Edge of Collapse: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller

I LOVE these books! So far, I'm at the tail end of book #3 and have already ordered book #4. There is also book #1.5 that I found, which will be delivered in my mail box today (woohoo!)Kyla Stone is an amazing writer. I've never heard of her before I stumbled upon this series. These books could easily be turned into a TV show or movie (ofcourse, those wouldn't be as good as the books are). Though I really don't want this series to be over, I'm already excited to check out her other books.This series is page turning, nail biting, heart trobbing, tear jerking, action packed and just straight up awesome! The author realy knows how to paint a picture in your mind. There is so much detail on every page, you feel like you're in the book!Highly recommend this series, and after I finish it and read the other books she's written, I'd likely highly recommend those as well!

I'd almost rate this 4.5 stars I enjoyed it that much. I found the story really entertaining and it moved at a good pace. I haven't read anything quite like this before which is probably why it took me by surprise and had me enjoying the ride. While I love apocalyptic reads, I've never read one post-EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse for those not in the know... Which was totally me yesterday lol). The pulse comes from unknown origins but knocks out all electronic devices in what seems to be the most of the U.S.A. As a result, the country is thrown into chaos.I didn't know a lot about this book going in and I think that amped up my enjoyment of the story. If you want to go in blind, too, maybe skip this next bit. When the EMP hits, Hannah escapes the prison she's been kept in for 5 years. She's on the verge of probable death due to the biting cold when she crosses the path of Liam, a former special forces soldier with his own demons. Without spoiling too much, they forge on together as Hannah is desperate to be united with her husband and son in their small town she was taken from. The major problem (I mean, apart from the bitter snow, the EMP and the world going berserk)? They're being hunted by her former captor and Hannah is pregnant.While I probably would have liked a bit more detail on Hannah's captivity, I loved how the author didn't gloss over her PTSD. I thought it was handled well, especially since it was a shorter read. For lovers of romance such as myself, there's none to be found here so far, but it honestly didn't bother me because the story drew me in so much. I'm also going to assume there's a bit more of this further on in the series. Hannah and Liam were both solid characters. The story was told from both of their points of view as well as several chapters from their stalker. I'm not gonna lie, I loved this and thought it added extra depth to the story.The story is set out in days. I thought the week or so was a bit of a short time frame for the world to descend into such madness. I mean, I get it, but it seemed to jump to extremes a bit quickly for the purpose of adding drama. That's a minor thing, however, as I found the story line great and the writing solid. As I said above, it was a quick read but it sure packed a punch. There was a lot of well-executed tension, suspense and drama which is why I finished it in a day or so.Obviously due to the background of the female lead, there's elements of abuse, torture and forced captivity touched on for anyone with triggers. The antagonist is ruthless and brutal, causing a few ickier moments that helped ramp things up a bit.You get a few snippets of the main characters' past but there are plenty of gaps that I assume continue to be filled in in later books. As this is a series, there's only temporary closure with Hannah and Liam's story being far from over. I'll definitely be continuing with this series in the future.

This book was so good! This was a deeply personal book for me. I felt like it really got into the mind of being a victim and the transformation into a survivor. How it feels to finally fight back. I thought it explored that really well, in a way that felt true to me.I enjoyed the dual pov - of the victim and the monster. It heightened the suspense, and made the story more exciting.The characters in this were so good. They felt like real people, even the more minor characters. The author really brings them to life and tells their story.

This book is phenomenal. Could barely put it down to get things done. Grips you right from the start! You can sense the fear and hope and pray for the outcome your heart desires yet it's not a fairytale so be warned. The highs and lows and all the tense moments in between keep you turning the page NEEDING to know what happens next. Awesome book and rushing to the next in the series!!

3.5 starsMy pros:I loved the cover art and the story concept intrigued me (and I appreciated the author's not about her inspiration for it). I like a good apocalyptic/disaster book laced with emotional backstories and rich characters and this story has that. I liked bot of the main characters (Hannah and Liam) and loathed the villain, Pike, as I should. The characters are well thought out, even if Liam may be a bit of the cliché hero (but hey we like them, right?). I listened on audio and the voice artist was fabulous. The author is descriptive, providing in-depth details and has a clear voice. And I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens, but...My cons:This was half of a book. The ending was an abrupt end. No character arcs, no completing any of the storyline. Cliffhangers are fine if they are your jam, especially in a series but this was very frustrating. I want to have at least have some partial closure at the end of a first book in a series; better yet, make it a stand alone and have book 2 be the cliffhanger for a trilogy. However this is a 7-book series. I went on to read the descriptions for the other books and I see new characters and plotlines arise. I do wonder, as some other reviewers suggest, if this series would have been better as a trilogy. Though vivid and descriptive, the writing was repetitive and I felt the story could have been heightened and tightened by cutting down on the repetition and overwriting. Lastly, there was hardly any of the disaster present. I get that it's hypothetical (and the author does a good job addressing it and her research shows) but I would have liked more of it. It is very much a character-driven story and the disaster takes back seat.Overall, an interesting start to a series, and this author clearly has talent in her writing skills, but I would have preferred more of a completed plot/character arc for book 1.

I rarely rate books with 5 stars, they are so hard to find especially by authors you don't know BUT this book is a 5 star plus! The story grabs you right from the start, it is so well written, it draws you in and the characters keep it alive all throughout the book. I couldn't put it down and I am so impressed by this author!I've ordered book 2 and I found out there is a book "Chaos Rising" that you could read before book 1, an Edge of Collapse prequel. Thank you Kyla for sharing your talent and writing an awesome series.

It is an excellent book, and when I started reading the pace was so fast that I just kept turning the pages. It is a good straightforward story and very easy to read.

Deze serie is super spannend, de personages zijn geweldig!

Deze post-apocalyptische overlevings thriller is spannend tot de laatste bladzijde. De karakters wordengoed opgebouwd en door de hoofdstukken per karakter te beschrijven komen ze tot helemaal leven. Als je dit boek uit hebt, kun je niet anders dan het volgende boek (Edge of Madness) willen lezen.Tip: Lees ook Chaos Rising.Het verhaal zet je tot nadenken over hoe afhankelijk de moderene mens wel niet is geworden van allerlei electronica en technologie.

I binged read this. Bought and finished in one day. Excitement, thrilling and fast reading. The story draws your interest from beginning to end can't wait to read book 2 already ordered. Only snag story too short.