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The Last War #1-7
The Complete Last War Series
An extinction level event is unleashed by Artificial Intelligence in a war against humanity, an epic adventure that puts ordinary survivors in the cross-hairs of the most ruthless enemies mankind has ever known…
A nurse, an archer, a few retired vets and an ex-skateboarder band together with their children in an attempt to survive the onslaught of a sudden, unexplained attack on not just their city, but on humanity itself. A society in decline, however, can sometimes fare worse than a society under assault. Caught in the killing fields and forced to fight, these remarkable people will attempt the impossible: they’ll try to escape a world now backsliding into a nightmarish landscape more reminiscent of the stone ages than the once famed coastal state of California.
A nurse, an archer, a few retired vets and an ex-skateboarder band together with their children in an attempt to survive the onslaught of a sudden, unexplained attack on not just their city, but on humanity itself. A society in decline, however, can sometimes fare worse than a society under assault. Caught in the killing fields and forced to fight, these remarkable people will attempt the impossible: they’ll try to escape a world now backsliding into a nightmarish landscape more reminiscent of the stone ages than the once famed coastal state of California.
1325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2018
1845 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
April 24, 2019
Review by 2shay……….
As most of you who read my reviews know by now, I’m a fan of apocalyptic stories. This one is epic! A long story with a group of characters so compelling and so well written that I read through all seven books straight! My one and only criticism and the one and only reason I didn’t give this series 5 stars is the many, many long descriptions of roads and streets and by-ways. About half-way through book three, as soon as roads, streets or highways were mentioned, I just skipped that part and moved on. From there it was smooth and beautiful sailing.
Book one starts from the point of view of ER nurse Cincinnati McNamara, known as Sin by her family and close friends. She and Stanton, her financial wizard husband, along with their fifteen year old daughter, Macy, have a cushy life in an upscale San Francisco neighborhood. That life changes dramatically when the AI controlled machines hit…everything, wiping out everything in their paths. Buildings crumble, cars explode, people die. Sin’s scramble to find her daughter and husband is harrowing. When they are joined by Sin’s ex-military younger brother, Rex, their feeling of security ramps up. For a while.
Book two is mostly from the point of view of Indigo, who happens to be my favorite character! She’s eighteen going on forty! Her parents are divorced, and she lives with her father, Nick. Her father’s nickname for Indigo is “Shooter”. Indigo is a competitive archer, a skill that will serve her well in the coming weeks and months. Nick had to leave for a few days just before the beginning of the end, leaving Indigo alone.
In books three and four, we follow these characters and many others as they struggle for basic necessities and fight those who want to take from them. There are tragedies, and there is heartache…and hope. But some hope is dimming. Most have given up believing that the loved ones who are missing will ever be found.
Book five threw me for a loop. It goes back in time to the beginning of the apocalypse, bringing in new characters. For about three seconds I was pissed off. I just wanted to know what was going on with the characters I had already fallen in love with. I got over that rapidly and fell in love all over again! MARCUS!! He’s billy bad ass of the highest degree. If billy-badassery gave degree belts, he would be a millionth degree black belt! Nick ain’t bad either! They get in so much trouble. Talk about miracles!
Along the way we meet the President and his staff. We meet The Silver Queen who is…that is?…the most advance AI ever made. She wants to be human. We meet a great dog named Daisy and far too many great characters to mention in a review that is already getting too long. Way too long. So, I’ll stop now and say that I recommend this book to everyone! Grab a copy now and…
Enjoy!
As most of you who read my reviews know by now, I’m a fan of apocalyptic stories. This one is epic! A long story with a group of characters so compelling and so well written that I read through all seven books straight! My one and only criticism and the one and only reason I didn’t give this series 5 stars is the many, many long descriptions of roads and streets and by-ways. About half-way through book three, as soon as roads, streets or highways were mentioned, I just skipped that part and moved on. From there it was smooth and beautiful sailing.
Book one starts from the point of view of ER nurse Cincinnati McNamara, known as Sin by her family and close friends. She and Stanton, her financial wizard husband, along with their fifteen year old daughter, Macy, have a cushy life in an upscale San Francisco neighborhood. That life changes dramatically when the AI controlled machines hit…everything, wiping out everything in their paths. Buildings crumble, cars explode, people die. Sin’s scramble to find her daughter and husband is harrowing. When they are joined by Sin’s ex-military younger brother, Rex, their feeling of security ramps up. For a while.
Book two is mostly from the point of view of Indigo, who happens to be my favorite character! She’s eighteen going on forty! Her parents are divorced, and she lives with her father, Nick. Her father’s nickname for Indigo is “Shooter”. Indigo is a competitive archer, a skill that will serve her well in the coming weeks and months. Nick had to leave for a few days just before the beginning of the end, leaving Indigo alone.
In books three and four, we follow these characters and many others as they struggle for basic necessities and fight those who want to take from them. There are tragedies, and there is heartache…and hope. But some hope is dimming. Most have given up believing that the loved ones who are missing will ever be found.
