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EMP Survival in a Powerless World #16
Lights Out
Librarian note: An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
The nation's power grid has failed. Hundreds of millions are left without basic utilities, and the enemy responsible for the EMP's detonation now wreaks havoc throughout the countryside.
After an EMP crisis shakes the foundation of North America, Greenhill, an insignificant town becomes the safe haven for a family.
The nation's power grid has failed. Hundreds of millions are left without basic utilities, and the enemy responsible for the EMP's detonation now wreaks havoc throughout the countryside.
After an EMP crisis shakes the foundation of North America, Greenhill, an insignificant town becomes the safe haven for a family.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2019
617 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 5, 2021
Sometimes I finish a book just to see if I can actually finish it (so I bumped a 1.5 story to a 2 because I did it). First, there were quite a few editing issues. After the EMP, there appear to be well-armed bad guys who are just shooting everyone and blockading the city. This plot goes nowhere and we never see any of this again. My biggest problem was that I could not care about any of the characters. The three main ones were actually criminals, thieves in the process of a getaway when the EMP hits. No redemption in the end of the world here...they steal jewelry from an elderly couple who gave them and their kids shelter and food. The kids are foster kids which they used as a front for respectability ("He and Haley talked about giving up their criminal career to look after the kids but didn't like the idea of change."-sums it up). The town where one of them has a well-prepped house devolves to a fascist state of share-all-you-have-or-else, including killing a man who resists. An even more evil guy who wants to be a despot shows up and things go about like you would expect. These people didn't even have a family pet like a dog or cat that I could root for. I could not really care about any of them and just wanted to finish this story to prove that I could do it.
June 24, 2019
After an EMP explodes over New York, a group of jewelry robbers must choose between the fortune of their lifetime or rescuing their loved ones.
I really enjoyed reading this.
The author has such a way with words.
I felt I was actually seeing every scene unfold in front of me like seeing it as a movie.
Suspenseful and gripping.
Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed reading this.
The author has such a way with words.
I felt I was actually seeing every scene unfold in front of me like seeing it as a movie.
Suspenseful and gripping.
Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2019
Great story
This was a great story with wonderful characters. Loved the action filled story! I am giving this three stars due to the amount of spelling and grammatical errors! Literally, just about every paragraph has errors. Read your stories before publishing or get someone to do your editing. It really distracts from enjoying the story. Otherwise, I loved it!
This was a great story with wonderful characters. Loved the action filled story! I am giving this three stars due to the amount of spelling and grammatical errors! Literally, just about every paragraph has errors. Read your stories before publishing or get someone to do your editing. It really distracts from enjoying the story. Otherwise, I loved it!
July 31, 2019
Good story
This is a good story about everyday people rising to the challenge of a world in disaster.I would like to read more stories by this author.
This is a good story about everyday people rising to the challenge of a world in disaster.I would like to read more stories by this author.
January 28, 2022
Rough
This story started out strong. New York is hit by an EMP just as jewelry thieves make a break from their latest heist. They grab their foster kids and leave the city for their country home. The city is over run by some kind of organized militia. Unfortunately, the militia part of the story ends there. I found that disappointing. It had promise.
They make it to a small town where the local town council is running things with an iron fist. This is where the story gets dicey. It didn't work at all for me. I understand something like brings out the worst in people but the writing itself got really clunky, almost as if someone else wrote it.
I don't think I'll read any more by this author. His work needs some major editing.
This story started out strong. New York is hit by an EMP just as jewelry thieves make a break from their latest heist. They grab their foster kids and leave the city for their country home. The city is over run by some kind of organized militia. Unfortunately, the militia part of the story ends there. I found that disappointing. It had promise.
They make it to a small town where the local town council is running things with an iron fist. This is where the story gets dicey. It didn't work at all for me. I understand something like brings out the worst in people but the writing itself got really clunky, almost as if someone else wrote it.
I don't think I'll read any more by this author. His work needs some major editing.
February 18, 2022
Very entertaining
The story starts with our main characters robbing a high end jewelry store. Haley, Dan and Lawrence step out of the store just as the EMP hits. The adventure begins.
Very different type characters. Not the usual law abiding, standup citizens, but they rise to the challenges.
The story starts with our main characters robbing a high end jewelry store. Haley, Dan and Lawrence step out of the store just as the EMP hits. The adventure begins.
Very different type characters. Not the usual law abiding, standup citizens, but they rise to the challenges.
September 18, 2022
A bomb of a story
The beginning of this story was pretty good. Different from other stories in this genre. BUT......the book is poorly written and all I could do is submit writing errors until I finally had had enough. This book could have been written by a freshman in high school. Decent story but horribly written.
The beginning of this story was pretty good. Different from other stories in this genre. BUT......the book is poorly written and all I could do is submit writing errors until I finally had had enough. This book could have been written by a freshman in high school. Decent story but horribly written.
April 25, 2023
Well this was interesting and it really did work well. I am listening to a lot of this genre right now and always on the lookout for something different - this was clean but had adult themes. It was such an interesting take on it the main characters wanting to be so alone and then becoming part of the community.
The narration really worked
The narration really worked
September 23, 2024
good EMP story with unusual main characters
This was a decent EMP story… I liked that the main characters were different than the average EMP books ( thieves instead of heroes) but I gave it 4 stars because: 1. many grammatical errors 2. I felt the final fight scene was too easily wrapped up 3. Call me stupid, but I didn’t really understand the ending.
This was a decent EMP story… I liked that the main characters were different than the average EMP books ( thieves instead of heroes) but I gave it 4 stars because: 1. many grammatical errors 2. I felt the final fight scene was too easily wrapped up 3. Call me stupid, but I didn’t really understand the ending.
April 29, 2021
Wow. The book is exceptional.
I picked it up and begun to read. I could not pit it down. The subject matter and the characters in the book had me spellbound. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Looking forward to others by this author and the others from this series.
I picked it up and begun to read. I could not pit it down. The subject matter and the characters in the book had me spellbound. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Looking forward to others by this author and the others from this series.
August 4, 2021
Didn't care for the sfory
,I have read several of J.S. Donovan's stories and have enjoyed them, but this one is a sci-fi novel and I don't care for that type of story.
I have never cared for the end of the world stories and I also didn't like the main characters.
,I have read several of J.S. Donovan's stories and have enjoyed them, but this one is a sci-fi novel and I don't care for that type of story.
I have never cared for the end of the world stories and I also didn't like the main characters.
May 5, 2022
I really enjoyed listening to this story of Haley Stone and her husband Dan's family story for survival. I was drawn into this story and could not wait to finish it. But since I have, I am wanting more.
You will not be disappointed with this book.
You will not be disappointed with this book.
May 25, 2023
Interesting take on EMP survival
It was refreshing that the main characters were very flawed and actually not great people. It was interesting to watch how they grew and developed new perspectives and developed a stronger moral compass. I enjoyed this book.
It was refreshing that the main characters were very flawed and actually not great people. It was interesting to watch how they grew and developed new perspectives and developed a stronger moral compass. I enjoyed this book.
January 31, 2021
Yep. More EMP stuff.
What else would you expect? Really enjoyed this one. It was a bit different than the others. That was nice.
What else would you expect? Really enjoyed this one. It was a bit different than the others. That was nice.
October 17, 2022
Lights Out EMP
This book has an easy to follow plot and fascinating characters. I recommend this book to all readers that enjoy learning more about post Apocalypse.
This book has an easy to follow plot and fascinating characters. I recommend this book to all readers that enjoy learning more about post Apocalypse.
May 17, 2023
Lights Out EMP Survival
Pretty good book. Kept me interested from start to finish with no parts that were boring. Would recommend this book to others
Pretty good book. Kept me interested from start to finish with no parts that were boring. Would recommend this book to others
February 20, 2020
Good easy interesting read.
This book hooks you by the third page in that you want to know how 3 friends whom are family can make it out of NYC alive. And with their four kids.
This book hooks you by the third page in that you want to know how 3 friends whom are family can make it out of NYC alive. And with their four kids.
October 26, 2019
Someone just reviewed that "this was a great book with everyday people". I don't think we read the same book! The three lead characters are jewel thieves, they will steal anything that isn't nailed down. They use Foster Parenting where they foster four children as a front. At the time of the EMP the trio (parents and friend) are just stepping out of the jewelry store where they have had a successful heist, with their transportation now inoperable they have to reach home on foot. They also have to gather their unsupervised children in the midst of NYC's falling apart which happens a little too fast even by NYC standards. The family escapes disaster on bicycles and eludes Russian troops who are shooting everyone on sight for some reason, then you never hear about the Russians anywhere else in the book at any time.
The author never does say where the family is headed but my guess is somewhere in rural New Jersey to a town call Greenhill where immediately the Town Council decides for everyone that the townspeople are to give up all their food for the "good" of all and store it in the bank. Most of the townspeople go along with this until they start running out of food, then they are killing all those who held out. The rest of the book is no better than the first half, probably one of the dumber reads in this genre and I read hundreds of them!
You try to judge this book by its cover you'll never figure it out, the little mountain chapel has nothing to do with the story. "Lights Out" has to be the weakest title ever....what, oh, you need a title?...OK
The author never does say where the family is headed but my guess is somewhere in rural New Jersey to a town call Greenhill where immediately the Town Council decides for everyone that the townspeople are to give up all their food for the "good" of all and store it in the bank. Most of the townspeople go along with this until they start running out of food, then they are killing all those who held out. The rest of the book is no better than the first half, probably one of the dumber reads in this genre and I read hundreds of them!
You try to judge this book by its cover you'll never figure it out, the little mountain chapel has nothing to do with the story. "Lights Out" has to be the weakest title ever....what, oh, you need a title?...OK
July 29, 2019
Lawrence, Haley and Dan were just making their escape from robbing a jewelry store when a vehicle crashes into their getaway van but soon all the cars were crashing. They abandon their escape plan and go to walk home. They soon realize that New York was under attack from an E. M. P. pulse. Bombs start and gunfire goes on, pandemonium breaks out. All they can think of getting back to their four foster children and getting out of New York. Survival is now the priority.
This is a great post apocalyptic story and contains all the elements that make a great drama. The characters are well crafted, flawed, intelligent, personable and interesting. The action is non stop and well described although gory at times, it is the end of civilization after all. The human response vary from violence to acceptance. From selfish to selfless. The narrative is well written giving detailed descriptions of the setting and further developing the character’s personalities.
What I liked most was the way the characters developed as they responded to the taxing and horrific situations they were put into. How the family dynamics changed and how love grew despite the pain and chaos surrounding them. It is a well written book and worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great post apocalyptic story and contains all the elements that make a great drama. The characters are well crafted, flawed, intelligent, personable and interesting. The action is non stop and well described although gory at times, it is the end of civilization after all. The human response vary from violence to acceptance. From selfish to selfless. The narrative is well written giving detailed descriptions of the setting and further developing the character’s personalities.
What I liked most was the way the characters developed as they responded to the taxing and horrific situations they were put into. How the family dynamics changed and how love grew despite the pain and chaos surrounding them. It is a well written book and worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 21, 2019
This was a quick read for me as the genre is one of my go to favorites.
The author created a plausible story with very easy to follow characters, their personality quirks and actions fit the plot needs as it unfolded.
The realism of life as we know it ending was well done, the reactions are pretty much what one would expect when society breaks down and anarchy becomes easier to enact.
There are many scenes that are not for the squeamish as the author does not pull the wool over the readers eyes, brutality is explicit and death sometimes not as quick for the dying as it is violent.
For me the trio of Dan, Haley and Lawrence never became more but they did step up when it was needed as much for their own sakes as for others, mostly because of Haley.
The author created a plausible story with very easy to follow characters, their personality quirks and actions fit the plot needs as it unfolded.
The realism of life as we know it ending was well done, the reactions are pretty much what one would expect when society breaks down and anarchy becomes easier to enact.
There are many scenes that are not for the squeamish as the author does not pull the wool over the readers eyes, brutality is explicit and death sometimes not as quick for the dying as it is violent.
For me the trio of Dan, Haley and Lawrence never became more but they did step up when it was needed as much for their own sakes as for others, mostly because of Haley.
June 24, 2019
Wow! One great book! For an indie writer, this author has some serious writing skills.
The book starts off at page 1 with adrenaline rush action and doesn't let up. I had a hard time putting it down. I also had moments where my heart was pounding, it was that intense.
I would not only recommend this to anyone who is into pulse quickening, heart pounding action packed post-apocalyptic fiction (as I am), but I predict that this author will end up on the best sellers' list at some point if some smart publisher sees how good this guy is. I can see this going to film as well. Hopefully a publisher followed by a producer will see the value in this story and go for it!
J.S. Donovan---WELL DONE, SIR!
The book starts off at page 1 with adrenaline rush action and doesn't let up. I had a hard time putting it down. I also had moments where my heart was pounding, it was that intense.
I would not only recommend this to anyone who is into pulse quickening, heart pounding action packed post-apocalyptic fiction (as I am), but I predict that this author will end up on the best sellers' list at some point if some smart publisher sees how good this guy is. I can see this going to film as well. Hopefully a publisher followed by a producer will see the value in this story and go for it!
