Shadows

American Midnight #1

by David Kazzie

DARKNESS FALLS

In an instant, the world goes dark. Power grids fail, planes fall from the sky, and America is thrown into chaos.

Lucy Goodwin, an emergency room nurse, is anxious to get home to Virginia when her life is turned upside down by the mysterious blackout. Trapped in Washington, DC, and lucky to be alive after her train crashes, she realizes her journey home is only getting started.

Lucy befriends a young girl orphaned by the disaster, and together, they must face down humanity’s capacity for darkness if they are to survive the opening days of America’s new reality.

Genres: Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2020

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The book takes place in the not-too-distant future, and disasters are everywhere. Think power outage plus gas shortage plus no cell phones. Yikes. Kazzie crafts a compelling story with likable protagonists and yucky villains, set in my home state of VA. I bought the hard copy, and simultaneously listened to the audiobook. I was glad to have both because I could "read" the book when my audiobook windows were closed. Glad the next book in the series is available immediately! One less existential crisis to contend with!

Side note: Afterward of book was affecting and poignant, don't forget to read it, too.

[Lissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Black people do not go “white as a sheet” when scared. Considering the connotations, describing a little black girl scrabbling onto someone’s back “like a baby monkey” is in terribly, terribly poor taste.

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by this author and found it to be quite good. While there are a couple of editing issues, they were very minor and overall the writing had a good flow. I was a little anxious about Lucy who wanted to stop all of the time and help nearly everyone. I get that she is a good nurse and a good person, haunted by a tragedy in her past, but sometimes in the apocalypse you need to focus on survival. I hope we see more of Tim as I like him and look forward to the next book.

[David Homchuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average at best. If you’re looking for a grid down scenario that scratches the hitch for the survivalist and the prepared you won’t get that from this book. The closing scenes and the rapidity of which the Dark forces of society are able to organize and take over entire complexes is completely unrealistic. He author attempts to draw upon the main characters attachment to a lost family member which the way good idea, doesn’t really fit in smoothly with a story. This isn’t the worst publishing book I’ve read it’s not the best either

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

this is one of those books that really makes you think, what would you do in their situation. Lucy is simply trying to go home, after another day of nursing. What starts out to be a simple routine, soon changes her life forever. Tragedy, survival! This is what Lucy needs to face. Now, she is not facing it alone. no electricity, has changed the world. Lucy, and Nora, must survive together. You will definitely be emotionally involved with all characters.

[Kathy Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing author, who NEVER disappoints!

Awesome, fast paced read. You won't regret reading any book by this author! I challenge you to read one of his books...you will, undoubtedly, be hooked!

[Patricia King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Great book and hope to read more soon. Unfortunately the virus is still very much here. I read to pass time that drags. Recommend this book to any one that enjoys post apocalyptic fiction. After all we still have power and running vehicles.

[Jan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of your seat fiction...or is it. Anything is possible now.

Another great read from David. It's crisp, emotional and David, I didn't spot any spelling errors. Can't wait for the next book.

[Ken Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

Very fast paced story with many interesting characters. The story speaks to the fact that civilization is just a thin veneer that is easily discarded when trouble comes.

[Melinda Rosenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Great read. I was hooked from the very beginning. I am so looking forward to reading book 2 in this series.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Done. I look forward to more. It's June now, Co-Vid still here, increasing daily since they started reopening here in Texas.

[Tena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is closer to scary than a zombie apocalypse.

[Belynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down - should have checked to make sure the whole trilogy was done before starting... On to book 2! Happy to see a kick ass - take charge woman taking down the bad men!

[JoAnn Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn’t bad but I’m not sure I’ll move on to book 2. The main character Lucy has had a rough few years and just seems depressed. She is a nurse at a convention/training heading back home when an EMP hits crashing the train she is on. After much horror and triage she ends up with a young girl in her care. Chaos ensues when she follows another nurse to a friends home only to find that they are traitorous scumbags willing to kill and sell off a child to get what they want. Lucy having been a soldier at some point in her life manages to get the kidnapped child back and head out to her home. Having lost a daughter of her own she is determined to care for this one. She just doesn’t really have much personality and the sad story I think is to make us sympathize and connect with her but just couldn’t feel it.

[Jay Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure I can keep reading. Early on, the main character, an ER nurse is with another ER nurse, after a HUGE accident. Dead and dying everywhere. Even though they are fine, they wait until after a doctor on the scene checks them all out to mention they are nurses and fine, and offer to help. The doctor replies, Yes! We need all the help we can get." Um, then maybe dont check out the ones who are fine!!!!! Triage and help the most seriously injured, like the one who had her arm torn off and bled out awhile later. If she'd gotten help earlier.....!

Also, does the author know what an 11 year old looks like? They keep carrying this kid around. My neice is 11 and 5ft 6 inches. Her 2 best friends are about the same. She also would not be excited about a teddy bear.

Update- Finished the book. Skimmed large sections.

[Leslie preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give a 10 I would!!!

Excellent book, very very well.written! Fast paced and full of twists and turns. I am fairly new to survival books and this one is a must read. Great character development and storyline. Some post apocalyptic books are detail oriented , or zombie like. This was a thriller. Can't wait to begin book 2

[Robin L DiSalvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. There was so much happening to Lucy my heart went out to her, but she didn’t back down or give up. I hope she runs into to some of the good people again in the next book. No spoilers but this is a “must read “ if you like EMP stories about survival.

[Kimberly Hroma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters!

I enjoy post apocalyptic stories! Hope i never experience this myself, but i take mental note of many things. Mostly i just enjoy the story but it must have great characters, that i want to read about & care about-this story has those things!! Looking forward to what the next book un the series brings!!

[Laurel Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this twice. Just as good the second time. Read the sequel and looking forward to book three.
An electronmagnetic pulse had stopped the Earth's electronics. Jets, cars, trains, batteries, anything that uses electricity or batteries and more. Chaos ensues.
A fun read!

[Marilyn Saul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great post-apocalyptic novel! Very likeable characters. Interesting take on what life would be like if EMPs wiped out everything we are so used to. I liked it enough to order the next two books in the series :-)

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

A wonderful apocalyptic novel. Well written. A bit scary at some points but we'll worth reading. highly recommend reading this book. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series

[Paul Madsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very typical EMP saga

Two co-workers returning from medical conference survive a train wreck along with a 11 year old girl. Their trials are just beginning. Who will survive? That's the tale. Very PG with no surprises.

[Shelley Bleese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

I've never hear of this author before but I really enjoyed this book. I like his writing style, his detailed description makes it seem like its really happening as you read it. I will read more of this authors books and recommend them.

[Paula K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very real “could happen” type story if an EMP Attack happened in the US. And as usual shows the bravery of the human race while at the same time showing those that are the worst of us. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Sandra L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

It was hard to read with the pandemic still upon us but with the strong characters in the book it gives us all strength knowing we can get through anything.

[Stuart Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows

One of the best books I’ve read in a while, characters are believable ( only thing it was missing was a dog, all apocalyptic dogs have a dog but not this one )

[Mark Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good…justa little leftist messaging. Good action though

[Mike Ziebarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed reading the first book in the series. The characters were interesting and the story line was great

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, though a bit wordy in description, planning, and internal thought, and lower on dialog than I generally like.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Loved this book.Characters were great, lots of action and it never slowed down. It just got better as it went along!