Review: A believable storyline, however...
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 25, 2011
I enjoyed this story, for what it was.  Placing myself in the midst of what Martin had to deal with, by coming up out of his underground bunker to deal with a mass depopulation, I'm sure it would be a shocking change of mindset for anyone.Nevertheless, I felt the characters could have been presented as "stronger", especially for Martin.  How many times does a person have to be threatened for their life before they realize they need to "cowboy up" and start being a lot more cautious and straightforward in dealing with the left over dirt bags of the world?  Naivety is one thing, being completely complacent towards threatening words and actions is another.Although the author brings Martin around to defending himself and those he is involved with, the author doesn't maintain Martin with a defensive mindset.  It seemed to me the author was more concerned about Martin wanting to befriend the remaining survivors, wherever/whoever they may be.  I can understand not wanting to be alone and desiring to seek out 'others', however, there doesn't seem to be any discretion in doing so.  If someone appeared or showed themselves, it was a good day and no other concerns were attributed to that appearance until later on.After having to deal with Cortiz, the author eventually brings Martin and his companions to meeting Joshua and his off the wall group.  You would think that Martin would have used more caution after dealing with Cortiz, but no, the author portrays Martin once again as naive, although mistrusting.  Even so, how many times are you going to give a proven screwball a chance to take you out?  Winch had the right mindset all along.  But once again, the author changed Martin's mindset...after portraying him as a meek "I'd like to be your friend and live happily ever after" type of character.  Martin finally has enough, after loss and sadness, and kicks butt...way too late.I found myself wanting to shake Martin out of his carefree attitude and wanting to tell him he's being too accepting in a world that has proven it's hostility towards him and his followers.  In a world portrayed by the author, trust of others would/should not be foremost in someone's mind.  I would expect to earn that trust, just as others would have to gain my trust in them before accepting them as friendly and worthy.I have to agree with several other reviewers that;  the Diaz character did not add to the main storyline at all.  It would have been much better for Diaz to have returned after his escapades to join the group, however, disappointingly, he didn't make it back.