Point of Impact: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller

By: Kyla Stone

Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski

Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

Surviving the blast is only the beginning....

Dakota Sloane, a tough-as-nails former foster kid, has spent her life running from the past. Logan Garcia, a man haunted by secrets, has only one goal: to drink himself into oblivion.

They're two strangers in a bar - until the news reports nuclear bombs in New York City and Washington, D.C. Fearing Miami may be next, Dakota's first thought is to grab her little sister - still trapped in the system - and get the hell out of Dodge. 

Then the world explodes. As buildings collapse and fires rage, utter chaos erupts. Trapped in the burning city, Logan and Dakota have less than 10 minutes to seek shelter before the lethal cloud of fallout descends. 

But Dakota's sister is still out there. To rescue her, Dakota will need Logan's help, but can she trust him? And how far is she willing to go to save the only family she has left? 

Point of Impact is an apocalyptic survival thriller exploring what could happen if terrorists successfully executed a coordinated nuclear attack on the United States, told from the perspectives of regular people determined to survive. 

"I absolutely loved this book! Multidimensional characters...great writing...I recommend this promising new PA series." (Ryan Schow, author of the best-selling Last War series)

"Great! A good story with unique characters and thorough research. I was pulled in from the first page." (Kate L. Mary, author of the best-selling Broken World series)

©2019 Kyla Stone (P)2019 Kyla Stone

Loved it!

Really enjoyed this book. It was my first by author Kyla Stone and it won't be my last. One thing that stood out to me is the seamless interweaving of different character's POV about what drives the decisions they make regarding their personal circumstances. Even if we don't agree with their choices, it makes the story that much more interesting. Highly recommend!!

Wow!

I loved this book. There was so much action and danger. It had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning all the way to the end. It's scary to think that someday something like this could really happen. It felt so realistic and was written to make me feel like I was in the middle of this nuclear disaster. It is book 1 in a series so it does end in a cliffhanger. I will definitely go on to book 2 and would highly recommend this series to anyone who loves this type of genre. Stacey Glemboski did an excellent job bringing the characters and their emotions to life. I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

Great Storytelling

I have listened to Book One 3 times in 4 days. I wanted to squeeze out the last drop before moving on to the Book Two.
All I can say is it ended too soon. I was just getting wrapped up in the characters and they're gone. Should have been twice as long.

This one sure gets your attention!

I must admit that I had no idea what a nuclear attack would look like. If anything, I learnt some new facts.
This first book grabs your attention. I found myself clenching my hands along with the characters and everything they have to endure as they wait for the radiation fallout to end and then to face a new world where no help will be found.
I definitely want to listen to the next book and find out how this group of people survive!

An incredible series.

I was spellbound from the start just reading it and the audiobook brought even more to life!

Intellectual and entertaining!

You can tell that the author has done thorough research on the subject matter and does a great job of weaving facts into the storyline. This is an audiobook that is hard to turn off!

Survival in Miami after Nuclear Bombing

Steely Dakota and mysterious Logan are in a bar when a nuclear bomb explodes. Dakota’s single focus is to reach her sister, Eden, who’s in a foster home, but she needs Logan’s help to negotiate a city that’s turned from a resort town into a radioactive version of the Wild West. Their alliance is uneasy at best, but neither has a choice.

I liked how this started

I really like the premise of this book and was really into it when it ended. I’ve often wondered what a nuclear attack might look like but the thought of it being so “local” to large cities is frightening. Once I finished this book I quickly searched for the second in the series and it hasn’t been released to audible yet - my eyes will be peeled!

Wow! An excellent postapoc story!

Point of Impact: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller (Nuclear Dawn, Book 1) by Kyla Stone and narrated by Stacey Glemboski will keep you on the edge of your seat! Great world building and wow to the characters! This is my first book by Kyla Stone and it won’t be my last. Recommend if you’re looking for something in the post-apocalyptic genre, something new and will hold your attention, or a shorter listen- it’s well worth the money/credit.

What’s it about? A group of strangers are brought together after a nuke hits. Dakota is trying to get to her sister, Eden, who is at her foster family’s house. Eden is waiting for her sister to rescue her while dealing with the trauma from past abuse. Logan has a dark past and just wants to drink his troubles away. Maddox, a dangerous man from the sister’s past, is hunting them when the nuke hits. The minor characters play an important role despite the story being told from Dakota, Eden, Logan, and Maddox’s point of view. I enjoyed the different point of views and that the author continued moving the story forward with each one versus rehashing the story from each different angle. The characters are well thought out- you get a little of their past and you can’t help but want to know more. The is a series so you won’t get closure with this one. Chances are by the end of the book you will be asking yourself what if this did happen? How would I handle it?

The narrator, Stacey Glemboski, was great. Easy to listen to voice and good pace. I would listen to another book by her.

Overall, I highly recommend especially if you are into the post-apocalyptic genre.

Parental guidance/trigger warnings: nuclear bombs- fallout and death from them, foster system problems (abuse), alcoholism, gangs (Latin Kings), guns, violence (what you’d expect if the world fell apart), one racist man (who dies but blames the nuke on Muslims before hand- one slur), hints/thinking about past abuse that sister’s suffered at hands of religious organization (not saying too much due to spoilers but one sister lost her ability to talk).

*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!

Loved it!

I never went to straight listening to a book. this was my first. I've always read them feeling that seeing the words would give me the big picture. I was wrong. the detail the author gives is just WOW!! makes you feel it, smell it, hear it. and the narrator was probably the best I've heard personally yet. the voices changes... before it was even said who was talking, I already knew. not to mention just the words the character uses (per the author) you could clearly tell the difference. I've read some books where you can get that all characters seem to have the same dialect, mind frame. with this book you can see they are clearly different. the descriptiveness in telling the story, either the author put in her research or she sure sounds like she does! I'm impressed! not a fan so much of the "to be continued books" that leave you hanging although I'm definately going on to the next book!

Enjoyable

Enjoyable post apocalyptic story. Dakota has tried to make a life so she can take care of her sister who is still in the care system. She meets up with Logan as the world is turned upside down.
They must get out of the way of the fallout before it’s too late.
I enjoyed the story but it felt very much like a beginning only, really wish it had more of an ending, I do listen & read series books, but better to have an ending with an option to carry on. Saying that it’s still very good
Narrator is good & kept pace great.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderfully narrated

The narrator really brings this book to life. The story is very exciting, intriguing and has an amazing down to earth heroine. Well worth listening too.

Surviving the blast is just the beginning

Surviving the blast is only the beginning...

Following a catastrophic nuclear attack which targeted 13 major cities, millions are wiped out in an instant while others are left to deal with the after effects of radiation poisoning. Troubled teen, Dakota Sloane has been working in a bar in Miami, trying to save enough money to get her younger sister Eden, out of foster care. Two years ago, they escaped the Everglades from a cult called the Shepherds of Mercy, which is run by the fanatic Solomon Cage. Dakota has changed her name and stayed incognito since.

Minutes before the attack, Dakota spots Maddox Cage, the cult leader’s son, getting into a taxi through her bar window. Realising he’s tracked down Eden’s whereabouts, Dakota decides to up her plans to leave with Eden sooner than she had anticipated. As different cities come under attack on the news bulletin, Dakota comes to a horrifying realisation and is able to text Eden seconds before a blinding light flashes and Miami also succumbs to an attack.

Following the blast, Dakota and a few survivors from the bar seek refuge in a movie theatre as they wait for the radiation levels to drop. The survivors include Julio, the bar owner, Shay who has some medical experience and Logan Garcia, a loner, haunted by his past who seeks solace in a bottle.

Forty eight hours later, Dakota’s anxiety for Eden has worsened as she suspects that Maddox may have survived and will possibly head out for her sister. Sensing that he can handle himself with a gun, she makes a deal with Logan; access to a secure safe haven deep in the Everglades in return for accompanying her while she rescues her sister. Logan agrees. With Julio and Shay also insisting on going her, the group set out on a journey through wasteland that is fraught with danger not only from radiation but from aspects of humanity itself. Will Dakota save her sister in time?

Point of Impact is a post apocalyptic survival thriller and is the first instalment of the Nuclear Dawn series. The story is told from four points of view; Dakota, Eden, Logan and Maddox. From the offset, I found myself totally immersed in the premise of the story. The impact on survivors from a nuclear explosion where knowledge and survival skills could be the only thing standing between life and death? Luckily our group has Dakota, who thanks to her mentor Ezra, has been taught survivalist skills.

The strength of the book lies in the fascinating world building that the author has managed to create. It’s apparent throughout that the author has done a lot of research which sets it apart from other novels of similar themes.

The characters were quickly introduced, developed and understood. Dakota, Eden and Logan are troubled protagonists, each with a dark past which is only hinted at in this instalment. We learn that Dakota and Eden were sent to a religious compound by their Aunt, following the death of their parents. They escaped and sought refuge with Ezra, a hermit who lived in the Everglades. While Dakota is tough, resilient and a survivor mainly because she’s HAD to be, Logan chooses to drown his demons in a bottle. Eden, despite being alone and hearing impaired, handles her situation admirably for a fourteen year old. Her faith in her sister, unshakable. The secondary characters were equally appealing. Julio and Shay came across as decent, caring people. Unfortunately when society breaks down, it brings out the worst of humanity too and I suspect this will become a regular occurrence now that our group has decided to venture out into the open.

All in all this was an intriguing well executed, gritty, realistic and fast paced instalment with an ending that will ensure any reader will want to pick up the next instalment.

I received an advanced free audible copy of Point of Impact and I am voluntarily reviewing it. Stacey Glemboski has masterfully brought the characters and story to life with her clear, concise delivery which made it easy to differentiate between characters.

good listen

was given via audiobookboom for honest review,i enjoyed this book narrator is good would have liked a bit of a better ending seemed to cut off to nowhere and none of the others on audible uk

first full book listened to on audio

never really liked audio books but thought i would give it another try, this narrator was different, well read and not monotone in their reading, i loved the book, the story is great and i loved the narrator.

Great Listen

What a really educational, exciting, enriching listen. The narrator was amazing and the storyline epic!