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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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”
Excerpt From Dark Days of the Surge Ryan Schow This material may be protected by copyright.