I find myself looking forward to Chuck Wendig’s books more than almost any other author, and what a delight it is to not be disappointed once again! Wendig is a masterful storyteller who gives readers excellent world building, character growth and amazing pacing to flip through huge epics to see what comes next.

Wanderers was one of my favorite reads in 2019 and I was so happy to dive back into this world. This books was just as spectacular of a ride and I couldn’t wait to read it each day I found free time. It is interesting to read these books in the time of an actual pandemic. I’m thankful that I was able to experience this book early and from a favorite writer. Can’t wait for the next book from Wendig!

Book Summary:

Five years ago, the world changed. Some people fell victim to what appeared to be a sleepwalking sickness. Others followed the walkers in hopes of protecting loved ones from the world they could no longer see.

As it turns out, this was a sign that the world as we know it was ending. Now, the survivors are trying to rebuild society, but it will require careful work. This will prove challenging, as there is still quite a lot of cruelty in the world.

My Review:

Wow. Chuck Wendig sure has a way with words, doesn't he? I'll be honest; I never expected a sequel to Wanderers, though now I question why. Wayward felt inevitable – a follow-up that we've all been waiting for.

As one might imagine, this is quite a heavy read. Both literally and figuratively. The book is MASSIVE, yet I can't think of a single section I would have cut out, given a chance. Much of the story feels painfully relevant, so I can see why people have latched onto this series so strongly.

As with the first novel, Wayward is made up of several perspectives. This helps to give us a better view of the world. It also reminds us of the diversity among people – even a limited number of survivors. I liked that little implication.

Highlights:
Science Fiction + Horror
Post Apocalyptic
Dystopian
Rebuilding Society

Chuck Wendig's The Wanderers hit me like a ton of bricks when I read it. It's sequel, Wayward, was no different. Continuing the story of the previous book five years later, Wendig offers a look at the country as a post-pandemic wasteland with pockets of life and normalcy amid strongholds of violence and ideological ruin.

While the first book encompassed themes centering on social media, fame, politics and some hard science fiction, Wayward takes a slightly different approach. The politics of the old America still exist but now in an unchecked capacity and the sci-fi scope of Black Swan takes a much larger focus. As does the central loomy question of "What happens now?"

Wayward, through Chuck Wendig, is a fascinating look at the driving factors that make humanity tick and the circumstances that motivate difficult choices. But don't read this unless you've read The Wanderers.

Both are highly recommended IMO.

A dystopian sequel to the Wanderers. I admit I like the Wanderers better. While the author does have a captivating writing style this book was just a tad too long for me. There are so many areas within this book that would have been better if refined to less detail.

ARC was provided by NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review.

This book was an unexpected (and excited) surprise this year. Wayward is the sequel to one of my favorite books of 2019, Wanderers. This was an exciting surprise because any time Chuck Wendig releases a new novel, you know you are in for a fantastic story.

The reason I say it was unexpected is because, as i recall, around the time Wanderers was released, I came across online posts by Chuck Wendig where he stated that Wanderers would be a one-off single story. There were other comments, if I am recalling correctly, that stated he didn't want to be forced into a trilogy.

I guess it is safe to say the story of the Wanderers was so big that it grew into another novel. Win-win situation for everybody! As excited as I was to start reading this novel, I was also a bit nervous that it wouldn't hold up to the amazing story that the first book was for me. It holds up really well. I really enjoyed this epic story. There is so much going on that it only makes sense that this book is over 800 pages.

This book didn't have all the magic that the first one did but it comes close. What I think is captivating in the first book is the mystery of the "why" everything is happening. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommended it. I think of this more as the Wanderers was an earthquake of a story and Wayward is the aftershocks. I look forward to the next great Chuck Wendig novel.

I want to thank Chuck Wendig, Random House Publishing, Ballantine, Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange of my honest review.

A review of this novel will be coming very soon to our podcast, Genre Junkies, available on most podcast platforms.

To enjoy the full breadth and depth of this novel you must have read part 1 in the duo. I cannot fathom how surreal it must have been for Chuck to write part 1 before a global pandemic ABOUT a global pandemic, to then have to write and publish the second piece after everything had happened.

I was very satisfied with Wayward. There is pressure to wrap up a second book in a 2 book series knowing how many loose ends there are and how many fans are attached and want to see certain things happen to their characters. I was pleasantly surprised with serval bends in the road and choices Wendig made, such as events and characters panning out differently than I thought they would.

I found the concept and execution to be incredibly unique. And despite the large cast of characters, I found myself sincerely invested in almost all of them. This was a happy turn of events for me as a reader because I admit I struggled to embrace the first book as quickly as I wanted to. I was more preoccupied learning the intersecting plots and keeping all the players straight. By the end of the first book I was invested!

There are some scenes of truly disturbing and grotesque horror to keep those fans like myself hooked. The AI character is one of the best of its kind I have ever read. “Black Swan” will stay with me for a very long time.

Wendig has a talent for blending horror, and science fiction, giving us BIG concepts to swallow but never sacrificing character development. I feel his writing continues to grow and evolve with each book he publishes. Seeing the progress makes me care about him and root for him to be successful! Readers looking for content warning should be advised the villains in the series are white and/or Christian nationalists and there is a sexual assault in book one.

Wayward is Chuck Wendig's follow-up to his 2019 hit Wanderers. Oh, what a difference three years make! The first book was scary but still mostly science fiction then. We hadn't yet experienced the fear of a pandemic. We have that history to provide context to Mr. Wendig's post-pandemic world three years later. While our world may not be as drastically different as his, we still better understand the loss of businesses and people that pandemics cause. Add to that base knowledge three more years of GOP hatred and lies, and Ed Creel's power-mad narcissism is much more realistic and sickening to behold. This time, Mr. Wendig discusses artificial intelligence and its inherent dangers, adopting the adage that if something is too good to be true, then chances are it is. I enjoyed Wayward as much as Wanderers and appreciate that while they are a duology, they are two very different stories. This latest is a lot of "now what" questions regarding the world and everyone's place. There is also quite a bit of reflection on what humanity's responsibility is in this new world, which I enjoyed. It all feels very pertinent to our world as we continue to battle COVID, nationalism, and climate change. Many readers shy away from big books, but this series deserves attention. Mr. Wendig hits all the right notes in his world, which should have been much more fictional than it ends up being.

As a huge fan of both Stephen King’s The Stand and Robert McCammon’s Swan Song, I never expected another epic apocalyptic story with as many memorable characters could ever compare. I was completely proven wrong with Chuck Wendig’s Wanderers. When I found out that a sequel was being published, I jumped at the opportunity to read it and I have to admit that every single page has been an absolute joy. My husband can attest that every 10 minutes, I would exclaim, “I f*cking love this book!”

Wayward takes place five years after the events in Wanderers and our favorite characters are back dealing with the ever increasingly powerful and self aware AI, Black Swan. For me, reading this book was the equivalent of checking in on old friends and family. It is a rare talent to create so many unique characters whose traits hold steady over the course of two very lengthy novels and also be able to execute an incredible plot driven storyline that is both very horrifyingly believable and so action packed that I simultaneously did not want to put the book down and I also did not want it to ever end.

Wendig has produced a near perfect conclusion to Wanderers and everyone I know is getting a copy under the tree this year.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Chick Wendig for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Wanderers and was looking forward to this. I am very disappointed. For what is not the first time this year, a novel presents the reader with a hardly-veiled-at-all version of Trump as a main or ancillary antagonist. Writers. Stop doing this. It is low-hanging fruit and it is lazy. Give me a villain that is interesting. DNF at 40%.

Chuck Wending does it again. I mean that, literally. This is the sequel we didn't know we needed for the brilliant apocalyptic sci-fi horror, WANDERERS. Yes, it's chonky, as is the first book, but I could not stop turning the pages (or swiping, as the case may be - thank you to the publisher for the eARC!). I've made sure this title is at the front of our store with a shelf-talker that reads:

5 years after the world was rocked by the sleepwalking pandemic, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO READ TO FIND OUT. Nuanced characters and gritty world. Fans of The Stand, pick this up!

I want to start by thanking Net Galley for and ARC of this book. I read the first book right when it came out, and it actually took me quite a while to read. But I was hooked after that and had been waiting patiently as possible until the next book came. It was definitely worth the wait. I enjoy how the author takes things that are relevant to the here and now and puts a spin on it in their books, and I feel like the author and I have many similar feelings and beliefs about the world and the politics and the state of humanity. This book had a bit more sci-fi in it compared to the first one, but it all blended well and told an amazing story that was hard to put down. Can't wait to see if there will be a third installment, to answer all of our questions about what will happen next!!

Another great read by Chuck Wendig. The story was engaging and kept me turning the pages. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this sequel to his first book, Wanderers! It was great to continue to follow the characters as they figure out how to live in their new normal and learn more about them in turn. There is always the worry the second book won't be as good as the first but Chuck Wendig did not disappoint! This is a MUST READ!

Not sure if this is duplucate feedback. Last time i filled it out, netgalley bounced me out to their login page. I reviewed the book on Amazon.

Great sequel and wrap up from Wanderers
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2022
This story is the sequel to Wanderers. Chuck Wendig tales the characters forward and creates a compelling story to conclude it. The story tales its time to build out the emerging world and round out its cast. There are scenes of great action and times of reflection. The world is well developed and I could step in, feeling it, hearing it, seeing it.
All in all, a rewarding read.
Note that I read an Advanced Review Copy through Netgalley.

I absolutely loved following the characters in the first book on their journey and discovering the horrifying reason behind it. Now, five years after the first book, the Wanderers and Sleepwalkers are settling into their new reality in Ouray, Colorado. We learn more about the characters and the fascinating and terrifying events that will keep you glued to the pages until the satisfying end. It's hard to describe the books without giving everything away, so I'll just say....you just HAVE TO read this!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks for NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing the ebook!

First of all, the first book Wanderer was a great read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Second, Chuck Wendig is a very good writer and storyteller.

Wayward picks up the story 5 years after the end of the last isntalment. It does not explore as many topics or characters as the last one (which was a lot but not overwhelming), which makes it much more straightforward and easier to follow. And because of that, it is unnecessarily longer, and there are a lot of moments where the dialogues and storylines become quite predictable and.... boring. I do think if it was cut down to about 2/3 of the length or shorter, it'd be a better and more satifying follow-up.

I was curious to see what was happening with the wanderers, but this book was so long that in the end, I didn’t care. Not only that, but there are not enough flashbacks and reference to refresh your memory from the first book, which was published several years ago. It took me a long time to get into it, and I found the plot convoluted.

Oh, my god! What a wonderful book! I’ve read a few books by Chuck Wendig and have not been disappointed . This book concludes the story that started in the book “Wanderers”. When I applied for this book , I did not realize it was the second book of the story and so I had to read the first book first. That took me a while as these are not short books. That being said, what a ride!
This book continues the story of the Flock and their Shepherds as they arrive at their destination in Ouray, Colorado. They become a part of this small mountain community. Now that they are safe, is Black Swan’s job done? There are also many side stories that come together at the end.
Not only is the story good, but I also love so many of the characters, Benji, Shana, Pete, Marcy. They are good people who are not only looking out for themselves but also their friends who have become their family. Good people to have beside you in times of trouble. If the synopsis of this book sounds interesting to you at all, do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy. You won’t be disappointed.

I wasn't sure what to expect with Wayward. I loved Wanderers, but while it definitely sets up the possibility of a sequel, I also loved the ending that it had and was slightly worried the follow-up might be disappointing. I shouldn't have worried. Chuck Wendig doesn't disappoint. This book really dives into the threat of AI in the form of Black Swan in the wake of the pandemic of book one. It's explored in so many different ways through so many different characters. I loved seeing old friends from the first book (PETE!) and also meeting new survivors as well. This is a dense, long book. I will say that I had difficulty with it at times, not because the writing is bad, just because it stressed me out so much. But it's absolutely worth the time and effort. An absolute banger of a novel. Wending is great at confronting the dangers that our world currently faces without reducing them to strawman caricatures. He really digs in. The story and characters are nuanced, the prose a delight.

The first book in this series lived rent-free in my head for years after I read it in 2019 as Chuck Wendig seemed to unknowingly bring the real-life events of 2020 into existence through his (at the time) entirely fictional plot surrounding a flu-like pandemic kill off the world amidst a social/political backdrop of radical social conservatism lead by a Trump-like demagogue. So when I saw the sequel had finally come 4 years later I was eager to dive right in!

Like Wanderers, Wayard is a gritty, chillingly believable post-apocalyptic sci-fi/horror (mashup) that picks up not long after Wanderers ends which is 5 years after a pandemic wiped out the majority of the word's population where the remaining members of the original cast, the sleepwalkers and shepherds of the first book are trying to make sense of their new reality, build their community in Ouray, Colorado--the destination selected by the artificial intelligence to rebuild humanity, and gather the resources necessary to go up against enemies old and new to save each other and what is left of the world.

The key to a successful sequel is to capture the things that are well-loved by your original audience and bring that sense of familiarity to a new or expanded story. I can confidently say that Chuck Wendig achieved that with Wayard. I instantly reconnected with the books main characters, Shana, Benji, Marcy, Nessie, etc. and they felt comfortingly familiar --and that comfort was needed as Mr. Wendig didn't shy away from putting these characters through the ringer again in book two. There were some parts that were understandingly difficult to read (and a bit triggering!) coming off of years of living through the COVID-19 pandemic and the last presidency, but the raw HOPE and goodness of these characters were consistently able to pull me through.

Wayward, like its predecessor was a chunky book (800+) pages but it is absolutely worth the read. Also - the audiobook performance narrated again by Xe Sands and Dominic Hoffman was absolutely EXCELLENT. Highly Recommend!