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Surviving #1
Final Chaos
When society falls, how will you protect those you love?
They knew the solar flair was coming, but no one knew the effect it would have. The EMP kills the lights and all electronics. Now it’s only a matter of time before chaos erupts.
Jim owns a small electronics repair store in Rochester, NY. Unlike his friend, he quickly realizes the reality of the situation. He grabs his emergency kit, planning to get across town to his wife. But finding her among the chaos proves almost impossible. And if he does find her, where will they find shelter?
Rob’s been Jim’s friend since grade school. He’s the kind of guy who’s always between jobs but has a big heart. When the lights go out, he doesn’t know whether to believe Jim or not. After all, he’s got a job interview that he needs to get to. What will it take to convince him this is serious?
Jessica’s a young woman whose priority is her independence and self-sufficiency. When the power goes out, her coworkers are just joking around. But she knows something is up. In the short term, she knows she can take care of herself. But as chaos grows, will she be able to work with others in order to survive?
Final Chaos is book 1 of Surviving, a post-apocalyptic survival thriller series. It deals with real people fighting for their lives every inch of the way.
They knew the solar flair was coming, but no one knew the effect it would have. The EMP kills the lights and all electronics. Now it’s only a matter of time before chaos erupts.
Jim owns a small electronics repair store in Rochester, NY. Unlike his friend, he quickly realizes the reality of the situation. He grabs his emergency kit, planning to get across town to his wife. But finding her among the chaos proves almost impossible. And if he does find her, where will they find shelter?
Rob’s been Jim’s friend since grade school. He’s the kind of guy who’s always between jobs but has a big heart. When the lights go out, he doesn’t know whether to believe Jim or not. After all, he’s got a job interview that he needs to get to. What will it take to convince him this is serious?
Jessica’s a young woman whose priority is her independence and self-sufficiency. When the power goes out, her coworkers are just joking around. But she knows something is up. In the short term, she knows she can take care of herself. But as chaos grows, will she be able to work with others in order to survive?
Final Chaos is book 1 of Surviving, a post-apocalyptic survival thriller series. It deals with real people fighting for their lives every inch of the way.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2018
397 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 31, 2019
Good story.
August 4, 2018
I'm a huge fan of Ryan Westfield's work, however I am not totally sold on this new series. I struggled to relate to the characters and the story felt like a lot needed to be developed. That said I am staying on till next book in the series because I am such a fan of this writer. Hopefully I will see the development I am looking for in the next of the series.
August 20, 2018
Not the most entertaining take...
I liked the character "Jessica" but felt all the characters lacked substance, I found "Aly" really annoying and was almost relieved when she got shot. The story did not flow and read as though it had not been proof read at all. I didn't find it enjoyable enough to warrant reading any more books in the series. Disappointing.
I liked the character "Jessica" but felt all the characters lacked substance, I found "Aly" really annoying and was almost relieved when she got shot. The story did not flow and read as though it had not been proof read at all. I didn't find it enjoyable enough to warrant reading any more books in the series. Disappointing.
July 23, 2018
You will find the violence expected in a dystopian novel. For me this felt as though it were missing some details making it more real. Medical issues were sketchy.
August 17, 2020
I enjoy reading Post-Apocalyptic books and this First one in a set of three was pretty good. Jim works at a computer shop he owns, but with new technology there is less and less work. His friend Rob who can’t seem to keep a job stops by with 4 cups of coffee, one for Jim, the rest for him before he goes to yet another job interview. Then the power goes out and he spills coffee on his shirt and is all worried about his interview. Jim says they have more problems than an interview an EMP has struck, all power, phones and any cars with computer chips won’t work. They need to head to Ally who is at her Mom’s. On the way there he accidentlt hits a girl on a bicycle. He puts her and the bicycle in his car that runs. When they get to Ally’s mom, they find out that Ally was arrested. So Jim and Rob, with the girl in back, go to get Ally out of jail. While doing that the girl wakes up and starts to leave. When Jim and Ally come out Jim explains to the girl, Jessica what has happened and she won’t be safe alone. She could come with them. When they get back to Ally’s mom, she has died of an apparent heart attack so they round up as much stuff as she has and finally convince Ally when a crowd shows up that she will just have to leave her dead mother there. There are more twists and turns as they head to Ally’s Uncle’s cabin. And things don’t get easier when they get there. This book is action packed and it is good to see just 4 average people come together trying to survive. Looking forward to Book 2.
July 18, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.
Final Chaos is the first book in the new Surviving Series from Ryan Westfield. In Final Chaos a solar flair is coming and no one is really sure how it will affect the world. For this reason the EMP kills the lights and all the electronics. All heck is about to break loose. This is the story of Jim who owns a small electronic store in Rochester, NY. He is quick to realize what is about to happen and races to grab his emergency kit and get across town to get his wife. However he can not find her amid the mess that is happening. In the meantime he tried to tell his Rob what was going to happen. However Rob has a job interview finally and he just sin't going to miss this for anything. You will also meet Jessica who is a fiercely independent woman who when the power goes out knows that something major is going on. She is not worried about taking care of herself in the short term but sin't so sure about he long term. You get to go on this journey with all these characters and it will keep you one the edge of your seat. I love to read book about post-apocalyptic survival and Ryan Westfield writes some of the best there is!! You do not want to miss this book.
Final Chaos is the first book in the new Surviving Series from Ryan Westfield. In Final Chaos a solar flair is coming and no one is really sure how it will affect the world. For this reason the EMP kills the lights and all the electronics. All heck is about to break loose. This is the story of Jim who owns a small electronic store in Rochester, NY. He is quick to realize what is about to happen and races to grab his emergency kit and get across town to get his wife. However he can not find her amid the mess that is happening. In the meantime he tried to tell his Rob what was going to happen. However Rob has a job interview finally and he just sin't going to miss this for anything. You will also meet Jessica who is a fiercely independent woman who when the power goes out knows that something major is going on. She is not worried about taking care of herself in the short term but sin't so sure about he long term. You get to go on this journey with all these characters and it will keep you one the edge of your seat. I love to read book about post-apocalyptic survival and Ryan Westfield writes some of the best there is!! You do not want to miss this book.
July 28, 2020
I love books about EMPs and end of the world scenarios. Sadly, bad authors take advantage of this fad, and this is a bad author!
The series consists in novellas more than full length novels. The characters aren't well developed and it's hard to care for any of them. The main protagonist "Jim" shoots his way through the book, while lamenting about people not being civilized. He loves his wife, yet has no emotions when she's mortally wounded (a fate he's fully responsible for, but that's another story).
We don't even know what caused the EMP other than a vague solar flare, yet are told it affects the entire world, as if the earth were flat.
Some characters drop dead for no discernable reason. They just do!
All in all, book 1 is inadvertently funny, but I won't be reading book 2.
Not every book can be as good as William R. Forstchen's one second after, but here we're in fanfiction territory, minus the likable characters.
The series consists in novellas more than full length novels. The characters aren't well developed and it's hard to care for any of them. The main protagonist "Jim" shoots his way through the book, while lamenting about people not being civilized. He loves his wife, yet has no emotions when she's mortally wounded (a fate he's fully responsible for, but that's another story).
We don't even know what caused the EMP other than a vague solar flare, yet are told it affects the entire world, as if the earth were flat.
Some characters drop dead for no discernable reason. They just do!
All in all, book 1 is inadvertently funny, but I won't be reading book 2.
Not every book can be as good as William R. Forstchen's one second after, but here we're in fanfiction territory, minus the likable characters.
July 10, 2025
The start of another EMP survival series by Ryan Westfield. It's set up is pretty similar to his earlier series - an EMP occurs (this one due to a solar flare) and a collection of characters find themselves coming together to survive the chaos. I can tell the author's writing has improved from the first series; details are more concise and we quickly get through events without lulls or repetitiveness. Still a few errors with editing but it doesn't deter too much from the story. While I was captivated enough to keep reading, I didn't really see anything majorly different from the previous series; just felt like the same concept with different characters in a different location.
October 28, 2019
Rambo doesn’t live here..... but Mr. Common Man does
I like that WESTFIELD writes from the common person perspective and not from that of a highly trained military behemoth who could, and will, singlehandedly thrash King Kong, Godzilla, and Darth Vader sometime before breakfast. It makes survival in a potential event more realistic. The characters develop well and the plot is solid, the writing superb and suspenseful. Realism, realism, realism from an author who has the talent to combine it all into an incredible read!
I like that WESTFIELD writes from the common person perspective and not from that of a highly trained military behemoth who could, and will, singlehandedly thrash King Kong, Godzilla, and Darth Vader sometime before breakfast. It makes survival in a potential event more realistic. The characters develop well and the plot is solid, the writing superb and suspenseful. Realism, realism, realism from an author who has the talent to combine it all into an incredible read!
August 13, 2023
Short but ok story. Little predictable and over explained.
Overall it's a decent what if book if you're used to the genre there's no real surprises or twists. Arthur Westfield does a decent job with these stories, however he tends to over explain the character development and what they're feeling, some of the character arcs are obvious which makes them a little tedious at times. His writing really kicks in once the main characters have accepted the situation and it becomes more of a survive-the-what-if scenario. Overall a good simple fast read That's entertaining.
Overall it's a decent what if book if you're used to the genre there's no real surprises or twists. Arthur Westfield does a decent job with these stories, however he tends to over explain the character development and what they're feeling, some of the character arcs are obvious which makes them a little tedious at times. His writing really kicks in once the main characters have accepted the situation and it becomes more of a survive-the-what-if scenario. Overall a good simple fast read That's entertaining.
September 30, 2023
A POST-APOCALYPTIC HIT
Rynn Westfield has put together a small group of characters in his frist book "Final Choas" in his SURVIVING series who are fighting to stay alive in a situation where everyone else is out for themselves and willing to do anything and everything to stay alive themselves. This book is well written, and the characters flow together nicely.
I enjoyed this book and hope you do too.
