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Falling Shadows: Falling Shadows Book 1:
When death rains from the sky, the only way to survive is together.
From 4.5-million-copy bestselling author Mike Kraus and Justin Bell comes a brand-new Falling Shadows.
On the 4th of July, millions of Americans gather to celebrate, waiting for familiar shows to paint the night sky. Instead, thousands of commercial drones activate with a deadly new purpose, plummeting into crowds as they unleash a coordinated, explosive assault that decapitates the US government and plunges the nation into a dark, powerless state of chaos.
At the National Mall, Deputy Secretary of Defense Jonas Cassidy is enjoying the festivities with his wife and young daughter when the drones descend. Ripped from his family in the panicked stampede, Jonas is dragged into a secure underground bunker to help a shattered government respond, leaving him trapped below while his loved ones face the burning, riot-torn streets of the capital alone.
Meanwhile, half a world away in Belarus, aging CIA officer Tom Meyer discovers his country is under attack as global communications go dead. His survival is far from guaranteed as he finds himself stranded deep behind enemy lines, facing a treacherous journey across a hostile, war-torn landscape if he has any hope of ever seeing his family again.
Back home on their sprawling ranch in rural Washington state, Tom’s wife Amanda and their daughters watch the world unravel before their screens go dark. With society collapsing around them, they are about to experience the most intense test of their survival and homesteading skills as they prepare to defend their land against the encroaching desperation of their own neighbors.
***
Mike Kraus and Muonic Press are the #1 best-selling and most prolific publishers of post-apocalyptic, thrilling fiction - for good reason. Since making his debut in 2012 with Final Dawn, a serial that sold over a quarter-million copies in the first year it was out, Mike Kraus has enraptured readers with his writing. Realistic characters, compelling storylines and a dedication to the highest possible quality have earned him over four and a half million sales and counting. In addition to writing stories like Final Dawn, No Sanctuary, Surviving the Fall, Epoch's End, FOLIANT, 7 DAYS, and The End of All Things solo, Mike writes with a variety of co-authors such as Justin Bell, Stacey Upton, Mark Hunter, Stephanie Mylchreest and more.
From 4.5-million-copy bestselling author Mike Kraus and Justin Bell comes a brand-new Falling Shadows.
On the 4th of July, millions of Americans gather to celebrate, waiting for familiar shows to paint the night sky. Instead, thousands of commercial drones activate with a deadly new purpose, plummeting into crowds as they unleash a coordinated, explosive assault that decapitates the US government and plunges the nation into a dark, powerless state of chaos.
At the National Mall, Deputy Secretary of Defense Jonas Cassidy is enjoying the festivities with his wife and young daughter when the drones descend. Ripped from his family in the panicked stampede, Jonas is dragged into a secure underground bunker to help a shattered government respond, leaving him trapped below while his loved ones face the burning, riot-torn streets of the capital alone.
Meanwhile, half a world away in Belarus, aging CIA officer Tom Meyer discovers his country is under attack as global communications go dead. His survival is far from guaranteed as he finds himself stranded deep behind enemy lines, facing a treacherous journey across a hostile, war-torn landscape if he has any hope of ever seeing his family again.
Back home on their sprawling ranch in rural Washington state, Tom’s wife Amanda and their daughters watch the world unravel before their screens go dark. With society collapsing around them, they are about to experience the most intense test of their survival and homesteading skills as they prepare to defend their land against the encroaching desperation of their own neighbors.
***
Mike Kraus and Muonic Press are the #1 best-selling and most prolific publishers of post-apocalyptic, thrilling fiction - for good reason. Since making his debut in 2012 with Final Dawn, a serial that sold over a quarter-million copies in the first year it was out, Mike Kraus has enraptured readers with his writing. Realistic characters, compelling storylines and a dedication to the highest possible quality have earned him over four and a half million sales and counting. In addition to writing stories like Final Dawn, No Sanctuary, Surviving the Fall, Epoch's End, FOLIANT, 7 DAYS, and The End of All Things solo, Mike writes with a variety of co-authors such as Justin Bell, Stacey Upton, Mark Hunter, Stephanie Mylchreest and more.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 31, 2026
An excellent surprise!
Falling Shadows, book 1 in the new series by Justin Bell and Mike Kraus revolves around drones meant to provide 4th of July entertainment go rogue and attack the crowds there to see the show. Jonas Cassidy, A DOD leader, is at the show with his wife Dizzy and young daughter Maura when chaos breaks out, leaving Jonas separated from Pizza and Maura. Meanwhile, Amanda Meyer, along with daughter Jules and her kids maintain the family homestead, their isolated, rural location saving them from the attacks. Tom, Amanda's husband is on a job in Belarus when the attacks occur and must find his way home. As communications fail, supply lines stop and fuel becomes unattainable, tempers rise and things get bad fast. Falling Shadows is a blast to read. The writing is outstanding, Bell and Kraus bring out the best in eachother's writing, creating a read greater than the sum of its parts! Overall, 5/5 well earned stars, highly recommended to fans of technothrillers, apocalyptic thrillers and top notch thrillers in general. I can't wait for book 2!
