

There is no cure, and preliminary calculations by scientists are alarming: the entire human race is at risk.īenji Ray works with the CDC and is brought on to help with the outbreak. Eventually symptoms similar to dementia emerge, and the afflicted person goes crazy. The first symptoms of the disease are cold-like: stuffy nose and watery eyes, followed by the appearance of a white, powdery substance around the mouth and nose.

Slowly at first, with only one or two cases identified, the CDC is brought in to try and stop it from spreading. Later, other walkers join Nessie as they inexorably make their way west, and Shana is joined by other shepherds, family and friends of the walkers who simply want to protect them.Īt the same time, a deadly fungal infection is starting to spread throughout the United States. Terrified and confused, Shana decides to follow her, and by doing so becomes the first of the shepherds. It’s as if she’s sleepwalking with her eyes open. Her sister Shana tries to stop her, but Nessie keeps walking, oblivious to her surroundings, intent on going…somewhere. A young girl named Nessie from a small town in Pennsylvania wakes up one morning and walks away from her home, barefoot and in her pajamas. One day in June, something strange begins to happen. You have been warned.Īs for the plot, I’ll give you the bare bones version. I think Wendig includes every single trigger out there in his story, which worked for me, but it’s not going to work for everyone. The scope is mind boggling, the heady combination of future tech and a terrifying fungus plague provided hours of entertainment, the cast of characters is huge and diverse, and finally, Wendig’s vision of a possible future-end-of-the-world scenario scared the shit out of me! Add in plenty of violence, a tantalizing mystery, and a chilling look at the future of politics in America, and you have a big, brash, ballsy book that, despite its blockbuster appearance, is well crafted and carefully thought out.Īnd before I go any further, I have to mention that if you are a reader who reacts negatively to triggers-murder, graphic violence, suicide attempts, rape, torture, racial slurs, etc-then this book is probably not going to be for you. This book is epic in every sense of the word. It’s been years since I’ve read a book I would consider calling “epic,” and now Wanderers has finally checked that box. The nitty-gritty: Thought-provoking, violent, and ultimately hopeful, Wanderers thrills and terrifies in equal measure.


This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
