Divided World: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Saga Filled With Fascinating Characters & Prepper Info

EMP Aftermath #4

by Grace Hamilton

They went looking for their daughter. They found a civil war…

Laurel and her husband Bear are finally reunited. But South Minneha Hospital is no longer the haven it once was. Together, they take on a new quest: leaving the hospital behind, and setting off to find their daughter, Mae.

Accompanied by Trent and Jess, Laurel and Bear leave the safety of Minneha and begin their search, knowing only that Sergeant Mae Petersen was serving in the US Army when the EMP hit. The Internet is just a memory, and phones are now quaint relics. Finding out where one soldier was stationed—and where she might be now—will take a miracle.

Laurel is up for the challenge, but the world changed while she was fighting to save South Minneha. Roving bands of gunmen have given way to organized paramilitary groups. The land she and her companions must cross is contested by two factions, the Militia and the Freemen. Tensions are rising, lines are being drawn, and one fact is painfully clear…

If Laurel and Bear are to reunite their family, they’re going to have to fight.


Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2023

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

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the cover of this book fits really well with the rest of the series and it would certainly make me pick it up from a book store shelf to learn more.

I’ll be totally honest I thought that this series may have ended after bk 3 Dangerous World when Bear and Laurel were finally reunited and seemed to be happily building a small secure settlement at the hospital. When I discovered Divided World was being published, I knew I had to read it. I had thought the characters of Bear and Laurel could not and would not truly settle to their lives in this changed world without at least trying to find their daughter Mae.
Bear and Laurel find it difficult to leave their friends at the hospital but know in their hearts they have to attempt to find Mae. Trent is at first unsure as to whether he is welcome o the journey but his mind is soon put to rest by both Bear and Laurel telling him he is part of their family now and always will be. In fact, they do ask if anyone else wishes to go with them, but everyone else has reasons they need to stay behind at the hospital in relative safety.

We are told the story from the points of view of Bear, Laurel & Trent and from Sergeant Mae Peterson too.

Bear and Laurel soon discover the world is a much harsher place than they remember but push forward in their almost impossible task of finding their daughter Mae, a Sergeant in the army. Bear, Laurel, Trent and Jess discover the world is full of roving groups of people willing to kill to take what little you have as well as two larger main factions. The first is a military, Militia group and the other group are calling themselves the Freemen. Neither Bear not Laurel intends to get involved with any of the groups, they just want to find their daughter. Bear, Laurel and Trent’s dream of ideal is to find Mae and then head back to Bears home and create their own little secure settlement there.

Bear has a rather eccentric friend who has “contacts” and access to records as to the whereabouts of people in the army. However even getting to him is a journey filled with danger. Then when they get to the area where Bear’s friend lives, they have to navigate the traps he has in place to capture intruders. There is a rather large important fact Bear has kept from Laurel, his friend may not recognise him! After a dangerous start, Bear’s eccentric friend agrees to send word to some of his other “prepper group” via pigeon to see if they can check their records for the possible whereabouts of Sergeant Mae Peterson. Bear, Laura & Trent & Jess head off together but are tricked and attacked and become separated with Trent seeming to disappear.

Mae is with a group of soldiers being led by a leader new to most of them, Captain Cornell. Captain Cornell doesn’t reveal where they are headed to, or what his orders are or even the plan of action for when they do get to their destination. Mae doesn’t like it but decides to keep her head down knowing the Captain doesn’t like being questioned. When the militia get to their mysterious rendezvous point there is clear evidence of a battle. Someone hobbles out of a bush with a message for the Militia leader Captain Cornell from the Freemen leader Art King. Art warns for the Militia to leave, go elsewhere or prepare for battle!
It's during an attempted raid that Mae is taken in by the Freemen. She has been shot and her own army colleagues left her for dead, or that’s what the Freemen say happen. Mae cannot imagine fellow soldier Gideon leaving her behind, but then she reflects if Captain Cornell ordered him to leave her Gideon would have no choice. Art and his settlement of people nurse Mae back to health though she is clearly suspicious of them to begin with she seems to mellow and almost change her mind to the point of seeming to agree to join them. It’s whilst Mae is with the Freemen that a young boy and his dog arrive and are accepted into the group when it turns out he has previous history with some of the Freemen. It’s not long before Trent & Mae reveal themselves to each other, with Trent recognising Mae from a photo Bear has shown him and Mae recognising the little white dog Jess. Sadly the Freemen are once again attacked and Mae & Trent are tasked with accompanying the children of the camp to the relative safety of nearby cave. It’s there that Trent discovers a side to Mae that he doesn’t like. He had automatically thought he could trust Mae as she is Bear and Laura’s daughter and he trusts them with his life. Trent rushes off back in the direction of the fighting to tell Art that Mae cannot be trusted. It’s not long after that Bear and Laurel arrive at the cave and are both shocked yet relieved to be reunited with Mae. The relief and reunion doesn’t last long when Bear & Laurel realise Trent is missing. They vow to set off in search of him the following morning. However, things don’t go exactly to plan as Art insists Laurel stay to help attend to the injure. Bear and Mae set off in search of Trent but they end up being captured by the Militia.

So much happens in this book, it is seriously packed full of all sorts of action and angst.
There is a sad but expected loss of one of the much-loved characters, I have to admit I shed a tear and had a little sob when reading.
Laura catches up with one of the Doctors from the hospital and introduces Bear to him, and Bear feels a little jealous and suspicious of the Doctors feeling towards his estranged wife Laurel. There is a lot of Laura and Bear getting used to being around each other and learning what their true feelings are for each other. I adored how Trent was finally settling in and accepting that he is part of the Peterson family. I’m really hoping for some sort of happy ending for them, for them to settle somewhere though, I don’t know where and exactly who that may be with yet!
Then there is the introduction of Mae who I had presumed would be like her parents who are quite black and white with what they think is right and wrong. However, it seems that Mae is happy to exist in the grey zone and play her cards close to her chest going along and stringing along people then possibly betraying them in favour of her military ties.
Of course, those are the character aspects of the book there is also the whole warring faction’s aspect too. With the Militia made up of military and civilians who have since armed themselves and joined forces with them on one side trying to take control of a warehouse full of supplies that shouldn’t fall into the hands of “the wrong people”. The Freemen, led by Art King are groups of civilians who have joined forces who have control over this warehouse that the Militia want. Art Freemen says they are a passive group and do not want trouble but that they will fight for what is theirs and will defend themselves too. Small groups leave the main Freemen compound to gather supplies but there seems to be some confusion as to how they get these supplies with Bear & Laurel witnessing first hand one of the small groups of people attacked and literally cleaned out of supplies by the Freemen. Does Art know the methods his small supply teams are employing when gathering supplies? It hasn’t really been revealed yet.

The end of this book leaves Bear and Laurel separated again as Bear and Mae are captured by the Militia, Laurel is with the Freemen tending to the injured, and Trent is still missing. I can’t wait to read the next book, How will Bear & Laurel be reunited? Where is Trent? Can Jess help to search and find him? Which side will Mae choose? Who will get ultimate and final control of the warehouse and what is in it that is so important to shed so much blood for?

My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading the book were Wow! What a rollercoaster journey this book plot is and it sure plays with your emotions, from sad heart goodbyes, heart breaking characters deaths to thinking everything just might be going to go okay now, to everyone separated again!!

Summing up I can't wait for the next book, I want to read it right now!!

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divided World resumes right where Dangerous World concluded. Laurel, Bear, and Trent depart from Minneha Hospital to search for their daughter, Mae, who is serving in the Army. The Snow is behind them, making their trek somewhat easier.

Mae and her unit have left their base, but she is unaware of their destination, as her captain refuses to disclose that information. He insists it’s a need-to-know situation. Mae soon realizes they are en route to another depot to confront the Freeman.

I have doubts about Mae’s captain being the upstanding individual everyone believes him to be. I suspect he has been concealing his true nature. Now that the world has essentially collapsed, he is gradually revealing his authentic self. It seems Mae is starting to uncover who he really is.

Divided World is a thrilling read that kept me captivated as I followed Mae, Laurel, Bear, and Trent on their paths toward one another. Mae has been contemplating searching for her father and then her mother, but she cannot abandon the Army yet, as she is not willing to be labeled a deserter.

Divided World is just as enchanting as all the previous installments. It's an incredibly gripping read that had me racing to the conclusion, unable to flip the pages as quickly as I wished.

From the moment I started reading Divided World, I was enthralled by its numerous twists and turns. I eagerly anticipate diving into the next book, Collapsed World, to discover what happens next and what lies ahead for Laurel and Bear!

I wholeheartedly recommend Divided World to all fans of dystopian fiction! Be sure to get your hands on a copy of Divided World today!

[Jamie Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh, Dastardly, Dim-Witted Daughter

The overarching story takes a decided turn in this fourth book of the series. This book focuses on Laurel and Bear finding their “adult” daughter, Mae. I say “adult” with a degree of “caveat” because she seems more adolescent—and not in a good way—than a true adult. Given that this is a big country—the United States—it seems improbable that Laurel and Bear would find their daughter as neither knew of her last location. Yes, the author has them go through a few steps, but it was surprisingly easy—too easy. We get to see a lot of Mae in this book, and frankly, I'm not impressed. She comes across as far too naïve for someone who's been a soldier for some time, and when she and her parents finally reunite, she acts like an immature, petulant brat instead of being thankful for their safety and the reunification. She also manages to endanger her parents as well. The book ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger; we don't quite know what will happen to Bear, what the hideous commander has in store for his group, or where Trent is. I enjoyed this series more before Mae entered the picture, that's for sure. Just not wild about the concept of a woman-child who doesn't seem to get it on multiple levels, acts out of stupidity, and endangers those she should care about because of her idiocy and lack of care. I hope she becomes a better person and character in the other books I have in this series! If not, the books will get reeeeeaaaaallllllly tedious!

[Thus Kvothe The Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll start by saying this book really was not for me. It is possible that I am a demanding reader and that I have read a few truly exceptional books, so I may be hard to please. Also, this is book four of a series that I stepped into without having read the previous installments. Nevertheless, this book did not hit any of my marks.

The backstory was referenced throughout this story in a way that kept the reader reminded of things that had bearing in this story. I appreciated how Hamilton achieved this because I was able to jump right in without feeling lost. Unfortunately I did not resonate with any of the characters, the plot seemed weak, the bad guys were a tad two dimensional, and the twists were more like bends.

Two and a half stars is the best I can do for “Divided World.” The writing was okay, but I just couldn’t get past my disbelief. My thanks to the author via Netgalley. All expressed opinions are my own and given without recompense.

#DividedWorld #EMPAftermath #Netgalley

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I think this series is about to get even more interesting. Freemen. Militia. Who knows who else is out there, good or bad.

It’s hard to write a review when you don’t want to give anything away! I am really glad that Lisa and Sharon were brought back into the storyline. It took me a minute to remember who they were since it’s been a book or two since we met them. Unfortunately Josh is not there with them.

The whole depot thing is confusing and frustrating, but VERY intriguing. I so want to know what is in there that is so important! Important enough that both groups are willing to die to have access to what’s inside! I’m not sure how I feel about Mae yet. I want to believe she’s smart and capable but so far I really question her thought process. Her Captain is an ass and while initially she seemed to be asking the right questions, of both herself and her unit, towards the end of the book I’m not so sure. Hard to say she’s a traitor but I’m definitely questioning how smart she is and how logical she can be.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear, Trent, Jess, Laurel have all left the Mineha Hospital. They are on their way to try and find their daughter Mae. They find that they can't really trust anyone, the Militia and the Freemen. Trent ends up hurt and the Freemen find him and take him to camp. There is finds Lisa and Mae. Now the Militia are attacking the freeman camp and shooting at women, children and older people. Mae is still conflicted about where her loyalties lie. When she an her father go to look for Trent they run into her command. Now her father has been taken captive and may Mae is finding out how bad her unit really is. We are left with Mae, Bear and the Militia marching through the woods. Can't wait till I read the next book. My heart is still pounding.

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

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth installment in the amazing EMP Aftermath Series, a post-apocalyptic survival fiction. This is a series with an ongoing plot. The story continues where the third book left off. In this installment, we follow Laurel and Bear, along with Trent and Jess, in their quest to find their daughter Mae. The story is told from multiple POVs, which is great. I liked the characters, the action, the suspense, and the twists and turns. The world building is enthralling. The story ends with a cliffhanger, and I am looking forward to listening to Collapsed World, the next installment in this captivating series. Andrew Tell did an OUTSTANDING job bringing this story to life. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. #Booksprout

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel and Bear are back in book four of the EMP Aftermath series. I definitely recommend you start reading this series from book one so you fully understand what the characters have been through. If you have ever read a Grace Hamilton book then you know what to expect as she gives the readers realistic and gripping it could really happen scenarios and this book does exactly that. From the captivating storylines and descriptive writing to the believable characters, danger, and unexpected twists this series is page turning. The cliffhanger ending has left me ready for book five Collapsed World to see how this series ends. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story picks right up from the previous book. I recommend it be read in order of the series, and not as a stand-alone book. I felt the story had come to a close after the previous book. It was a nice surprise to see the story continue. The author did a good job with world building. The story line is entertaining. The characters are interesting. The book is action packed. There is a lot happening in the post-EMP world. The narration was well done. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an action packed edition to the series

Mae comes across as such an idiot. Honestly I’m so shocked she’s one to follow that wank stain with such blind faith.
Trent, Bear, Laurel and Jess remain my favourite characters. Have to admit I really liked Kermit - I’d like to see more of him in future books. I loved the whole bird carrier situation.
Are the Freeman bad? Who are portraying them as horrible people if they aren’t bad? So many questions.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Grace Hamilton; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the fourth book in the EMP Aftermath Series; the story continues from the previous book and is best if read in order.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong fourth entry in the EMP Aftermath series, I always enjoy reading Grace Hamilton's writing style. It's a unique concept overall and had what I enjoyed from previous books. The characters were what i was hoping for.

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

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is yet another great addition to the series and I really enjoyed it. Being introduced to Mae brought a whole new dimension to the plot as she wasn't as black and white as her parents.

Can't wait for next installment.

I was given an advance copy by booksprout but the review is entirely my own

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear ,Laurel and Trent leave the hospital in search of Mae. Along the way they see evidence of the brutality of the Freemen or is it the militia? Art remains an enigma, is he responsible for the brutality or is he truly ignorant of it? Mae is captured by the Freemen, but is treated well. The Freemen’s camp is attacked by the militia. Trent goes missing.

[Ella Short]

Goodbyes

This book in series seems that nothing is going right. Parallel won't leave to find Mae. Maes pi headedness. The Captain of militia and Art of Freeman. How can so much go wrong. This is definitely a page turner. Could not put it down. World is in chaos and ones you thought could count have stepped off deep end society.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series and how the author writes characters! This one picks up where the last one ends and finds our pals preparing to leave and attempt to find their daughter, Mae. What great adventures will they encounter and will they find her alive or at all with the grid still down! Read this series and the next will be out in mid June!

[Cynthia Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survival thriller

Laurels mother has finally succumbed to her cancer and its time for them to try and find their daughter Mae, who is in the military. Bear, Laurel and Trent leave the hospital and head out on their mission to reunite their family. What they find in their travels is a civil war between factions and both sides leave a lot to be desired.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

EMP AFTERMATH BOOK 4

Finally the family is reunited, but Mae is not on the same page as her Mom and Dad. This series is amazing, i Love the characters especially Bear and Trent. Loved the prepper they met that helped them find Mae. Plus the prepper had homing pigeons, He was Definetly prepared.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy via Netgalley.

This give a real feel for how the world may be after EMP.

There are plenty of strong characters with some really powerful situations.

Unfortunately the story is let down by the ending with a cliff hanger, really trying to force the purchase of the next book in the series.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great fourth story in this very enjoyable EMP, end of the world, adventure series! I do like the ideas & characters, finding family in the apocalypse as the general theme with a few twists & turns thrown in to the mix! A good fun read!

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freeman

I am truly enjoying these EMP books by Grace Hamilton. It has made me think about what I would do if a situation like this were to happen to me. I plan to read more books from Grace Hamilton.

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

Divided World: EMP Aftermath Book 4

Bear and Laurel head out with Trent in search of Mae. Ahead, turmoil, two groups in conflict. The question is, which group is good, and which is bad?

[Debra Whittaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Very intense. Like all her other books wanting more. Now I have to wait love all your books will Wait

[J.L. Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear and Laurel head out with Trent in search of Mae. Ahead, turmoil, two groups in conflict. The question is, which group is good, and which is bad?

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t quit reading. There are some things that don’t make a lot of sense, but I’ll write about that when I finish all six books. On to book 5!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dang!!!!

Very intense! Wound me up so tight, I realized clenching my jaw. The storyline just keeps getting more exciting as you read. Wowzers!

[Mary Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

This book was full of heart break and hope. I love the well written characters and their stories. I can’t wait to read more.

[Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journey to find a missing daughter in a post-EMP world which has interesting characters and a dramatic plot. Great narration make this an easy listen.

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