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Beyond The Grid: An EMP Post Apocalypse Prepper Thriller
When an EMP hits, Mark must lead his wife from a lawless city to find their missing daughter. With no power or communication, danger is everywhere. Their only Mark’s estranged brother and his secret off-grid homestead.
517 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 26, 2024
While the story line had promise, the writing was at best substandard. Several times the same statement was repeated so many times I was tempted to try and count how many. Sometimes it was virtually the exact same sentence multiple times. Unless you can put up with this, other inconsistencies in the story, and numerous editing issues I would not recommend this book to you.
January 16, 2026
Beyond the Grid was okay and reasonably engaging, but it suffered from a lot of filler and repetitive language. Nearly every chapter seemed to start and end with the same reminder that “the world was deteriorating and things were about to get really bad.” We get it, move on.
The repetition did make it a quick read, since you could skip entire paragraphs and still catch the important plot points. While the overall storyline and prepper-style ideas were interesting, the execution felt weak and poorly written.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this one. If you’re looking for a well-written post-apocalyptic prepper series with similar themes, The Commune series by Joshua Gayou is a much better choice.
The repetition did make it a quick read, since you could skip entire paragraphs and still catch the important plot points. While the overall storyline and prepper-style ideas were interesting, the execution felt weak and poorly written.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this one. If you’re looking for a well-written post-apocalyptic prepper series with similar themes, The Commune series by Joshua Gayou is a much better choice.
January 22, 2026
This was a really good book. I was hooked right away. Some things were a little redundant but nothing that would make me not want to read it.
February 3, 2025
did not finish
The word choice, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure seems good.
Yet, the overall feel is off. It started out good. Average dude, going by average day. Someone who works in a field that would understand the impact of what’s about to happen. The set up was solid.
But every paragraph is momentous .
Every decision has the weight of the world .
The characters in her monologue tells us that they have grit, and to certainly understand what’s going on, but every decision is almost made in panic.
By about 15% of the way through the book , we know nothing about the characters background’s, political leanings, ideology, or view of how the world works.
The author may have been trying to keep the neutral to stay out of politics, but ultimately politics shape how people think.
Most right wing rednecks , would’ve had a weapon, or at least made one out of a tool because ain’t nobody coming to save you.
More progressive , would still lean into something like pepper spray, or self-defense classes, but would also tend to wait for someone to save them.
Having people run around like they’re gonna assault their own problems , but keep passing up of your tools, resources, and solutions just doesn’t work.
I kept finding myself hoping these characters would get splatted, and then we would shift to the lost child who would turn out to be competent.
But I ran out of patience to wait for some kind of useful storyline to develop.
Minor spoilers: they run around the city like their professional marathon runners, but no background of exercise or fitness has mentioned.
They get attacked by someone with a gun , beat them off, and don’t take the gun.
At one point, they run into a line of national guard. We just got hit by an EMP, there’s no communication to call up the guard, and it’s only been 2 to 3 hours. Where did the guard come from? How did they get armed? How did they get to this location? Why are they at this random location in the city? Why can’t our heroes just walk over four blocks and go around? There is zero chance that the National Guard has enough people to effectively block dozens of city blocks, with alleyways rooftops and interconnecting doorways.
My abilities suspend disbelief eventually just……broke.
I love this genre , but this author needs a bit more work on story pacing and character before this story is ready for serious people to read it.
The word choice, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure seems good.
Yet, the overall feel is off. It started out good. Average dude, going by average day. Someone who works in a field that would understand the impact of what’s about to happen. The set up was solid.
But every paragraph is momentous .
Every decision has the weight of the world .
The characters in her monologue tells us that they have grit, and to certainly understand what’s going on, but every decision is almost made in panic.
By about 15% of the way through the book , we know nothing about the characters background’s, political leanings, ideology, or view of how the world works.
The author may have been trying to keep the neutral to stay out of politics, but ultimately politics shape how people think.
Most right wing rednecks , would’ve had a weapon, or at least made one out of a tool because ain’t nobody coming to save you.
More progressive , would still lean into something like pepper spray, or self-defense classes, but would also tend to wait for someone to save them.
Having people run around like they’re gonna assault their own problems , but keep passing up of your tools, resources, and solutions just doesn’t work.
I kept finding myself hoping these characters would get splatted, and then we would shift to the lost child who would turn out to be competent.
