Ring of Fire Hawaii: A Disaster Thriller

by Bobby Akart

The earth is shifting.
The Ring of Fire is awake.
Beneath paradise, a global cataclysm looms.
And someone is hiding the truth.

After the catastrophic fury of Mount St. Helens and the agonizing eruption of Mount Fuji, Dr. Duke Mercer and his family find themselves regrouping in new environs. Duke and the CVO refugees have a new, desperate mandate to monitor the Pacific Rim's most volatile volcanic systems, from the enigmatic Axial Seamount to the looming titans off Indonesia.

But the Earth's fiery heart has a new, terrifying plan.

“Another meticulously researched winner of a thriller!”

Ring of Fire is a natural disaster thriller series from international bestselling author, Bobby Akart, one of America's favorite storytellers, who has delivered up-all-night thrillers to over two million readers in 245 countries and territories worldwide.

Duke's brilliant daughter, Sloan, is handpicked to join elite cadre of volcanologists tasked with averting global disaster. Her new assignment plunges her into the heart of the Pacific—Hawaii's volcanic islands—where she's partnered with the handsome, enigmatic seismologist Dr. Kane Barfield. Kane carries a secret, a chilling truth that could not only obliterate Hawaii but plunge the entire planet into an extinction-level event.

“Brilliantly chilling and VERY hard to put down.”

As Sloan and the new VDAP team uncover alarming evidence—Mauna Loa and Kilauea's massive magma chambers are connected, charging, and ready to erupt—a secretive experimental deep-earth drilling operation for volcanic gold threatens to derail their desperate race against time. They must convince a skeptical world of the unprecedented VEI potential of a joint eruption while finding a way to shield the Hawaiian people from an impending catastrophe.

Kane's terrifying secret, the very reason he was strategically deployed to the idyllic Hawaiian Islands, may hold the singular key to survival. However, for humanity to endure, he must reveal the truth—a truth more devastating than the inferno brewing beneath the Pacific.

“Akart literally leaves you breathless and gives new meaning to cliffhanger!”

The Ring of Fire saga continues its relentless march towards a global cataclysm. Witness the battle for humanity's future on a planet teetering on the brink of destruction.

Is it Earth’s last stand?

This modern-day, fact-based novel will have you whispering just one more chapter until the end.

Genres: Thriller

442 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2025

About the author

International bestselling author, Bobby Akart, one of America's favorite storytellers, delivers up-all-night thrillers to readers in 245 countries and territories worldwide. He's achieved Amazon Top 5 Author status in both fiction and non-fiction genres, Amazon Kindle All Star and Top 50 Amazon Author (#35) and Top 25 Best Selling Book on Amazon Charts (Yellowstone #25).
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"He's right up there with James Patterson, David Baldacci, Brad Thor and others that write thrillers. To me he actually surpasses them.”
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He has written more than 80 novels in the disaster, survival, medical and political thriller genres.

Reviews

[Maria Fledgling Author Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Lava Bombs, Batman!

I truly didn't think it would be possible for Bobby Akart to write scarier books than he already had. Oh boy, was I was wrong! My hand is shaking so badly from getting through the end of Ring of Fire Hawaii, that I keep typing the wrong words.

Ring of Fire Hawaii goes from being merely catastrophic to next level nuclear disaster then, wider to Hemispheric obliteration and lastly to the dreaded Extinction Level Event and there is still one more book in the series to come. What else can happen? The Sun can go Nova?

With all the statistics on subduction zones, plate tectonics, fault lines, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide gas levels whirling in your head, then you'll see it all come together and explode. And still the story will keep going.

You'll have to forgive me, my heart rate must be in the mid 150's, I have cotton mouth and I'm walking in circles, writing this review while trying to lower my adrenaline level. I just had to go out and get the book and be one of the first ones to read it. This is all my fault. Er, so to speak.

Bobby Akart's writing is like good Mexican food, the older he gets, the more his books burn as they go down. And I truly mean that as a compliment, I adore Mexican food and I adore Bobby Akart's writing. This one is on fire!

If for some unknown reason, you have never read any of his work, and you are a Thriller lover, go out and get the first three books of the Ring of Fire Series. You will be glad you did. And, you will have a huge body of work ahead of you to enjoy.

[Michael D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Ring of Fire series

A potential worldwide cataclysmic event. The Mercer family are involved in forecasting events before they happen. I really enjoyed this book, and like virtually all of Bobby Akart's books, it was a start to finish non-stop read. Can hardly wait for the final book, which I have already pre-ordered. Keep 'em coming Bobby!

[Frank G Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel I’ve been hit by a Volcano!

No way!! Just no way!! How can a book be as exciting as any major action movie. I don’t know, but this book does!!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Bobby Akart’s best and most timely series.
It is action packed, tons of family love and devotion, the true love and respect of great colleagues and friends. It is also full of science, made completely intriguing, especially if you are not science minded. And disaster scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I was completely engrossed and sometimes yelling (inside my head) “OH MY GOODNESS!) This series truly is a must read.

[Regina Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller!

This is the 3rd of the series, and I found it captivating! As usual, well written descriptions of the events were the crux of the books. The characters, though responsible for providing a vehicle for the plot to advance, were of secondary importance. The character in the subplot was pretty stereotypical and weak. But that really didn’t matter. This is a fun and exciting series!

[Elizabeth Lian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold On!

Whoa! Are we in a pickle! This next to last book by Bobby Alert is full of fury and fear. You will actually feel the heat from the volcanos erupting, I felt so out of breath following Stones desperate race to escape the lava flowing down the Hawaiian mtns. along with gun toting guards! What a mess!
You must read this series now! Liz f/S. Jersey, USA

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mercers and their team have all been rescued from Washougal and Japan are now together in their new home in a different state except for Sloan whose new assignment has her and her team based at the new threat, Hawaii's volcanic islands. A new member and former fling Kane has a deadly secret of an experimental deep earth drilling operation for volcanic gold that could result in an extinction level event. Will a suspicious Sloan learn the truth and get Kane to reveal the secret before it's too late or has that time passed? Another edge of your seat read by Akart.

[Matt Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akart again raises the bar for disaster thrillers!

Ring of Fire: Hawaii, the 3rd installment in the Ring of Fire disaster thriller series, continues the saga of the Grand Solar Minimum and the Mercer family as Sloan accepts a new position in Hawaii, putting her in the immediate danger from a new super eruption with a massive new complication, which I won't ruin for you! As with all of Akart's books, the writing quality is simply phenomenal, with some of the most vivid, visceral descriptive mastery that makes his books so thrilling! The characters are all well rounded and well written, including new ones at VDAP. The book ends with 2 massive cliffhangers, so waiting for book 4: Axial, will be excruciating! 5/5 stars! Disaster thrillers don't get better than this, in fact, thrillers don't come better than this. Period! If you're A fan of masterfully composed disaster thrillers, put the Ring of Fire at the top of your reading list. Even if you don't generally enjoy disaster thrillers, put the Ring of Fire series at the top of your reading list, Akart's thrillers are next level! I can recommend Ring of Fire: Hawaii to any adult audience looking for an unpredictable thrill ride!

[michael r hyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ring of Fire Hawaii

Explosive over load! Too many world ending extinction level events! How does it end? Can’t wait to find out! More Bobby Akart at his best!!

[Stewart Hubbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting book

The action is very exciting . The details are very well presented.. this book is hard to put down. Can’t wait for the next book!

[DEBRA H. GRIFFIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

so exciting!

Just love the series. The characters are so real. This is a must read for anyone that likes edge of your seat reading!

[Michele Reinhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I love these books! They terrify me. Everything is eerily possible and almost seems to be happening in real time. I really wish they'd release all at once! I need answers!!

[scott unruh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could have been a good story

This book has the repetitive feel of reality tv. The author or AI uses the same phrases to describe driving down a path just pages apart. At least it was 2 separate drivers. At one point, Kane got out of the car; a paragraph later he exits the car. Also the paragraphs are repeated not just at the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next, but sometimes right after the paragraph before and after. It was like I got a commercial summary built in.

The story itself was ok but I think the author was contracted to make a 4 book series and so far, a one book plot was spread over 3 books.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book, and it started out strong but quickly became quite repetitive. Then, about two thirds of the way through, the author decided to add a plot twist that nearly made me not finish. What drew me to this series was the science driven storyline about the forces of nature and the struggle to understand and survive natural events. Further, I was also enjoying that for once, everyone was working collaboratively together to overcome the obstacles and achieve goals in the face of life threatening situations. Then, for some reason, the author elected to add in the typical twist that is all too common in stories, perhaps not having confidence that the already exciting story is not captivating enough by itself. Unfortunately, this has completely turned me off of this series, and I will not be completing it, but as I said in the title, you may like it, so give it a go, just be prepared to have the same science explained over and over, along with the addition of a not needed plot development that seems out of place, and one that changes the entire dynamic that was developed in the prior two books. Disappointed.

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thing I want to say about this series of books is that it would make one heck of a television series. The entire world is at stake. There's a major group of super dedicated scientists willing to risk their own lives to learn everything they can about the erupting volcanoes, hoping that there may be a way to warn people about what is coming.

The characters themselves are all standouts. Sloan, an amazing woman who has suffered already from things that have happened. Kane, her once boyfriend (or move) who has his own stake in what is going on and will do anything he needs to to anyone who seems a threat to the secret he possesses.

The descriptions of the per-eruption actions and the eruptions themselves are bold and very effective.

There's also a lot of science involved including lots of stuff about mega-quakes, volcanic eruptions and dangers that causes beyond the lava flows themselves and an analysis of the long-term effects of the Pacific Ring of Fire coming alive.

The book also has basic factual information regarding what happens, giving the reader a good basis for understanding just what is going on and what it all means.

Just a fantastic read.

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book (liked the first a bit better) and second in a quite good series. As usual, the maps and diagrams are helpful. The writing is good and very descriptive making it easy to imagine what is happening. I had some issues, particularly with Sloane. She repeated agonizes over a traumatic experience with a volcano from many years before. As a result, she made some irrational decisions to remain in the vicinity of a major eruption, putting her self and her crew in danger. In another part, she goes ALONE to a suspicious area. I would personally be uncomfortable with her making decisions for a group of people. It was also curious that as close as these people were to some of the eruptions they didn't have some major burns etc, but mostly stinky clothes. Why was there some insinuation that DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is some kind of dark and secretive entity? I know quite a few people with DARPA grants and it is not some cabal of evil schemes and there is a huge amount of oversight on the projects. Overall, I am still enjoying the series and look forward to book 4.

[Cynthia L. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

The Mercer Family has and is enduring a lot of catastrophic events concerning the earth but with Sloan, Reid, and Gigi in various areas of the earth, what is happening? This is the third novel in The Ring Of Fire series by Bobby Akart. This novel contains scientific information, knowledge, and data that the author explains for the reader and is vastly important for this novel. This novel can be read as a standalone book but to fully understand what the earth, the world, and the Mercer Family are experiencing, start with the first novel in the series. The readers will not be disappointed and will gain understanding about the earth.

[Roberta Weiner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read several of AKART’S books and have enjoyed them, however, I had difficulty getting into this book. Too much technical information that lay people may not understand that went on and on. I had to force my way through the first half of the book. I was really surprised as his books usually begin with a “bang” to grab the attention of the reader but this one falls short. His knowledge of the subject matter is obvious, but it could be conveyed in an abbreviated manner for the average reader. I am still trying to finish this.

[Eve Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great SciFi

The third book in the series is continues the story. I love that the science is thoroughly investigated then incorporated into the story. This is,what science fiction should be. Plus there is mystery thrown in with one of the support characters which keeps your attent imo n. Looking forward to the next book to find out how the family handles what they are living through.

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this one brings you in and holds you throughout. Lots of hold your breath moments. Sloan is put in charge of a team and they are based in Hawaii because it is the center of the ring. With volcanos blowing and threatening to blow, they need rapid response. One member of her team is someone she went to school with and had a brief affair. He does not have the team's best interest at heart. It seems almost criminal to make us wait for the conclusion in Book 4

[Barry Jenkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not at all believable

I can break the book into several sections.........good idea for a story, but........
Way too much technical jargon that 98% of us don't understand...... making a large part of the book boring.......
Our heroine apparently is Supergirl in diguise, absolutely no way she could survive much of what she does in the book........
And why does every person in every book drink alcohol and use profanity? The book would be better without both of these!!!!!

[Susan Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I lived in Hawaii for a bit, I was really interested in how Bobby Akart was going to handle this unfolding disaster. So fast paced. The only issue I had was when Sloan, who is brilliant, was acting so stupid when Toba was erupting. The eruption is eminent, and she insists on staying and has to be practically dragged out before she comes to her senses. Also, the same thing when the sisters are erupting. I know it adds drama, but it just didn't seem to fit. But, great story.

[Maryann Sasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building Apocalypse!

The smell of sulfur is in the air as one volcano
Explosion after the other catches your breath with unbelievable fear. Can one family do anything to prevent Armageddon?

[glenn m zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where I live

I live I live 50 miles inland from the Oregon coast.As I read this I see real reports Of the brushing volcanoes Tremors on a cascade subduction zone.It's like reading my future.Fantastic book series thank you

[Slympicins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all of Bobby's books I couldn't put then down. But this one? I had to put it down and days later sneak back up on it. Absolutely terrifying. How many times have we been that close to a dormant volcano? Bobby can write them and this one is crazy wild.

[Cathy Yandow · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG This book moves at light speed!

And the public thinks that we only have to worry about “normal” stuff (War, Nuclear Mishaps, famines, disease, storms). Let’s add to the pile Volcanic eruptions at the most severe levels. Akart is the master!

[Carol Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chillingly realistic.

Akart is a master at putting you very convincingly, right in the middle when the lava hits the fan. His knowledge on the entire subject of volcanology makes for an authentic adventure.

[Marc Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single book in the Ring of Fire series has been 5 stars. The science seems very real and the action is top notch. It's a very easy read that doesn't take you out and it flows so smoothly from one chapter to the next.

[Tom OConnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawaii ring of fire

After finishing the third book, I feel I could be a tv weatherman. Well written books full of knowledge to explains to the reader what is happening and how to deal with it. Can't wait to read the last book to see how Mr. Smart ended it.

[Linda Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful but Deadly Hawaii

Wow... subterfuge, political gameplay, old heartthrob, deadly volcanoes...how much can a girl handle. All of it...our heroine Sloan
remains unstoppable.