Chaos Rising

Edge of Collapse #0.5

by Kyla Stone

In a heartbeat, everything grinds to a halt...
On Christmas Eve, the lights go out. Vehicles stop working. Communications break down.

Reclusive former soldier Liam Coleman doesn't want to be anywhere near bustling downtown Chicago the day before Christmas. But his twin brother and his pregnant sister-in-law need him, so he makes the trip.

But mere minutes after leaving O'Hare, their car crashes, along with hundreds of other vehicles. When Liam's phone stops working, he begins to suspect something more sinister than a local power outage. But before he can react, the first plane falls from the sky...

Chaos Rising is the 85-page prequel novella to the Edge of Collapse post-apocalyptic series, a riveting EMP thriller. Also includes a six-chapter sneak peek of Edge of Collapse, book #1 in the explosive new post-apocalyptic series.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Audiobook, Fiction, Dystopia, Thriller, Apocalyptic, Science Fiction

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 23, 2019

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prequel to a post-apocalyptic thriller. This novella follows Liam Coleman a former soldier who on Christmas Eve morning is visiting his twin brother and wife who are expecting a baby.

As they were on the road, their car stopped working and crashed as did others on this cold Chicago morning. Then a plane missed O'hare runway and crashed.... the start of an exciting and action-packed thriller.

Took me a while to like this narrator's voice but I eventually enjoyed it. I almost returned the book but glad I stuck to it. Good characters in this one but from the cover, I feel other books focus on different MCs. Going to try another to see how it goes.

2h 11m/112 pages
7/10 ~ 3.5⭐

[Fred Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆☆☆☆☆

THE WORST CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE U.S.

Chaos Rising: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (Edge of Collapse) by Kyla Stone is a very well written short prequel to her Edge of Collapse series that takes you through the Christmas Eve that enlightens us to some of the references to what brought Laim to stumbling on to Hannah and clears up the references to Laim's brother and sister-in-law in the first book.

I wish I had noticed the prequel prior to starting the first book in the series. That being said, I enjoyed this short hundred page book, and I have already started the second book in this series. I hope you will also find this an enjoyable book to read.

[Jennelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam’s story:
And what a story it is! Fast paced and full of action. Never a dull moment. I couldn’t stop reading. Liam is a military man who’d much rather be alone. He’s smart and strong. He’s seen the happenings around him and decides it’s a EMP attack. By who and why is unknown. Cars stop running, there is no electricity and planes are falling from the sky. It’s very edge of your seat.

I had to sign up for Kyla Stone’s newsletter for this, book 0.5 of the Edge of Collapse series and I’m not even mad about it.

Hello Hollywood!
This would make one hell of a movie!

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

'𝐂H𝐀O𝐒 𝐑I𝐒I𝐍G' Is the first Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller in the series (Edge of Collapse) by new to me author Kyla Stone.

Lately I've moved from virus zombie outbreaks to EMP thrillers, both give me that survival rush in a world which has changed within a blink of an eye and the only way to survive is dodge all obstacles in your way.

Even though this is a relatively fast paced novella it sure packed one hell of a punch, the perfect start to a new series which I know I'm going to inhale going by how quickly this pulled me in..

If I had to compare this to anything else I’ve read it runs in similar lines to the ‘End of days’ series by Author Sam J Fires which is a series I really enjoyed..

We're introduced to ex soldier Liam Coleman, as he's touched down in Chicago to visit his twin brother and pregnant wife whose expecting their first baby boy. Whilst driving on their way home, their car all of a sudden stops at a standstill, all lights on the dash stop working, other cars seem to have gone through the same situation as a pile up of accidents occur..The three of them come away relatively unscathed.

Until a second disaster comes at them full speed and Liam is left with a heartbreaking unthinkable decision that will change his life forever..

[Regina the Constant Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Kindle Book

Prequel to the Edge of Collapse Series

This story about Liam’s time in Chicago at the start of the EMP event could be read as a standalone book. It’s fast paced and edgy. Highly recommended to anyone who loves End of Days thrillers.

[Tanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was unmoored, untethered. Haunted. A lone man in a hostile landscape where everything —even nature, maybe even his own bitter soul—wanted him dead.

This prequel was haunting and heartbreaking😭 No one should have to go through that much tragedy ever in their lives. After reading this prequel so many things make sense now.

When mrs brooke named his nephew after Liam I was crying and i couldn't stop😭😭

Liam goes to Chicago to visit his twin brother and sister-in-law. On their way home all the vehicles stop working and accidents start happening. What they are not prepared for are the planes crashing into the streets and killing thousands of people at a time. He tries his best to save everyone. But as things start getting out of his reach he'll just have to make the best out of the curveballs thrown his way. And when it's all over he'll go back to his lone life in Michigan and live remainder of his unhappy life... Or so he thought...



~~• ~~• ~~

The way Liam protected Hannah in the first book felt as if there's more to the story. Can't wait to know more about him!💕
I have a feeling this is gonna be heartbreaking🙁😭

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning is sensational!
I can’t wait to see what happens!!!!
It’s worth reading.

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must-read.

Although it’s relatively short this prequel packs a punch with an excellent start to a new series. The storyline and the characters come together perfectly for a read all at once book.

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2X8cvcy/

[NormaCenva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want to make a note that there need's to be more books with the main AMAB character who is knitting or crocheting! Well, now when this is out of the way, the story is actually really good and gives a lot of important info for book 1.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should have read this first...

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genres: Dystopia/Sci-fi

This was a little novella in the Edge of Collapse series that gave the backstory of Liam, our knight in shining armor. This was a great little Dystopian series. It felt well grounded and it had characters I could root for. I liked that this was short and to the point.....and not a long drawn out story filled with all the minutia of everyday life. So 4 stars.

[bookswithpaulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Liam’s story when the collapse initially hits before her meets Hannah.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary in a realistic way. I am interested in seeing where this goes. 4 stars

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad to get the Chicago story

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Quick and enjoyable novella told from Liams point of view. It actually helped me understand Liams personality and why he is the way he is- a lot better. Would recommend if reading the series.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is short and to the point, the world right as it starts to collapse. Liam, who seems ready for anything, is there and has to make some hard decision. I think he makes the right one, all the way until he gives something precious away. I feel like that was the wrong thing to do, but who knows. We'll have to keep reading to find out.

[Shernell Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!

I am actually happy that the storyline went a different way that I thought it would have. Dangerous realistic circumstances made everything happen. It was sad and devastated.

The worst part is that if that didn't happen, Liam wouldn't have been able to save hannah life.

[Stacy-ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started out with this prequel to get a feel of the series. I enjoyed the writing and characters. But alas, I think it's too dark for me. Too graphic with the descriptions of plane crashes and charred bodies. I can see the potential of more violence depicted between survivors. I'm glad it was a short novella. I know the set up and read through descriptions and reviews. There's enough awfulness in the world, real tragedy, that I don't have to read a sensationalized series to get my fill.

[Annelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay.. okay.. this is Fine… WHATEVER

ARRGHHHHH
my heart is shattered. 💔😭😭

[Maria Vargas · Rating 3 out of 5]

After everything Liam Coleman saw during his military deployments, I don't blame him on wanting to never leave his peaceful house.

Imagine going to visit your twin brother and his wife on Christmas Eve. This man did a knit cap for the baby they are expecting! But the world decided to throw you a massive curve ball in a blink of an eye.

A EMP affects all the electronics; cars stopped working, cellphones are useless, planes start crashing down, no electricity... but the worst of the worsts is Chicago's winter weather is on full cold as fuck blast.

Some people thought an EMP would destroy every electronic device in the country, no matter how small. Other people believed an EMP would only take out the electrical grid, and maybe only regionally.

In reality, not even nuclear physicists and scientific experts knew what would happen for sure.

The author did her research to make things feel as realistic as possible. My only complaint is Jessa, we get it she is pregnant and is a doctor but OMG! she was like a robot babbling medical stuff until the moment she died 😩.

Less than 90 pages but this prequel had everything to keep me intrigued and wanting to do a deep dive on this series. What Liam is going to do now?!

[John Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This came out before the first book but I do NOT recommend reading this first. Sure it gives a nice look at what the author is capable of but you get so much more satisfaction from reading this after book 1 because it follows one of the main characters in that book at the beginning of the EMP Apocalypse, who seems kind of mysterious in book 1.

I hope book 2 is as good as this because this one was a lot of fun and kind opens your eyes at just how bad life would be if we got hit with an EMP

[Isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read the first book in this series before I discovered this prequel existed. Decided to give it a try to see if I'd like it, and I'm definitely not disappointed. 

After just 3 chapters I already loved the characters and really felt for them. The idea of an EMP leading to a dystopian future is really interesting, and I'll definitely be reading the first book in the series next!

[Chloë · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good set-up which tells you more about Liam - def interesting as well as tragic and helps you understand him a lot more

[Anabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCUSE YOU WHY IS THIS EVERYTHING I NEEDED RIGHT NOW???

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prequel to the Edge of Collapse and the main character is Liam Coleman, an ex-soldier who has been damaged by his service and prefers to now live a reclusive life out in the wilds. He has been coerced into visiting his identical twin brother Lincoln and his heavily pregnant wife Jessa in the windy city, Chicago, for Christmas. A heavy snow storm hits as he arrives and on the drive out from the airport, the car suddenly stops and everything goes dark! Their car has crashed along with hundreds of others. No-one’s phone is working and lights are off all over.

Liam starts to consider that it may be much more than a simple power outage, when a plane falls from the sky, crashing nearby. Then another plane is coming down and this one is getting much, much closer. Liam has to make a split second decision on what to do and the decision he makes will haunt him for the rest of his days! Society starts to fall apart rapidly and he will have to dig deep to protect the few that he loves, possibly with his life.

Avoiding falling planes and crowds of people, something he abhors with a vengeance, Liam has to make his way out of a city before people realise just how bad things are going to become. Only old vehicles work and he doesn’t have one, but he knows he can survive anything to get back to where he is comfortable. To get back home. But first he has to look out for those with him.

Another cracking tale in the Post-apocalyptic EMP strike saga, with a damaged war vet as the main character, having to overcome being in surroundings that trigger his PTSD, in circumstances beyond his control and having to try and save his only family. This one is set in the mid of winter and a colossal snow storm, bringing record low temperatures. A great story with danger and desperate situations at every turn. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books that have a post apocalyptic setting have taken on an entirely new meaning in the present situation we all are in! Nothing seems totally impossible now.
This is a short introduction to one of the main characters in this series. An electromagnetic pulse(EMP) renders all technology useless so everything that relies on it fails too. Ex soldier Liam, who only left his isolated homestead in Michigan to help his twin and pregnant sister in law,is faced with this new reality where power is down, cars don't work, shortages and hence anarchy will reign very soon.
Forced in the midst of all this to face the worst possible personal loss of his life, Liam has to somehow counter the outside till he gets a loved one to safety.
It's definitely sad as is to be expected but the scenario of a world rapidly descending into chaos, how blithely people choose to disbelieve this is happening and the desperation that has only just started to take hold are depicted well. So much more relatable after seeing a version of it over the last two years!

[Pam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy heck man this ok hits you hard.
I freely admit I am a sap, the tears bro that I cried.

But that will not stop me I am diving into this series head first damn.

[Lucas Perry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even being short, it was tedious.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟 this is intense! Not a re-reader that's for sure.