But I ran out of patience to wait for some kind of useful storyline to develop.
Minor spoilers: they run around the city like their professional marathon runners, but no background of exercise or fitness has mentioned.
They get attacked by someone with a gun , beat them off, and don’t take the gun.
At one point, they run into a line of national guard. We just got hit by an EMP, there’s no communication to call up the guard, and it’s only been 2 to 3 hours. Where did the guard come from? How did they get armed? How did they get to this location? Why are they at this random location in the city? Why can’t our heroes just walk over four blocks and go around? There is zero chance that the National Guard has enough people to effectively block dozens of city blocks, with alleyways rooftops and interconnecting doorways.
My abilities suspend disbelief eventually just……broke.
I love this genre , but this author needs a bit more work on story pacing and character before this story is ready for serious people to read it.
July 20, 2025
Boring and repetitive
I usually don't write reviews, but the longer I read this book, the worse it got. I actually just skimmed the last 20 pages or so because it was so repetitive and predictable. The character development is awful. The author refers to the homesteaders as a crowd. Then the reader finds out there are only 14 of them including useless wimpy women and children. These two things probably irritated me the most. When the main character, Mark, talks about the place, he talks about how they've worked on this place for years and built it together. He thought his brother was a wack job for starting the place and had just showed up there after the EMP. Awful book.
I usually don't write reviews, but the longer I read this book, the worse it got. I actually just skimmed the last 20 pages or so because it was so repetitive and predictable. The character development is awful. The author refers to the homesteaders as a crowd. Then the reader finds out there are only 14 of them including useless wimpy women and children. These two things probably irritated me the most. When the main character, Mark, talks about the place, he talks about how they've worked on this place for years and built it together. He thought his brother was a wack job for starting the place and had just showed up there after the EMP. Awful book.
January 4, 2026
DNF I gave it a good go...160 pages...but I just couldn't finish it. The drama turned into melodrama because it was just so...overdone. At the beginning of the book, the author has a note saying he's redone this book...once he had access to "better proofreaders and editors". I hate to be harsh, but did he USE those people he had access to...because it certainly doesn't seem so.
There is a good basic story here if you like EMP stories, but this has too many inconsistencies, errors and repetitions to ignore. This is a 517 page book. Out of the 160 pages I read, at least 80 of them could have been condensed or deleted.
There is a good basic story here if you like EMP stories, but this has too many inconsistencies, errors and repetitions to ignore. This is a 517 page book. Out of the 160 pages I read, at least 80 of them could have been condensed or deleted.
August 13, 2025
Heart pounding action
You could call this a typical apocalypse tale. Unbelievable in parts. Unnecessary repetition. But there was something about it that really turned it into a fast paced page turner. Character development was pretty weak but it wasn’t about each person, it was about survival. One main complaint which is pretty common. Why is a 13 year old girl referred to like she’s 3 or 4. Tiny, small body, little hands, knelt down and put his hand on her shoulder…what? But they all do it! Haha. Still a fun read.
You could call this a typical apocalypse tale. Unbelievable in parts. Unnecessary repetition. But there was something about it that really turned it into a fast paced page turner. Character development was pretty weak but it wasn’t about each person, it was about survival. One main complaint which is pretty common. Why is a 13 year old girl referred to like she’s 3 or 4. Tiny, small body, little hands, knelt down and put his hand on her shoulder…what? But they all do it! Haha. Still a fun read.
December 31, 2025
Excellent choice
When the power dies Mark must move his family to his prepper brother's ranch hidden deep in a forest. Everything needed for survival is prepared and close at hand, ready for some muscles and skill to prepare for survival in a powerless world. Jimmy had built his ranch into a homestead, ready for his brother and the handful of survivors ready to build and defend their future. A steady handbook, a guide for preparation, this story lays out the basics and outlines some people ready to survive and thrive in a future without power. This is great read!
When the power dies Mark must move his family to his prepper brother's ranch hidden deep in a forest. Everything needed for survival is prepared and close at hand, ready for some muscles and skill to prepare for survival in a powerless world. Jimmy had built his ranch into a homestead, ready for his brother and the handful of survivors ready to build and defend their future. A steady handbook, a guide for preparation, this story lays out the basics and outlines some people ready to survive and thrive in a future without power. This is great read!
December 21, 2024
A family escapes chaos, danger all around them as TEOCAWKI happens
The everyman-average guy has to become a warrior to keep his wife & daughter safe after running from the brutality erupting as a result of a deadly EMP attack in their hometown. Reaching a sibling’s preppers’ retreat, a MAG built in deeply rural land, good resources, & strong organization, they stumble upon a murderous group, & must withstand an overwhelming army of barbarous fighters.
The everyman-average guy has to become a warrior to keep his wife & daughter safe after running from the brutality erupting as a result of a deadly EMP attack in their hometown. Reaching a sibling’s preppers’ retreat, a MAG built in deeply rural land, good resources, & strong organization, they stumble upon a murderous group, & must withstand an overwhelming army of barbarous fighters.
February 3, 2025
Routine emp story
No new twists or personalities to Set this one apart. Was the Chevy a 68 or 69? Crashed thru a heavy road block and the headlights worked. Clean language and good morals in the telling of the story. Wife was a wimp. Tried to fire an empty weapon what? No ammo check!
Had the wife back in the barn without a weapon hiding in a closet. While others were doing the fighting! No mama bear!
No new twists or personalities to Set this one apart. Was the Chevy a 68 or 69? Crashed thru a heavy road block and the headlights worked. Clean language and good morals in the telling of the story. Wife was a wimp. Tried to fire an empty weapon what? No ammo check!
Had the wife back in the barn without a weapon hiding in a closet. While others were doing the fighting! No mama bear!
April 25, 2025
A well trodden story line badly told.
So many inconceivable incidents .. Too many to list but how about having a working post EMP vehicle and not using it when attacked .. or waiting for peppers to arrive and when they do 'bagging' them and roughing them up. Ridiculous!
I would have liked to see our hero, a hydro maintenance specialist, use his skills but nada!! Turns out he's a damn good shot though.
So many inconceivable incidents .. Too many to list but how about having a working post EMP vehicle and not using it when attacked .. or waiting for peppers to arrive and when they do 'bagging' them and roughing them up. Ridiculous!
I would have liked to see our hero, a hydro maintenance specialist, use his skills but nada!! Turns out he's a damn good shot though.
March 11, 2025
So bad...
Why was the national guard on the street? Mayor, Governor? Nope, no reason at all... Oh, and here in our garage is an old truck... Really? Thanks, but no thanks... Author really has no intention of helping anyone that may really find themselves in an apocalyptic situation...
Why was the national guard on the street? Mayor, Governor? Nope, no reason at all... Oh, and here in our garage is an old truck... Really? Thanks, but no thanks... Author really has no intention of helping anyone that may really find themselves in an apocalyptic situation...
June 10, 2025
I listened to this as an audiobook and I think that I preferred it this way than to reading it. The story was intriguing and the scenario believable and not too far-fetched. I wasn't particularly attached to the main character but what happened in their camp was interesting. The story built up to a climactic end I enjoyed the listen.
June 16, 2025
I loved this
The story is of Mark and his wife and daughter as the EMP hits their city and they struggle to get out. Mark has a brother who lives as a prepper with others in a community they made. His struggle is to get there and then to stay there safely. It is a heartwarming and exciting both. I enjoyed the stories by this author, so he repeats phrases often.
The story is of Mark and his wife and daughter as the EMP hits their city and they struggle to get out. Mark has a brother who lives as a prepper with others in a community they made. His struggle is to get there and then to stay there safely. It is a heartwarming and exciting both. I enjoyed the stories by this author, so he repeats phrases often.
September 6, 2025
The time to come together
There comes a time when people come to realize that family is the most important thing. By standing together makes us stronger. This story shows that in times of hardship, most people will fight and kill to save them self and their families. Very action packed and fast pasted
There comes a time when people come to realize that family is the most important thing. By standing together makes us stronger. This story shows that in times of hardship, most people will fight and kill to save them self and their families. Very action packed and fast pasted
December 23, 2025
William Stone in Beyond the Grid immediately grabs your attention
It seems inconceivable that a total breakdown of civilized society as Stone describes could occur. HE describes this in a manner that is believable. Yes, he leaves out some details but that not detract from the story.
It seems inconceivable that a total breakdown of civilized society as Stone describes could occur. HE describes this in a manner that is believable. Yes, he leaves out some details but that not detract from the story.
January 14, 2026
Good story but ..
The story line was good but writing wasa littlehu rough or perhaps it was the editing. Was Hope a teenager or a small child? One minute she is sitting in the truck seat between them the next in the back? The first chapters were very repetitive with verbage. Overall glad I didn't give up on it
The story line was good but writing wasa littlehu rough or perhaps it was the editing. Was Hope a teenager or a small child? One minute she is sitting in the truck seat between them the next in the back? The first chapters were very repetitive with verbage. Overall glad I didn't give up on it
February 26, 2026
3.5 The section in the beginning when the main character, Mark, was finding his family had quite a few errors and repetition. It definitely improved after that. It is an interesting story about survival.
Comment: The women are stereotyped..go hide. They should be armed and fighting. A teenage girl is not a little child.
This was a free kindle book.
Comment: The women are stereotyped..go hide. They should be armed and fighting. A teenage girl is not a little child.
This was a free kindle book.
December 7, 2024
Interesting look at “end times”.
A different look at how society could break down. Mark and Jimmy were decent characters. Hope and Sarah were useless females. The prepper compound seemed well planned out and well stocked. We never know—the world could change like this.
A different look at how society could break down. Mark and Jimmy were decent characters. Hope and Sarah were useless females. The prepper compound seemed well planned out and well stocked. We never know—the world could change like this.
December 13, 2024
Apocalypse
This story could eventually become true. Maybe. Hopefully not. But the survivors in the story did well. Appears life was better for them with a future. Hard work & hope.
This story could eventually become true. Maybe. Hopefully not. But the survivors in the story did well. Appears life was better for them with a future. Hard work & hope.
December 20, 2024
Beyond the grid
I read this book in two days and was sad when it ended,it was a loving,terrifing, scary and thrilling novel..if you haven't read it your missing out on a wonderful book,great characters,l really enjoyed it, well done Mr.Stone !!!
I read this book in two days and was sad when it ended,it was a loving,terrifing, scary and thrilling novel..if you haven't read it your missing out on a wonderful book,great characters,l really enjoyed it, well done Mr.Stone !!!
March 22, 2025
Excellent
The plot and character development were beyond excellent. At times this book was so exciting that I had to take breaks! But I enjoyed it, am better for having read it, and congratulate the author on a great read.
The plot and character development were beyond excellent. At times this book was so exciting that I had to take breaks! But I enjoyed it, am better for having read it, and congratulate the author on a great read.
June 3, 2025
Thin plot
It seemed kind of thin to me, lacking character development. The same descriptive phrases used several times. Continuity was also confusing. I found myself going back a few pages to try to make sense of it thinking I must have missed something.
It seemed kind of thin to me, lacking character development. The same descriptive phrases used several times. Continuity was also confusing. I found myself going back a few pages to try to make sense of it thinking I must have missed something.
June 15, 2025
I love pepper stories
Anyone who has to fight for what they need...whether it's there family, housing etc. There are many people that cannot make it without help and our state helps those in need. Before and after the hurricanes!
Anyone who has to fight for what they need...whether it's there family, housing etc. There are many people that cannot make it without help and our state helps those in need. Before and after the hurricanes!
January 15, 2026
Gave it only 2 stars because the story was fascinating but the author’s writing style was very repetitive which made it difficult to read. Finished it only to see the ending, otherwise It wasn’t worth reading.
February 16, 2026
A good read
The story was well crafted, but I didn't rate it higher because there are too many instances of unnecessary repetition, some of them very close together and possibly even identical. The book could probably be 25% shorter and not lose any meaning or emotional impact.
The story was well crafted, but I didn't rate it higher because there are too many instances of unnecessary repetition, some of them very close together and possibly even identical. The book could probably be 25% shorter and not lose any meaning or emotional impact.
January 1, 2025
Is this a young teens book? No depth, just a predictable “story”.
January 12, 2025
Great Read
The characters drew you in I wasn’t sure in beginning but so glad I read on because then I couldn’t put it down. Very realistic of how things can come to happen
The characters drew you in I wasn’t sure in beginning but so glad I read on because then I couldn’t put it down. Very realistic of how things can come to happen
February 18, 2025
fast paced
Interesting to see how people learn to survive. There are a few typos but overall it was a good read.
Interesting to see how people learn to survive. There are a few typos but overall it was a good read.
February 27, 2025
The storyline was expected, but I did not like all the foul language.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews