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Gray #1
Gray: Part I
A dense black cloud boiled up in the southeastern sky. It rose high and fast, like a time-lapse movie of the birth of a thunderhead. But it was no rain cloud. Wholly black, it reached up and loomed over her, blocking out the sun. Somehow she knew it was Death coming at her.
Pre-med student Coral is on a vacation in Idaho when something terrible happens. The black cloud is followed by a wildfire and searing heat that lasts for days. She survives deep in a cave but emerges days later to find the world transformed, a world of blackened trees, an ash-filled sky, and no living creatures except her.
So begins her desperate journey: to find water, and food, and other survivors...and the answer to the mystery of what happened.
Pre-med student Coral is on a vacation in Idaho when something terrible happens. The black cloud is followed by a wildfire and searing heat that lasts for days. She survives deep in a cave but emerges days later to find the world transformed, a world of blackened trees, an ash-filled sky, and no living creatures except her.
So begins her desperate journey: to find water, and food, and other survivors...and the answer to the mystery of what happened.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2015
430 people are currently reading
921 people want to read
About the author
Lou Cadle
32 books124 followersLou Cadle grew up in Tornado Alley near the New Madrid fault, was in San Francisco's 1989 earthquake, watched minor eruptions of Mt. St. Helens from close up, and hiked several times over Kilauea's active lava flows. Cadle currently lives in haboob country.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
October 17, 2015
"Who was there, after all, to stop any one person from hurting someone less powerful in this empty, lawless world? Nothing but a person's own conscience, a person's core character."
This was such a good read. Gray is an engrossing, character-driven post-apocalyptic story. It's exactly the type of story I love: a story about survival, and what it means to be human. It's about who we are, and what we are capable of when stripped down to our basic essence and faced with the most dire of circumstances. It will either bring out the worst in us, the best in us, or something in between.
Coral, the protagonist, is an amazing character. She's strong, intelligent, resourceful, and most importantly, human. I cared for her deeply. And what she goes through often made me wonder what I would do faced with similar circumstances. I honestly don't know if I could make it.
The story follows Coral's journey as she tries to cope with the aftermath of an apocalyptic event. She's alone for a good chunk of this, which you would think would make for a boring read, but which in fact I found riveting. I couldn't put this book down.
The one criticism I have is with the dialogue, which felt a bit stiff and wooden in some places. I also came across a few typographical errors, such as an extra word or a missing word, and reversed words. They were very few, approx. 8 instances, and while I'm usually a stickler when it comes to such things, in this case it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
There are a lot of loose ends at the end of Gray -- same with Part II -- so just keep in mind that each part does not fully stand on its own. You'll have to read all three parts to get a full resolution.
I've already finished Part II, which I also loved, and now I'm waiting for Part III, which will be released in early 2016.
So, if you're looking for a compelling, character-driven post-apocalyptic story, and you like stories of survival à la Cast Away, as well as the more quiet human struggles of the characters of The Walking Dead (sans zombies, of course), I recommend giving Gray a shot.
Final Rating: 4 stars
This was such a good read. Gray is an engrossing, character-driven post-apocalyptic story. It's exactly the type of story I love: a story about survival, and what it means to be human. It's about who we are, and what we are capable of when stripped down to our basic essence and faced with the most dire of circumstances. It will either bring out the worst in us, the best in us, or something in between.
Coral, the protagonist, is an amazing character. She's strong, intelligent, resourceful, and most importantly, human. I cared for her deeply. And what she goes through often made me wonder what I would do faced with similar circumstances. I honestly don't know if I could make it.
The story follows Coral's journey as she tries to cope with the aftermath of an apocalyptic event. She's alone for a good chunk of this, which you would think would make for a boring read, but which in fact I found riveting. I couldn't put this book down.
The one criticism I have is with the dialogue, which felt a bit stiff and wooden in some places. I also came across a few typographical errors, such as an extra word or a missing word, and reversed words. They were very few, approx. 8 instances, and while I'm usually a stickler when it comes to such things, in this case it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
There are a lot of loose ends at the end of Gray -- same with Part II -- so just keep in mind that each part does not fully stand on its own. You'll have to read all three parts to get a full resolution.
I've already finished Part II, which I also loved, and now I'm waiting for Part III, which will be released in early 2016.
So, if you're looking for a compelling, character-driven post-apocalyptic story, and you like stories of survival à la Cast Away, as well as the more quiet human struggles of the characters of The Walking Dead (sans zombies, of course), I recommend giving Gray a shot.
Final Rating: 4 stars
August 9, 2020
I am actually currently reading. The whole BULLSHIT about her not telling Benjamin the truth about her attack after he had saved her life was EXASPERATINGLY STUPID. I found myself yelling JUST TELL HIM-YOU F'N jerk. Then her offering "now how can I trust him?????????????????????????????????????????????????????? So far I find myself seriously not liking this girl, at all. She kinda sucks. I hope she is able to grab on real tight, pull real hard and get her big fat head out of her ass. Maybe it's just character development?
Ok I finished, she got better, but right till the end their was a part of this girl I REALLY Didn't LIKE. but after that earlier stuff she got better but right till the end retained the very annoying doubt of people she SO OBVIOUSLY needed to trust.
Ok I finished, she got better, but right till the end their was a part of this girl I REALLY Didn't LIKE. but after that earlier stuff she got better but right till the end retained the very annoying doubt of people she SO OBVIOUSLY needed to trust.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2022
The biggest mystery in this story is what exactly caused the Gray. I suspected that it was the Yellowstone Caldera eruption.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iRJb...
Although the characters feel it might have been an asteroid, I'm still leaning towards supervolcano.
The characters in this book are engaging and I plan to read the series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iRJb...
Although the characters feel it might have been an asteroid, I'm still leaning towards supervolcano.
The characters in this book are engaging and I plan to read the series.
December 27, 2021
I wanted to read this because it’s one of the rare books of this genre that had a female lead but - Holy hell!!! This guy writes every single excruciating detail down to the micro-action. Which also means it’s not surprising that he uses the same words in extreme repetition - sometimes even three or more times in a single sentence! First - this needs to be seriously edited down and actually made readable, but beyond that… BUY A THESAURUS!!!
This book also falls into the weird trend of self publishing “writers” that feel if they write enough drivel to just stuff pages to make it a “book” they can end it right in the middle of the story and make it a multi-part series. If they actually wrote well and concise this could be a nice, tight SINGLE story. Quantity does NOT equal quality and this is a perfect example.
Beyond that - the author is a raging sexist or just one more ignorant male trying to write a female character. Much less a extra level of ballsy trying to write her as a main character. Are cis, white males truly this oblivious??!?!? I mean, if you’re a writer you’re SUPPOSED to be able to have some basic observational skills but at a minimum maybe have a real conversation with a woman at some point?!?!
She’s a med student and the writer has a weird obsession with over the top details so of course we are treated to almost a full dissertation about a random femur she finds but by all means she’s incapable of figuring out on her own that has a concussion despite displaying major symptoms. Silly woman, she needed GUY to tell her she had a concussion, of course!!!
A great example of this insane minute detail - what kind of person had to be told “aspirin in my backpack” okay, where in backpack, okay in main compartment in a first aid kit. Where in the first aid kit? It’s not that big of a kit or bag for crying out loud just open the little kit and find the pill bottle!!!! Did we need this all laid out instead of just saying, “she told him where the aspirin was in her backpack and was thankful to swallow the pills.”
The dude said “shot a couple weeks back” (regarding the venison) and she asks “there’s stuff out there?” The timeline of events, though, was only a week, at best. Now we are at 10 days according to the dude. But that’s still not “a couple weeks back.” Yet another common issue where the writers forget how to keep track of time.
As a med student (or anyone with basic common sense) she can’t understand why some people don’t take drugs for pain???? Not even a the smallest flicker of an idea that maybe the person is a recovering addict or comes from a family/relationship with an addict? Seriously!?!?!?
Why is it such a big deal for her to tell him what happened at mill creak? Why is the author making it such a massive thing other than to make utterly contrived drivel as a way to cause some tension between the two that doesn’t need to be there as yet another example of stuffing pages to pretend like they wrote a book. A woman being attacked on the road after a global disaster isn’t a weird thing.
Wait so this guy is all “people can be evil” and yet drills her and immediately assumes she’s evil because she was a female attacked on the road? Then had the audacity to profess he’s a good guy???? Is the author so terrible at writing that he has to make up this level of ridiculousness and actually thinks it’s worth putting on paper?????
A med student (or, again, anyone with two brain cells) uses “all molesters are that way because they were molested?” What lunacy is that!?!?!
Again the author seems to be having trouble with telling time saying she’s been sleeping in the bed for weeks. For a guy who writes in excruciating and utterly unnecessary detail in areas that do nothing to propel the story he randomly jumps all over time with absolutely no sense of time passing other than a couple of days from the start of the story to all of a sudden many weeks suddenly going by but he doesn’t tell the readers there’s been any passage of time. He needs to get rid of 80% of the bulk details of minute movements and inner dialogue (and a poorly disguised how-to survival preaching guide) and actually learn how to transition or illustrate time.
The dude wasn’t saying she did anything wrong??? He outright accused her of attacking a partner or stealing from someone and never once even considered a woman alone could just simply be attacked.
What the hell is with this guy never hearing about people (yes, including women) not wanting kids and then blowing her off telling her she’s wrong and that she’d want kids really if she wasn’t focused on school and such. There is soooooooo much wrong with this whole thing that I’d be here all day breaking down all the issues with just this specific part.
Ahhh yes, the little female is the one good at sewing and what a good little lady knitting some mittens. Again, the raging sexism of this writer shines through.
Yep, good thing there’s a male around to tell the med student about medical stuff like how her fatigue and fading is from the lack of food. Again, so wonderful manly-man is there to explain to the silly female who thought she could go to college for medicine what symptoms of radiation poison from a nuke would look like. Whew! Thank god this man was around!
First, anyone knows Walmart has a pharmacy. Second a med student would definitely know this. Third, not just old people take medicine, come on man!!!!
Ummmm no, sugary soda is NOT “as good as water”for hydration. It’s actually the opposite to hydrating. Under such extreme circumstances it’s at least something but in NO WAY is it as good as water.
What is up with the weirdness of calling comrades, cohorts, friends, followers, underlings, thugs, etc (see - When you actually know words you’ll find there’s a variety to use) “confederates.” It’s bad enough that people don’t speak in any different tonality regardless of character but no one in the real world uses the word “confederate” nor is it even accurate.
“This is mans business” again - who speaks like this? Maybe the Amish but the average person? Lol no. Not to mention more sexism.
Hahaha what!!!!!! Did the author just compare two random piles outside of a Walmart to women’s breasts?!?!?!
Could you be any more demeaning since you constantly have manly-man there telling the med student about medical stuff - oh wait, you can!!! By calling her a nurse. Not that there’s anything wrong with nurses - they’re often better than doctors, to be honest. But it’s just one more example of raging sexism. Then have her go right to asking him what she should do. The dude is a groundskeeper!!!!
I felt like I was going through apocalyptic torture just making it through this utter gutter trash. It felt like the writing was about the same 4th/5th grade school boy wrote in both contrived situations, lack of voice, lack of action, and lack of any kind of common sense. He spends an obscene amount of time on nonsensical details while completely glossing over any actual action. I definitely will not be wasting my time on anything else this guy “writes” and you shouldn’t either.
This book also falls into the weird trend of self publishing “writers” that feel if they write enough drivel to just stuff pages to make it a “book” they can end it right in the middle of the story and make it a multi-part series. If they actually wrote well and concise this could be a nice, tight SINGLE story. Quantity does NOT equal quality and this is a perfect example.
Beyond that - the author is a raging sexist or just one more ignorant male trying to write a female character. Much less a extra level of ballsy trying to write her as a main character. Are cis, white males truly this oblivious??!?!? I mean, if you’re a writer you’re SUPPOSED to be able to have some basic observational skills but at a minimum maybe have a real conversation with a woman at some point?!?!
She’s a med student and the writer has a weird obsession with over the top details so of course we are treated to almost a full dissertation about a random femur she finds but by all means she’s incapable of figuring out on her own that has a concussion despite displaying major symptoms. Silly woman, she needed GUY to tell her she had a concussion, of course!!!
A great example of this insane minute detail - what kind of person had to be told “aspirin in my backpack” okay, where in backpack, okay in main compartment in a first aid kit. Where in the first aid kit? It’s not that big of a kit or bag for crying out loud just open the little kit and find the pill bottle!!!! Did we need this all laid out instead of just saying, “she told him where the aspirin was in her backpack and was thankful to swallow the pills.”
The dude said “shot a couple weeks back” (regarding the venison) and she asks “there’s stuff out there?” The timeline of events, though, was only a week, at best. Now we are at 10 days according to the dude. But that’s still not “a couple weeks back.” Yet another common issue where the writers forget how to keep track of time.
As a med student (or anyone with basic common sense) she can’t understand why some people don’t take drugs for pain???? Not even a the smallest flicker of an idea that maybe the person is a recovering addict or comes from a family/relationship with an addict? Seriously!?!?!?
Why is it such a big deal for her to tell him what happened at mill creak? Why is the author making it such a massive thing other than to make utterly contrived drivel as a way to cause some tension between the two that doesn’t need to be there as yet another example of stuffing pages to pretend like they wrote a book. A woman being attacked on the road after a global disaster isn’t a weird thing.
Wait so this guy is all “people can be evil” and yet drills her and immediately assumes she’s evil because she was a female attacked on the road? Then had the audacity to profess he’s a good guy???? Is the author so terrible at writing that he has to make up this level of ridiculousness and actually thinks it’s worth putting on paper?????
A med student (or, again, anyone with two brain cells) uses “all molesters are that way because they were molested?” What lunacy is that!?!?!
Again the author seems to be having trouble with telling time saying she’s been sleeping in the bed for weeks. For a guy who writes in excruciating and utterly unnecessary detail in areas that do nothing to propel the story he randomly jumps all over time with absolutely no sense of time passing other than a couple of days from the start of the story to all of a sudden many weeks suddenly going by but he doesn’t tell the readers there’s been any passage of time. He needs to get rid of 80% of the bulk details of minute movements and inner dialogue (and a poorly disguised how-to survival preaching guide) and actually learn how to transition or illustrate time.
The dude wasn’t saying she did anything wrong??? He outright accused her of attacking a partner or stealing from someone and never once even considered a woman alone could just simply be attacked.
What the hell is with this guy never hearing about people (yes, including women) not wanting kids and then blowing her off telling her she’s wrong and that she’d want kids really if she wasn’t focused on school and such. There is soooooooo much wrong with this whole thing that I’d be here all day breaking down all the issues with just this specific part.
Ahhh yes, the little female is the one good at sewing and what a good little lady knitting some mittens. Again, the raging sexism of this writer shines through.
Yep, good thing there’s a male around to tell the med student about medical stuff like how her fatigue and fading is from the lack of food. Again, so wonderful manly-man is there to explain to the silly female who thought she could go to college for medicine what symptoms of radiation poison from a nuke would look like. Whew! Thank god this man was around!
First, anyone knows Walmart has a pharmacy. Second a med student would definitely know this. Third, not just old people take medicine, come on man!!!!
Ummmm no, sugary soda is NOT “as good as water”for hydration. It’s actually the opposite to hydrating. Under such extreme circumstances it’s at least something but in NO WAY is it as good as water.
What is up with the weirdness of calling comrades, cohorts, friends, followers, underlings, thugs, etc (see - When you actually know words you’ll find there’s a variety to use) “confederates.” It’s bad enough that people don’t speak in any different tonality regardless of character but no one in the real world uses the word “confederate” nor is it even accurate.
“This is mans business” again - who speaks like this? Maybe the Amish but the average person? Lol no. Not to mention more sexism.
Hahaha what!!!!!! Did the author just compare two random piles outside of a Walmart to women’s breasts?!?!?!
Could you be any more demeaning since you constantly have manly-man there telling the med student about medical stuff - oh wait, you can!!! By calling her a nurse. Not that there’s anything wrong with nurses - they’re often better than doctors, to be honest. But it’s just one more example of raging sexism. Then have her go right to asking him what she should do. The dude is a groundskeeper!!!!
I felt like I was going through apocalyptic torture just making it through this utter gutter trash. It felt like the writing was about the same 4th/5th grade school boy wrote in both contrived situations, lack of voice, lack of action, and lack of any kind of common sense. He spends an obscene amount of time on nonsensical details while completely glossing over any actual action. I definitely will not be wasting my time on anything else this guy “writes” and you shouldn’t either.
August 22, 2017
Very realistic story about an "event" that wipes out everyone and everything. Coral, our protagonist, happens to be about to enter a cave to do some exploring when the event hits, setting the world on fire.
So far, this is a good story, and I'm enjoying Coral and her survival instincts. If this ever really happens, I am not so sure I'll be able to eat raw fish, grubs or snake. She's a tough cookie!
So far, this is a good story, and I'm enjoying Coral and her survival instincts. If this ever really happens, I am not so sure I'll be able to eat raw fish, grubs or snake. She's a tough cookie!
September 5, 2020
Story starts off with a bang when Coral is camping in Idaho. A black cloud starts to engulf everything around her. Soon after, everything starts to get hotter and hotter. Coral finds refuge in a nearby cave. She is trapped in there for days. When she is finally able to emerge, her world is turned upside down. Everything is burned and gone. So she begins her journey to find out what happened and if anyone else is alive.
The story is really good and moves along at a speedy pace. The downfall is the way it ends. It is abrupt. Not really a true ending. There is a need to have book 2 available. Luckily I did but it would've been frustrating if I did not.
The story is really good and moves along at a speedy pace. The downfall is the way it ends. It is abrupt. Not really a true ending. There is a need to have book 2 available. Luckily I did but it would've been frustrating if I did not.
June 18, 2018
What's going on here?
Suspenseful and a complete mystery, all the way through the first book in this series.
We have no idea what triggered the sky to turn gray.
I like Coral, for her resourcefulness and for her vulnerability. She's realistic.
I also like the mystery of Benjamin.
Definitely a series I'll keep reading!
Suspenseful and a complete mystery, all the way through the first book in this series.
We have no idea what triggered the sky to turn gray.
I like Coral, for her resourcefulness and for her vulnerability. She's realistic.
I also like the mystery of Benjamin.
Definitely a series I'll keep reading!
May 28, 2017
Enthralling. I'm anxious to read the next installment.
September 10, 2018
Very exciting post-apocalyptic story! I'm buying the second part now.
November 17, 2024
3.5🌟 - I am, generally, a fan of apocalyptic/natural disaster storylines...and this one scratches that itch...but I would argue that it's not a stand-alone book and should have never been published as one. This is part of a 3 book series...but it definitely just seems to randomly end without an actual good ending.
That being said...Coral is out on her own camping/hiking in her brother's RV when she's about to explore a cave. Suddenly things start falling out of the sky forcing her to rush into the cave...then a scorching heat keeps her secluded in the cave for a few days. When she can finally emerge, the world is not the world she knew. The RV is dead, almost everything is melted, there's no signs of other life...Coral sets out to find food and any civilization she can. She survives by fishing and eating a few cans of food she has. She does eventually find other people...but most are not friendly. She does find Benjamin...and together they set off in the hopes of surviving - finding food and maybe a new civilization.
So far I'm enjoying the series. Some parts of book one were a bit slow...but overall entertaining!
That being said...Coral is out on her own camping/hiking in her brother's RV when she's about to explore a cave. Suddenly things start falling out of the sky forcing her to rush into the cave...then a scorching heat keeps her secluded in the cave for a few days. When she can finally emerge, the world is not the world she knew. The RV is dead, almost everything is melted, there's no signs of other life...Coral sets out to find food and any civilization she can. She survives by fishing and eating a few cans of food she has. She does eventually find other people...but most are not friendly. She does find Benjamin...and together they set off in the hopes of surviving - finding food and maybe a new civilization.
So far I'm enjoying the series. Some parts of book one were a bit slow...but overall entertaining!
June 19, 2025
Rated down 3.5 stars rated down but worth 4 as an entertaining apocalyptic read!
October 28, 2017
Coral was a pre-med student. She would have entered her second year but for one problem. She was out hiking, wanting to explore a cave. Everything then goes to hell in a handbasket as there is some kind of massive explosion followed by a wave of wind and fire. She dives into the cave and manages to survive. From that point on she has to figure out a way to get back home and survive.
It proves to be something incredibly difficult. Fortunately she finds Benjamin, a guy willing to travel with her. They will have to face desperate attempts to find enough food, survive in the cold and fight off thugs and religious fanatics. It's making for a desperate attempt at survival. There are several books in the series, by the way.
I think the two major characters are done fairly well. What they have to go through seems realistic in those circumstances. My own guess is that the explosion was some kind of meteor impacting. That would explain the explosion, the force of the wind, the fire, and the lack of radiation poisoning.
It proves to be something incredibly difficult. Fortunately she finds Benjamin, a guy willing to travel with her. They will have to face desperate attempts to find enough food, survive in the cold and fight off thugs and religious fanatics. It's making for a desperate attempt at survival. There are several books in the series, by the way.
I think the two major characters are done fairly well. What they have to go through seems realistic in those circumstances. My own guess is that the explosion was some kind of meteor impacting. That would explain the explosion, the force of the wind, the fire, and the lack of radiation poisoning.
November 30, 2017
Much like Lou Cadle's later series (Dawn of Mammals, which I just finished), this book is about survival. In Gray, there's an Event. Something happens. Luckily a woman had been about to explore a cave, so when fire started falling from the sky, when all the land burned around her for days, she was able to survive by going deep into it.
When the world finally cooled enough for her to come out, everything was covered with ash -- gray. Almost everyone was dead. Almost all animals were dead. Everything was gone, burned to the ground. And she had to survive in that world alone.
One of the big differences between this series and Dawn of Mammals was that lack of other people. (And, you know, the lack of interesting prehistoric animals.) That was pretty significant, as without others to interact with, we were just in her head all the time. For me, that made for a much less interesting story.
This wasn't a bad book at all, I just didn't find it anywhere near as interesting as his other series, so I gave up on it at the 50% point.
When the world finally cooled enough for her to come out, everything was covered with ash -- gray. Almost everyone was dead. Almost all animals were dead. Everything was gone, burned to the ground. And she had to survive in that world alone.
One of the big differences between this series and Dawn of Mammals was that lack of other people. (And, you know, the lack of interesting prehistoric animals.) That was pretty significant, as without others to interact with, we were just in her head all the time. For me, that made for a much less interesting story.
This wasn't a bad book at all, I just didn't find it anywhere near as interesting as his other series, so I gave up on it at the 50% point.
November 8, 2016
This was cool. A bit slow and, if you think about it, nothing REALLY happened, but it was good enough. I enjoyed it, though Coral isn't the best main character I've seen - she's only alive because she is one lucky girl, but at least she is aware of that - and both Coral and Benjamin need some character development. Plot needs some development too, so I guess we'll see what happens next.
January 20, 2016
What a great story! Yes some editorial errors in the text, but I could ignore them because the story was just that good. Off to part two!
October 5, 2018
Boring
It was a struggle to make it thru this book. Will not be reading the other books in the series.
It was a struggle to make it thru this book. Will not be reading the other books in the series.
September 1, 2025
This review is based on the Audible audio book.
This was a welcome change to the standard 'end-of-the-world' novel, with no zombies, genetic monsters, viruses that are the staple of these books. Coral a pre-med student is on holiday and planning on caving in Idaho when a strange phenonium occurs. A large ash cloud covers the sky and leaves Coral trapped in the cave, and this is only exacerbated by a large fire that appears to destroy most of the surrounding area. She is a resourceful woman having an emergency survival kit (including fishing gear, magnetised needle etc.) and realising she cannot stay where she is as there is no water and little food, so packs and heads off looking to find a town, hopefully some survivors and as important more supplies.
She sees no one, there are no animals or birds and fish she can catch are tiny and barely sustain here. She comes across some tinned food in houses and in one case an emergency shelter (in which there were bodies). Needless to say the first person she meets is an aggressive man whom she has to fight and leaves for dead. Injured and struggle she leaves the town only to collapse in the local stream. She is rescued by Benjamin, and whilst there is much suspicion on both sides an alliance gradually forms which turns into friendship. Realising that as ash cloud is blocking out the sun, temperatures are falling and the lack of food (2 hunting trips by Benjamin yield nothing) forces them into the realisation that they need to head for lower and warmer environments so they set out. After much travel that come across a Wall Mart and decide to liberate what supplies they can. Disaster strikes when Benjamin is captured by the local thugs who as usual in 'end-of-the-world' novels take advantage of the lack of law and society to behave how they want which always includes extreme violence against any not in their gang.
Coral is faced with a dilemma, leave with the supplies on her own not knowing what she will find or attempt to rescue Benjamin. After deciding on the latter, can she come up with a plan too free Benjamin and get them both to safety with now experience of weapons (except the homemade bow she is trying to use) and a life dedicated to helping people? Time will tell.
Excellent first part of a trilogy, looking forward to book 2. The story moved at a good pace and there was a nice balance between survival detail, necessary to take the reader into Coral and Benjamin's life, and the need to keep a story moving. I found the key characters likeable and believable although Coral is at times both naïve and resourceful but I think the story works because neither Coral or Benjamin are army, special forces, survivalists etc., but simply ordinary people.
This was a welcome change to the standard 'end-of-the-world' novel, with no zombies, genetic monsters, viruses that are the staple of these books. Coral a pre-med student is on holiday and planning on caving in Idaho when a strange phenonium occurs. A large ash cloud covers the sky and leaves Coral trapped in the cave, and this is only exacerbated by a large fire that appears to destroy most of the surrounding area. She is a resourceful woman having an emergency survival kit (including fishing gear, magnetised needle etc.) and realising she cannot stay where she is as there is no water and little food, so packs and heads off looking to find a town, hopefully some survivors and as important more supplies.
She sees no one, there are no animals or birds and fish she can catch are tiny and barely sustain here. She comes across some tinned food in houses and in one case an emergency shelter (in which there were bodies). Needless to say the first person she meets is an aggressive man whom she has to fight and leaves for dead. Injured and struggle she leaves the town only to collapse in the local stream. She is rescued by Benjamin, and whilst there is much suspicion on both sides an alliance gradually forms which turns into friendship. Realising that as ash cloud is blocking out the sun, temperatures are falling and the lack of food (2 hunting trips by Benjamin yield nothing) forces them into the realisation that they need to head for lower and warmer environments so they set out. After much travel that come across a Wall Mart and decide to liberate what supplies they can. Disaster strikes when Benjamin is captured by the local thugs who as usual in 'end-of-the-world' novels take advantage of the lack of law and society to behave how they want which always includes extreme violence against any not in their gang.
Coral is faced with a dilemma, leave with the supplies on her own not knowing what she will find or attempt to rescue Benjamin. After deciding on the latter, can she come up with a plan too free Benjamin and get them both to safety with now experience of weapons (except the homemade bow she is trying to use) and a life dedicated to helping people? Time will tell.
Excellent first part of a trilogy, looking forward to book 2. The story moved at a good pace and there was a nice balance between survival detail, necessary to take the reader into Coral and Benjamin's life, and the need to keep a story moving. I found the key characters likeable and believable although Coral is at times both naïve and resourceful but I think the story works because neither Coral or Benjamin are army, special forces, survivalists etc., but simply ordinary people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2021
A sudden flash and heat sets the world on fire. The few that survive, are faced with a world in ashes and limited supplies.
Coral, the young woman who survives by chance in a cave starts her journey. She meets Benjamin, the quiet mid-aged man, and the unlikely pair decides to try to survive working together.
Gray is a post-apocalyptic survival story, with more attention on survival details than most in the genre. (If you are really into survivalism, you will find a lot of gaps and issues, but overall, it hits the mark to be a good fiction read. At least it lacks the myriad gaps and issues most fiction of the genre has.)
The main characters (Coral the PoV, and Benjamin the supporting character), are believable. They are people you see around you, or could be your neighbours. The thing that could make them apart from the big average is that they are resolute and have strong, healthy morality.
Things I liked:
- More and much better survivalism details than most PA stories.
- It has progression, while not aiming for a "Big Hollywood Happy-end".
- Extremes that would crop up in such a world do crop up, but it's not overplayed.
Things I didn't like:
- Benjamin is only a supporting character, but sometimes he felt too passive.
- The city people are too sheepish.
Coral, the young woman who survives by chance in a cave starts her journey. She meets Benjamin, the quiet mid-aged man, and the unlikely pair decides to try to survive working together.
Gray is a post-apocalyptic survival story, with more attention on survival details than most in the genre. (If you are really into survivalism, you will find a lot of gaps and issues, but overall, it hits the mark to be a good fiction read. At least it lacks the myriad gaps and issues most fiction of the genre has.)
The main characters (Coral the PoV, and Benjamin the supporting character), are believable. They are people you see around you, or could be your neighbours. The thing that could make them apart from the big average is that they are resolute and have strong, healthy morality.
Things I liked:
- More and much better survivalism details than most PA stories.
- It has progression, while not aiming for a "Big Hollywood Happy-end".
- Extremes that would crop up in such a world do crop up, but it's not overplayed.
Things I didn't like:
- Benjamin is only a supporting character, but sometimes he felt too passive.
- The city people are too sheepish.
November 21, 2020
I think this book is one of the poorest survival books I’ve ever read. First of all the main character is always worried about having sex and being raped ALL THE TIME. she sees this happening with every scenario they encounter. I think LOU that’s a problem.
I did not like the female main character at all. She’s selfish and very opinionated. her way is the right way and nobody else’s. Without revealing too much there’s a part in the book where they come across a group of survivors, and instead of feeling grateful for what they provide and then just going on her way she tries to create all sorts of havoc within the group. Telling certain people that things are illegal – – what laws? There’s no one left to enforce them! She preaches to them but she refuses to except their preaching. What is admittedly weird but still. I won’t going to anything more about that group.
She think she’s high and mighty superior because she doesn’t believe in God, and she’s always bored she’s always fighting about everything drag down quite a bit.
I sure don’t see her as a heroine.
I did not like the female main character at all. She’s selfish and very opinionated. her way is the right way and nobody else’s. Without revealing too much there’s a part in the book where they come across a group of survivors, and instead of feeling grateful for what they provide and then just going on her way she tries to create all sorts of havoc within the group. Telling certain people that things are illegal – – what laws? There’s no one left to enforce them! She preaches to them but she refuses to except their preaching. What is admittedly weird but still. I won’t going to anything more about that group.
She think she’s high and mighty superior because she doesn’t believe in God, and she’s always bored she’s always fighting about everything drag down quite a bit.
I sure don’t see her as a heroine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2024
This book proves that a bleak post-apocalyptic world will make readers understand the challenges of survival and isolation from the very first page. The dense, black cloud that looms ominously in the sky, will also loom over the reader as they follow Coral in the aftermath of an unimaginable catastrophic event.
Cadle creates a powerful narrative of resilience and desperation as Coral finds herself alone in a landscape of ash and destruction. Readers experience what real loneliness feels like, as she navigates a world devoid of life and full of unanswered questions. A well balanced tension is built throughout as Coral searches for food, water, and any sign of life while grappling with the larger mystery of what has caused the disaster. The eerie atmosphere of blackened trees, ashen sky, and formidable silence, gives an almost surreal quality that will keep you on edge.
One of the book's greatest strengths is Coral herself as she is quite resourceful, determined, and deeply human—qualities that make her journey of survival both relatable and emotionally compelling. Having her struggle not just against the elements, but against the overwhelming fear of her new world, really creates a compelling character you want to root for.
The pacing is excellent right from the start, throwing the reader directly into a feeling of claustrophobia that emerges into an overwhelming sense of endlessness. The tension between these two, creates a dance throughout that never feels rushed and only has you wanting more. You will find yourself asking questions about humanity, survival, and the unknown forces that could shape our future, while also digesting a satisfying adventure.
This book is a stellar read that balances suspense, action, and emotional depth. The premise, well-drawn characters, and ominous world-building make it a must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction. Lou Cadle has crafted a story that will keep you hooked from beginning to end, and leave you eagerly awaiting what comes next. 5/5
Cadle creates a powerful narrative of resilience and desperation as Coral finds herself alone in a landscape of ash and destruction. Readers experience what real loneliness feels like, as she navigates a world devoid of life and full of unanswered questions. A well balanced tension is built throughout as Coral searches for food, water, and any sign of life while grappling with the larger mystery of what has caused the disaster. The eerie atmosphere of blackened trees, ashen sky, and formidable silence, gives an almost surreal quality that will keep you on edge.
One of the book's greatest strengths is Coral herself as she is quite resourceful, determined, and deeply human—qualities that make her journey of survival both relatable and emotionally compelling. Having her struggle not just against the elements, but against the overwhelming fear of her new world, really creates a compelling character you want to root for.
The pacing is excellent right from the start, throwing the reader directly into a feeling of claustrophobia that emerges into an overwhelming sense of endlessness. The tension between these two, creates a dance throughout that never feels rushed and only has you wanting more. You will find yourself asking questions about humanity, survival, and the unknown forces that could shape our future, while also digesting a satisfying adventure.
This book is a stellar read that balances suspense, action, and emotional depth. The premise, well-drawn characters, and ominous world-building make it a must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction. Lou Cadle has crafted a story that will keep you hooked from beginning to end, and leave you eagerly awaiting what comes next. 5/5
June 8, 2024
Possibly the best, most realistic postapocalyptic survival story i've ever read. It has the feel of The Road ..except this is much much much more believable. In the road they travel halfway across the country under far less severe conditions while seemingly having no survival skills and needing basically no calories.. being immune to cold etc. In this book you feel and read the 'hanging on by your fingernails' struggle every page of the book. All humans you meet arent simply mad max characters inserted for drama. Characters dont have conflict for the sake of conflict.
The protagonists are likeable while being very very different. There's no "well theyre opposite sex so obviously this has to be a romance novel". They're believable people
The female protagonist is strong, believable and likeable.
The male is strong and believable.. and eventually likeable.
Fantastic book
The protagonists are likeable while being very very different. There's no "well theyre opposite sex so obviously this has to be a romance novel". They're believable people
The female protagonist is strong, believable and likeable.
The male is strong and believable.. and eventually likeable.
Fantastic book
September 19, 2018
So this book went from I don't think I will continue the series, to Damn! It is your typical post-apocalyptic story. Lone survivor meets up with another survivor. I should mention the main protagonist is a woman, which is slightly off the norm for this type of book, at least in my experience. The two survivors start working together, and it was ho-hum. Then the male survivor is captured by apparent cannibals. He is rescued by the woman protagonist, her name is Coral (not a fan of that name) and in rescuing her partner she does something that I have not seen before, and needless to say, I now have to keep reading. Without spoiling anything, let's say Coral is headed down a very ugly rabbit hole.
April 15, 2018
I like that most of the book is focused on the main character and what she has to do to survive. We don't know anymore about what has caused the disaster than she does, but she remains very focus on the next thing that she has to do just to keep going. I did find it odd that after she meets Benjamin and realizes he means her no harm, that she didn't think it prudent to tell him about the man that attacked her. That crazy was living not too far away and the need to scavenge might have caused him to approach where they lived. I do look forward to the next book though I wish these were longer.
May 7, 2024
Pre-med student Coral is a little OCD and it turns out that she has brought almost everything she needs to survive an apocalypse.
Camping in Idaho she finds a deep cave as strong winds and flames destroy the landscape.
Days later, when the temperature drops, she starts walking.
What follows is a grim fight for survival as her food runs out and she narrowly avoids disaster on several occasions.
Initially there is no sign of survivors and no explanation for what has happened – something involving EMP seems most likely.
When she does come across another human she nearly dies.
“Gray” is an interesting but bare bones story – Coral remains one-dimensional throughout.
3 Stars.
Camping in Idaho she finds a deep cave as strong winds and flames destroy the landscape.
Days later, when the temperature drops, she starts walking.
What follows is a grim fight for survival as her food runs out and she narrowly avoids disaster on several occasions.
Initially there is no sign of survivors and no explanation for what has happened – something involving EMP seems most likely.
When she does come across another human she nearly dies.
“Gray” is an interesting but bare bones story – Coral remains one-dimensional throughout.
3 Stars.
June 5, 2025
I was going to read the complete collection of this series, but was glad to stop at the first one. The story and characters didn't grab me. It was more like a "to do" list of how to survive the apocalypse.
Pros:
Imagery
Keeps the reader guessing at what happened
Cons:
Couldn't connect with female protagonist
Needs stronger connection between characters or more struggles within themselves
Inconsistencies ie: asking about the cars
"Reconnoitering" used too much
Fav Quote:
"The good news is, everyone is doing the best he can...The bad news is, everyone is doing the best he can."
Pros:
Imagery
Keeps the reader guessing at what happened
Cons:
Couldn't connect with female protagonist
Needs stronger connection between characters or more struggles within themselves
Inconsistencies ie: asking about the cars
"Reconnoitering" used too much
Fav Quote:
"The good news is, everyone is doing the best he can...The bad news is, everyone is doing the best he can."
October 17, 2025
Gray: Part 1
Sci-fi
Lou Cadle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴛʀᴜꜱᴛ • ꜰɪɢʜᴛɪɴɢ • ʀᴇꜱᴄᴜᴇ •
This was an interesting take on a strange event causing extreme weather which threatened to wipe out all of humanity. The exact cause was never given but a few theories were thrown about by the characters.
I liked Coral's character. She knew some basic survival skills due to camping and hiking so she wasn't completely naive or useless.
Benjamin was a good survival partner for Coral. He used his life experiences to teach Coral even more skills and reassured her.
The rescue scene towards the end of the book had me on the edge of my seat and Coral's actions were both brave and sweet
Sci-fi
Lou Cadle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴛʀᴜꜱᴛ • ꜰɪɢʜᴛɪɴɢ • ʀᴇꜱᴄᴜᴇ •
This was an interesting take on a strange event causing extreme weather which threatened to wipe out all of humanity. The exact cause was never given but a few theories were thrown about by the characters.
I liked Coral's character. She knew some basic survival skills due to camping and hiking so she wasn't completely naive or useless.
Benjamin was a good survival partner for Coral. He used his life experiences to teach Coral even more skills and reassured her.
The rescue scene towards the end of the book had me on the edge of my seat and Coral's actions were both brave and sweet
November 22, 2018
Very good Post-Apocalyptic fiction novella. The main character is a young med student who survives an unexplained disaster, where all the trees, large animals, and most humans in her area die. She survives because she was near a cave and took shelter there.
There are good points and bad points to the story - but it's fiction, and the book is non-stop action, and I couldn't stop turning pages, so I'm giving it 4 stars.
I would have liked more proofreading (lots of typos) but other than that, I really liked it. Will go find books II and III!
There are good points and bad points to the story - but it's fiction, and the book is non-stop action, and I couldn't stop turning pages, so I'm giving it 4 stars.
I would have liked more proofreading (lots of typos) but other than that, I really liked it. Will go find books II and III!
January 20, 2018
Over the past few months, I have finished reading all Cadle books on Amazon, except Crow Vector, and loved all of his work, almost. I liked all but the ending of 41 Days. It was too gruesome and full of unnecessary descriptions of violence to a woman. I know the future may turn out that way, but I shouldn't have to read it. Is there anything wrong with leaving a little more to the imagination? Of leaving at least a glimmer of hope for humanity?
July 29, 2019
Enigmatic, gripping
This was a gripping novel of the aftermath of an unknown widespread apocalypse. As others have said, it pulls you in and won't let go. My only complaint is that neither of the characters displays enough about themselves to give you a hint of where they go from here. I'm not sure I want to keep reading. Things seem hopeless, maybe just my take on it. I do want to read one of his other disaster books, though.
This was a gripping novel of the aftermath of an unknown widespread apocalypse. As others have said, it pulls you in and won't let go. My only complaint is that neither of the characters displays enough about themselves to give you a hint of where they go from here. I'm not sure I want to keep reading. Things seem hopeless, maybe just my take on it. I do want to read one of his other disaster books, though.
August 18, 2019
Great read
I really enjoyed this book and bought the second in the series the same day I finished the first. The strong, smart female main character is very well developed but does not read like an eighteen year old at all. I almost skipped this over as YA because she was described as being so young. I was worried about eye roll worthy YA romance sneaking in there. Definitely not the case.
I really enjoyed this book and bought the second in the series the same day I finished the first. The strong, smart female main character is very well developed but does not read like an eighteen year old at all. I almost skipped this over as YA because she was described as being so young. I was worried about eye roll worthy YA romance sneaking in there. Definitely not the case.
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