Broken World

EMP Aftermath #1

by Grace Hamilton

No power. No law. No safety net. Civilization is gone.

Dr. Laurel Rivera is attempting to save a patient in the ER when the world goes dark. One moment, she’s shocking his heart and the next, he’s coding in front of her. The hospital plunges into chaos, and outside, society unravels. She refuses to abandon her patients—especially her gravely ill mother. Running might mean survival. Staying means certain danger. Laurel makes her choice: she will fight.

Bear Petersen has nothing left to fight for. War and PTSD stripped him of his career, his pride, and the only woman he ever loved—Laurel. But when the EMP shatters what’s left of the old world, purpose slams back into his life. Laurel is out there, hundreds of miles away from his off-grid cabin in the woods, and she needs him.

To get to her, he’ll have to cross highways littered with dead cars, face survivors turned predators, and endure a wilderness that shows no mercy. Every mile is a battle. Every stranger could be an enemy.

But for the first time since the war, Bear knows exactly what he’s fighting for.

And nothing will stop him.

Expanded and republished in January 2026, Broken World is more compelling than ever—don’t miss this thrilling tale of a post-apocalyptic society.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Survival, Apocalyptic, Dystopia

ebook

First published July 13, 2022

About the author

Grace Hamilton is the prepper pen-name for a bad-ass, survivalist momma-bear of four kids, and wife to a wonderful husband. After being stuck in a mountain cabin for six days following a flash flood, she decided she never wanted to feel so powerless or have to send her kids to bed hungry again. Now she lives the prepper lifestyle and knows that if SHTF or TEOTWAWKI happens, she’ll be ready to help protect and provide for her family.

Combine this survivalist mentality with a vivid imagination (as well as a slightly unhealthy day dreaming habit) and you get a prepper fiction author. Grace spends her days thinking about the worst possible survival situations that a person could be thrown into, then throwing her characters into these nightmares while trying to figure out "What SHOULD you do in this situation?"

It’s her wish that through her characters, you will get to experience what life will be like and essentially learn from their mistakes and experiences.

Reviews

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look out for a Grace Hamilton because I know it's going to be a brilliant read and so I thoroughly enjoyed Broken World it's an excellent book.The story pulled me in from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially I struggled to put all the characters into place and their interconnections but then it worked. I quite enjoyed this take in the emp story. The characters Bulldog and Robert were interesting side characters.
I don't want to stay anything more due to spoilers but can't what to see how this develops


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Updated
Now that I have read more of the series and now listened to the audio have changed my review
I really do enjoy a Grace Hamilton story, they are well written and this was well narrated and brought the characters to life. I have read the story a while ago and it was interesting to see how the story would work for me being an audible version - it did. Even though I knew what was happening I still had to binge listen it was that good.

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not credible and a little silly

I've read quite a bit of apocalyptic fiction and this book is not credible. The main characters are both supposed to be army vets yet the act really green and naive. The main character Laurel is just plain dumb. Also they light trash can fires in the hospital for warmth but no mention of smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide lol

[Bartviator · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very basic story about a dr. Can't find her way out of the hospital. Everyone seems to keep folding their arms, as the author describes quite frequently. Quit reading at 37% due to bored with story.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy a good dystopian book and let me tell you Broken World did not disappoint in any way. It held up to all my expectations and then some. I have read a lot of post-apocalyptic books and enjoyed each and everyone but I will have to say that Broken World went above and beyond anything I could have imagined.

Oh, and I loved that it involves a hospital setting as I do love watching medical drama and first responder TV shows. I also enjoy end of the world shows as well so you can just imagine how ecstatic I was to see that Broken World combined the two genres.

Broken World started off with a blast and never let up from beginning to end. Once I picked it up I was hooked and there was no way I could lay it down after that. I love this world and can’t wait to read more. The characters were all just as amazing. Broken World is told from different characters' points of view. I had no problem none what so ever in distinguishing between them as a matter of fact it was quite easy to do so.

Broken World tells the story of a doctor and her life in the ER after the lights went out. Laurel stayed on the job when many others walked out. Laurel was not about to abandon her patients when they needed her most. Besides her mother was in the hospital with cancer.

When things start to go from bad to worse the one person Laurel always thought she could trust is not the person she thought him to be. Supplies are running low. How can they run a hospital and save all these people without the proper equipment?

When the power went out everyone had to go back to doing things old school. With no power, say good buy to all those little devices that make everything easier and say hello to paper and pens. The doctors and nurses are going to have to rely more on their brains than machines to make their diagnoses.

Bear, Laurel’s husband is miles away living off the grid when the lights go out. Bear decides to make his way back to Laurel as he knows she is going to need him now. Bear suffers from PTSD after serving in the war.

Bear and his dog Jessamine load up his truck and hit the road. He knows that people will try to take his truck and his supplies. They meet some interesting people along the way some good and some not so good. But Bear is determined to make it to Laurel if it is the last thing he does. It is a hard and tough journey but Bear will not give up. He has found something worth fighting for again.

I highly recommend Broken World to all post-apocalyptic fans! One-click your copy of Broken World today!

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken World by Grace Hamilton.
Book 1 of EMP Aftermath.
No power. No law & order. No safety net. The world as everyone knows it is over.Laurel is stabilizing a patient in the ER when the power goes out. As she struggles to keep her patients alive, she faces an ugly truth—the world as everyone knew it is over. The smart thing to do is run and try to survive, but Laurel refuses to leave her patients behind—least of all her sick mother. There’s only one choice to make. She’ll have to stay and fight.Bear is done fighting. War and PTSD have cost him everything—his job, his self-respect, and his wife - Laurel. But when he can no longer deny the old world is gone, he gains a new purpose. Laurel is hundreds of miles away from his mountain cabin, but he knows she needs him.After so long being a lost solider, he finally has something worth fighting for. The highways are clogged with dead cars. Frantic survivors want his truck, his tools, his supplies. He'll face treachery, desperation, and endless miles of unforgiving wilderness, but he's going to find his wife. Together, they can survive anything.
He just has to reach her.
A brilliant read. Twisty. Some good characters. I didn't trust Robert. Arlo surprised me Laurel I liked Bulldog grew on me. I'm looking forward to book 2. 5*.

[george m. facer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring

I found this book boring. The hospital story for me was hard to read . I just could not get into it . Most books about EMPS have a lot more action this seemed more like a love story not my type of book. I kept waiting for something to happen but it never did.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the EMP Aftermath series and the main characters are Laurel, a doctor who has just started working in a new post in charge of the ER at South Minneha Hospital, and her estranged husband Bear (Bjorn) Perterson, who having come home injured from his service in the military, found it difficult to deal with his hearing loss and mainly his PTSD, which had almost made him do something he would regret and wouldn’t be able to live with! He moved far away, to a small cabin in the wilderness, thinking his army skills would be enough to prepare him for what he would face. He was completely mistaken and nearly froze and starved to death his first winter. He has his little dog Jess to keep him company and leaves his hearing aid out as much as possible, rarely seeing anyone else, unless he has to go into town. Laurel was getting used to working with the other staff in the ER, but finding things difficult, as the hospital has been opened with a lot of systems not functioning as they should. They are supposed to use tablets to record each patient’s case, but are acting up. Nothing is where it should be in each ER cubicle, and Laurel is busy dealing with a patient when the power goes out. They wait for the generators to kick in, but nothing happens! She sends the janitor, Henry, to check out the generators and that is a major part of what never got finished before the hospital was opened!
Bear finally makes his way into town in his old truck, to find the place absolutely deserted. He tries the hardware store, but that is all locked up. Even the paper stand has a paper that is a week old. Someone shots at him from a nearby rooftop, just missing him, leaving him to force his way into the hardware store. He was too far from his truck and his gun, so the store was his only chance. He has to shoot the man who comes after him and just after he gets back out of the store, he sees movement near the alley and tells whoever it is to come out. It turns out to be fourteen year old Trent, who is cold, dehydrated and hungry! His parents died in a car crash when the EMP hit and he has been walking for days to get to his aunt’s house, only to find it empty! Bear allows him to come along with him, as he packs up and heads to find Laurel and her mother, who is a patient at the hospital. Her mother’s former boyfriend, Richard Sullivan, who she was seeing before she married Laurel’s father, is on the board at the hospital and managed to get her mother into a trial treatment programme. But Laurel soon finds that Richard and his over attentive affection for her mother soon begins to rub her the wrong way! Some of the staff leave to get back to their families, but Laurel and others stick around to help see to their patients.
People keep turning up to the hospital looking for help and for somewhere they believe to be safe to stay, but the hospital will soon run out of supplies and medicines. Richard refuses to listen to any of her ideas to move patients to closer together, to make it easier for the lower numbers of staff to cope. Not helped by some prisoners that seem to have been released from the prison ward, to roam about without any supervision and someone is feeding them pain meds to get them to do as they want. Bear is getting his ear talked off by Trent and realises he is getting attached to him, as he reminds him of his daughter Mae, who is serving overseas. He teaches him little bits of survival skills as they go towards Laurel’s hospital. In normal traffic it should have only taken a day, but the roads are littered with cars and other vehicles, left in the same position as when the EMP hit. He needs to keep an ear out for danger in whatever form it might take, as people get more desperate as time goes by and supplies become rare. He soon finds himself getting hoodwinked, putting him at a severe disadvantage in trying to get to Laurel anytime soon! He will be facing guns, wolves, and the severe weather, all with few supplies and injuries for them both. The situation at the hospital is also getting worse, as Laurel is being forced out by the doctor in charge, who is also black listing her by telling lies and making her out to only be in her position because of her mother’s link to a member of the hospital board! Bear knows exactly where Laurel will be, knowing full well that she will not abandon her post nor stop helping people in need. He has to face a silent world, with dangers everywhere and no way of knowing when it is coming, apart from his dog Jess. A slow but detailed introduction to the aftermath of the EMP, shown through the lives of Bear and Laurel, and the steps they go through to survive day to day. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex Set-Up of World After an EMP

When the pandemic broke out a few years back, I was surprised to see one reaction: a sudden spate of dystopian fiction examining how things would work when a worldwide disaster such as an EMP broke out. I never was drawn to read that fiction at that time. I am a registered nurse, and I saw enough real-world drama and death that I didn't want to partake of such books for pleasure. But it's hard for me to pass up a series of audiobooks on a favorite book review site, so I decided to test the waters with this book and series. I was especially intrigued as the book’s heroine is an ER doctor newly stateside after active military duty. This book, and the rest in the series, will follow her as she tries to survive while keeping the hospital she works in afloat, as well as her ex-husband, a survivalist who lives off the grid in Canada and who is determined to get to her. I found this book surprisingly interesting to listen to unfold, more so than I thought I would. I did think some things were a bit repetitious. For instance, the hospital was besieged—first from within, then from without—by a similar band of ruffians. Mix it up a little! It also feels a bit predictable in places, like when the ex-husband had his trust shattered in a way that severely delayed his journey and imperiled him and the newly orphaned teen he had taken under his wing. As a nurse who has worked in the hospital, I also found some ways the colleagues treated each other were incorrect and unprofessional. I wonder how much experience the author has in the medical field or the hospital. While it made sense for the drama, it made little sense for how people typically treat each other in the hospital. The book certainly has a few villains to despise, as well as stories of redemption. The book ends on multiple cliffhangers, but luckily, I have the next book queued up and ready to go. I am interested to see how it works out for these two complex protagonists as they try to save themselves, those they love and have come to love, and how it will be when they reunite.

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s my first book about an EMP that part takes place in a hospital, well more in the ER, and I must say it gets really interesting, in the beginning, and well also during the book, you have some scenes that make you relive any good medical show, with lots of action that show us why Laurel works as a doctor and why she is so good at her work.


I did like Laurel she is a good person, she wants to do right and help everyone, but also keep her mother safe and try to cure her from her life threatening cancer, that's the main reason why she crashed with Robert, one of the big shots of the hospital that also knew her mother from her younger times, and when she notices that something is really wrong with Robert she wants to fix that… Bjorn more know as Bear also laurel husband, they live separated but still married, Bear years ago was in the army but he suffered an accident that left him almost deaf, and he felt that he would put laurel in risk but now with this situation he wants to go to Laurel to make sure she is safe, they were shown as different points of view kind of gravitating towards one another, well more of Bear to Laurel to tell the truth, in laurel point of view she mentions Bear a couple of time, but I didn’t really connect with her feelings to him…

This is the kind of book that you read fast, and things keep happening and you keep reading because you want to know what happens next, and like life, things happen, its a good book I did like the doctor and daughter laurel, just didn’t like the laurel wife, I think for her it would make more sense if they were already divorced and bear was just an annoying ex husband that lived in the middle of the woods in Canada, even the daughter we get more info about her from Bear than from Laurel, but I want to keep reading to see if in the following books this change.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's only a couple minute's warning by text before everything goes dark and the world as they know it is changed forever. Laurel is in the middle of a life-saving procedure when the power goes out. Now she's fighting to save the lives of her patients against the growing threat of starvation, disease, and lawlessness.
Bear and Laurel have been separated ever since his PTSD put her in danger. Now he lives off the grid in Canada. But ever since the EMP hit, he's trying to get back to her. Suddenly, saving her from the world seems more important than saving her from himself.
I work 3rd shift in healthcare myself and I understand that eerie feeling after the power goes out and you wonder if the generator will kick on. I can't even imagine the difficulty of caring for all those patients indefinitely with no power, no staff, and limited resources. I can't wait for the reunion of Laurel and Bear. He's such a complex, fascinating character and seems devoted to her despite their separation.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed other Grace Hamilton stories and was excited to start this series. This is book 1. I really enjoy a good dystopian story. An EMP wiped out electronics and electrical utility is a very real possibility. I could envision how it would impact my community. I struggled to keep some of the characters separate initially, but there were enough context clues I always placed them before long. The story is well written. Good world and character development. Loved how it changed from different characters viewpoints. I used the audio version of the story, and could see in my mind’s eye the hospital and landscapes. Once I started the story, I was hooked, and binge listened to it. There were no slow segments in the story. I recommend having book 2 ready to go. I could not wait to start book 2! The narration was excellent. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Grace Hamilton's book, and won't be my last. This is the first installment in the EMP Aftermath Series, a post-apocalyptic survival fiction. Laurel and Bear's story is entertaining, suspenseful, and captivating, filled with action, suspense, and twists and turns. There is a lot going on in this installment, and this is a great introduction to the series. The world building is enthralling. The characters are well developed, and interesting. The cast of supporting characters is impressive. I liked Trent. The story is told from multiple POV, which is great. Andrew Tell did an OUTSTANDING job bringing this story to life. His acting is flawless. I like his voice. Looking forward to listening to Chaotic World, the next book in the series, to know what happens next. I HIGHLY recommend this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. #Booksprout

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the world goes dark Laurel, a doctor decides to stay at the hospital where she works, and continue to treat patients as best she can considering the situation. Unfortunately, she will have to deal with a less than ethical hospital board member who’s also a doctor. Bear is living in his small cabin in the woods when an EMP turns the world up-side=down. His wife Laurel is hundreds of miles away but he’s determined to get her so he can protect her.
These are all wonderfully well written characters that are very compelling, and I think their distinct personalities, and their reactions are pretty realistic. On, man, very scary post-apocalyptic read with many unexpected twists in the plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved it, and I recommend it to fans of this author and genre.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not read a story of Grace Hamilton that I've not liked. Her stories are so real and believable that as you read you are fighting with the characters to get to their loved ones and survive. I was exhausted working to survive with Bear when he starts his journey. What a dark world when everything goes off. You find out that humanity brings out the best and the worst in people. Will Bear make it to Laurel before anything happens to her? I can't wait to read the next book. Highly recommend Broken World.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Grace Hamilton; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the EMP Aftermath Series; it is the beginning of another series. The story is about Laurel & Bear; after the power goes out she knows she has to fight to protect her sick mother and other patients; he has lost everything including his wife but after the power goes out he knows she needs his help and starts across the state to find her.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken World is book one and a great start to the EMP Aftermath series. In this book we get Laura and Bear's story. I am loving Grace Hamilton's books with the "What would you do" realistic scenarios about how people react during and after an EMP event. As always this author gave us believable characters, descriptive writing, and a page turning, action packed story that I didn't put down until the last page. After that ending I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens next. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story that easily held my interedt.
There is a lot of action drama and suspense. The author does a good job of delving deep into these characters, so I become to care about them. Of course, there are more than a few that I become suspicious of. The only thing I really don’t care for is this ends in a not finished story. Not quite a cliffhanger, but more of a soft ending. Makes me look forward to more in this series.


I listen to this on audio. Andrew Tell does an amazing job. I love listening to him narrate books like this.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was slow to begin with, but became increasingly enticing to the point where I could not put it down.

Have you ever had a novel bring you to the edge of your seat and then keep you there? That's how it felt to read this novel, it was as if I was really there!

This book turned out to ultimately, absolutely AH-MAZING! I completely enjoyed it and the twists/turns that went along with every chapter.

[Catriona Lovett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Stayed Up All Night Binge-Reading

Grace Hamilton is a master of creating stories where TEOTWAWKI catastrophe has plunged all survivors into a dark, unforgiving world. Her first book in the EMP Aftermath series grabbed me from the beginning and here it is, 5 am, and I want to start the next book. I want to find out what happens to the people I've begun caring about like they were friends and family.

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a different survival than other books in this category I've read. We skip relatively fast over the first seven days which surprised me. And I thought it was weird how there arent a lot of desperate people around, many books tell you how hospitals especially are overrun, even when theyre farther away. And even in the small town Bear finds Trent, there is just no one around. Where did everyone go?

[Kay Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear, Jessamine, Laurel and Trent are the most loveable of characters, none perfect but they and many others are so, I guess dazzling in many ways. The EMP is set mainly in a hospital and gives the reader a different viewpoint. There’s plenty of aggression and meanness, threats and caring. My biggest dislike was THE END at the end. Definitely a series worth following.

[Cat Sanford · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed reading the book, I was completely disappointed that it ended with a non-ending. I absolutely hate when you're left hanging in the hope that you'll buy the next book in the series. It's a simple process to have a series of books that don't leave you hanging but instead encourage you to read the next book because you like the story.... I may or may not buy the next book.

[Laurel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent EMP story. Laurel is a heroine

I love the main character's first name, which I share, btw. Believable story and scenarios, unfortunately. With Biden installed in our White House, by fraud and cheating, I fear we will see society collapse and enemies, seeing weakness, descend on us.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent new series.

Another great read with in a post EMP world. In this one we have a doctor who refuses to leave her patients and a warrior living off the grid who is determined to find and help her. The world has changed and they have a past. I loved the strength of both of the characters and this is a great story about a woman determined to make a difference and a man who does.

[Mariah Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good start to a series

I enjoyed the story. It was a really good start to a series. The characters were diverse and well written. I like the idea of the hospital environment as written. So far I would say I would recommend this story to someone looking for a post Emp type of book.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good beginning

I haven’t read Grace Hamilton before but really liked this story. So will continue with this series.
I like the characters and the story, though I’m not sure if this outcome is scientifically correct about EMPs. Why would a battery powered flashlight be affected? Why would the entire globe be affected? am no scientist so I will go on with the story.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gem in the Genre

This is a gem in the apocalyptic genre. Well written, with strong characters, plain ordinary folks facing extraordinary circumstances. There are small triumphs as well as costly mistakes. Realistic reactions to highly stressful situations that nobody was prepared for.
A great opening in what promises to a very compelling series.

[Cynthia Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survival thriller

Laurel is in charge of the ER at a shiny new hospital in Minnesota when the EMP hits. Her husband bear is at his off grid cabin in Canada and doesn't even know what happened. When he does find out he heads out to find her but winter is fast approaching and the way is treacherous.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Post Apocalyptic EMP story

Bear was ex-military, with PTSD, and hearing loss. He moved to the wilderness. He had a great dog for company. Bear didnt even realize the world had changed after an EMP. His wife was a Doctor living in the city, she was ex-military also. When Bear realizes that the EMP has occured his first thought was to go to her. Great story of surviving.