Dark End

Supernova EMP Series, Book 1

By: Grace Hamilton

Narrated by: Matt Weight

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

Only the strong will survive when civilization collapses.

Barnard's Star, light years away from Earth, went supernova, and now, six years later the influence of that catastrophe is just reaching our planet. When the resultant EMP strikes Earth, the world is sent back to the Stone Age. Yet it soon grows evident there are worse things hidden in the dark matter hurricane. Unbearable headaches strike without warning. Human aggression goes off the charts. Small disagreements become bloodbaths. 

Josh Standing took an oath to serve and protect those of their North Carolina community. That didn’t change when he left the police force to become a probation officer. If only his wife understood his drive to rescue tomorrow’s troubled youth. But Maxine’s greatest concern is to ensure their son survives the cancer that has ravaged his body. As their marriage circles the drain, she takes the once promising athlete to face the final pronouncement of the Boston specialists - alone. 

But the fractured family has never needed each other more. 

In the immediate aftermath of the EMP chaos, the separated Standings decide to make their way toward the family farm in West Virginia. However, getting to Maxine’s prepper parents is no small task in a world that’s swiftly turning into kill or be killed. 

And when events threaten to separate them further, Josh is faced with an unthinkable choice in this thrilling post-apocalyptic series. 

Prepper survivalist author Grace Hamilton invites you to step into a post-apocalyptic, EMP-ravaged world filled with strong, resourceful characters, survivalist knowledge, and edge-of-your seat action. 

This novel contains violence.

©2020 Relay Publishing (P)2020 Relay Publishing

Next, please!

Dark End is a fantastic start to a new thrilling series. I'm totally taken aback by how much I enjoyed this audiobook. Grace Hamilton takes a wholly fresh and unique approach with the EMP-apocalypse scenario. Aside from all power grids being destroyed, people's behaviours are also severely impacted by the EMP, causing them to act crazy, violent, and erratic. The change for some is temporary and for others, permanent and some can learn to control their rage. The overall basis of the storyline is about survival, and it's well-composed and cleverly implemented, and I enjoyed the additional element, it made the story exciting and intense.

The cast is diverse and well-rounded; I was intrigued from the get-go. I found the interaction and dialogue to flow smoothly and naturally. Matt Weight's narration was spot-on, he did an exceptional job portraying the characters, literally breathing life in Hamilton's words. I really enjoyed his performance and hope he continues narrating the series.

Dark End was a riveting audiobook, I was thoroughly engrossed from start to finish. I'm definitely recommending this audiobook to those who enjoy zombie and EMP apocalypse, this one has the best of both. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Dark End

I liked this one.A star goes supernova,headaches turn nice men into animals.It is good.I did not really care about any of the characters.They just did not click with me.Matt Weight was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

A Supernova End-of-the-World Story

Grace Hamilton's series opener for her 'Supernova EMP' series, 'Dark End', features the Standing family. Josh, a former policeman turned parole officer, Maxine, a nurse, and their adult children, Storm and Tally. When a star only 6 light-years away goes supernova, Josh is with Tally on an ocean sailing trip with at-risk parolees and Maxine is in Boston with Storm, who is receiving chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma. Soon after, an EMP strikes and people begin exhibiting aggressive behavior, to the point of homicidal rage. Now both Josh and Maxine try to make their way to Maxine's parents' farm, where there will hopefully be a safe haven.

I have previously enjoyed Ms Hamilton's end-of-the-world survival stories, so when I saw this one on an audiobook review list, I requested a free copy. This is my voluntary review.

The characters are strong and capable people. They show themselves to be intelligent and resourceful, managing to rise above their situations and get done what needs to be done. They are likable, but not without their flaws. Ms Hamilton's characters are always written so real.

The book also has plenty of action and suspense. A few scenes are real nail-biters. Josh is stuck at sea with no navigation equipment or working engines. Maxine is travelling with inadequate medical support for her sick son. They are all striving to survive in this new reality.

I have to mention my pet peeve. There is a cliffhanger here. I prefer books in a series to have a sense of completeness to each installment, a sense that a new chapter of the story is starting. This one almost has that, but there is a set-up scene for Book 2 that leaves too many dangling threads.

Matt Weight does a nice job with the narration. His character voices are very good.

Recommended. This is a great family-oriented post-apocalyptic story.

Very unexpected adventure

In a world where a supernova causes an EMP, casting humanity back into the stone ages, the main characters have enough to worry about. On top of that everyone's gone through some sort of psychological change for the worse. Depression, paranoia, and psychotic rage tear across the nation making daily life a constant battle to stay alive.

