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It has happened before, and it will happen again.

Kyle was the first to detect the incoming threat. As a leading astronomer in the study of Near-Earth Objects, his obsession with a rare asteroid containing three orbiting moons provided the only warning. But it wouldn’t be enough to protect his daughter, let alone the rest of the world.

Dallas has committed her life to unraveling the mysteries of deep time and humanity's ancient past. Confronted with its imminent extinction, she’s forced to rely on the relationships made in the present and draws upon her unique skillset to seek unexpected answers.

From the tundra of Alaska to the ancient caves of South Africa, a group of strangers are pulled together through a string of catastrophic events. Events that reveal how the definition of an apocalypse can be redefined and how our past may hold the key to preserving the future.

Don't miss this new Post-Apocalyptic series from Tara Ellis! This series explores every facet of global disasters and how far people will go to survive. It's perfect for fans of Kyla Stone, Bobby Akart, Jack Hunt, and Ryan Schow.

Get it now!

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

1161 people are currently reading
2304 people want to read

About the author

Tara Ellis

64 books250 followers
With over 50 published books across ten genres, author Tara Ellis is best known for her heart-pounding post-apocalyptic and thriller series. A heavy dose of mystery often underscores her character-driven plots, heralding back to what fueled her desire to tell stories from an early age.

A certified firefighter in the state of Washington, Tara volunteered as a FF/EMT for over eight years. She also responded as a support officer, worked as an emergency room technician, was a 911 dispatcher, and taught life-saving techniques to the public and first responders. As an author of thriller and survival stories, she draws upon her personal experience throughout her storytelling.

Tara lives in the gorgeous Cascade Mountains of Washington State. When not writing or spending time with family, she can be found hiking the woods while plotting her next adventure.

*Join Tara's newsletter on her author website: Tara Ellis Books

*Check out her women's literature and mysteries under the pen name of Tara Meyers

*Find her on FB under Tara Ellis Author

Check back for upcoming dates for public appearances and book signings!

Coming this year, in 2025:

*A new post-apocalyptic series with Aethon Books, The 6th Extinction, releases in April

*A new thriller series co-authored with L.T. Ryan was announced to release later this year!

*The third and final book in The Fallen series, The Redeemed, is coming this summer

*Several new audiobooks will go live throughout the year

Check back for upcoming dates for public appearances and book signings!

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5 stars
603 (58%)
4 stars
291 (28%)
3 stars
109 (10%)
2 stars
23 (2%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Stitching Ghost.
1,483 reviews390 followers
August 6, 2025
I'm going to be really honest here but I started this one half-way expecting another DNF since it was marked a post-apocalyptic and I'm really more of apocalypse survival type of reader but the ratings were good so I decided to give it a go anyways, so yeah, I was really quite surprised to find myself completely sucked in.

There's a lot of characters to keep track of and the author really did not give them a lot of plot armor, these people get put through the WRINGER, brutally. Things moved at a steady clip but there was still enough character exposition to make me feel at least a little invested in them. The balance between the different aspects of the story was also pretty good to keep things engaging.

4.5 rounded up.
Profile Image for Paul Madsen.
503 reviews4 followers
May 26, 2025
Excellent drama on planety scale

I love sci-fi tales bring what could happen in our future. Nice and clear, written so anyone could follow falling with the characters take the next step. Movie I'd to see.
Profile Image for Dave.
313 reviews4 followers
December 15, 2025
I have enjoyed Tara Ellis's writing for several years now. I think she does a good job developing interesting characters and realistic scenarios and this book is no exception. I mean, I picked up this book and started reading about a comet destroying the planet and then checked my news feed only to see, in real life, that comet 3I/ATLAS is making a "rare" near Earth approach. That doesn't happen with zombie novels.

One thing I think is so realistic and chilling about this book is how little time it took people to violently turn on one another. It's terrifying but, IMHO, not only realistic but human nature.
Profile Image for &#x1f4da; Alana (professional book nerd).
366 reviews16 followers
April 16, 2025
𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓝𝓮𝓽𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓪 𝓔𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓼 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓬!

————

HOLY. COW. This book was a ROLLERCOASTER! It was absolutely amazing, and really really well written. I didn’t want to put it down. 😅 this is a great start to a series, and I cannot wait for book two!! I love this type of book, with the dystopian/sort of apocalyptic story, but this is the best one I’ve read yet!!
Profile Image for Joshua Del Toro.
138 reviews81 followers
April 8, 2025
Wow. What an explosive first book in a series. The amount of emotion behind each character and the development of them as the story progresses is masterfully done. What an EXHAUSTING five days for them all, everything they had to endure - it just didn't stop.

I think this is a very modern look at what would happen in the case of a meteorite ramming into Earth. Specifically, if we, society, were given an advanced notice of the impact. If you only have hours to live, what do you do? Do you try to flee the area at an attempt at survival? Do you go to your loved ones so you can die with them? Do you loot stores and try to stock up on survival materials in the chance you survive? Do you leave your post if you're in the military or police force, or do you carry out your duty?

There are so many choices and paths you could take. But with thousands - millions - of other people making the same choices, can you even follow through on the one you choose? How do you flee or get to your loved ones if all the roads are blocked? How do you even survive until the meteorite strikes if you get caught in a riot and shot? The choices made by government, especially as the story progresses is also - in my opinion - quite accurate. Though I won't say specifics for fear of spoiling the story.

All in all, I truly loved this story. I especially enjoyed watching this play out through the eyes of an archeologist. I think it's a profession you don't always see at the forefront of a story like this. I am extremely excited to see where book 2 takes us and if everyone survives. That being said, I desperately need book 2 right away!

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook. The audiobook was done quite well with multiple narrators. If you are thinking about getting this one, do it!

5/5
Profile Image for Sofia.
847 reviews21 followers
April 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, at first I had the feeling of the movie “don’t look up”, and then not anymore, it starts with the threat of an asteroid, and from there it gets really scary, we have several different points of view, I will just throw it out there, don´t take people for granted..

I think this was my first time reading Tara Ellis, and I must say that I really enjoyed, I will definitely want to read the rest of the series and if she writes this way in her other series, I will want to read more, she does a great job developing the characters and creating a sense of dread with the universe she is writing about… I had the pleasure of listen to the audiobook, with pretty much a full cast of characters, I only have good things to praise this audiobook for.

I highly recommend this audiobook, like I said before, we have a full cast, two feminine voices and two male voices, and I really enjoyed their work reading this, grab a copy and listen for yourself, if you like apocalyptical thrillers, that starts before the event, during and then the after, I really want to listen or read what comes next!

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media | Dreamscape Lore, for the free AAC and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Fallon.
844 reviews28 followers
April 12, 2025
I have not been reading enough end-of-the-world books lately, and this one just blew me away! I have a very vivid imagination when reading (or listening) a book; it is like real life in my brain or like watching a movie. So as I was reading this, I kept having to tell myself, This isn't real; this is a story, because the book just felt so real to me. Are the science aspects of this realistic? I don't know. It feels like we'd know about that ahead of time, but I am also aware that we have teams tracking potential threats and real-life programs to attempt to throw them off course. So, as I was chanting this isn't real while reading this, my anxiety was very high! This book was so engrossing that I didn't want it to end. There are quite a few characters to follow, and some are only with us for a short time, but all of the characters move the story forward and bring value to the plot. I like that the characters are these unlikely end-of-the-world "hero" characters. There are several doctors (not medical), including an archeologist and one that discovered the moons that were coming for the planet, a CDC microbiologist, and a couple of teenagers, not your typical rag-tag bunch. The narration was fantastic. I loved all 4 narrators; the casting was top-notch there. I will just say if you want to read a very, this could totally probably happen, end of the world book, this is the one.
6,202 reviews41 followers
September 25, 2025
The problem: there is an asteroid with three moons. The moons somehow break loose and all three are headed towards the Earth. (At the time of this writing many people are concerned about a comet/asteroid/AI controlled spaceship that has shown up in our solar system and is heading towards Mars. You Tube has a ton of videos, ranging from 3I/Atlas being a comet that is from so far away it has various unusual properties but will pass on through our solar system to it's a powered spacecraft from another civilization that is doing a reconnaissance flyby through our solar system to it's a spacecraft that is going to hit the moon or Mars, sending up loads of debris that will eventually get to Earth and mess up a lot of satellites.)

The book focuses on the U.S. and also Africa, both being targets for the moons and one will end up hitting the West Coast of the U.S.

You have the impacts and the damage they do to certain areas plus the dust and rocks thrown up (ejecta) which will themselves cause massive trouble along with huge tsunamis which will wipe out huge swaths of land and people.

The characters are done well and the tension is kept throughout. Really good writing.
Profile Image for Inga Hein Andree.
197 reviews
May 4, 2025
4.5 ⭐️

I would like to thank DreamScape Media, the author Tara Ellis, and Netgalley for a chance to preview this title in exchange for an honest review.

I love end-of-the-world stories and this was such a fun book! It is a story that follows several people throughout the world as 3 meteors crash into Earth. Don't think too much into it (how did they not see the "planet-killer" celestial bodies hours before they crashed?) but the writing was good, the characters were well developed, and the plot was quite exciting. And, not only is the world as we know it ending via meteor strike, but said meteor unleashes a long dormant virus that threatens to wipe out everyone that survives the impact. Yep, very exciting. This is a series and I actually found myself googling when the next book comes out as soon as I finished this.

I listened to this on audiobook and I liked how the narration was. Different chapters were told in the POV of different characters. Each character had a voice and the whole chapter was done in that voice (think person X is a woman who then does the voices for person B who is a man, but the next chapter is told from person B who does the voices for person A). It made it easier to remember who's POV the listener was hearing.
Profile Image for Matt Egan.
621 reviews5 followers
April 20, 2025
A different apocalypse!

First Impact: The 6th Extinction Book 1 tells the story of a group of disparate people from all over the world are thrown together to try to survive not only the massive impacts from the moons of an asteroid, followed immediately by a highly lethal pathogen, possibly originating from the impacting bodies themselves. The plot is tight and intense, the characters are self sacrificing for the most part, and the description of the impacts and other events and settings are vivid, especially the cave. I can't wait for the next book! 5/5 stars! Highly recommend to fans of apocalyptic survival thrillers and well composed and compelling thrillers!
Profile Image for Will.
5 reviews
June 13, 2025
I like it

I like this story, I really do. It’s got just enough science to keep you believing but doesn’t go too far over the edge. Characters are believable, and even get fleshed out well during very brief visits. Some I don’t understand why they are part of the story. Gave it four stars for the pathogen subplot. That’s where the science kinda goes sideways. I guess the protagonist needs a better reason to survive than just survival itself. Now we gotta save the human race. Just stick with an asteroid impact, that’s bad enough. I will read the second book but I’m a little worried the science will devolve into fantasy.
78 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2025
First Impact is an exciting series starter, a great mix of science, thrills and intensity. All blended with strong characters and world building to craft a story (and series) that is truly entertaining.
I am a big fan of this author’s various works, and Tara hits it out of the park once again. I look forward to reading more in this series, which is easy to recommend.
I was able to read an advanced copy, but the review is strictly my opinion. In fact this is an author that I read (and purchase) her books regardless; definitely one to follow.
Profile Image for Lindsay Nixon.
Author 22 books799 followers
April 12, 2025
I liked this and often didn’t want to put it down. However, I would have enjoyed it far more if the plot had been simplified and there were either less characters or more focus on one or two of them so I felt a connection to someone. I am however eager to read the rest of the series and am sad I cannot binge it.

If you like apocalypse books, check this out.

SUMMARY: a meteor is headed for earth and will kill a lot of people; mass hysteria ensues. The book follows 3 groups of people (an Italian diplomat and his family stationed in Africa, researchers in a cave, scientists at the JPL in the LA area) that eventually come together.

There are quite a lot of characters and they’re all likable but I feel indifferent about all of them and struggle to remember any of their names or backstories or other identifying information. I needed someone to care about and root for and I found myself only worried for the pet hamster, gizmo, the only name I can say with certainty

Re the plot, I don’t know if this is a spoiler or not….

the book starts with a meteor headed for earth that will wipe out the east coast and other areas. However as that is happening a deadly pandemic level virus is also rapidly killing people. I think either of these made a compelling plot but together was too much and too competitive
Profile Image for Pam Shelton-Anderson.
1,955 reviews65 followers
May 23, 2025
This is a great start to what promises to be a great series. The stage is set early for impending disaster from an asteroid and though it takes some time to unfold, the does so with a literal bang. We also have a pandemic courtesy of an ancient disease that is unearthed in ejecta. There are a lot of good people in this story besides the main characters and most of the "baddies" are just people who are desperate and terrified. This is well-written and well-edited (an extra quotation mark, notwithstanding). I look forward to book 2.
Profile Image for Manic D0ll.
153 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2025
What would you do if the world was ending? This sci-fi story, centered around what is called a “6th extinction event,” feels like Armageddon and The Day After Tomorrow had a baby with Outbreak. Told through the eyes of a wide cast of characters, each perspective adds something unique. The ending is vague and left me with more questions than answers, but that feels intentional. Overall, this is a compelling read that kept me hooked.
Profile Image for Leslie.
370 reviews3 followers
April 14, 2025
Awesome apocalyptic book!

This is one of the best apocalyptic book I have read in a long time.
The characters are very engaging and you feel like you are right there with them! The story is very compelling and it is hard to put this book down. I can't wait to read more of this series.
Profile Image for Ali.
376 reviews11 followers
April 16, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Tara Ellis for this arc. This is the first arc I have read by this author and will be continuing the series as it is published. I found the book to be well written and keep me interested the whole way through. It makes you wonder what else is out there or in space when an asteroid crashes and then a sickness seems to come fast and hard. It’s like nothing we have ever seen .
Profile Image for Kathy Locke.
380 reviews6 followers
June 7, 2025
It Could Happen!

An aerial cleaning science news today indicated three different asteroids spun by earth today.
This real
News made this story seem a little more feasible.
What would we do if we knew we only had 24-48 hours left before an asteroid or its debris would hit earth!!!!??!!
114 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2025
the 6th extinction is here

The world will never be the same after the three moons of Prometheus strike it bring death, devastation, and a killer virus with it. This is just the beginning of the end. It’s a great ride, but don’t get too attached to characters! Great apocalyptic read!
Profile Image for Barb.
451 reviews
July 13, 2025
If you are a fan of post-apocalyptic novels, First Impact by Tara Ellis is definitely worth your time. It’s the first in The 6th Extinction series. It tells the story of Kyle the leading astronomer at JPL who’s tracking an asteroid headed to earth. He along with a group of strangers come together to try to survive this life altering catastrophe that kills millions across the globe. An engaging and thought provoking read. I’m going to preorder the second book now.
965 reviews6 followers
April 28, 2025
Planet strike

After watching a space object with three moon for yeears, it was due to pass our world that day. When he got to work and took a look at it he was horrifed. Something had hit it and thrown it off course and it's moons were going to hit the earth. The feast of the book deals with the hits, the people thrown together to face the results. If you like action and people trying to save as much as they can you will enjoy this book.
24 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2025
First Impact review

If this is what it will be like if this were to happen, I pray it doesn't. Very realistic look at a what if scenario. Very scary to think about. Makes you wonder how would you react in a situation just like it.

Profile Image for Deborah.
359 reviews17 followers
July 16, 2025
What a great beginning of a series!

What a great first book! Comets! A viral disease that kills painfully! Panic! Mayhem! What comes next?! I can't wait for the next book!!! I can't put this series down!
16 reviews
September 5, 2025
I haven’t read a book about the apocalypse in a long time. Not really a “feel good book”- but my standard murder stories aren’t either! I couldn’t put this book down. It may have been because I didn’t want to keep dreaming about me being in the apocalypse- but also because it was really good! I found myself reading super fast at times just to find out what happened.
Can’t wait to read the next one!
Profile Image for Cristy Robinson.
72 reviews6 followers
November 13, 2025
Riveting

I have to know what comes next! Ellis’s writing is tense and her characters so relatable, even though they’re smart enough to know astronomy and calculate math in their heads on the fly. This book riveted me from the start and didn’t let me go. Fair warning — be ready to stay up late to finish it and start the next in the series!
Author 3 books3 followers
April 18, 2025
Great read!

This was a great read. Loved that it didn't just throw you into turmoil but built the scene. Had some issue with the number of characters, but it worked out. Can't wait for book two.
14 reviews
May 1, 2025
Great read.

I couldn’t put this book down and finished reading it in one day. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
57 reviews
May 14, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this . Waiting for the 2nd one to come out.
Profile Image for Nancy.
32 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2025
wow what a ride!!!

I throughly enjoyed this book, the characters, the fast paced storyline. I could not put it down! Can’t wait to read book
2
Profile Image for John W. Myes.
17 reviews
July 25, 2025
Great view into possible future

This is a captivating read fast and filled . believable character's. Can't wait to finish this series and will follow this author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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