Review 346: The Revivalists

The Revivalists by Christopher M. Hood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With a name like “The Revivalists” you’d expect this cult to be the center of the book, but that is not the case. Instead, we have two parents attempting a cross-country rescue attempt of their daughter. But since this is a post-apocalyptic world, where a devasting virus wiped out nearly everyone this is not an easy task.

There is a long set-up with the main characters, Bill is our narrator who was, or is a psychologist. His wife Penelope went into deep hibernation, barely doing anything other than sleeping and eating for many months, maybe close to a year? Until they heard from their daughter who was caught in California when the virus hit, while they are in New York.

As one may expect in a post-apocalyptic world going cross country they meet a variety of characters, and quickly have to deal with an entirely new world.

The writing was good, and it kept up the momentum where you want to keep reading, finding out what happens next. Although there are parts that bog down, with backstory and occasional social commentary. I had wanted more about the cult, was it formed before or after the devastating virus? How did their daughter get there?

Many questions remain, and the book ended a bit abruptly. Perhaps leaving and opening for a part two. If you’ve read a lot of cross-country travel in a post-apocalyptic world this book may not bring much new to that genre. I’ve not read a lot, but it felt familiar enough. There was enough here to say I’m glad I read it.

Thanks to Harper and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.