Review: Book #3 takes author from excellent to outstanding
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 21, 2013
1.  Book #1 in the "Jeremy's Run" series, L.A. Dark, was good, but not great.2.  Book #2, "Blood Loss", made a huge jump up - excellent writing.  This book moved Gustav onto my short list of great SHTF/TEOTWAWKI authors.3. Book #3, "Run Through the Jungle", has IMO now catapulted Gustav to the top of the heap in the SHTF genre.  My short list of great SHTF authors only has 14 on it currently, and the list of terrible SHTF authors is now up to 80.  My lists are alphabetized for quick reference when I'm reading recommendations and reviews; but if they were in order of excellence, I would have to move Greg Gustav to the top of the list after reading "Jungle".  There are so many good things to say about "Jungle", I could write an essay on it.  I will constrain myself to just a few though:A.  The caliber of the writing in terms of grammar/spelling/punctuation, etc is the very best of the genre.  Gustav also has an extensive vocabulary, and his sentence structure skills are far above the norm.  There was only one error in the book of consequence, using the contraction "it's" when the possessive "its" should have been used.  But he had used it correctly many times, so this one odd instance would really fall into a "typo" category.  Most SHTF authors mix those two up frequently because they don't know the difference - and that's usually the least of their issues.B.  The character development is superb.  I truly felt like I got to know each participant quite well.  When an author draws you in to the point that you care about what happens to various characters, he has done his job well in that regard.  Each character has something unique to offer to the plot.C.  The sequence of events is appropriately detailed.  As one other reviewer noted, Gustav develops the plot so thoroughly, this third book of the series takes us only a few days into the course of events, not weeks or months.  I agree that Gustav's slow and comprehensive approach is probably a lot more realistic than the quick bug-out that many authors employ.D.  The action is definitely an adrenaline rush; but more than that, it always seems credible and likely.E.  And finally, what really stands out with Gustav's writing skill is his ability to weave into the story some serious dialogues about life philosophy.  This is one of Gustav's strategies that really lends to character development - we get to know each participant better via these discussions that include their broader outlook on life.  For me, this rose to a new height toward the end of the final chapter when the entire group got into an intense discussion as they awaited an attack.  The level of what was discussed in those final moments of the book demonstrates the depth of the author's thinking.  I must admit that I was already impressed with Gustav's skill long before this third book or the final chapter, but the unexpected turn (for me) the dialogue took showed me beyond doubt that Gustav is a complex individual who has far more depth than most writers in this or any other genre.If you have read some of my other reviews (most are high score, but some seriously take the author to task), you will understand when I say it gives me great joy to be able to recommend a book and author so highly.For those of you who may be preppers like me, and who also read a lot in this genre, I would highly recommend that you create an alphabetized list of your favorites, as well those authors to avoid.  Amazon is really good about tracking what you click on and then advertising to you based on that; but it is unable to distinguish between authors you like and dislike.  I receive their recommendations quite often in the SHTF genre, and the vast majority of these are from authors who have long since been on my "Terrible/Avoid" list.  Many are so far back that, without my list for quick reference, I don't remember their names, and would end up wasting time reading reviews about a new book from someone I had already identified as not being a worthy author.  I also have a mid-level (purgatory) list where I place those few authors who seem to have some promise, but have some areas of weakness that need improvement, usually less egregious grammar issues.  I tell them candidly in my review what I'm disappointed in, and then give them another chance on their next book before making a final decision as to placement on the good/bad lists.  When you read as much as i do, this strategy saves a lot of time.  And if you want to take this strategy to the next level, which most understandibly won't unless you are retired like I am, you can create an alphabetized list of everything you have read with a brief summary and your rating for that book.  I restrict that to one line per book, albeit in multiple columns in horizontal view.In closing, I must heartily commend Greg Gustav on his accomplishment with this third book in the "Jeremy's Run" series.  I'm very likely to download anything he writes in the future without reading reviews first (as long as he doesn't get into Zombies); and I normally read ALL reviews before purchasing.  This guy is obviously well educated and has serious writing skills, but the depth of his thinking demonstrated in this book now makes him an author I will definitely follow.  Congrats to you sir!JMDinGa