The Park Service

Book One of the Park Service Trilogy

By: Ryan Winfield

Narrated by: Michael Braun

If Eden doesn't kill you, the Park Service will.

In the post-apocalyptic future, a fifteen-year old boy stumbles on a paradise where the few remaining humans live on the run from deadly drones controlled by a mysterious Park Service. Now this boy must learn to survive in a world he never dreamed existed while searching for answers to why everything he was taught is a lie.

©2012, 2013 Ryan Winfield (P)2014 Ryan Winfield

Serviceable Tale Grows in the Telling

I've been disappointed by a few books that start out well and then start dropping stars as they unfold. The Park Service goes in the other direction. It begins the same formula as other YA dystopian novels -- teenager living in a post-apocalyptic underground bunker (cf Wool, Mockingjay), insecure in his unique abilities (cf. Divergent, Hunger Games), faces a test that will determine his place in society (cf. Divergent, The Giver), places higher than expected because of his unique abilities.

Yawn! Been there, done that. But then Aubrey, as the boy is named, is released into the real world by accident and discovers the true nature of his world. And The Park Service starts to get progressively more interesting from there. Not because it suddenly takes an original turn, still adhering to the formula of this genre in which Aubrey becomes the unlikely hero who exposes and tries to correct the realities of his dystopian society.

No, what makes it work are the moral themes author Ryan Winfield introduces, some in the form of dilemmas that Aubrey faces -- social injustice, environmental injustice, the noble savage vs. hard science, social structures built on the promise of heaven, and humanism. I found myself wavering trying to grasp where Winfield was coming down on these issues, trying to discern if there was a hidden agenda here, but I couldn't find one -- he presents all sides of each issue, and ultimately allows humanism to win the day.

Having bought The Park Service from Audible's Hidden Gems sale, I'd have to agree in the end that this far less well known entry in the popular canon of YA dystopian fiction lives up that billing, despite its pedestrian first half. An interesting listen for old adults like me, a good thematically-based science fiction action adventure for young adults.

I was impressed!

If you could sum up The Park Service in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, gripping, exciting

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jimmy is my favorite because he is smart with a lot of practicle things and yet blissfully ignorant of technology and understands a balance between man and nature, survival and domination.

Which scene was your favorite?

Flooding the foundation with the destruction of Eden.

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

The devastation in the cove during the slaughter. It was written and described in such a fashion that I could feel my sympathy growing for Aubrey having to watch it happen. I could almost feel his horror, and picture his awestruck expression.

Any additional comments?

Having read the book, I was extremely impressed with this audio book. The narrator spoke in a voice that was almost exactly what I had in my head as Jimmy's. Additionally, the way he was able to speak for each character and capture their personalities was nigh on perfection.
This book was well written and now stands among my favourites. The characters are balanced amongst themselves. You have action, romance, mixed with events that really have you wanting to see (or hear rather) what happens next.
Even though I had previously read the books, listening to it in the car I found myself upset when I reached my destination as I didn't want to turn it off, I wanted to keep listening to the next big event in the book.
Listening to the narrator describe the landscapes, the events and the characters, being so well written, I found myself unable to find any negatives with this book.
I almost enjoyed the audio book better (almost) than reading the book on my Kobo app.
To Ryan Winfield, thank you for writing such a good book, and please write more in this genre.
Now I move on to Book 2: Isle of Man, and I can't wait to hear the narrator capture the character personalities as this story moves on and develops.

Interesting storyline

Enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I thought it was a good book for teenagers and will have my 15 year nephew read this. I will probably get the other 2 books when I have some extra credits.

Excellent commuting companion!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Park Service to be better than the print version?

It is a new thing for me listening to books rather than reading them. As a first time, it was good.

What did you like best about this story?

Very much liked the science and thinking about whether this could be the future. Liked the interaction between Aubrey and Jimmy, one technologically savvy but from a hole, and one almost Stone Age but very worldly wise

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

No, this is the first book I have heard that he has narrated

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, unfortunately it was listened to on my commute over a few days

first time listener!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Park Service to be better than the print version?

Not better, but gives it a new dimension. I think I enjoyed listening so much because I read It first. But I absolutely love reading!!! I actually read along with it at first because I was not sure about it. I have never been interested in listening to books. Now I am a believer and can't wait to listen to all my favorite books.

What did you like best about this story?

It has a good solid story line with strong character's that you find yourself caring about. There is plenty of background given so that you get to know them.

What does Michael Braun bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He did a wonderful job reading the book and getting into each character. He brought them to life!!!

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

There were a few such moments such as when Aubrey was in the elevator, the doors closing and his dad told him that he loved him. And actually there were a lot of moments that brought up different emotions, a sign of excellent writing!!

Any additional comments?

The only issue I had was that the screen on my kindle would say I was on say chapter 10, when it was actually on chapter 8. It was that way throughout the book. It did not take away from the experience of listening, just thought you might want to know....

Young Adult

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

I love this kind of story and Ryan Winfield is one of my favorite author

Good read

I have to say I wasn't expecting this book to be as good as it was. This book was good enough to make me get the next one in the series.

Love It

What made the experience of listening to The Park Service the most enjoyable?

I loved that I could do what I wanted while listening to this book. I've loved the story, and listening to this audio, was just a way to revisit one of my favorite stories.

What did you like best about this story?

All of it! It's a great story!

Which character – as performed by Michael Braun – was your favorite?

Aw, I always love Aubrey.

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

I've read it before, so not really, but it's certainly a great book to listen to.

Any additional comments?

You should read this series

Would make a good SF movie

Reminiscent of other works, but I felt it was well written & unique enough so that it was quite enjoyable. Main characters are mostly mid teens, but I felt it made little difference. No sex, which was nice for a change. Review by Rick

Fresh Take

Would you listen to The Park Service again? Why?

No. Don't listen to any fiction twice. Too many books out there to listen to.

Any additional comments?

Fresh take on a common theme. Better than Wool series.