Charly didn’t expect her first day out of the Pasco County Jail to turn out quite like this…
Charly Wilder just served ninety days for a crime that wasn’t her fault. Even better, on the first leg of her journey home, the SHTF quite literally. Everything just stops and now she has to hoof it the rest of the way. And the real cherry on top? The sheriff knows she made bail and wants revenge for what she did to his son. He isn’t going to let a little thing like an EMP get in his way of exacting it…
Along the way, Charly is joined by several unlikely people who may prove to be just what she needs to survive both the coming hard times and the sheriff and his twisted band of thugs.
C.K. Walker has been published by Jitter Press, The Altar Collective, and Thought Catalog. Her stories have been adapted for audio by Chilling Tales for Dark Nights and the NoSleep Podcast.
I have tried EMP style post apocalyptic books numerous times and it was always a miss. This one kept me guessing though close to 60% through the book I knew who the problematic one was. I comforted myself with threatening bodily harm against said character, which usually means I like a book. Especially when reading a post apocalyptic dystopian. I kind of wish CK walker would do a novella at the very least for these characters.
This is part of the October Fall books, but weaker than some of the other volumes. There are a lot of characters whose chapters are told in first person. Even though the chapter heading noted the name of the "speaker", it was often easy to forget who it was with one after the other. There were so many characters that some, like Ajay, started out as a prominent character and then faded into the background. The book actually has two parallel plots; the first is that an EMP occurs and puts a wrinkle in everyone's day. The main plot is the vendetta of the crooked sheriff and his group against Charly. I was on the fence about Charly, a young woman just out of jail for a crime she didn't commit. There is no way that I will believe this person would be able to successfully turn a breech baby and then deliver it with the mom and baby both healthy and happy. She was scheduled for a C-section so it would not be that easy to turn. On another medical note, Narcan will do nothing for a meth overdose. Charly and her growing cadre make a lot of mistakes, the most glaring is spouting off the exact location of the uncle's bunker to persons whose intentions were not certain. This happened several times, twice by the ex-Special Forces friend (Rip) of Charly's brother who was sent to keep her safe. Shortly after meeting Charly and her initial group, he mentions the bunker and when asked where it is located, he gives the very detailed directions. He really doesn't know these people, so if you want to give them something, make it a lot more vague. When others join the group, including one shady person, Michael (who apparently has a good memory), invites the newcomers to Rip's uncle and recites the directions. Rip does it again later. Guys, not a good idea. On the subject of Mr Special Forces, when the group is attacked at Charly's house, he literally freezes and only the unexpected intervention of a stranger saves him, Charly and the others. There were so many other stupid actions that I just couldn't with these people. On the plus side, I was excited that they went to a library. Most PA books never have the good guys go to a library where there is a wealth of information that could enhance survival, not to mention life in a non-electronic world.
Most EMP / CME stories start with some super-prepared prepped with $$$$$ invested in TEOTWAWKI stuff, usually with a group of SF / SEAL buddies ready to join in. Sounds good, right?? But how about the folks who realize what has happened and make their way through the hardship? That’s this book… it’s written for the ‘rest of us’. Good character build-ups, just enough teasers to keep you reading. I often find myself skipping over LOTS of just BS filler; not here, though. For instance, Cincinnati Fall —- probably skimmed through 1/3 of that book in this series. This one… this one is a keeper!!!
I am an avid reader of apocalyptic genre. I find it Fascinating that a good writer can create a realistic story and capture the imagination. The Florida Falls book in the October Fall world is well written and easy to follow. No convoluted or cluttered disruptions. The focus is on the characters and building the foundation for a survival family. The focus is on overcoming obstacles and becoming stronger.
The story of the EMP is really the story of Charly, and how she manages to survive (with the help of a few people) the attack of people who view the EMP acting any way they an excuse for acting any way they want. The people she meets, and Charly's actions, are the story.
Can hardly wait to read the next novel. I want the a wolf Pack villains gone! I hope Sunny will find a soul mate. The fireman needs a partner too! Good luck surviving!
At 1st I was a bit leary, but having read every other book in this Falls series, I kept reading. I'm glad that I did. Plenty of action and great characters! Looking forward to the next book.
Excellent character development, characters I care what happens to. Just enough conflict and action to keep the reader on the edge of their seat Good story line
I enjoyed this story of survival after EMP heI'd my interest hope to read more by this author .I live in Florida near this area so could really put myself in the story.like no foul language and not too much violence .
Not too bad. It was a nice quick read. My only complaint...Why in the WORLD would you tell new people where your secret lair was...TWICE!!! That part was lame, but character development was good and the situations believable. I would read more by this author.
Book Review: FLORIDA FALL (In The October Fall World) Kindle Edition by CK Walker (Author), LA Bayles (Author), Boyd Craven Jr. (Author) Format: Kindle Edition In a post-collapse world there is strength in numbers. I enjoyed this novel.
Florida Fall is one of my favorite books in this series.
Easy reading with reality possible. Life after an EMP takes a quick turn just to survive I would recommend this series of you enjoy a science fiction book. I would rate this book PG