Chaotic World

EMP Aftermath, Book 2

By: Grace Hamilton

Narrated by: Andrew Tell

Society falls. Anarchy rises. Courage endures....

Laurel survived the collapse of civilization. In the aftermath of a devastating EMP disaster, she fought to turn Minneha Hospital into a place of refuge. Now, the hospital has become a beacon of hope—but a beacon can attract predators, too.

Predators like Arlo, the brutal leader of a ruthless gang. Desperate to save his dying son, Arlo takes over the hospital and gives Laurel an impossible ultimatum: Save his terminally ill boy…or watch everyone she cares for die.

Meanwhile, Laurel’s husband Bear continues his trek across Minnesota, alone save for an orphaned boy he found along the way, and Bear’s loyal dog, Jessamine. Teaming up with fellow survivors can come with betrayal and almost get you killed. Bear learned that the hard way, as the remnants of society turn to violence and bloodshed in a savage fight for survival.

Bear can take care of himself—but it’s cold, and it’s getting colder, and he has both Trent and Jess to protect, which is hard to do when you’ve been wounded. If he wants to reach Laurel before winter hits, he’ll have to do the unthinkable.

He’ll have to trust someone….

©2022 Relay Publishing (P)2023 Relay Publishing

Wonderful addition to the series!

This is the second of this series. We were left with little cliffhangers from the last book and got all of those questions answered. But now they have new trouble that arises. I enjoyed catching up with Arlo, Trent, Bear, Laurel and all the others. in here there are things that happened that I thought would never happen, as well as a few surprises.

I listened to this on audio. Andrew Tell does an excellent job as narrator. he is always a joy to listen to. I look forward to more in this series.

EMP

I have enjoyed other Grace Hamilton stories and was excited to start this series. I really enjoy a good dystopian story. I recommend reading book 1 before starting book 2. Book 2 picks up where book 1 left off. The story is well written. Good world and character development. Loved how it changed from different characters viewpoints. This series takes place following an EMP wiping out electronics and electrical utilities. I appreciated that the characters represent real life, some are sick or have other issues which could negatively impact their survival. Some people are con artists, truly mean and vindictive, and overall, out for themselves. While other people are truly good and will voluntarily sacrifice for others. I enjoyed book 1 so much, I started book 2 immediately. I admit, I listened to it every chance I had, couldn’t get enough. I could not wait to start book 3! The narration was excellent. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Great Addition to the Series

The character work and story line were well written and kept me entertained from beginning to end. Andrew Tell was able to breathe life into the story and made it a fun listen.

I received an ARC of this audiobook and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Journeys and Destinations

The first book of this series ended with the hero and heroine setting out on journeys, and while both got to where they were hoping to go, travel was arduous in the post-EMP world, and when each got to their destinations, the situations weren't quite what they had expected. This book felt a bit repetitive, like the other one. Both protagonists seem to lurch from dangerous situation to dangerous situation, and the situations themselves don't really seem to change much, either within the book or between books. The author should have mixed it up a bit! Not only about journeys, this book is also about running into bad guys who will either want to take advantage or shoot to kill. The villain from the prior book takes a prominent role in this one, though he is toned down somewhat, and another big, bad guy shows up. Enough with so many villains already! One subplot is barely wrapped up before another emerges that is very similar. (And it seems a bit far-fetched that, out of all the people in this small area of Minnesota… the two villains would be arch enemies still determined to take each other down.)

Before the epilogue, the book ends with both protagonists in relatively comfortable places compared to what happened earlier in the book. But both are about to strike out again, he hoping to find her and she hoping to get back to her hospital. But the epilogue showed that a new villain is emerging as well that will undoubtedly make things go from bad to worse again AND a change in the weather as the season moves to winter will hamper both journeys and further tax dwindling resources. I like the main and secondary characters as well as the children in this book. Trent is a particular delight, keeping his optimism up despite everything and being more of a help than you would think a 14-year-old boy would be. Three young teens are partial focuses of this story (two sick and one orphaned), and all are boys. I wish the author had made at least one female. Over the course of these two books, despite the plot bumps and repetition, I've come to care about the main characters, and I'm interested to see what happens to them next.

amazing

An intense action packed post apocalypse story that will keep you listening. The narrator does an excellent job bringing the characters to life. This is one series you don't want to miss.