It was James Rollins’ blurb that pushed me past my indecision and led me to the Chapters lineup with a copy of Wanderers in hand: “It reminds me of Stephen King’s The Stand—but dare I say, this story is even better.” Seriously? Better than The Stand? I had to know.

Eight hundred pages later, and I have to admit—Rollins is not far off. Wanderers is a story about the collapse of society and a group of, well, wanderers who are single-mindedly pursuing some unknown goal. This book is masterfully plotted, keeping the reader anticipating, guessing, and surprised as new revelations occur.

There is an additional layer of meaning beyond the words on the page. This book was published in 2019. You know, the year before the world shut down with COVID-19! This book feels prescient. This is what may have happened. There’s a warning here regarding our care (or lack-thereof) of the environment and unexpected consequences.

In the end, I’m unsure whether it surpasses The Stand. It’s certainly stands alongside of it unashamed. And that alone makes it an apocalyptic tale worth reading.

Wendig, Chuck. Wanderers. Del Ray, 2019. Wanderers 1.