What do you think?
Small Town EMP #1
Survive the Chaos
When the lights go out, anarchy reigns supreme.
After Austin Merryman’s wife died, he and his fourteen-year-old daughter left home to travel the country in an old RV. But the comfort and renewal they sought soon descends into chaos—even before the EMP hits.
When a message from an old college buddy leads Austin to a bridge in the middle of nowhere, he finds his friend—now an NSA agent—waiting to give him a USB drive. Before the contents can be explained, machine gun fire strafes the bridge, killing Austin’s friend and forcing Austin into the raging river.
Rescued downstream by a beautiful veterinarian, Austin learns that EMP attacks have thrust the world into eternal darkness—and separated him from the only person he has left: his young, but resourceful, daughter. Now, he’ll move heaven and earth to locate her and make it to his brother’s prepper hideaway in Utah.
But the post-apocalyptic world is no longer a friendly place. Resources are growing scarce. Factions break out and walls go up. Everyone is willing to do whatever it takes to survive in an increasingly hostile environment. And Austin’s daughter is caught right in the middle of this splintering society.
But an even deadlier foe stalks them as they struggle across the landscape. Someone who hasn’t forgotten about the USB drive Austin possesses.
And they’ll do anything to get it back.
This novel contains violence.
After Austin Merryman’s wife died, he and his fourteen-year-old daughter left home to travel the country in an old RV. But the comfort and renewal they sought soon descends into chaos—even before the EMP hits.
When a message from an old college buddy leads Austin to a bridge in the middle of nowhere, he finds his friend—now an NSA agent—waiting to give him a USB drive. Before the contents can be explained, machine gun fire strafes the bridge, killing Austin’s friend and forcing Austin into the raging river.
Rescued downstream by a beautiful veterinarian, Austin learns that EMP attacks have thrust the world into eternal darkness—and separated him from the only person he has left: his young, but resourceful, daughter. Now, he’ll move heaven and earth to locate her and make it to his brother’s prepper hideaway in Utah.
But the post-apocalyptic world is no longer a friendly place. Resources are growing scarce. Factions break out and walls go up. Everyone is willing to do whatever it takes to survive in an increasingly hostile environment. And Austin’s daughter is caught right in the middle of this splintering society.
But an even deadlier foe stalks them as they struggle across the landscape. Someone who hasn’t forgotten about the USB drive Austin possesses.
And they’ll do anything to get it back.
This novel contains violence.
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2019
About the author
Grace Hamilton
166 books320 followersGrace Hamilton is the prepper pen-name for a bad-ass, survivalist momma-bear of four kids, and wife to a wonderful husband. After being stuck in a mountain cabin for six days following a flash flood, she decided she never wanted to feel so powerless or have to send her kids to bed hungry again. Now she lives the prepper lifestyle and knows that if SHTF or TEOTWAWKI happens, she’ll be ready to help protect and provide for her family.
Combine this survivalist mentality with a vivid imagination (as well as a slightly unhealthy day dreaming habit) and you get a prepper fiction author. Grace spends her days thinking about the worst possible survival situations that a person could be thrown into, then throwing her characters into these nightmares while trying to figure out "What SHOULD you do in this situation?"
It’s her wish that through her characters, you will get to experience what life will be like and essentially learn from their mistakes and experiences.
Combine this survivalist mentality with a vivid imagination (as well as a slightly unhealthy day dreaming habit) and you get a prepper fiction author. Grace spends her days thinking about the worst possible survival situations that a person could be thrown into, then throwing her characters into these nightmares while trying to figure out "What SHOULD you do in this situation?"
It’s her wish that through her characters, you will get to experience what life will be like and essentially learn from their mistakes and experiences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
October 18, 2019
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. If you follow my reviews, you may have noticed that I have been on a bit of an end of the world kick. Actually, I have been reading a lot of zombie apocalypse stories but I thought it was about time I mix things up a bit. This EMP story was a nice change and I really did enjoy myself.
Austin and his 14-year-old daughter, Savannah, live in an RV in a very rural area. Austin is a journalist who has a meeting with a contact while Savannah has plans to get some ice cream with her friends (at least, that's the story she gives her dad). When the EMP hits, things go south very quickly. Everything stops working and meeting back up with each other is beyond challenging. The world after the EMP is entirely different than it was before with people taking what they need from others without remorse.
This was a pretty exciting story. Austin and Savannah had separate journeys but they both had a lot of obstacles to overcome. I thought that getting to see things from two very different points of view helped me to really get a feel for what the world was like after the EMP hit. I was worried about these characters and hoped that they would make it to safety and find each other but I wasn't sure it was going to happen. It just seemed that the world was against them at times. This was a very well-paced story that was hard to set aside.
I liked the cast of characters in this book. Austin and his daughter are pretty down to earth characters that are easy to cheer on. There is a pretty large cast of supporting characters who I thought felt realistic. Some characters seemed very trustworthy while I wonder about the motivation of others. I liked the variety and I thought that the author did a good job of introducing them at a rate that allowed me to keep them straight in my mind.
This was my first experience listening to Maxwell Zener's narration. I have to admit that it took me a bit to get used to his reading, especially the parts from the female perspective. After I gave it some time, I found that I really liked his delivery of the story. I thought that he had a very pleasant voice which was easy to listen to for hours at a time. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to his work again in the future.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a really exciting story that was very plausible. The characters were well developed and easy to like. This was the first time that I have read any of Grace Hamilton's work but I hope to read more in the future, including more of this series!
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the author/narrator via Audiobook Boom and have voluntarily left this review.
Initial Thoughts
I have been reading a lot of apocalypse stories lately but I have been sticking to zombies. I haven't read a lot of EMP stories but I did enjoy this one. I liked the characters and wanted to see them make it to safety. I was frustrated right along with them as they dealt with all of the obstacles thrown at them. I thought that the narrator did a good job with the story. I am very curious to see what will happen to this group in the next book.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. If you follow my reviews, you may have noticed that I have been on a bit of an end of the world kick. Actually, I have been reading a lot of zombie apocalypse stories but I thought it was about time I mix things up a bit. This EMP story was a nice change and I really did enjoy myself.
Austin and his 14-year-old daughter, Savannah, live in an RV in a very rural area. Austin is a journalist who has a meeting with a contact while Savannah has plans to get some ice cream with her friends (at least, that's the story she gives her dad). When the EMP hits, things go south very quickly. Everything stops working and meeting back up with each other is beyond challenging. The world after the EMP is entirely different than it was before with people taking what they need from others without remorse.
This was a pretty exciting story. Austin and Savannah had separate journeys but they both had a lot of obstacles to overcome. I thought that getting to see things from two very different points of view helped me to really get a feel for what the world was like after the EMP hit. I was worried about these characters and hoped that they would make it to safety and find each other but I wasn't sure it was going to happen. It just seemed that the world was against them at times. This was a very well-paced story that was hard to set aside.
I liked the cast of characters in this book. Austin and his daughter are pretty down to earth characters that are easy to cheer on. There is a pretty large cast of supporting characters who I thought felt realistic. Some characters seemed very trustworthy while I wonder about the motivation of others. I liked the variety and I thought that the author did a good job of introducing them at a rate that allowed me to keep them straight in my mind.
This was my first experience listening to Maxwell Zener's narration. I have to admit that it took me a bit to get used to his reading, especially the parts from the female perspective. After I gave it some time, I found that I really liked his delivery of the story. I thought that he had a very pleasant voice which was easy to listen to for hours at a time. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to his work again in the future.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a really exciting story that was very plausible. The characters were well developed and easy to like. This was the first time that I have read any of Grace Hamilton's work but I hope to read more in the future, including more of this series!
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the author/narrator via Audiobook Boom and have voluntarily left this review.
Initial Thoughts
I have been reading a lot of apocalypse stories lately but I have been sticking to zombies. I haven't read a lot of EMP stories but I did enjoy this one. I liked the characters and wanted to see them make it to safety. I was frustrated right along with them as they dealt with all of the obstacles thrown at them. I thought that the narrator did a good job with the story. I am very curious to see what will happen to this group in the next book.
September 18, 2020
I got this free Kindle Unlimited book because I needed a book that 'featured a prepper.' This one does, though MC Austin Merryman's prepper brother is bad at it and has to be rescued when he gets trapped in his secure bunker. Still, I'm sure his in-case-of-apocalypse stash will be more important in the rest of the series, since he's a minor character for the first two thirds of this book.
Survive the Chaos is a story about families surviving an EMP. Since his wife died, reporter Austin Merryman has been traveling the country in a RV with his daughter Savannah. When the EMP hits, he's meeting a source (whose information nearly gets Austin killed). Savannah is on a date with a boy whose religious family is running a traveling revival. Most of the book is about him trying to catch up to her as they go west (since the religious group will be passing through the town where Savannah's uncle lives). There's also drama within Savannah's boyfriend's family, as his father continues to preach even as roving gangs threaten to kill anyone professing their religion.
The book is good, though it's definitely designed to be read as a series. It ends rather abruptly, presumably to encourage people to read book two. The action is good, the emotions are realistic, and the characters and their dilemmas seem genuine. For my first book of "prepper fiction," I enjoyed it, though I'm not sure if I'll be reading the sequels.
Survive the Chaos is a story about families surviving an EMP. Since his wife died, reporter Austin Merryman has been traveling the country in a RV with his daughter Savannah. When the EMP hits, he's meeting a source (whose information nearly gets Austin killed). Savannah is on a date with a boy whose religious family is running a traveling revival. Most of the book is about him trying to catch up to her as they go west (since the religious group will be passing through the town where Savannah's uncle lives). There's also drama within Savannah's boyfriend's family, as his father continues to preach even as roving gangs threaten to kill anyone professing their religion.
The book is good, though it's definitely designed to be read as a series. It ends rather abruptly, presumably to encourage people to read book two. The action is good, the emotions are realistic, and the characters and their dilemmas seem genuine. For my first book of "prepper fiction," I enjoyed it, though I'm not sure if I'll be reading the sequels.
September 3, 2020
Honestly, I thought this was a decent beginning to an EMP dystopian series. It kept me interested enough to keep reading but the ending was a disappointment because it was a bit of a cliffhanger... Not sure if I want to continue enough to purchase the next book.
July 27, 2019
I have read other series and parts of series by this author so I admit I do look out for her new titles. When I saw this one and read the blurb I immediately knew I had to read it!
The book cover shows a rather desolate scenery with male and female figures on it. The colours used on the cover go with the post apocalyptic theme. Upon reading the book I personally think the male and female figures on the cover are Savannah and Malachi, it would be interesting to know who they author would say they are and what other people think when they have read the book also.
The book begins with 14 year old, Savannah telling her dad, Austin what she considers a white lie, that she is going to the creamery with the girl from the nearby farm whose land their RV is on. Austin is suspicious his daughter may be meeting a boy but gives her time she has to be home by and lets her go off as he has someone to meet too. An old friend, Callum, has contacted him telling him he has a big story for him. Austin used to be famous for his whistle blower articles, though his recent journalism has been much smaller articles about travelling. Since he is now single parent to Savannah since her mother and his wife, Karen died.
Both characters go off to their “meetings”. Savannah does have ice cream at the creamery with her friend Cassie but soon rushes off to meet Malachi, the boy she has a crush on. Malachi and his family also travel around the country preaching about their beliefs as they are revivalists. Savannah sits through the revivalist meeting trying to look interested as she likes Malachi a lot. It is shortly after the meeting that Malachi’s grandfather Eli collapses. Savannah frantically tries CPR as it seems she is the only one who knows how to. Others amongst the revivalists try to ring 911, but their phones are not working, then they suggest taking Eli to hospital in one of their vehicles but none of them seem to be working. It is then everyone notices that all their modern gadgets have suddenly ceased working.
Everyone is discovering that their gadgets and modern conveniences have stopped working, from mobile phones, to cars, vans and planes.
Another character, Amanda finds out she has no power and needs to crash land her plane into her newly renovated barn which causes it to burst into flames. It’s whilst Amanda is trying to rig up a way to dampen the ground surrounding the barn to avoid the fire spreading that she comes across Austin. Austin has met his friend Callum who has handed him something important. So important in fact that during the meeting Callum is shot dead, and Austin is shot at and ends up jumping off the bridge into the swollen fast running stream.
The rest of the book covers how Savannah has a tough decision to make, stay alone in the RV and wait for her dad to return to her or whether to leave her dad a note and travel with the revivalist group and go to her Uncle Ennis and wait for her dad there.
Austin has equally hard decisions to make, as he has a broken leg and concussion. Lucky for him the woman that helped him get out of the river is a vet so has some knowledge and supplies that are useful and helpful to humans too.
The book tells the stories of Austin and Savannah’s separate journeys along with some other characters they meet along the way. Both sets of travellers have to avoid those intent on killing and looting anyone that has more than themselves. An extra worry for everyone is the emergence of a group of individuals calling themselves the New Order. Austin is also unaware that the guy that killed his friend Callum and shot at him has reported back to his bosses and there is a new tougher operative on his trail who will use anyone and anything to get what he wants, he also doesn’t care who he has to kill to get what he wants.
Of course, I liked the characters of Austin and Savannah but I also really liked Amanda who has a practical and objective approach to every problem they face, though she can be a little naïve and much too honest and trusting for the world she is now living in. I think it would be great if Austin and Amanda got together in a relationship too.
I loved the character of Ennis, the totally unexperienced prepper who literally has a house protected by steel but doesn’t really have a clue what to do with some of his ‘end of the world’ gadgets. I instantly loved Nash, the young man who finds himself on the doorstep of a house of steel. Nash is a very savvy survivor despite perhaps looking a bit geeky. It could be his knowledge and expertise that secures the survival of whoever he is with.
Characters I enjoyed disliking? Maybe not the one you would choose but I felt irritated by Wendell. The college friend to Ennis who wants to ride out the looting and chaos with his best buddy. Wendell knows the kind of supplies and luxury that Ennis has secured for himself and anyone with him by purchasing all the prepper recommended gadgets.
The one that will instantly fit the ‘hate’ brief is Zander, who I can only describe as a mercenary or hit man. Zander is working for a much larger group of people who you really don’t want to meet up. This organisation is distributing leaflets along with ‘emergency aid” packs. Their intention seems to be to turn neighbour against neighbour, mentioning ‘True Patriots’ and Zander also comments about a group called ‘The New Order’
I have to admit I became quickly exasperated with were the revivalists, particularly Jim and Tonya Loveridge who are Malachi’s parents and who blindly believe they will get home by simply walking and relying on their faith in God to keep them fed and safe. They even take it in their stride so to speak when people turn on them and want to hurt them and kill them for their religious way of life.
This book is so well written, the pace is great, keeps you reading and you so hate having to put it down for silly things like, eating, sleeping and housework! The book is action packed especially in a certain scene towards the end of the book. Though the book deals with society at it’s worst there are some principled honest caring people left.
My immediate thought when finishing the book were, Oh wow! What a cliffhanger! Loved it from beginning to end, would read next book now if I could! Brilliant, engrossing, addictive reading.
The book cover shows a rather desolate scenery with male and female figures on it. The colours used on the cover go with the post apocalyptic theme. Upon reading the book I personally think the male and female figures on the cover are Savannah and Malachi, it would be interesting to know who they author would say they are and what other people think when they have read the book also.
The book begins with 14 year old, Savannah telling her dad, Austin what she considers a white lie, that she is going to the creamery with the girl from the nearby farm whose land their RV is on. Austin is suspicious his daughter may be meeting a boy but gives her time she has to be home by and lets her go off as he has someone to meet too. An old friend, Callum, has contacted him telling him he has a big story for him. Austin used to be famous for his whistle blower articles, though his recent journalism has been much smaller articles about travelling. Since he is now single parent to Savannah since her mother and his wife, Karen died.
Both characters go off to their “meetings”. Savannah does have ice cream at the creamery with her friend Cassie but soon rushes off to meet Malachi, the boy she has a crush on. Malachi and his family also travel around the country preaching about their beliefs as they are revivalists. Savannah sits through the revivalist meeting trying to look interested as she likes Malachi a lot. It is shortly after the meeting that Malachi’s grandfather Eli collapses. Savannah frantically tries CPR as it seems she is the only one who knows how to. Others amongst the revivalists try to ring 911, but their phones are not working, then they suggest taking Eli to hospital in one of their vehicles but none of them seem to be working. It is then everyone notices that all their modern gadgets have suddenly ceased working.
Everyone is discovering that their gadgets and modern conveniences have stopped working, from mobile phones, to cars, vans and planes.
Another character, Amanda finds out she has no power and needs to crash land her plane into her newly renovated barn which causes it to burst into flames. It’s whilst Amanda is trying to rig up a way to dampen the ground surrounding the barn to avoid the fire spreading that she comes across Austin. Austin has met his friend Callum who has handed him something important. So important in fact that during the meeting Callum is shot dead, and Austin is shot at and ends up jumping off the bridge into the swollen fast running stream.
The rest of the book covers how Savannah has a tough decision to make, stay alone in the RV and wait for her dad to return to her or whether to leave her dad a note and travel with the revivalist group and go to her Uncle Ennis and wait for her dad there.
Austin has equally hard decisions to make, as he has a broken leg and concussion. Lucky for him the woman that helped him get out of the river is a vet so has some knowledge and supplies that are useful and helpful to humans too.
The book tells the stories of Austin and Savannah’s separate journeys along with some other characters they meet along the way. Both sets of travellers have to avoid those intent on killing and looting anyone that has more than themselves. An extra worry for everyone is the emergence of a group of individuals calling themselves the New Order. Austin is also unaware that the guy that killed his friend Callum and shot at him has reported back to his bosses and there is a new tougher operative on his trail who will use anyone and anything to get what he wants, he also doesn’t care who he has to kill to get what he wants.
Of course, I liked the characters of Austin and Savannah but I also really liked Amanda who has a practical and objective approach to every problem they face, though she can be a little naïve and much too honest and trusting for the world she is now living in. I think it would be great if Austin and Amanda got together in a relationship too.
I loved the character of Ennis, the totally unexperienced prepper who literally has a house protected by steel but doesn’t really have a clue what to do with some of his ‘end of the world’ gadgets. I instantly loved Nash, the young man who finds himself on the doorstep of a house of steel. Nash is a very savvy survivor despite perhaps looking a bit geeky. It could be his knowledge and expertise that secures the survival of whoever he is with.
Characters I enjoyed disliking? Maybe not the one you would choose but I felt irritated by Wendell. The college friend to Ennis who wants to ride out the looting and chaos with his best buddy. Wendell knows the kind of supplies and luxury that Ennis has secured for himself and anyone with him by purchasing all the prepper recommended gadgets.
The one that will instantly fit the ‘hate’ brief is Zander, who I can only describe as a mercenary or hit man. Zander is working for a much larger group of people who you really don’t want to meet up. This organisation is distributing leaflets along with ‘emergency aid” packs. Their intention seems to be to turn neighbour against neighbour, mentioning ‘True Patriots’ and Zander also comments about a group called ‘The New Order’
I have to admit I became quickly exasperated with were the revivalists, particularly Jim and Tonya Loveridge who are Malachi’s parents and who blindly believe they will get home by simply walking and relying on their faith in God to keep them fed and safe. They even take it in their stride so to speak when people turn on them and want to hurt them and kill them for their religious way of life.
This book is so well written, the pace is great, keeps you reading and you so hate having to put it down for silly things like, eating, sleeping and housework! The book is action packed especially in a certain scene towards the end of the book. Though the book deals with society at it’s worst there are some principled honest caring people left.
My immediate thought when finishing the book were, Oh wow! What a cliffhanger! Loved it from beginning to end, would read next book now if I could! Brilliant, engrossing, addictive reading.
January 9, 2025
I’m genuinely torn on how I feel about this book. There were definitely parts I enjoyed, but overall, the story felt incomplete—and I’m not just talking about the cliffhanger ending. While I appreciated the strong mystery/thriller vibe, the author left out so much information that instead of piecing together the mystery, I was just trying to make sense of the story itself.
My biggest gripe with the audiobook was the lack of clear transitions between storylines. Since the chapters jumped between different characters, it was frustrating to constantly have to use context clues to figure out who you were following at the start of each chapter. That said, the narrators themselves were excellent and kept me engaged despite the confusion.
My biggest gripe with the audiobook was the lack of clear transitions between storylines. Since the chapters jumped between different characters, it was frustrating to constantly have to use context clues to figure out who you were following at the start of each chapter. That said, the narrators themselves were excellent and kept me engaged despite the confusion.
December 29, 2019
Full review to find under the box set, the complete series.
August 18, 2019
I had been put off reading this author because of her EMP Lodge series which I could not finish, but I decided to give this a try. I'm clearly going to be an outlier in this review; oh well. First, this is called "Small Town EMP" but they are never actually really in a town and mostly are on the move. Unless Denver is the small town. Second, why did Austin just wait around for a few weeks to go find his daughter (yada yada injured) instead of having Amanda ride over to get her and bring her back to her farm? Third, why did Savannah not seek out her friend in the small town? Fourth, I don't like much religion in my reading as I got enough of that in catechism and this book has not only religious zealots but anti-religious zealots. Fourth-point-five, the revivalists were from Salt Lake City. I lived in Salt Lake City for several decades and I can tell you there are not many revivalist/fundamentalists there. I guarantee the religious zealots in this story were not Mormon. Just no.
July 12, 2019
A great start to what will be a gripping series. Realistic scenarios and characters come to life as a powerful new group, the New World Order, seek total world domination following their setting off EMP’s and wreaking havoc amongst the terrified survivors of civilisation left in ruins. Only a small group of these survivors have discovered the truth, led by Austin Merryman, injured in the search for his daughter who is later kidnapped by one of the NWO’s assassins, wanting a USB, given to Austin by a friend who is killed minutes after. Together with Amanda, a vet, who saves his life, his brother, Ennis, a true survivalist and doomsday prepper, and boy genius, 18yo Nash, this group face death and hardship to rescue Savannah. A brilliant ending to lead into Book 2. Five pulsating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for this fast-paced thriller.
July 25, 2019
*An honest review for receiving this ebook through Netgalley*
A nice read of post apocalypse turmoil, chaos, love, death and happiness.
When dad and journalist, Austin, agrees to meet an old friend to discuss a serious matter, the meeting falls apart. Austin gets in to trouble real fast. On a quest to return to his daughter, a huge apocalyptic event occurs. Now he will do whatever it takes to get back to her. Along the way both dad and daughter meet many people and fight for survival.
The flow of the story is perfect. The pacing was good and the narration was given a lot of thought. I cared for the characters and hoped for a good outcome.
All in all, this is one of the better post apocalypse books.
A nice read of post apocalypse turmoil, chaos, love, death and happiness.
When dad and journalist, Austin, agrees to meet an old friend to discuss a serious matter, the meeting falls apart. Austin gets in to trouble real fast. On a quest to return to his daughter, a huge apocalyptic event occurs. Now he will do whatever it takes to get back to her. Along the way both dad and daughter meet many people and fight for survival.
The flow of the story is perfect. The pacing was good and the narration was given a lot of thought. I cared for the characters and hoped for a good outcome.
All in all, this is one of the better post apocalypse books.
January 21, 2020
Nothing special.
August 30, 2026
I wanted to like this book....
It was just difficult to. I read a lot of end of the world stuff, so I've read some good stuff and some stinkers. This one falls in the middle.
It starts off pretty decent with the father daughter dynamic and I was looking forward to more of that in the book, as a father of a daughter myself. Sadly you don't get that. They're separated at the start and don't reunite till the end.
So.... that's out.
The book had an interesting twist in that unlike many you find out who caused the EMP though it's light on details and they're involved through the book. So that's kinda nice.
Then we get to the part that made me.... not like it as much. The main protagonist is Austin.... the Father. He loves his daughter, as I do mine. And he lets you know. Dude's like a Vegan at a grill-off competition or something. He just won't stop telling you how much he loves his daughter and how near insane he is to get back to her.
That sounds kinda bad. "Aren't parents supposed to love their kids?" Yes. "Isn't he supposed to want to get back to his daughter?" Sure. "Wouldn't you be out of your mind to get to your daughter in an EOTW situation" .... Probably.... but to what extent?
It's not that he is desperate to get back to her. (Which is understandable) It's that through the --entire book-- he's almost insanely desperate and --stupidly-- desperate to do so. The number of times another char has to try and chill him out to prevent him from killing himself is NOT SMALL. It's every 10 pages or so. Over and over and over and over again through the entire book, he's just raging to get going, no matter the problem, to get to his daughter. No matter how stupid his actions might be. It'd be bad enough if he was alone doing this but he's not. There's another character with him, pointing it out at every step and he just rages about it and brow beats them till he finally gets his way.
Dude wanted to walk 40 miles on a severely broken leg. He's told it won't work. He's like "I HAVE TO!!!" And tries and can't.
Then he wants to take her horse and go and she's like "The saddles burned in the barn" and he's all "People ride bareback! How hard could it be?" and she tries and tries to talk him out of it, but he keeps pressuring her. With a severely broken leg. Finally she's like 'Ok try it' and brings the horse over to the porch to try and let him climb on. And *gasp* he can't... because he's got a severely broken leg. That's with out even pointing out even if he DID get onto the horse from the porch, how could he get off? Or ever get back on once away from the porch? And on and on and on. Later on when they're moving she's got a cart to tow their gear and he complains for about 300 pages about how it's slowing them down and they could go cross country if not for the cart. ---carrying all their gear and food--- like he's some super cross country horseman..... with a severely broken leg.
The woman is trying to keep him alive to spite his own stupidity, and he's fighting her every step of the way. And she's right 100% of the time.
This doesn't happen once in the book. Or twice. Or Ten. Or twenty. It's just the entire book. By the end.... I almost wanted the bad guy to kill him, to shut him up. It was -that- bad.
The rest of the book isn't horrible. The daughter's journey has it's own stupid things, but not -her-. If anything she warns the people being stupid they're being stupid. They don't listen to her much, but they ARE punished for not listening to her, so that's good.
The climax of the book comes quickly. Almost like the writer had a set page count, and realized the journey took up 90% of the book and they only had 10% to finish it all up. So it's all wrapped up pretty quickly and some what unrealistically but.. at least it 'was' wrapped up for the most part. So that's good.
The book didn't totally suck. I know the review kinda harps on it. It's just the aspects mentioned above were difficult to get past. Because they were repeated so so many times.
It was just difficult to. I read a lot of end of the world stuff, so I've read some good stuff and some stinkers. This one falls in the middle.
It starts off pretty decent with the father daughter dynamic and I was looking forward to more of that in the book, as a father of a daughter myself. Sadly you don't get that. They're separated at the start and don't reunite till the end.
So.... that's out.
The book had an interesting twist in that unlike many you find out who caused the EMP though it's light on details and they're involved through the book. So that's kinda nice.
Then we get to the part that made me.... not like it as much. The main protagonist is Austin.... the Father. He loves his daughter, as I do mine. And he lets you know. Dude's like a Vegan at a grill-off competition or something. He just won't stop telling you how much he loves his daughter and how near insane he is to get back to her.
That sounds kinda bad. "Aren't parents supposed to love their kids?" Yes. "Isn't he supposed to want to get back to his daughter?" Sure. "Wouldn't you be out of your mind to get to your daughter in an EOTW situation" .... Probably.... but to what extent?
It's not that he is desperate to get back to her. (Which is understandable) It's that through the --entire book-- he's almost insanely desperate and --stupidly-- desperate to do so. The number of times another char has to try and chill him out to prevent him from killing himself is NOT SMALL. It's every 10 pages or so. Over and over and over and over again through the entire book, he's just raging to get going, no matter the problem, to get to his daughter. No matter how stupid his actions might be. It'd be bad enough if he was alone doing this but he's not. There's another character with him, pointing it out at every step and he just rages about it and brow beats them till he finally gets his way.
Dude wanted to walk 40 miles on a severely broken leg. He's told it won't work. He's like "I HAVE TO!!!" And tries and can't.
Then he wants to take her horse and go and she's like "The saddles burned in the barn" and he's all "People ride bareback! How hard could it be?" and she tries and tries to talk him out of it, but he keeps pressuring her. With a severely broken leg. Finally she's like 'Ok try it' and brings the horse over to the porch to try and let him climb on. And *gasp* he can't... because he's got a severely broken leg. That's with out even pointing out even if he DID get onto the horse from the porch, how could he get off? Or ever get back on once away from the porch? And on and on and on. Later on when they're moving she's got a cart to tow their gear and he complains for about 300 pages about how it's slowing them down and they could go cross country if not for the cart. ---carrying all their gear and food--- like he's some super cross country horseman..... with a severely broken leg.
The woman is trying to keep him alive to spite his own stupidity, and he's fighting her every step of the way. And she's right 100% of the time.
This doesn't happen once in the book. Or twice. Or Ten. Or twenty. It's just the entire book. By the end.... I almost wanted the bad guy to kill him, to shut him up. It was -that- bad.
The rest of the book isn't horrible. The daughter's journey has it's own stupid things, but not -her-. If anything she warns the people being stupid they're being stupid. They don't listen to her much, but they ARE punished for not listening to her, so that's good.
The climax of the book comes quickly. Almost like the writer had a set page count, and realized the journey took up 90% of the book and they only had 10% to finish it all up. So it's all wrapped up pretty quickly and some what unrealistically but.. at least it 'was' wrapped up for the most part. So that's good.
The book didn't totally suck. I know the review kinda harps on it. It's just the aspects mentioned above were difficult to get past. Because they were repeated so so many times.
December 12, 2023
Survive the Chaos is the first book in the Small Town EMP series by Grace Hamilton. Survive the Chaos is a great start to a new series. The moment I picked it up and started reading I was hooked. I couldn’t have laid it down then even if I had wanted to.
Survive the Chaos is not the first book by Grace Hamilton that I have read. No, I have read EMP stories by Grace and absolutely loved them all. I love reading post-apocalyptic books. I can’t seem to get enough of them. I can’t read them fast enough for me as I would love to read them all.
I love the survival of post-apocalyptic stories. I love how things change. I love to see how people change. If they are going to be good or bad. I like seeing how each individual deals with it all and how they handle the aftermath.
As I said Survive the Chaos had me from the beginning with the suspense of waiting to see what was going to happen and how it was going to happen. I was filled with so many questions throughout the story. In the end, some were answered and some were not. I can’t wait to dive into the next book Survive the Aftermath to see what lies ahead for each of the characters.
After his wife dies Austin and their daughter, Savannah hit the road. They are traveling around in an RV seeing the countryside and dealing with their loss. Savanna has plans to meet a boy, Malachi later but she tells her dad that she is going to get ice cream with the girl who lives on the nearby farm.
Of course, Dad doesn’t believe her. He is sure that she is going to meet a boy but he doesn’t have time to deal with it now as he has to meet an old friend. His friend has something very important to give him. Just how important Austin doesn't know but he soon finds out after he meets his friend and someone starts shooting heavy fire at them. His friend is killed and Austin falls into the river.
Austin washes up in the lake about a mile downstream. A woman, Amanda pulls him out of the water. Austin has broken his leg. Luckily Amanda is a vet. After everything stops working, cars, phones, computers and all electronic equipment all Austin wants to do is go home and check on Savannah. But he is stuck at Amanda’s until he heals enough to make the trip.
Savannah wants nothing more than to go home to her dad where everything stops working. She tries to make it home but a lot of people are running around shooting and taking whatever they want and killing.
Savannah decides to stay the night with Malachi and his family. Malachi’s family is very religious. The next morning Savannah heads home to find her father. Malachi and his family go with her. When they don’t find Savannah’s father they decide to stay with Savannah for a few days to wait for her father to come home. But when he doesn't make it back after a few days they all leave for Savannah’s uncle's pepper home. Savannah leaves a note for her dad explaining where she is going.
What Austin and especially Savannah don’t know is that there are some very bad men following them. They want what Austin’s friend gave him and they will do whatever it takes to get it.
Oh man, what a great start to a new series. Survive the Chaos kept me on the edge of my toes as I raced to the end to see if Savannah and Austin would ever see each other again. I couldn’t wait to see if they would make it to Savannah’s uncle’s place.
I loved reading Survive the Chaos so much that I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves reading dystopian or post-apocalyptic stories. Grab a copy of Survive the Chaos today!
Survive the Chaos is not the first book by Grace Hamilton that I have read. No, I have read EMP stories by Grace and absolutely loved them all. I love reading post-apocalyptic books. I can’t seem to get enough of them. I can’t read them fast enough for me as I would love to read them all.
I love the survival of post-apocalyptic stories. I love how things change. I love to see how people change. If they are going to be good or bad. I like seeing how each individual deals with it all and how they handle the aftermath.
As I said Survive the Chaos had me from the beginning with the suspense of waiting to see what was going to happen and how it was going to happen. I was filled with so many questions throughout the story. In the end, some were answered and some were not. I can’t wait to dive into the next book Survive the Aftermath to see what lies ahead for each of the characters.
After his wife dies Austin and their daughter, Savannah hit the road. They are traveling around in an RV seeing the countryside and dealing with their loss. Savanna has plans to meet a boy, Malachi later but she tells her dad that she is going to get ice cream with the girl who lives on the nearby farm.
Of course, Dad doesn’t believe her. He is sure that she is going to meet a boy but he doesn’t have time to deal with it now as he has to meet an old friend. His friend has something very important to give him. Just how important Austin doesn't know but he soon finds out after he meets his friend and someone starts shooting heavy fire at them. His friend is killed and Austin falls into the river.
Austin washes up in the lake about a mile downstream. A woman, Amanda pulls him out of the water. Austin has broken his leg. Luckily Amanda is a vet. After everything stops working, cars, phones, computers and all electronic equipment all Austin wants to do is go home and check on Savannah. But he is stuck at Amanda’s until he heals enough to make the trip.
Savannah wants nothing more than to go home to her dad where everything stops working. She tries to make it home but a lot of people are running around shooting and taking whatever they want and killing.
Savannah decides to stay the night with Malachi and his family. Malachi’s family is very religious. The next morning Savannah heads home to find her father. Malachi and his family go with her. When they don’t find Savannah’s father they decide to stay with Savannah for a few days to wait for her father to come home. But when he doesn't make it back after a few days they all leave for Savannah’s uncle's pepper home. Savannah leaves a note for her dad explaining where she is going.
What Austin and especially Savannah don’t know is that there are some very bad men following them. They want what Austin’s friend gave him and they will do whatever it takes to get it.
Oh man, what a great start to a new series. Survive the Chaos kept me on the edge of my toes as I raced to the end to see if Savannah and Austin would ever see each other again. I couldn’t wait to see if they would make it to Savannah’s uncle’s place.
I loved reading Survive the Chaos so much that I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves reading dystopian or post-apocalyptic stories. Grab a copy of Survive the Chaos today!
November 27, 2020
I received this audible title via a Audiobook Boom promo code and this is my voluntary review.
This boxset comprises 3 titles by Grace Hamilton. Survive the Chaos, Survive the Aftermath & Survive the Conflict.
This series follows the journey of grieving journalist Austin Merryman as he travels cross-country with his 14 year old daughter Savannah. In the first book the two are separated after an EMP knocks out power to the US and a strange gunman tries to kill Austin, forcing him over a bridge after a college buddy of his hands him heavily shielded USB. Austin survives but his friend does not. Stranded with a broken leg, he is recued by Amanda, a vet who patches him up and then joins him on his quest to reunite with Savannah. Thankfully his brother Ennis is one of those crazy prepper types and he's got a slice of safety carved out for himself as the post-apocalyptic world is no longer a friendly place. Savannah is suffering all kinds of hormonal teenage girl problems and dealing with the end of the world as she knows it, alone on the road with a group of bible thumping revivalists, she's accompanied by Malachi and his family the group travel towards Salt Lake City & her uncles prepper house nestled in the Rockies. Someone is feeding the mistrust and winds of discontent encouraging different factions to rise up and murder their fellow citizens and it soon becomes apparent that this New World Order, has its own nefarious intentions, and as the dangers increase, Austin finds himself hunted for the information on that USB drive enlisting the help of his new family group to complete his NSA Agent friends mission to strike back before their apocalypse becomes permanent.
Now... the writing itself: Some parts of the book weren't for me, I'm not overly into religious sentiments so the constant praying from some characters was a bit much, and there are slight overuses of certain phrases (like constantly being told how thin or tired someone was, or how 'useful' a person would be) and the overall tone of the writing occasionally felt a bit snooty/superior and preachy like it was written to lecture non-prepper types, and assuming that Austin's group was the only people capable of taking responsibility for themselves.
Maxwell Zener did an amazing job at the narration, 291/2 hours is a long time to listen to a book but he held my attention as I devoured the book over 5 days.
This boxset comprises 3 titles by Grace Hamilton. Survive the Chaos, Survive the Aftermath & Survive the Conflict.
This series follows the journey of grieving journalist Austin Merryman as he travels cross-country with his 14 year old daughter Savannah. In the first book the two are separated after an EMP knocks out power to the US and a strange gunman tries to kill Austin, forcing him over a bridge after a college buddy of his hands him heavily shielded USB. Austin survives but his friend does not. Stranded with a broken leg, he is recued by Amanda, a vet who patches him up and then joins him on his quest to reunite with Savannah. Thankfully his brother Ennis is one of those crazy prepper types and he's got a slice of safety carved out for himself as the post-apocalyptic world is no longer a friendly place. Savannah is suffering all kinds of hormonal teenage girl problems and dealing with the end of the world as she knows it, alone on the road with a group of bible thumping revivalists, she's accompanied by Malachi and his family the group travel towards Salt Lake City & her uncles prepper house nestled in the Rockies. Someone is feeding the mistrust and winds of discontent encouraging different factions to rise up and murder their fellow citizens and it soon becomes apparent that this New World Order, has its own nefarious intentions, and as the dangers increase, Austin finds himself hunted for the information on that USB drive enlisting the help of his new family group to complete his NSA Agent friends mission to strike back before their apocalypse becomes permanent.
Now... the writing itself: Some parts of the book weren't for me, I'm not overly into religious sentiments so the constant praying from some characters was a bit much, and there are slight overuses of certain phrases (like constantly being told how thin or tired someone was, or how 'useful' a person would be) and the overall tone of the writing occasionally felt a bit snooty/superior and preachy like it was written to lecture non-prepper types, and assuming that Austin's group was the only people capable of taking responsibility for themselves.
Maxwell Zener did an amazing job at the narration, 291/2 hours is a long time to listen to a book but he held my attention as I devoured the book over 5 days.
June 1, 2024
This is my third book by Grace Hamilton and the first one that I listened as an audiobook, and I enjoyed this one way more than the one I read before, I did like Austin, he was a father after my own heart, always thinking about getting back to his daughter. The story starts before whatever took the power away, and we got to know a bit about Austin and his daughter Savannah. After the death of his wife, Austin is taking care of his daughter alone, homeschooling her, and in this particular day, he had a meeting a bit further away, and he trusted his daughter would be safe, but sometimes things don’t go like we want them to go… I could connect much more with the characters on this particular story, more because I like found families, I don’t think Savannah would think her side of the story was a found family since she wasn’t religious, she was always an outsider.
I did like that even with Amanda (the vet) being a gorgeous woman, Austin was more focused on getting back with his daughter than falling in love, and hey I could see that happening there, but it was a surprise for me that in the end beside some violence the book was quite young adult suited. Also loved that Amanda shinned on her own, a strong and capable woman, with a really big heart, that could see the situation from the outside as well as from the inside… yeah she could be a bit naive, too trusting for the new world, but I think I would be as well…
I don’t know how Savannah, forgot about her friend who lived a couple of farms down the road from her, wouldnt make sense to go to her friend while waiting for her father to arrive? Ok I understand the old man from the next farm was land owner where their had their RV, but still, why stay with Malachi parents since they were so different from her and from her family, but this is my critical spirit and just a question, I really cant wait to read what comes next…. I hate the new order organization, for me they’re bullies who want to make the world burn…
I really did like the work that Maxwell Zener had with this book, he even did voices, and that helped a lot with me being emersed in the story, he was a terrific narrator. So I can only praise him how he brought the story to life.
if you don’t get bothered with cliff hangers, love found family, and people that are trying against all odds to survive, grab a copy, this book is definitely for you too ^___^.
I got a free code for Audible from the the author, and this is my honest opinion.
I did like that even with Amanda (the vet) being a gorgeous woman, Austin was more focused on getting back with his daughter than falling in love, and hey I could see that happening there, but it was a surprise for me that in the end beside some violence the book was quite young adult suited. Also loved that Amanda shinned on her own, a strong and capable woman, with a really big heart, that could see the situation from the outside as well as from the inside… yeah she could be a bit naive, too trusting for the new world, but I think I would be as well…
I don’t know how Savannah, forgot about her friend who lived a couple of farms down the road from her, wouldnt make sense to go to her friend while waiting for her father to arrive? Ok I understand the old man from the next farm was land owner where their had their RV, but still, why stay with Malachi parents since they were so different from her and from her family, but this is my critical spirit and just a question, I really cant wait to read what comes next…. I hate the new order organization, for me they’re bullies who want to make the world burn…
I really did like the work that Maxwell Zener had with this book, he even did voices, and that helped a lot with me being emersed in the story, he was a terrific narrator. So I can only praise him how he brought the story to life.
if you don’t get bothered with cliff hangers, love found family, and people that are trying against all odds to survive, grab a copy, this book is definitely for you too ^___^.
I got a free code for Audible from the the author, and this is my honest opinion.
July 13, 2022
I really did enjoy reading this book. It did have a few slow points. And I think, storyline-wise, there could have been a few minor improvements. But it was hard for me to put my finger on precisely what it was. But still, it was an enjoyable book. It kind of gave me a PG version vibes of The Walking Dead, minus the cool zombies and those Christian Left Behind series that were written a few years/decades ago. I was prob like 11 or 12 when I read the first few books. (but still not a crazy Christian book if that's what you worried about, just a few important elements). I think a little more of the walking dead elements would have helped make it a little bit more exciting, yet it was still exciting (without the zombies lol). It is very hard to explain. But I already started book 2. And I'm looking forward to finishing. And moving right one the number 3. I love when books have a 3 in 1 when it comes to series books like these. Oh, if you hate cliffhangers, make sure to get the 3 books. Or it will drive you nuts.
Overall, these books are pretty damn good so far. I also listened to the audio version. The narrator did a pretty good job. I didn't LOVE him at first. But he did a good job. He kind of grew on me I guess. But I'll give a small update when #2 is over. I do definitely recommend it. Oh, and I hope Wendie, Wendy? I hope his ass gets killed soon. So annoying!
I was given this book for free (Thanks so much). This in no way influences any of my reviews. If anyone reads this, Thanks for reading!
Overall, these books are pretty damn good so far. I also listened to the audio version. The narrator did a pretty good job. I didn't LOVE him at first. But he did a good job. He kind of grew on me I guess. But I'll give a small update when #2 is over. I do definitely recommend it. Oh, and I hope Wendie, Wendy? I hope his ass gets killed soon. So annoying!
I was given this book for free (Thanks so much). This in no way influences any of my reviews. If anyone reads this, Thanks for reading!
July 29, 2019
I have read other series and parts of series by this author so I admit I do look out for her new titles. When I saw this one and read the blurb I immediately knew I had to read it!
The book cover shows a rather desolate scenery with male and female figures on it. The colours used on the cover go with the post apocalyptic theme. Upon reading the book I personally think the male and female figures on the cover are Savannah and Malachi, it would be interesting to know who they author would say they are and what other people think when they have read the book also.
The book begins with 14 year old, Savannah telling her dad, Austin what she considers a white lie, that she is going to the creamery with the girl from the nearby farm whose land their RV is on. Austin is suspicious his daughter may be meeting a boy but gives her time she has to be home by and lets her go off as he has someone to meet too. An old friend, Callum, has contacted him telling him he has a big story for him. Austin used to be famous for his whistle blower articles, though his recent journalism has been much smaller articles about travelling. Since he is now single parent to Savannah since her mother and his wife, Karen died.
Both characters go off to their “meetings”. Savannah does have ice cream at the creamery with her friend Cassie but soon rushes off to meet Malachi, the boy she has a crush on. Malachi and his family also travel around the country preaching about their beliefs as they are revivalists. Savannah sits through the revivalist meeting trying to look interested as she likes Malachi a lot. It is shortly after the meeting that Malachi’s grandfather Eli collapses. Savannah frantically tries CPR as it seems she is the only one who knows how to. Others amongst the revivalists try to ring 911, but their phones are not working, then they suggest taking Eli to hospital in one of their vehicles but none of them seem to be working. It is then everyone notices that all their modern gadgets have suddenly ceased working.
Everyone is discovering that their gadgets and modern conveniences have stopped working, from mobile phones, to cars, vans and planes.
Another character, Amanda finds out she has no power and needs to crash land her plane into her newly renovated barn which causes it to burst into flames. It’s whilst Amanda is trying to rig up a way to dampen the ground surrounding the barn to avoid the fire spreading that she comes across Austin. Austin has met his friend Callum who has handed him something important. So important in fact that during the meeting Callum is shot dead, and Austin is shot at and ends up jumping off the bridge into the swollen fast running stream.
The rest of the book covers how Savannah has a tough decision to make, stay alone in the RV and wait for her dad to return to her or whether to leave her dad a note and travel with the revivalist group and go to her Uncle Ennis and wait for her dad there.
Austin has equally hard decisions to make, as he has a broken leg and concussion. Lucky for him the woman that helped him get out of the river is a vet so has some knowledge and supplies that are useful and helpful to humans too.
The book tells the stories of Austin and Savannah’s separate journeys along with some other characters they meet along the way. Both sets of travellers have to avoid those intent on killing and looting anyone that has more than themselves. An extra worry for everyone is the emergence of a group of individuals calling themselves the New Order. Austin is also unaware that the guy that killed his friend Callum and shot at him has reported back to his bosses and there is a new tougher operative on his trail who will use anyone and anything to get what he wants, he also doesn’t care who he has to kill to get what he wants.
Of course, I liked the characters of Austin and Savannah but I also really liked Amanda who has a practical and objective approach to every problem they face, though she can be a little naïve and much too honest and trusting for the world she is now living in. I think it would be great if Austin and Amanda got together in a relationship too.
I loved the character of Ennis, the totally unexperienced prepper who literally has a house protected by steel but doesn’t really have a clue what to do with some of his ‘end of the world’ gadgets. I instantly loved Nash, the young man who finds himself on the doorstep of a house of steel. Nash is a very savvy survivor despite perhaps looking a bit geeky. It could be his knowledge and expertise that secures the survival of whoever he is with.
Characters I enjoyed disliking? Maybe not the one you would choose but I felt irritated by Wendell. The college friend to Ennis who wants to ride out the looting and chaos with his best buddy. Wendell knows the kind of supplies and luxury that Ennis has secured for himself and anyone with him by purchasing all the prepper recommended gadgets.
The one that will instantly fit the ‘hate’ brief is Zander, who I can only describe as a mercenary or hit man. Zander is working for a much larger group of people who you really don’t want to meet up. This organisation is distributing leaflets along with ‘emergency aid” packs. Their intention seems to be to turn neighbour against neighbour, mentioning ‘True Patriots’ and Zander also comments about a group called ‘The New Order’
I have to admit I became quickly exasperated with were the revivalists, particularly Jim and Tonya Loveridge who are Malachi’s parents and who blindly believe they will get home by simply walking and relying on their faith in God to keep them fed and safe. They even take it in their stride so to speak when people turn on them and want to hurt them and kill them for their religious way of life.
This book is so well written, the pace is great, keeps you reading and you so hate having to put it down for silly things like, eating, sleeping and housework! The book is action packed especially in a certain scene towards the end of the book. Though the book deals with society at it’s worst there are some principled honest caring people left.
My immediate thought when finishing the book were, Oh wow! What a cliffhanger! Loved it from beginning to end, would read next book now if I could! Brilliant, engrossing, addictive reading.
The book cover shows a rather desolate scenery with male and female figures on it. The colours used on the cover go with the post apocalyptic theme. Upon reading the book I personally think the male and female figures on the cover are Savannah and Malachi, it would be interesting to know who they author would say they are and what other people think when they have read the book also.
The book begins with 14 year old, Savannah telling her dad, Austin what she considers a white lie, that she is going to the creamery with the girl from the nearby farm whose land their RV is on. Austin is suspicious his daughter may be meeting a boy but gives her time she has to be home by and lets her go off as he has someone to meet too. An old friend, Callum, has contacted him telling him he has a big story for him. Austin used to be famous for his whistle blower articles, though his recent journalism has been much smaller articles about travelling. Since he is now single parent to Savannah since her mother and his wife, Karen died.
Both characters go off to their “meetings”. Savannah does have ice cream at the creamery with her friend Cassie but soon rushes off to meet Malachi, the boy she has a crush on. Malachi and his family also travel around the country preaching about their beliefs as they are revivalists. Savannah sits through the revivalist meeting trying to look interested as she likes Malachi a lot. It is shortly after the meeting that Malachi’s grandfather Eli collapses. Savannah frantically tries CPR as it seems she is the only one who knows how to. Others amongst the revivalists try to ring 911, but their phones are not working, then they suggest taking Eli to hospital in one of their vehicles but none of them seem to be working. It is then everyone notices that all their modern gadgets have suddenly ceased working.
Everyone is discovering that their gadgets and modern conveniences have stopped working, from mobile phones, to cars, vans and planes.
Another character, Amanda finds out she has no power and needs to crash land her plane into her newly renovated barn which causes it to burst into flames. It’s whilst Amanda is trying to rig up a way to dampen the ground surrounding the barn to avoid the fire spreading that she comes across Austin. Austin has met his friend Callum who has handed him something important. So important in fact that during the meeting Callum is shot dead, and Austin is shot at and ends up jumping off the bridge into the swollen fast running stream.
The rest of the book covers how Savannah has a tough decision to make, stay alone in the RV and wait for her dad to return to her or whether to leave her dad a note and travel with the revivalist group and go to her Uncle Ennis and wait for her dad there.
Austin has equally hard decisions to make, as he has a broken leg and concussion. Lucky for him the woman that helped him get out of the river is a vet so has some knowledge and supplies that are useful and helpful to humans too.
The book tells the stories of Austin and Savannah’s separate journeys along with some other characters they meet along the way. Both sets of travellers have to avoid those intent on killing and looting anyone that has more than themselves. An extra worry for everyone is the emergence of a group of individuals calling themselves the New Order. Austin is also unaware that the guy that killed his friend Callum and shot at him has reported back to his bosses and there is a new tougher operative on his trail who will use anyone and anything to get what he wants, he also doesn’t care who he has to kill to get what he wants.
Of course, I liked the characters of Austin and Savannah but I also really liked Amanda who has a practical and objective approach to every problem they face, though she can be a little naïve and much too honest and trusting for the world she is now living in. I think it would be great if Austin and Amanda got together in a relationship too.
I loved the character of Ennis, the totally unexperienced prepper who literally has a house protected by steel but doesn’t really have a clue what to do with some of his ‘end of the world’ gadgets. I instantly loved Nash, the young man who finds himself on the doorstep of a house of steel. Nash is a very savvy survivor despite perhaps looking a bit geeky. It could be his knowledge and expertise that secures the survival of whoever he is with.
Characters I enjoyed disliking? Maybe not the one you would choose but I felt irritated by Wendell. The college friend to Ennis who wants to ride out the looting and chaos with his best buddy. Wendell knows the kind of supplies and luxury that Ennis has secured for himself and anyone with him by purchasing all the prepper recommended gadgets.
The one that will instantly fit the ‘hate’ brief is Zander, who I can only describe as a mercenary or hit man. Zander is working for a much larger group of people who you really don’t want to meet up. This organisation is distributing leaflets along with ‘emergency aid” packs. Their intention seems to be to turn neighbour against neighbour, mentioning ‘True Patriots’ and Zander also comments about a group called ‘The New Order’
I have to admit I became quickly exasperated with were the revivalists, particularly Jim and Tonya Loveridge who are Malachi’s parents and who blindly believe they will get home by simply walking and relying on their faith in God to keep them fed and safe. They even take it in their stride so to speak when people turn on them and want to hurt them and kill them for their religious way of life.
This book is so well written, the pace is great, keeps you reading and you so hate having to put it down for silly things like, eating, sleeping and housework! The book is action packed especially in a certain scene towards the end of the book. Though the book deals with society at it’s worst there are some principled honest caring people left.
My immediate thought when finishing the book were, Oh wow! What a cliffhanger! Loved it from beginning to end, would read next book now if I could! Brilliant, engrossing, addictive reading.
Read
July 15, 2026An EMP has taken out all the power, and Austen has information wanted by the people who caused it—I think?
Let's be clear. This story does not make a whole lot of sense. A group of at least ten people set out to cross at least 1000 miles on foot, with no experience hunting and gathering, and very few food supplies, and I'm expected to believe they don't starve to death along the way.
Austen, the MMC, falls into a river, is grazed by a bullet, and badly breaks his leg, and the then sets out on horseback for 5 plus months to find his daughter, and he's climbing in windows, commando crawling up river banks, climbing 20 flights of stairs, and wrestling the bad guy to the ground (with no mention of the cast ever coming off—and even if it had, his leg would have been very weak), and I'm supposed to believe it.
That being said, if you turn your brain off, this is a relatively quick read. The author knows you need tension for a story, but hasn't realised that tension is more than a high body count. All problems that come up are quickly resolved in a couple of pages. Savannah is thrown from a horse, presumably over a cliff, unconscious all night, "rescued" by strangers, and then, the very next morning is able to outrun her captors and escape. Concussion? What's that? Not to mention all the broken bones she should have had.
Anyway, it was okay, but I won't be reading on.
Let's be clear. This story does not make a whole lot of sense. A group of at least ten people set out to cross at least 1000 miles on foot, with no experience hunting and gathering, and very few food supplies, and I'm expected to believe they don't starve to death along the way.
Austen, the MMC, falls into a river, is grazed by a bullet, and badly breaks his leg, and the then sets out on horseback for 5 plus months to find his daughter, and he's climbing in windows, commando crawling up river banks, climbing 20 flights of stairs, and wrestling the bad guy to the ground (with no mention of the cast ever coming off—and even if it had, his leg would have been very weak), and I'm supposed to believe it.
That being said, if you turn your brain off, this is a relatively quick read. The author knows you need tension for a story, but hasn't realised that tension is more than a high body count. All problems that come up are quickly resolved in a couple of pages. Savannah is thrown from a horse, presumably over a cliff, unconscious all night, "rescued" by strangers, and then, the very next morning is able to outrun her captors and escape. Concussion? What's that? Not to mention all the broken bones she should have had.
Anyway, it was okay, but I won't be reading on.
August 30, 2026
Bookbub Recommended
After an EMP plunges America into darkness and society rapidly begins to collapse, journalist and single father Austin Merryman is separated from his teenage daughter, Savannah. Injured and stranded far from her, Austin sets out to find her while facing a world where resources are scarce, law and order have disappeared, and dangerous survivors are willing to do anything to stay alive.
The story splits off across two or three groups of people with an obvious link between them. It's a basic enough story but it's entertaining. Lots of plot by numbers, very telegraphed moments but again, it's entertaining enough.
However, when your "big bad" is a group of militia dressed in black calling themselves the "New World Order", it just feels silly and quite hackneyed. The ending being left on a direct cliffhanger rather than an implied one has just confirmed that I won't be going further on the series.
After an EMP plunges America into darkness and society rapidly begins to collapse, journalist and single father Austin Merryman is separated from his teenage daughter, Savannah. Injured and stranded far from her, Austin sets out to find her while facing a world where resources are scarce, law and order have disappeared, and dangerous survivors are willing to do anything to stay alive.
The story splits off across two or three groups of people with an obvious link between them. It's a basic enough story but it's entertaining. Lots of plot by numbers, very telegraphed moments but again, it's entertaining enough.
However, when your "big bad" is a group of militia dressed in black calling themselves the "New World Order", it just feels silly and quite hackneyed. The ending being left on a direct cliffhanger rather than an implied one has just confirmed that I won't be going further on the series.
June 13, 2021
Survive The Chaos. Grace Hamilton
Austin, a journalist has recently lost his wife. His whole world is now devoted to his daughter, Savannah. He recently purchased a motor home and he and his daughter are just driving, exploring. Both are trying to overcome their tragic loss. A friend from his college days suddenly contacts him to arrange a meeting. Austin agrees and his friend gives him an hard drive contained in a sealed container. Then his friend is suddenly shot. They are on a bridge and Austin jumps off into the freezing , fast moving water. Hours later he is rescued by a woman. A veterinarian named Amanda. His leg is broken. Then an EMP strike occurs. Chaos erupts. Suddenly a group called the New World Order wants the hard drive and are willing to kill anyone to get it back. Non stop action, suspense from the first to last page!! An excellent read!!!
Austin, a journalist has recently lost his wife. His whole world is now devoted to his daughter, Savannah. He recently purchased a motor home and he and his daughter are just driving, exploring. Both are trying to overcome their tragic loss. A friend from his college days suddenly contacts him to arrange a meeting. Austin agrees and his friend gives him an hard drive contained in a sealed container. Then his friend is suddenly shot. They are on a bridge and Austin jumps off into the freezing , fast moving water. Hours later he is rescued by a woman. A veterinarian named Amanda. His leg is broken. Then an EMP strike occurs. Chaos erupts. Suddenly a group called the New World Order wants the hard drive and are willing to kill anyone to get it back. Non stop action, suspense from the first to last page!! An excellent read!!!
November 25, 2020
A widower allows his 14 year old daughter to meet a friend from down the road to go get ice cream, while he meets a friend from college who has to see him. His friend gives him a USB drive with instructions to get it to the right people in Washington. Meanwhile his daughter got ice cream with her friend, then meets a boy from a traveling revivalist group. After the father puts the USB in his jeans, his friend is shot, and he dives off a bridge into spring runoff. His daughter is talking to the boy when all sound stops. Cell phones don't work and cars won't start up.
I thought the story was well written, if somewhat oversimplified as an EMP story, but it was still fairly good. Not sure I'll get to the other books in the series, but you never know.
I thought the story was well written, if somewhat oversimplified as an EMP story, but it was still fairly good. Not sure I'll get to the other books in the series, but you never know.
March 31, 2025
Wow! What a start! This is book 1 of 6 in the Small Town EMP series and it is GREAT and clocks in at 376 pages (ebook). There is so much that happens in this first book that I cannot believe there are 5 more!
Each character brings something very unique to the storyline but I have to say that I think Nash is my favorite additional character. Even though he wasn’t introduced until way later in the book, I think he is going to be an integral part of the storyline. Aaaaannnndddd I’m totally with him on his thoughts about Wendell.
Book 1 ends on a cliff hanger and I cannot wait to start reading book 2!
Each character brings something very unique to the storyline but I have to say that I think Nash is my favorite additional character. Even though he wasn’t introduced until way later in the book, I think he is going to be an integral part of the storyline. Aaaaannnndddd I’m totally with him on his thoughts about Wendell.
Book 1 ends on a cliff hanger and I cannot wait to start reading book 2!
August 15, 2020
Loving the apocalypse!
It’s a lively world in Survive The Chaos. The characters are as big a variety, a slice of cultural diversity, as you would see anywhere. Right down to a Revivalist preacher and his family! It’s really hard for me to sort out what is good review content and what is a spoiler with this book. There is so much, from farmers to men in black, the preaching of faith to murder most terrible. Really, you should read this book. It has everything an exciting apocalypse should have!
It’s a lively world in Survive The Chaos. The characters are as big a variety, a slice of cultural diversity, as you would see anywhere. Right down to a Revivalist preacher and his family! It’s really hard for me to sort out what is good review content and what is a spoiler with this book. There is so much, from farmers to men in black, the preaching of faith to murder most terrible. Really, you should read this book. It has everything an exciting apocalypse should have!
November 21, 2021
Después de leer un montón de historias apocalípticas tipo SHTF es refrescante encontrar una en la cual las personas sean normalitas, normalitas, como la mayoría, es decir, que en principio no tengan mucha idea de cómo sobrevivir con lo que la naturaleza provee, y que no haya un solo prepper en la historia... bueno, hay uno, pero más que nada lo que da es risa.
Esta va de un ataque EMP, y sigue el camino de Austin, un periodista que escribe historias de la vida rural y su hija Savannah; Amanda, exmilitar y veterinaria; y un piquete de predicadores nómadas de la palabra de Dios.
Esta va de un ataque EMP, y sigue el camino de Austin, un periodista que escribe historias de la vida rural y su hija Savannah; Amanda, exmilitar y veterinaria; y un piquete de predicadores nómadas de la palabra de Dios.
January 25, 2020
I really like to read dystopian/post apocalyptic books, but even better is seeing how the world fell into ruin. This book gives us a glimpse of that and how a fathers love for his daughter will give him the strength to do whatever it takes. There is a lot more that I'm hoping we will learn in the next books, who the NWO is, why they took the steps they did and hopefully Austin will expose them all.
April 2, 2020
Very entertaining read
I really enjoyed this series of books. I wasn't sure if it was a Christian emp books because a good many of the characters are Christians. It was not. As the story went on it became clear as she portrayed them as weak and unwilling to kill to protect themselves. Would have loved to seen some supernatural protection from God come into the story but it was still good and clean and I Will recommend it to my friends.
I really enjoyed this series of books. I wasn't sure if it was a Christian emp books because a good many of the characters are Christians. It was not. As the story went on it became clear as she portrayed them as weak and unwilling to kill to protect themselves. Would have loved to seen some supernatural protection from God come into the story but it was still good and clean and I Will recommend it to my friends.
June 4, 2020
Austin and Crew
Starting off, this was painfully slow reading. However, I realized that the author was character building as we went along versus going back later on and telling who the characters were. In any case, Austin and crew slipped past the NWO by the skin of there teeth. I have a feeling that will not stay that way for long.
Spoiler alert: I am interested in how Malachi and Austin’s daughter will get along going forward.
Starting off, this was painfully slow reading. However, I realized that the author was character building as we went along versus going back later on and telling who the characters were. In any case, Austin and crew slipped past the NWO by the skin of there teeth. I have a feeling that will not stay that way for long.
Spoiler alert: I am interested in how Malachi and Austin’s daughter will get along going forward.
November 23, 2020
Very enjoyable
I've always enjoyed Ms Hamilton's style of writing. A great storyline, believable characters. The story moves quickly that's why I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Ms Hamilton doesn't overdo it with details. Weather it be prepper info, computer tech, or weapons. She gives enough accurate info without Overkill or having a reader lose interest with minut unnecessary details. Starting book to immediately
I've always enjoyed Ms Hamilton's style of writing. A great storyline, believable characters. The story moves quickly that's why I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Ms Hamilton doesn't overdo it with details. Weather it be prepper info, computer tech, or weapons. She gives enough accurate info without Overkill or having a reader lose interest with minut unnecessary details. Starting book to immediately
May 11, 2023
I have been reading a lot of apocalypse stories (zombie and other EMP disasters) so trust me when i write i did enjoy this one. I liked the characters and wanted to see them make it to safety. I was frustrated right along with them as they dealt with all of the obstacles thrown at them. I thought that the narrator did a good job with the story. I am very curious to see what will happen to this group in the next book.
December 10, 2025
Liked the concept. Many good ideas. Credit to Grace. Read 3.5 books. Just could not take the caricature baddies anymore as they had no redeeming features. One baddie down but no respite as immediately replaced by another. Would have scored books at 4 but by the end of 3 books I was ready to shoot Austin myself if he mentioned for more than the 500th time that he was so worried about his daughter.
July 10, 2026
Zero idea of prepping
I live in New Zealand where heading for the hills is a common past time. I know I wouldn't want to head to the hills with this author, I expect they'd take more than a 40 litre pack and it would be full of battery powered heated socks.
Mind you, if you enjoy big doses of God stuff, this might be up your alley.
But I reckon you'd soon be bones if an EMP occurred.
I live in New Zealand where heading for the hills is a common past time. I know I wouldn't want to head to the hills with this author, I expect they'd take more than a 40 litre pack and it would be full of battery powered heated socks.
Mind you, if you enjoy big doses of God stuff, this might be up your alley.
But I reckon you'd soon be bones if an EMP occurred.
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