Note: Read as an ARC reader
Falling Shadows, book 1 in the new series by Justin Bell and Mike Kraus revolves around drones meant to provide 4th of July entertainment go rogue and attack the crowds there to see the show. Jonas Cassidy, A DOD leader, is at the show with his wife Dizzy and young daughter Maura when chaos breaks out, leaving Jonas separated from Pizza and Maura. Meanwhile, Amanda Meyer, along with daughter Jules and her kids maintain the family homestead, their isolated, rural location saving them from the attacks. Tom, Amanda's husband is on a job in Belarus when the attacks occur and must find his way home. As communications fail, supply lines stop and fuel becomes unattainable, tempers rise and things get bad fast. Falling Shadows is a blast to read. The writing is outstanding, Bell and Kraus bring out the best in eachother's writing, creating a read greater than the sum of its parts! Overall, 5/5 well earned stars, highly recommended to fans of technothrillers, apocalyptic thrillers and top notch thrillers in general. I can't wait for book 2!
Note: Read as an ARC reader
May 16, 2026
With the increase in the importance of drone warfare in the news, I found this to be a most interesting start to a very good first book of a series. I live in the DC area, so had some familiarity with that location. The various characters were good and had some realistic flaws. While Jonas's harping on this family got wearing (if not a bit understandable), he has a perspective on the attack that should be considered. I like Amanda and her crew in Washington state, though some of them are slow to appreciate what the unfolding disaster will mean to them on the ranch and in town. Tom sparkles the least for me as he comes off as a selfish fella who is not there for his family and is chasing fading glory in the CIA. He does provide the opportunity to see the European view of the attack. All in all, this is a great start to a series.
April 8, 2026
Falling Shadows - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Justin Bell and Mike Kraus'
Falling Shadows is a gritty, 'what if...?' story you must not miss, in which a maelstrom of destructive drone strikes occurs across the USA. Deputy Secretary of Defence Jonas Cassidy is separated from his family as the FBI rush him to the White House, where deciding who's in charge gets contentious.
Other families are also separated by circumstance
or choice, as major world powers provide a volatile backdrop. Its intertwined, dynamic, character-led storylines will keep you turning pages well into the night too, so grab Falling Shadows today - and tell all your friends!
Justin Bell and Mike Kraus'
Falling Shadows is a gritty, 'what if...?' story you must not miss, in which a maelstrom of destructive drone strikes occurs across the USA. Deputy Secretary of Defence Jonas Cassidy is separated from his family as the FBI rush him to the White House, where deciding who's in charge gets contentious.
Other families are also separated by circumstance
or choice, as major world powers provide a volatile backdrop. Its intertwined, dynamic, character-led storylines will keep you turning pages well into the night too, so grab Falling Shadows today - and tell all your friends!
April 2, 2026
Mesmerizing
A page turner for sure. I found myself saying "okay, just one more chapter" more than once. A *lot* more than once.
Can't wait to get a hold of the next in the series!
A page turner for sure. I found myself saying "okay, just one more chapter" more than once. A *lot* more than once.
Can't wait to get a hold of the next in the series!
April 3, 2026
I can definitely tell already that this is going to be a great series, because I was hooked from the first chapter and the thrills continued to the end. Falling Shadows went off with a bang. Great storyline, great characters. Looking forward to the next book.
April 3, 2026
I did enjoy this adventure, it was a little more on the military side of things, I found, than the usual stories by this writer. Good pacing, interesting plot, I look forward to the next part int he series.
April 4, 2026
Absolutely amazing as always, this new series will capture you and not let go until the end. Danger and intrigue, how will anyone survive this disaster. Families and friends are separated, will they ever find each other and a safe place to start over. Dont miss out.
April 14, 2026
Panic, Fear, Government, Russian Words!
Bell writes an enthralling story. He writes bad guys very well. Weaknesses pour out of good characters because they are so human. Please read.
Bell writes an enthralling story. He writes bad guys very well. Weaknesses pour out of good characters because they are so human. Please read.
July 26, 2026
A real page turner
I loved every page. The characters are great but I grew to dislike Jonas while at the same time admiring his devotion to his family. Tom's adventures in Belarus are exciting and I am anxious to see how he makes it back to his family in America.
I loved every page. The characters are great but I grew to dislike Jonas while at the same time admiring his devotion to his family. Tom's adventures in Belarus are exciting and I am anxious to see how he makes it back to his family in America.
April 20, 2026
Never a disappointing read!!!
Each series that I have read never leaves me disappointed, only craving more! Each one makes you feel as though you are there in the middle of it.
Each series that I have read never leaves me disappointed, only craving more! Each one makes you feel as though you are there in the middle of it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews