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Surviving the Fall #3

The Shattered Earth

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Rick Waters is trapped. He and another survivor are stuck in the middle of a devastated Las Vegas, forced to hide while a band of criminals wielding stolen military-grade hardware loot the city. Any hope of escape rests on Rick's quick thinking, though that may not be enough. Back home in Virginia, his wife and children are preparing their homestead for an early winter that has arrived. The heavy snowfall is accompanied by the revelation of a strange secret beneath their home that may make their lives easier or even more dangerous.

Surviving the Fall is a thrilling post-apocalyptic episodic series that focuses on Rick and Dianne Waters and how they each deal with the apocalypse. Stranded across the country away from his family, Rick must travel from California to Virginia to reunite with his wife and children, all while struggling to comprehend and deal with the horrors along the way.

At home with her three children when she experiences the beginning of the end in a dramatic and deadly fashion, Dianne Waters has experience as a prepper and survivalist, but not even years of training and preparation have readied her for the darkness that comes with the end of the world. Now she must draw upon those skills to protect her loved ones and fight back against those who come against her and her family.

Surviving the Fall will feature 14 episodic (25k-30k words in length) books that are full of action, suspense and drama as Rick and Dianne struggle to survive the end of days. Episodes will be published every 2-3 weeks.

72 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2017

564 people are currently reading
129 people want to read

About the author

Mike Kraus

513 books319 followers

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5 stars
293 (43%)
4 stars
235 (34%)
3 stars
122 (17%)
2 stars
24 (3%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Louie the Mustache Matos.
1,427 reviews140 followers
January 14, 2023
OK, so after reading the third installment of this post-apocalyptic tale, I decided to buy the 12 book set because I'm enthralled with the story. The Shattered Earth is the third book in the Surviving the Fall series by Mike Kraus. This one had the most action, and I felt it was the most visual. I could see the setting and feel the tension. I can tell that the intensity is ramping up. The author's notes at the end of each installment serves to hint at the way things are building and coming to a head. Rick is trying to make his way back home in an attempt to care for his family, but finds obstacles to impede his progress. On the home front, Diane, Rick's wife is prepping with the help of their children for the possibility of things never going back to the way things were. The prose is taut and the characters are real. The worldview is cynical, but I believe Kraus is not far wrong. If anything, the pandemic has shown how fragile is much of what we have as far as societal structure, order, and informational relativism.
Profile Image for Henry.
876 reviews78 followers
November 13, 2023
One less star for the third installment. It dragged out a bit and the main character is really making stupid decisions (for a supposedly smart guy). Hopefully this is only temporary and he will be smarter in the next installment.
137 reviews
May 24, 2019
This book was a bit meh compared to the first two, which is weird because everyone thinks this one is the best so far. I think I enjoyed this less because it was very Rick-centric, and I usually enjoy Dianne's chapters a bit more. From the author's note at the end, it seems like Book 4 will be very Dianne-heavy, so I'm looking forward to that.

I want to point out a couple of things. Rick is very... unrealistic. He makes the dumbest decisions with no obvious reasonings, kills and shows no remorse at all, which is very concerning to see, and he's all around overtrained for a tech engineer. The most annoying part about this is the whole no-remorse thing. He Spoilers for the Illuminae Files series:

Long story short, Rick's reactions aren't really realistic and seem inhumane in a way.
195 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2018
Part 3 in This Series is Very Exciting

Book 3 is much better than book 2. This book delves into the real mess going on in the U.S. Rick's part is more interesting as he tries to leave Las Vegas. The mass exodus of civilians to Nellis Air Force Base is probably what would happen in reality. Dianne is preparing for the worst. Into book four!
Profile Image for Penny Bowden.
145 reviews
August 7, 2018
This is going to cost me lol!

It’s not often that I pay for books but this series is compelling. I love the authors personal notes at the end of each story, and as for the story itself.....brilliant! I have to keep getting the next instalment, hence the header, so it would have been nice to get bundles at a reduced rate. I find I’m completely engrossed...
then the book ends!
Profile Image for C-shaw.
852 reviews60 followers
August 22, 2017
Third installment in the "Surviving the Fall" series. I have to totally suspend belief while reading these books, because I don't believe U.S. civilization would erupt into chaos just a few days after a disaster, nor that gangs of looters would chase around after innocent citizens, bringing down destruction and death on themselves merely to keep those people from ratting them out to the authorities. In this scenario, there is no authority, so what would be the worry?? It is also hard to believe this James Bond-type computer nerd would be so skilled. Nevertheless, the writing is good and the story is very exciting, so I keep reading.
* * * * *
Doggone it, still no resolution and not much progress with the story. I may have to give up on this. I want to find out what happens, but not if I have to buy serials for the rest of my life.
1,187 reviews4 followers
January 9, 2021
Rick is trapped, struggling to survive the gangs and massive destruction of Los Vegas. Dianne and the kids continue to prepare for what looks like a long winter.

This is the third book in the post apocalyptic series, Surviving the Fall and is full of action, drama and danger. I enjoyed the action and how Rick steps up to the task and is creative in his solutions to all that he faces. Dianne shows enginuity as well. The storyline flows quickly and smoothly. The narrative is well written and the scenes were so well described that the reader can imagine the setting and the desperation of the situation. I am really looking forward to seeing what will happen next.

Since each book builds on the previous one, I suggest that you begin with book one.
Profile Image for IMHO.
696 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2017
A Great Series! The story continues in book 3, leaving you hoping
book 4 will be out soon ( hope, hope, hope :)
Mike Kraus does a very good job building the the suspense and telling
the story as the world as we know it, is coming apart.

Recommended.

I received a review copy, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review
and have no personal affiliation with the author.
Profile Image for Pam Shelton-Anderson.
1,959 reviews65 followers
July 18, 2017
Well, Rick is finally coming around. I'm a little surprised that just because the military heard him talk about computers, they thought he should be in a think tank trying to solve the problem of Damocles. My biggest issue is that this book is so very short. I feel like I'm watching a weekly TV series drama that is only 30 minutes for each episode.
Profile Image for P J Van Benthusen.
465 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2021
Another great chapter!

This is a look at what could happen. It's a look at the dependency of our society on computer driven systems. It's a look at society breaking down and the inability of the government to help or control it. So Rick is on his way and Dianne is building the home front. Can't wait to see what happens next!
Profile Image for Julie Powell.
Author 72 books324 followers
June 22, 2021
I have the box set of this series and this episode continues the battle for survival with Rick and Dianne each playing their part.

There are villains, of course, those that take advantage of the chaos to hurt others. While herd mentality shows its ugly head.

Fast-paced and great tension - just needs editing to be rid of the grammatical errors.

Good storytelling, however.

Recommended.
Profile Image for Marlys.
1,511 reviews10 followers
July 8, 2017
I was given this book for a honest review. This is the third book in the post apocalyptic survival series. Rick is a believable character that is trying to get back to Virginia to his wife and children. I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Uncle  Dave Avis.
433 reviews8 followers
August 12, 2017
Well, I liked this one too. As always, they're too short, but then the excitement makes the time go by very fast.
Mr. Kraus is a gifted wordcrafter and all three of these books in the series are good ones. On to book four.
Profile Image for Kate Rhoads.
Author 1 book3 followers
August 26, 2017
Disappointing. Story line has a lot of iffy motivations that just don't ring true. Way too much time spent on mundane actions while important plot elements are hurried through with narration. It claimed to be 400 some odd pages but seemed more like maybe a hundred.
27 reviews
October 6, 2017
Riveting

Wow edge of my seat nail bitting excitement
Book 3 of the series is the most exciting yet. I thought for sure Rick and Jane were going to die. The description of the Vegas Strip is so detailed I felt like I was right there!
Profile Image for  ✰  Charlie  ✰ Chisholm.
1,984 reviews22 followers
February 4, 2018
Each book just gets better and better in this series. I need to keep reading to find out what will happen with Rick and Dianne will Rick finally get back home.. it has me on the edge of my seat. Dying to know how it all going play out. The story is really getting exciting.
158 reviews
July 10, 2017
Could not put down my ARC copy! Had to keep reading to find out what happens with Rick and Dianne. I hope the finally reunite. Can't wait till the next installment comes out to find out what happens.
Profile Image for Tricia Hungerford.
374 reviews10 followers
July 16, 2017
Intriguing !

I would follow Mike to the ends of the earth to read his next book! Keep going Mike, you've got lots more to share!
75 reviews
July 27, 2017
On the edge of my seat..

I have read all three books in the past twelve hours! So great! Fantastic! I am on the very edge of my seat! Thank you!
1,044 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2017
Review

I'm having fun with this series it's well written, full of useful information and likable characters, there's lots of action.
Profile Image for Vicki.
443 reviews
October 3, 2017
it was a good fast read , now on to the next one.
Profile Image for Mrs.R.S.Levermore.
13 reviews
December 17, 2017
Fantastic reading

Absolutely got me on edge , have read the first 3 books, and now download next 3. Hope I will be on edge as well.
340 reviews
March 6, 2018
Rick is stuck in Las Vegas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kristie hunter.
94 reviews
March 22, 2018
Great

Love this series. The characters are relatable. This new apocalypse twist makes you wonder where this is taking The Waters
216 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2018
Book 3

The next installment of a series following the separated family following a computer super virus. Go back and start at book one. They are must reads!
4,416 reviews28 followers
August 15, 2018
The Shattered Earth review

The Shattered Earth is the third post apocalyptic book in the Surviving the Fall series written by author Mike Kraus.
14 reviews
September 6, 2018
Great 👍follow-up

I have enjoyed all of the books so far! Great characters and lots of action kept me interested and wanting to read more!!
Profile Image for Greg.
293 reviews4 followers
March 14, 2019
a nice next chapter, keeping the story going, fleshing out the world, and moving toward more new chapters..
Profile Image for Mark Heath.
375 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2019
Ricks life to get to his family is on a knife edge
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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