Review: The Wandering Highway
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 21, 2012
A nice start to a new series...Allan and Jennifer have decided to drive into Dallas to go maternity and baby clothes shopping, leaving their five year old daughter 70 miles away in their hometown with Jennifer's mom.  Allan is distracted because of news coming out of Europe regarding "something" that fried all of their electronics.  The experts haven't determined if it was a solar flare (which NASA has warned about for years) or an EMP which would make it much more serious as that would have to come from a nuclear bomb.After driving through a short torrential downpour (anyone who has lived in the South knows how those afternoon thunderstorms go!), they finally arrive at the mall.  Jennifer is a bit uncomfortable since she is eight months pregnant but ready to go spend some money.  While in the first store, all the power goes out and everyone is evacuated from the mall.  People are confused as they try to start their cars and even open the doors with their car remotes.  After determining that something really bad has happened and that they need to get home, they start out on their journey.What I loved:  The author does a great job of inserting "little" details, such as the fact that Allan is wearing a brand new pair of shoes, into one part of the story and then we learn of the consequences that those normally insignificant decisions have later on their journey - like huge blisters and foot problems since they haven't been broken in.  I won't give more examples because they would be potential "spoilers" but even the color of Samantha's dress in the first few pages (their five year old daughter) becomes important several hundred pages later.  Great job on those little clues and details -shows some true talent!  Also, seeing Alan overcome his preconceived notions at the end was rewarding.The viewpoint is not from a "survivalist" standpoint or, at times which is annoying, a person with common sense - grab one of your tools, get supplies out of the truck, I know you are in shock but seriously!  A little backhand would have gone a long way at times..  The reactions of Walter at the beginning and other characters that pop up in their journey (crazy man in suit, fedora man, etc) were realistic and wonderful and added so much to their journey and the book.The author also brings the reader into the story and allows you to feel the same emotions.  I literally could imagine and feel the same terror and mindless running that Alan does at one point down the interstate in the dark through the dead cars and garbage. The author also does a great job of showing what each of the main characters is "thinking internally" which helps to explain why each does what they do.The ending was totally unexpected.  This book is tied up nicely and it sets the scene for the next in the series perfectly.What I wasn't a fan of:  Alan is a wimp, as stated by other reviewers, but you get to watch him grow as the book goes on - that part is good.  The not so good was that even the least prepared person would have gotten some supplies on the way (see paragraph above about the backhand that was needed!).  I do think though that the shock alone caused them to act this way but I guess I would hope that common sense would have popped out later and made them a bit more aware.  And, I won't go into details but the scene under the tree on the other side of the lake? A little too easily accomplished if you ask me although Jennifer I am sure didn't feel that way :-)I enjoyed this book and would normally give it a FOUR stars but the author's talents with the "details and clues" woven throughout, in my opinion, take it to a higher level of writing thus the FIVE stars.Looking forward to the next book in the series!SIDE NOTE: Little spoiler - Alan can't open the truck with his remote because it is fried AND it doesn't have a key, just one of those funky key/remote combos that doesn't include a REAL key.  Jennifer figures out that you flip a little switch and the real key slides out of the cover thus they are able to enter the vehicle.  That got me to thinking (and this is at midnight when I was reading the book) that my car, which is a hard top convertible, also has that funky remote and I was wondering if it had a hidden key.  I actually got out of bed and looked.  I guess I am screwed if this happens and the top is up because not only does my remote not have a key, my car doesn't have keyholes on the door! Now I am wondering what I am going to do if the battery ever dies and I am not at home!  An example of those great details in the story and now I have something to worry about in "real life"!  Seriously - thanks, NOT :-)