Book five threw me for a loop. It goes back in time to the beginning of the apocalypse, bringing in new characters. For about three seconds I was pissed off. I just wanted to know what was going on with the characters I had already fallen in love with. I got over that rapidly and fell in love all over again! MARCUS!! He’s billy bad ass of the highest degree. If billy-badassery gave degree belts, he would be a millionth degree black belt! Nick ain’t bad either! They get in so much trouble. Talk about miracles!
Along the way we meet the President and his staff. We meet The Silver Queen who is…that is?…the most advance AI ever made. She wants to be human. We meet a great dog named Daisy and far too many great characters to mention in a review that is already getting too long. Way too long. So, I’ll stop now and say that I recommend this book to everyone! Grab a copy now and…
Enjoy!
July 2, 2019
I'm going to be VERY honest here. 24 hours later and I'm still stewing on this series. I liked it, and I hated it, at the same time. This review is practically novel length because I'm reviewing 7 at once.
The characters were great, in and of themselves. Though there were several abrupt changes in personality for some. The premise, of AI attacking and taking over, was a fresh take on an apocalypse.
Each book is a bit different in its main characters.
The first, The Last War, concentrates on Cincinnati, Stanton, Macy, and Rex.
The second, The Zero Hour, centers on Indigo.
The third, The Ophidian Hoarde, centers on Cincinnati, Stanton, and Rex meets Indigo. This is where the first gang comes into play. Rider and Sarah come together, and we discover Margot, Indigo's mother, is still alive. Chapters of the bad guys begin. Lenna, and her sons, Hagan and Ballard, are introduced. Lenna is married to Jagger - who is a marine who is currently stationed in Texas.
The fourth, The Infernal Regions focuses on Jagger and his journey home to his wife, Lenna, and sons, Hagan and Ballard. But we also see Cincinnati, Stanton, Rex, Indigo, and Atlanta, as well as Rider and Sarah.
The fifth, The Killing Fields, FINALLY introduces us to the AI, The Silver Queen, aka, Ophelia. A lot of this book is techy in nature, but we do get to see what happens on Nick's end of things in San Diego. We also meet Bailey, Marcus, Quentin, Clinton, and Tyler, President Benjamin Dupree gets some page time too.
The sixth book, The Barbarous Road, begins where we left off with Marcus, Nick, and Bailey. Marcus rescues Corinne, and we meet Amber and Abigail. We get more information about the AI and the President. And Nick and company get taken prisoner, again.
The seventh book, The Terminal Run FINALLY brings everyone together. Emotionally deep, but scenario strange in the extreme.
My favorite characters were...
Indigo, an 18 yr old high school senior who was phenomenal at archery and shooting. She lives with her dad, Nick, because her mother, Margot, left them to marry "up". Nick leaves Indigo at home in San Francisco to go to a job convention in San Diego, where he's stuck when the AI begins it's attack.
Rex, a 31 yr old military guy who ends up falling for Indigo. He's brother to Cincinnati, who is married to Stanton. They have a 15 yr old daughter, Macy.
Everyone else. I could take them or leave them.
Pete and repeat. Characters tell the same stories and fill in supposed "gaps" constantly. Meaning in each and every book we get the same information told and retold. It may only be me that is irritated by this because I read all 7 books in one go and the author felt it neccessary to get everyone caught up?
The insecure men, Stanton and Nick, only become secure men by mirroring the Agency or military guys, Rider, Rex, Jagger, and Marcus. Cincinnati, Stanton's wife, acknowledges, many times, how insecure her husband is and how they have a few intimacy issues within the marriage. These suddenly clear up as she finds her husband SO sexy when he becomes, basically, a killing machine, like Rider.
The author had a thing about eyes or eyeballs... shaking, wobbly, rocking, rattled, trembling, and none of this was from seizures. Every character pawed gunk from eyes and eyeballs at some point. Eyes were loose in their sockets when he meant rolling, I think. Eyelids bobbed and dipped. Eyes were "shrink-wrapped" - which sounds painful, but was meant to be shiny or tear filled.
Change of POV needs clarification. While I really like a story with multiple POV an author needs to clearly announce each character up front, not a page or two later, so we know who is "speaking".
Chapters of bad guys. I mean CHAPTERS and CHAPTERS of behind the scenes bad guys. it's interesting to see where they're coming from, but this was overkill and kind of became filler as most of them die, yet we're forced to read SO much about them. Gunderson, a major league baddie for his entire life and throughout books 1 - 6, suddenly turns "good" in book 7 - eyeroll here.
Heroines with older men. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any real issues with this, but there were SO many that I began to wonder if the author was compensating for something. I'm somewhat guessing on some of these ages...
1. Indigo, 18, and Rex, 31.
2. Sarah, 25, and Rider 43.
3. Bailey, 27, and Nick, late 30's or early 40's.
4. Amber, 24, and Marcus mid-30's.
5. Giselle, 25, and Ben, 50's.
Things that made NO sense...
15 yr old Macy initially showing more common sense than her parents, Cincinnati and Stanton.
Cincinnati, an ER nurse used to high pressure and tense situations reacts like a teenager most times. It takes her 4 books to step up and act like an adult. I don't want a gun. I don't want to use a gun. I don't want to kill anyone - eyeroll.
Jagger asking a child to collect the guns he tossed outside a window.
