Now that was a really big book.

Well, not precisely.

But it's a large one.

It's quite good though. I've frequently heard how this is similar to The Stand by Stephen King, which is one of my all-time favorite novels. And it is similar, yet different.

I mean, they're both huge epic books about the end of everything and the people who survive to put things right again. Good versus Evil and all that. "It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine." - R.E.M.

But the characters are distinct, with their own backgrounds and circumstances. The way things are dealt with is different. Enough that this book holds its own ground well.

Figuratively, of course. I mean, books don't actually stand. Not even The Stand. They have no legs.

They'd have to be thick legs too, to support these really big books.

Once upon a time, there were men who were extremely thirsty for power and were completely hell-bent on destruction.

These were the men who desired preeminence and dominion over everything and everyone.

They craved blood and seemed to have an insatiable appetite for violence.

Once upon a time, these men controlled the earth and its inhabitants. They loved to collect weapons and engage in games of war, with no thought of peace.

They were like monsters hiding in human clothing, believing that they could play with fire and thinking themselves unbreakable and indestructible.

However, they amused themselves with one too many buttons of mass destruction and ultimately reached a point of no return.

The new game became "either kill or be killed."

And as the saying goes, there are no winners in war.

Weapons were unleashed, and hell broke loose on earth.

Many people died, while only a few survived.

New monsters were born, and a new game was set in motion.

It was a game of perseverance and survival.

And a new war was declared, a war between good and evil.

This war would determine the future of the earth and its inhabitants.

Would good prevail over evil, or would the forces of darkness continue to reign supreme? Only time would tell.

This is one of the darkest post-apocalyptic books I've read in a while. It truly satisfied that craving for a thrilling and intense read.

I may have even had a few bad dreams about it! That's how immersive and impactful this book was.

What I would have liked knowing beforehand is that it involves a nuclear war with Russia. Additionally, there are fantasy elements incorporated into the story, which added an interesting and unexpected twist.

Yes, it's long, but don't let that deter you. The length allows for a detailed exploration of the post-apocalyptic world and the characters' experiences.

There's also a war going on, so if you're not really into military fiction, this might not be for you. However, if you enjoy that genre, you'll be in for a treat.

Overall, it was almost too realistic, which made it all the more captivating. And did I mention that it was really dark? The themes and events in this book will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Despite its darkness, I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves post-apocalyptic fiction or is looking for a unique and engaging read.

This book is constantly being compared to The Stand, and it's nearly impossible not to draw comparisons between the two. There are indeed numerous parallels. However, fortunately, there are also plenty of differences. I believe this book might be better written than The Stand. The Stand has more prominent flaws. To be honest, Swan Song is incredibly smooth and polished. It gives the impression that the author is more at the peak of their abilities than King was when he wrote The Stand.

Nevertheless, The Stand had better characters and relationships, as well as better dialogue and emotional moments. I also simply preferred part 1 and part 2 of The Stand more than the corresponding parts of Swan Song.

Where Swan Song truly shines, though, is in never being dull or descending into the kind of nonsense like "The Kid." It leans more into the horror and fantastical elements that make this book so memorable, heart-pounding, horrifying, and electrifying. Moreover, it has a much better third act. The third act of Swan Song is truly great.

When considered independently of The Stand, what we have here is an absolutely outstanding novel that had me completely gripped from page 1 and never let go. I'm extremely annoyed that I've been recommended this book for 15 years and yet have never picked it up. McCammon is such a great author, and I look forward to reading more of his works. The only minor criticism I have is that a part of the final chapter really didn't work for me, but most of the climax and the very end did.

Swan Song is an incredible book that offers a captivating blend of action and thought-provoking ideas.

It is filled with terrific action sequences that keep the reader on the edge of their seat, while also presenting profound concepts that make you stop and think.

The story is an engrossing and epic novel that ticks all the right boxes, with a cast of truly memorable characters.

It combines elements of sci-fi and post-apocalyptic horror, making it a perfect read for lovers of dystopian doom and gloom.

However, the book does have its flaws. At a whopping 950 pages, it can be a bit of a slog to get through.

In ebook format, it's about 1% per chapter, which can make it feel like a never-ending soap opera as you progress further into the story.

The action is sometimes over the top, requiring the reader to suspend belief and put aside those "just ain't happening" feelings.

Despite these flaws, the story splits into three distinct narratives, which are expertly woven together.

Each chapter alternates between groups of characters, gradually aligning their histories and adventures with other personalities and the overall scope of the book.

This structure works wonderfully well, creating a sense of cohesion and depth.

Overall, Swan Song is a remarkable book that, despite its flaws, offers an unforgettable reading experience.

It's a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and those who enjoy a good action-packed adventure.

So, if you're looking for a book that will transport you to a post-apocalyptic world filled with danger, excitement, and hope, then Swan Song is definitely worth checking out.

Just be prepared to invest some time and effort into reading it!

So this is truly an epic novel. My mass market copy, consisting of 919 pages, felt like a heavy brick that I had to lug around. This is only the second novel by McCammon that I have delved into, and after adoring the first one, I had rather high expectations. Sadly, although Swan Song is a rather good book on the whole, I had far too many concerns with the story to assign it a higher rating. McCammon is an outstanding storyteller, and he crafts really likable characters, but certain parts of this book simply didn't resonate with me.

Pretty much everyone who rates this book inevitably mentions The Stand. It is simply impossible to read this novel without drawing comparisons to King's epic work of a similar nature. Both books explore a post-apocalyptic world and revolve around a single malevolent entity hell-bent on the destruction of the survivors. I truly made a concerted effort to avoid comparing the two, as they are stylistically distinct. The bottom line is that King ultimately executed it better, but even if I hadn't read The Stand, I would still encounter some issues with Swan Song.

That being said, I did indeed relish this novel. The first half was exceptionally well-written, and the passages描绘 the nuclear attack are spine-chilling. I believe it just sort of deviated into a different realm than I had anticipated. There were plot points and devices that seemingly led nowhere, and it was exasperating to wait over 900 pages only to discover that some ostensibly important elements were more or less abandoned along the way.

Overall, Swan Song does have its flaws, but I did truly enjoy it, and would recommend it to anyone who has a penchant for long, epic storytelling.

4,25 ⭐
This is a decent post-apocalyptic piece.
It is brutal, yet there are moments of clarity.

The story seems to take place in a world that has been ravaged by some sort of cataclysm. The description of the environment is vivid, painting a picture of a desolate and dangerous landscape. The characters are faced with numerous challenges as they try to survive in this new world.

The brutality of the story is palpable, with violence and death lurking around every corner. However, there are also moments of hope and humanity that shine through. These moments give the reader a glimmer of light in the darkness and make the story more than just a tale of survival.

Overall, this is an engaging and well-written post-apocalyptic story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The combination of brutality and moments of clarity makes it a unique and memorable read.

The hundreds of millions who perished in the first few hours would be the lucky ones. It was the survivors who would endure a thousand forms of damnation. This powerful statement sets the tone for the harrowing world that awaits in "Swan Song".

I'm hesitant to borrow lengthy novels for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I don't want to fall behind in my reading challenge. Although I purposefully lowered my goal this year to allow for some longer reads, I still have 15 - 20 books on hold at any given time, and several often become available simultaneously. I tend to keep the short ones and put the long ones back in the queue, only to have them cycle back again and again.

However, I'm so glad I finally read "Swan Song". With 950 pages of awesome storytelling, it was well worth the time and effort. Written and set in the '80s when the fears of a nuclear war were all too real, the book takes us on a journey through a post-apocalyptic world. Thankfully, reality didn't follow the same path as the story, with nukes dropping all over the earth.

There are, of course, pockets of survivors. After all, it wouldn't be much of a novel if no one had made it through. The book centers around several different characters, some good and some evil. It's a classic tale of good vs. evil, reminiscent of Stephen King's "The Stand", but with a bit more gore.
Despite its length, "Swan Song" didn't feel long at all. It was such a page-turner that I would quickly read 50 pages without even realizing it. This is a major feat these days, especially post-pandemic when I can hardly concentrate for 5 pages. But with very long books that offer excellent storytelling, like "Swan Song", I get to enjoy a little of that old "escape reading" again. Without a doubt, this book deserves a full 5 stars.

"The hundreds of millions who perished in the first few hours would be the lucky ones. It was the survivors who would endure a thousand forms of damnation."

The world has been plunged into utter madness. The detonation of nukes has led to a new birth of society, yet it is nothing like the one that once was. It now stands as a world rife with depravity and violence. The unfortunate few who survived the nuclear fallout spend their days scavenging for resources.

Still, there is a glimmer of hope for this desolate world. A young girl named Swan possesses a remarkable gift the power to bestow life. In a world as死寂 and barren as this, it might be the sole force capable of restoring the earth to a semblance of normalcy.

Thoughts about the book: (Spoilers in the section below)

I had a certain fondness for this book. It has a distinct theme, particularly in the latter half, of good triumphing over evil. Personally, I must admit that I don't view the real world in such a simplistic way, where there is a clear-cut 'good' and 'evil'. I believe reality is far more intricate, as people's actions are influenced by a diverse range of experiences and circumstances. So, if you prefer your fiction to be more in line with reality, I would suggest that this book may not be to your taste.

This book is pure fantasy, and it even alludes to this at the end with the line "The tale will begin with the same magic words: 'Once upon a time..'. I firmly believe that was the author's intention when penning this book, and in that respect, I would say that this book accomplishes its purpose admirably. It left me with a pleasant, warm feeling after I finished reading it, and I think that's precisely what one desires from a story of this nature. So, all in all, I suppose if you're up for reading a fantastical post-apocalyptic tale and aren't overly deterred by its length, give this book a try.

“No man was ever prouder of a daughter than I am of you,” Josh whispered in her ear. “You’re going to do wonderful things, Swan. You’re going to set things right again, and long before you come back to Mary’s Rest… I’ll hear your name from travelers, and they’ll say they know of a girl called Swan who’s grown up to be a beautiful woman. They’ll say she has hair like fire, and that she has the power of life inside her. And that’s what you must return to the earth, Swan. That’s what you must return to the earth.”

All that was once beautiful and familiar is now lost. In Central Park, the trees are ablaze, their once lush greenery turning to ash. Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building, those iconic symbols of the city, have vanished. Mountains of ruined debris now tower over everything, a stark reminder of the destruction that has occurred.

However, in the midst of this chaos, there is a glimmer of the old world. The electric lights on the marquee at the Empire State Theatre are still merrily twinkling, as if nothing has happened. The movie house itself seems untouched, and currently showing is the film 'Face of Death'. A lone cinema patron sits in the front row, giggling manically, perhaps a sign of the madness that has taken hold of some in this new reality.

Swan is a little girl with an old soul and a special talent for growing things. She is a ray of hope in this desolate world. Josh, a giant of a man and a former pro wrestler, has taken it upon himself to protect Swan from the evil that inevitably surfaces in a time like this. Sister, who was homeless long before the nuclear bombs did their dirty work, carries a melted piece of junk with her that just may hold magical powers.

As radiation blows across the sunless and desolate land, wolves howl in the woods, adding to the sense of dread. Evil is thriving, but Swan, Josh, and Sister are determined to fight back and find a way to survive in this new and dangerous world.

This is truly an epic read that will captivate you from start to finish.

The story is simply great, filled with engaging characters, thrilling plot twists, and a richly detailed world.

Despite being a long book, it never once feels like it is dragging on.

The author has masterfully crafted a narrative that keeps you hooked, eager to turn the page and discover what happens next.

Each chapter builds upon the last, creating a seamless and immersive reading experience.

Whether you're a fan of adventure, romance, or mystery, this book has something for everyone.

It's a literary masterpiece that will stay with you long after you've finished the final page.

So, if you're looking for a book that will transport you to another world and keep you entertained for hours on end, look no further than this epic read.

Maybe if I had read this one before delving into The Stand or Lucifer's Hammer, I might have awarded this a full five stars. However, simply having an epic length and a nuclear holocaust theme doesn't necessarily guarantee a perfect book.

Nevertheless, if you have a penchant for dystopias that feature a long buildup, a full cast of characters, and a slow descent into the divide between the evil and good camps, then I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you. It is the journey, more than anything else, that makes this a great read.

Moreover, there are some really cool tarot themes and the actual inclusion of tarot readings (along with other twists), as well as a plethora of Christian metaphors scattered throughout the story. These include the horsemen of the apocalypse and even a significant dose of the resurrection of life. So, we have a rather interesting collection of fantastical elements. In particular, Swan, herself, is truly magical. :) After all, she represents the Greater Mystery, the renewal, and the restoration of life. It's kind of sweet.

My main gripe with this post-nuclear wasteland narrative, however, is an issue that has been explored extremely well in almost every other writer or game designer's work (thank you, Fallout). It pertains to the availability of food. Aside from a few brief mentions of farming later on, I would have expected the acquisition of food to have taken on a more perilous and deadly aspect. As it stands, the idea of all these strangers sharing meals so easily pulled me out of the book.

This is no The Road. It's a lighter version, with a large number of people and multiple points of view. And it has a much heavier emphasis on magic rather than realism. :)

And yet, it was still quite enjoyable, and its length is sufficient to satisfy anyone's craving for an immersive post-apocalyptic wasteland experience. :) In my humble opinion, horror writers always seem to create the most interesting science fiction works. :)