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EMP Crisis #1
Instant Darkness
A Post Apocalyptic Survival Thriller
A massive solar flare is about to bring the country to its knees.
When Abram Patterson learns about an impending solar flare, every moment matters. Loaded up in his trusty 1976 Land Cruiser, he must get his wife and daughter from their home in New Hampshire to their remote retreat in Central Vermont. But can he reach his bug out location before civil unrest makes travel all but impossible?
A father who must protect his children from certain death.
Nick Caulfield, a single father of two, is always in work mode. But when the country is on the brink of collapse, he must focus on getting his children to safety. His neighbor, Abram, has left in a hurry, and he quickly realizes that the region will soon be plunged into chaos. He discovers that his son has acquired directions to his neighbor's compound, but he suspects they will not be welcomed.
A harrowing journey with an uncertain outcome.
A Good Samaritan takes a risk to aid a man and his teenaged son and young daughter, but when his services go unappreciated, he feels slighted by the man. Will he take the high ground and be the selfless man he strives to be? Or will he seek revenge, allowing his morals to crumble as humanity quickly unravels?
The solar flare is only the beginning. What would you do to protect the ones you love?
Instant Darkness is book one in the EMP Crisis Series, a post-apocalyptic survival thriller series about regular people struggling to survive after a solar EMP.
For fans of books by Kyla Stone, Jack Hunt, Ryan Westfield, Harley Tate, and T.L. Payne.
*** This book series contains mild language and some depictions of violence. ***
A massive solar flare is about to bring the country to its knees.
When Abram Patterson learns about an impending solar flare, every moment matters. Loaded up in his trusty 1976 Land Cruiser, he must get his wife and daughter from their home in New Hampshire to their remote retreat in Central Vermont. But can he reach his bug out location before civil unrest makes travel all but impossible?
A father who must protect his children from certain death.
Nick Caulfield, a single father of two, is always in work mode. But when the country is on the brink of collapse, he must focus on getting his children to safety. His neighbor, Abram, has left in a hurry, and he quickly realizes that the region will soon be plunged into chaos. He discovers that his son has acquired directions to his neighbor's compound, but he suspects they will not be welcomed.
A harrowing journey with an uncertain outcome.
A Good Samaritan takes a risk to aid a man and his teenaged son and young daughter, but when his services go unappreciated, he feels slighted by the man. Will he take the high ground and be the selfless man he strives to be? Or will he seek revenge, allowing his morals to crumble as humanity quickly unravels?
The solar flare is only the beginning. What would you do to protect the ones you love?
Instant Darkness is book one in the EMP Crisis Series, a post-apocalyptic survival thriller series about regular people struggling to survive after a solar EMP.
For fans of books by Kyla Stone, Jack Hunt, Ryan Westfield, Harley Tate, and T.L. Payne.
*** This book series contains mild language and some depictions of violence. ***
- GenresScience Fiction
280 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2019
404 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 14, 2024
It's good but...
...I DO want to know why the tagline is: "EMP Crisis Series...) because it is most definitely a CME Crisis, not an EMP -- big and important difference.
There is *just* enough character development for me to keep reading the next book. And to be honest, the character Abram -- for a die-hard, fully prepared -- with a HUGE compound even -- seems both a little clueless and wishy-washy. And don't get me started on the Gary character. This might just be a 3 star effort but I am reading on.
However, I am very much hoping the story line tightens up in Book 2.
Respectfully,
...I DO want to know why the tagline is: "EMP Crisis Series...) because it is most definitely a CME Crisis, not an EMP -- big and important difference.
There is *just* enough character development for me to keep reading the next book. And to be honest, the character Abram -- for a die-hard, fully prepared -- with a HUGE compound even -- seems both a little clueless and wishy-washy. And don't get me started on the Gary character. This might just be a 3 star effort but I am reading on.
However, I am very much hoping the story line tightens up in Book 2.
Respectfully,
October 22, 2019
This book doesn't exactly end in a cliffhanger, but there are some major loose ends and it's obvious the story continues. It's realistic enough and the characters are believable. It's a fairly formulaic post-apocalyptic story.
Kevin Pierce delivers his customary excellent performance.
I look forward to the opportunity to review the next book in this series.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Kevin Pierce delivers his customary excellent performance.
I look forward to the opportunity to review the next book in this series.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 19, 2021
Not a bad story, but there are places it just doesn't seem believable. The major one being that Abram has such a reliance on his friend Gary that he disregards all evidence that he is dangerous and not to be trusted. Even though it nearly costs him his daughter's life and the life Nick's son, Corey, he still refuses to to recognize his friend is deranged. He doesn't want to listen or take the advice of his wife, sister, or anyone else regarding anything about the compound.
February 23, 2022
Yes it’s another SHTF book but that’s what I love.
What’s so great about this one is the knowledge you’ll learn about preparedness if you are paying attention.
This is the story of survival and family. Mistakes and consequences.
Definitely ready for book 2. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great narration by Kevin Pierce, my favorite narrator was amazing as usual!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
What’s so great about this one is the knowledge you’ll learn about preparedness if you are paying attention.
This is the story of survival and family. Mistakes and consequences.
Definitely ready for book 2. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great narration by Kevin Pierce, my favorite narrator was amazing as usual!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
September 22, 2021
This was a rough book to listen to at first,but the characters were nicer by the end.Abraham has a plan for the solar flare coming.Emma his daughter invites the neighbors,who are not really wanted.They make some bad decisions,but most survive.Kevin Pierce was the perfect narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 31, 2025
This was a good action story. I all ready planned halfway through to get book 2. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars, is that it's a to be continued at the end. So it forces you to get next in series to find out what happens. Just seems like a sneaky way to get people to get the other books. But of course I am getting them because I want to know what happens.
March 29, 2021
ok, to me the writing was all over the place and the story didn't flow well. The characters are not the brightest bulb in the pack. I will try and read book 2 hoping this gets better. Right now its not that good.
January 19, 2023
This is fairly short, it feels like it should be combined with the second book in the series as both are smaller than most traditional novels. This is a good post apocalyptic book and I enjoyed it enough to read the second and third as well.
July 23, 2020
Interesting, and I will look into the others in the series...
February 11, 2020
Enjoyed the book but, the ending just left you there. Is there another book to follow up? I haven't been able to find it. If anyone knows the title please let me know. Thanks
November 28, 2019
In
Interesting twist with the neighbors having A compound already established. But the drop to violence so soon could have been avoided.
Interesting twist with the neighbors having A compound already established. But the drop to violence so soon could have been avoided.
October 8, 2019
Instant Darkness starts out as your typical EMP survival tale. It soon becomes evident that the characters and their interaction with each other let this story stand out. The story focuses on two families trying to survive after a solar flare triggers an EMP. The teenage couple, one from each family, seem to be the stars of the show. Their budding relationship holds the two families together. One uninvited, following the other to a bug-out location seeking safety. One family has little trouble reaching their destination, the other, not so much. Throw in a jilted third, and perhaps fourth party and you have the makings of a contentious union. This is a decent start to a new series that could almost be a stand-alone novel. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
August 27, 2019
This was overall an OK book, though with editing issues (you get away from a horde not a hoard etc). The characters were generally one dimensional and at times not terribly believable. A best friend that you have known for years is now a cold-blooded killer, survival of the fittest no matter what type? Shelly who has spent years preparing with her husband and sides with her daughter to force the husband to admit neighbors that sudden show up? Teen angst just everywhere too. I may read the next book just to see what happens; not sure.
August 30, 2019
Review
Did not like the adult male characters at all. The women and kids had more common sense and compassion than the men. Over all the book was better read than most. If something like this happens I hope man will do a better job of survival, standing alone will certainly lead to the fall of man. Perhaps that is mother natures cure for what ails man.
Did not like the adult male characters at all. The women and kids had more common sense and compassion than the men. Over all the book was better read than most. If something like this happens I hope man will do a better job of survival, standing alone will certainly lead to the fall of man. Perhaps that is mother natures cure for what ails man.
August 22, 2019
Instant Darkness
Instant Darkness: A Post Apocalyptic Survival Thriller was interesting. The author wrote to develop good strong characters. The book got more and more interesting as it progressed.
Instant Darkness: A Post Apocalyptic Survival Thriller was interesting. The author wrote to develop good strong characters. The book got more and more interesting as it progressed.
September 9, 2019
Great
Good story and characters. EMP's are very scary because they are so possible but we can't live our lives in fear. However we can try to prepare and still try to maintain our humanity.
Good story and characters. EMP's are very scary because they are so possible but we can't live our lives in fear. However we can try to prepare and still try to maintain our humanity.
August 5, 2019
Review
I enjoyed the book. I felt better character development was needed. What did the main characters look like, what were their backgrounds.
I enjoyed the book. I felt better character development was needed. What did the main characters look like, what were their backgrounds.
August 12, 2019
Instant Darkness review
Instant Darkness is the first post apocalyptic survival book in the EMP Crisis series written by authors Mark J. Russell and J. J. Holden.
Instant Darkness is the first post apocalyptic survival book in the EMP Crisis series written by authors Mark J. Russell and J. J. Holden.
September 23, 2019
Best of Apocalyptic
Wish this was a series. The characters are well drawn and basis of world changing event is believable. Want more, please keep us updated.
Wish this was a series. The characters are well drawn and basis of world changing event is believable. Want more, please keep us updated.
February 4, 2020
Great book
Very well written as with all this authors books keeps you wanting to get to the end. Can't wait to get finished with the series
Very well written as with all this authors books keeps you wanting to get to the end. Can't wait to get finished with the series
September 27, 2022
I liked this book
I chose this rating because I liked the fact none of the main people were killed off.It was apocalyptic and I like those novels. Pretty well written.
I chose this rating because I liked the fact none of the main people were killed off.It was apocalyptic and I like those novels. Pretty well written.
October 17, 2019
Great read
Another story well written and makes you think about the fact that maybe it could happen one day. We can only hope not as the authors words could ring true.
Another story well written and makes you think about the fact that maybe it could happen one day. We can only hope not as the authors words could ring true.
October 18, 2019
Good story
This is a good story about the end of the world as we know it. I would like to read more stories by this author.
This is a good story about the end of the world as we know it. I would like to read more stories by this author.
October 31, 2019
Great story, great idea about writing in the single-dad angle too! Will be checking on the continuation of this story for sure!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews