Rick Waters has barely escaped a week inside a cell at the Nellis Air Force Base with his life intact. Back on the road he faces a daunting journey filled with dangers that have yet to be realized. In Virginia, Dianne Waters and her children have prepared their home, gathered their supplies and are about to face an incoming storm the likes of which they have never seen. Even if they prevail the cost may be far greater than any of them realized.
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.
This serial, Surviving the Fall by Mike Kraus continues with a fast-paced story that builds the tension from one book (novella) to the next. It firmly confronts the reader with the challenges of a post-apocalyptic extinction level event and the unflinching response by characters we have been made to care about. It challenges the precepts of how we believe we might react in similar circumstance and the moral / ethical quandary of who and what we choose to be in the face of that challenge. In Death of Innocence, book 4, Rick has made it to the Nellis Air Force base in Nevada, while his wife, Dianne is preparing for an East Coast snowstorm. This is the best so far because the challenges of an apocalyptic event become more overt. Is it possible to remain a good person while all societal barriers around you collapse and everything that dictates normal action falls by the wayside? Every compulsion is to protect your family and other loved ones, but those that are innocent and not within your immediate sphere probably not.
I can’t get enough of Rick and Dianne story it is good. The story characters develop well. I am really into this series. I can’t get enough so many questions I have I am sure they will be answered. I loved Dianne in this one she is such a great character.
Lastly, this author seems to think that putting his two cents worth between each 70 PAGE book, as author's notes are actually appealing... they aren't neither are the in-between recaps in the boxed set... it is better to make each book stand alone and make each one at least 200 pages! This does not mean that i am sticking around for the rest of the books! I refuse to tolerate it anymore... i hardly get into the plot before here comes the end of another 70 page book, commentary between books and before and after each book to catch the reader up... the job is to entertain, not to thank your readers over and over for reading... have some self-respect... and keep the pages of the book inside the world of the book and leave your thanks to the end of it.
This installment of the series is probably my favorite after the first one. I complained about book 3, The Shattered Earth, not having a lot of Dianne chapters, but now with book 4, I got what I wanted! I enjoyed seeing them get ready and prep more, as I've mentioned in my reviews of the other books.
One thing that I've noticed about the series as a whole is the unrealistic reactions characters have towards certain situations. I mentioned this in my review of The Shattered Earth regarding Rick, but now I'm seeing it more with Dianne.
What I'm trying to say is that the reason I can't give this series 5 stars is because of the unnatural/unrealistic characters. They don't seem real, their reactions to things, their dialogue and some of their actions just kind of snap you out of the story, which is unfortunate. Other than that, I'm really enjoying the plot, so I'll be powering through the rest of the series!
Rick is finally making progress in his desperate attempt to get back to his wife and children. He is concerned with food and water and of course getting gas. At home, Dianne has increasing trouble and their family is in danger. The effects of the children begin to manifest.
This is the fourth book in the post apocalyptic series, Surviving the Fall. This is a very highly emotionally charged episode as the family deals with threats to their security and survival. The decisions that needed to be made by a parent on behalf of her family are difficult and far beyond what our society would usually need to be made. I found the highlighting of the impact of the increasing volatile situation on the children was extremely interesting. This aspect of surviving a disaster is often glossed over in other post apocalyptic series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to discovering more of the Water’s story.
This series is written in serial format, short books easy to read on a lazy afternoon or plane ride. The story characters develop nicely, the perils are realistic and flow well, the premise works well. I recommend Kraus writing to those who enjoy apocalyptic fiction. although more character driven this reminds me somewhat of Earth Abides (one of the early versions of apocalyptic fiction from my childhood), as well as many others that are based on getting from point a to point B to reunite with family.
While the story of Rick and Dianne is interesting, this series should have been handled more like a true author. The books most people read have at least 30 chapters. Mike Kraus could have combined several of the series into larger books. That to me would have been more satisfying. I do not mind waiting to read a good book but it needs to be an appropriately sized book! Dianne and Rick are continuing in their separate quests to survive and Rick is getting nearer to Virginia. Onto #5.
Excellent story telling. When the individual first approached the farm Diane hesitated to take action . He returned and may have given her location to the people he was scavenging for. When he became aggressive at the first contact was the time to eliminate him. Other than that it is as I imagine it would become should some huge disaster befall this country. All in all an exceptionally entertaining read. More please.
Since I have read the prior 3 books, my opinion is that this entire series is stunning. The more you read the more it brings to mind this could actually happen. Our government is so screwed up that some idiot would try to do something like that. Way to go with characters you definitely have a real talent for this genre. I can't wait for the next installment of this series. Thank you sincerely Debora Seifert.
Couldn't put down my ARC copy! Great continuation of the story! I can't wait to see what happens next.
Being the apocalypse, you know everything is not going to go smoothly.
Will Rick make it home? Will Dianne and the kids survive all right? What will happen before the two reunite (... if they reunite)? Will Dr. Evans find a solution to Damocles?
So many questions without answers. I can't wait to find out!!
Two solid characters although Rick took a lot longer to really come to terms with the situation than his wife 3,000 miles to the east. His response to the general in book 3 made me shake my head. I guess it geography was not his strong suit. Any way, I look forward to the next volume.
Book 4 was just as fantastic as all of Mike's other books! It carries the story in the series on like a letter from my family! Keep going Mike! I' m addicted to your writing!
A really good story, but really short. I don't think there is a book 5 yet, which is unfortunate because I'll probably forget the thread of the story by the time another installment comes out. Mr. Kraus is a gifted wordcrafter and storyteller. Keep writing.
I can not get e enough of these stories. Mike Kraus needs to write faster, I am almost through the second set of books and I want to keep going. Great stories, love the details because they make sense in the story. not just arbitrary stuff to fill in blank space.
This series is really moving forward. We need a little more excitement but I am sure it will come in an upcoming book in the series after all who can live through an apocalyptic event without lots of killing.
Very fast read - Kraus (or Amazon) has put out this series (or one book broken up) much like the Dark Tower series by King in the form of short quick books. Entertaining read, though I want him to raise the stakes a bit more.
Rick turns down a request to help the government so he is locked in a cell. The people have rushed the compound and Rick is let out and told by Captain Leslie to take a Hummer with supplies to make his way cross country.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Keeps you reading page after page. Keep them coming. First 4 books are spellbinding! Hopefully Dianne can hold it together, as EVERYONE is looking up to her.