What do you think?
Rate this book
Ripley executes a dangerous gambit to root out the new head of the false government, and her success or failure could be the deciding factor in the country's continued existence. With an unexpected companion in tow, Logan finds his trip home accelerated thanks to meeting a new friend, leaving him just a short distance away from reuniting with his family, assuming they can survive the brutal attacks being executed against their home.
A series of global earthquakes cascade across the world, their ferocity unmatched by any other natural disaster in human history. Cities are turned to rubble in moments, deep bunkers are sealed shut in an instant, tens of millions are dead in the first hours, and as aftershocks threaten to further destabilize what remains, those few who survived are forced to navigate a broken country.
On her Virginia homestead, Mara Padgett faces an impossible task: keeping her three children safe as food runs low and desperation runs high. Separated by hundreds of miles from his wife at their homestead, Logan barely survives a plane crash and takes a young orphan under his wing, but must soon choose between the child's welfare and quickly returning to his own family.
Meanwhile, Mara's sister Deb is one of the few to have survived the cataclysmic tremors triggered by the New Madrid fault line that left much of the East Coast in ruins. With nothing left for her in Memphis, she embarks on a perilous trek across the ruined landscape to join her sister in Virginia, though what she finds along the way will test her in ways she can never imagine.
In Washington, D.C., geologist Ripley Baxter is buried alive in the remains of the White House bunker, with the President presumed dead and no hope for rescue. She must summon the strength to free herself from the rubble or face a slow, agonizing death, but nothing has prepared her for the journey - and obstacles - she will face along the way.
A series of global earthquakes cascade across the world, their ferocity unmatched by any other natural disaster in human history. Cities are turned to rubble in moments, deep bunkers are sealed shut in an instant, tens of millions are dead in the first hours, and as aftershocks threaten to further destabilize what remains, those few who survived are forced to navigate a broken country.
On her Virginia homestead, Mara Padgett faces an impossible task: keeping her three children safe as food runs low and desperation runs high. Separated by hundreds of miles from his wife at their homestead, Logan barely survives a plane crash and takes a young orphan under his wing, but must soon choose between the child's welfare and quickly returning to his own family.
Meanwhile, Mara's sister Deb is one of the few to have survived the cataclysmic tremors triggered by the New Madrid fault line that left much of the East Coast in ruins. With nothing left for her in Memphis, she embarks on a perilous trek across the ruined landscape to join her sister in Virginia, though what she finds along the way will test her in ways she can never imagine.
In Washington, D.C., geologist Ripley Baxter is buried alive in the remains of the White House bunker, with the President presumed dead and no hope for rescue. She must summon the strength to free herself from the rubble or face a slow, agonizing death, but nothing has prepared her for the journey - and obstacles - she will face along the way.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2024
149 people are currently reading
20 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 53 reviews
August 1, 2025
A great suspense filled ending to this series. I'm so glad all the story lines were tied up with nothing dangling. So annoying when that happens. I am also amazed that every book in this series is clean. No foul language or sex. Just good stories, proving you can write a good story and not include unnecessary things. There is violence however, but that is the nature of the story and is appropriate when it happens.
May 18, 2025
grit nowhere to turn
A really good read! I enjoyed reading it very much! I am not really any good at reviewing things but I must say I would read it again in a heartbeat!
A really good read! I enjoyed reading it very much! I am not really any good at reviewing things but I must say I would read it again in a heartbeat!
June 16, 2024
This ends what has generally been a good series, though I honestly would rate this final book as a 3. The 4 is for the series as a whole because I did enjoy it. The basic premise of the geological disaster has lacked solid science from the start, but to continue the series, I just had to go with it. Whilst I did come to like Ripley as a character, quite a lot actually, I found it odd that this scientist was put in positions of needing to act like special forces. I had some issue with Braden, sweet boy though he was. He is described as a toddler, which is a child 1-3 years of age. Yet in this book, he is able to count item and correctly do subtraction. A year later he is able to manage milking the goats alone? This does not add up. We have had 6 books of building action and confrontation. We did get some very good reunions, but the final battle seemed very rushed and was ultimately unsatisfying as a result. On the positive, I came to like most of the protagonists and love that I learned a Hopi word, "Nahongvita."
May 19, 2024
Exciting and well written Series
I reviewed the first book and am now reviewing the last but this applies to all the books in between. This was a really exciting read with thrills a minute that had me on tenterhooks throughout. The characterizations were well fleshed out and the development of relationships were gradual and authentic. Nothing was shoe horned in. You really got a sense of the dangers of post apocalyptic life and became immersed in each of the main character’s experiences and development. I became quite attached to Logan and Braden’s story and was pleasantly pleased with the outcome. The same for Ripley and Thaddeus. I appreciated Thaddeus’s sardonic humour. The science parts were believable but I’m not a geologist and can’t verify but they seemed very well researched and I found them intriguing and informative. Love the duo of writers and look forward to reading more of their works.
I reviewed the first book and am now reviewing the last but this applies to all the books in between. This was a really exciting read with thrills a minute that had me on tenterhooks throughout. The characterizations were well fleshed out and the development of relationships were gradual and authentic. Nothing was shoe horned in. You really got a sense of the dangers of post apocalyptic life and became immersed in each of the main character’s experiences and development. I became quite attached to Logan and Braden’s story and was pleasantly pleased with the outcome. The same for Ripley and Thaddeus. I appreciated Thaddeus’s sardonic humour. The science parts were believable but I’m not a geologist and can’t verify but they seemed very well researched and I found them intriguing and informative. Love the duo of writers and look forward to reading more of their works.
May 16, 2024
Grit - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Stacey Upton and Mike Kraus continue their dystopian post-apocalyptic thriller Grit, Book 6 of their Nowhere To Turn series.
The grittily realistic multiple storylines detail protagonists' (literal) battles to ensure they've done all they can to save and help others in their extended struggle for survival, as they seek to reunite with loved ones.
Yet the journeys are nowhere near straightforward as Logan finds when he tries to reunite young Braden with his father, nor will the aftermath of Mara, Caroline and the others' face- off against armed raiders be without continuing traumas.
Having escaped a predator, will Deb and her trusty mare Daisy make it to safety out of his reach?
Find out in Grit by Mike Kraus and Stacy Upton...you'll be inspired by the unforgettable adventures within!
Stacey Upton and Mike Kraus continue their dystopian post-apocalyptic thriller Grit, Book 6 of their Nowhere To Turn series.
The grittily realistic multiple storylines detail protagonists' (literal) battles to ensure they've done all they can to save and help others in their extended struggle for survival, as they seek to reunite with loved ones.
Yet the journeys are nowhere near straightforward as Logan finds when he tries to reunite young Braden with his father, nor will the aftermath of Mara, Caroline and the others' face- off against armed raiders be without continuing traumas.
Having escaped a predator, will Deb and her trusty mare Daisy make it to safety out of his reach?
Find out in Grit by Mike Kraus and Stacy Upton...you'll be inspired by the unforgettable adventures within!
July 30, 2024
Super series of books! highly recommend to those who read this genre.
Definitely a different twist on the apocalypse, with earthquakes bringing the downfall of society and putting survivability in doubt. Deep set of well-defined characters, the world building was extensive and believable and the plot was thoroughly hashed out. The flow of the story kept it interesting and fresh and the action was exciting to read. I loved the unique tie ins that brought the ending together so well. The only question I was left with was… this seemed to be an event that affected the United States with not much being said about the rest of the world and why was help not arriving?
Definitely a different twist on the apocalypse, with earthquakes bringing the downfall of society and putting survivability in doubt. Deep set of well-defined characters, the world building was extensive and believable and the plot was thoroughly hashed out. The flow of the story kept it interesting and fresh and the action was exciting to read. I loved the unique tie ins that brought the ending together so well. The only question I was left with was… this seemed to be an event that affected the United States with not much being said about the rest of the world and why was help not arriving?
December 4, 2024
This was a good series; I did give it a 5 only because it keeps you interested enough that you want to learn what happened next and thus read the whole series. I'm one of those readers that love the story, not necessarily the extra time (to me a waste) describing a building with unnecessary detail. I'm not going to remember what that building was like after the story ends but will remember the characters and storyline! So this had a little too much detail in it but not enough to be irritating. Did I skip through those descriptive details? Absolutely, but the series and individual character stories were definitely worth the read.
May 11, 2024
The book was really good until the end. It left two huge “fights” the characters were facing through all 6 books unfinished. It was so unsatisfying and I’d been looking forward to this book for so long. Also, I think they released the wrong format of the book as it had all of the authors notes to each other and none of the usual things, before chapter one or the “about the author” at the end so I have no idea if this was the ending of the series or if there will be a book 7.
May 27, 2024
Fun read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book series and highly recommend them to anyone who likes "end of the world" scenarios. There is lots of action and people interactions. Good character and plot development. It's long, but worth it. And all 6 books were available to read straight through.
The only problems I had were lack of punctuation and some incomplete sentences, which made them harder to read. Otherwise, a great read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book series and highly recommend them to anyone who likes "end of the world" scenarios. There is lots of action and people interactions. Good character and plot development. It's long, but worth it. And all 6 books were available to read straight through.
The only problems I had were lack of punctuation and some incomplete sentences, which made them harder to read. Otherwise, a great read
January 16, 2025
Apocalypse, So satisfying!
Best gritty apocalypse series I’ve found. I chewed on this series slowly and loved every minute. Loved every single character. Especially, Logan, Deb, and Ripley. I have it in my head what they look like, they boom, description mind blown. The journeys these people go on, the earthquakes are terrifying. An absolute must read all the way through. You think it’s slowing down and then WHAM, you’re in chaos again. Loved it! Michelle
Best gritty apocalypse series I’ve found. I chewed on this series slowly and loved every minute. Loved every single character. Especially, Logan, Deb, and Ripley. I have it in my head what they look like, they boom, description mind blown. The journeys these people go on, the earthquakes are terrifying. An absolute must read all the way through. You think it’s slowing down and then WHAM, you’re in chaos again. Loved it! Michelle
June 27, 2025
So riveting!! wonderful read
This series was so different because of the earthquake as the destruction of the world. So much good, bad and ugly happens. But so many times I was affected by the love people have for their fellow man and started to cry as I cared for these characters. You just can’t help but get attached. In my mind they were all so real to me. I think these books are going to stay with me for a really long time!!! 😀😀😀😀😀
This series was so different because of the earthquake as the destruction of the world. So much good, bad and ugly happens. But so many times I was affected by the love people have for their fellow man and started to cry as I cared for these characters. You just can’t help but get attached. In my mind they were all so real to me. I think these books are going to stay with me for a really long time!!! 😀😀😀😀😀
June 28, 2024
Great book
I really be moved this series. I could feel like I was there experiencing everything they were going through. I have read several series of this genre and this is the only one that made me cry. I enjoyed it very much. (Didn't like all the spelling mistakes. Who edits these?)
I really be moved this series. I could feel like I was there experiencing everything they were going through. I have read several series of this genre and this is the only one that made me cry. I enjoyed it very much. (Didn't like all the spelling mistakes. Who edits these?)
September 1, 2024
Love the details of medicinal plants. Strong men and women , all ages and geography. I have early onset Alzheimer’s and the books were just on the edge of my ability to absorb all the different characters and situations. As a retired nurse there were many times patients lives impacted mine but not getting the ….ending. Read the last 4 books in 4 days.
September 27, 2024
Great series!
I read all of the books in this series in record time because I just couldn’t put them down! I laughed, I cried so many times! I loved all the characters! The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was right there alongside them. One of the best series I’ve read in a long time.
I read all of the books in this series in record time because I just couldn’t put them down! I laughed, I cried so many times! I loved all the characters! The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was right there alongside them. One of the best series I’ve read in a long time.
January 6, 2025
Great post apocalyptic book
I’ve read every book in the series. They were all good. All but this one left on a cliffhanger and I usually don’t like that but the way the author wrote story it just pulled you in. I truly enjoyed all of these books. Would definitely read another book from these authors.
I’ve read every book in the series. They were all good. All but this one left on a cliffhanger and I usually don’t like that but the way the author wrote story it just pulled you in. I truly enjoyed all of these books. Would definitely read another book from these authors.
February 20, 2026
A phenomenal conclusion to the series. It had the perfect amount of suspenseful action. I loved that we had a reunion added in there other than Logan, Deb & Mara coming back together. The ending of the scene in Roanoke had me reading as fast as I could & I am pleased with how it all came about in the end.
May 12, 2024
One of the best!
So very well written. Loved the characters and their relationships! But, I do have to admit that I am whining loudly that the next in series is not ready! When???
So very well written. Loved the characters and their relationships! But, I do have to admit that I am whining loudly that the next in series is not ready! When???
May 14, 2024
Read the entire series in record time!
I am a big reader, books from all genres. This series was great. An easy read, fast paced and throughly entertaining. Thanks for providing a wonderful experience during my read!
I am a big reader, books from all genres. This series was great. An easy read, fast paced and throughly entertaining. Thanks for providing a wonderful experience during my read!
May 15, 2024
I Couldn’t Stop Reading until it was Done!
I just finished reading all six books! This is the best series that I’ve read all year! It made me laugh and cry and I learned so much from it. Highly recommended.
I just finished reading all six books! This is the best series that I’ve read all year! It made me laugh and cry and I learned so much from it. Highly recommended.
May 17, 2024
It was great.
What a wonderful ending to a great story. The characters are all so beautiful in their own way.
I Couldn't put it down and limited my time, so I could get some sleep.
What a wonderful ending to a great story. The characters are all so beautiful in their own way.
I Couldn't put it down and limited my time, so I could get some sleep.
May 20, 2024
This was a really great read! A very satisfying conclusion to this well written, fast paced apocalyptic thriller! I really enjoyed this story, a really good addition to the previous books. I do really like all of the characters & found it held my interest each time. I do strongly recommend!
May 20, 2024
She wants to find the fake government and he will come alone for the ride. It is not going to be easy and it could be very dangerous as well. Will he be able to help her? Will she succeed in her mission? Fast paced and action packed thriller so see how it will all go
May 23, 2024
Once again an amazing Apocalyptic story that will have you gripped and wondering if this could happen in real life. Danger all around, everyone is trying to stay safe. Outstanding, two superb authors together.
May 29, 2024
no where to turn
I love this series. It kept me captivated and unable to put it down. I appreciated how the author brought the characters full circle in the story line.
A fantastic read on what could possibly occur in the event of national catastrophe.
A MUST READ!
I love this series. It kept me captivated and unable to put it down. I appreciated how the author brought the characters full circle in the story line.
A fantastic read on what could possibly occur in the event of national catastrophe.
A MUST READ!
May 30, 2024
a strong storyline that doesn’t falter
It’s a real credit to the author to be able to carry such a strong storyline through all of these books. Lots of great details and specifics that make the story seem very plausible and real. One of the best series I have read in a long time.
It’s a real credit to the author to be able to carry such a strong storyline through all of these books. Lots of great details and specifics that make the story seem very plausible and real. One of the best series I have read in a long time.
June 5, 2024
Excellent read
So glad I picked this one up. All six books were full of characters that kept you engaged. A different story from many read and many lines were just good for the soul.
So glad I picked this one up. All six books were full of characters that kept you engaged. A different story from many read and many lines were just good for the soul.
June 15, 2024
Grit book 6 of series
This is the best book of this genre that I have read. The authors make you love the characters . I enjoyed the lack of political bias that some other authors include in their work. Great series!
This is the best book of this genre that I have read. The authors make you love the characters . I enjoyed the lack of political bias that some other authors include in their work. Great series!
July 6, 2024
The last stand.
Our characters are still working their way home. There are battles to be fought, reunions of friends and family, and hopefully peace. As always I enjoyed this series.Mike Kraus and Stacy Upton never let us down.
Our characters are still working their way home. There are battles to be fought, reunions of friends and family, and hopefully peace. As always I enjoyed this series.Mike Kraus and Stacy Upton never let us down.
October 5, 2024
Oh my! You have to read this book.
Grit is definitely the amazing, whopping conclusion of the best apocalyptic series I have read in a decade!!! I recommend you read this "bite your nails" series right now.
Grit is definitely the amazing, whopping conclusion of the best apocalyptic series I have read in a decade!!! I recommend you read this "bite your nails" series right now.
October 23, 2024
so good! wanted more!
This was a really exciting read….kept you wondering and engaged with all the different characters….. very well written, believable…. I wish there were a few more books in the series. It had a nice twist for these types of disaster books…
This was a really exciting read….kept you wondering and engaged with all the different characters….. very well written, believable…. I wish there were a few more books in the series. It had a nice twist for these types of disaster books…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews