What do you think?
Rate this book
Utter Despair: A Post Apocalyptic CME/EMP Survival Thriller
Nearly a week after a catastrophic solar storm crippled the grid, Carson and his family are battered, exhausted—and still far from anything resembling safety.
Carson presses forward, eyes fixed on Dallas, where he knows greater threats await. The journey ahead is dangerous, but what waits at the end may be even worse. Meanwhile, Willow believes she’s finally found a place to rest—but her relief is short-lived as she’s pulled into a nightmare darker than anything she’s faced before.
In Dallas, Arthur’s battle for survival reaches a critical tipping point, forcing him to make impossible choices. And in Arkansas, Bee is no longer standing her ground—she’s on the run, with danger closing in from every direction.
As the country fractures and chaos reigns, the Carlise family will be pushed to their limits. And not all of them will make it through what comes next.
Utter Despair is the third book in the fast-paced, high-octane, post-apocalyptic Black Sky Event series.
Carson presses forward, eyes fixed on Dallas, where he knows greater threats await. The journey ahead is dangerous, but what waits at the end may be even worse. Meanwhile, Willow believes she’s finally found a place to rest—but her relief is short-lived as she’s pulled into a nightmare darker than anything she’s faced before.
In Dallas, Arthur’s battle for survival reaches a critical tipping point, forcing him to make impossible choices. And in Arkansas, Bee is no longer standing her ground—she’s on the run, with danger closing in from every direction.
As the country fractures and chaos reigns, the Carlise family will be pushed to their limits. And not all of them will make it through what comes next.
Utter Despair is the third book in the fast-paced, high-octane, post-apocalyptic Black Sky Event series.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2025
352 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 1, 2025
Utter Despair continues to raise the bar for post-CME survival thrillers!
Utter Despair, book 3 in the genre defining post-CME survival thriller series continues where book 2 left off, with the Carlisle family still separated from each other and struggling to survive. The book is so good I read it over 2 days to truly savor the experience! The writing is a cut above even the best other books in the genre. The characters are so well composed and display such perseverance and willingness to sacrifice for each other, the plot and pace are so well executed, and the surprises continue to abound. From looters to cults to blood feuds and more, very little is left off the table. There are happy(ish) reunions and devastating losses. Missions of individual survival and missions to save others. I simply cannot praise the Black Sky Event series highly enough, and Utter Despair continues to display the excellence that WILK draw in readers who are not generally big fans of apocalyptic fiction, and will be enthralling for fans of the apocalyptic survival thrillers! 5/5 stars! Highly recommended for any audience! The wait for book 4 will be a long one!
Utter Despair, book 3 in the genre defining post-CME survival thriller series continues where book 2 left off, with the Carlisle family still separated from each other and struggling to survive. The book is so good I read it over 2 days to truly savor the experience! The writing is a cut above even the best other books in the genre. The characters are so well composed and display such perseverance and willingness to sacrifice for each other, the plot and pace are so well executed, and the surprises continue to abound. From looters to cults to blood feuds and more, very little is left off the table. There are happy(ish) reunions and devastating losses. Missions of individual survival and missions to save others. I simply cannot praise the Black Sky Event series highly enough, and Utter Despair continues to display the excellence that WILK draw in readers who are not generally big fans of apocalyptic fiction, and will be enthralling for fans of the apocalyptic survival thrillers! 5/5 stars! Highly recommended for any audience! The wait for book 4 will be a long one!
July 5, 2025
I'm giving two stars for the creative line of post EMP, but really, the overall content of the story is 1/2 star, nothing better. Once you get the general drift of the world, town by town, city by city caving in to a sense of 'nothing will work so why bother' thinking, it just began to drag and drop its feet. I finished it, but by the end was rapidly just scanning page after page to make sure I didn't miss something interesting. I didn't. There's just nothing here. As for the cliff-hanging "ending" if there had been some conclusion, some sort of wrapping up the chapters so a fresh thread could have taken on some new life, what a waste of my time. It's ridiculous to end of story of nothing with simply more of the same, nothing.
This type of scenario is never going to be world-class fiction. It's barely more than comic book stuff, the only thing missing are badly sketched character motifs and thought bubbles of emotions, made to be annoying and repetitive.
I don't care what happens next. The characters in the story are lame, dull, almost goody two-shoes puritanical and insipid.
Done with this series and this author. Give me something decent to read.
This type of scenario is never going to be world-class fiction. It's barely more than comic book stuff, the only thing missing are badly sketched character motifs and thought bubbles of emotions, made to be annoying and repetitive.
I don't care what happens next. The characters in the story are lame, dull, almost goody two-shoes puritanical and insipid.
Done with this series and this author. Give me something decent to read.
June 19, 2025
ANOTHER FAST-PACED, EDGE OF YOUR SEAT, FANTASTIC BOOK IN THE BLACK SKY EVENT SERIES!
I’m LOVING this series SO MUCH!! Following these characters as they fight for their lives and the lives of their loved ones, since book one, has been a crazy rollercoaster ride. It’s amazing how fast humanity falls apart, there are those who work hard to help others but it seems like the majority are out for themselves. It’s heartbreaking how some are suffering because others are taking everything and destroying homes, lives and hope because they’re either selfish or just plain evil.
I’m really attached to these characters, and really want to see them find their way back together. Even little Sophie the cat. There were some really intense moments where I wondered if certain ones would survive.
I’m looking forward to book four to see what happens next! If you enjoy reading Apocalyptic Survival Thrillers, then you need to check out this series! It’s guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, not wanting to put it down! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
I’m LOVING this series SO MUCH!! Following these characters as they fight for their lives and the lives of their loved ones, since book one, has been a crazy rollercoaster ride. It’s amazing how fast humanity falls apart, there are those who work hard to help others but it seems like the majority are out for themselves. It’s heartbreaking how some are suffering because others are taking everything and destroying homes, lives and hope because they’re either selfish or just plain evil.
I’m really attached to these characters, and really want to see them find their way back together. Even little Sophie the cat. There were some really intense moments where I wondered if certain ones would survive.
I’m looking forward to book four to see what happens next! If you enjoy reading Apocalyptic Survival Thrillers, then you need to check out this series! It’s guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, not wanting to put it down! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
September 18, 2025
This is book 3 and though the series is still good, this one felt a bit more unrealistic in that there seem to be an awful lot of well-organized gangs of bad guys and we are only a little over a week into the event. The sciencey-type good guys seem to be able to defeat some of these well-armed baddies without much ado which does not seem realistic. There were some editing issues (e.g. Carlise not Carlisle and Devlin instead of Devin). I did like the scenario of Arthur-Katherine; he, in particular, is in a tough spot with being the only one able to defend the home and the plot twist, whilst suspected, was good. I've gotten more fond of Bee, who in the previous books seemed terribly naive. Now she has wised-up and is willing to do what is needed to survive and also to help some folks that really need it. I do still like the series and will move on to book 4.
July 3, 2025
THE ACTION CONTINUES
Carson, Julie, Willow, Knox, The Colonel, Bee, Arthur, Katherine! The fight for survival continues. After the CME hits the earth, there is devastation everywhere. This novel focuses on the The Carlisle Family as they try to reunite under extreme circumstances. This is the third novel in the series but can be read as a standalone novel and is full of action, adventure, close calls, and most of all survival.
Carson, Julie, Willow, Knox, The Colonel, Bee, Arthur, Katherine! The fight for survival continues. After the CME hits the earth, there is devastation everywhere. This novel focuses on the The Carlisle Family as they try to reunite under extreme circumstances. This is the third novel in the series but can be read as a standalone novel and is full of action, adventure, close calls, and most of all survival.
March 24, 2026
No one said survival would be easy
No one said survival would be easy
Where is that cat pooping ?
Hatfields & McCoys
A teenage cult
‘Blackmail by funnel cake, only in Texas.’
Gave an extra star for that line
“Apparently, it pays to know who kissed who behind the cotton candy booth.”
Another star. Running out of extra stars.
Sadly at least 1 main character is not that likable.
No one said survival would be easy
Where is that cat pooping ?
Hatfields & McCoys
A teenage cult
‘Blackmail by funnel cake, only in Texas.’
Gave an extra star for that line
“Apparently, it pays to know who kissed who behind the cotton candy booth.”
Another star. Running out of extra stars.
Sadly at least 1 main character is not that likable.
June 19, 2025
Just when it gets so good your reading so fast you wonder if your missing something, the end of the books comes and you see -- book 4 coming soon.
I am so engrossed into this story that waiting seems impossible. The characters are amazing and I find myself yelling and cheering at the same time.
Best series I've read in awhile.
I am so engrossed into this story that waiting seems impossible. The characters are amazing and I find myself yelling and cheering at the same time.
Best series I've read in awhile.
July 5, 2025
So Good
This was such a good book and I was glad to see Carson and Julie finally make it farther south and out of Colorado. Bee’s adventure was unexpected but very interesting. I thought Willow, Knox and Guynn had finally caught a break but alas no. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.
This was such a good book and I was glad to see Carson and Julie finally make it farther south and out of Colorado. Bee’s adventure was unexpected but very interesting. I thought Willow, Knox and Guynn had finally caught a break but alas no. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.
July 1, 2025
Utter Despair: Black Sky Event, Book 3
Another excellent, well written book. I thoroughly enjoy this author's book. I always pre-order and patiently wait for the next book to be released.
Another excellent, well written book. I thoroughly enjoy this author's book. I always pre-order and patiently wait for the next book to be released.
February 10, 2026
Fast paced
I think that slot of what is written could actually happen. The storyline has plenty of twists and turns. The ascharacters are so good and seem to integrate into the plot.
I think that slot of what is written could actually happen. The storyline has plenty of twists and turns. The ascharacters are so good and seem to integrate into the plot.
July 2, 2025
A real cliffhanger!
This is a great series. Was all set for more as all characters in cliffhangers. Can hardly wait for the next book. When will it happen?
This is a great series. Was all set for more as all characters in cliffhangers. Can hardly wait for the next book. When will it happen?
July 19, 2025
I did enjoy this part of the series, a really good continuation of the storyline. I do like the characters & the situations they find themselves in! Good energy & action, a really fun read!
September 1, 2025
Action packed
This book reads well, exciting, dangerous, and upbeat. The characters are likeable. The author is an expert at writing EOTWAWKI stories.
This book reads well, exciting, dangerous, and upbeat. The characters are likeable. The author is an expert at writing EOTWAWKI stories.
September 6, 2025
Action
Non stop action packed at every turn. Great story of post apocalypse survival. I have enjoyed Payne's books so far. Thank you
Non stop action packed at every turn. Great story of post apocalypse survival. I have enjoyed Payne's books so far. Thank you
September 7, 2025
Another great read in the series. Lot of action and thought-provoking plots and great characters. Will definitely be reading the next installment soon.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews