The Way is a post-apocalyptic novel following one man as he attempts to bring the recipe for a potential cure across America, to California. Travelling with the obvious companions for such a mission (a clever raven, a cat so sarcastic the author must have one, and an angry, traumatised, fifteen year old girl), he must survive not only the wilderness, but the thugs chasing him, obsessed with taking the cure for themselves.

There are highly cinematic sections of Groner's writing, with sweeping landscapes, philosophical turns, and a certain joy in the survivors Will meets along the way that brings a great deal of colour and life to the book. However, the pacing often suffers as the movie-like quality takes a lot of the threat out of Buck Flynn and his gang. I also struggled to connect to the characters, especially the apparently Gen-Z will, whose social interactions and cultural references really don't fit with that generation. Ordinarily, I would dismiss it as creative licensing: this is a generic post-event novel, and so could be set at any time. But Groner has chosen to use years very explicitly. It makes it difficult to disconnect Will from the culture of today, and society as a whole.

Although I suspect I'll remember this novel for a long time, I didn't land in quite the way I hoped it would.

A deadly virus has vastly reduced the world's population and left America much changed. In this near future, people rarely live above the age of 30-40. An unusually old man named Will who is in his 50s, is tasked to cross the country and hand-deliver a potential cure along with his trusty companions Peau and Cassie.
I felt like I should have enjoyed this book more. The post-apocalyptic setting and animal companions (there's a crow - how cool!) were great, and there was something interesting contemplative stuff about Buddhism and the value of human existence. I also enjoyed the relationship between Will and the other main character.
However, I found the pacing a little strange, and some of the plot contrivances felt unearned and unrealistic. There was also a strange mating scene between two different species which seemed really out of place. The latter part of the book let the final score down ultimately which was a shame as I felt it had a lot of potential

The Way by Cary Groner is an engaging and thought-provoking post-apocalyptic novel that blends a quest for redemption with an adventurous road trip through a ravaged world. The story takes place after a deadly virus has wiped out most of humanity, leaving only the young to survive. With cities and infrastructure in ruins, nature has begun to reclaim the land in unexpected ways, including wild camels roaming the American West and neon-green glowing crocodiles inhabiting the rivers.

The protagonist, Will Collins, is a caretaker of a Buddhist monastery in Colorado, and when he receives a mysterious and urgent request to deliver a potential cure to a scientist in what was once California, he sets off on a perilous journey. The trip is fraught with dangers—armed militias patrol the roads, a menacing thug is on his tail, and the landscape itself is a daunting challenge. Will is haunted by dreams of the woman he once loved, adding an emotional weight to his quest.

Along the way, Will receives help from an unlikely trio: a clever raven, a resourceful cat, and a tough teenage girl who has learned to survive on her own in this new world. As they navigate the desolate roads together, they form an unlikely but heartfelt bond, and Will’s journey becomes as much about personal redemption as it is about the mission he has undertaken.

The novel is a highly original addition to dystopian literature, filled with a sense of adventure, danger, and the possibility of hope. Groner crafts an immersive landscape that draws readers into this transformed world, offering a mix of thrills, wisdom, and unexpected kindness. The novel explores themes of survival, resilience, and the connections that form between individuals in times of crisis, creating a story that is both imaginative and emotionally resonant.

The Way stands out with its combination of gritty realism, quirky characters, and deep reflection on humanity's place in a post-apocalyptic world. It’s an evocative and compelling read, offering both suspense and thought-provoking insights on how people might find hope in the darkest of times.

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I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the characters both human and animal and the bird wasn't bad either ! it piqued my interest ,it was a bit different, and a great dystopian style book. It was a rip-roaring adventure, with a good story and I happily looked forward to reading it every night. I was sorry when it ended., and would recommend to other readers.