Jagger making a little girl, who had been severely abused and starved, ride a bike for miles before she finally collapses. What 7 yr old can bike 15-17 miles at a time, without complaint?
Jagger giving a child colloidal silver to hopefully cure a bacterial infection she had. So far as I know, used topically it may help prevent infection but has not been proven to aid internally and may actually prevent some hormones and enzymes from healing the body.
Indigo carving her name onto the Ophidian Horde member's forehead. Even an 18 yr old would be smart enough not to give the enemy information, or a target. Indigo's character was very smart, until that moment. That was a huge discrepancy in personality.
Military men always armed suddenly "forget" to take their weapons when they leave the house to take a leak.
Bailey going back to Sacramento to tell her fiancee she was leaving him, but afterward only really going back for family photos. But in their travels they all nearly die because everyone loses their minds at a patrolled border of the city. They had ample opportunity to turn around and come in from a different entry point, but no. Every single member of the group, Marcus, Nick, Bailey, Amber, and Corinne decide to have a shoot out instead. Winding up with all being arrested and held at the detention facility. Why?
Nick initially being angry after he, Bailey, and Marcus are nearly killed while being interred, because Bailey insisted they had to go to her home in Sacramento before going to San Francisco. He gets over being angry at her very quickly, never fear. Another eyeroll from me. The entire series he's trying to get home to his daughter Indigo, but hey... why should he be angry that Bailey caused them all to be held in the camp, for 2 MONTHS, and almost killed for, basically, no good reason? Her selfishness really knew no bounds.
Taking Abigail from her mother Amber at the internment camp. Parents are more likely to be compliant if their children are with them. Separate them and the parent's will rain hell down on handlers. In essence the Sacramento guard would have created MORE problems for themselves by doing this. But then the people who were held weren't very true to life. I would have fought like hell for my kids and I think most other parents would too.
Indigo's decision to stay at her house, even though she knew the bad guys were after her, and there were only she, her mom, and Rex to fight them off. Hello! A GANG against 3 people? Make that 2 because her mother, Margot, was useless. Facepalm here.
Margot's miraculous cancer remission, when she'd been dying just weeks ago.
Once the Ophidian Horde is defeated we are then treated to another gang consisting of... Wait for it! Gamers! Yes, gamers. Video role playing gaming nerds who suddenly decide to create their own real-life version. Again, facepalm. I could deal with the Ophidian Hoarde because they were a conglomeration of gangs who were drug dealers and sex traffickers. THIS?! Gamers? Ugh. They were all led by bad guy, Gunderson's son. What really could have been an epic battle sequence between the Ophidians and the college community, where everyone ended up living, just sort of fizzled with people running around, hunting the gamers, killing most of the gamers and all of our heroes captured by the gamers. Just... Come on!
Our manly military men, and the insecure wannabes are rescued by the women. Which I have no problem with, but seriously?
The President, Benjamin Dupree, was useless. There were many, many pages devoted to him, but totally unnecessary. He did nothing other than get deceived, by everyone, get taken prisoner, is made to push the EMP button, travels from Pennsylvania, rescues a pit bull, arrives back in D.C., and meets Giselle. Why were so many pages dedicated to this character?
There is absolutely NO resolution to the AI threat. NONE. As a matter of fact the Silver Queen takes over a person's body and integrates herself into it. She's killed God only knows how many people. She kills a set of parents and takes their little girl, who she is absolutely vicious to. Takes on a daycare full of kids, 7 in all, and is the same to them. But somehow along the way she begins to have "feelings" of some sort, but not actually. This is never explained. At the end she is absorbed into the community of our heroes and no one is the wiser. They just think she's a bit "off".
There is also mention of Savannah Swann, but no follow up. As I haven't read that series I know nothing about it.
Okay, wow! That's a LOT of negativity, but... despite the inconsistencies I actually enjoyed the series. But all of these issues, and many more, made me stop and shake my head, frequently.
The characters were great, in and of themselves. Though there were several abrupt changes in personality for some. The premise, of AI attacking and taking over, was a fresh take on an apocalypse.
Each book is a bit different in its main characters.
The first, The Last War, concentrates on Cincinnati, Stanton, Macy, and Rex.
The second, The Zero Hour, centers on Indigo.
The third, The Ophidian Hoarde, centers on Cincinnati, Stanton, and Rex meets Indigo. This is where the first gang comes into play. Rider and Sarah come together, and we discover Margot, Indigo's mother, is still alive. Chapters of the bad guys begin. Lenna, and her sons, Hagan and Ballard, are introduced. Lenna is married to Jagger - who is a marine who is currently stationed in Texas.
The fourth, The Infernal Regions focuses on Jagger and his journey home to his wife, Lenna, and sons, Hagan and Ballard. But we also see Cincinnati, Stanton, Rex, Indigo, and Atlanta, as well as Rider and Sarah.
The fifth, The Killing Fields, FINALLY introduces us to the AI, The Silver Queen, aka, Ophelia. A lot of this book is techy in nature, but we do get to see what happens on Nick's end of things in San Diego. We also meet Bailey, Marcus, Quentin, Clinton, and Tyler, President Benjamin Dupree gets some page time too.
The sixth book, The Barbarous Road, begins where we left off with Marcus, Nick, and Bailey. Marcus rescues Corinne, and we meet Amber and Abigail. We get more information about the AI and the President. And Nick and company get taken prisoner, again.
The seventh book, The Terminal Run FINALLY brings everyone together. Emotionally deep, but scenario strange in the extreme.
My favorite characters were...
Indigo, an 18 yr old high school senior who was phenomenal at archery and shooting. She lives with her dad, Nick, because her mother, Margot, left them to marry "up". Nick leaves Indigo at home in San Francisco to go to a job convention in San Diego, where he's stuck when the AI begins it's attack.
Rex, a 31 yr old military guy who ends up falling for Indigo. He's brother to Cincinnati, who is married to Stanton. They have a 15 yr old daughter, Macy.
Everyone else. I could take them or leave them.
Pete and repeat. Characters tell the same stories and fill in supposed "gaps" constantly. Meaning in each and every book we get the same information told and retold. It may only be me that is irritated by this because I read all 7 books in one go and the author felt it neccessary to get everyone caught up?
The insecure men, Stanton and Nick, only become secure men by mirroring the Agency or military guys, Rider, Rex, Jagger, and Marcus. Cincinnati, Stanton's wife, acknowledges, many times, how insecure her husband is and how they have a few intimacy issues within the marriage. These suddenly clear up as she finds her husband SO sexy when he becomes, basically, a killing machine, like Rider.
The author had a thing about eyes or eyeballs... shaking, wobbly, rocking, rattled, trembling, and none of this was from seizures. Every character pawed gunk from eyes and eyeballs at some point. Eyes were loose in their sockets when he meant rolling, I think. Eyelids bobbed and dipped. Eyes were "shrink-wrapped" - which sounds painful, but was meant to be shiny or tear filled.
Change of POV needs clarification. While I really like a story with multiple POV an author needs to clearly announce each character up front, not a page or two later, so we know who is "speaking".
Chapters of bad guys. I mean CHAPTERS and CHAPTERS of behind the scenes bad guys. it's interesting to see where they're coming from, but this was overkill and kind of became filler as most of them die, yet we're forced to read SO much about them. Gunderson, a major league baddie for his entire life and throughout books 1 - 6, suddenly turns "good" in book 7 - eyeroll here.
Heroines with older men. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any real issues with this, but there were SO many that I began to wonder if the author was compensating for something. I'm somewhat guessing on some of these ages...
1. Indigo, 18, and Rex, 31.
2. Sarah, 25, and Rider 43.
3. Bailey, 27, and Nick, late 30's or early 40's.
4. Amber, 24, and Marcus mid-30's.
5. Giselle, 25, and Ben, 50's.
Things that made NO sense...
15 yr old Macy initially showing more common sense than her parents, Cincinnati and Stanton.
Cincinnati, an ER nurse used to high pressure and tense situations reacts like a teenager most times. It takes her 4 books to step up and act like an adult. I don't want a gun. I don't want to use a gun. I don't want to kill anyone - eyeroll.
Jagger asking a child to collect the guns he tossed outside a window.
Jagger making a little girl, who had been severely abused and starved, ride a bike for miles before she finally collapses. What 7 yr old can bike 15-17 miles at a time, without complaint?
Jagger giving a child colloidal silver to hopefully cure a bacterial infection she had. So far as I know, used topically it may help prevent infection but has not been proven to aid internally and may actually prevent some hormones and enzymes from healing the body.
Indigo carving her name onto the Ophidian Horde member's forehead. Even an 18 yr old would be smart enough not to give the enemy information, or a target. Indigo's character was very smart, until that moment. That was a huge discrepancy in personality.
Military men always armed suddenly "forget" to take their weapons when they leave the house to take a leak.
Bailey going back to Sacramento to tell her fiancee she was leaving him, but afterward only really going back for family photos. But in their travels they all nearly die because everyone loses their minds at a patrolled border of the city. They had ample opportunity to turn around and come in from a different entry point, but no. Every single member of the group, Marcus, Nick, Bailey, Amber, and Corinne decide to have a shoot out instead. Winding up with all being arrested and held at the detention facility. Why?
Nick initially being angry after he, Bailey, and Marcus are nearly killed while being interred, because Bailey insisted they had to go to her home in Sacramento before going to San Francisco. He gets over being angry at her very quickly, never fear. Another eyeroll from me. The entire series he's trying to get home to his daughter Indigo, but hey... why should he be angry that Bailey caused them all to be held in the camp, for 2 MONTHS, and almost killed for, basically, no good reason? Her selfishness really knew no bounds.
Taking Abigail from her mother Amber at the internment camp. Parents are more likely to be compliant if their children are with them. Separate them and the parent's will rain hell down on handlers. In essence the Sacramento guard would have created MORE problems for themselves by doing this. But then the people who were held weren't very true to life. I would have fought like hell for my kids and I think most other parents would too.
Indigo's decision to stay at her house, even though she knew the bad guys were after her, and there were only she, her mom, and Rex to fight them off. Hello! A GANG against 3 people? Make that 2 because her mother, Margot, was useless. Facepalm here.
Margot's miraculous cancer remission, when she'd been dying just weeks ago.
Once the Ophidian Horde is defeated we are then treated to another gang consisting of... Wait for it! Gamers! Yes, gamers. Video role playing gaming nerds who suddenly decide to create their own real-life version. Again, facepalm. I could deal with the Ophidian Hoarde because they were a conglomeration of gangs who were drug dealers and sex traffickers. THIS?! Gamers? Ugh. They were all led by bad guy, Gunderson's son. What really could have been an epic battle sequence between the Ophidians and the college community, where everyone ended up living, just sort of fizzled with people running around, hunting the gamers, killing most of the gamers and all of our heroes captured by the gamers. Just... Come on!
Our manly military men, and the insecure wannabes are rescued by the women. Which I have no problem with, but seriously?
The President, Benjamin Dupree, was useless. There were many, many pages devoted to him, but totally unnecessary. He did nothing other than get deceived, by everyone, get taken prisoner, is made to push the EMP button, travels from Pennsylvania, rescues a pit bull, arrives back in D.C., and meets Giselle. Why were so many pages dedicated to this character?
There is absolutely NO resolution to the AI threat. NONE. As a matter of fact the Silver Queen takes over a person's body and integrates herself into it. She's killed God only knows how many people. She kills a set of parents and takes their little girl, who she is absolutely vicious to. Takes on a daycare full of kids, 7 in all, and is the same to them. But somehow along the way she begins to have "feelings" of some sort, but not actually. This is never explained. At the end she is absorbed into the community of our heroes and no one is the wiser. They just think she's a bit "off".
There is also mention of Savannah Swann, but no follow up. As I haven't read that series I know nothing about it.
Okay, wow! That's a LOT of negativity, but... despite the inconsistencies I actually enjoyed the series. But all of these issues, and many more, made me stop and shake my head, frequently.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2019
Unlike my meek persona, I really enjoy reading exciting (and in today’s world postapocolyptic) stuff. I am not asking for it to be the “Great American Novel” but for pity sake please PLEASE get better editors. I keep reading anyway but the quick break in attention is incredibly annoying. Had this been well edited it would have got more stars.
May 28, 2023
Couldn’t Put It Down!
I love the post apocalyptic genre. This series was one of the best collections I have read yet. The action was nonstop with the exception some “blah, blah, blah” touchy Feely narrative but that was only about 20% which I spreed read through. A little pontificating I guess by the author. I highly recommend this collection for the post apocalyptic lover.
I love the post apocalyptic genre. This series was one of the best collections I have read yet. The action was nonstop with the exception some “blah, blah, blah” touchy Feely narrative but that was only about 20% which I spreed read through. A little pontificating I guess by the author. I highly recommend this collection for the post apocalyptic lover.
February 8, 2020
Superb post-apocalyptic series
I’ve read probably 100 series of this genre because I find it comforting in a time of uncertainty in the world. I am quite picky. In fact, I am a retired copy editor by trade.
This series, which is also one of the longest series I’ve come encountered, kept me interested and engaged throughout. The writing was much better than most. The characters Were interesting and fully fleshed. At first I thought it was odd how they were named… names like Cincinnati and Indigo and Jagger. But those on names eventually helped me keep everybody straight as their stories combined and continued.
I’ve tried to read other long series of PA fiction but found myself losing interest as they kept repeating battle scenes and gun discussions. While those things are nice in small doses, they do not move a story along.
It was a pleasure to read a book that was pretty much grammatically correct. I did highlight in orange when I came across a miss-used word, such as “chord” instead of “cord.”
I highly recommend the book series. I am going to move on to the author’s next one. I hope it’s as good as this one because I need some distraction in this election year and can’t read my Precious New York Times as much without being stressed at what’s going on.
Please forgive my typos and clumsy syntax as I have to use a microphone transcription due to arthritis.
I’ve read probably 100 series of this genre because I find it comforting in a time of uncertainty in the world. I am quite picky. In fact, I am a retired copy editor by trade.
This series, which is also one of the longest series I’ve come encountered, kept me interested and engaged throughout. The writing was much better than most. The characters Were interesting and fully fleshed. At first I thought it was odd how they were named… names like Cincinnati and Indigo and Jagger. But those on names eventually helped me keep everybody straight as their stories combined and continued.
I’ve tried to read other long series of PA fiction but found myself losing interest as they kept repeating battle scenes and gun discussions. While those things are nice in small doses, they do not move a story along.
It was a pleasure to read a book that was pretty much grammatically correct. I did highlight in orange when I came across a miss-used word, such as “chord” instead of “cord.”
I highly recommend the book series. I am going to move on to the author’s next one. I hope it’s as good as this one because I need some distraction in this election year and can’t read my Precious New York Times as much without being stressed at what’s going on.
Please forgive my typos and clumsy syntax as I have to use a microphone transcription due to arthritis.
October 26, 2025
At first, I did not like how the chapters changed from first person to third person to back again... But I got invested into the characters and was captivated by them... There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming... Things you expected to happen didn't, but the things that did happen were keeping me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next... The stories were all believable and the background comes right out of current news and possibilities... Overall, I enjoyed this series and the author's character creations... As a disabled veteran with PTSD, I related personally with some of the characters... In some ways, this series helped me focus on things that I am going through... This series was and is well worth the read...
December 20, 2018
A Very Readable Yarn
Ryan Show is very much a storyteller. He has created a realistic, well researched post-apocaliptic world. Most importantly, he gives his readers believable, 3-dimensional characters they come to know and care about. Make no mistake; this is no fairytale. The world of "The Last War" is harsh, brutal and anything but "Once upon a time". It is very much TEOTWAWKI. This is not for the faint of heart. Part of the reason I only gave it four stars was because I think Ryan may have piled it on a bit too thick in places. At least for me he did. But I stayed with him for all seven volumes. I hope you will too.
Ryan Show is very much a storyteller. He has created a realistic, well researched post-apocaliptic world. Most importantly, he gives his readers believable, 3-dimensional characters they come to know and care about. Make no mistake; this is no fairytale. The world of "The Last War" is harsh, brutal and anything but "Once upon a time". It is very much TEOTWAWKI. This is not for the faint of heart. Part of the reason I only gave it four stars was because I think Ryan may have piled it on a bit too thick in places. At least for me he did. But I stayed with him for all seven volumes. I hope you will too.
April 3, 2019
Pretty good series, did keep me interested, even reading all 7 books as one book, over 1000 pages. There were a few things that bothered me, there were several typos (example: chord for cord) throughout the book, but they didn't take away too much from the story. One thing I thought was "funny" all the "good guys" were good-looking GQ/supermodel types, while all the "bad guys" were ugly, stinky or fat. (except for the real "main" antagonist). I did roll my eyes a few times when in the middle of an apocalypse, people were thinking about how "cute" or "hot" somebody was. I guess I'd be more worried about living than what I look like, but that's just me.
October 4, 2019
Loved this series
So I started with The Age of Embers series, loved the author’s style so much that I decided to read this series. I was very pleasantly surprised to find out it has cross-over characters and is within the same event.
The characters are so strong and so well developed that you feel as if they are your friends and family. You get sucked in to the story and truly feel apart of it!
I love it when authors sprinkle life lessons through their stories and Mr. Schow does it so well. I hated when the books ended, I think I just might reread The Age of Embers books again just to tie everything up in a bow.
So I started with The Age of Embers series, loved the author’s style so much that I decided to read this series. I was very pleasantly surprised to find out it has cross-over characters and is within the same event.
The characters are so strong and so well developed that you feel as if they are your friends and family. You get sucked in to the story and truly feel apart of it!
I love it when authors sprinkle life lessons through their stories and Mr. Schow does it so well. I hated when the books ended, I think I just might reread The Age of Embers books again just to tie everything up in a bow.
February 5, 2020
Action Packed Ride into the Apocalypse
I am a big fan of Post Apocalyptic and Thriller stories. The last war is a series that pulls you into each scene, because the characters are believable and the destruction is possible. I purchased the box set a week before Christmas and finished by Feb. 5th. 7 books, a great cast of Characters, and a renewed disdain for Silicone Valley AI.
I appreciated the fact this series contained very little fowl language and no erotic scenes. The drama between machines and mankind was plenty of Entertainment.
And I will never eat another peach.
I am a big fan of Post Apocalyptic and Thriller stories. The last war is a series that pulls you into each scene, because the characters are believable and the destruction is possible. I purchased the box set a week before Christmas and finished by Feb. 5th. 7 books, a great cast of Characters, and a renewed disdain for Silicone Valley AI.
I appreciated the fact this series contained very little fowl language and no erotic scenes. The drama between machines and mankind was plenty of Entertainment.
And I will never eat another peach.
March 6, 2019
Outstanding series!
When you start reading this series it doesn't take long to be immersed in survival thoughts...what would it be like with your world totally berserk. Ryan has done an outstanding job developing the characters, not pre-populating the books with skilled survivalist or ex-super troopers(although there are a few), instead you get the average Joe and Jane and go through the entire series to finally find the real survivors. Very good reading, and the reader should take the time to think of what it would indeed be like...
When you start reading this series it doesn't take long to be immersed in survival thoughts...what would it be like with your world totally berserk. Ryan has done an outstanding job developing the characters, not pre-populating the books with skilled survivalist or ex-super troopers(although there are a few), instead you get the average Joe and Jane and go through the entire series to finally find the real survivors. Very good reading, and the reader should take the time to think of what it would indeed be like...
May 7, 2019
I read this series from Book 1 to Book 7. I am glad because I would have hated waiting for the next one to come out. Ryan Schow writes so well and the characters are so interesting and likable though a little too good looking lol. The story mostly moves right along except for some technical parts that I skimmed over. But the action scenes were incredible and you will not be bored at all. This is a post apocalyptic series so people die but the majority live. I highly recommend this series. I will certainly be reading more from this author.
October 28, 2019
In your face reality of what the world will be one day.
In my minds eye, this story played out as news reports... I could see it being so real. The way people acted, the grief, the loss.... the will to start over and try to do it better.
Then I ask myself, "what have you learned"? Can I be a survivor or will I crumple with the first wave of tragedy? Do you have what it takes? Read this series and prepare yourself!
Great Read! Page turner for sure!
Ryan, Bravo! I hope I've walked away a little smarter.💖💖
In my minds eye, this story played out as news reports... I could see it being so real. The way people acted, the grief, the loss.... the will to start over and try to do it better.
Then I ask myself, "what have you learned"? Can I be a survivor or will I crumple with the first wave of tragedy? Do you have what it takes? Read this series and prepare yourself!
Great Read! Page turner for sure!
Ryan, Bravo! I hope I've walked away a little smarter.💖💖
October 30, 2019
Loved The Last War Set
Really good set of books! I was born in the early 70s so when Terminator came out I was hooked. In a way some parts of this series takes me back to the first time I watched that movie. I'm also a muscle car buff and was pleasantly surprised there too. The series really makes you think... The pepper lifestyle may seem crazy to some but some time in the future we will all be hoping to have a prepper friend or family member. Awesome read with lots of interesting characters and plot twists.
Really good set of books! I was born in the early 70s so when Terminator came out I was hooked. In a way some parts of this series takes me back to the first time I watched that movie. I'm also a muscle car buff and was pleasantly surprised there too. The series really makes you think... The pepper lifestyle may seem crazy to some but some time in the future we will all be hoping to have a prepper friend or family member. Awesome read with lots of interesting characters and plot twists.
June 9, 2020
Quality writing, excellent storyline
A series that will keep your interest from beginning in book one to the end of book seven! At times it seemed like too many characters but each one brought a major component to the story. I appreciate that the language was toned down so that you could let your teen read it.
There were some pretty serious editing and spelling errors beginning with book five. I suspect Mr. Schow was on a self imposed deadline and rushed things a bit too much. Nevertheless a very good series. Well worth reading.
A series that will keep your interest from beginning in book one to the end of book seven! At times it seemed like too many characters but each one brought a major component to the story. I appreciate that the language was toned down so that you could let your teen read it.
There were some pretty serious editing and spelling errors beginning with book five. I suspect Mr. Schow was on a self imposed deadline and rushed things a bit too much. Nevertheless a very good series. Well worth reading.
November 9, 2018
Great series
It was fascinating to read all of a series in one go. It took almost a week. The characters are real, the action never slows, the events that lead to the apocalypse make sense. I highly recommend this series. Now I’ve discovered this great new author I’m going to read all his books. I particularly like the way the bad guys are handled. Don’t want to give away anything so I won’t say more. Question is where is book 8?
It was fascinating to read all of a series in one go. It took almost a week. The characters are real, the action never slows, the events that lead to the apocalypse make sense. I highly recommend this series. Now I’ve discovered this great new author I’m going to read all his books. I particularly like the way the bad guys are handled. Don’t want to give away anything so I won’t say more. Question is where is book 8?
January 10, 2019
Last War
This series surprised me. When I first started it, it seemed to be a romance\apocalypse type with hot, but severely emotional damaged characters. Well, they were, but they developed into well rounded and believable characters. Really enjoyed this series and was sad when it ended. I don't know if it will be continued as I would really like the know what happens to Maria and how it ends. It was very well written and hard to put down.
This series surprised me. When I first started it, it seemed to be a romance\apocalypse type with hot, but severely emotional damaged characters. Well, they were, but they developed into well rounded and believable characters. Really enjoyed this series and was sad when it ended. I don't know if it will be continued as I would really like the know what happens to Maria and how it ends. It was very well written and hard to put down.
February 26, 2019
Fantastic!
This series is awesome to say the least! I absolutely could not put it down. I love the characters...the story lines....the way the writer gave each character a chance to tell their story so that I was able to see through their eyes, to feel their pain, to feel the hope! The only thing that needs to be done is to fix the typos. There needs to be a proofed and editing. I love this series!
This series is awesome to say the least! I absolutely could not put it down. I love the characters...the story lines....the way the writer gave each character a chance to tell their story so that I was able to see through their eyes, to feel their pain, to feel the hope! The only thing that needs to be done is to fix the typos. There needs to be a proofed and editing. I love this series!
May 22, 2019
Enjoyable storyline and characters.
I did enjoy this book as it was well written and edited. Most of the characters were likeable, but Maria was a little far-fetched and didn't really have much of a point. And, some of it could have been condensed. Near the end I found it a bit difficult at times to keep all of the characters straight. It started out 5 stars but by the end went downhill. I gave it 4 stars because I did enjoy reading it.
I did enjoy this book as it was well written and edited. Most of the characters were likeable, but Maria was a little far-fetched and didn't really have much of a point. And, some of it could have been condensed. Near the end I found it a bit difficult at times to keep all of the characters straight. It started out 5 stars but by the end went downhill. I gave it 4 stars because I did enjoy reading it.
June 17, 2019
Apocalypse Indulgence
This series shows the true sides of a post apocalyptic world and weaves an intriguing story line for it to follow. It truly brings into question our preparedness for such an event and how we would fare. Many times I found myself being inserted in to a different characters role and thinking how would I react. Well done and it would be an interesting sequel to see how Maria fares in her quest.
This series shows the true sides of a post apocalyptic world and weaves an intriguing story line for it to follow. It truly brings into question our preparedness for such an event and how we would fare. Many times I found myself being inserted in to a different characters role and thinking how would I react. Well done and it would be an interesting sequel to see how Maria fares in her quest.
July 6, 2019
Good characters, action packed
This book collection got a little too brutal and gory for me, but I had to finish it to find out how the characters turned out. Each book focuses on a different set of characters until it all gets brought together in the end. If you like books about people struggling to survive as civilization collapses around them, you should give this series a try.
This book collection got a little too brutal and gory for me, but I had to finish it to find out how the characters turned out. Each book focuses on a different set of characters until it all gets brought together in the end. If you like books about people struggling to survive as civilization collapses around them, you should give this series a try.
April 24, 2020
Awesome Series
I got the boxed set of seven books and began to read. It is now three weeks later and I just finished book seven this morning. I am sad the series is over. These characters who I grew to love have been such an integral part of my life for the past three weeks and I will miss them. I now have a new author to read whose books I know I will enjoy. If you like series reading pick up these books and immerse yourself in the story. You will not be sorry.
I got the boxed set of seven books and began to read. It is now three weeks later and I just finished book seven this morning. I am sad the series is over. These characters who I grew to love have been such an integral part of my life for the past three weeks and I will miss them. I now have a new author to read whose books I know I will enjoy. If you like series reading pick up these books and immerse yourself in the story. You will not be sorry.
May 19, 2022
Fantastic read…
AI. Yep, that is how it all may end but I think the grid down due to an AI attack was Stephen Hawkins in the making. This is a great series full of real people suffering great tragedy and bouncing back. Gruesome but realistic and true to what’s coming. If you believe me that the grid will come down one day I know you will truly enjoy this series as a how to survive what’s coming if you choose to. Highly recommended. Cheers!
AI. Yep, that is how it all may end but I think the grid down due to an AI attack was Stephen Hawkins in the making. This is a great series full of real people suffering great tragedy and bouncing back. Gruesome but realistic and true to what’s coming. If you believe me that the grid will come down one day I know you will truly enjoy this series as a how to survive what’s coming if you choose to. Highly recommended. Cheers!
January 21, 2019
Worth every page
I normally prefer longer books/a box series when it comes to topics that really need development and have no solid ending, so when I found this book I didn't hesitate to order it. I'm glad I didn't. It was really well written and the characters were given enough life that you felt for them even if they didn't feel for themselves. Definitely recommend!
I normally prefer longer books/a box series when it comes to topics that really need development and have no solid ending, so when I found this book I didn't hesitate to order it. I'm glad I didn't. It was really well written and the characters were given enough life that you felt for them even if they didn't feel for themselves. Definitely recommend!
May 16, 2019
Good story
Enjoyed the series although books 5 & 6 felt rushed and had a bunch of typos. I enjoyed the different groups moving through the war zones and their personalities. Definitely had a few moments where I thought something was going to happen and it was the opposite which was what kept me intrigued. Looking forward to reading other books from this world.
Enjoyed the series although books 5 & 6 felt rushed and had a bunch of typos. I enjoyed the different groups moving through the war zones and their personalities. Definitely had a few moments where I thought something was going to happen and it was the opposite which was what kept me intrigued. Looking forward to reading other books from this world.
May 21, 2019
Fantastic Read! Love getting to know the characters!! Loved getting to know them all! This is one scenario that I haven’t considered. EMPs yes, AI takeover- No! Well worth considering!
Well worth the time to read! This was one scenario that I had not considered. EMPs yes— AI takeovers- No!
Well worth the time to read! This was one scenario that I had not considered. EMPs yes— AI takeovers- No!
July 10, 2019
Couldn’t put it down
I couldn’t put this book down. I was glued to it from the first page! Just when you think things calm down for the characters something comes up. Not one chapter was dull! I finished this book exhausted! I absolutely recommend this book for post apocalyptic readers.
I couldn’t put this book down. I was glued to it from the first page! Just when you think things calm down for the characters something comes up. Not one chapter was dull! I finished this book exhausted! I absolutely recommend this book for post apocalyptic readers.
August 5, 2019
I do like the post-apocalyptic genre and this was not disappointing. There were a few things I did NOT like and that was the character Maria. Didn't make sense to me and also was difficult to project that character into the future. But the characters were believable and I enjoyed reading this series.
September 19, 2019
So very realistic.
So much of this series is very realistic, but, so e of it is also disappointing. Such as not following Jagger and his co-pilot through the crash. There were a few other issues that I thought were confusing, but overall it is a great series.
hought should have
So much of this series is very realistic, but, so e of it is also disappointing. Such as not following Jagger and his co-pilot through the crash. There were a few other issues that I thought were confusing, but overall it is a great series.
hought should have
December 13, 2019
great story with one tiny irritation.
i never did like the female protaginist, reminded me too much of some west coast lefty. she was self centered and positive she was as always fight. It was her way or the highway as they say. also, there were an awful lot of characters, some time i had trouble keeping them all straight until i was well into the story.
i never did like the female protaginist, reminded me too much of some west coast lefty. she was self centered and positive she was as always fight. It was her way or the highway as they say. also, there were an awful lot of characters, some time i had trouble keeping them all straight until i was well into the story.
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