Aftershock

by Roberta Trahan

Stranded in an isolated mountain pass with a random band of travelers, climatologist Daria Black is a reluctant refugee in a harsh environment she no longer recognizes. The cataclysmic earthquake that shattered her family is also turning the lush Pacific Northwest into a desert. With their surroundings growing more hostile by the minute and no way to call for help, the frantic survivors begin to clash over how to save themselves. Then Daria discovers the seismic event was not what it seems. Something else is reshaping their world. Forced to confront her grief and guilt, Daria must find the will to fight. But first, she must decide who to follow, when to lead, and how to stay alive.

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 8, 2014

About the author

Best-selling author of "The Dream Stewards" quasi-historical epic fantasy series and other speculative fiction - including the post-apocalyptic sci-fi novella "Aftershock". Myth maker, dragon seeker, coffeechocoholic and antique jewelry hoarder.

Reviews

[Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling story! The author delivers a tense and chilling tale of cataclysmic earthquakes that turn out to be only the tip of the iceberg. The story begins with a group of survivors who are holed up at a rest stop with dwindling supplies, but little motivation to leave for greener pastures. The author does a great job of introducing us to a variety of different characters who stick with the reader even though they do not have a detailed back story, though they probably could have used some additional page time for us to become truly attached to them. That being said, I could not put the book down and am now hoping that the author will consider expanding the story into a full length novel! The premise was incredibly intriguing and we are left wondering what happened to our heroes at the end of the story. My only hangup with the book was the science. Although well researched and believable, I kept wondering why tsunamis didn't come into play. With the impressive amounts of land masses shifting and/or sinking, I cannot imagine that there would not be catastrophic flooding inland, especially as close as the survivors were to the main earthquake.

[Anne (w/ an E) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty good story. I really like post apocalyptic-survival stories but I don't care for alien invader stories. Luckily it was a short story without ALOT of talk about aliens!

[Doghouse Gav · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short story

Enjoyed the hour spent reading this. Good characters and story line. Didn't drag on to long and had a decent ending.