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Surviving the attack proved to be more than they could have imagined…
 
Months after a super-EMP attack devastated the United States, the country is now unrecognizable. Major cities are run by gangs, survivors are dying of starvation and the government is falling victim to lawlessness. Those who were prepared for the end find that they weren’t really prepared at all.
 
While some seek vengeance for their losses, others are determined to restore the nation. Gordon, Samantha, Sebastian, Barone, Connor and Pablo are all on different paths, but they are all in search of a home away from chaos. They are all in search of a sanctuary. 

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2014

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626 people want to read

About the author

G. Michael Hopf

48 books254 followers
​G. Michael Hopf is a USA Today bestselling author of almost forty books including the international bestselling post-apocalyptic series, THE NEW WORLD. He has made a prominent name for himself in both the post-apocalyptic and western genres. To date he has sold over one million copies of his books worldwide and many of his works have been translated into German, French and Spanish. He is a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps and currently is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Beyond The Fray Publishing, where he oversees the daily operations of the company.

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5 stars
338 (37%)
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349 (39%)
3 stars
167 (18%)
2 stars
34 (3%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
114 reviews
February 14, 2025
Enjoyable read….worth reading…

Looking forward to additional reads by this author…
Profile Image for Stephanie.
70 reviews13 followers
July 8, 2015
G. Michael Hopf picks up right where he left off in the third book of The New World Series. Sanctuary is a fascinating story told from the perspective of the youngest survivor, now in adulthood. I love how Hopf took the youngest and most vulnerable character and allowed her to be the one to tell the entire story. He shows how she has grown and overcome the many hardships and the terrifying journey from innocent child to survivor of the apocalypse.
Sanctuary continues the story of each character and group we have met in The End and The Long Road. We are allowed to see how certain characters overcome some hardships that in many instances would tear down even the strongest human beings. You were left heartbroken at the end of The Long Road and upon starting Sanctuary you are hopeful that revenge and justice play a huge part in the plot of this next installment. Hopf does not disappoint and allows for some closure for certain characters.
The best part of this series is the importance Hopf puts on the family aspect of survival. For each and every character there is nothing more important than the survival and well-being of his or her family. The writing continues to impress and creates yet another page turning adventure. The next book in this series should be quite interesting and I truly look forward to seeing how the characters grow and progress and to see how some survive the situations they have created.

http://novelideareviews.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Cheryl.
6,599 reviews240 followers
July 21, 2014
I am quickly becoming a fan of postapocalyptic books. There is something about them that intrigues me. Maybe it is getting a new beginning, the characters, or the survival instincts. Whatever it is, I enjoy these books. Which with the author's background of being a combat veteran in the Marine Corps, it helps lend to this book and series. Speaking of this series. This is book three. So if you have not read the prior two books than you should start with The End. This book pretty much picks up from the prior one so if you do not know what happened than you will be confused. Also, this type of series is better read if you have started from the beginning to develop the character relationship. Although I liked this book and all the different places around the United States it took me. I did grow weary of all of the talking. Which seemed to me to be a lot of talking. A little more action would have been nice.
Profile Image for Gil.
213 reviews4 followers
April 22, 2020
Sanctuary
A Postapocalyptic Novel
By: G. Michael Hopf
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
Series: The New World Series (Hopf), Book 3
Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-27-14
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Audio

I started reading this book before the COVID-19 Pandemic was a thing, and I always figured that an EMP attack was the one that would knock out our country.  I am now thinking otherwise.   That being said, I still have most post-apocalyptic novels on my list.  

Months after the EMP pulse has crippled the nation, the United States are no long fully united and the factions are splitting the country up further.  This allows for a war-monger from South America to invade and take over the state of California with very little resistance.  The hero of these books, Gordon, just wants to get back to his family.

This book tells his story, and how in just wanting to get home, he is helping fight of rogue factions of gangs and very bad people while at the same time helping the President get the country back together.

The narrator, Keith Szarabajka, does a great performance and is able to deliver this story in a fashion which makes for an audio drama from a written book narration.  Never was I confused as to who was speaking, and as a plus, he was able create vocal characters from the characters in the book that are believable and endearing.  

By the way, I didn't read the first 2 books in the series, but I will be going back now to check them out.

Publisher's Summary
Surviving the attack proved to be more than they could have imagined….

Months after a super-EMP attack devastated the United States, the country is now unrecognizable. Major cities are run by gangs, survivors are dying of starvation and the government is falling victim to lawlessness. Those who were prepared for the end find that they weren't really prepared at all.

While some seek vengeance for their losses, others are determined to restore the nation. Gordon, Samantha, Sebastian, Barone, Connor and Pablo are all on different paths, but they are all in search of a home away from chaos. They are all in search of a sanctuary.

©2014 G. Michael Hopf (P)2014 Penguin Audio
Profile Image for John Darling.
Author 3 books1 follower
November 7, 2017
There have been very few book series that have captivated me the way The New World Series has. I already feel like I’ve been through a tremendous journey with all of the characters and am excited to keep reading. I still think the first book in the series was the best, however, this one is a close second. In “Sanctuary” there are more deaths and we see the rise of a truly vicious leader, Pablo, as well as the true nature of Colonel Barone. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book and had it not been for the future scenes at the beginning and end, I would have thought that Haley was going to die like her brother Hunter did. The book has a great ending and left me feeling good and eager to read the next book. Mr. Hopf has been eluding to a grand war, so I am very interested in seeing when that eventually plays itself out. Great series and I highly recommend. For this book, I give it 4.5 stars.

Also, on a quick side note. I’m a huge fan of the inspiring quotes that Mr. Hopf uses for the beginning for all of the major chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
21 reviews
September 17, 2017
I am glad the family has reunited and I appreciate the gritty brutal reality of some of these dark scenes of extreme violence groups of humans inflict on each other in the post collapse survival context. Hopf is definitely telling a good story structurally but is not a really good writer. He doesn't have the depth and mastery of language or the massively researched contextual detail of a Neal Stephenson, Dave Eggers, David Guterson...but I absolutely appreciate his effort to sketch out this particular scenario. Kunstler's World Made By Hand series is much better post-collapse writing although not as inherently violent as the Hopf vision which I think is more the likely actual outcome. Hopf is definitely on par with the A. American Going Home series which I only enjoyed more because I read that first. I will read them all as it feels like apocalypse lit is the only way to understand our world today as corporate media ignores reality of our crumbling American empire.
Profile Image for Michelle.
657 reviews3 followers
September 7, 2020
The 3rd of the series and I admit they are beginning to lose my interest. The story itself is good but this one started to feel slow and I found myself wanting it to be done. The writing is still amateurish and there were a few more editing mistakes in this one which I find irritating.

Haley is still telling the story of her family's past.

Gordon is still travelling in hopes of meeting up with his family. We still follow Sebastian, Samantha, Barone, Conner, and Pablo and see how they are all faring in the new world.
Profile Image for Brooke.
480 reviews19 followers
October 27, 2019
Well thought out and researched, just like the rest of the series I've read so far. These books really make a person think about what could happen if the grid ever goes down, which could very easily happen in the times we are living in.
Profile Image for Charlene.
680 reviews6 followers
April 7, 2020
Another great book by G. Michael Hopf. I love the characters in this series. I can’t wait for the next book. I would recommend this book and all of this authors books. I listened to this book on audiobook.
13 reviews
December 4, 2018
Roller coaster of a read!

Where do I start? Lots of twists and turns in the “lives” of these characters. Such an enjoyable read and so glad there is more to enjoy!
66 reviews
February 20, 2019
Kept me coming back

Hard to put this one down, the story keeps unfolding and although seems darker and more violent than the previous two books, it was a good read for me.
Profile Image for David A..
814 reviews
June 6, 2019
A very interesting book, the third of a good series, and probably the last, although it seems open to progress further.
Profile Image for Brooke.
480 reviews19 followers
October 26, 2019
Another good one in this series. The author just keeps the little twists and turns coming!
Profile Image for Sebastian O'Malley.
4 reviews
February 26, 2023
Book 3 of the New World Series is heartbreaking, exhilarating, thrilling, and truly captivating. An absolute page turner.
Profile Image for Books A-Brewin'.
427 reviews35 followers
January 10, 2015


I received a physical copy from the author in exchange for an honest review and participation in a blog tour.

I read and reviewed the first two books in this series a while ago. The books were amazingly detailed and sent shivers down my spine with the possible reality behind such a catastrophe. The last book, The Long Road, left on quite a cliffhanger. I was dying to see what happened with the families I had grown to love and root for during their times of trials and tribulations. I found myself biting my nails and waiting anxiously to see if there were to be another tour for the next book in the series. Low and behold, there was. So, I begged, pleaded, and groveled (not really) to read the next book for review. The girls at TLC Book Tours had mercy on my G. Michael Hopf addiction and allowed me to participate.

Sanctuary starts off relatively in the same place the second book left off. Haley is still telling her story to the newspaper reporter and trying to set the record straight as to how their new world came to be. For a girl who experienced all these horrific things at such an early age, it is astounding to watch how her family coped and changed with the times. Samantha, Haley's mother, and Haley are still on their way to Idaho with a small party to set up a homestead to live on until something changes for the better in their world, Gordon is still searching for the man who took something from him more precious than gold, Sebastian is trying to find his brother while also having to choose between his new family and his old, Barone still has ideas on taking over the United States, Connor just wants to find a way to run the country to the best of his abilities, and Pablo wants to watch the country burn around him.

The characters in these stories concocted by G. Michael Hopf are unlike any I have ever encountered. They are familiar and easy to see my own loved ones in their eyes. I can see Samantha as my mother, strong willed but without my father she would fall apart at the seams. I can see Gordon as my father as well. The strong, determined man who loves his children with all his heart and just wants to do right by everyone. It is why I found these books to be so heartwarming and realistic. I can place my family in these character's roles so when something tragic happens to them, I can't seem to stop my own heart from breaking.

Sanctuary can not be summarized because it must be read personally. To avoid spoilers I am keeping this review generalized. If you ever wanted to read a book that was about a post-apocalyptic world that has realism and tragedy coursing through it's pages, this is the series to read. This book rivaled the other two hands down and I hope against hope there will be a fourth installment so I can continue my journey with my beloved fictional family.

Review Posted on: http://www.ladybugliterature.blogspot...
Profile Image for Sara Strand.
1,181 reviews33 followers
June 28, 2014
I'm just going to keep saying it- the scenario these books propose is a totally real one, and it's also absolutely terrifying. I know I'd be one of the first dead because I don't do well with hunting food and I would be that person trying to help everyone else while someone is stealing my wagon of food. So just know that before you think we can be post apocalyptic buddies.

I've read the other two books in this series and so when I started this one, I didn't know what to expect. At the end of the second one, I found myself really not liking Gordon though I understood why he was the way he was. He has military training, he knows what to do to survive and he sees a larger picture where everyone else is focused on making it through the day alive. I struggled through this book because you can tell the author has military training and experience, which is a good thing, but he talked about things and I was lost. I felt that way in books one and two as well, but this one was maybe a little more confusing for me.

The entire book is just one game changing thing after another. After awhile it got a bit frustrating because you just want it to end. Just... someone decide who is going to be in charge and then here we go. But no. There's indecisiveness on that, whether the country remains as the United States or if it changes into something different altogether or just half and half. It's a lot of drama. I am not a huge fan of political thrillers but my dad is and I know he'd absolutely love this book. Also anyone who has served in the military would probably love this because they know that this is a potential reality and would better understand the implications of some of the things we read about.

Then, just when I feel like things are as settled as they can be, it ends with a cliff hanger. We find out about Sebastian (or do we? Do we really believe what Hunter says? Or is this just another plot dot on the story time line??), and it leaves us with Haley thinking about everything that had happened. And then.... when the hell is book four coming out? Because you can't leave us like this. Even though I struggle through these books and I can't get through them as quick as I usually can, I'm invested. I can't skip the next book, obviously. I'm in, dammit. I'm in.

(Also? The author should be proud to note that while I won't last long, I did purchase a non-electrical can opener. I can't bring myself to hoard cans of non perishable food, but I'll at least be able to open the the few cans that I have.)
Profile Image for Darlene.
719 reviews32 followers
October 22, 2014
Originally posted at: http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com...

Sanctuary: A Post-Apocalyptic Novel by G. Michael Hopf is the third book in The New World Series and in my opinion the best yet. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the first two books – The End and The Long Road, because I sure did but I just seemed to connect more with the people in this one making it so much better for me. Sanctuary is an intense and action packed read with wars being raged and people struggling to make it in this new world they’ve been thrown into after the world as they knew it suffered a super-EMP attack.

As this is the third book in the series I don’t want to give anything away so my thoughts may be a bit vague. Sanctuary finds Gordon on a mission of revenge for the loss he’s suffered but in doing so he’s had to leave his family behind. He’s the same Gordon who usually takes action before asking questions but he’s usually right in doing so. However in this novel we see a more personal side to him and I liked that. As for the rest of the crew – Sebastian, Samantha, Nelson, Connor, Pablo, Barone … all have taken different directions to do what they feel is right in order to survive in this new world.

This series isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a brutal story with a lot of violence and language but it fits. To me this is likely what would happen if one day we end up in a post-apocalyptic world. People have no choice but to fight just to survive and protect themselves and their families. There are shortages of food and all the necessary things we take for granted. People become very different in those circumstances.

I listened to the audiobook of Sanctuary which is narrated by Keith Szarabjka and I thought he did a great job. I didn’t enjoy the narrator much in the last two books so this move to a new narrator is a good one. Keith really brought this story alive – all of the anxiety fear, tension, and violence – he made it seem like a movie in my head.

For those who enjoy post-apocalyptic novels I recommend this whole series. While you could read Sanctuary on its own I think it’s a much better idea to start at the beginning and get the back story. This is definitely a series that is fast becoming addicting for me and once again it ended on a part that has me already anxiously awaiting the next one!
Profile Image for Lori L (She Treads Softly) .
2,967 reviews119 followers
June 23, 2014
Sanctuary by G. Michael Hopf is a recommended third book in the survivalist New World Series.

Continuing the story found in the previous two books in the series, The End and The Long Road, Sanctuary is actually a bit of a surprise. I still agree with my original assessment that it is sheer mindless escapism with a shoot-em-all-up plot but, overall, this third book was a little better than the first two for me. But, let's be honest, if you are reading this series you know you'll be moving on to the third book anyway. Oh, and this is definitely a third book in a series that is open-ended, so consider yourself forewarned: do not expect any plot resolution. It is still post-apocalypic fiction, sans zombies, with tough men and women, ongoing gun battles and lots of violence and action.

Recurring characters are back and stories are continued. I don't want to give away too much information since you will likely want to start with The End and The Long Road, before moving on to Sanctuary.
The writing was actually a smidgen better this time around, or perhaps I wasn't paying as much attention to those details because I was not expecting great literature. (I know I was trying hard to ignore the mention of any binos, so if they pulled them out, I'm in denial.) All of these books are an easy read. You'll be racing through the plot without a lot of circumspect thought or self-analysis, following the action.


Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher and TLC for review purposes.
http://tlcbooktours.com
Profile Image for Sabrina.
452 reviews10 followers
December 18, 2015
Mr. Hopf has not disappointed in this third installment of The New World series. In fact, he has outdone himself! Continuing from the end of the second book (The Long Road), this story follows the families, military, and government officials that have attempted to survive after a devastating EMP attack across the United States. I strongly recommend, no INSIST that you start the entire series with the first book (The End) and continue through to this third book. So well written and unbelievably fast paced with twists and turns throughout, this is a book that will keep the reader constantly surprised and undeniably stunned. A formidable post apocalyptic series that will leave you breathless in anticipation of what will happen next! Awesome book and an incredible series!
Profile Image for David Francesconi.
40 reviews
July 6, 2015
This is the Third book in a series. If you have not read The End (book 1) and The Long Road (book 2) You should not pick up this book first. This book picks up right were The Long road ends. These books are not about zombie Apocalypse or mutants. These books follow several characters after the USA is attacked by EMP weapons, followed be precision nuclear strikes. The USA power grids go down. These books are about how humans deal with the chaos that follows afterwards of the attack. I enjoyed this book and the two before it. easy. fast read. looking forward to the fourth book and seeing where the story and characters go.
Profile Image for Icy_Space_Cobwebs .
5,649 reviews329 followers
August 6, 2016
Review: SANCTUARY by G. Michael Hopf

Definitely NOT your "typical" post-apocalyptic thriller, instead more in the vein of those excellent examples of the genre from the 1950's, and from today's writers, of Steven Konkoly. Author G. Michael Hopf takes pains to demonstrate characters for whom family is still an essential principle, and honor and integrity are important, who will strive to help others even in the face of danger to self. He also intelligently interweaves the history of the Event and its aftermath, showing the individual human aspect.
Profile Image for Christina.
Author 2 books34 followers
February 28, 2015
I have received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

Sanctuary, the third book in the postapocalyptic series, is a well thought out take on how the United States could possibly be like after a devastating event. In this case, it’s a super-EMP attack that takes the population away from the safety and comforts of what used to be. I really liked the writing style the author uses. It’s quick and easy to read. And I liked the characters. I thought they were each imperfectly perfect. This is the most realistic book when it comes to the whole end of the world thing.
Profile Image for Brad Jost.
7 reviews7 followers
September 4, 2014
Enjoyed this along with the previous two. It's been a while since I read the last ones so it took me a few to settle into book 3. Once I wrapped my head around everything I flew through this book. I unfortunately enjoy reading books with these scenarios laid out before me, and this book was no exception. It is bleak, dire, and scary. I hope to learn a bit from this series... just in case.
Profile Image for Brandon.
556 reviews37 followers
December 10, 2015
My favorite part of the series so far. Good mixture of unexpected events and ones you were hoping would happen. The drama plays out extremely well. Shakespeare himself would be proud. Definately going to read the next part in the series now.
Profile Image for Joanne Soveroski.
1 review
January 9, 2015
This was an OK read. There's a lot of typos and it gets kind of mundane. I feel that I've already invested in over half of the book and, by God, I'm going to finish it. At this point I just want it to be over.
Profile Image for Daniel A. Daniel.
54 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2015
The plot thickens, the tale continues

So much drama, so many deaths,so much pain yet our heroes endure and there is a little happiness and much hope by the end of this installment. A real entertaining series yet a bit scary!
7 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2015
Too many threads to follow that were not developed enough. the characters lacked depth and so there is no 'connection' to them. The plot was good, but too many instances of 'just in the nick of time' so and so showed up to save the day... unimaginative.
124 reviews
September 2, 2016
I won a free copy from the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program and think that it interesting. I would recommend it to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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