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Blackout: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller
At the height of a scorching summer, multiple EMP attacks are launched against the world’s western allies.
Australia and the U.S. are at the top of the hit list.
Planes fall from the sky. Cars crash through buildings. Power outages create desperation for food and water, and people quickly succumb to the heat. The world crumbles faster than anybody can imagine.
Up at Hell Ridge, outside a small town on the outskirts of Melbourne, Parker Richardson sits on the banks of the King Parrot Creek, ready for a quiet two-week camping trip. A much-needed escape after the death of his mother, separation from his long-time girlfriend, and the sudden loss of his best mate’s friendship.
But when his phone and truck go dark, Parker loses all contact with his friends and must make the long, hazardous walk down into the township to uncover what has happened. Along the way, he slowly discovers there is more to the situation than he first thought.
Without the essentials on which they have come to rely, Parker and his friends must overcome their relationship issues, then band together to avoid the perils of a town drowning in chaos and an invading enemy intent on taking everything they have ever known.
Can the local people overcome their differences and repel the invasion? Or will this be the first of many towns to fall across the country and the western world as we know it?
Don't miss the start of the next action-packed Post-apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller from Owen Baillie, bestselling author of Invasion of the Dead. This disaster series is perfect for fans of Kyla Stone, A.G. Riddle, Bobby Akart, Jack Hunt, and Ryan Schow.
Australia and the U.S. are at the top of the hit list.
Planes fall from the sky. Cars crash through buildings. Power outages create desperation for food and water, and people quickly succumb to the heat. The world crumbles faster than anybody can imagine.
Up at Hell Ridge, outside a small town on the outskirts of Melbourne, Parker Richardson sits on the banks of the King Parrot Creek, ready for a quiet two-week camping trip. A much-needed escape after the death of his mother, separation from his long-time girlfriend, and the sudden loss of his best mate’s friendship.
But when his phone and truck go dark, Parker loses all contact with his friends and must make the long, hazardous walk down into the township to uncover what has happened. Along the way, he slowly discovers there is more to the situation than he first thought.
Without the essentials on which they have come to rely, Parker and his friends must overcome their relationship issues, then band together to avoid the perils of a town drowning in chaos and an invading enemy intent on taking everything they have ever known.
Can the local people overcome their differences and repel the invasion? Or will this be the first of many towns to fall across the country and the western world as we know it?
Don't miss the start of the next action-packed Post-apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller from Owen Baillie, bestselling author of Invasion of the Dead. This disaster series is perfect for fans of Kyla Stone, A.G. Riddle, Bobby Akart, Jack Hunt, and Ryan Schow.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2023
123 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Owen Baillie
14 books67 followersI live in Melbourne, Australia with my wife and three children. I grew up reading Stephen King, Richard Matheson, and Jean Auel, amongst others. I love hearing a good story, particulary with a fantastic element, but my bookcases are filled with an eclectic mix of authors. My writing is the first priority of the day before I head off to my full time job!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 29, 2023
A very enjoyable read that took a few pages to heat up and then there was no stopping it. A great pace and enough going on to hold me till the end.
March 21, 2024
Should have been a DNF
Okay I stuck it out, I got the audio narration to I could continue listening while I was driving or cooking or cleaning or any other myriad of things where I can’t read.
I swear the characters have said after every time they’ve spoken pretty much, not to mention when it’s clearly a thought the author has gone ahead and added “they (she/he) thought which was totally unnecessary.
The characters are incredibly whiny people. They’re not kids, they are adults in their 20s with homes and jobs/businesses of their own.
The author adds so much totally unnecessary details, explaining what’s in a first aid kit for instance instead of just saying they had a first aid kit.
Honestly, I rage listened to the audio and rage read the book just to find out what happened but the characters and the length of descriptions really pulled from the story.
There is a huge fight scene at the end where the author refers to the “bad guys” by their full name and then by their surnames eg Clayton Smith or Smith, like dude pick a name and just use that.
I could go on.
Sad to say I would not recommend this book because I did not enjoy it but I hoped it would get better and it just got worse.
I’m also going to add that, he talks about the heat, and how the houses are saunas basically, we have recently had sarking installed - obviously every home or business in this town has no insulation. This is a problem and I’m surprised.
I did like the story, the plot has so much potential. But, the way the Chinese invaded Australia - I know it’s a book but it wasn’t believable.
Okay I stuck it out, I got the audio narration to I could continue listening while I was driving or cooking or cleaning or any other myriad of things where I can’t read.
I swear the characters have said after every time they’ve spoken pretty much, not to mention when it’s clearly a thought the author has gone ahead and added “they (she/he) thought which was totally unnecessary.
The characters are incredibly whiny people. They’re not kids, they are adults in their 20s with homes and jobs/businesses of their own.
The author adds so much totally unnecessary details, explaining what’s in a first aid kit for instance instead of just saying they had a first aid kit.
Honestly, I rage listened to the audio and rage read the book just to find out what happened but the characters and the length of descriptions really pulled from the story.
There is a huge fight scene at the end where the author refers to the “bad guys” by their full name and then by their surnames eg Clayton Smith or Smith, like dude pick a name and just use that.
I could go on.
Sad to say I would not recommend this book because I did not enjoy it but I hoped it would get better and it just got worse.
I’m also going to add that, he talks about the heat, and how the houses are saunas basically, we have recently had sarking installed - obviously every home or business in this town has no insulation. This is a problem and I’m surprised.
I did like the story, the plot has so much potential. But, the way the Chinese invaded Australia - I know it’s a book but it wasn’t believable.
September 5, 2023
I like that this took place in Australia; makes it different. I did question Parker's good sense in going out into the wilderness without bothering to charge his phone. Clearly, the signal reached his location and what if he needed urgent medical or other help? I also questioned the good sense of Maisie and Mr Olsen; they worked a brutal shift trying to accommodate panicked customers who were trying to get supplies from the store, but at the end, left the store without getting their own supplies. ???? I did wonder if the author had a very hard time during COVID and the lockdown, since COVID is brought up many times over the course of the book (over 20 times). COVID and EMP/Invasion whilst both emergency situations, do not really resemble each other. I was disappointed that the book took the stance that COVID was an organized and deliberate attack. Nope. Some of the story became predictable by the vengeful guy who didn't get the girl, the unforgiving brother etc. I may continue on book 2 just to see what happens, though.
June 10, 2023
Another enticing series from Owen Baillie. Great to see another Australian author establishing themselves in the post Apoc genre.
Characters are relatable with usual flaws and refreshing to see they aren’t highly trained special forces types with a “prepper” hoard to ride out whatever threatens their lives. A real rollercoaster of ups and downs as the story progresses.
On top of that we have an Australian setting which hopefully will intrigue US and other countries readers about how SHTF looks elsewhere!
Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Characters are relatable with usual flaws and refreshing to see they aren’t highly trained special forces types with a “prepper” hoard to ride out whatever threatens their lives. A real rollercoaster of ups and downs as the story progresses.
On top of that we have an Australian setting which hopefully will intrigue US and other countries readers about how SHTF looks elsewhere!
Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
August 29, 2023
What Would You Do To Survive
This book really grabbed me by the throat..given the atmosphere in the real world, the threats and advantage that China has taken with the real world! Though this takes place in Australia, it could be anywhere. Read this at your own risk! It's very well written and you can almost see the characters as though watching a movie. This book deals with friendships, romantic relationships and friendships gone wrong, along with a fight for survival from the Chinese.
This book really grabbed me by the throat..given the atmosphere in the real world, the threats and advantage that China has taken with the real world! Though this takes place in Australia, it could be anywhere. Read this at your own risk! It's very well written and you can almost see the characters as though watching a movie. This book deals with friendships, romantic relationships and friendships gone wrong, along with a fight for survival from the Chinese.
June 11, 2023
Not bad but not the best.
There was no hook. It was the middle of the book before anything got interesting. The next book could be interesting since everyone grew up overnight instead of being spoiled adolescents.
There was no hook. It was the middle of the book before anything got interesting. The next book could be interesting since everyone grew up overnight instead of being spoiled adolescents.
June 20, 2023
Great change of place
It was a real pleasure to read about all the Aussie. The places, people, dialogue and weather were covered beautifully. The story is a strong one that builds to explosive moments close to the end. I didn't see that coming!
It was a real pleasure to read about all the Aussie. The places, people, dialogue and weather were covered beautifully. The story is a strong one that builds to explosive moments close to the end. I didn't see that coming!
June 24, 2023
Good first book of series
This was a good first book in the series. A lot of world building. And building up to the big part of the story. Real in that showing people will die in this scenario and that people are rotten.
This was a good first book in the series. A lot of world building. And building up to the big part of the story. Real in that showing people will die in this scenario and that people are rotten.
December 11, 2023
Great story. I highly recommend to fans of the genre.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews