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Dark Days of the After #2

Dark Days of the Surge

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THIS IS THE NEW AMERICA. The lights are out, the grid is fried and war between two monstrous armies is breaking out all along the coastal states. Logan, Skylar and Harper thought they were prepared. They thought time was on their side. They even thought they were tough enough to survive, a notion they’re about to put to the test…

THE EMP MARKS THE START of a new post-apocalyptic world war in this cross between 1984 and The Man in the High Tower. Nothing is easy, the best laid plans are faulty, and murderous forces put ordinary citizens to the test on every level. Get ready for post-apocalyptic fiction like you’ve never read before. Tons of action, characters you’ll come to love and root for, the kinds of stakes that will have you wondering, if this really happened, would I survive?

Well, would you?

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2020

429 people are currently reading
48 people want to read

About the author

Ryan Schow

60 books109 followers

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5 stars
173 (59%)
4 stars
86 (29%)
3 stars
29 (9%)
2 stars
4 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Brandon.
556 reviews38 followers
October 1, 2020
Schow is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors.

Finally, characters who don't intentionally do something which they know will come back to kill them later. The setting of the Chinese invasion/occupation makes for a great backdrop and conflict as Logan, Skylar and Harper all do their best to stay alive and fight back against the brutal Chicoms. I also love how the characters are realistic, yet display exceptional strength in the face of some of the most challenging trials a person could endure. They're not fictional superheroes, but merely people with a strong will to keep pushing on.

Very much looking forward to rest of this series. The audiobook is also very well done, with an outstanding narrator.
Profile Image for Pam Shelton-Anderson.
1,970 reviews67 followers
December 26, 2020
I found this book to be better than the first. Very fast action with a lot of retribution by the survivors. I did find the idea that the farm group, while a very capable lot, were able to not only defeat fifty of the enemy without a loss, but also defeat another fifty plus of the enemy in town a bit on the unrealistic side. Just lucky I guess. I look forward to the next book to see what happens as war approaches.
Profile Image for D. Jackson.
109 reviews
February 1, 2020
The Chicoms

I was weary about this series, but man oh man was I wrong. AI and viruses are not the only ruin for the World. This story is World War 3 and the west coast has been sold to the Chinese. What happens next are traitors, fighters, spies and survivors. While a virus and AI is plausible. This scenario is what keeps me awoke at night. Anyhow, Logan went from wimp to pimp to full on beast. Plus, the Madigans are no joke! . The Chinese are as brutal as the Japanese were in World War 2 IJS. I don’t want to give too much away, but this was HARD to put down and will keep you on scene from the first page!
Profile Image for John.
959 reviews13 followers
May 5, 2024
Skylar is suffering through prison and torture after being caught infiltrating the Ministry of Propoganda. She is sent to San Quentin with fellow miscreant Riker, whom she finds very appealing. When the EMP goes off, they make a daring escape and link up with fellow resistance members. Logan is just killing all the Chinese he can find and decides to walk to Oregon to link up with Harper. Harper and new BFF Stephanie decide to kill all the bad guys in town to solve possible issues when things get bad. The local Sherriff sells out the farm, and Five Falls Oregon wipes out a Chinese battalion.
176 reviews
March 9, 2020
Maybe the best apocalyptic yet

I love Ryan Schow’s style, he doesn’t pull punches while maintaining an interesting balance between no foul language or graphic sex to graphic violence and very dark humor. There seems to be a realistic projection of the characters’ thoughts and dialogue just as dark.
486 reviews4 followers
April 22, 2020
Omg what a great series!

This series has it all, a fast pace action thrill ride, great characters, lots of villains, the never give up attitude of Americans, a little romance, and a believable storyline. It’s Scary that this could happen. I recommend this author and hope you grab his books. Thank you for using Kindle Unlimited.
7 reviews
Read
January 12, 2021
I NEVER leave reviews (but always rate) the books I finish, but I had to comment on this series. It is absolutely eerie how true to life this series is as relates to what is happening in our country at this very moment. If you want to understand how a country falls from the inside, absolutely read this series.
Profile Image for Peter Ostini.
10 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2020
Apocalyptic Mayhem!

Where to begin? Fast paced, and ruthless, you cheer and fear for the characters. The next book...well, I cant wait! This ride is far from over and feels like it's just the beginning!
630 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2020
Chicoms

What a great name for the Chinese communists who have invaded America. Lots of action with enough romance and human interaction to make this story very realistic. Don’t miss this if you like real heroes fighting impossible odds.
4 reviews
May 18, 2020
Another great post-apocalyptic series by Ryan Schow!

Well-developed characters are a hallmark of Ryan Schow's story-telling. This is why his novels are among the best in this genre.
Profile Image for Ken Barrett.
Author 7 books5 followers
November 19, 2020
Lots of action

A great story with lots of action populated by interesting characters. The novel moves at a frantic pace, with little room to breathe between the combat scenes. Although it’s dark at times it’s a good book, I recommend it.
451 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2022
Dark Days Of the After

Really good story line. You won't be able to put it down as it takes you on a roller coaster ride full of twists and turns . Definitely recommend that you read this series.
21 reviews
January 20, 2020
Hate them chicoms

This series is simply amazing and the first that I’ve read about a Chinese occupation of the United States. You will not be disappointed!
Profile Image for Lisa Thomasson.
89 reviews
January 27, 2020
Amazing

And he’s done it again !! Each book in this series is even better than the last and that’s not always the case, it flows and reads really fast can’t wait for the next one
228 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2020
Outstanding

The survivors are going to be great and nasty at the same time. It's about time that the survivors started to kick ass. Waiting on the next book in this series.
7 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2020
Amazing book!! I love the series and can't wait to read the last one.
4,416 reviews28 followers
July 2, 2020
Dark Days of the Surge review

Dark Days of the Surge is the second post apocalyptic EMP survival book in the Dark Days of the After series written by author Ryan Schow.
306 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2020
One last surge...

Do they have what it takes to power through on the last fumes of their lives? Who are allies; who are enemies? Keep going...
13 reviews1 follower
Read
September 30, 2020
Awesome read

Kept me hooked from the beginning to end. Keeps you wanting to see what happens next so keep reading to find out.
Profile Image for Alisa.
476 reviews6 followers
November 28, 2020
Great story

Excellent continuation of the series. Schow does a great job with the characters and the story. Can't wait to see what happens next.
835 reviews2 followers
August 21, 2025
Great series. Fast paced, good characters, plenty of bad guys. Frightening concept.
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,822 followers
February 7, 2020
‘No way we just survived that’ – A stunning further adventure

California author Ryan Schow has stated on his website, ‘A writer writes not because he wants to, or because he’s trying to accomplish something; he writes because he has to, because the very act of it consumes him because he has things to say and stories to tell.’ His comment is refreshing and additive to the content of this novel. For those unfamiliar with EMP, it is Electromagnetic Pulse – a very serious subject…

The chosen cover of DARK DAYS OF THE SURGE sets the very disturbing tone of this prescient novel – a tale of what could possibly happen in the climate of today as we grapple with mass shootings, hate crimes, environmental disruption, and political unrest. In many ways, reading a story about what COULD happen helps us deal with the choices we must make at this time in our history.

But enough of philosophical meandering: Ryan’s ability to paint the bleakest of futures with inordinate credibility makes his novel terrifying – while capturing our rapt attention to the story as it unfolds. Part of that ability comes from the quality of his prose, as he opens the story – ‘Night was hell. Waking up was much worse. Even before he opened his eyes, there was a pain in his heart he did not imagine possible. With a hitch in his throat, Logan turned and looked at Kim. She’s just asleep, he thought. “Liar,” he heard his mouth say. He held back a sob, felt the well of anger churning low, working its way up from his gut into his heart…’ Scene painted, story opens, and we again encounter Logan Hill from the initial novel in this series.

As this series progresses, ‘The lights are out, the grid is fried and war between two monstrous armies is breaking out all along the coastal states. Logan, Skylar and Harper thought they were prepared. They thought time was on their side. They even thought they were tough enough to survive, a notion they’re about to put to the test…The EMP marks the start of a new post-apocalyptic world war. Nothing is easy, the best laid plans are faulty, and murderous forces put ordinary citizens to the test on every level.’

The story is solid: the message is timely. Reading this book encourages the reader to further explore Ryan’s prodigious output of novels. Recommended.
198 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2021
A year ago I read a bokk called People's Republic written by Kurt Schlichter which seemed to be a true story of the countries future. As I dove into Dark Days it too seemed to depict a very near future. Clearly Kurt and Ryan have incredible insight, even those these books are fiction, as tonehat could happen in the future if we don't get a grip on it.

Book one was a little difficult to follow but as Ryan moves from book to book, the action gets more intense and seems to go all the time. The characters are interesting bunch with high intensity. So far each book gets better and better as you can follow the action which eventually comes together. It's full of twists and turns with no predictable avenues.

Love the series which I am on book 3/4 now. Can't put it down.

Great job Ryan!
Profile Image for doreen.
1,048 reviews3 followers
August 31, 2020
This book was better than the first book. I like the characters. The story line reminds me a little of red dawn.
The characters are good. They do seem to get the poop beat out of them and keep on going. Hopefully the 3rd book is a good as the 2nd. I'm on the fence with this writer. I read another series from him that wasn't that good.
Not to sure of his writing style. 3.5 stars

Merged review:

Thank you to the author for not trying to extend this story with another book. 5 is MORE than plenty. Its an "ok" series. If you don't mind long and drawn out for a story line. I was glad that the ending was on a positive note. Lots of death and blood.
Profile Image for Debra Hughlett.
29 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2020
Can’t get enough of Ryan Schow. Totally obsessed with his style of writing.

Merged review:

“Harper had to put her faith in the four people with her. With that, she found herself thinking about the three hundred Spartans who held their ground against the Persian Army at Thermopylae. Harper and her crew had the element of surprise, but it would only last for so long before they’d be outmanned, outg”

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Dark Days of the Surge
Ryan Schow
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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