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School’s Out: EMP Survival in a Dying World
Jason and Sophie are teachers at a rural high school north of Tampa, Florida. When an EMP attack spreads chaos and lawlessness, they are unexpectedly left responsible for a group of their former students. Without electricity, phones and transportation, civilization collapses and terror reigns. Jason’s background as a decorated Army Ranger former officer and his history as a prepper help them, but can they survive in a world where organized predators prey on the young and innocent? This is the first book in a four-book series.
- GenresPost Apocalyptic
251 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2022
423 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Jack Hance
16 books46 followersJack Hance is a pen name created by the author for novels in this genre, one of several in which he writes. He is a former English teacher who lives in central Florida. He is a devoted prepper committed to surviving a social disaster he hopes never materializes. He hopes you enjoy his novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 29, 2022
Oh dear. This started out OK with Jason as a likeable English teacher and good guy. He stayed in character even correcting grammar in the apocalypse; you have to like that level of commitment. The book tried to straddle some of the big political divides currently in the country and some of the action in the state of Florida after the EMP is simply told to us, so never engenders much of a reaction reading it. Jason was able to let people around him at the school know what was happening and how to help themselves and even endeavored to help some kids get home. Good man, Jason. From there it went downhill. The focus was repeatedly on the bodies of the females (mentioned over and over by both the good guys and the bad guys) and sex, sex, sex. Jason had just tried to get students home, witnessed the killing of one of them, yet the first thing he does when he got to his well-placed house is hookup with a teacher that he brought from the school. They actually had sex before talking to anyone else at the house about what was going on and what the plan of action was going to be to survive. The female students were all trying to find someone available among the young men at the house. Alicia had potential with some good fighting and shooting skills, but was so incapable at following directions, she was really a big liability; she should have been left to just defend the homestead. The banter about sexual activity and nice butts continued at the homestead, even when giving shooting lessons. I get that in this type of disaster, women would likely become a commodity, but this seemed so extreme and fairly graphic and excluded all other priorities for both the good guys and the bad guys. I was only just able to finish so gave it a 2.
March 4, 2023
It was okay. I found it highly unlikely that within the first 2 weeks after an EMP that people would be busy establishing a sex trafficking ring. Seems like food and water would be more important. Sex trafficking would come later, but not in the first 2 weeks! Also seemed super fast that people were shooting at everyone! 2 hours!? Please! People would still be trying to figure out what happened. It would take at least 6 to 48 hours before things started to fall apart!
I wont continue with the series.
I wont continue with the series.
February 16, 2023
good storyline and premise
Occasionally there is a childlike quality to the writing,buy past that, the story runs well and is an easy read.
Occasionally there is a childlike quality to the writing,buy past that, the story runs well and is an easy read.
January 25, 2023
I was really impressed
This book shows just how violent the world can when faced with ultimate disaster. The kids grew up quickly and were fearless. Really a great story
This book shows just how violent the world can when faced with ultimate disaster. The kids grew up quickly and were fearless. Really a great story
January 15, 2023
Interesting story and characters
The story is interesting and I think on point in several areas. The human trafficking plot resonates well in both today's society and in an end of the world scenario.
The story is interesting and I think on point in several areas. The human trafficking plot resonates well in both today's society and in an end of the world scenario.
January 14, 2023
real world potential reality
So many of the things that have gone in in this book are what I can see happening in our future and it’s terrifying.
The book was an easy read that I had done in two days.
So many of the things that have gone in in this book are what I can see happening in our future and it’s terrifying.
The book was an easy read that I had done in two days.
January 8, 2023
One two three
It was a good story. Well written. It was also like all other apocalypse stories. They tend to have the same issues and problems. The stories all mimic each other and been to be boring. That being said: its a pretty good book and worth the read.
It was a good story. Well written. It was also like all other apocalypse stories. They tend to have the same issues and problems. The stories all mimic each other and been to be boring. That being said: its a pretty good book and worth the read.
January 29, 2023
plot had promise
The plot had promise but it was too basic. It left out a lot of information as to how their group got to certain places. Like all of a sudden somebody knows how to make venison sausage? Or did it just show up? It was too quick to pair people off and declare their undying affection. This is an apocalypse. Romance should be the last thing on anybody’s mind. I will not be reading any other books in the series, unless I’m extremely bored. I wanted to like this book. End of the world books are my favorite! The series is not.
The plot had promise but it was too basic. It left out a lot of information as to how their group got to certain places. Like all of a sudden somebody knows how to make venison sausage? Or did it just show up? It was too quick to pair people off and declare their undying affection. This is an apocalypse. Romance should be the last thing on anybody’s mind. I will not be reading any other books in the series, unless I’m extremely bored. I wanted to like this book. End of the world books are my favorite! The series is not.
December 14, 2022
Fast-moving action with believable characters
It is easy to get caught up in the story, with characters living a nightmare but who have found a brave, inspiring, but down-to-earth hero to guide them in their battle against evil. The female characters join the men in the fight and are courageous and heroic as well. Looking forward to the next book!
It is easy to get caught up in the story, with characters living a nightmare but who have found a brave, inspiring, but down-to-earth hero to guide them in their battle against evil. The female characters join the men in the fight and are courageous and heroic as well. Looking forward to the next book!
July 13, 2025
An excellent, if adults only, opening to a series! (Trigger warning: sexual assault/rape of minors)
School's Out, book 1 in the EMP Survival In A Dying World series is a very well written, but very 'adults only', due to graphic, violent sexual content, centering on the kidnap, rape, torture and trafficking of underage girls being central to the plot. The story starts with Jason, a high school teacher, leading a handful of students back to his compound, as they had no family to return to. It also features a corrupt general who is arming white supremacists and other extremists in an attempt to seize control of the state of Florida, as well as being the leader of the human trafficking rings. The protagonists are very well rounded, as are some of the antagonists. The plot is well composed, if darker than the average EMP survival thriller due to the sexualized violence central to the storyline. The action starts fast and doesn't really let up. I really enjoyed this book, but I'm not particularly sensitive. 5/5 stars, highly recommended to adults with a high tolerance for disturbing content and enjoy survival thrillers!
School's Out, book 1 in the EMP Survival In A Dying World series is a very well written, but very 'adults only', due to graphic, violent sexual content, centering on the kidnap, rape, torture and trafficking of underage girls being central to the plot. The story starts with Jason, a high school teacher, leading a handful of students back to his compound, as they had no family to return to. It also features a corrupt general who is arming white supremacists and other extremists in an attempt to seize control of the state of Florida, as well as being the leader of the human trafficking rings. The protagonists are very well rounded, as are some of the antagonists. The plot is well composed, if darker than the average EMP survival thriller due to the sexualized violence central to the storyline. The action starts fast and doesn't really let up. I really enjoyed this book, but I'm not particularly sensitive. 5/5 stars, highly recommended to adults with a high tolerance for disturbing content and enjoy survival thrillers!
February 20, 2023
School’s Out: EMP Survival in a Dying World Kindle Edition
by Jack Hance
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Jack Hance included many useful prepper tips throughout. The loss of law-and-order leads to chaos as we see what happened in that small Florida town. Someone wrote that we are only nine meals from anarchy.
I dinged the author one star because near the end of the book, he introduced some lesbian stuff which was wholly unnecessary and did not add any value to the story. I always criticize any author who brings in any pernicious WOKE ideology. Survival novels are fun to read and do not need to stoop to perversity.
I do plan to read the next book in this series.
by Jack Hance
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Jack Hance included many useful prepper tips throughout. The loss of law-and-order leads to chaos as we see what happened in that small Florida town. Someone wrote that we are only nine meals from anarchy.
I dinged the author one star because near the end of the book, he introduced some lesbian stuff which was wholly unnecessary and did not add any value to the story. I always criticize any author who brings in any pernicious WOKE ideology. Survival novels are fun to read and do not need to stoop to perversity.
I do plan to read the next book in this series.
February 5, 2023
Meh… I wanted to like this series but… I could hardly wait to finish this book and delete it! The English teacher is the hero of the story and starts out likable but ends up in the sack, over and over again with a teacher he saved. I get it they like each other but… the whole “gotta have sex now” thing gets old. Also, it seemed odd that he goes from being a caring teacher and then basically cheers on a student who becomes a “killing machine”. No remorse or very little on killing all these “bad people”… just it was us or them attitude… seemed unrealistic at best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2023
Modern "Alas Babylon"
Most of the stories in this type of writing are very similar. An ex military officer, who's trying to find a better way of life, gets thrown into the leadership role again. But this story seems to handle it better then most. You gave him, and the other people humor, to help handle the horror of being able to do the things that had to be done. I think the little Ninja should have some kind of snap, but you have finished this series before I even started to read it.
Most of the stories in this type of writing are very similar. An ex military officer, who's trying to find a better way of life, gets thrown into the leadership role again. But this story seems to handle it better then most. You gave him, and the other people humor, to help handle the horror of being able to do the things that had to be done. I think the little Ninja should have some kind of snap, but you have finished this series before I even started to read it.
January 12, 2023
P C B S
The premise is all right but the governor sounds more like Andrew Cuomo than Desantis.So much of the rest is just liberal fear mongering. Why you need to inject politics in a story of survival just ruins it for half your readers. The funny thing is the toltarian view sounds slot like the last two years.
I was really looking forward to a story about community and survival this is not it!
The premise is all right but the governor sounds more like Andrew Cuomo than Desantis.So much of the rest is just liberal fear mongering. Why you need to inject politics in a story of survival just ruins it for half your readers. The funny thing is the toltarian view sounds slot like the last two years.
I was really looking forward to a story about community and survival this is not it!
March 6, 2023
Don't waste your time
The story is full of misinformation and has so many plot holes that it is ridiculous. Between that and the fact that they don't take the time to develop character motivation, I honestly don't know how they have a good rating. I don't normally leave reviews, but it was like a 13 year old wrote this and didn't do any research.
The story is full of misinformation and has so many plot holes that it is ridiculous. Between that and the fact that they don't take the time to develop character motivation, I honestly don't know how they have a good rating. I don't normally leave reviews, but it was like a 13 year old wrote this and didn't do any research.
December 12, 2023
Appreciate the general topic but as others have mentioned, feeling like it was written by a nyphomaniac teenage boy. No issue with female empowerment but some of the dialogue causes me to roll my eyes. I would assume they would be more concerned with food, preparation, health, and safety rather than sex.
February 27, 2024
Unrealistic
If Jason was in a ranger bat, he would've recieved a Combat Infantryman Badge not a combat action badge. Story isn't making any sense at all. The world just desentigrates over an EMP attack? I don't think it would get so out of hand that quickly. But the book filled some empty time I had.
If Jason was in a ranger bat, he would've recieved a Combat Infantryman Badge not a combat action badge. Story isn't making any sense at all. The world just desentigrates over an EMP attack? I don't think it would get so out of hand that quickly. But the book filled some empty time I had.
May 6, 2024
This was a good book. A nice, EOTWAWKI. I loved the difference in this book to other EOTWAWKI books I’ve read. This one had a different look at what can happen in an end of the world scenario that I had never thought of and haven’t read in any other books. So I appreciated that.
This is the 2nd book I’ve read of Jack Hance's and I’ll definitely be reading more.
This is the 2nd book I’ve read of Jack Hance's and I’ll definitely be reading more.
December 18, 2022
a weird one
I certainly hope they stocked up on diapers. With the way the hormones are flying around in this book they are going to end up with a ton of apocalypse babies.
I didn't love this book, the sexual stuff with the teens was pretty crass.
I certainly hope they stocked up on diapers. With the way the hormones are flying around in this book they are going to end up with a ton of apocalypse babies.
I didn't love this book, the sexual stuff with the teens was pretty crass.
January 5, 2023
Ok
Not as tightly plotted as some writers but story is constant. Characters need some fleshing out. Some characters get all the attention but some main characters are left wanting. Entertaining!
Not as tightly plotted as some writers but story is constant. Characters need some fleshing out. Some characters get all the attention but some main characters are left wanting. Entertaining!
April 17, 2023
An interesting viewpoint
I certainly was not bored with this novel. I didn't stop until I finished the book. I think young people being targeted as sex slaves was the topic though and hardly anything about the country trying to survive.
I certainly was not bored with this novel. I didn't stop until I finished the book. I think young people being targeted as sex slaves was the topic though and hardly anything about the country trying to survive.
April 27, 2023
One of the most depressing books I have ever read. Been a prepper for many years. But after reading this book what chances does a 70+ year old who spends most of his/her time in a wheelchair have. The book was good and interesting but too depressing for me. Will not be reading the other 3.
November 9, 2023
A different and entertaining ATE story
I like the characters and the details and kept reading. The story is entertaining and will keep you turning pages and encourage people who enjoy reading to read it.
I like the characters and the details and kept reading. The story is entertaining and will keep you turning pages and encourage people who enjoy reading to read it.
March 7, 2024
Good read
Jason kicked the door open and almost immediately a big bald guy ran out, a pistol in each hand, firing left and right. Michael and James both fired, and the guy bounced off the opposite wall then fell backward into the room.
Jason kicked the door open and almost immediately a big bald guy ran out, a pistol in each hand, firing left and right. Michael and James both fired, and the guy bounced off the opposite wall then fell backward into the room.
January 28, 2023
OMG!!
I was pleasantly surprised!! I did not think it was going be good at first because it started off a little slow
I was pleasantly surprised!! I did not think it was going be good at first because it started off a little slow
March 15, 2023
Wow
Even for fiction this has a jacked up perception of what's going on in the world. Totally and completely clueless.
Even for fiction this has a jacked up perception of what's going on in the world. Totally and completely clueless.
April 23, 2023
Great story! I was caught in the story lmost on page #1. Now, on to the other books in the series.
May 14, 2023
Pleasantly surprised
Just enough back story to get to know the very well developed characters, with action cover to cover, I found this book to be a page turner.
Just enough back story to get to know the very well developed characters, with action cover to cover, I found this book to be a page turner.
August 10, 2023
Schools Out
Pretty good reading but to much killing and raping. Its a sad world to live in if this were to happen.
Pretty good reading but to much killing and raping. Its a sad world to live in if this were to happen.
August 24, 2023
Great
Thought I would just read and take my time but read the book in 36 hours. Suspense, chaos and trying to resume life as it was
Thought I would just read and take my time but read the book in 36 hours. Suspense, chaos and trying to resume life as it was
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews