Rebel Radio: A Post-Apocalyptic Story

The World Burns Saga

By: Boyd Craven III

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

A raw and gritty standalone novel in The World Burns saga.

Life after an EMP puts the US in the dark ages is not an easy one. Life is dangerous and difficult enough without humans preying on each other. Don, an alcoholic, and a gamer girl called "Z" make an odd introduction together and find themselves thrust into a survival situation neither of them are prepared to endure.

A ghost from Don's past surfaces - one who's responsible for his pain and suffering. Can both Don and Z endure in a world that has gone crazy, when all they want to do is keep on living?

©2015 Boyd L. Craven III (P)2015 Boyd L. Craven III

situations that are all too realistic

Rebel Radio: A Post-Apocalyptic Story is a stand-alone novella in The World Burns Saga by Boyd Craven III. It follows the intertwining stories of two deeply flawed and unprepared survivors who are faced with the aftermath of an EMP that has left the United States in the dark ages. What sets this novella apart from other PA works is that the characters and environments are actually believable. Don, an alcoholic with a hidden refuge, and Z, an avid gamer who has come across a working radio, are put into situations that are all too realistic in a PA world. The whole notion of having to forage and plunder in order to survive is evident but having the best resources on hand puts you at a higher risk to lose your life. But the book isn’t just about the need for survival and running away from motorcycle gangs. Craven has given these broken characters the ability to make a choice. The choice to survive together. But will they continue to move along, only trying to survive? Or will they end it all and be with the ones they love in the afterlife? Is there an afterlife to look forward to?

Kevin Pierce has a wonderful voice and that really should go without mention. The flow in which he reads is perfect for this type of novel and his voice gives the listener an emotional tie to the characters. The only knock I have against him is that there are various points in time where I forget which character the chapter is focused on because Pierce doesn’t show much variation in the voices of the characters. Yes, each chapter is named ‘Don’ or ‘Z’, but since the chapters generally focus on both characters, it can get a little confusing if you aren’t paying attention. Other than that, Pierce was flawless.

Audiobook provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Good listen

This was short, but it was good. The story line was interesting and engaging. The only hitch for me was in having the female characters voice read by a male. The only thing unusual about that is that he makes no attempt to read the part in a feminine voice. Once you get past that minor observance, I enjoyed the book. I would be interested in a sequel, but the story was wrapped up nicely enough if that does not occur. I recommend it.

You'll want to tune in to this one...

I'll admit that I was not familiar with "The World Burns", but I didn't need to be in order to fully enjoy this story. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic dystopia, you'll like this.

"Rebel Radio" is told from the points of view of two people surviving in a world that has... well, ended, each chapter being their side of the story. The story is written in such a way that it is both drama and horror, tender and sweet at times, scary and visceral in others. Mr. Craven definitely has a way of getting you into the heads of his characters, their being so relatable that you almost know them, and a way of painting the world they live in in such a way that you can almost feel the dirt and grime, or the cold water, or the heat of the fire.

Mr. Pierce's reading was excellent. He effortlessly exudes exactly the right emotion or attitude, tone and intonation. There was no melodrama here, just a great read by a talented voice. This was a great, fun listening experience. I will be looking for more audiobooks read by Kevin Pierce.

the desperation of the characters

It really felt as though I was part of the story. watching the reactions and decisions being made. Really good characters and story line.

IN AN APOCALYPSE ITS SURVIVORS THAT ARE YOUR ENEMY

What did you love best about Rebel Radio: A Post-Apocalyptic Story?

I loved it all...the story was good, and the narration was good too!

What did you like best about this story?

The bond between Z and Don!

Which character – as performed by Kevin Pierce – was your favorite?

Z and Don....

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Same as my title!

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

I like Kevin's narrations, and this was a good story..I like P/A books....this is a story of a friendship that developed by accident between Z and Don..after the world comes to a bitter halt..She saves him, and they become friends...and in return he saves her...they keep each other sane and make each others lives better...it was a good story!

An Intense Thrill ride from start to finish!

Where does Rebel Radio: A Post-Apocalyptic Story rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This type of book has become my favorite topic to read about. I enjoy learning some tricks and tips along with a great story arc. I think with all we are faced with today that people need to start preparing for the worse while hoping for the best.

What did you like best about this story?

For me I like stories with just two protagonists. These multi-person five different viewpoint stories with everyone retelling the events in their own perception are tedious. When switching between the male and female roles the reader is moved forward in the story and not just rehashing the events.

What about Kevin Pierce’s performance did you like?

Keven Pierce is an excellent narrator. I've heard him a few times and his voice although he doesn't carry a lot of range (for instance in this one he has to voice both male and female but he doesn't try to modulate his voice for the girl). There is something subliminal though that makes you know which character he's voicing. If I had my 'druthers I'd like to have books like this read by two people. Like a radio play. Failing that though this guy does a bang up job!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This wasn't an emotional book for me. Although as I do drink I could definitely feel for the man struggling with his alcoholism. Putting myself in his place sure I'd have a bottle or two stashed here and there but I wouldn't be hauling around a liquor store! You can bet the stuff I would have would be top shelf (since I'd be stealing it!).

Any additional comments?

I sure can't wait for book 2! Oh yes and this book was provided free to me by Audiobook Blast in exchange for my review. It is true for quite a few of the books I rate and the full statement is in my profile if you care to look. Okay then!

Excellent Story Line!

What did you love best about Rebel Radio: A Post-Apocalyptic Story?

I love the telling of survival technics. Wish there had been more.

What other book might you compare Rebel Radio: A Post-Apocalyptic Story to and why?

This was a great short story. Most Post Apocayptic story's have more content. I really enjoyed this book however short.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kevin Pierce?

Someone who could change the characters voice. I sometime did not know who was talking or doing something.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Don finds out what Z's real name is.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

Compelling & believable characters drive this book

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars


This audiobook is a stand-alone story. It does take place in the world of Boyd Craven III's "The World Burns" saga, but it is the unnecessary to have any knowledge of those books to understand or enjoy "Rebel Radio".

An EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) has destroyed all electronic devices and the world has been sent back to a time before electricity. This is a fairly common storyline in the post-apocalyptic genre. There is some of the typical hunt for supplies and shelter going on in this audiobook, however there is much less of this than one would expect. This is a story first and foremost about people. Yes, the setting is post-apocalyptic, but that is really just the backdrop to the actual tale.

This book is written from two different points of view. Each chapter is either told from Don's perspective or from Z's perspective. Don is male and around 33 years of age and Z is a 23 year old female.

The narrator does an incredible job as the voice of Don; the depressed, alcoholic, but I found it both strange and disconcerting that the same voice also narrated the chapters that were written from Z's perspective. I would have preferred to hear two different narrators (one male & one female) so that it would always be clear whose perspective that chapter was being told from.

Boyd Craven III has created amazingly realistic and completely believable characters. It is those characters that drive the story.

Ben is a severely depressed, suicidal alcoholic and was this way even before the EMP. He decides each morning whether or not he is going to kill himself that day.

Z is a gamer girl who has spent most of her recent years living life through her computer screen. She now realizes that no matter how amazing she was at playing (and winning) post-apocalyptic video games, that those skills are completely useless in her new reality.

When the two misfits cross paths they each need to decide how to proceed with their own survival, and whether or not to team up and help each other, especially considering that their individual trust and faith in humanity is in short supply.

I was drawn in to the audiobook and listened to it in a single session. It's length of only 4 hours and 38 minutes made this easy to do.

I do not want to reveal any spoilers, but I will say that I recommend this audiobook very highly.

If not for the male/female issue, I would have rated this audiobook as 5 out of 5 stars. But, I have decided to deduct half a star because of that; resulting in a 4.5 out of 5 Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


~ I received a free copy of this audiobook through AudioBookBlast dot com in exchange for an honest review

Realistic apocalypse?

What a great listen. It really caught me off guard, I was on the fence to listen but I am so glad I did. A very realistic apocalyptic book with believable characters and story line. Almost like you were standing there with them. I hope opus lets him write a sequel

this was a great short story

Would you consider the audio edition of Rebel Radio: A Post-Apocalyptic Story to be better than the print version?

this was great

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rebel Radio: A Post-Apocalyptic Story?

the human aspect

Have you listened to any of Kevin Pierce’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

it was just as good as his others.