Rynn Westfield has put together a small group of characters in his frist book "Final Choas" in his SURVIVING series who are fighting to stay alive in a situation where everyone else is out for themselves and willing to do anything and everything to stay alive themselves. This book is well written, and the characters flow together nicely.
I enjoyed this book and hope you do too.
January 18, 2019
An RW. SYFY. Novel About an EMP. Event/Surviving - (1)
RW. had. penned a SYF Y Novel About an EMP. event. The primary characters are a housrwife; a young girl who works in a bicycle shop; a handy man; a cell phone repairman. When the EM P courts the cp man is the only one with any preparations. The escape to safety begins. This is an excellent read for the genre...DEHS
RW. had. penned a SYF Y Novel About an EMP. event. The primary characters are a housrwife; a young girl who works in a bicycle shop; a handy man; a cell phone repairman. When the EM P courts the cp man is the only one with any preparations. The escape to safety begins. This is an excellent read for the genre...DEHS
August 26, 2018
I liked this book. I don't like so much his very short pieces about each character; I think the pieces about the characters should be longer, fuller. Basically it's a decent book and it has started me reading this series.
October 3, 2018
Short story not full length
"Final Chaos" is not very interesting. Ryan Westfield's first EMP survival series was much better. Also, Mr. Westfield has really got to find a good proofreader. Grammar mistakes are even worse than typos.
"Final Chaos" is not very interesting. Ryan Westfield's first EMP survival series was much better. Also, Mr. Westfield has really got to find a good proofreader. Grammar mistakes are even worse than typos.
November 14, 2018
I really enjoyed this book by a gifted wordcrafter. It has a good plot, good characters, and looks to be a good series. There are a few editorial issues, but it's only a small speed bump. It's a good read and I recommend it to everyone.
January 14, 2019
Read it before
As I was reading this book I kept thinking this is so familiar and I finally figured it out. I have read this before but by a different author. I can’t remember and don’t know who wrote what but it seems like someone has cheated.
As I was reading this book I kept thinking this is so familiar and I finally figured it out. I have read this before but by a different author. I can’t remember and don’t know who wrote what but it seems like someone has cheated.
January 9, 2021
EMT.
No warning, just lights out, power cut, phones dead, cars dead, no one knew what was going on. One Girl had an idea, and left her work cycling home, swerving dead cars and people in the road, no sounds at all.
No warning, just lights out, power cut, phones dead, cars dead, no one knew what was going on. One Girl had an idea, and left her work cycling home, swerving dead cars and people in the road, no sounds at all.
July 18, 2018
Anticipation
Ryan Westfield's , Final Chaos: A Post Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (Surviving Book One) is a must read. Anticipating book two 's arrival.
Ryan Westfield's , Final Chaos: A Post Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (Surviving Book One) is a must read. Anticipating book two 's arrival.
August 17, 2018
Hard to put down
A good read. Some Grammer errors like wrong names when it should have been someone else. But other than that. It is a good read.
A good read. Some Grammer errors like wrong names when it should have been someone else. But other than that. It is a good read.
August 31, 2018
Good Read
This was a really good EMP book and I enjoyed it. It had a funny ending, so I hope there's more in a second volume.
This was a really good EMP book and I enjoyed it. It had a funny ending, so I hope there's more in a second volume.
September 7, 2018
Very good and very suspenseful. Look forward to the next book
September 8, 2018
Fascinating!
A great read. I love the characters and can’t wait to see what happens next. I’m glad Ali made it, but wondering what will happen to Jessica.
A great read. I love the characters and can’t wait to see what happens next. I’m glad Ali made it, but wondering what will happen to Jessica.
September 13, 2018
Great story. I felt like I had a good understanding of the characters, but they could have been developed further. I recommend it highly.
September 26, 2018
Awesome
One of my favorite SHTF authors. Well written with a keep your interest storyline. Looking forward to more from Ryan.
One of my favorite SHTF authors. Well written with a keep your interest storyline. Looking forward to more from Ryan.
September 29, 2018
Final Chaos review
Final Chaos is the first fast-paced post apocalyptic EMP Survival book in the Surviving series written by author Ryan Westfield.
Final Chaos is the first fast-paced post apocalyptic EMP Survival book in the Surviving series written by author Ryan Westfield.
February 3, 2019
Great reading. I finished the two book series and enjoyed it tremendously.
February 12, 2019
Not the best of the series
I was kinda let down. This book was not what the other have been. May e it just the intro to another side of the story but, didn't do the series justice
I was kinda let down. This book was not what the other have been. May e it just the intro to another side of the story but, didn't do the series justice
February 22, 2019
Good book
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
April 17, 2019
Easy read
It was okay. Not as good as some of the apocalyptic books I have read. Starting to read the next in the series maybe it will be better.
It was okay. Not as good as some of the apocalyptic books I have read. Starting to read the next in the series maybe it will be better.
April 22, 2019
Chaos
Love all his books! Did not disappoint. Kept me on the edge of my seat till the end. Next book please!
Love all his books! Did not disappoint. Kept me on the edge of my seat till the end. Next book please!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews