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Day of Reckoning: Surviving the Solar Storm, Book One
When a coronal mass ejection threatens to send the United States back to the Stone Age, Jim Graves must rush to prepare his family for the coming apocalypse. As the world around him plunges into anarchy, can he rise to the occasion? Jim’s love for his family and will to survive are put to the ultimate test.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2020
238 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
John Winchester
7 books31 followersGood news! Launched the first novel in a new series - Outbreak - Surviving the Pandemic. You can read it on Amazon Kindle here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088HKJYVW
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088HKJYVW
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 11, 2020
Love this book. Can’t wait for the next one.
February 18, 2020
I struggled a bit with this book. There were a lot of small editing issues (canon instead of cannon, for example). The flow of the prose was actually decent. The plot is pretty standard, with frantic attempt to prepare, family not together and criminal with a vendetta shows up, but the characters were my biggest problem. Jim is pretty hopeless. While he finally makes an effort to garner supplies, he has nearly zero situational awareness. How many times can you lose your keys, Jim? What dope leaves the keys in his fully loaded vehicle to make it convenient for someone to steal? Jim has not got much of a learning curve here. Logan and Chris seem to be a bit more reactive, but they were not given a lot to do in this book nor do I think they can actually help Jim. Laura was a bit more understandable in waiting too long to take action. I'm not sure if I will continue to book 2, but might just to see if this improves at all.
May 6, 2023
catastrophes happen before the CME arrives
I hope this will have a sequel, the ending has a bit of a summation for the main character, Jim Graves, but we don’t know what will become of his wife. She’s currently stuck in West VA, losing her vehicle in an accident. Jim finally absorbed the truth about the upcoming disaster, started stocking up supplies, but evil followed. From an encounter saving a cashier’s life by a gun-toting thief, & car theft by an obnoxious neighbor, Jim fights to survive, keep his family alive.
I hope this will have a sequel, the ending has a bit of a summation for the main character, Jim Graves, but we don’t know what will become of his wife. She’s currently stuck in West VA, losing her vehicle in an accident. Jim finally absorbed the truth about the upcoming disaster, started stocking up supplies, but evil followed. From an encounter saving a cashier’s life by a gun-toting thief, & car theft by an obnoxious neighbor, Jim fights to survive, keep his family alive.
March 9, 2025
Review: Day of Reckoning: Surviving the Solar Storm
If you’re looking for a compelling, well-written survival thriller, Day of Reckoning: Surviving the Solar Storm is not it. Instead, it’s a frustrating, cliché-ridden story that reads like a B-movie where you find yourself yelling at the characters for their sheer incompetence.
A Clueless Protagonist
The main character, Jim, is utterly out of his depth. Despite repeated warnings from his neighbor about an impending catastrophic solar storm, he remains in denial until the very last minute. Meanwhile, his wife conveniently leaves town to visit a sick friend 600 miles away, and his son is off at college—effectively clearing the stage for Jim’s fumbling survival prep.
When reality finally slaps him in the face, Jim embarks on a frantic, last-minute shopping spree, pulling $6,000 in cash straight from his bank account as if that’s something banks just hand out on demand. Most of the book is devoted to his scattered and poorly executed attempts at prepping—complete with lost car keys, reckless speeding, and predictable run-ins with the police.
Excessive Technical Info & Bad Dialogue
The book drags with endless technical explanations about what a coronal mass ejection (CME) is and how it will impact society. While some realism is good, these info-dumps feel more like a survivalist handbook than a novel. The dialogue doesn’t help either—some conversations are downright asinine, making it difficult to take the characters seriously.
Predictable & Infuriating
Many of Jim’s struggles are painfully obvious to the reader, yet he stumbles into them like a clueless horror movie character who insists on checking the basement alone. There’s no real tension because everything is either too predictable or too frustrating to care about.
The Cliffhanger That Ends It All (For Me, at Least)
After slogging through Jim’s disorganized disaster preparedness, the book ends on a cliffhanger—an obvious setup for a sequel. But honestly? There’s no way I’m reading the next book.
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Day of Reckoning is a disappointing, frustrating read with a protagonist who’s hard to root for and a plot that’s weighed down by excessive technical details. If you enjoy watching clueless characters fumble their way through predictable disasters, you might get some entertainment out of it. Otherwise, skip this one.
If you’re looking for a compelling, well-written survival thriller, Day of Reckoning: Surviving the Solar Storm is not it. Instead, it’s a frustrating, cliché-ridden story that reads like a B-movie where you find yourself yelling at the characters for their sheer incompetence.
A Clueless Protagonist
The main character, Jim, is utterly out of his depth. Despite repeated warnings from his neighbor about an impending catastrophic solar storm, he remains in denial until the very last minute. Meanwhile, his wife conveniently leaves town to visit a sick friend 600 miles away, and his son is off at college—effectively clearing the stage for Jim’s fumbling survival prep.
When reality finally slaps him in the face, Jim embarks on a frantic, last-minute shopping spree, pulling $6,000 in cash straight from his bank account as if that’s something banks just hand out on demand. Most of the book is devoted to his scattered and poorly executed attempts at prepping—complete with lost car keys, reckless speeding, and predictable run-ins with the police.
Excessive Technical Info & Bad Dialogue
The book drags with endless technical explanations about what a coronal mass ejection (CME) is and how it will impact society. While some realism is good, these info-dumps feel more like a survivalist handbook than a novel. The dialogue doesn’t help either—some conversations are downright asinine, making it difficult to take the characters seriously.
Predictable & Infuriating
Many of Jim’s struggles are painfully obvious to the reader, yet he stumbles into them like a clueless horror movie character who insists on checking the basement alone. There’s no real tension because everything is either too predictable or too frustrating to care about.
The Cliffhanger That Ends It All (For Me, at Least)
After slogging through Jim’s disorganized disaster preparedness, the book ends on a cliffhanger—an obvious setup for a sequel. But honestly? There’s no way I’m reading the next book.
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Day of Reckoning is a disappointing, frustrating read with a protagonist who’s hard to root for and a plot that’s weighed down by excessive technical details. If you enjoy watching clueless characters fumble their way through predictable disasters, you might get some entertainment out of it. Otherwise, skip this one.
February 3, 2020
Great book
Hoping there is a sequel. I had read and liked the previous series and this one did not disappoint.
Although I have to say, while entertaining to read the characters are really dumb. Gary told the wife the Volkswagen used oil yet she heads into mountains of West Virginia. I guess most city folks might react this exact way. All in all hope they wise up in the next one, Logan seems the most likely to survive.
Hoping there is a sequel. I had read and liked the previous series and this one did not disappoint.
Although I have to say, while entertaining to read the characters are really dumb. Gary told the wife the Volkswagen used oil yet she heads into mountains of West Virginia. I guess most city folks might react this exact way. All in all hope they wise up in the next one, Logan seems the most likely to survive.
August 11, 2020
Disappointed
I was disappointed in this book. I have read others from this author and liked them. But the main characters in the story are the most inept survivors possible.At times it becomes just a comedy of errors and just detracts from the story. It is one thing to show how some people can be very stupid in an emergency. But if you’re writing a book about your characters surviving the apocalypse you should not make them this ridiculous.
I was disappointed in this book. I have read others from this author and liked them. But the main characters in the story are the most inept survivors possible.At times it becomes just a comedy of errors and just detracts from the story. It is one thing to show how some people can be very stupid in an emergency. But if you’re writing a book about your characters surviving the apocalypse you should not make them this ridiculous.
March 31, 2020
This book had me loving/hating the characters. Naive. Almost to the point that I knew what was going to happen next just from the storyline of the characters. But I continued just to see the directs the author wanted to portray. Just like any other end of the scenario. Other then that it was a good read.
October 7, 2024
3.75⭐️ The narration was alright, nothing special. Some of the characters were a little dumb but I think that’s what you get when writing about average joes dealing with apocalyptic things. The whole CME and solar flare aspect was interesting and different from my usual apocalyptic tales. This was a pretty mid read for me but I’d be open to continuing the series if it does continue on
November 25, 2024
I was frustrated the entire book with the wimpy characters and their bizarrely unintelligent decisions.
The pandering explanations at the beginning were tolerable, but could be done in a less obvious way.
Typically, I can look beyond these types of shortcomings for the sake of enjoying a story. That was not the case with this book, and I was annoyed with the main characters even at the end.
The pandering explanations at the beginning were tolerable, but could be done in a less obvious way.
Typically, I can look beyond these types of shortcomings for the sake of enjoying a story. That was not the case with this book, and I was annoyed with the main characters even at the end.
March 16, 2020
Days
This is one of those series that resonate with you. As your family and this is happening for real. With loved one in danger and nothing good the right way. What will keep you from just giving up.
This is one of those series that resonate with you. As your family and this is happening for real. With loved one in danger and nothing good the right way. What will keep you from just giving up.
June 13, 2020
Great information buried within a believable story.
Best description of a CME I've read. Carefully written... wonderfully captures the horror of discovering the demise of life as we know it.
Best description of a CME I've read. Carefully written... wonderfully captures the horror of discovering the demise of life as we know it.
December 19, 2020
Interesting but weak characters
The subject matter was good but all the characters were weak pansies. I found myself cheering for the bad guys to take out the main character. No book two for me. Glad I didn't have to pay for this book. Thanks kindle unlimited.
The subject matter was good but all the characters were weak pansies. I found myself cheering for the bad guys to take out the main character. No book two for me. Glad I didn't have to pay for this book. Thanks kindle unlimited.
July 29, 2023
Leaves you hanging...
Do Not Bother with this book. It is not a stand alone. It WAS the beginning of a series! It was written in 2020. Where is the rest of this series? Shame on you John Winchester!
Do Not Bother with this book. It is not a stand alone. It WAS the beginning of a series! It was written in 2020. Where is the rest of this series? Shame on you John Winchester!
October 3, 2024
good but
I debated about the rating I gave this book. It’s good book and would be great for a series. But if no follow up books in four years I assume there won’t be. I would look forward if there was.
I debated about the rating I gave this book. It’s good book and would be great for a series. But if no follow up books in four years I assume there won’t be. I would look forward if there was.
February 7, 2020
Highly recommend this book
Never a dull moment. Caught me from the start can't wait to read the rest. You will definitely want to read more
Never a dull moment. Caught me from the start can't wait to read the rest. You will definitely want to read more
February 8, 2020
The book was good. Did not like the ending not sure if it when book 2 will be out
February 26, 2020
Good book
Decent storyline and thankfully no convenient reasons why a guy just happens to know everything or is a navy seal. Just a regular guy doing his best. I’m in for book 2!!!
Decent storyline and thankfully no convenient reasons why a guy just happens to know everything or is a navy seal. Just a regular guy doing his best. I’m in for book 2!!!
March 5, 2020
Fun to Read
Informative on revealing the lack of awareness that people have concerning CMEs. Also shows a likely scenario of civilization’s collapse following a large CME.
Informative on revealing the lack of awareness that people have concerning CMEs. Also shows a likely scenario of civilization’s collapse following a large CME.
March 8, 2020
Not Sure I Want Main Character Saved
I've read other books by this author & have found other characters much more likable.
I'll stick with it. Maybe they will grow on me.
I've read other books by this author & have found other characters much more likable.
I'll stick with it. Maybe they will grow on me.
March 15, 2020
Good read
Good read wish it didn't end can't wait for book 2 So excited to see what's going to happening next
Good read wish it didn't end can't wait for book 2 So excited to see what's going to happening next
March 23, 2020
Great read!
It was a quick read, the mc is likable. The last two weeks have been all coronavirus, this was a great change of pace!
It was a quick read, the mc is likable. The last two weeks have been all coronavirus, this was a great change of pace!
March 31, 2020
Day of Reckoning
Day of Reckoning: Surviving the Solar Storm , Book One. The author did a wonderful job at capturing my attention
Day of Reckoning: Surviving the Solar Storm , Book One. The author did a wonderful job at capturing my attention
April 3, 2020
Day of Reckoning review
Day of Reckoning is the first post apocalyptic survival book in the Surviving the Solar Storm series written by author John Winchester.
Day of Reckoning is the first post apocalyptic survival book in the Surviving the Solar Storm series written by author John Winchester.
June 18, 2020
Great Story!
Well written,good story line,kept my interest all through the book. But now disappointed that it is done hopefully for a short time!
Well written,good story line,kept my interest all through the book. But now disappointed that it is done hopefully for a short time!
July 5, 2020
A great read
Looking for a good book ? This is it. Will draw you in from the first chapter and leaves you wanting more.
Looking for a good book ? This is it. Will draw you in from the first chapter and leaves you wanting more.
July 27, 2020
Good read
Interesting story some of it was kind of dumb but entertaining.If you like survival fiction it's a good story in how people will act when panic hits them!
Interesting story some of it was kind of dumb but entertaining.If you like survival fiction it's a good story in how people will act when panic hits them!
Read
November 19, 2020Good
Good but rather generic. I did, however, enjoy the story. It was well written and interesting at the same time.
Good but rather generic. I did, however, enjoy the story. It was well written and interesting at the same time.
February 28, 2023
Seeing is believing
Really great read and can't wait to see how the family gets out of the pickle they are in at the time of the CME.
Really great read and can't wait to see how the family gets out of the pickle they are in at the time of the CME.
March 11, 2025
Wish I would have realized there was no book 2 before I started this. Doesn't seem like we will ever be getting an ending
April 3, 2025
Good book but no sequel in the 4 years since it was published.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews