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The Last Perfect Dawn : A Sci-Fi Apocalypse Survival Thriller

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When security consultant Chris Sullivan is offered a contract to escort a Chinese dissident from an observatory deep in the Chilean Atacama desert, he jumps at the chance.

But when he arrives, something’s off. And pretty soon he’s fighting for his life, caught up in a facility where madness has spread among the residents, something apparently transmitted from outer space.

Meanwhile, the world starts to devolve, people suddenly turning violent, something attributed to an unidentified object hovering above the North Pole.

As the world turns chaotic, Chris finds himself joining a group of disparate companions, consisting of a grizzled survivalist and a young woman who’s about to fulfill her destiny.

And as the group struggles for survival, the major powers of the world attack the object with nuclear weapons, causing an EMP event and forever changing all infrastructure, throwing those who remain sane into survival mode.

"I enjoyed this masterfully woven tale of beautifully designed chaos!... This is the BEST book I've read in a very, very long time!"

"Not the first-contact or post-apocalyptic story you expect. I've never read anything like it..."

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2022

226 people are currently reading
41 people want to read

About the author

Vern Buzarde

10 books15 followers

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5 stars
127 (42%)
4 stars
103 (34%)
3 stars
47 (15%)
2 stars
12 (4%)
1 star
7 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Susan.
1,043 reviews19 followers
March 19, 2025
Kind of a combination of several other apocalyptic stories, couldn't really engage with any of the characters and the whole premise was "out of this world..." Had some redeeming parts tho.
Profile Image for Millie Cunningham.
3 reviews
November 9, 2024
A truly immersive reading experience! The world-building was so detailed and vivid that I felt like I was living in the story. The characters were complex, each with their own unique voice and perspective. The plot was full of unexpected twists, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I was especially moved by the themes of resilience and hope, which were woven throughout the narrative. It’s a book that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

927 reviews8 followers
July 27, 2022
good

Aliens hover over the North Pole. A virus spreads through the internet that alters human what’s the connection. Read and enjoy
Profile Image for Shannon Gray.
3 reviews
November 10, 2024
The Last Perfect Dawn: A Sci-Fi Apocalypse Survival Thriller (Survive the Dark Book 1) is a gripping, action-packed novel that plunges readers into a world on the brink of collapse. The story unfolds in a future where humanity’s survival is at stake, and the fate of the Earth hinges on a handful of resilient survivors. The author does a remarkable job of world-building, creating a dystopian environment that feels both plausible and terrifying. From the very first page, the narrative pulls you into a whirlwind of tension and suspense, as characters struggle not only with the external chaos of a world falling apart but also with their internal conflicts. The writing is sharp, fast-paced, and filled with moments of intense drama that keep you on the edge of your seat, making it hard to put the book down once you’ve started.

The characters are one of the strongest aspects of The Last Perfect Dawn, with each one feeling multi-dimensional and deeply human, even in the face of apocalyptic circumstances. Their personal struggles, relationships, and growth throughout the novel add an emotional depth to the story, grounding the more action-heavy sequences in real, relatable experiences. While the plot is fast-paced and filled with thrilling moments, the book also doesn’t shy away from exploring the psychological toll of survival in a collapsing world, making it not just a survival thriller but a deep reflection on human nature. Though some elements of the story may feel familiar to fans of the genre, the author brings a fresh take on the apocalypse theme, and the cliffhanger ending will undoubtedly leave readers eager for the next installment. Overall, The Last Perfect Dawn is a highly engaging read that combines suspense, action, and thought-provoking themes in a way that will resonate with fans of dystopian fiction and thrillers alike.






Profile Image for Ian Miller.
Author 16 books101 followers
March 16, 2022
This is a science fiction novel that starts with the Chilean telescope detecting an unusual signal. Before long, they all go mad and kill each other. There is one survivor, who was there to escort one of the astronomers to London, and when he is found, he cannot recall anything. Some months later, an alien vessel appears over the North Pole and sends out signals, following which just about everyone on the planet goes mad and kills, focusing more on those who have not gone mad. This is very much a plot-driven story, so I cannot say much more without spoiling.
The story follows several threads, involving isolated people who have not gone mad, and rather cleverly these strands come together in the natural course of events. Many of the characters are quite well drawn, although Forbes is something of a stereotype of fairly solid cardboard, as is what happens due to him towards the end. The way many of the characters respond to the crisis is very well done. The descriptions are good, and the action scenes are well drawn. The basic premise as to how the madness spreads is a bit over the top, but that can be a given. The fact that those with it grow a couple of feet or so taller in a few days is just plain loopy, and unnecessary to the story. Overall, easy to read, and the good points deserve five stars.
Profile Image for Conscientious.
484 reviews10 followers
March 19, 2022
The Last Perfect Dawn by Vern Buzarde is an all-consuming plot containing fast paced action and a thriller post-apocalyptic, with science fiction and adventure. Chris Sullivan is set to save civilization and is in the thick of worst and drastic occurrence happening. The storyline is expertly driven as an EMP takes off the world into chaos and destruction, the fall out and the humanity race for survival intertwines with Chris and Rebecca strongly corresponding to their roles turning this thriller an excellent read. An all engaging and plot driven, this book is a must read.
 
There are a number of unique attributes as to this plot which makes it one compelling read. I love conspiracy theories and sci-fi genre and it fits right in my preferences. The plot is well written and all the characters are well tuned with story. The author's writing style is excellent as the book from start to finish feels so authentic. Recommend this book for its amazing and entertaining plotline which is engaging till the end.
Profile Image for Pam Shelton-Anderson.
1,973 reviews66 followers
March 27, 2022
I found it difficult to really engage in this story. The premise that an actual virus could spread to humans via the Internet and social media has no basis in science; I imagine it might be a metaphor for the author's opinion. While there was some good possibilities in the mystery of the UFO and what was happening to the people affected, it mostly lurched from a small but plucky group that gathered by chance and an end of the world bunker occupied by a rich guy. Usually rich guys take more care in selecting their security forces. I liked a few of the characters like Rex and Anna and to some extent, Chris, but most were seriously one-dimensional. Forbes Hershey not only had an incredibly awkward name, but was downright cartoonish as were the Roman gladiator death matches in the bunker. Rebecca's explanation of the aliens' long game did a little bit to mitigate the lack of a scientific explanation, but at that point, I didn't care much how it ended. I gave it a 3 instead of the 2 because the author took some pains to have decent editing.
Profile Image for Karyn H.
568 reviews10 followers
Read
March 24, 2022
What if a Zombie world existed?

The story talks about a post-apocalyptic world, the apocalypse being the end of the world, which in a way is ironic in a sense because what world exists after the end of the world? The author takes us into how the end of the world itself began. A rampaging virus from aliens found its way to earth, and instantly turns most of the people within a vicinity into mad people, mostly targeting those who escaped being turned into mad people as well.
The author takes us through the origin of the apocalypse, how it spread and consumed the entire world, essentially turning it into a wasteland of mad people. The main character, Chris Sullivan, takes us through several conspiracies behind the attack, joined by a female companion as well.
The book pulls rank with the Resident Evil series, and for gamers, The Last of Us series also. Vern Buzarde did an amazing job with this book. A worthy read.
Profile Image for Celeste.
995 reviews26 followers
March 18, 2022
The Last Perfect Dawn is an apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic thriller novel written by Vern Buzarde. The story starts with a mysterious flying object that seems to be the source of a virus which drives people mad and sends them into a killing frenzy. Some people seem not to be affected by this strange virus, among them is Chris Sullivan. As the world collapses, he will meet some unexpected characters and together they will have to fight to survive.
With well-developed and believable characters, and a thorough description of sceneries and events, the author captures readers’ attention from the first page. The twists and turns in the plot are very well employed and written so as to raise suspense and intrigue up to the last page.
I think this is an extremely enjoyable book and I strongly recommend it.
Profile Image for CarlitasFox.
1,506 reviews28 followers
March 23, 2022
An unputdownable story
“The Last Perfect Dawn” is the first book in the series called “The Soul Survival”. It's an unputdownable post-apocalyptic thriller penned by Vern Buzarde.

The plot involves Chris Sullivan who is a personal security consultant who is hired to carry out a special duty. He must travel to escort a famous political dissident. Unfortunately, the moment he is about to finish his duty, the world turns upside down and he gets trapped in chaos. After that, it's a constant fight for survival.

What a story! It's such a captivating novel that I couldn't put it down. It's well-written with dynamic and complex characters and situations. There are many turns and twists; I was at the edge of my seat all the time because I wanted to know more. All in all, it's an action-packed story worth the while. I recommend it.
Profile Image for Todd Gutschow.
338 reviews7 followers
June 4, 2022
Wow…this book went south quick

The first few chapters were quite interesting. However, when I got about 80% through I had given up all hope this was going to be a serious series…and I won’t be picking up the next book. Spoilers ahead. The first hint I had that this story was going south was that both main characters end up in super survival bunkers…only miles away from each other…highly unlikely. The next one…well, there was this extremely weird segue into a conversation about The Wizard of Oz…that was just so very odd. However, when the inhabitants of one survival bunker bump into the other survival bunker (as unlikely as that is) things really devolved from there. The story took such a ridiculous turn that I thought I was reading the screenplay of a seriously horrible B movie. Any bit of serious writing or creativity went right out the window.
Profile Image for Agustina Sureda.
606 reviews13 followers
March 17, 2022
Vern Buzarde is an author that puts a lot of his experiences traveling into his books; in this case, The Last Perfect Dawn is a book that talks about a journey of desperate scramble for survival as civilization is brought to its knees. Unknown objects are flying the skyes and society is going mad.
This story has a lot going on so if you don't pay attention, it could be confusing but other than that, it is an incredible story of human strengh and tenaisious people that will do everything to protect the ones they love. Characters are strong and compelling. I really like the message Buzarde gives about not loosing hope and even though things change constantly, it is up to you how to transform that change into something possitive. Solid book.
Profile Image for Virginia.
86 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2022
This science-fiction book caught me from the start. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. The characters are compelling, the plot is full of suspense and action, and the story is well written.

Nuclear attacks, devastating consequences for humanity and an unknown virus are part of this thrilling plot. I found several similarities with the current Covid situation in the world. The story is well presented by the author and makes the reader feel closer to the characters involved.

"The Last Perfect Dawn: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller" by Vern Buzarde is a book I recommend, especially for science-fiction lovers like me. I am giving five stars to it because I loved it!
Profile Image for Chico's Mom.
983 reviews9 followers
March 18, 2022
A thrilling peek into the future.

The Last Perfect Dawn (book 1) for me was a great read. I have always been a fan of post-apocalyptic stories because if told right, this could be a guide on how or what we would do in a post-apocalyptic world. I would really recommend reading the book because it was well written, the plot twists were really twisted but believable. My favorite character development was Rebecca’s. The story was easy to follow and for me, and it has the right amount of science fiction, not too impossible to believe. What makes a story scary is that you are not against unknown beings but people who went crazy, due to factors like isolation, which could have been us, or could be us. I don't want to give spoilers so please read it!
Profile Image for Evelyn.
1,301 reviews28 followers
March 18, 2022
This fiction novel grabbed me from the first page. It’s very compelling and well-written. In my humble opinion, the author, Vern Buzarde, deserves a lot of credit on how he manages this story and the talented of his storytelling skills. “The Last Perfect Dawn” is solid, and all the right elements have been added to keep the reader’s interest, or at least this was my case. While an unknown virus threatens to destroy the world, Chris, a personal security consultant, tries to survive finding unexpected situations along the way.
There is a kind of conclusion at the end of this book, so this can be easily a stand-alone novel, but there is much more to be revealed about the main character and a second installment is necessary.
Profile Image for Aneley Sánchez.
988 reviews24 followers
March 19, 2022
A great apocalyptic novel.

The Last Perfect Dawn written by Vern Buzarde is a sci-fi novel of the apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic genre. The book starts when the Chilean telescope detects an unusual signal which supposedly will be responsible for everyone going crazy and killing each other. The story follows a few people who haven't gone mad, including Chris Sullivan, a personal security consultant, who must survive in this chaotic world.
The first phrase of the synopsis is "An unknown virus threatens humanity…". A few years ago it would have been the obvious scoop on a fiction story but now it sounds much more real and terrifying. Characters are interesting and the plot is very well written, so it was really easy to read. I enjoyed it and I honestly recommend it!
Profile Image for Susan B.
495 reviews10 followers
March 20, 2022
This tale definitely has it all, from Chile to London we get to experience so many entangled and twisted sequences of events and fast-paced moments that keep us at the edge of our seats for long.

We are first placed in front of what happens with a Chilean telescope that detects an unusual signal and since then, tables are turned. People die, a lot of people, actually, but there is one survivor who has the important role of escorting to London.

Characters have been incredibly crafted by author Buzarde and clever details in this novel bring the story to life, though it is science fiction in genre.

The Last Perfect Dawn is one of those tales that grips the readers right from the first chapter. Recommended!
Profile Image for Brenda.
1,375 reviews25 followers
March 18, 2022
This mystery sci-fi book was entertaining although it took me a few pages to really get involved with the plot. "The Last Perfect Dawn : A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller" is the perfect book for those sci-fi 5.0 fans, more contemporary or more relatable situations happening along the main story.

It is a very fast paced story that touches on a lot of topics and one of my favorites was how humans react to certain situations unknown to them or that we never ever imagine happening.

Author Vern Buzarde mixed a lot of hot topics into this science fiction book that I think most readers are going to find appealing.
Profile Image for Juan.
425 reviews5 followers
March 18, 2022
I really enjoyed reading “The Last Perfect Dawn”. The characters were likeable, especially the protagonist, Chris. The plot had enough twists and turns to engage me and kept me turning the pages. Great descriptions of the various settings; it is obvious that Vern Buzarde has a talented mind and a lot of imagination since this is a great suspense science-fiction story.
I have read a pair of novels by this author but for me this was the best. Once again he puts together a wonderfully mystery thriller with a twist at the end that caught me off guard.
I highly recommend this piece. It’ s gripping and absorbing from the title to the last word.

Profile Image for Moni A..
49 reviews
March 19, 2022
“The Last Perfect Dawn : A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller” is the first book in the Survive the Dark series written by author Vern Buzarde; an author with a great writing style that captured my attention from the very beginning and held it until the end of the book.
The story attracted me as soon as I read the description, and to be honest what hooked me the most was reading about a strange virus, maybe because of the time we have been living since COVID19.
I would recommend reading this book because the plot is engaging and the author managed to create believable characters in an apocalyptic scenario. I liked it!
Profile Image for Liz.
1,415 reviews35 followers
March 19, 2022
"The Last Perfect Dawn : A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller" is an unmissable thriller written by Vern Buzarde. With unexpected twists, this thriller had me on the edge of my chair all the time. I really consider it a page-turner.
One of the things that I liked the most, apart from the plot itself, were the descriptions of the scenes. The author has a very good handling of the writing style, which makes the reader feel as if they were living it first-hand as they turn the pages.
I certainly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys apocalyptic thrillers, because I'm sure they will enjoy it as much as I did.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,332 reviews23 followers
March 16, 2022
Apocalypse now

A massive EMP wipes out the modern world as we know it. Triggered by an attack on an unknown object around the north pole, the book covers humanity's descent into the chaos of survival through the lens of Chris who is on the road escorting his charge. When things take a drastic turn for the worst, he along with so many others will find out what he is truly made of. Very creative and interesting storytelling, the fallout from the EMP was well researched and written. I enjoyed the book and wouldn't mind another book from this author.
Profile Image for Wendy.
537 reviews4 followers
October 1, 2022
Not a bad book

The story isn’t too bad. My only issue with it is that it’s just another post apocalyptic story. Nothing really makes it stand out. Even the alien aspect wasn’t enough to make it very “different” or more interesting about all other post apocalyptic books I’ve read. It’s not even interesting enough for me to try the next book in the series.
15 reviews
March 31, 2025
interesting concepts

This book is a survival story with a twist. It highlights man’s greed and his need to control and frighten others. It also highlights the fact that as a species we are still very disruptive and a danger to not only each other but our environment. Intervention in this story comes at a price but the potential to save the planet is paramount.
118 reviews
April 19, 2025
Nice easy read

Enjoyed this but then I do enjoy Poast Apocalyptic stories, throw in Aliens and even better.
Easy read and not taxing on the old brain, good enough characters and story line, hopefully there'll be a sequel as there's definitely Room for more stories and,development of the story👍
Profile Image for Katherine Taylor.
6 reviews
November 9, 2024
It had its ups and downs. The concept was unique, but the execution was inconsistent. Some chapters were beautifully written, while others felt rushed and incomplete. The characters had potential, but they needed more depth. A decent read, but not one I’d revisit.

48 reviews
October 6, 2025
This is a nice romantic story for the first third, but the remainder of the book is about how others are dealing with the "shift". The book is well written and will satisfy apolocalyptic stories. I made the mistake of jumping to the end
8 reviews
May 15, 2022
Good Read

This book was well written. A very good end of world story. I will be downloading the next book today.
8 reviews
February 19, 2025
Not bad

Started off ok and then descended into the usual post apocalypse story already told many times. Not too bad though!
417 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2025
An apocalypse started by aliens. Fast moving, fairly well written, with every possible end of world cliche thrown in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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