scene. It seems like you could mention a firearm once (even in all its detail), but when having to mention it again, call it by its generic term rather than its full make, model, stock vs. personal customization – Smith & Wesson M&P BodyGuard coated with black and gray midnight camouflage with laser sight and extended magazine. Imagine that mouthful every time someone in the story gripped it, held it, practiced with it, shot it, etc. You rarely hear, “He pulled his pistol.” No. You hear “He pulled his Smith & Wesson M&P BodyGuard coated with black and gray midnight camouflage with laser sight and extended magazine.” It comes across as either a page-filler technique of a writer struggling to fill some space. Unless the majority of your readers are well versed in firearms, just keep it simple and keep it moving along. “He drew his assault rifle” or “The rocket launcher was aimed at a nearby house” or “The tank armed with heavy artillery was on the move again.” Like those examples, just keep it simple. All else is fluff that only caters to readers who share the same intimate knowledge of firearms. It is lost on the rest of us.
• Flashbacks to previous military campaigns – entire chapters (though short) are dedicated to military flashbacks of the main character that barely gives any additional insight into the main character’s motivations or actions. If a flashback doesn’t add new, sufficient insight to a character, keep it out.
• Flashback/Forward - The last book in the series uses a trick annoyingly used in the movies – flashback and flash forward to present. This can give some minor insight to characters and relationships but I didn’t think it was necessary.
• The perfect protagonist – John Mack has supreme knowledge of all things – apocalyptic preparedness (water filtration, food prep, medical prep, etc.) , the weaponry gamut (personal, ground, air, etc.), war strategist from his military career, managing people, negotiator, etc., etc. Bottom line: the main character is far too perfect. There are a handful of times across 4 books where John admits he didn’t think of something that someone else did. With a character this perfect, no matter what happens, if John is involved, it will get resolved with very little surprises along the way.
• Wandering – the story doesn’t necessarily wander, but my brain wanted to wander quite a bit in the 3rd and 4th books. SPOILER: once the story settles into Oneida, it becomes stale even in view of all of the potential danger that surrounds them there. Why did I finish the books then? I figured I came all this way, I would see it through.

Overall
• The narrator did a very good job. He is very easy on the ears.
• The story (for me) was good in the first 2 books, but I started losing interest after that.
• A few nice twists and turns in the plot.
• The constant and unnecessarily overly-detailed descriptions of every weapon on each page where one is mentioned. It felt like a page filler technique rather than anything meaningful for the average reader.
#Survival #FamilyStruggle #PostApocalypse #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

96 people found this helpful

Book is awful.... godlike prepper saves everybody, again..

I love the genre and saw that this was a single credit for a 24+ hour book, what could go wrong?... the story and especially the main character. The main character of course is indestructible and knows everything to stay alive and also knows every bit of history. John Mack is the main protagonist and he is a wealth of knowledge who everybody depends on to stay alive, knows more than generals of active military, is a force to reckon with and takes tanks out no problem, knows every recipe to make IED’s. His wife and children berate him with stupid questions like they never lived with him their whole entire lives. The author made the secondary characters out to be complete idiots and not even capable of barely breathing on their on without John’s guidance. The prepping aspect is barely ok, weapon knowledge is laughable (Kel-Tec’s are garbage).... doomsday/EMP/CME books are a dime a dozen, hopefully somebody will ready this and not listen to this book. Save your credit for a great read/listen like ‘Surviving the Dead:No Easy Hope’, that’s a great story!

10 people found this helpful

The story is good but the main character is just a little too perfect.

Have you ever read a story that the main character seems to know all the correct answers? Well if you haven’t you really need to read this book. This character would be infallible if he would just stop claiming that he may be wrong when he makes everyone else look childish and borderline stupid. After the third book you realize that this guy is batting a hundred constantly. The author does appear to know some history but if I were to have to guess I would say he is a realllllly big fan of Ulysses S Grant. Overall a good story but it would have been nice to see the main character do something that was wrong once or twice. Come on, you can’t quote historical facts and quotes constantly off the top of your head while being a top notch special forces coordinator and a interrogation specialist. Not to mention great husband, awesome father to both his biological children and a semi adopted one, great friend, perfect mayor, and so on and so on. If this book would have had 3 or 4 more characters like this there would be no need for the allies.

35 people found this helpful

Excellent

Good character development. I particularly enjoyed the detail provided in the narrative regarding equipment and tactics. Especially enjoyable was the historical references to military battles in the past that contributed to their success or defeat. lots of good twists and turns in the plot. It was refreshing to read a book series without gratuitous profanity. The authors' faith in a higher power is apparent, however, the book does not come across as preachy or overtly spiritual. I have read many books of this genre and highly recommend this author.

22 people found this helpful

Not a bad story, but has major flaws

If you could sum up Last Stand: The Complete Box Set in three words, what would they be?

Missed the mark

What does Kevin Stillwell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator took some getting used to. The awkwardnesss of how he reads "S&W M&P 40" is painful to listen to. That said, he has talent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes - ... actually, the whole premise of how easily the opposing forces bring america to its knees is just unbelievable. The rest of the story is fine, but the authors approach to this was so ... unjustifiable that it nearly ruined the books for me.

Any additional comments?

Worth the read I guess, but it will probably really angry the patriots among us. Makes America look bad and makes our military look weak, unjustifiably.

14 people found this helpful

Some EMP, Some war drama, Some nation/family

The first book focused mainly on EMP and the after effects. Following that, the EMP element all but went away in favor of nationalism, war and the country being under attack. The story focused on a small area and group of townsmen, and didn't cover much outside of them and what they were doing in their area. The narration was dry at times, but not outright annoying or dislikable. I listened all the way through, was engaged, and enjoyed the story, which means I would recommend it, but I cannot say this book took me or my breath away. It was worth the read, engaging, and I liked it, that was about it.

5 people found this helpful

Well worth the time & money invested in this book!

With this long of s book, one would often expect to become slightly bored at some point. I'm happy to report that surely wasn't the case with the "Last Stand"! Nicely done Sir!

12 people found this helpful

SPOILERS. Gets progressively more childish

Prepper authors are destroying post-apocalyptic stories (a genre I love) for me personally. They always have to be the single greatest hero/human being alive on the planet, the 2nd best is either their daughter or wife depending on the story, here it's the wife.

The 1st book was acceptably decent, I wouldn't recommend anyone read/listen beyond that.

Further, historically authors have been of above average self awareness, and it was that keen awareness that unlocked great story telling that delved the human psyche. Alas, that is not the case now that producing books/audiobooks is cheaper than ever. That said, this author in particular needs therapy and needs to be receptive to said therapy. I've wasted enough time on this series as is, so if you are curious to the specifics, listen to all the books.

In closing, the author has potential, they need to learn about their hidden self a bit more, then not model the lead character after themself. Also, draw upon the realism they created in the 1st book vs the fantastical world of every book in the series. ie most Americans are literally stupid, except the hero, yet even the profoundly ignorant Americans are superior to the 3 major powers that colluded to perpetuate the most devastating attack America has ever seen. The heros wife is even physically superior to russian invading forces in hand to hand combat.

15 people found this helpful

Nothing special.

I've read my share of prepper books, there's nothing special here. If anything it's pretty boring. Way, way, too much preaching and history. The hero of the story knows everything and can do no wrong all while appearing humble, of course. I know I zoned out many times but when I did check back in I felt in no way compelled to hit rewind. The narrator wasn't awful but not great either. A better, and more interesting, series is from William R. Forstchen beginning with One Second After. It's not perfect, what is, but when I did zone out I always hit rewind! I'd recommend passing this one up unless you are a die-hard fan, I'm obviously not there.

23 people found this helpful

Excellent writing. Mixed feelings about the story

Would you consider the audio edition of Last Stand: The Complete Box Set to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but the audio performance was solid. His male voices were excellent, although his southern accent is a bit cartoonish on some characters. Female voices were pretty bad. You get used to it, but they were a bit distracting. Overall though, his reading and voice is a pleasure to listen to.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The box set contains 4 books. Each book follows a similar pattern, which is often a daring rescue followed by a showdown with a bad guy. Basically the protagonist is put in an impossible situation, he recollects some battle in history and employs their tactics, he wins the day. There are some good twists which makes each book enjoyable, but the formula is there.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The box set is 17 hours long. That said, I was eager to finish each story.

Any additional comments?

The first book is a true prepper novel. I loved it. The fact that you get 4 books for 1 credit is an incredible value. The 3 books after the 1st were no longer prepper novels, but were rather patriot novels. It was no longer about survival or self-reliance, but switched gears fast into military conflicts.

After the first book, the whole idea of a grid down situation is basically ignored. Nobody is really starving. Resources like gas and bullets are abundant. There's no social unrest or crime. It's basically a patriot novel where America has lost its technology advantage, but the military is still intact and functioning.

Bottom line:
- Excellent value at 1 credit.
- Book 1 is for preppers. Book 2-4 is for vets, patriots, militia and III%'ers.
- Voice acting is excellent, with the exception of female voices.
- Writing is fantastic. Love the author.
- It's a very clean book. No crude language or sex scenes. Lots of war scenes.
- Characters were well developed, especially in the later books.
- Pacing was good. Maybe a bit slow in places. Action was high. Strategic ideas were cool.
- All the military equipment names and fawning over past generals was painful.

I'll buy from this author again. Hopefully he continues to put out more prepper stories and less military manuals.

9 people found this helpful