What do you think?
Rate this book
Seven Days
After being launched from their container ships in the Gulf of Mexico, the three specially calibrated nuclear warheads carried by Shahab-3 ICBM’s detonated in space at 10:58 AM, directly over Utah, Kansas and West Virginia.
For a fraction of a millisecond, the late morning October sky brightened, the event over with so quickly it was basically imperceptible from the ground.
With a loud “snap”, the century old chunk of oak Jethro “JT” Clarke was working on exploded as the hydraulic pressure of the wood splitter finally overcame the incredible tensile strength of the ancient log, sending a cloud of superfine dust from a termite nest into his face.
Walking away from the splitter, JT looked to the southern sky, wiping the fine dust from his nose and eyes with his ever present blue shop rag, when for just an instant, the sky appeared to brighten. “What-da-hell-was-that” he said to himself.
His vision blurry from the dust, JT looked at the rag in his hand. Then, smelling it, he immediately picked up the putrid scent of carburetor cleaner, quickly dismissing the event as being nothing more than him inadvertently getting a nose full of the harsh chemical cleaner.
Little did JT know, what he had witnessed would ultimately end up being anything but “nothing”.
For a fraction of a millisecond, the late morning October sky brightened, the event over with so quickly it was basically imperceptible from the ground.
With a loud “snap”, the century old chunk of oak Jethro “JT” Clarke was working on exploded as the hydraulic pressure of the wood splitter finally overcame the incredible tensile strength of the ancient log, sending a cloud of superfine dust from a termite nest into his face.
Walking away from the splitter, JT looked to the southern sky, wiping the fine dust from his nose and eyes with his ever present blue shop rag, when for just an instant, the sky appeared to brighten. “What-da-hell-was-that” he said to himself.
His vision blurry from the dust, JT looked at the rag in his hand. Then, smelling it, he immediately picked up the putrid scent of carburetor cleaner, quickly dismissing the event as being nothing more than him inadvertently getting a nose full of the harsh chemical cleaner.
Little did JT know, what he had witnessed would ultimately end up being anything but “nothing”.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2023
579 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 14, 2023
Conflicted
Giving this book 2 stars leaves me a bit conflicted. On one hand, the storyline was decent and the characters personalities were nicely brought out. On the other hand, I was absolutely appalled by the horrendous grammer and spelling! Obviously, this author never attended an elementary or high school English class. Also obvious is that the author has never heard of a proof writer.
My other negatives are the several attempts to make sure readers understand that "woke" is a "bigly" bad thing. The men's backwoods barbarian language ... "piss, shitter, fu#ck, chick" ... and on and on, was extremely distracting. I'm not sure but this book may have turned me into a lesbian with extreme liberal views.
Giving this book 2 stars leaves me a bit conflicted. On one hand, the storyline was decent and the characters personalities were nicely brought out. On the other hand, I was absolutely appalled by the horrendous grammer and spelling! Obviously, this author never attended an elementary or high school English class. Also obvious is that the author has never heard of a proof writer.
My other negatives are the several attempts to make sure readers understand that "woke" is a "bigly" bad thing. The men's backwoods barbarian language ... "piss, shitter, fu#ck, chick" ... and on and on, was extremely distracting. I'm not sure but this book may have turned me into a lesbian with extreme liberal views.
January 3, 2024
I had some hope for this first book read in 2024 and really believe that authors are brave people to publish their work. The plot was fine, if not fairly standard; unexpected attack with an EMP, people trying to get home past bad people and people trying to protect their resources. There was a huge problem with the execution, though in the writing and editing. I do believe authors undertake the responsibility of following rules of grammar, spelling and sentence structure. That is part of the craft of writing a book. There were so many grammar issues here. There was a persistent failure to differentiate between a noun in plural form vs possessive (ex moms should be mom's, leaders should be leader's); these was throughout the book. The tense of the book would inexplicably switch to present tense and then back again. There were no chapters, but the switch to different characters and locations was just the next paragraph with no other separator. I found this very jarring. The story also became very disjointed with overly done descriptions of mayhem and gore and for some reason, Luke and Pete decided to tell what happened to them on the way to the ranch in excruciating detail even though that was just a few pages before. Way, way too much time was spent on the odor of Pete's bowel movement. I usually am easier on grammar in the dialogue since people often speak in a lazy manner, but these people were over the top ("I'm went to", "may have went"). Quotation marks were haphazard with some not there that should have been and others present when they should not have been. There were run-on sentences and some that should have had a semi-colon or a period and start of a new sentence. I gave up worrying about dangling participles and sentences ending in prepositions.
Then there were the characters. I wanted to like JT since he had some understanding of what was happening. Far too often when he was out walking or on an ATV he was distracted daydreaming. In the apocalypse that is a bad thing. He drives by a neighbor, Fred, "a solid guy", waves at him and keeps going. Why not stop and talk with him about what you think is happening. An aware neighbor is valuable. He and his son later encounter a friend Roger and his girl friend heading into town to get some food etc, but they don't bother to let them know about the EMP or that people are going crazy. This is after JT had two sons shot, but decided not to tell them since they looked like they were having a good time and he didn't want to spoil it. Dude!!! He believes Sarah's husband, Tyler, is dead, but doesn't tell her what he knows so he doesn't upset her. The women in general are either weak or conniving, Joni being the most able exception. Kate is more useless than JT's dementia-prone mother. The most appealing characters were Devante and Jarod.
I managed to finish this somehow. It rather deserved 1.5 stars at best but because I did finish it and the plot itself had potential, I bumped it.
Then there were the characters. I wanted to like JT since he had some understanding of what was happening. Far too often when he was out walking or on an ATV he was distracted daydreaming. In the apocalypse that is a bad thing. He drives by a neighbor, Fred, "a solid guy", waves at him and keeps going. Why not stop and talk with him about what you think is happening. An aware neighbor is valuable. He and his son later encounter a friend Roger and his girl friend heading into town to get some food etc, but they don't bother to let them know about the EMP or that people are going crazy. This is after JT had two sons shot, but decided not to tell them since they looked like they were having a good time and he didn't want to spoil it. Dude!!! He believes Sarah's husband, Tyler, is dead, but doesn't tell her what he knows so he doesn't upset her. The women in general are either weak or conniving, Joni being the most able exception. Kate is more useless than JT's dementia-prone mother. The most appealing characters were Devante and Jarod.
I managed to finish this somehow. It rather deserved 1.5 stars at best but because I did finish it and the plot itself had potential, I bumped it.
December 29, 2023
it started out great….
…the writing was tight and descriptive. But somewhere in the middle of chapter 3, something went wrong. The language got sloppy. Sentence tense rambled back and forth between past and present, often in the same sentence. It was dizzying. By chapter 4, it was as if each paragraph was an “idea dump” of a scene — a rough outline, if you will — written quickly to get an idea down and then, sadly, never looked at again.
I made it to about 14% of the book before the horrible grammar forced me to stop. Seriously, Mr. Nirmaier, find yourself an actual editor.
Respectfully,
…the writing was tight and descriptive. But somewhere in the middle of chapter 3, something went wrong. The language got sloppy. Sentence tense rambled back and forth between past and present, often in the same sentence. It was dizzying. By chapter 4, it was as if each paragraph was an “idea dump” of a scene — a rough outline, if you will — written quickly to get an idea down and then, sadly, never looked at again.
I made it to about 14% of the book before the horrible grammar forced me to stop. Seriously, Mr. Nirmaier, find yourself an actual editor.
Respectfully,
November 15, 2023
Decent story- HORRIBLE editing
While the storyline was good, I have never read a published book with so many editing errors. It’s as if a rough draft was accidentally sent to the publisher rather than the edited version.
Poor grammar, bad punctuation, entire words left out of sentences, mixing present and past tense in the same sentence…
Reading this book was like eating a burger that had a handful of gravel mixed in, constantly jarring your teeth as you ate.
I don’t think I’ll read any other books by this author.
While the storyline was good, I have never read a published book with so many editing errors. It’s as if a rough draft was accidentally sent to the publisher rather than the edited version.
Poor grammar, bad punctuation, entire words left out of sentences, mixing present and past tense in the same sentence…
Reading this book was like eating a burger that had a handful of gravel mixed in, constantly jarring your teeth as you ate.
I don’t think I’ll read any other books by this author.
December 6, 2023
Wow! Awful. I got about a quarter of the way through and gave up. The writer’s use of different tenses of writing drove me nuts! From future perfect to past to present ruined what was already a disjointed, chopped up story. What Misty said.
October 3, 2023
Good book!
I liked the way this author built up the story quickly. The action started almost right from the get go.
I really enjoyed getting to know the main cast of the story. JT and his sons, their friends. Joni who was rescued from a group that had slaughtered her boyfriend and taken her “for sport”. JT’s daughter Sarah and her husband.
This is a tale that makes you think, think about what could happen quickly if this scenario ever came to be.
I would really like to read more about this family and the group with them. Hopefully we will see more from this author!
I liked the way this author built up the story quickly. The action started almost right from the get go.
I really enjoyed getting to know the main cast of the story. JT and his sons, their friends. Joni who was rescued from a group that had slaughtered her boyfriend and taken her “for sport”. JT’s daughter Sarah and her husband.
This is a tale that makes you think, think about what could happen quickly if this scenario ever came to be.
I would really like to read more about this family and the group with them. Hopefully we will see more from this author!
January 15, 2024
This was a story that had some great ideas and some excellent potential. Unfortunately, it suffered from a lack of editing and an author that injected his political biases into the story without any subtlety or allegory. The in-your-face talking points from right-wing media distracted from an otherwise well thought out story. An editor could've smoothed that and the use of words that don't exist or sudden changes of tense and character names mid-sentence.
October 12, 2023
Editing needed!
Really enjoyed the story, but the continual errors were distracting.
It would be worth your while, Mr. Nirmaier, to hire an editor, even a reader.
You worked hard on a good story - make it great by doing ALL the work to publish.
Really enjoyed the story, but the continual errors were distracting.
It would be worth your while, Mr. Nirmaier, to hire an editor, even a reader.
You worked hard on a good story - make it great by doing ALL the work to publish.
November 23, 2023
Good story
Good story. I would’ve given it five stars except it has so many typos and misspellings. It just needs a really good editor. If there is another book, I will definitely read it.
Good story. I would’ve given it five stars except it has so many typos and misspellings. It just needs a really good editor. If there is another book, I will definitely read it.
November 25, 2023
The story was good, but Mr. Nirmaier needs to find an editor or fire the one he has.
Commas and apostrophes were thrown around like a farmer in the barnyard feeding chickens.
Good plot and character development, but the punctuation drove me batty. Better luck next time.
Commas and apostrophes were thrown around like a farmer in the barnyard feeding chickens.
Good plot and character development, but the punctuation drove me batty. Better luck next time.
February 3, 2024
Fun Read
needs work on grammar and sentence construction, and while you might think that is petty, It makes an otherwise good story a little bit difficult to follow and understand. Some good editing would help
needs work on grammar and sentence construction, and while you might think that is petty, It makes an otherwise good story a little bit difficult to follow and understand. Some good editing would help
February 28, 2025
This book felt like the perfect apocalyptic novel for a bunch of dude bros who want to talk about guns and have a reason to shoot people.
The author obviously did a lot of research for the novel, including so so many different types of guns, what an actually EMP detonation would look like, and doomsday survival techniques, which I recognize and give credit for. However, it felt like the author was too eager to start the violence and gun slinging and it felt so unrealistic. People were already shooting and looting on day one, without even knowing what actually happened, just that the power wasn’t working. Not to mention most of the main characters in this book were either military, pros at hand to hand combat, and the luckiest people alive to survive all their near death experiences.
The book could have also done with a few more rounds of editing. Poor punctuation and general repetitiveness made this book clunky at times. For example, we read about a character getting into a shootout at a gas station (again, day one, maybe a few hours into the apocalypse) and when he meets up with another character, he describes in detail everything we just read so you read the exact same scene twice. There was also times where the characters seem to contradict themselves. Joni, a characters that’s rescued after being kidnapped (on day one 😒) following the death of her boyfriend reveals that she’s a PA and she doesn’t get bothered by gruesome events, only to ‘turn green’ later in the book when she sees a dead body. Multiple times during the book, the author would switch between different groups of people and scenes with no indication except a new paragraph, so it was very easy to get confused and lost trying to keep up with what group we were following now.
I had high hopes for this book as post apocalyptic is usually always enjoyable because there’s an endless amount of scenarios to be created, but it didn’t live up to the hype.
The author obviously did a lot of research for the novel, including so so many different types of guns, what an actually EMP detonation would look like, and doomsday survival techniques, which I recognize and give credit for. However, it felt like the author was too eager to start the violence and gun slinging and it felt so unrealistic. People were already shooting and looting on day one, without even knowing what actually happened, just that the power wasn’t working. Not to mention most of the main characters in this book were either military, pros at hand to hand combat, and the luckiest people alive to survive all their near death experiences.
The book could have also done with a few more rounds of editing. Poor punctuation and general repetitiveness made this book clunky at times. For example, we read about a character getting into a shootout at a gas station (again, day one, maybe a few hours into the apocalypse) and when he meets up with another character, he describes in detail everything we just read so you read the exact same scene twice. There was also times where the characters seem to contradict themselves. Joni, a characters that’s rescued after being kidnapped (on day one 😒) following the death of her boyfriend reveals that she’s a PA and she doesn’t get bothered by gruesome events, only to ‘turn green’ later in the book when she sees a dead body. Multiple times during the book, the author would switch between different groups of people and scenes with no indication except a new paragraph, so it was very easy to get confused and lost trying to keep up with what group we were following now.
I had high hopes for this book as post apocalyptic is usually always enjoyable because there’s an endless amount of scenarios to be created, but it didn’t live up to the hype.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2024
Not bad, I learnt some stuff too
I love a good post-apocalyptic novel. This one was an easy read, ni boring bits, and had some great ideas. I need an old microwave for all of our old electronic, for instance.
The idea that the world goes to hell so quickly is scary. Thankfully, guns aren't a dime a dozen in Australia, so every person (sane or not) and his dog don't each have 15 of them. Also, Australia is a big empty land, we have 3 people KM2, and the United States has 37 per Km2. I know where I'd want to experience the apocalypse 😆
I love a good post-apocalyptic novel. This one was an easy read, ni boring bits, and had some great ideas. I need an old microwave for all of our old electronic, for instance.
The idea that the world goes to hell so quickly is scary. Thankfully, guns aren't a dime a dozen in Australia, so every person (sane or not) and his dog don't each have 15 of them. Also, Australia is a big empty land, we have 3 people KM2, and the United States has 37 per Km2. I know where I'd want to experience the apocalypse 😆
March 6, 2024
A Realistic Post SHTF Book
Good read. Enjoyable characters (though the main character's wife is pretty much doing who knows what the entire time in the house lol) Seriously though probably best, as she would just be an annoying character. Maybe she has an epitome in the next book. Best part so far is that it's a more realistic story than most of this genre. As fun as it is to imagine having a US Armory at your disposal, most all of us don't. Love the limited resources approach (of a prepper with realistic budget). Looking forward to reading the next one.
Good read. Enjoyable characters (though the main character's wife is pretty much doing who knows what the entire time in the house lol) Seriously though probably best, as she would just be an annoying character. Maybe she has an epitome in the next book. Best part so far is that it's a more realistic story than most of this genre. As fun as it is to imagine having a US Armory at your disposal, most all of us don't. Love the limited resources approach (of a prepper with realistic budget). Looking forward to reading the next one.
October 30, 2023
A Great Read IMO..
As some said, not a new storyline, but I liked the storyline, their backgrounds and the characters. This author will only get better. I really enjoyed this book. I may be a tish biased as I live in the same general area/smaller rural community just outside the MSP/STP Metro area and could really identify with the characters based on the setting and lifestyle as portrayed.
Really hope to see more soon from Mr. Nirmaier
As some said, not a new storyline, but I liked the storyline, their backgrounds and the characters. This author will only get better. I really enjoyed this book. I may be a tish biased as I live in the same general area/smaller rural community just outside the MSP/STP Metro area and could really identify with the characters based on the setting and lifestyle as portrayed.
Really hope to see more soon from Mr. Nirmaier
November 14, 2023
A great story!
This is one of the few good post apocalyptic stories written. Great characters and loaded with action. The only "negative" I have to say, and I think it is the author's location as I've run into it before is that the author reference someone to "go with" but never adding "go with him/her." I think it is colloquial for the author's location. Doesn't take anything from fine writing!
This is one of the few good post apocalyptic stories written. Great characters and loaded with action. The only "negative" I have to say, and I think it is the author's location as I've run into it before is that the author reference someone to "go with" but never adding "go with him/her." I think it is colloquial for the author's location. Doesn't take anything from fine writing!
September 10, 2023
An A+ effort
Exciting and action-packed, this one was consumed in a single day. Lots of real life info about preparedness that everyone should take seriously. I appreciated the raw and awful realistic storyline. Unfortunately this could happen and when it does the thin veil of polite society will fracture quickly. Well done Sir.
Exciting and action-packed, this one was consumed in a single day. Lots of real life info about preparedness that everyone should take seriously. I appreciated the raw and awful realistic storyline. Unfortunately this could happen and when it does the thin veil of polite society will fracture quickly. Well done Sir.
September 14, 2023
An excellent beginning my friend!
Reading this book has given me more insight to Joe, Kate and their family. It's nice to read about the people that I have come to know through Joe's post. This story is a great lead in to a series that I'm sure hoping continues. Thanks for an excellent read.
Reading this book has given me more insight to Joe, Kate and their family. It's nice to read about the people that I have come to know through Joe's post. This story is a great lead in to a series that I'm sure hoping continues. Thanks for an excellent read.
December 3, 2023
Sort of good
This needed somebody to separate the sentences into paragraphs so you could tell when one character changed to another.
Overall I liked it, but the killing started within hours of the power going out, and none of our heroes have it a second thought. That just wasn't realistic to me.
This needed somebody to separate the sentences into paragraphs so you could tell when one character changed to another.
Overall I liked it, but the killing started within hours of the power going out, and none of our heroes have it a second thought. That just wasn't realistic to me.
May 15, 2024
Excellent
I could see this story unfold and play out, just like it was for real. I sincerely hope it never comes about. But it gives me the reader a chance. With ideas to survive, stocking up on food and a way to obtain and clean water. The solar black hose shower was a good one. Can't wait for the next book.
I could see this story unfold and play out, just like it was for real. I sincerely hope it never comes about. But it gives me the reader a chance. With ideas to survive, stocking up on food and a way to obtain and clean water. The solar black hose shower was a good one. Can't wait for the next book.
August 20, 2024
it’s a good read
Not bad. This book kept me entertained and focused on reading the next chapter. I never once felt like there was any slow parts. The writer uses common sense knowledge, and words. No fancy equipment no fancy gear no crazy navy seal doing something that you would think would happen in the movie . No just a regular family surviving a grid down scenario.
Not bad. This book kept me entertained and focused on reading the next chapter. I never once felt like there was any slow parts. The writer uses common sense knowledge, and words. No fancy equipment no fancy gear no crazy navy seal doing something that you would think would happen in the movie . No just a regular family surviving a grid down scenario.
January 8, 2025
Great story!
Real good book. The only thing is, everything for the good guys work out great and everyone has everything they need. That's not going to happen in a collapse.. BUT it sure is a good hopeful story that I like reading. You can prepare, but you can't plan for everything.
Real good book. The only thing is, everything for the good guys work out great and everyone has everything they need. That's not going to happen in a collapse.. BUT it sure is a good hopeful story that I like reading. You can prepare, but you can't plan for everything.
September 19, 2023
Very Enjoyable Read
I really liked the main character in this book. Not just some ex special forces guy killing people that cross his group. I hope the author will continue the series. Just a family unit trying to survive.
I really liked the main character in this book. Not just some ex special forces guy killing people that cross his group. I hope the author will continue the series. Just a family unit trying to survive.
September 24, 2023
Seven Days Amazing
Wow! This is an excellent read. It will draw you in from the beginning and keep you hooked until the end. It is up on current events and will leave you wanting more. This book will have you thinking about your own what if situation. Well done.
Wow! This is an excellent read. It will draw you in from the beginning and keep you hooked until the end. It is up on current events and will leave you wanting more. This book will have you thinking about your own what if situation. Well done.
November 30, 2023
Decent read
Good read. A little too heavy on the
military experience for the characters. I liked the references to Dr. Pry. Also, No one of the core group died, not very realistic in that regard. Overall a good read.
Good read. A little too heavy on the
military experience for the characters. I liked the references to Dr. Pry. Also, No one of the core group died, not very realistic in that regard. Overall a good read.
November 30, 2023
Good tale of folks dealing with an EMP.
Burnside had strong characters facing challenging situations ranging from getting home to dealing with more life threatening situations. Look forward to others by him.
Burnside had strong characters facing challenging situations ranging from getting home to dealing with more life threatening situations. Look forward to others by him.
December 31, 2023
Great story
It feels like this story could be very close to real in the very near future. I felt that as I was reading that I was a part of their story. Their family.... Awesome read. Highly recommend.
It feels like this story could be very close to real in the very near future. I felt that as I was reading that I was a part of their story. Their family.... Awesome read. Highly recommend.
January 11, 2024
Another EMP scenario
This was much like shtf books going with the EMP premise, much like "2 Seconds After". This was an easy and enjoyable read that i finished in a few days reading during breaks at work.
This was much like shtf books going with the EMP premise, much like "2 Seconds After". This was an easy and enjoyable read that i finished in a few days reading during breaks at work.
January 16, 2024
poorly edited
This must have been a first or early try. The characters were interesting. I’d like to see more development of personalities and less strategy which was difficult to follow.
This must have been a first or early try. The characters were interesting. I’d like to see more development of personalities and less strategy which was difficult to follow.
January 24, 2024
Storyline good
Very poorly written with many grammar flaws. Enjoyed the story, but writing was juvenile. Character development was good, but when adding new characters it was abrupt in the continued story.
Very poorly written with many grammar flaws. Enjoyed the story, but writing was juvenile. Character development was good, but when adding new characters it was abrupt in the continued story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews