Title: The Apocalypse Tour
Author: Weitfahrer
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media
ISBN: 979-8-88963-649-6
Pages: 331
Genre: Mystery / Adventure / Science Fiction
Reviewed by: Gabriella Harrison
Pacific Book Review
Author Weitfahrer’s The Apocalypse Tour follows the grim adventures of Daniels, a fifth-grade teacher who has always longed to go on a road trip and try new things. Like people he watched and admired on television while growing up, they seemed to be completely free and experiencing life in its best form, traveling across the country and globe. Feeling tired of his usual summer plans and with some prompting from a colleague, he finally decides to go on a road trip and proceeds to tell everyone who will listen about the fun he plans to have. Unfortunately for him, the incidents of the road trip are anything but fun, leaving him feeling mentally unstable and emotionally and physically traumatized.
At the beginning of his much-anticipated road trip, Daniels witnesses something strange descending from the sky and proceeds to investigate. It appears to be a UFO, so he excitedly takes pictures, hoping to have interesting tales to share with family and friends when he returns home. However, it seems he has witnessed something he shouldn’t have, as he begins to experience persistent attacks from animals and hostility from strangers during his journey shortly after this strange experience. Author Weitfahrer ensures the narration flows smoothly with relatable characters and absorbing prose as Daniels recounts his misadventures to a young man eagerly embarking on a similar path years later. Many of the episodes he recounts will have readers laughing uncontrollably while also feeling sympathetic towards him and nodding their heads in understanding, as these episodes are beautifully detailed and easy to visualize.
The locations are described with sufficient details to pull readers in and create an immersive experience as if embarking on this journey with Daniels. I particularly enjoyed how well written the dialogues are. They are humorous and expressive while flowing naturally. They also depict the quickness with which people jump to conclusions, the natural reactions of suspicion expressed, and the ostracization that follows when something unusual seems to be happening to anyone.
The book, although fictional, encourages readers to be open-minded and kind towards everyone, as we never can tell what anyone is dealing with. Anyone who enjoys reading stories about adventure and unusual happenings will enjoy reading this book. I also recommend this book to fans of mystery, as it is indeed an interesting journey toward understanding why Daniels experienced such misfortune.
The Apocalypse Tour by Weitfahrer is an intriguing and creative account of the misadventures of a fifth-grade teacher.
