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5/5
One of the best novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. A genuine masterpiece in the post-apocalyptic genre. Robert McCammon has truly become one of my favorite authors.
Swan Song is a story set in a post-apocalyptic world during the aftermath of nuclear war between the United States and Russia. This epic tale spans across the country, from Manhattan to Kansas, and hosts a wide variety of memorable characters. There are so many that are mentioned by name. Some that come and go in the story, and that is something I really appreciated. It added a very realistic feel to the narrative.
What I would call the three main protagonists in Swan Song, are some very well written characters. Everything from their introductions, their paths inevitably crossing, and their growth within themselves is all incredibly satisfying to read. The book is counter balanced by some fantastic antagonists who also really drive the plot and give you a growing feeling of tension. I thought the pacing, and the way the perspective shifted between all these main characters was handled extremely well. There's also so many great side characters that just fill this world and help it come to life.
This is a lengthy book that spans over 900 pages. But it never once felt like it dragged for me. I was enthralled with every chapter and was so compelled to keep going as much as I was able to each day that I read. I also listened to the audio as I read along (a method I genuinely love doing for added immersion, though usually with a slight bump in play speed), and it's fantastic. Tom Stechschulte handles the narration perfectly. He does such a great job of distinguishing the wide cast of characters and truly delivers on the emotional side of Swan Song. He brought this kind of quality to Cormac McCarthy's The Road and has become one of the better narrators that I have listened to.
Robert McCammon is an author I have absolutely been so thankful to have discovered in the last few years. I read Boy's Life in 2021, and it ended up being my favorite read of that year. And here we are, closing out 2022 with Swan Song, and I can't think of anything else from this year that tops this epic and emotional journey. I most certainly will be delving deeper into McCammon's novels and I'm excited to see what other wonderful stories are waiting for me. Do yourself a favor and give Swan Song and Boy's Life a read, if you haven't already, because I genuinely think these are some of the best books I've ever read in my lifetime.
One of the best novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. A genuine masterpiece in the post-apocalyptic genre. Robert McCammon has truly become one of my favorite authors.
Swan Song is a story set in a post-apocalyptic world during the aftermath of nuclear war between the United States and Russia. This epic tale spans across the country, from Manhattan to Kansas, and hosts a wide variety of memorable characters. There are so many that are mentioned by name. Some that come and go in the story, and that is something I really appreciated. It added a very realistic feel to the narrative.
What I would call the three main protagonists in Swan Song, are some very well written characters. Everything from their introductions, their paths inevitably crossing, and their growth within themselves is all incredibly satisfying to read. The book is counter balanced by some fantastic antagonists who also really drive the plot and give you a growing feeling of tension. I thought the pacing, and the way the perspective shifted between all these main characters was handled extremely well. There's also so many great side characters that just fill this world and help it come to life.
This is a lengthy book that spans over 900 pages. But it never once felt like it dragged for me. I was enthralled with every chapter and was so compelled to keep going as much as I was able to each day that I read. I also listened to the audio as I read along (a method I genuinely love doing for added immersion, though usually with a slight bump in play speed), and it's fantastic. Tom Stechschulte handles the narration perfectly. He does such a great job of distinguishing the wide cast of characters and truly delivers on the emotional side of Swan Song. He brought this kind of quality to Cormac McCarthy's The Road and has become one of the better narrators that I have listened to.
Robert McCammon is an author I have absolutely been so thankful to have discovered in the last few years. I read Boy's Life in 2021, and it ended up being my favorite read of that year. And here we are, closing out 2022 with Swan Song, and I can't think of anything else from this year that tops this epic and emotional journey. I most certainly will be delving deeper into McCammon's novels and I'm excited to see what other wonderful stories are waiting for me. Do yourself a favor and give Swan Song and Boy's Life a read, if you haven't already, because I genuinely think these are some of the best books I've ever read in my lifetime.