Darkest Night

Nuclear Dawn #5

by Kyla Stone

The end is near...

Logan and Dakota must prepare for the fight of their lives in order to defeat an enemy more powerful than they've ever faced.

The lives of everyone they love are on the line.  The stakes couldn't be higher.

Will they have what it takes? Or will the cost of victory be too terrible to bear?

Darkest Night is the final book in the riveting Nuclear Dawn post-apocalpytic series. Get it now!

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

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2019

Reviews

[Barbara Brumley Brandenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I liked the books. Again, the 5 books should have been published as ONE book. Splitting the book into five made for a great deal of repetitive writing, as the author had to describe over and over the two main characters feelings about themselves and others from the past.

[Daniel Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the battle at the safe-house, Maddox captures Eden and takes her back to the religious compound. After returning, Eden finds out that the religious cult is responsible for detonating the bombs and is able to tell Dakota. Dakota and Logan go after Eden and are able to persuade the military to launch, if necessary, an attack on the compound. A fantastic ending to an entertaining series. And having Dakota’s support, Logan is able to put his past behind him.

[Emms-hiatus(ish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

This series could've been a really good book, maybe two, with editing and taking out all of the unnecessary filler.

[Jada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate the series overall as a 4⭐️

I really enjoyed it! I went into it not knowing much but also thinking it had a supernatural element to it, which I was surprised it didn’t.

If you like apocalyptic stories, you’d enjoy this. If you aren’t a huge fan of end of world stuff, I wouldn’t recommend. It’s a really long series for this genre of book.

But it was fun!

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything so far has been heading towards what happens in this one. With quick thinking on Eden's end she finds a way to communicate with Dakota and lets her know some big info. Info so big that Dakota shares it with the government friends she made along the way. This changes things as with a new bomb in play, Dakota feels the need to stop that along with getting Eden back. At least this time she has more help than just her crew and those she picked up at Ezra's place. Even with that help, it's a battle and many are lost. But in the end Dakota and her people do what needs to be done and get their bad guy and hardest of all, leave him alive to confess to all that he did and the help he had. So while the world is in shambles, it could have been so much worse for them all. Now they can start to rebuild their lives.

[Marilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series finishes strong and there's a lot of closure for the storylines. What takes place at the compound seems farfetched, but at the same time I think it's about what I was hoping would happen. I'm happy with how things ended but it would have been nice to get into the rebuilding phase a little bit.

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a bittersweet ending!

Like all the others in the Nuclear Dawn series, there was a lot of action in this book which made the time reading seem to go by quickly.

[Rob Nankin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion of the 5 book series. An average “end of world “ book along with the first four. Worth a read.

[Allison Charter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyla. Stone. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dah, so very CLOSE!

Despite my love for this book, (and I did love it) I can't deny that I'm kinda bummed that it was the first and only book of the series to rate under 5-stars. After such a solid run, you almost can't really blame me for expecting it to go the ultimate distance. But when I more than once got to a point that I had to talk myself into giving it 5-stars, I knew it wouldn't happen. I guess that sort of pressure was far too great for this final book in the series to shoulder.

But first lemme mention the good things. No, the GREAT things. Pretty much everything I praised about the previous books continued on in this one. As per usual, it picks up where the previous entry left off, as has been the case in every single entry. Dakota is swamped with grief over the loss of Eden to the Shepherds, and Ezra to death, not to mention Park and the many others she felt responsible for. Now she's gotta try to pick up the pieces of her mangled heart to somehow soldier on to war with at place she dreaded ever returning to. The action, the violence, and the thrills are all present. There's definitely no lack of suspense and grit, no lack of brutality in this newest war. It was all high stakes craziness, and I really FELT the "need to win" pressure along with the characters, especially when the Shepherds have yet another bomb in their possession (which I didn't see coming).

Our characters are solidified into their final growing arcs, and I love how close they came to one another, practically family. Loved Logan finding his peace from his demons, love that he and Dakota became inseparable. I loved Eden finding her strength. Loved Shay and Hawthorne finding new love in each other. I pretty much knew we wouldn't lose Dakota, Eden, or Logan to deaths (plot armor and all), but I'm insanely glad I didn't lose Julio or Shay or a smattering of others. I don't think I could have handled another cry fest from losing characters I adored. I absolutely did NOT suspect that Eden's foster parents would pop into the picture again and when they did, I was ecstatic. This series absolutely NEEDED a happy ending for our core group, and it delivered (for the most part).

