The Wayward Pines Trilogy by Blake Crouch Book Review & Reaction | For Fans of Twin Peaks & X-Files

Mike heads to Wayward Pines, Idaho to talk Pines, Wayward, and The Last Town by Blake Crouch.
Purchase Pines here: amzn.to/3zmaUGA (physical) amzn.to/3ESZHhX (audio)
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#MikesBookReviews #WaywardPines #BlakeCrouch

[@givemeprimelaughter]

I just found your review. I picked up The Wayward Pines trilogy because I read Dark Matter, Recursion & Upgrade and NEEDED more Blake Crouch books. I found this series and I've been DEVOURING it. I'm currently on page 69 of The Last Town and I am heading back to the library to sit and read more, possibly finish it, today. I cannot wait to find out how this ends. The books have been such a rollercoaster of twists and turns and I am enjoying every damn word.

[@BenB1697]

I can only speak to Pines as the other two are still on my TBR, but I was impressed how well he stuck the landing with the end of that first book. Very satisfying reveal that also set the hook for the second book.

[@misplacedsouthern1236]

Is there anyway this series can continue? It seems so wrong to have such a wonderful story which so many have enjoyed to just end abruptly as if no one cares. There’s a huge following out here that will do whatever is needed to see the Wayward Pines stir continues. I’ve enjoyed a handful of series over the last 20-30 years and this has been one of them. This series was never given the advertisement that so many of lesser quality have received yet it still managed to attract huge numbers of loyal followers. We’re hooked. We love this series and we want this to continue. There are so many really sub-standard series that go on and on while really good shows end. Networks have abandoned their viewers and one day they may want them back. It will be too late if they don’t listen now. People have had enough of their cancellations without even an effort to close a storyline. Wayward Pines was new, fresh and exciting. It delivered in a way no series had done in a very long time. It was real entertainment. This is such a shame and it’s wrong. I refuse to even consider watching another series until it’s completed as I’ve started too many to see them cancelled. There was a time when Networks actually considering seres the audience or at least they pretended to care. Now, they don’t even try. They canceled Wayward Pines and then they cancelled Ascension, which was another good series with great potential. It wasn’t even given a chance before it was abruptly and haphazardly cancelled. Regardless, of what the series might be, or which Network, I no longer begin to watch until I know it’s been completed and I can watch it without a concern of having it cancelled. That, for me, is the only answer I see. Sadly, that will reflect badly for the series as it won’t reflect me as a viewer but they’ve given me and others just like me, no choice. I don’t buy a book without having the last chapters and I won’t invest my time and interest in something I don’t know will continue until the end. This has become my new normal and my guess is others are doing the same. I believed a really great Series seemed to be a perfect entertainer avenue for everyone. It allowed the Networks the freedom to Count on the advertising dollars and the loyalty of viewers. They could secure great scripts with the best take t available. Yet, by canceling projects without notice they lose everyone’s respect and loyalty. People need to be able to count on the work. The Network Executives have shown no respect of the talent it takes to put these projects together. No thought for anyone except the bottom line which they don’t even give an appropriate amount of time to ensure it’s success. They’re too fast to pull the plug and move to the next project. The actors and those that put their talent on the line to make these possible they hurt. People, all people deserve to be treated with respect and these Execs have shown no respect for anyone. They won’t receive any in return. People work together to make great projects come together but the Networks are destroying this. Everyone loses. We’re likely to see fewer series and more and more 90 minute movies that people will turn away from halfway through for lack of interest. . No commitments, No disappointments by or for anyone.

[@CRohrscheib]

The end of book one was probably the first time I didn't know where the book was going. Completely surprised me and I loved it!

[@mmmmmyya]

I read this trilogy about 7 years ago and still think about it all the time. One of my favorites!!!

[@RiashadHassan]

very quick reads. I read from around the 100th page of Wayward to the last page of The Last Town in about 12 hours with 4 hours of sleep within those 12 hours. Very Very gripping reads indeed.

[@therealdavemg5511]

Read this series about two years ago. I have to agree the series was great.

[@atom0191]

Love your videos, Mike!!!

[@bridleybateson5622]

Cheers for doing this Mike. 👍 This is one of my favourite ever book trilogies!

[@madisongoodyear5040]

One of my favorite series I read last year! Glad I jumped on your hype train for this one 😉

[@kylegriffin5552]

Really appreciate the spoiler free reviews and the content. Good job. Thank you 👍

[@arthur8013]

Just finished it, fantastic series. Nothing thematically deep but a great bit of fun and easy to read after work.

[@roberthubbard4881]

I loved this series! Awesome to hear your thoughts on the series. His books are great and I'm excited to see what he puts out this year!

[@unlimitedreads]

Thanks for the recommendation, Mike 😊 I'll be definitely be looking into this. It could very easily find its way into my February TBR 👍

[@bertfechner417]

Dude! Impeccable timing I just got these in and will be reading them soon. They've been on my tbr for years.

[@chrisconrod6265]

The ending of the first book had me wanting to read everything this guy wrote! Awesome!

[@lukelemaster1705]

Great series, like all of Blake's stuff.

[@oneysnyder2116]

Waiting on the third book to arrive in the mail…excited to see where it goes. Started the series per your recommendation. Thanks!

[@Subtle-System]

Amazing trilogy... the big twist is insane!

[@veronaxd6391]

Wow, great review and great timing! Pines is in my stack of "next 5 to read" and it just got bumped up to "next book to read" thanks to your video. My only worry is that I don't have the second one to pick up right after I finish. Thanks Mike!

[@dianeknecht1859]

Love this trilogy so much. It was my introduction to Crouch. Now I will read everything he writes.

[@brog534]

Quickest series I've ever read

[@sjkrum320]

My library has all 3 books. Gonna start the first one today. Was looking for something to read and your reviews have never let me down.

[@sgriffin9960]

So glad to hear you like the Pines series! I’ve wanted to read it for a long time. When I went to buy the first book last year I found it hard to come by, but I’ve got it now and can’t wait to get books two and three after my book-buying ban is lifted!

[@theoa126]

These were AWESOME.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Facts.

[@WordsinTime]

I loved Dark Matter and Recursion. I have a few things ahead of it on the TBR but I will definitely be reading Wayward Pines!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

It’s always great to have genuine day 1 authors, and I can’t wait to try this out to see if Crouch hits the mark with me too (I got them on the shelf ready to go!)

[@esliet]

Oh this sounds good. Must get

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@gabriellabecze-szalai4524]

I live in a place like this!!!!❤

[@saudstylazz]

Thanks for for the review Mike. I read the trilogy a month before you did and have been waiting to hear your thoughts on it since you announced that you are going to read it. I found it absolutely amazing. Blake Crouch is 5 out of 5 for me as well. Just like you, I cannot wait to delve into his other works.

[@kflott]

Loved the trilogy it was great. Just started binging the TV show with my wife. She isn't usually into stuff with that kind of twist so I may have done a little bait and switch with her...

[@sjkrum320]

What network is the show on?

[@claudiamormile2963]

Hulu

[@Cyriax71]

Forgot to add, I have read the first two books. I loved them both. Very fast paced and well plotted. Waiting on the third book from the library. Plan to finish it this month :)

[@danielw8620]

Is anyone else bothered that they can't read the bottom of his shirt "Science is Magic That.....". Leaving us on a cliffhanger here Mike.

[@nikkivenable3700]

Mike, I am soooo glad you made this video! I've been wondering if I should read these for years...I'm not a huge sci-fi fan though I've read a few books here and there, including Dark Matter....it's just not my jam. BUT this is a series that many people insist I read so I've gone ahead and ordered the first book(is it out of print? I could only find a used copy online). I am excited...I am finally going to go for it!

[@tanyareads7376]

Yes! Your description that it’s a blend of X-Files, Twin Peaks, and the Twilight Zone is dead on. Loved this series - glad you reviewed it.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I really enjoyed this trilogy!!

[@RedFuryBooks]

I loved Dark Matter as well as the Wayward Pines Trilogy, so I’m definitely looking forward to your future reviews about his back catalog

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can't wait!

[@israaahmed7168]

The mystery aspect where you did not expect to be that person reminded me of I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak. I was MINDBLOWN!!!! Highly recommend checking it out. Your stomach is gonna hurt from laughing. I shall check out this trilogy in return lol. I’ve only read Dark Matter and I’m excited for Recursion.

[@spencercorpuz]

Yes!!! The Wayward Pines video! I read the first one, Pines on your recommendation, and I was blown away. I read 75+ books this year, and it made it to my #2 spot in my top 3 this year!

[@Gift123ish]

whats your nr1 ?

[@spencercorpuz]

@@Gift123ish ahh that was 2 years ago. Lemme think. I think it was We Break Immortals by Thomas Howard Riley. Amazing book.

[@muttineni03]

I remember seeing them in Kindle Unlimited before and now I don't see them in Kindlle edition Amazon at all.

[@muttineni03]

@@slothrob Yes very odd, it's removed from Amazon and where I live not really possible to get these books in physical format.

[@InfiniteQuest86]

This is exciting. I just read Dark Matter and Recursion in the same week. Can't wait!

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's so good!

[@InfiniteQuest86]

@@mikesbookreviews Book 1 down. I cannot believe how he was able to explain some of the things where I was thinking there's no way he's going to be able explain this and it actually make sense and work.

[@craiglooney8220]

Alright dude, I'm convinced and went to buy Amazon to buy the Kindle version only to find that it's not available. Only in paperback and a $80 hardcover. Crazy!

[@TheYrttitee]

Whole trilogy is re-releasing october 18 2022 according to kindle store. Must be new publisher or something.

[@kathleenmcdonald4888]

Thank you for your wonderful channel. I am a recent new subscriber. I just purchased the Wayward Pines Trilogy and Dark Matter. I loved the TV series so I am grateful I found this video. By chance would you please review the Wicked series by Gregory Maguire? Sincerely, Kathleen

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I read the first book last year, and I enjoyed it. I'm trying to decide if I want to read Books 2 & 3.

[@TheEternalElir]

Didn't know you're a fan of Tool! I watched your video on why you decided to read Malazan and I had a whole Leonardo Di Caprio 'pointing' moment. I love A Perfect Circle too, Maynard's other band. Mer de Noms is my favorite album. Along with everything released by Tool.

[@spencercorpuz]

A bummer to hear that about the adaptation!

[@AndrewReitze]

You gotta read recursion. That book got me to read all of Crouch’s books. Really good.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have read Recursion. I reference it numerous times in this ha ha

[@AndrewReitze]

@@mikesbookreviews lol, sorry. Was hearing the review while working. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone Haha.

[@Natsirt39]

I enjoyed the first book, but two and three just blew me away. The pace is breakneck and Crouch does not let you down.

[@rickthompson2520]

Loved the TV series , never read the books , just found out that crouch is re releasing the series October 18th , im gonna grab all 3 because the end of the TV series left room for more , but it was cancelled and I need to know what happens !

[@scottadams3616]

Did you see he has a new novel coming out this summer? I think it’s called Upgrade.

[@bmoneybby]

As a person from Idaho, I must read every book that mentions Idaho.

[@wolfborn3973]

Didn't even know the series is an adaptation. Looks like I'll have to read this before watching :)

[@dpeady78]

Just finished the trilogy so I can finally watched this I enjoyed it a lot and smashed through Book 3 in a matter of hours, which felt like one long action scene. Could this have been two books or one long one?- sure.

[@new_mercury5367]

I do need to read these. I saw the TV series when it came out, enjoyed the first season, didn't enjoy the second and now I know why!

[@mikesbookreviews]

When TV writers think they're as good or better than a successful author I roll my eyes.

[@alynam82]

I'll bet this was challenging to talk about to avoid spoilers, lol But at least you sold it

[@kalebrownie7735]

You sold me. Buying

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@ajaxslamgoody9736]

is altered Carbon any good

[@pearcegreatesteverleftback03]

Wow! This sounds like an amazing trilogy but, as one of those readers that hates open endings, I’m already put off trying it. Sorry. Keep up the great work with your review videos😎👍🏻

[@chrisconnors7418]

I read the trilogy in November (thanks to your influence). Was a great story ride. I didn’t see any of the big plot lines coming. I hope he does revisit this storyline. There was one big issue I had that kept pulling me out of the book. [mild spoiler]. He had a top-heavy food chain. It isn’t sustainable. Indeed, it wouldn’t even get to that point. Predators are never going to be found in those numbers. All the trophic system maths kept popping into my head, real life experience working within various ecosystems and manipulating variables kept jumping up and saying, not a chance. You don’t see lions or wolves in those numbers even when humans weren’t wiping them out. There’s just not enough food to sustain high populations of top predators. But, that only jumps out for me because of my work in these fields. It may not be that big of an issue for those without backgrounds in biology and ecology. But I still thoroughly enjoyed the read. I would like more.

I want the spoilers😢

[@09RetsamEdalb]

Mike, random question: what is the artwork in your channel banner and profile picture? What series is that depicting?

[@danielcorey2156]

Mike, I know you love Crouch, and you love vampires that don’t sparkle. So if you haven’t read it yet, I strongly recommend Draculas (which he co-authored).

[@jaegerfox80]

Hi Mike. I've been trying to get the trilogy the past couple of months but it seems to be out of print. I tried searching online, local bookstores, Books Depository, Amazon and all of them are out. Any idea what is happening?

[@pencilmage]

some cthulhu delta green vibes here

[@alternativerohde]

Really liked Dark Matter and Recursion. The Pines TV show was Ok. Never read the books. At about the same time I found Nick Cutter/Craig Davidson. Enjoyed both The Deep (a seriously claustrophobic novel) and The Troop.

[@Auron200004]

I really liked the Twin Peaks-esque aspect to the trilogy. But once it kind of became not about that, I lost interest a decent amount. Book 2 in particular was kind of meh for me. But book 1 was a wild ride for sure. Also, despite the genre flip, I'm in the camp of liking the ending for what it's worth

[@alf.2929]

Fun Facts #232: David Duchovny was on Twin Peaks playing "Denise Bryson, a former Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent who investigated drug allegations against Dale Cooper. She later became the Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief of Staff. Bryson began wearing feminine-coded clothing during an undercover operation and found that presenting as a woman made her feel comfortable, realising in the process that she was a transgender woman."

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Believe it or not, Attack on Titan is extremely similar in terms of mystery, plot twist and genre changing revelations. Now I think you would really love the manga!

[@OmniDan26]

No. Cringe on titan is low iq trash.

[@ASageCalledQ]

Facts

[@hucklebuck411]

I did read all the Wayward Pines books in record time, but do think the writing is somewhat weaker than Dark Matter and Recursion. I loved the premise but didn't care that much for the OP main character and found the love triangle that crops up very maudlin. Looking beyond those criticisms, I still do recommend the Wayward Pines saga for fans of Blake Crouch. The books are page turners indeed.

[@ando336699]

Does anyone know why you cant buy these books anymore ?

[@youknowwhoiam6164]

Just found some on Amazon?

[@SaskSneeze]

I liked the first season of the adaptation on TV... but it covered all 3 books in the one season. Season 2 wasn't as good though and I'd give it a hard pass. It was a little interesting to see what would happen after books but it would have been better if they had stretched the trilogy over multiple seasons.

[@Cyriax71]

Anyone know why these are not available on Kindle? I feel like they were there mid 2020 but I cannot find them now. Even the links to kindle version on Amazon doesn’t work. Guessing it was pulled for a legal or reimbursement reason? I’ve been looking for about three months. Ended up just getting them from the library.

[@TheYrttitee]

I bought the first book late october 2021. This trilogy was published by Amazon so maybe the rights expired or something.

[@InfiniteQuest86]

Also huge warning: read the entire first book before you start the show. The first episode basically covers then entire book including a lot of spoilers.

[@brandonmccann15]

hey so if u already watched the first season and second one is there a point in buying the books?

[@InfiniteQuest86]

@@brandonmccann15 Yeah they go in pretty different directions. I thought the books were a lot better, so definitely worth it.

[@brandonmccann15]

@@InfiniteQuest86 ye thank u ha cuz the second season sucks thats good to hear

[@richardrussell5807]

I would slightly disagree with this.. like Dark Matter the first half of the Pines book is just amazing, but the second half of the book drags a lot with what I think IS filler material which leads to a predictable and fairly uneventful ending… I did enjoy Pines and Dark Matter but not enough to pick up the sequels.

[@lisacole6037]

I really, really enjoyed this trilogy. In comparison, I thought Dark Matter and Recursion were a bit meh. Liked them but didn't love them.

[@SaintMatthieuSimard]

I think Fox should sell wayward pines rights for S3 to a more motivated company. It's a show I loved to hate. Grave topics, horribly evil characters... And a cliffhanger. Worried about the heroes' fate.

[@robertdeforest9682]

I don’t know man, Wayward Pines was not my cup of tea. I really love Twin Peaks, but it’s precisely because of its quirkiness that sells it, this has none of it. I finished the book in a day, it was admittedly a fast read after the first 25%, but that ending was so lame. Ethan getting ultimately what he wanted/needed at the end of the book was the only high point for me, and I certainly won’t be finishing this series. Respect your opinions though, thanks for the recommendations.

[@civoreb]

The first season of the show covers the 3 books. Season two, is just milking the series and trying to force a story to continue. The books, were great all the way through. One of the better horror/mystery series with a hint of sci-fi.

[@brandonmccann15]

so wait if u already watched the first season is there any point in buying the books cuz i already watched the first season and lol that makese sense no wonder the second season sucks

[@civoreb]

@@brandonmccann15 it is a 8 book series. Up to you if you want to read it or not. I heard the show was renewed for 4 seasons

[@brandonmccann15]

@@civoreb 8 books wow i thought there was only 3 haha and the tv show is getting a season 3 and 4 wow i had no idea lol i just remember loving the first season and hated the second

[@civoreb]

@@brandonmccann15 it really depends on your medium. No one will outright or disrespect but whether you choose to wait it out, TV show wise works too

[@HeXen1900]

First?

[@generalyoutubewatching5286]

Can't agree with review here. I almost DNF the 3rd book.

[@Subtle-System]

Seriously dude, you would benefit from not saying Michael Chricton so much