Edge of Collapse

American Fallout, Volume 1

By: Alex Gunwick

Narrated by: Kevin Meyer

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Luke is four hundred miles away from home when the first bomb drops. In seconds, his routine business trip becomes a nightmarish struggle to survive. After narrowly escaping a nuclear explosion in San Francisco, the Navy SEAL must travel through a world without rule of law. Relying on his skills and the items in his Bug Out Bag, he fights an epic battle as he struggles to get home. Nothing will stop him from getting back to his family. As his resources run out, his resourcefulness kicks in. His family's depending on him and he won't let them down-even if it means leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Liz can't believe they're under attack. At first, it seems like things won't be too bad. Yet within hours, it seems like the whole world's gone crazy. With communication lines down, she's unable to reach her husband, Luke. Getting her kids to their Bug Out Location won't be easy, but she's determined to make it. It's well stocked and safely tucked away in a canyon. But as people begin to flee the cities, a new darkness spreads across America. Her struggle to survive rips apart her core values and forces her to examine what it means to be a mother, a wife, and a survivor.

American Fallout is a thrilling post-apocalyptic survival prepper EMP fiction series that makes you step back and ask: Could this happen tomorrow? What would happen if the world's nuclear arsenal was unleashed? What would you do if it happened while you were away from home? And how would your family survive?

©2017 Brywood Press (P)2017 Brywood Press

The Californians (In the SNL voice)

Half the book sounds like the SNL skit “you take the 405 to the 5 to the 33 to the 8”.
Long story short Los Angeles gets nuked and no one actually gives a crap. I mean seriously I’ve never seen such nonchalant characters in all my life. Our ex Navy SEAL has the situational awareness of a three toed sloth. Even though they try to make the SEAL’s wife a strong woman she comes off as paranoid as a coked out government employee. The daughter is just a waste of valuable oxygen. Then of course there’s the stereo typical religious nut job. I honestly just can’t get behind this book. It’s just my opinion however.

people cant be this stupid?

just 90 minutes in and i wish it was over already. if this is how people react if things really happen we are so screwed

Different approach to the apocalypse

The story was ok but writing seemed kind of basic. See Jane run and shoot-her-rifle. I like the fact that the author included some interesting and practical prepper tips. The same old army green Beret / Navy SEAL baseline character was cliche but it was presented well and not like a Superman.
There's a different approach and new twist to the story and I always appreciate that since so often these books all run together with the same thing.Lots of action which keeps it interesting.
The book is worth listening to.

Good premise but poorly executed

About half way through the book but a lot of issues popped up so far. The 13 year old not only acts like a 6 year old but is also treated like a 6 year old. The 18 year old college girl is more like a 16 year old. The writer apparently has been infected with California politic about guns. The Writers depiction of people’s reaction is rather laughable. In one act the lead character is attacked by convicts that escaped a prison. He runs one down while being attacked. Yet he is worried about being arrested for murder. This doesn’t make much sense to me. Anyways story is good but just not very well executed.

Good story, well read

I liked the characters and their unique situations. While there was some Prepper equipment description it wasn’t over done. I believe the use of a Navy Seal as the principle character is getting overdone, the story moves at a good pace.

bad

The storyline was so bad, the characters were extremely hard to believe, if the main character was a Navy SEAL he was sure a poor one.

Feels like the author missed a lot of research

1. "Your signal is 5 by 9". Maybe it says 5 by 5 in the book, but there is no higher number than 5 on a signal report.
2. "My call sign is W7SHTF". While funny to have a "S*** Hit The Fan" callsign, it isn't valid in the united states for an Amateur Radio License.
3. A Navy Seal, even with years behind him after Retiring or ETS, has lifelong situational awareness. He gets jumped nearly back to back by surprise, really?
4. Again, a Navy Seal, having already told the reader people have lost their minds awefully fast, continues to pack his primary firearm away from reach to be outgunned and/or unprepared for 'the bad guy' more than once?

The mother, daughter, and son seem more realistic in their situations: son being a 'smart but not', daughter trying to be her own person, mother being protective, etc. Those parts are good. If you forget he's Navy Seal and don't know anything about Amateur radio, you'll probably not be bothered by any of my issues.

Good Read, listened to 3 times

Good prepper novel. Good quotes such as Everyone should have a garden even if its a couple of tomato or strawberry plants. Sierra's multiple mistakes show the need to protect young women. Gives an idea of simple things families can do to prep. Nice chapters re decent people like Derek, Sierra's roommate, and Sierra's father doing the right, the unselfish thing. Interesting episode about the creepy religious group.

Very much like the practical knowledge in Volume 1.

Where are the sequels? Where is Edge of Fear? Want to see how the family proceeds to organize things in their cabin to continue life.

Great start

Can't wait for the next book. Great characters, good story. Makes you think about what you would do in the same situation.

good book

story was a little far-fetched lots of mistakes but this is not a how to book great listening while you're rolling down the road