But alas, I've got complaints, things I couldn't overlook this time.

For one thing, Kyla botched a fantastic opportunity when it came to the Shepherds' involvement with the nuclear bombs. Rather than leaving their culpability a surprise revelation in this final book, she opted to tell us that tidbit an entire two books ago, (which is something I complained about in the review). A premature move. This decision essentially lessened what could have been the ultimate shock value. I would have LOVED to have learned about their involvement right along with Eden when the Prophet was bragging, or even when Julio was translating Eden's morse code. Such perfectly missed opportunities. But sadly, Kyla chose to deny me the surprise of it all. Sorta cheapened the villainy. It also didn't help that Maddox's development was painfully predictable too. I saw him switching sides way early on, though I don't understand why he felt the need to shoot Hawthorne first and THEN turn on the Prophet. Of all the character arcs, Maddox's was the most nonsensical.

And another thing, I couldn't help but feel like the story is incomplete, even BEYOND Kyla leaving things to my imagination. You're just gonna have everyone hugging their goodbyes and then that's it? The end? How does Eden fair with her sickness? Did she get a transplant? Did she NEED one? Her departure left Dakota with a throbbing new twinge of heartache to contend with, (since the entire series is literally about saving Eden), so it really sucks to not have seen how both of them grew even MORE from the events in this series. How did Dakota cope after saying goodbye? How about her thing with Logan? I didn't even get to see her tell him she loved him. I would have wanted the two back at Ezra's compound, reuniting with their new friends and maybe in time, reunite with Eden. Heck, maybe even see how the theater folks fared. Dakota could have learned a little more signing too; how cool it would have been to see Eden and her conversing like that. These things are something a simple epilogue or even mere extra chapter or two could have solved, but since Kyla provided neither, I was left a bit.... deflated. Having the characters narrate their intents just isn't the same as it is being a part of it. Now if Kyla comes back with a surprise bonus epilogue to the series, maybe I can forgive this whole thing and throw in the extra star, but until then.... nah.

At any rate, though, this series was still fan-frickin-TASTIC anyway, even if didn't go out with a full-on bang. In its entirety (which is how I believe this series should be treated), it's a great story, and would be totally cool to see on the small or big screen. I truly hope Kyla can give us a surprise epilogue somewhere down the line but, if not, I'm still super glad I joined in on the fun. Now to find what MORE I can devour from her.

[Nisareen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I am coming for you Maddox. I’m going to kill your father. I am going to kill the Prophet. And then, I am going to kill you.”

Dakota is finally forced to confront her past when she sets out to rescue Eden from the clutches of the Soldiers of Mercy. With the cult intent on carrying out the final phase of their diabolical plan, can Dakota and her team succeed in extricating Eden in time and thwart another attack on US soil?

Darkest Night is the fifth and final instalment of the Nuclear Dawn series. The book is told from Dakota, Eden, Logan, Maddox and Shay’s perspectives. The previous instalment ended on a devastating cliffhanger which saw the death of a beloved character as well as Eden’s abduction. Darkest Night picks up immediately after those events. While Dakota and her friends conduct the funeral, Eden is brought before her father and is horrified to learn that not only must she marry the Prophet the following day, but that the Shepherd’s are responsible for the spate of nuclear attacks across America. Luckily she is able to get word to Dakota by a radio transmitter. Dakota in turn tries to warn Hawthorne. Without evidence however, Hawthorne’s hand are tied and it’s up to Eden and an unexpected ally to provide the necessary proof. Can Dakota and Eden avert another catastrophic attack and at what cost?

Once more the author has delivered a well crafted, suspenseful instalment which kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot moved along fluidly and while certain scenes crackled with tension, others tugged at my heartstrings.

This has been a fantastical multi layered journey of self discovery, powered by adept character development, relentless pacing and building to a climax that is neat and satisfying. I’ll definitely be looking out for future works from the author.

Highly recommended for fans of post apocalyptic survival thrillers.

I received an advanced free audible copy of Point of Impact and I am voluntarily reviewing it. Stacey Glemboski has masterfully brought the characters and story to life with her clear, concise delivery which made it easy to differentiate between characters.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense Family Drama

This last installment in the Kyla Stone’s Nuclear Dawn series is intense. It is so intense that at times I had to step away and take a breath. What a rare find.

What is also a rare find is the fact that this series is a family drama. The whole series is about family. We are taken on the journey with Dakota trying to find and keep her sister Eden. This is true family devotion.

BUT there are so many other family interactions in this series. Some families create good relationships and some bad. Gangs are families, cults are families, folks thrown together through diversity create families.

The River Grass Compound took “family” and distorted it to control its followers. All cults have a parental figure, usually patriarchal. They use that parental figure to control their followers.

All Maddox wants is to be is accepted by his father. What son doesn’t want to please and be accepted by their parent. There are many children in foster care who have been abused by their parents, removed from them, and still defend them and want their approval. This is the basest form of family.

A gang, for all of the bad connotation that that word creates (there are good ones), is a family, albeit loosely developed.

On the more conventional side you have Ezra, Dakota and Eden, the Collier brothers, Julio trying to get back to his family, Hawthorne and Shay, Eden and her foster parents, the little boy at Logan's apartment, and even the woman and kids at the theater. And finally Dakota and Logan.

This series has been a well written and intense saga of the struggles and difficulties that will arise after the destruction of all of the major infrastructure within our society. Many stories dwell on the devastation without looking at the possibilities within ourselves. Kyla Stone has shown us what we can become when we keep the idea of family within us.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a great series and this conclusion just couldn't get better! After 13 cities in the US are decimated by nuclear bombs, survivors are just trying to get their lives back to normal. Unfortunately, for some survivors, normal isn't such a good thing.

Dakota Sloane and her younger sister, Eden, have escaped from a fanatical religious cult and had been living in Miami when the bombs hit. Dakota will risk everything to keep Eden safe. However, Maddox Cage and the Shepherds are equally determined to bring Eden back to the Compound and get revenge on Dakota.

Dakota and her friends, Logan, Julio, Ezra, Park and Shay, along with newfound allies in the US military, discover that the Shepherds are even worse than Dakota imagined. Were the attacks truly instigated by Iran or is something more nefarious lurking in the Everglades?

Kyla Stone has created a great cast of characters and in this book, the reader finally learns the whole truth about The Prophet and his plans. This book is full of emotion as characters are tested both physically and emotionally. The author manages to bring all of the loose ends together in this final installment in a satisfying and believable manner and I will admit to shedding a few tears along the way.

The narrator, Stacey Glemboski, does a great job and her performance added a lot to my listening enjoyment. The listener can really feel the emotions of the characters in her performance.

If you enjoy the post-apocalyptic genre, you won't be disappointed with this series. There is enough action to satisfy even the most diehard thrill seekers, while those looking for a more character driven story will also enjoy it. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author and chose to review it.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally! The story is complete. It has taken Kyla Stone 5 books to tell one story...and that's too much. There are many, many places where the story drags out far too long. Where the action should be fast-paced, the story simply crawls. It makes one say, "Alright, already. Get on with it!" Also, the story is far too contrived to be realistic.

The characters are compelling and Stacey Glemboski performs them well. She gives distinctive voices to the characters and delivers an excellent performance overall.

Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Natasha Rough · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much going on in this series. Never a dull moment.
I am a little sad it’s over because like what happens next? Feels like there’s still more to tell.

[David A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like this as much as the previous in the series. Just too churchy for me. A good story though,

[L. J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

TBA

[Sean Raggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series/Book 5 review:

This series definitely picked up with the final two books. I agree with another reviewer’s statement on how it could’ve been combined into more than five books, as some of the repeating of themes only served to excessively highlight aspects I didn’t really enjoy. Granted, I listened to it in audiobook format at work so there wasn’t the natural breaks of stopping reading and coming back to it. I picked this up as an audiobook box set, so I was determined to finish it despite how I had mixed feelings on the first three books. *minor spoilers ahead, if you’ve read this far into the series it’s not a spoiler*

The brutality of some of the action scenes was a surprise, but a pleasant one. However, the language could’ve used a bit of a profane boost to me. In the heat of battle, I expect more than just soft, not even cuss words, to be yelled. I enjoyed the cult aspects, even though the story moved to be mostly cult-related by this point and less about the nuclear bomb. I found my favorite characters to be Shae and Julio. I pictured Logan as Pedro Pascal lol

The discovery made at the end was a little deflating for me as it’s not much different from stories of video games and other media I’ve seen/read, and could’ve done with it just being delusion religious extremism. I might have enjoyed less if a redemption arc for some of the characters, but don't feel as though they were truly redeemed.

As someone who enjoys romance and such in books, one of the romantic pairings didn’t really do it for me. I get the ways it effected the people based on their backstory, but maybe it’s just because I didn’t love some of the characters.

A more bitter than sweet ending, not sure how much I liked it. Wish there was an epilogue to hear how stuff went after, assuming no more books with these characters will be written.

Overall this was the second book in the series I found myself excited to keep listening to, the first being Book 4. While I may not go back to it, it did make me curious to check out more of the author’s work.

[Elizabeth Duckworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of Kyla Stone's latest offering "Nuclear Dawn" was so exciting from book one through book 5. I went through all of them one after the other and each one got better and better, full of action, some of it improbable but that's what make good action reading so much fun. There were were lots of hero's and lot's of bad guys, tons of misery and an equal amount of triumphs. It was hard for me to decide who my favorite person was in theses books Kyka Stone has a talent for making all the characters so interesting, even the bad ones. Each book has a brief synopsis so I'm not going to even give one here, suffice it to say at the very get go in the beginning, 13 nuclear bombs go off in the big cities of America, killing hundreds of thousands nationwide. This story focuses on Florida particularly Miami and it's surrounding areas, it focuses on the survival of the survivors, the good, caring people, and the people who lose their humanity and turn on others. Mostly, it's a story of an unlikely group who happen to gather together for the immediate first couple of days hiding out from the radiation's fallout and the days and weeks that follow. I'm usually pretty good at putting a book down at night since I'm a (old) senior and really know I need a certain amount hours of sleep to function the next day but this time I found myself still reading at 3AM, good thing my sweet husband gets up early every morning and makes the coffee (secret to a happy marriage). The books were so good I know I'm going to miss all the characters for awhile.:-)

[Maria Vargas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was packed with a lot of action but again, I feel there was no need for this to be 5 books long. The entire thing could have been probably 2 or 3 books long.

☢️ Dakota took thins long to finally realize that asking for help doesn't make you a weak person.
☢️ Eden was the big star on this book because she found a way to find what was needed for the government to get involved but also, she was able to grow as a strong girl. She did more than I could had done without peeing myself.
☢️ I got scared for a moment with Logan, but he is made of steel, damn he kept fighting until the end.
☢️ That compound was 100% brainwashed they is nothing you could say to make them see the Prophet was lying to them. Even more, there's nothing Maddox could do to make me feel sorry for him. He got some mercy by the end; Dakota gave him more than he deserved.
☢️ That little surprise at the end of the book made me cry for real. I had forgotten about them completely after so many books.
☢️ I really didn't like when the entire motive behind the bombs was revealed. Too far stretch to be a real thing but who knows... this shows what the author believes on, besides been a bit too religious for my taste.

THANK GOD ITS OVER! Moving on!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action packed, no holds barred. This what I’ve been waiting for and WOW everybody stepped up to the plate. Eden blew into her own, fear be damned. Dakota is true martyr, her inner warrior just can’t surrender. And Logan… he found his redemption but sealed it with a stoic “I think I love you” and straight into the heart of the beast, 100% all in devotion. Hawthorn is the most serendipitous player in this book. One man with dedication to serve, follows his gut, which ultimately leads to saving a nation and bringing our enemies to justice. Those blind sheep and their Shepherds madness, you have want to help yourself, if you can only follow, you’re destined to walk right off the cliff.
Once the dust settled the wrap up was fairly disappointing, quick good byes, no real direction, and lot of blanks left to the reader’s imagination. I guess that’s what some people are looking for, I’m just not one of them.
I chalk this up to a solid but unfulfilling read. I think the author gets too comfortable fluffing the first half of series and forgets or is just to detached to see it the end. I will say it was good to read an apocalyptic story that doesn’t necessitate complete destruction of all communication and modern technology

[Chris Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dakota and Logan have had some tough struggles since a series of nuclear explosions rocked the US. Not least of which was a full on gun battle with the Shepherds Of Mercy that cost the lives of some very dear loved ones. Not only that but Eden, Dakota’s younger sister, has been recaptured and will be forced into a marriage she is too young to understand. With all this happening our heroes know their toughest challenge is upon them. Kyla Stone does not disappoint with this finale to the series. Each book has been excellent and I’ve enjoyed them all and had very high hopes for what this final book would deliver. It simply gave me everything I could have asked for and more. There’s action, tension and finally some revelations that explain the Shepherds actions. I don’t want to give away what actually happens but take it that it’s a great read and Kyla Stone wraps everything up nicely for the reader. My only question: what will I do now without Dakota, Logan, Eden and co. on my reading list?

[Ez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another solid book in this series for me and finished off the Nuclear Dawn boxset on a high note. With all of the teasers, past history and fallout from the nuclear attack in Miami leading up to the culminating events in this book, Dakota, Eden and Logan are put to the test, coming head to head with the River Grass Compound. There was plenty of action when old and new friends make a stand, trying to bring justice to those that deserve it. While some of the former books in this series moved at a slower pace, this one certainly ramped things up a bit and the author made sure all loose ends were tied up nicely. Dakota and Logan's relationship is cemented, although it definitely remains a slow burn and a secondary component to the main apocalyptic plot line. Most readers will be able to predict where some of the story line is heading, but this didn't detract from how entertaining the book was. I really enjoyed this series and the author ended things on a high, if somewhat melancholic, note. This was another winner for me from Kyla Stone.

[Brittany Duszczyszyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series it was the most realistic post apocalyptic series I’ve ever read/ listened to.

Lots of real human emotions and more realistic fights & post fights crash than any other similar series!

This book was also less racist than some of the series I’ve read especially coming from Florida, but there’s still some there. Especially when they were escalating and almost nuked Iran (who actually has zero nukes and has agreed to be inspected) yet no mention of Israel who were told has anywhere from 40-400 hidden nukes never letting anyone inspect them. Not to mention all the war crimes they commit & APIC had bought and paid for just about all of the politicians in both sides. The USA is literally on the brink of a civil war today and it’s Israel who profits off of America not Russia like in the books (not that I’m suggesting they couldn’t but this book would of been way more relevant if the author made the puppet master Israel!)

Scary times we’re living in!

[Francesco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vote: 3,50
Class: L-A3 (FP)

(final book out of five)

This is the second apocalyptic series by Kyla Stone after The Last Sanctuary and it is somewhat similar (well, it has the same feel about it!).
It's about a terrorist attack on U.S. soil with catastrophic consequences.
I've already read all the books in this series and the story and characters are quite good but it only follows the story of a group a people without telling us much about the world at large.
Fast pacing and well written I quite enjoyed reading this series but it didn't really make it to four full stars in my opinion.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having finished all 5 book in the series in less than a week (37 audible hours) I can confirm it was something life got in the way of way too much for me. The only thing that could have made this better for me was if I could have locked my doors, sat with my latest crochet make and done the whole series in one go. Unfortunately that was not possible.
That now 2 series of Kyla Stones I have loved and I don’t doubt the third, that I’ll be starting after writing this, will be just as good.
I don’t want to put any spoilers in so all I can say is that with the current state of world’s political climate, I’m very tempted to start being a prepper myself after this and the edge of survival series. I am even writing down the helpful tips such as the shampoo recipe and relearning morse code.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the last book in the nuclear dawn series. I was gripped by it, not because of particularly good writing (it often felt clunky and cheesy) but because of the combination of a fast pace and thriller style and that she got a lot right about the complexities of surviving family violence. She also managed to make none of it especially triggering, somehow. Impressive considering the subject matter. The prepping and nuclear bomb survival stuff was accurate and I learned some things, too! Gripping interpersonal threads, too, and good characterisation. I listened to it on audiobook, and it was well read.

[Byron Hallson · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic series

I thoroughly enjoyed this entire series, start to finish. A gripping telling of people trapped after an enormous terrorist attack, and the hours, then days, weeks and months into the aftermath. True horror begins after the flash, not just at the time of it.

This would make an incredible HBO series.

I believe this was the last of Ms Stones multi book series for me to read. I’ve read them all back to back, or had Siri read to me after spinal surgery this past week. As I lay in a hospital bed barely able to move, Ms Stones book not only kept me entertained, but sane. Thank you.

[Jim Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

So a couple of books in this series were a bit uneven and the characters were hard to like at times. But the ending was especially satisfying. And hats off to The author for taking a tough topic and tough people and making them authentic and real without gratuitous language and sex. She could have taken this story to excess with the violence and harshness, but there was a restraint that made it feel like real people stuck I. A hard situation and doing their best to get by without losing themselves. I’d highly recommend this series but you do need to read the books in order.

[Robert Riger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!

I was fascinated with the character building the intense situations the drama the action the way the story was put together was just incredible. I could not put this down I read all of them in 5 days and enjoyed every minute of it Kyla you are a wonderful writer and storyteller. I had read your edge of collapse books before this one and I knew this would be good it was not only good it was fantastic. Thank you for what you do you definitely have a gift. Be well