The main characters in this book go through constant struggles. Everytime they think they've got a handle on things, something turns up and completely turns their world upside down.

The narration for this book was very well done, and the story was well written.

Disclaimer: Per my request I received this audiobook for free in exchange for my unbiased review.

Captivated from beginning to end...

I loved the "EMP, but with a twist" storyline. The creativity and characters kept me entertained enough to listen all in one day. If you're on the fence about trying another post-apocalyptic genre, definitely give this one a shot.

*This audiobook was provided to me at no cost in exchange for my unbiased review.

Long-term survival!

This sounds amazingly similar to Grace’s last series, Surviving the End; at least the summary and setup. The details differ, and I guess that’s what counts. No prepping and no zombies but this EMP affected people’s serotonin levels which altered their anger management. In some people, there was little change, others were driven mad. This is a tale of family and pure survival. In perusing reviews, it appears some people are getting a bit burnt-out on the apocalyptic survival genre. I have to agree with this in some regard. Perhaps not specific authors but the overused plotlines in general. I’ll still support my favorite authors as they can still teach an old dog new tricks. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A+ WOW! Definitely a must read book (or audio) that will stick with you long after you finish it!

She’s done it again! Phenomenal! First of all, I am a HUGE fan of Grace Hamilton! I have loved all of her books that I’ve listened to! It’s unbelievable that she’s been able to write books on a somewhat similar topic (post apologist, survival, EMP themes), and yet they are all so unique and different. She is an incredible author, and I would absolutely love to see any one of her book series turned in to a Netflix type of series. They’re all so believable, considering the risks Earth and humanity face if such an event happened, and her characters are so real to life with believable circumstances, actions, environments, and reactions. Grace Hamilton and her narrator Matt Weight are on point and bring her books to life. They make is so easy to feel like you’re part of the story. The situations and events they face (in all of her books) are entertaining and definitely possible at any time in the future. You get so wrapped up into all of her books and series that you practically feel like you are living through everything with them! Once I get started it’s nearly impossible to stop listening!

Maxine and her husband have been struggling because of their different wants, needs, and opinions. He feels an obligation to serve the people (even though he is currently a probation officer), but Maxine is more focused on her son’s health recovery. In the midst of an unexpected crisis, they find themselves unprepared and in disagreement about how to move forward into an unknown and dangerous future. People everywhere are becoming increasingly ill, and even more frantic with self serving purposes. Who can you really trust when a simple gesture or chance meeting can make the difference between life and death? I highly recommend this book, as well as any other books and series she’s written! She is definitely a gifted and talented author, and the research she has put into her books make everything seem even more plausible. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors! You won’t be disappointed! It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions with characters you can relate to and surroundings that are so vivid that you can easily see them in your mind. Thank you Grace Hamilton and audiobookboom for allowing me the privilege of listening to this free copy. It was my pleasure! My review is voluntary, and expresses my honest opinion.

Great Start

Great start to another series! I really enjoyed this book and it had a different take on the world ending and what would happen. You will really enjoy this book. The narrator did a great job breathing life into the characters of this book. Can not wait for the next book!

Typical of the author

If you’ve enjoyed the author’s other books you will enjoy this one. Once again we start with a divided family with mother and son in the cancer ward of the hospital. Father and daughter at at his workplace (a creative one this time!!) EMP hits. Everyone tries to get to the mother’s family farm (they are preppers)

The only real new elements in this book are a distinct lack of prepper propaganda and a mystery disease from the EMP.

I found it a bit repetitive of other books, but otherwise enjoyable.

I received this book for free in exchange for a review.

A different take on End of the World

It seems like everyone is getting on the end of the world storyline these days. Most are cookie cutter predictable. With Dark End, Grace Hamilton has changed up the story. The mother of all EMP’s makes everything electronic not work. Even the hardened military stuff don’t work. This is not a Prepper book. There is very little prepping done and it is not for the purpose of surviving the end of the world. This is a story of survival in a major disaster with no help from anyone and many trying to hurt you just because they feel like it.

I don’t care for the Zombie Apocalypse storylines. This one does not have zombies but the EMP does have an effect on many people causing them to go crazy at times, sometimes permanently. Many feel the changes but are able to keep their tempers at bay. Others seem to have no control. For some this may help explain why the world goes down so fast as I have read many complain about.

This is the first time I have listened to Matt Weight. He did an excellent job with this story. I didn’t even miss Kevin Pierce.

I have read some of Grace Hamilton’s other books and so far I like this one the best.
Highly recommend.

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.