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strawberrymivvy's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I grabbed this book off the shelf completely at random and honestly thought an "end of the world" scenario wouldn't be for me. I was very pleasantly surprised!
Sela has returned to her small home town to lick her wounds after a difficult divorce; Ben is ex-military living in isolation up the mountain. He warns her of an incoming CME, or solar storm, and she trusts him enough to prepare her family to live, potentially for months, without power or outside help.
I have no idea about CMEs and their risk, theoretical or otherwise, to earth, but the science and the dystopian after-effects were realistic enough that it didn't matter to me whether that is what would really happen.
The authors painted an interesting picture of a small, mountain community coming together - and facing challenges - to face their new reality.
There is a love interest, but it's incidental to the story, and whilst I likely won't seek out these authors again they kept the pages turning and this was an enjoyable read
Sela has returned to her small home town to lick her wounds after a difficult divorce; Ben is ex-military living in isolation up the mountain. He warns her of an incoming CME, or solar storm, and she trusts him enough to prepare her family to live, potentially for months, without power or outside help.
I have no idea about CMEs and their risk, theoretical or otherwise, to earth, but the science and the dystopian after-effects were realistic enough that it didn't matter to me whether that is what would really happen.
The authors painted an interesting picture of a small, mountain community coming together - and facing challenges - to face their new reality.
There is a love interest, but it's incidental to the story, and whilst I likely won't seek out these authors again they kept the pages turning and this was an enjoyable read
pzinnel's review
4.0
41/2 stars! I could not put this book down! It was filled with great characters. The romance was sweet and secondary to the dystopian story. It got me thinking!!!!
vmarksthespot's review
2.0
While the romance was minimal and rather bland, I appreciated that this story explored the consequences of a natural disaster that is not totally out of the realm of possibility. By one account, there's a 12% chance that a solar star could happen to us in the next few years. It was interesting to contemplate and follow what systems the fictional community put in place to deal with the solar superstorm.
However, my interest almost immediately died when Ben tells Sela he's got nine condoms and after that she's got to choose. The story frames it as a choice but it's really an ultimatum: What I heard in my mind was Ben asking Sela if she's willing to risk unprotected sex -- and thus pregnancy -- with him. When they eventually do run out of condoms, Sela consents without pause because yes, she does want a baby with Ben.
Both of those reactions struck me as patently unrealistic. They're both willing to risk Sela and the baby to childbirth without the aid of modern medicine? The story has already established there are no medical facilities or doctors in Wears Valley. The best they have is a medic and a veterinarian and some herbalists. Even if there was a hospital, there'd be no electricity to run the equipment.
I'm not saying the couple shouldn't not decide to have a baby. It just felt like it warranted, at the very least, a conversation. Sela worries about everything else already; wouldn't this rank as well? Yes, by the epilogue, we learn that the electricity is due to be restored in time for resulting baby's birth, but if that was always the expectation, the authors should have at least mentioned that possibility earlier rather than being so blithe about the baby's conception.
Both of those reactions struck me as patently unrealistic. They're both willing to risk Sela and the baby to childbirth without the aid of modern medicine? The story has already established there are no medical facilities or doctors in Wears Valley. The best they have is a medic and a veterinarian and some herbalists. Even if there was a hospital, there'd be no electricity to run the equipment.
I'm not saying the couple shouldn't not decide to have a baby. It just felt like it warranted, at the very least, a conversation. Sela worries about everything else already; wouldn't this rank as well? Yes, by the epilogue, we learn that the electricity is due to be restored in time for resulting baby's birth, but if that was always the expectation, the authors should have at least mentioned that possibility earlier rather than being so blithe about the baby's conception.
lalabree's review
4.0
I was shocked at about 3 chapters in to realize this was a "real" book and not just a by-the-numbers romance. The apocalyptic what-ifs were well thought and I appreciated the character development. Well done.
bajidc's review
2.0
You know you’ve listened to too much of the “How Did This Get Made” podcast when you read about a “corona mass ejection” and you hear “GEOSTORM!” bellowing in your head. Really wild reading a story about a global catastrophe and regular folks getting a crash course in survival while actually going through it. Sadly, I think I’ve outgrown Linda’s books. I only really appreciated the initial prepper sections. The drama and “romance” (if you can call it that) were not up to par.
Superb blurb:
“She grabbed more toilet paper and canned meats—Spam, salmon, chicken, beef, multiples of each. Four big jars of peanut butter wouldn’t last long, so she made it six. She made a quick trip down the feminine hygiene aisle, then got some first-aid items: aspirin, antiseptic cream, bandages, Vaseline. She grabbed anything that looked like it might be useful, as she walked through the pharmacy section. While waiting for Carol’s prescription refills, she made another trip up and down the aisles, got more adhesive bandages, and an Ace bandage. More adhesive bandages. Another Ace bandage. No, make that three. By the time the prescriptions were ready, her shopping cart was full.”
Superb blurb:
“She grabbed more toilet paper and canned meats—Spam, salmon, chicken, beef, multiples of each. Four big jars of peanut butter wouldn’t last long, so she made it six. She made a quick trip down the feminine hygiene aisle, then got some first-aid items: aspirin, antiseptic cream, bandages, Vaseline. She grabbed anything that looked like it might be useful, as she walked through the pharmacy section. While waiting for Carol’s prescription refills, she made another trip up and down the aisles, got more adhesive bandages, and an Ace bandage. More adhesive bandages. Another Ace bandage. No, make that three. By the time the prescriptions were ready, her shopping cart was full.”
bookrambler's review
3.0
In a world where the sun came down and brought down the electrical grid of Earth along with it After Sundown tackles with the aftermath of a sun apocalypse.
I've read a book with a similar scenario before but it was sci-fi; I don't want to call this a 'suspense' because it didn't feel one. The story starts with our hero Ben, an ex-marine receiving news about incoming solar flares. Then, we are introduced to our heroine Sela, who's a shy general store owner and is she's warned by Ben that she should stock up on essentials before it is too late.
The majority of the story deals with the aftermath of the situation where it is much worse than our current situation. Electricity is out, satellites aren't working which leads to zero communication with the world. Zillions of problems arise, and of course among them are people who are keen on taking advantage of the situation. Among all of this, romance blooms between loner Ben and shy Sela.
I would've liked it if we knew at least one anecdote related to Ben's life. I don't know if I missed it but I just couldn't connect with Ben. All I know about Ben is that he has 'buns of steel', and that he's an ex-marine, loner, almost definitely has PTSD, hasn't had sex for a long time, likes to brood and doesn't want to become emotionally invested(at first). I desperately wanted to know more about his childhood, teen or his time in the Marines but i got nothing. The romance also felt too rushed bordering on clinical; I wanted just a bit more emotional interaction between them.
Overall, it's a good story if I take into account the plot and the stakes. I usually love Linda Howard's books and I devoured this in a day with the occasional jabs at the book for the quality of romance. Thanks to Harper Collins/William Morrow for gifting me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I've read a book with a similar scenario before but it was sci-fi; I don't want to call this a 'suspense' because it didn't feel one. The story starts with our hero Ben, an ex-marine receiving news about incoming solar flares. Then, we are introduced to our heroine Sela, who's a shy general store owner and is she's warned by Ben that she should stock up on essentials before it is too late.
The majority of the story deals with the aftermath of the situation where it is much worse than our current situation. Electricity is out, satellites aren't working which leads to zero communication with the world. Zillions of problems arise, and of course among them are people who are keen on taking advantage of the situation. Among all of this, romance blooms between loner Ben and shy Sela.
I would've liked it if we knew at least one anecdote related to Ben's life. I don't know if I missed it but I just couldn't connect with Ben. All I know about Ben is that he has 'buns of steel', and that he's an ex-marine, loner, almost definitely has PTSD, hasn't had sex for a long time, likes to brood and doesn't want to become emotionally invested(at first). I desperately wanted to know more about his childhood, teen or his time in the Marines but i got nothing. The romance also felt too rushed bordering on clinical; I wanted just a bit more emotional interaction between them.
Overall, it's a good story if I take into account the plot and the stakes. I usually love Linda Howard's books and I devoured this in a day with the occasional jabs at the book for the quality of romance. Thanks to Harper Collins/William Morrow for gifting me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
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