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The Year Without Summer

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What if the sleeping giant beneath Yellowstone erupted? When recently divorced Catherine Shaw tries to reconnect with her young son Jordan by taking him on vacation in Yellowstone park, a series of disturbing events lead her to believe that the dormant supervolcano is on the brink of erupting. With the clocking ticking down and the aid of a damaged deputy park ranger, they will have to do more than convince the park superintendent of the imminent disaster. Thousands of blissfully unaware tourists have flocked to the serene park, trouble makers are on the loose, and not everyone wants to listen. The Year Without Summer is a fast paced supervolcano disaster thriller from the author of Days of Panic and As We Fall. It's a realistic page turning story about a terrifying event that begins in Yellowstone National Park at the height of summer.

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2018

401 people are currently reading
135 people want to read

About the author

Jack Hunt

116 books406 followers
Jack Hunt is the international bestselling author of over seventy thriller novels. He's been ranked #1 in the Amazon charts in multiple thriller, mystery, crime, and science fiction genres. He's also been named a Kindle Unlimited All-Star. He's married with two children. Jack lives on the East coast of North America.

Join Jack's spam-free readers list to stay alert to future releases, special offers, and reader only bonus content. The readers group are usually the first to hear about giveaways. http://jackhuntbooks.com/

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5 stars
239 (49%)
4 stars
146 (30%)
3 stars
86 (17%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
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5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Melissa Aston.
20 reviews3 followers
June 3, 2020
I’m going give this a 3.5-3.75. This was a fast paced disaster book involving Yellowstone. I loved how they tied together the characters . This would Make for a good movie !
Profile Image for Katie_Living_in_Bookland.
139 reviews39 followers
July 11, 2019
Great read

Really enjoyed this book. Pulled me right in. Read it in a couple of days. Good characters and fast paced. Will look at more of Jack Hunts books.
Profile Image for Shauna Ludlow Smith.
819 reviews
July 5, 2023
I read this book when I was staying within an hour of Yellowstone National Park, so it was kind of scary. If the volcano erupted at full force, I would probably be toast even if I was within 500 miles.
104 reviews7 followers
November 9, 2018
Technically sound, Different Perspective on Yellowstone

I really enjoyed this book, and believe anyone with an interest in Sci-Fi or Apocalyptic genres, or just the Yellowstone Caldera, would enjoy it.

Mercifully devoid of sex scenes -- thanks, Jack! Plenty clean for youth or even kids.

I could see this being turned into a script for a television movie -- and it would be better than most disaster movies, right off the bat. As long as they maintained the integrity of author's intent, it would work.

I enjoyed the technical and scientific details, incorporated into the story in a very organic manner. It seemed real and honest.

A caution for parents: I'm sure this would be a good book for kids or teens to read if they have anxiety problems. Also, while I think it would add immensely to a person's knowledge to read this story before visiting Yellowstone, there will be some kids that would freak out. Tread carefully; if you allow your child to read it, make sure to plan for some informal discussion sessions, reminding them that it IS JUST a story.

Living in SE-Idaho, we're used to living in the Caldera's shadow. You get used to it. I don't share the conviction that NASA drilling into the Caldera would trigger earthquakes or eruptions, though.

But the idea sure makes for a great story in this capable author's hands.

As always, it is the "what if..." questions that make for a great story...and this is a very well-done "what if!"


Profile Image for Pam Shelton-Anderson.
1,964 reviews67 followers
November 7, 2018
This was a pretty decent book, but as I was reading it felt a bit familiar. I just read the 1st several books of Bobby Akart's "Yellowstone" series and this has a lot of similarities to that. Scientist-driven and available, handsome and available ranger, drilling in the caldera... In this book, the reason for the scientist to be in the Park was for vacation with a grumpy teen that lives with her ex. She spends a lot of time trying to connect with former colleagues to investigate troubling events in the area and ignoring why she came to that place so I don't blame her son for being grumpy. There is some solid science and info about Yellowstone (a truly fascinating place-If you have not been there, please go). The characters are a bit on the weak side with some contrivances to put them in the right place at the right time.
Profile Image for Mark.
122 reviews8 followers
October 14, 2018
Title: The Year Without Summer

Author: Jack Hunt

Publication Date: Oct 2018

Genre: Apocalyptic

Score: 3/5

This is a supervolcano novel. It’s a decent effort but could have used some professional editing. The plot is oddly like another supervolcano novel I read earlier this year, “Yellowstone: Hellfire” by Bobby Akart in which the government was attempting to defuse the possibility of an eruption. As in that novel, this is a misguided effort. There’s the plucky scientist, the steadfast ranger and the obstinate boss. The characters are flat, and the dialog is weak. Still readable. Only recommended for the diehard supervolcano genre fan.
57 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2019
Beneath Yellowstone

A well written story about activity in America's super volcano, Yellowstone. Most volcanos have their caldera at the top of a mountain peak. But Yellowstone national park itself is the caldera or mouth of a volcano big enough that it could destroy the planet if it completely blew. Add to it a quasi scientific research into drilling into the outer edge of the magma chamber to "cool it down". Instead it causes it to rapidly escalate. This would be a great summer blockbuster of a movie.🐱
Profile Image for Santana McGraw.
6 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2019
Great book!

This is only the 2nd time to read a Yellowstone type, & honestly, I was not disappointed! The author is on my top 10 prepper fiction list ! My only complaints aren't specifically on this book, it's what I have noticed w all his books in general - **his books are not long enough, & * I hope Amazon & Mr. Hunt can work out a deal on boxed sets in Audible !! Oi do NOT enjoy spending.my only credit for that whole !month on a book that I will.get all the way thru before my 8hr day is finished .
Profile Image for Cherye Elliott.
3,397 reviews23 followers
November 1, 2018
Yellowstone

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Fast paced. Believable characters. The storyline flowed from page to page and chapter to chapter.

We always seem to forget that we have a active volcano that has the ability to erupt any time. Reading books like this makes you step back and realize that lives are more important than tourism dollars.

Get the book. Read it. Well worth the time.
3 reviews1 follower
October 29, 2018
A good read and well done

I like that it was a completed work, i don't much care for books with cliffhangers designed to get you to buy the next book. This one was hard to put down and provided a lot of useful information. Having never been there myself, I can only imagine how awesome it really is.
17 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2019
Great Read

I have been interested in Yellowstone's super volcano for sometime. The facts concerning the park & calder were very informative. The story was well written.
The action was fast paced. The book wasn't long enough to flesh out the characters. Yellowstone was the main character.
49 reviews2 followers
November 5, 2018
Lots of action

This was a quick read....good action and suspense. I was disappointed that there was no “year with no summer” and the story ended pretty quickly, but it was still an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to Yellowstone fans.
31 reviews2 followers
November 6, 2018
Super Yellowstone action

I've read several apocalypse type books and a few about Yellowstone. This is well worth the read Jack Hunt does a superb job of action and suspense in all of his endeavor.
258 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2018
The year without summer

Another great book bYe a amazing author, when you can read a book and decide ok l am not going there ever ,you know the story was wrote to make you believe it was real .well done again!!!
183 reviews1 follower
November 19, 2018
Jack Continues

I have read a number of Mr Hunts books and have enjoyed them all. This one continues to show his ability to entertain the reader while keeping the need to read more paramount.
57 reviews
December 4, 2018
Nature at its most unpredictable

Jack Hunt writes a story that was gripping and believable. As you get caught up in the storyline, you can't help but shiver and wonder what is coming next.
Profile Image for Mic Eaton.
47 reviews
December 15, 2018
Fairly fast read on a Yellowstone event.

Fast moving story about a Yellowstone event. First I've read that was not a full blown disaster. No time in this story for indepth characters but turns out not really needed. I would read another book by this author.
40 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2019
Enjoyable disaster novel

A very enjoyable disaster novel regarding the Yellowstone Caldera. A good cast of characters as you watch the events surrounding the eruption before their eyes.
Profile Image for Jenna.
107 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2019
Another great Hunt novel

I really like Hunt's writing. His stories are engaging and well written. It would have been good if this could have been a series though. I get so caught up in characters, I hate to not have another book to read!
Profile Image for Amedee.
4 reviews
July 7, 2019
Good read

This book depicts how downriver scary Yellowstone is and mans ignorance about the power of nature. Definitely explains what Yellowstone is capable of despite its great beauty
Profile Image for Readsall.
433 reviews5 followers
October 26, 2019
Suspenseful thriller

I really liked this stand along story. I've read some of the series by Mr Hunt so I was pretty sure I would enjoy this book. He did not disappoint me. I highly recommend this author.
Profile Image for Tom .
92 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2025
This was a very decent read. The characters, especially the younger kids, were perfect in description, action, and thoughts. I include everyone under 30 as the younger kids.

Geology probably was a class the author either didn't take or missed the days when volcanoes were studied. Less fissures and more lava when discussing super-volcanoes was needed. It detracts in some ways but is used for more fiction in other ways.

It took me around 3 to 4 hours to read this novella, but it was spread over a couple of nights before sleeping. This was a good book read!
41 reviews4 followers
November 19, 2018
Great Story

This book was incredibly interesting, not just for the storyline, but all the information about Yellowstone that was included. You could tell the author did his research, and what he wrote made sense. I’m an emergency manager by trade, and it would be awesome if Jack could come do a presentation at a symposium or some other sort of event. If there’s a book 2, I’ll be excitedly read it.
Profile Image for Diane.
188 reviews3 followers
August 22, 2022
This is the second Jack Hunt book in as many days. Quarantining with Covid and enjoying the exciting drama in his books. I’ve never been to Yellowstone although it is a bucket list trip for sure. The story presented the contrast of the beauty of nature and its wrath. I did not know about the caldera but was drawn in by the phenomenon.

The book was fast past and tight with Interesting characters and a great plot. Well done.
47 reviews
May 6, 2025
This was quite suspenseful, a good read. Had all the elements for a good story, possible catastrophic earth ending event, good looking masculine park ranger, single attractive woman, sullen teenager, bureaucratic arrogant head of department, and innocent tourists! Quite a few casualties along the way! Good ending with only thousands dead, lol!
Profile Image for Pa Pritchard.
11 reviews
October 12, 2018
Enjoyable

A great read, highly recommended. I really enjoyed this book as I have all of Jack Hunt's other books that I have read.
31 reviews
October 21, 2018
Good read

Well written with only a few errors. Sure for instance has no plural. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed the story line.
2 reviews
October 23, 2018
The action starts almost immediately and keeps building! Kept me up and turning pages...no shortage of action in this novel. A quick, satisfying read.
35 reviews
October 26, 2018
Good storyline

Liked the science and storyline of this book. It was sometimes hard to keep up with all the characters as it jumped around a lot. But over all good.
Profile Image for Dawn Foster.
6 reviews
October 29, 2018
Good read nice way to spend a couple of hours.


Good pace and was glad the story not dragged out over several books. Hope he writes a few more plenty of volcanoes to choose from.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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