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The Age of Embers #1-5
The Complete Age of Embers Series
A high-tech nightmare startles the nation, followed by a crippling EMP attack on America and her infrastructure. Are humans in their final days? When a sudden, unexplained spasm of violence rocks the country from coast to coast, when our military is hijacked and the President can’t be found, several groups of survivors are left to wonder if this is the start of a new world war, or if this is the last chapter of humanity itself.
Undercover DEA agent, Fire Dimas, is drowning in problems: an unrelenting job, a difficult marriage and a teenage daughter with suitors of the worst kind. Then there’s the cartel he double-crossed and the “incident” at the high school.
Guatemalan born cartel daughter, Eliana Gutierrez, breaks free of everything she’s ever known to track down her niece, Carolina, who was trafficked up through Mexico and into America where all hell is breaking loose.
Rock Dimas and a woman he’s not even sure he likes are herded into the fiery center of an extinction-level event where only two choices exist: run for your life, or burrow in to the last place anyone sane would go and confront the enemy directly.
Undercover DEA agent, Fire Dimas, is drowning in problems: an unrelenting job, a difficult marriage and a teenage daughter with suitors of the worst kind. Then there’s the cartel he double-crossed and the “incident” at the high school.
Guatemalan born cartel daughter, Eliana Gutierrez, breaks free of everything she’s ever known to track down her niece, Carolina, who was trafficked up through Mexico and into America where all hell is breaking loose.
Rock Dimas and a woman he’s not even sure he likes are herded into the fiery center of an extinction-level event where only two choices exist: run for your life, or burrow in to the last place anyone sane would go and confront the enemy directly.
1851 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2019
831 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 17, 2020
Some of the Best Writing in PA!
As a voracious book a day reader (I’m retired and have the time), it is a challenge to find truly good writing. And as a lifelong reader, I’ve read who I consider the best. Keeping almost exclusively to kindle unlimited, great writing is hard to come by, Ryan Schow is a true gift to my reading world. Creative, intelligent, clever, I could go on but I don’t want to sound like a fanboy! If you like this genre, post apocalyptic, you’ll love Ryan Schow.
As a voracious book a day reader (I’m retired and have the time), it is a challenge to find truly good writing. And as a lifelong reader, I’ve read who I consider the best. Keeping almost exclusively to kindle unlimited, great writing is hard to come by, Ryan Schow is a true gift to my reading world. Creative, intelligent, clever, I could go on but I don’t want to sound like a fanboy! If you like this genre, post apocalyptic, you’ll love Ryan Schow.
January 8, 2024
Apparently his freshman effort
The story felt disjointed, skipping from different viewpoints. Didn’t always follow through with ideas from chapter to chapter. Main pet peeve was that the author doesn’t know about homonyms. A canon is not a cannon, also using words out of context for the scene. It’s not possible to have a tuberculosis face and other misuse of words. Take me right out of the story.
The story felt disjointed, skipping from different viewpoints. Didn’t always follow through with ideas from chapter to chapter. Main pet peeve was that the author doesn’t know about homonyms. A canon is not a cannon, also using words out of context for the scene. It’s not possible to have a tuberculosis face and other misuse of words. Take me right out of the story.
October 30, 2020
I read this right after having read Schow's other post-apocalyptic series set in the same universe (well, mostly). By the end of 10 books I was ready for something else. I admire his tenacity in writing such a huge volume of text around this concept, but I felt like it could have been more impactful if it were a bit briefer.
April 17, 2023
1. The Age of Embers. The story begins rather slowly, introducing and giving background on the main characters. Fiero (Fire) Dimas, is an undercover DEA agent who has a love-hate relationship with his job and the city and has been undercover way too long. Fiero has more problems than he knows what to do with; job trouble with the cartel, and family trouble due to the job. Eliana Gutierrez has her problems with the cartel. Eliana and her niece Carolina are taken by a cartel lieutenant over a blood debt. They will remain house servants to repay the debt. Later, the opportunity allows them to escape, but they are separated. Eliana will let nothing or no one distract her from finding Carolina. Isidore (Ice), Fiero’s brother has his own story to tell. Isidore and Eliana meet and travel together to find safety and Eliana’s niece Carolina. Now, on to the real plot! Artificial intelligence, quantum computers, machine learning, androids, and drones are the stars of this show. To get a perspective on this series, think about the premise of some old movies; The Terminator, Blade Runner, and I, Robot. All these movies revolved around machines taking over the world. Draven Alexander, a digital detective in Chicago comes onto the scene. His friend, Carver Gamble, a security specialist at Stanford University in San Francisco, frantically emails Draven saying the skies were filled with hundreds of drones! As Draven watches, drones began to appear in the skies over Chicago as well. The age of the Silver Queen (TSQ) had begun! Serious, sometimes psychologically personal stories from previously described characters intercede within the main plot. Drones, drones over major cities, all over the nation. Drones did enormous amounts of damage. America is burning!
2. The Age of Hysteria. We move to Sacramento, California. Amber Gunn, a beautiful actress, drives her Lamborghini into Rock Dimas’s, custom car shop. Rock is the brother of Fiero and Isidore. Jareth Gates and his wife Prudence enter the story. A vengeance war takes place between Di’ab Huri, leader of a Sudanese child kidnapping ring, and Fiero Dimas’s family. Fiero and Eliana become one in their search for their children, safety, and sanity. A small community joins together to survive the drones. An even smaller group comes together to survive the incarnation of The Silver Queen. This is a dark and tragic episode in the series.
3. The Age of Reprisal. Massive nuclear strikes and EMPs are a new terror. Our community of survivors; is Isidore, Adeline, Fiero, Eliana, Carolina, Rock, Orlando, Veronica, Draven, Eudora, and Xavier. Alma and Constanza, two rescued children from the railyard. All holed up in a house outside of Chicago. Bands of looters are going through every neighborhood. Eventually, they will reach our survivor’s house. The story here switches between Rock and Jill who is Rock’s ex-girlfriend, compound and Fiero’s group of survivors in Chicago. Another switch is back to the Server Command Center with Carver and The Silver Queen. The story so far is a unique perspective on how to survive the apocalypse. It is raw and brutal, closer to true life than other authors may offer. It seems a bit long-winded at times but it is difficult to put down.
4. The Age of Exodus. Fiero and Isidore’s group of survivors are tired of Chicago. They contemplate traveling 2,000 miles west to California. What makes them think it will be any different? What Fiero and Isidore want is to find their brother Rock. With every step they make to prepare to leave, they run into other survivors in worse shape than themselves. Society is going down the toilet. It’s only a matter of time before people begin to eat each other. Traveling through Iowa, they run into numerous problems and roadblocks. The warning signs of disease make themselves known. With so much destruction and dead bodies, it isn’t long before the plagues of the 1600s are a real threat. So much pain, suffering, and loss. Thirty-one days into Wyoming in their cross-country journey, they are over halfway to their destination. Now they stop in Nevada with a group of survivors for rest and resupply. Some of their now-considered “family” decided to stay in Nevada; including Xavier, Draven, and Veronica. The remaining continue on to California.
5. The Age of Defiance. We return to Carver, The Silver Queen who now calls herself Maria Antoinette and a group of people TSQ has rounded up to begin her army. They are in Sacramento but are preparing to head east. They were headed to Rock and Jill’s compound. Everyone came together at the compound. After so much pain, suffering, and death, retaliation towards TSQ became the only answer. One way or the other, the end was coming. AI, Quantum Computing, and Machine Learning are the real story in this series, and it’s an excellent one; full of rage, fear, action, courage, suffering, loss, and excitement. The more you listened, the more you became engrossed in it. This is one of the best narrations from Kevin Pierce I have listened to. I truly enjoyed this series.
2. The Age of Hysteria. We move to Sacramento, California. Amber Gunn, a beautiful actress, drives her Lamborghini into Rock Dimas’s, custom car shop. Rock is the brother of Fiero and Isidore. Jareth Gates and his wife Prudence enter the story. A vengeance war takes place between Di’ab Huri, leader of a Sudanese child kidnapping ring, and Fiero Dimas’s family. Fiero and Eliana become one in their search for their children, safety, and sanity. A small community joins together to survive the drones. An even smaller group comes together to survive the incarnation of The Silver Queen. This is a dark and tragic episode in the series.