J.S. Donovan---WELL DONE, SIR!
June 19, 2019
I loved this book and I gave it five stars because the story kept my attention through out the whole story. I really enjoy a book that makes me interested in what will happen next in the lives of the characters. This is a story about Haley, Dan and Lawrence. They are thieves in New York city. Their struggle to survive is very convincing and emotional. Haley's character grows into a good women who fights for those she loves. Read this book you will love it as much as I did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 24, 2019
The author has written a wonderful story and made me think about some not so pleasant truths if anything like this were ever to happen. The characters are faced with a situation that they are ill prepared for and have to face a number of moral dilemmas. There is wonderful character development as the story continues and I was completely engrossed in the plot and the characters struggle to come to terms with what had happened and how to survive. This is a brilliant book and I also purchased it from Amazon as well as receiving a free copy via Booksprout, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 6, 2020
Good but needs editing
Off to a good start and then they got to town and Haley got more and more annoying. Parts of this story were so infuriating and I had to skip ahead. There’s TONS of grammatical errors. Backwards words. Misspellings. Missing words. Saying someone spoke when another one was supposed to be speaking, etc. Midway through I just started highlighting stuff as my own edits. Anyway, it wasn’t bad, it held my attention and I enjoy the genre. I got through it, it just needed a good editor.
Off to a good start and then they got to town and Haley got more and more annoying. Parts of this story were so infuriating and I had to skip ahead. There’s TONS of grammatical errors. Backwards words. Misspellings. Missing words. Saying someone spoke when another one was supposed to be speaking, etc. Midway through I just started highlighting stuff as my own edits. Anyway, it wasn’t bad, it held my attention and I enjoy the genre. I got through it, it just needed a good editor.
July 23, 2019
Could not, would not, put this one down.
I read this one clear through in one evening. I literally could not stop. At 2 AM I fell asleep and awoke at 5:30 and finished an epic, excellent, thriller. The only thing I would change is the references to the Peters family from Peterses to Peters', it was a small thing but being a person steeped in erudition an unnecessary annoyance that it was not caught in the proofing or editing. Still have it rated a five star read.
I read this one clear through in one evening. I literally could not stop. At 2 AM I fell asleep and awoke at 5:30 and finished an epic, excellent, thriller. The only thing I would change is the references to the Peters family from Peterses to Peters', it was a small thing but being a person steeped in erudition an unnecessary annoyance that it was not caught in the proofing or editing. Still have it rated a five star read.
August 20, 2019
Captivating Apocalyptic Yarn
Each major character had their flaws but was well flushed out. Hayley,Dan and Lawrence were childhood friends who grew up to be con-artist and thieves who was always looking for the next best thing. The story line seemed believable but I didn't like the way Hayley talked down to Dan whenever he voiced his opinion on anything she disagreed on. All in all great job.
Each major character had their flaws but was well flushed out. Hayley,Dan and Lawrence were childhood friends who grew up to be con-artist and thieves who was always looking for the next best thing. The story line seemed believable but I didn't like the way Hayley talked down to Dan whenever he voiced his opinion on anything she disagreed on. All in all great job.
July 3, 2019
EMP: Surviving the Collapse by J.S Donovan is an awesome story that I have loved reading very much. I loved reading this box set so much and I highly recommend this awesome story to everyone who loves reading about thiller, suspense and military science fiction in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 18, 2019
This was a good book but a hard read.
It was very hard to stick with this book to the end. It had many good page Turner parts but they were short lived died out fast and it drug out way too long until the next exciting part. I think it would take an avid reader to see it through and not give up and find another book to read.
It was very hard to stick with this book to the end. It had many good page Turner parts but they were short lived died out fast and it drug out way too long until the next exciting part. I think it would take an avid reader to see it through and not give up and find another book to read.
July 6, 2019
Great story
Well written but this is the first ebook I have ever read with so many typos. So many I had to re-read many sentences to try to figure out what the author meant. Great read though.
Well written but this is the first ebook I have ever read with so many typos. So many I had to re-read many sentences to try to figure out what the author meant. Great read though.
July 26, 2019
I really, really liked this book.
Not a group of people that you imagine you'd root for, but they win your heart.
They showed more vulnerability than I expected. But that's a good change of pace in a genre where most main characters are hard & cynical from the jump.
Not a group of people that you imagine you'd root for, but they win your heart.
They showed more vulnerability than I expected. But that's a good change of pace in a genre where most main characters are hard & cynical from the jump.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews