The Survival Apocalypse Series Book 1 – Review of Escape to the Choccolocco Valley

The Survival Apocalypse series begins with Escape to the Choccolocco Valley. If you like action and adventure you will enjoy this book, which just happens to be free.

Escape to the Choccolocco Valley begins with a particularly violent scene featuring a particularly nasty member of the cast, Uncle Elias, as he’s rearranging the body parts of a traveling pilgrim on his way through the Tugaloo River valley. This tells us right away that this is a serious book.

Next, we meet the main character in the series, ten year old Jedidiah (Jed) Reuel and learn about his present circumstances, living with his family in the year 89 on the Tugaloo River in north Georgia.

After an incident of nature destroys his home he must leave to make his way in the world. Along the way he meets several interesting characters, one of which he’ll be meeting up again later in the series.

Later, he is involved in a couple of incidents that serve to define his character, the latter which propels him along to his inevitable destiny in the Choccolocco Valley in northeast Alabama.

Escape to the Choccolocco Valley has a science fiction premise, in that it begins 89 years after the end of our present civilization, but it is written in a manner reminiscent of the epic and beloved pioneer romances. Further, it blends in elements of old and new testament religion that also makes one wonder how it will play out in Jed’s life as the saga continues.

Much of the dialog in the book is spoken in dialect which changes from person to person as would occur in real life. Since nearly all of the trappings of the world before the apocalypse have rotted and rusted away, most everything that is had must be manufactured anew using pioneer technology. Thus the bow, knife, and club serve as weapons and simple home spun cloth and animal skins must do for clothing.

A tidbit for the reader: Technology in the year 89 corresponds very closely to the 1700’s in the pioneer southwest. In those years the new southwest was actually Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Escape to the Choccolocco Valley can be enjoyed by anyone with a mature mind. However, because of the violence of the the era, it is recommended for folks 16 years of age and up (The graphic scenes in the book are only a shade of how it was in America 250 years ago. Let me assure you!) However, those with virgin eyes may be appalled and are duly warned.

While the main character, Jed, is only ten, there are plenty of grownups around, so don’t think you’re picking up a book of juvenile fiction. The real fun is watching Jed mature, as he is cast literally into the new wilderness.

Escape to the Choccolocco Valley sets the foundation for many more books to come as the story of Jed progresses along with that of a new nation that he will eventually build. If he survives his Escape to the Choccolocco Valley, of course.

Also, look for more appearances from two other youngsters, only briefly introduced, as the series continues. They will be back!

Be seeing you on my Facebook page or in the newsletter. Your comments always appreciated!

Goto Review of Book 2 THE CHOCCOLOCCO VALLEY

–Buck

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