Surviving Anarchy

by Grace Hamilton

The world is broken. And it can’t be fixed…

Before an EMP blast shattered her world, Molly was a high school English teacher. Now, she’s responsible for keeping five teens, four adults, and a dog safe in a world where the bad guys are out to get them. It’s time to retreat and they head out to her family’s cabin deep in the Maine woods where they can be safe. But when they arrive, it’s clear that someone has been there.

Fixing the cabin may be more than the group was prepared for. Winter is coming and there’s food to gather, wood to chop, they need to find a reliable source of water, and the cabin needs to be winterized. Still, it’s their best chance for survival…

But Molly and her charges can't hide forever. Diego Cruz wants his daughter back no matter what, and there’s stories that the woods around town are haunted by the bogeyman who is none other than Victor Fox, a former prison guard. Diego wants Jenna back and Victor wants that fugitive Molly is harboring, and they’re both willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.

Molly knows that if they're going to survive, they need to choose their battles carefully. The old world is gone, and there’s no going back. But if they work together, a new world can rise from the chaos…

Genres: Post Apocalyptic

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2022

About the author

Grace Hamilton is the prepper pen-name for a bad-ass, survivalist momma-bear of four kids, and wife to a wonderful husband. After being stuck in a mountain cabin for six days following a flash flood, she decided she never wanted to feel so powerless or have to send her kids to bed hungry again. Now she lives the prepper lifestyle and knows that if SHTF or TEOTWAWKI happens, she’ll be ready to help protect and provide for her family.

Combine this survivalist mentality with a vivid imagination (as well as a slightly unhealthy day dreaming habit) and you get a prepper fiction author. Grace spends her days thinking about the worst possible survival situations that a person could be thrown into, then throwing her characters into these nightmares while trying to figure out "What SHOULD you do in this situation?"

It’s her wish that through her characters, you will get to experience what life will be like and essentially learn from their mistakes and experiences.

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice finish to an exciting series, although the previous two books were better in my opinion, this book still delivers a satisfying read and a fulfilling ending to the overall story. This was my first exposure to the EMP Disaster genre and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to read more in the future including other books by Grace Hamilton and I would encourage other readers to do the same.

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, the cover does its job well, in that it would make me want to pick this book up from a book store shelf, or click on it online to learn more about the book. The cover has two of the female characters on it, possibly Scarlet and Jenna.

The “gang” have finally made their way back to each other and are making their way to Molly’s cabin in the woods. They hope it will be a safe haven in all the chaos the world has been in since the EMP. They are all tired and glad to be away from the Fairfield, all they want is a quiet life together, their own little self-sufficient community. Sadly, they have many hurdles to scale ahead, perhaps as many as they have defeated behind them. When they finally arrive at the cabin it seems Molly’s happy memories of the cabin and the condition, she thought it was in were perhaps viewed through rose coloured glasses. It soon becomes apparent that there’s a lot of work ahead to ensure they can survive the winter that is quickly approaching. It’s not long before the older people in the group start irritating each other. The cabin is far from wheelchair friendly Alex isn’t used to following directions from others and it seems to grate on him how much everyone seems to look to Molly & Colton when making decision. When Scarlett & Zack, then Erik and Jenna start to become romantically interested Alex adds this to his ever lengthening, list of why he thinks it would be better for him and his family find their own cabin. There are plenty available around them to be used. Laura tries her best to dissuade Alex, saying she likes them all being together and for a while it works. Supplies are found to build a lift contraption to enable Laura to have more independency getting in and out of Molly’s cabin. Laura argues now they have the “lift” it would be silly to move out. Alex seems appeased for now though he refuses to drop the idea of their own cabin, and insists on keeping an eye out for something suitable. The cabin soon becomes even more cramped and tension filled when an injured man is found and brought back to the cabin, where it is discovered, he has a bullet wound. Who has shot him and why? The group care for him and watch over him day and night. Mostly Zack (who still has an injury) and Laura & Argent as neither of them can do the other jobs just yet. The group share their meagre meals with him and give him precious pain medication and antibiotics when he needs them. Though he is grateful, he doesn’t want to reveal his past, as he thinks they will throw him out if he does. Eventually this man’s dead friend’s bodies are found and he has to come clean and reveal who he is and why he was shot at.

Back in Fairfield, those in the school is being run by an honest man at the helm. Diego Cruz has also been freed from his bunker full of supplies his daughter Jenna locked him in. It’s one of the Fairfield Prison Guards, Victor Fox that lets him out. They both decide to help each other. Victor needs some muscle to hunt down and either imprison or kill all those escaped convicts from the prison he used to work at. Victor enjoys feeling in charge, and important with his big folder full of photographs of the convicts and the crimes they committed. Victor enjoys ordering Diego’s men about, it makes him feel crucial to the new world that is being created. Though Victor thinks that he will receive great praise for his “work” when things become more normal. It’s this self-importance that has him forgetting his end of the deal he made with Diego. Diego’s men try to warn Victor, saying the boss won’t wait forever, and eventually the fact Victor is not fulfilling his bargain with Diego is filtered back to Diego himself. Diego confronts Victor and reminds him that whilst he is willing to offer his men to help Victor, in return Victor has to find his runaway daughter Jenna. When Victor tries to reason that its unlikely Jenna will come to harm with Molly and her friends, Diego rapidly loses his patience and demands Victor find his daughter now!

I really liked all the “Scared Straight kids” and the adults that all ended up together at Molly’s cabin. Though Molly remained a strong favourite, the way she opened the cabin for everyone to use, she sacrificed treasured items for the benefit of the group. When things get tougher Molly looks around at her newly made family and tries to work to solve any issue that is thrown at her. Molly makes it perfectly clear she would lay down her own life for any of those children that have become family to her. Theres also a little bit of romance in Surviving Anarchy. There’s certainly something in the air with Zack & Scarlett, Erik & Jenna noticing each other and becoming closer too. But there is also a little romance left in this new world for Molly & Colton.

The one character that had me undecided in my opinion of him in this final instalment was Alex, I could see his point of view about having a separate base for him, Laura and their two teenage children. A place that all rooms would be more accessible for Laura in her wheelchair did make perfect sense and there were times I thought the whole group may move on to a bigger more appropriate cabin. I think it was the way Alex silently simmered and then just blurted out they were leaving. His final straw being the lift that gave Laura some independence ending up being broken when it was used to lift materials to quickly mend the cabin roof. Alex really didn’t like being one of the adults, he wanted to be the adult in charge, which he could be away from the others. I think Surviving Anarchy showed the reader a different side to Alex.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this book were, that I had really enjoyed reading this series, I thoroughly enjoyed loving & hating the different characters in equal measure.

Summing up, the Dark Nation series along with other books/series written by this author are so believable, with 'normal' easily relatable people in them. The world building is great, and described so well you can visualise it and the plot is so interesting on multiple levels, it really is hard to put down!

[Latisha’s Low-key Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙮
Grace Hamilton
Dystopian
353 Pages

Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs

Molly leads those left in her party to her cabin in the woods. They try to work together to fix what needs to be fixed while scrounging up food and protecting themselves.

Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs

I mistakenly thought Molly and those with her would have it a bit easier once they were at the cabin. My goodness, so much happened in this book.

Grace did a fantastic job showing how emotions run thick in a dystopian situation. The characters are pretty realistic. I rooted for some and had enough of others as Surviving Anarchy progressed.

I was surprised at the ending and the turnaround of one person. I would have never guessed correctly.

I would suggest reading this series to know the background. If you enjoy dystopian fiction, this is a great series.

Thank you to Grace Hamilton and Booksprout for providing this ebook to read and review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

~Read more riveting reviews at Latishaslowkeylife.com

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three and the final part of the Dark Nation series, with former English teacher Molly trying to get her five students and others to her cabin in the wilds, where she hopes they will all be safe for the winter and the foreseeable future. There are ten of them now, with the twins parents, Alex and Laura, with them as well as Tommy, the older brother of one of the teens, as well as their bus driver Colton. Laura is struggling to get through the journey in her sports wheelchair, as it wasn’t made for rough terrain, but at least has her service dog Argent, who always looks out for her. They had bad experiences in town, when Diego Cruz, Jenna’s dad, took over at the high school and forced others to work or not be fed, whilst stealing loads of supplies for himself. Lucky almost died from an infection after an injury to his hand and Molly had refused to leave him there, nor Jenna. They have all stuck together now, all wanting to find a better life, although Alex is sure they should have stayed in their old home in town as a family and let the others go their own way. When they do reach the cabin her grandfather built, Molly doesn’t see the problems it might have for Laura in her wheelchair, but Alex does and he isn’t happy about it! Molly starts organising the bedrooms and sorting out a list of things they need to do to prepare for winter.
She thinks no one will be able to find them where they are, especially Diego, but that is without the bogeyman who has been haunting the woods outside of town. It is in fact, Victor Fox, the prison guard they helped when they got the rest out of the prison, but who had disappeared when they got back to where they had left him. Victor has taken it upon himself to be a judge and jury when he hunts down any former prisoners outside of the prison itself. He has teamed up with Diego and gotten the use of some of his men, to help him hunt down prisoners on the run, but he is supposed to be looking for Jenna, as her dad wants her back! The group at the cabin explore their surroundings for supplies and two of them find an injured that they carry back to the cabin. It turns out this man, Joe, has been shot through the leg and they have to use up some vital antibiotics to keep him alive. He is hiding exactly what happened to him and he is worried that Victor will find him! Some of the group seem to trust Joe at face value, but Colton knows he is hiding something serious.
They are all now living in a world none of them ever expected and some of their previous skills are completely useless. They need to prepare the cabin for winter, find a reliable water source, chop down enough wood to heat and cook through the winter and also work out food supplies for so many people. There may be a lot of them, but they are a family out of necessity and need to work together to stay alive. They may have thought they were out of harm’s way, but trouble is coming for them, no matter what they do! Other forces of nature and over exuberant teens will cause them other problems as the days go by, making life harder than expected and causing a few splits within the group. They can’t go back to the life they knew, but hopefully they can all work together and find others nearby, to pool resources and knowledge with, to make new lives out of the chaos they have all experienced. An enjoyable series, which started with a bunch of unruly teens taken on a trip to shock them into better behaviour, but finding themselves in a life and death situation when an EMP hits. It was up to their teacher and their driver, to ensure they all stayed alive and were brought back home safely. But home was not the same as when they left it that morning and they will have to grow up in a hurry! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this exciting book

its book 3 in the series and though i havent read any of the other books it didnt put me off at all....though some catastrophic event has occurred and molly being a teacher seems to be in charge of a group of teenagers and a few adults

they are off to find somewhere safe to live and to stay safe themselves, so they are looking for mollys grandparents place deep in the woods

but they know they have to be careful as there are people looking out for them

an interesting read that pulled me right into the storyline, characters were well established and likeable and you could feel the tense atmosphere

will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors books

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrapping Up a Larger Story Arc

This wraps up the first trilogy within this larger series of books; at least the first three books feel like a trilogy to me, as I've stated in a prior review of the former books. This book opens by adding a new villain to the mix, a former prison guard who seeks his own form of vigilante justice, determined to round up and mete out his own justice to escaped prisoners who left the prison after the EMP. Those he believes to be the most dangerous he kills on the spot! The villain of the prior book, locked in his own bunker by his daughter when the last book ended, is not out of the picture. He is determined to find his daughter, at nearly any cost. She willingly went, choosing a family of her own making, with a kind-hearted teacher and some schoolmates. The teacher and crew get to her cabin way off grid, where she hopes she will be able to keep herself, her students, and a few others alive as they negotiate their new normal. Much of the book is about how this little band is trying to make what used to be an occasional vacation cabin into a working survival cabin. Nature, the state of the home, and the villains are certainly against them. This book surprised me in that it had a redemption of a character I didn't think could be redeemed. We'll see how it goes in the next book, but I like the way this person pivoted and changed when he better understood reality, and he had more depth than I originally thought he could possibly have. Don't worry. At least one villain gets his due! What new circumstances and people thwarting them will this hardy band of survivors need to confront next?

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Daniele Kasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read Hamilton's Chaos series and thoroughly enjoyed her books. So when I saw this book available to review I jumped at the opportunity. This is the third book in her Anarchy series, still set in a post apocalyptic world as with her other book series. Even though this is in a series readers do not need to read the other two books in order to enjoy this one and understand what is happening. It does help though for some of the backstory and more subtle character nuances and character development that has happened in the other two.

When an EMP knocks out the power grid, Molly finds herself caring for a bunch of teens as winter approaches quickly. There are new threats and dangers, some are familiar faces from the first book. It keeps the reader interested in the character's ultimate fate until the end and Hamilton's writing and dialogue continues to improve with every series. The characters are relatable as are their emotions and reactions to the situations they are in.

As always, Hamilton's books are fast paced and flow easily. There is tons of action along with all the drama associated with surviving disaster. Survival story and post-apocalyptic book fans will enjoy this whole series.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly, Colton, Alex, Laura and the teens finally made it to Molly's grandfathers cabin. There was lots of work to do before winter showed up and it was great the the teens were able to work together to do the chores that needed to do. Foraging, hunting, they worked together building things that would make their lives easier, rationing food, basically becoming a family unit. Making the best of what they had. Jenna's father Diego still wanted his daughter found and with the help of Victor Fox, an ex-prison guard, he was going to help find her. Victor had his own agenda of ridding the town of prisoners that weren't worth keeping around. He had dream of glory. Alex is still not happy about the accommodations and he want's more room for Laura to maneuver her wheelchair around and then they found Joe who escaped from the prison and was shot by Victor. Out survivors are creating their own Community. Loved the ending. Another great survival series of Grace Hamilton.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shanna Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Hamilton is an amazing story teller! Andrew Tell is an amazing narrator. So with this combination you are sure to enjoy this story.
I loved the characters. Molly is definitely a force to be reckoned with or maybe not to be.
She is a fighter and stands up for what is good and right. She takes on kids as her own and makes sure the misguided misfits are safe. In doing so they become her family.
I think they would eventually be in much more danger for the prisoners who continue to make their way out of the prison. I guess if she ever wanted to she could expand on this series. That being said it wrapped up nicely. (Spoiler)
I find it hard to believe Diego could have such a huge change of heart, attitude and behavior but I guess the absence of his daughter made his heart grow fonder as they say. He was the perpetrator of many crimes and deaths. I wouldn’t be able to forgive him.

[Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

I felt that the ending was rushed.
I’m glad that Fox got his comeuppance, there’s so much to say but it would only spoil things for people.
As for Alex, that man drive me honkers and if I’d been there I’d likely have told him to get the f out. He was such a selfish man, he was so jealous that he was not the man in charge and he couldn’t hack it. You’ll see what I mean when you get to that part in the book.
There’s so much more that I’d love to know.
What happened with Joe? What happened to the people at the hospital? I have so many questions!
It was well written, I gave it 4 stars since the ending was rushed and I was not left feeing as if the book was resolved.

[Sammie Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly, Colton, Alex, Laura and the teens along with Zack's big brother Tommy finally make their way to Molly's grandfather's cabin. Diego Cruz still wants his daughter Jenna and is still up to his selfish, vindictive ways, but now he's teamed up with ex-prison guard, Victor Fox, a psycho on a mission. Much creativity is pressed into making everyone comfortable in this newly created "family" but it's not enough. Alex wants more space and ease of movement for Laura...then there's a new addition, Joe. Everything comes to a head! In the end, a new Community is born. Well done!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surviving anarchy by Grace Hamilton.
Book 3 of dark nation.
Before an EMP blast shattered her world, Molly was a high school English teacher. Now, she’s responsible for keeping five teens, four adults, and a dog safe in a world where the bad guys are out to get them. It’s time to retreat and they head out to her family’s cabin deep in the Maine woods where they can be safe. But when they arrive, it’s clear that someone has been there.
I really enjoyed this book. Great story. Some characters I liked more than others and some I didn't like. 4*.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

End of the world and after the disaster books hold a certain fascination to me. Life as we know it can change in an instant as it does for the characters in Grace Hamilton's series. I have read alot of her books and they are all fresh, no retelling the same story over and over. The fact that she can write so many unique versions of a catastrophe means I am well educated on how to get from point a to point b before, during and after an event.

Book #3 in this awesome series. You could read it as a stand alone, but if you're a Grace Hamilton fan like me, you really don't want to.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly continues to grow.

The old world is gone and in the new world Molly will have to use all her skills and talents and a lot of luck to keep her group not only alive but also safe. Winter is coming but danger is also closing in. Excellent story. I’m loving Molly more with each story in the series. She’s so much more than she thought she could be and her potential still hasn’t been tapped. Edge of the seat read.

[Sandy Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the Series

I waited until I read all three Dark Nation books to leave a review and I am pleased to write that I loved all three. Ms Hamilton developed great characters and a great story of survival without excessive violence and gratuitous sex or foul language-all things that I cringe at in other books in this genre.
I know all that stuff exists now and will after the apocalypse but I don’t have to read it for entertainment. Thank you Grace, for another great series.

[Greg Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read that moves along

Grace has a good command of writing that is both interesting and engaging. There is often a heroin rather than a hero but she is not overpowering in that way and her stories do not reflect a sexist bias at all. Rather, the flow emphasizes team work to work the problems of the plot.

There is no foul language in her works or gore or anything that is disgusting. All in all, I find her work a comfortable break from my daily routine.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly and her not-so-merry band of misfits head for her grandparents’ cabin. It is a rough journey, but they arrive…eventually. Alex is not happy with the arrangements and seeks change. The sexual tension between Colton and Molly rears it’s head. Meanwhile, in town, Fox is out to impressive folks, and Diego seeks to Re establish his power base.

[doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a refreshing series. I liked the characters and their stories. It was a light hearted read. The author got her point across without having to go into graphic details to write a scene. You had your imagination to read between the lines. I haven't read a series like that in a long time. NO bad language. I will continue to read more books from this author.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing new series. Not like your other end of the world books, but a good book in which the author has shown an adherence to real world technology and what could happen. The story continues to build on each successive book, and you start caring for what happens to the cast. On to book 4

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Anne - Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Really good series full of twists and turns. Following Molly and her group as they try to navigate the aftermath of the EMP . Tempers are frayed as they try to stay hidden and survive . I would definitely recommend this series.

[Joan L Huffman MD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surviving Anarchy

The group tries to settle into what will be a secure remote location. Once again, they encounter challenges and danger. Will life ever settle down? The Dark Nation series has been enjoyable. Thank you Author Grace Hamilton.

[J.L. Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The group tries to settle into what will be a secure remote location. Once again, they encounter challenges and danger. Will life ever settle down? The Dark Nation series has been enjoyable. Thank you Author Grace Hamilton.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

I loved this book by Grace Hamilton. I also loved the characters. I can’t wait for the next book by this author. I would recommend this book and all of Grace’s books. I listened to this book on audiobook.

[Debbie Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surviving anarchy

This is the second series written bye a amazing author. I could go on ask night about this book ,but you need to read then yourself ,but be prepared you will get nothing else done. 😘

[Mary Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

This book in the series was absolutely riveting, there was so much drama and suspense. I truly enjoy these characters and their evolving storyline’s and can’t wait to read more.

[Dave Milbrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the story unfolded, as it was a good continuation of the first two in the series. I was a bit disappointed that the ending was a happy one and did not give a hint as to what was coming next.

[Illustrious Illusions · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this trilogy was a bit tamer than others, a little less action and drama. but i really enjoyed the relationships and pace of the story.

[Christy Sipes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story and a good ending. Liked the characters. Always enjoy Grace's books.

[Sandi Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

great series

A little sad to see the end of this series. Can’t wait to see what Grace has for us in the next series.

[Sara Adcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Loved the character's so much. The story of this mismatched group was really good. Would rec to anyone interested in this genre