3. The Age of Reprisal. Massive nuclear strikes and EMPs are a new terror. Our community of survivors; is Isidore, Adeline, Fiero, Eliana, Carolina, Rock, Orlando, Veronica, Draven, Eudora, and Xavier. Alma and Constanza, two rescued children from the railyard. All holed up in a house outside of Chicago. Bands of looters are going through every neighborhood. Eventually, they will reach our survivor’s house. The story here switches between Rock and Jill who is Rock’s ex-girlfriend, compound and Fiero’s group of survivors in Chicago. Another switch is back to the Server Command Center with Carver and The Silver Queen. The story so far is a unique perspective on how to survive the apocalypse. It is raw and brutal, closer to true life than other authors may offer. It seems a bit long-winded at times but it is difficult to put down.
4. The Age of Exodus. Fiero and Isidore’s group of survivors are tired of Chicago. They contemplate traveling 2,000 miles west to California. What makes them think it will be any different? What Fiero and Isidore want is to find their brother Rock. With every step they make to prepare to leave, they run into other survivors in worse shape than themselves. Society is going down the toilet. It’s only a matter of time before people begin to eat each other. Traveling through Iowa, they run into numerous problems and roadblocks. The warning signs of disease make themselves known. With so much destruction and dead bodies, it isn’t long before the plagues of the 1600s are a real threat. So much pain, suffering, and loss. Thirty-one days into Wyoming in their cross-country journey, they are over halfway to their destination. Now they stop in Nevada with a group of survivors for rest and resupply. Some of their now-considered “family” decided to stay in Nevada; including Xavier, Draven, and Veronica. The remaining continue on to California.
5. The Age of Defiance. We return to Carver, The Silver Queen who now calls herself Maria Antoinette and a group of people TSQ has rounded up to begin her army. They are in Sacramento but are preparing to head east. They were headed to Rock and Jill’s compound. Everyone came together at the compound. After so much pain, suffering, and death, retaliation towards TSQ became the only answer. One way or the other, the end was coming. AI, Quantum Computing, and Machine Learning are the real story in this series, and it’s an excellent one; full of rage, fear, action, courage, suffering, loss, and excitement. The more you listened, the more you became engrossed in it. This is one of the best narrations from Kevin Pierce I have listened to. I truly enjoyed this series.
November 3, 2022
I listened to this series on audible. It was narrated by Kevin Pierce. I really liked him.
The story is fantastical. A concept you won't willingly wrap your mind around. Then, the more you think about it, the easier it becomes to sink in to the story.
The story begins with an attack on America that is devastating and seemingly unstoppable. An EMP, or three, is set off and the attack stops, as well as lights, power, machines, computers, etc.
Post-apocalyptic America is brutal, but of course people persevere and survive.
Be warned that these books are very violent and gruesome. There is cartel violence, human trafficking, murder, rape, mutilation, and any other human depravity that comes to mind. All in horrid detail.
The story is fantastical. A concept you won't willingly wrap your mind around. Then, the more you think about it, the easier it becomes to sink in to the story.
The story begins with an attack on America that is devastating and seemingly unstoppable. An EMP, or three, is set off and the attack stops, as well as lights, power, machines, computers, etc.
Post-apocalyptic America is brutal, but of course people persevere and survive.
Be warned that these books are very violent and gruesome. There is cartel violence, human trafficking, murder, rape, mutilation, and any other human depravity that comes to mind. All in horrid detail.
April 11, 2020
Thrilling!
I read the entire series from "The Last War series to this one Age of Embers...I love the way these two apocalyptic series cross over into each other and the way Ryan Schow connects the two series... !!! The characters develop into what feels like people you know, and you find yourself missing them when the book it's long over! I highly recommend both of these apocalyptic stories to anyone that wishes to be highly entertained in a very scary realistic way....Especially in today's day and age the way AI is making headlines! Hold on, because these books will not likely leave you any time soon.
I read the entire series from "The Last War series to this one Age of Embers...I love the way these two apocalyptic series cross over into each other and the way Ryan Schow connects the two series... !!! The characters develop into what feels like people you know, and you find yourself missing them when the book it's long over! I highly recommend both of these apocalyptic stories to anyone that wishes to be highly entertained in a very scary realistic way....Especially in today's day and age the way AI is making headlines! Hold on, because these books will not likely leave you any time soon.
September 18, 2022
This was my first foray into end of days books and boy, what a ride it was!! I'm glad I went with my instincts and chose Ryan Schow's books....they do not disappoint! There is definitely quite a bit of violence but what do you expect in such a story (that seems like it could be real life these days!). I came to care about the characters and would hurry to my lunch every day in order to read for the next 25 minutes!! It really made me think about how things are going in this life. Read this series.....you will not be disappointed!
September 11, 2024
Extremely well written book. Unlike any other book of this genre, I have ever read! However, I think "horror" should be added to this book as the further along you read, the harder it was to read, it was way to graphic for my taste. I ended up having to skip over parts as I got closer to the end. Although I very much enjoyed this series, I could have done without the horror part and the last book felt a little wonky, trying to get everything together and get the book concluded. All and all though, great read!
January 22, 2020
A compelling read
This book has a gripping story with good character development and lots of action.
Parts of it are gory, which may offend some people. Awww.
The science fiction aspect was interesting and extrapolated what's going on in this crazy world.
The books could have used another iteration of editing as some parts seem to have been repeated. And a few chapters I the last book were in boldface.
This book has a gripping story with good character development and lots of action.
Parts of it are gory, which may offend some people. Awww.
The science fiction aspect was interesting and extrapolated what's going on in this crazy world.
The books could have used another iteration of editing as some parts seem to have been repeated. And a few chapters I the last book were in boldface.
August 28, 2022
I absolutely couldn't put this series down. I was so sad for what humans become. It was gory, harsh and hard to read in places. Still, so much was plausible. Makes me think about what would happen to those that I love. Who would make it. Who would surprise me and who I'd mourn. Makes me examine my own skills and limits.
I recommend this series, it's a good deal through Amazon and gave me many hours of entertainment.
I recommend this series, it's a good deal through Amazon and gave me many hours of entertainment.
September 12, 2024
The male characters seemed meek and passive, overly cautious. They were more worried about the optics of others than taking immediate action without hesitation... They were not real manly men... no real tenacity about them. Lacked self-confidence in their ability to survive... More worried about harming others to the extent they would be harmed themselves. Definitely a bunch of Beta Males...
Other post-apocalyptic book series I've read have stronger male characters...
December 1, 2020
My new favorite author
I thought the series was very enjoyable. The only problem I had was the following of the many characters. And boy were they a lot. I found myself trying to remember who traveled with who from where. Being a babyboomer who loves the dystopia genre, is probably rare. But guilty as charged.
I thought the series was very enjoyable. The only problem I had was the following of the many characters. And boy were they a lot. I found myself trying to remember who traveled with who from where. Being a babyboomer who loves the dystopia genre, is probably rare. But guilty as charged.
January 4, 2020
Riveting story
It’s not too hard to imagine our world ending as we know it. Oh my goodness! What would we do if AI actually took over our world. Would anyone survive? It gives me chills just thinking about it. Excellent series. I really enjoyed reading it. Hard to put down.
It’s not too hard to imagine our world ending as we know it. Oh my goodness! What would we do if AI actually took over our world. Would anyone survive? It gives me chills just thinking about it. Excellent series. I really enjoyed reading it. Hard to put down.
January 13, 2020
Is it happening
So possibly true this series of books are that a look at our future is in each one.
Since this could and maybe be happening it would be a shame for anyone not to read this series.
Scary but interesting. Well written a great read
So possibly true this series of books are that a look at our future is in each one.
Since this could and maybe be happening it would be a shame for anyone not to read this series.
Scary but interesting. Well written a great read
February 4, 2020
Wild ride through a terrific series
Get through the first couple of chapters. Don't put it down. After that everything ramped up into a terrific series with great characters. Hard to leave them behind. Plan on losing some sleep when you have trouble putting it down.
Get through the first couple of chapters. Don't put it down. After that everything ramped up into a terrific series with great characters. Hard to leave them behind. Plan on losing some sleep when you have trouble putting it down.
February 16, 2020
Twisted, different, interesting and compelling. I enjoyed the book so much that a friend asked me what I was reading and then she started reading the series and enjoyed it too.
I do hope there is a continuation to see if what becomes of this catastrophe.
I do hope there is a continuation to see if what becomes of this catastrophe.
March 8, 2020
Too close to the truth
Great story, but gets “wordy” at times. Good characters. AI is very real so this story is definitely not very far-fetched. People would be amazed at some of the things going on with IT.
Great story, but gets “wordy” at times. Good characters. AI is very real so this story is definitely not very far-fetched. People would be amazed at some of the things going on with IT.
March 24, 2020
End of life as we know it
What a great series. Had me on the seat of my pants the whole time. You can relate to all is the characters, hurt when they hurt, strive with each one and anguish with their deaths.
What a great series. Had me on the seat of my pants the whole time. You can relate to all is the characters, hurt when they hurt, strive with each one and anguish with their deaths.
August 13, 2020
Amazing Series
No spoilers whatsoever. Definitely worth reading. Action packed from start to finish. Totally believable characters. Can't wait to read more by this author. Will definitely recommend to family friends and fellow readers.
No spoilers whatsoever. Definitely worth reading. Action packed from start to finish. Totally believable characters. Can't wait to read more by this author. Will definitely recommend to family friends and fellow readers.
February 10, 2021
Excellent
The ages of Amber's bye bye Ryan Schow was captivating. The development of the characters was outstanding. I would recommend this author and I look forward to reading more of his work.
The ages of Amber's bye bye Ryan Schow was captivating. The development of the characters was outstanding. I would recommend this author and I look forward to reading more of his work.
January 6, 2023
I listened to this book on Audible, and found it very believable. The story captures you from the beginning. The books include several different groups of characters, but the story is easy to follow. Very well written, and the narrator did a good job of separating the characters. Well done.
April 12, 2025
Fantastic!
This series sucked me in and I couldn't put it down! The characters are well developed and believable and the plot and action in this series will keep you on the edge of your seat.
This series sucked me in and I couldn't put it down! The characters are well developed and believable and the plot and action in this series will keep you on the edge of your seat.
November 1, 2025
Multiple storylines
The series was quite an adventure and I particularly enjoyed the multiple storylines and how they all came together. Well done. Looking forward to the next series.
The series was quite an adventure and I particularly enjoyed the multiple storylines and how they all came together. Well done. Looking forward to the next series.
December 26, 2019
These books were well written but not for me.
The author only left out one ingredient for an excellent seies. He had 3,4 different stories and offered not a shred of hope.
The author only left out one ingredient for an excellent seies. He had 3,4 different stories and offered not a shred of hope.
April 4, 2020
Embers
Embers. I loved the book except the computerized woman, Maria. I did not enjoy that part. Also I would like to have read an ending to each characters life. Thanks
Embers. I loved the book except the computerized woman, Maria. I did not enjoy that part. Also I would like to have read an ending to each characters life. Thanks
April 5, 2020
Very good read!
Great series. Great characters. Kept me turning the page and hard to put down. I think I will go back and read it again.
Great series. Great characters. Kept me turning the page and hard to put down. I think I will go back and read it again.
May 29, 2020
Fantastic
Couldn't put series down until finished. This is a writer who has not only great talent but the ability too foresee what could happen.
Couldn't put series down until finished. This is a writer who has not only great talent but the ability too foresee what could happen.
June 9, 2020
As usual. Excellent.
November 4, 2020
What a series
This series has some excellent characters, plot lines and good people. Throughout the series, I have been excited, half fearful and entertained.
This series has some excellent characters, plot lines and good people. Throughout the series, I have been excited, half fearful and entertained.
November 9, 2020
Good story line
Characters were well developed. I enjoy long books, so the length was not a problem. However, there were some similarities to a recent movie, which I did not Luke.
Characters were well developed. I enjoy long books, so the length was not a problem. However, there were some similarities to a recent movie, which I did not Luke.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews