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Edge of Collapse #4
Edge of Anarchy
What lines will you cross to keep your loved ones safe?
Three weeks after the nation's power grid goes down, chaos reigns. Food supplies have dried up. Fuel is running low. And the bleak, brutal winter is relentless.
Fall Creek has forged a shaky peace, but the cost for safety proves higher than some are willing to pay. The town is a powder keg waiting to explode.
For Hannah, home is finally within reach. But it won't be anything like she expected...
When the country goes dark, ordinary people find themselves facing the end of the world as they know it. With society collapsing before their eyes, they'll have to risk everything to protect their home and the people they love.
Don't miss the newest release in the riveting Edge of Collapse survival series from USA Today Bestselling Author, Kyla Stone!
Featuring complex characters and explosive action, this EMP apocalyptic series is perfect for fans of Ryan Schow, Grace Hamilton, Harley Tate, Jack Hunt, and Boyd Craven.
*Beware of spoilers in the reviews*
Three weeks after the nation's power grid goes down, chaos reigns. Food supplies have dried up. Fuel is running low. And the bleak, brutal winter is relentless.
Fall Creek has forged a shaky peace, but the cost for safety proves higher than some are willing to pay. The town is a powder keg waiting to explode.
For Hannah, home is finally within reach. But it won't be anything like she expected...
When the country goes dark, ordinary people find themselves facing the end of the world as they know it. With society collapsing before their eyes, they'll have to risk everything to protect their home and the people they love.
Don't miss the newest release in the riveting Edge of Collapse survival series from USA Today Bestselling Author, Kyla Stone!
Featuring complex characters and explosive action, this EMP apocalyptic series is perfect for fans of Ryan Schow, Grace Hamilton, Harley Tate, Jack Hunt, and Boyd Craven.
*Beware of spoilers in the reviews*
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2020
7486 people are currently reading
3146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 615 reviews
October 5, 2024
☆☆☆☆
SOMETIMES THE MONSTERS AND THE EVIL IN THE WORLD COMES FROM THOSE THAT ARE STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO US
Edge of Anarchy: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (Edge of Collapse Book 4) by Kyla Stone is a well written tell about a woman who was kidnapped and held against her will for five years and only escapes the evil phycho who put her through unbelievable torture. Hannah's only means of escape was due to the electronic door locks no longer working due to an EMP that took down all electronics.
With help Liam, a former soldier and Ghost, a large white Great Pyrenees dog, they work & fight their way towards Hannah's hometown and her husband and eight year old son.
This is a story full of action, suspense, and mind-blowing struggles and twists and turns. Just when you think you know who are the good guys and who is the bad guys, Kyla will throw you a turn that will blow your mind. It's about both heroes and villains.
This book and series is one that will keep your interest throughout. I have enjoyed this book and series and hope you will too.
SOMETIMES THE MONSTERS AND THE EVIL IN THE WORLD COMES FROM THOSE THAT ARE STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO US
Edge of Anarchy: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (Edge of Collapse Book 4) by Kyla Stone is a well written tell about a woman who was kidnapped and held against her will for five years and only escapes the evil phycho who put her through unbelievable torture. Hannah's only means of escape was due to the electronic door locks no longer working due to an EMP that took down all electronics.
With help Liam, a former soldier and Ghost, a large white Great Pyrenees dog, they work & fight their way towards Hannah's hometown and her husband and eight year old son.
This is a story full of action, suspense, and mind-blowing struggles and twists and turns. Just when you think you know who are the good guys and who is the bad guys, Kyla will throw you a turn that will blow your mind. It's about both heroes and villains.
This book and series is one that will keep your interest throughout. I have enjoyed this book and series and hope you will too.
November 1, 2020
Finally! We get some resolution with Pike, it seemed to be dragging on too long. Of course when the time comes, Hannah has a TSTL moment and I wanted to bang my head on the nearest desk. Thankfully, Ghost continues to be a hero.
Noah has moved from meh to total coward, Liam is about 10% less dour, Quinn is still the best character, and Bishop got the best scene in the book. I'm glad he's getting a bigger character arc. A huge showdown seems imminent.
Noah has moved from meh to total coward, Liam is about 10% less dour, Quinn is still the best character, and Bishop got the best scene in the book. I'm glad he's getting a bigger character arc. A huge showdown seems imminent.
February 13, 2025
In this book we dive deeper in the mind of the characters.
I’m in love with this story.
It’s worth reading.
I’m in love with this story.
It’s worth reading.
March 20, 2024
I'm going to start ignoring the covers because they don't seem to match with what will happen in the story. On some good news, this book was finally really good and pack with a lot of action!
❄️ I'm so freaking proud of Hannah 👏🏽! Even when she was terrified of Pike, nothing would get in her way when it's time to protect your own child. Hannah can finally enjoy some mental peace... for now.
❄️ Noah keeps showing how fucking stupid he really is. How the hell is he even a police officer?! I'm even surprised how he has been able to keep Milo alive when he is never home, always working.
❄️ I'm loving how Liam is sulking about everything going on in that small-town. But at the same time, he will do his best to protect Hannah.
❄️ I have a feeling Quinn is going to be able to let the people of Fall Creek see that the militia is not there for their benefit.
❄️ The Sinclair's are a bunch of greedy but stupid people 😂 how the hell Julian thought his magnificent plan was going to work?
❄️ Fall Creek will have to use their brains—if they have one—and protect themselves. How they thought the militia and Rosamond really care for them? Is beyond me.
❄️ Could it be possible to drop a bomb or just a big earthquake to disappear Winter Haven. What a bunch of entitled people!
I hope the next book stays as good and entertaining for me.
❄️ I'm so freaking proud of Hannah 👏🏽! Even when she was terrified of Pike, nothing would get in her way when it's time to protect your own child. Hannah can finally enjoy some mental peace... for now.
❄️ Noah keeps showing how fucking stupid he really is. How the hell is he even a police officer?! I'm even surprised how he has been able to keep Milo alive when he is never home, always working.
❄️ I'm loving how Liam is sulking about everything going on in that small-town. But at the same time, he will do his best to protect Hannah.
❄️ I have a feeling Quinn is going to be able to let the people of Fall Creek see that the militia is not there for their benefit.
❄️ The Sinclair's are a bunch of greedy but stupid people 😂 how the hell Julian thought his magnificent plan was going to work?
❄️ Fall Creek will have to use their brains—if they have one—and protect themselves. How they thought the militia and Rosamond really care for them? Is beyond me.
❄️ Could it be possible to drop a bomb or just a big earthquake to disappear Winter Haven. What a bunch of entitled people!
I hope the next book stays as good and entertaining for me.
October 13, 2020
The Edge of Collapse series continues to offer characters to root for, fast-paced plot, inevitable clashes between different camps, and a whole lot of survival. Post-apocalyptic entertainment at its best.
June 18, 2020
Great follow up
This was a great follow up to the third book in the series building up to the final act. Since this book was written during a real-time crisis, there are a lot of emotions that we can all relate to. In addition, lots of tips and tricks thrown in that will perhaps benefit who desire to not be caught unawares. I do have mixed emotions about the turn some of characters have taken but am hopeful they will overcome their flaws and do the right thing in the end. However, I am still firmly and will always be on team Hannah/Liam....I can't wait to see how the story ends.
This was a great follow up to the third book in the series building up to the final act. Since this book was written during a real-time crisis, there are a lot of emotions that we can all relate to. In addition, lots of tips and tricks thrown in that will perhaps benefit who desire to not be caught unawares. I do have mixed emotions about the turn some of characters have taken but am hopeful they will overcome their flaws and do the right thing in the end. However, I am still firmly and will always be on team Hannah/Liam....I can't wait to see how the story ends.
November 10, 2024
Day 20 through day 40 or so of the apocalypse. Hanna is growing stronger after the torture and escape. The action moves from the cold wilderness to Hanna’s hometown. Hanna and Noah are reunited, but Hanna has given birth to Pike’s child and Noah has a problem with it. And Hanna has brought back her savior, Liam, adding jealousy to the mix. Noah is the police chief but Pike’s evil mother controls the town and its militia. The townspeople including Hanna are not safe. And Noah is a step behind. Well written and lots of action but the story does move along slow to middling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2020
High Intensity, great storytelling!!!
What a ride. This had me on the edge of my seat throughout. I can’t get enough of the awesome duo, Liam and Hannah. Or should I say trio with Ghost. In the first book I didn’t really like what I heard of Noah. He kind of redeemed himself in the second book but now all I can say is that maybe my first impressions weren’t all that off. It was so cathartic with what happened to you know who! This series is truly amazing. I haven’t been so into a series for a long time. Usually by book three I’m done with the characters and really just want it all to end. Not with this one though. Can’t wait for more and more. I know I’m being greedy but you can never have too much of a good thing right?
What a ride. This had me on the edge of my seat throughout. I can’t get enough of the awesome duo, Liam and Hannah. Or should I say trio with Ghost. In the first book I didn’t really like what I heard of Noah. He kind of redeemed himself in the second book but now all I can say is that maybe my first impressions weren’t all that off. It was so cathartic with what happened to you know who! This series is truly amazing. I haven’t been so into a series for a long time. Usually by book three I’m done with the characters and really just want it all to end. Not with this one though. Can’t wait for more and more. I know I’m being greedy but you can never have too much of a good thing right?
May 6, 2024
~4.75✰~
"He would crawl to her if he had to."STOP😭
He got stuck in a snowstorm, wounded and their dog found him and he said: "Take me to our girl. Take me to Hannah."😭😭😭
"Bring him back to me." (Hannah)
YALLLLL STOP MAKING ME CRY
"He would crawl to her if he had to."STOP😭
He got stuck in a snowstorm, wounded and their dog found him and he said: "Take me to our girl. Take me to Hannah."😭😭😭
"Bring him back to me." (Hannah)
YALLLLL STOP MAKING ME CRY
May 11, 2021
The Edge of Amazing
Kyla only gets better. She keeps you guessing from page to page, paragraph to paragraph, word to word!
Her ability to flawlessly move from one crisis to another (usually worse) crisis w/o losing the reader is truly “Amazing!”. It is so easy to lose track or not care about the outcome unless the author is flawless in dragging the reader in and clamping on to ones thought process! There has to be more going on then pure horror to be truly frightening.
Again Kyla manages to keep the overall feel of the story somewhat “light” while at the same time creating characters and situations that will scare you to the edge of death! The event in the shop with Quinn and DeSota was perfectly perfectly horrific!
Try to think about the hidden message Rosalind was giving to Noah, the viciousness of it...while at the same time smashing not just a peanut butter cookie in ones mouth but a peanut butter cookie with peanut butter morsels!
The description of the simple cookie takes you one place while the sermon from Rosalind puts a lump in your stomach! ! So delightfully scary... So AMAZING! .
Moving on to DEFIANCE!
Kyla only gets better. She keeps you guessing from page to page, paragraph to paragraph, word to word!
Her ability to flawlessly move from one crisis to another (usually worse) crisis w/o losing the reader is truly “Amazing!”. It is so easy to lose track or not care about the outcome unless the author is flawless in dragging the reader in and clamping on to ones thought process! There has to be more going on then pure horror to be truly frightening.
Again Kyla manages to keep the overall feel of the story somewhat “light” while at the same time creating characters and situations that will scare you to the edge of death! The event in the shop with Quinn and DeSota was perfectly perfectly horrific!
Try to think about the hidden message Rosalind was giving to Noah, the viciousness of it...while at the same time smashing not just a peanut butter cookie in ones mouth but a peanut butter cookie with peanut butter morsels!
The description of the simple cookie takes you one place while the sermon from Rosalind puts a lump in your stomach! ! So delightfully scary... So AMAZING! .
Moving on to DEFIANCE!
January 15, 2025
I'm so locked into this now that all the characters are converging
April 27, 2023
5 Stars ✨
Best of the series so far!
Best of the series so far!
December 5, 2024
Great
I've been reading this series and it's absolutely addicting. No electricity, cars don't run , the things that we take for granted stripped away. Freezing temperatures, only survival is everyone's goal. Food is very hard to come by, and chaos and violence. There's conspiracy and the threatening militia. Which country is truly responsible is unknown.
I highly recommend this series.
I've been reading this series and it's absolutely addicting. No electricity, cars don't run , the things that we take for granted stripped away. Freezing temperatures, only survival is everyone's goal. Food is very hard to come by, and chaos and violence. There's conspiracy and the threatening militia. Which country is truly responsible is unknown.
I highly recommend this series.
November 10, 2021
Two things I really dislike about this series:
1. Sooo much talk about feelings. I get it, it builds character and depth. But this is simply too much for me.
2. So many "how do I prolong this scene needlessly?". Something like "she lunged the knife at his heart, but he dodged last minute. She tried again, but slipped. She tried again, but his coat was too thick. She tried again but it was a dream. Etc. etc.".
1. Sooo much talk about feelings. I get it, it builds character and depth. But this is simply too much for me.
2. So many "how do I prolong this scene needlessly?". Something like "she lunged the knife at his heart, but he dodged last minute. She tried again, but slipped. She tried again, but his coat was too thick. She tried again but it was a dream. Etc. etc.".
June 13, 2020
This is book four of the Edge of Collapse series and the author is just producing better and better books as the series progresses. This is the best book in the series so far and was just WOW! It continues with Hannah, Liam, Ghost and baby Charlotte’s struggle to trek to Fall Creek, her previous home town. Hannah was taken captive by a man called Pike and held for five years, until an EMP struck and her prison door’s electronic lock failed. She has been beaten, tortured, starved and used as his sex toy for all these years, and was left as just a shadow of her former self and heavily pregnant. Now she, Liam and her dog Ghost, had to stop during a bad storm as she gave birth to Charlotte. Pike had been tracking them and trying to get Hannah back and they thought he had finally been killed. Nothing is quite that easy though!
Back in Fall Creek, matters are about to get worse, as Rosamond Sinclair controls the town with the militia she called in, run by her cousin Sutter. Fifty fully armed and trained men are now policing the town and have full control over food distribution and justice, often quickly and viciously given out. Rosamond promoted Noah Sheridan, Hannah’s husband and father of their son Milo, to Sheriff after the previous sheriff disappeared suddenly one day. Anyone that dissents with Rosamond’s plans is dealt with swiftly by her militia and there have been a number of occurrences in the town that have caused huge numbers of deaths and left many desperate not to make waves, to stay under the radar and just survive. Noah depends on Rosamond and the militia to find Milo’s medication, which is the only thing that keeps him alive. Some in town are not happy with how the town is being managed and soon matters will come to a head. But it will bring danger to all.
There is no electricity or comforts that modern life has made commonplace for most, and some are really struggling to make the changes to cope with all the change. Most of the homes aren’t made for life without heating or open fires and no running water, so many are being housed in close quarters in the local school building and tempers are fraying. Rosamond and her favoured people are comfortable in cabins in the wealthy Winter Haven settlement just outside of town, where they have solar power, generators and running water. Life is almost like normal there.
Hannah is almost home, but it won’t be anything like she expected it to be. She has gone through hell over the last five years and in the time since the EMP strike, she has had to dig deep to gain back her strength and also to survive the harsh conditions she has been travelling through. Many of her friends and neighbours in Fall Creek are dead or living in difficult situations and no one is as friendly as they used to be. Most are out for themselves and want to protect their own families first and foremost. Her return will be a shock for all, especially for her husband Noah, as well as those who won’t want to believe who was actually responsible for her captivity and this will mean more danger for her and those she loves.
This review has been written to try and not give away any spoilers about things that happen in the book and so issues have only been widely discussed above. This book is definitely the best in the series so far. There is lots happening to all the keys characters in the story and matters are coming to a head in so many different ways. Life is hard now for all those who have made it through the initial chaos of the EMP strike and the continuing severe winter weather hampering efforts for any sort of subsistence living for most. The EMP was so sudden that 99% of the town residents were completely unprepared for what was to come. One of my other favourite characters is Quinn’s grandmother, whose husband was a prepper and taught her lots of what she needs to survive and she is passing this on to her granddaughter. Something many of us may have wished for, as the pandemic hit us all, with no warning and vast changes to how we live.
Hannah and Liam are great characters, both have been damaged deeply in the recent past, but now have a shared goal to reach, to get Hannah home to her husband and son. They have both become stronger as they have travelled, having to deal with many attacks and struggles just to make it, but with the help of Ghost, the dog Hannah rescued from Pike’s hideaway which had been equally mistreated by Pike, they have a dogged protector to help them. The relationship between Milo and Quinn has just gotten stronger after the massacre at the church and they are a great pair to follow along. Milo has the stubborn defiance of his mother and wants the justice and equal treatment of others that his father has taught him. Another fantastic read in this series and I can’t wait for the next book which will bring about the end of the series. I will be sad to see it end, but the characters and circumstances will live on in my memories. Certainly an author to follow and a series to read, as well as their other series’. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Back in Fall Creek, matters are about to get worse, as Rosamond Sinclair controls the town with the militia she called in, run by her cousin Sutter. Fifty fully armed and trained men are now policing the town and have full control over food distribution and justice, often quickly and viciously given out. Rosamond promoted Noah Sheridan, Hannah’s husband and father of their son Milo, to Sheriff after the previous sheriff disappeared suddenly one day. Anyone that dissents with Rosamond’s plans is dealt with swiftly by her militia and there have been a number of occurrences in the town that have caused huge numbers of deaths and left many desperate not to make waves, to stay under the radar and just survive. Noah depends on Rosamond and the militia to find Milo’s medication, which is the only thing that keeps him alive. Some in town are not happy with how the town is being managed and soon matters will come to a head. But it will bring danger to all.
There is no electricity or comforts that modern life has made commonplace for most, and some are really struggling to make the changes to cope with all the change. Most of the homes aren’t made for life without heating or open fires and no running water, so many are being housed in close quarters in the local school building and tempers are fraying. Rosamond and her favoured people are comfortable in cabins in the wealthy Winter Haven settlement just outside of town, where they have solar power, generators and running water. Life is almost like normal there.
Hannah is almost home, but it won’t be anything like she expected it to be. She has gone through hell over the last five years and in the time since the EMP strike, she has had to dig deep to gain back her strength and also to survive the harsh conditions she has been travelling through. Many of her friends and neighbours in Fall Creek are dead or living in difficult situations and no one is as friendly as they used to be. Most are out for themselves and want to protect their own families first and foremost. Her return will be a shock for all, especially for her husband Noah, as well as those who won’t want to believe who was actually responsible for her captivity and this will mean more danger for her and those she loves.
This review has been written to try and not give away any spoilers about things that happen in the book and so issues have only been widely discussed above. This book is definitely the best in the series so far. There is lots happening to all the keys characters in the story and matters are coming to a head in so many different ways. Life is hard now for all those who have made it through the initial chaos of the EMP strike and the continuing severe winter weather hampering efforts for any sort of subsistence living for most. The EMP was so sudden that 99% of the town residents were completely unprepared for what was to come. One of my other favourite characters is Quinn’s grandmother, whose husband was a prepper and taught her lots of what she needs to survive and she is passing this on to her granddaughter. Something many of us may have wished for, as the pandemic hit us all, with no warning and vast changes to how we live.
Hannah and Liam are great characters, both have been damaged deeply in the recent past, but now have a shared goal to reach, to get Hannah home to her husband and son. They have both become stronger as they have travelled, having to deal with many attacks and struggles just to make it, but with the help of Ghost, the dog Hannah rescued from Pike’s hideaway which had been equally mistreated by Pike, they have a dogged protector to help them. The relationship between Milo and Quinn has just gotten stronger after the massacre at the church and they are a great pair to follow along. Milo has the stubborn defiance of his mother and wants the justice and equal treatment of others that his father has taught him. Another fantastic read in this series and I can’t wait for the next book which will bring about the end of the series. I will be sad to see it end, but the characters and circumstances will live on in my memories. Certainly an author to follow and a series to read, as well as their other series’. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
February 23, 2023
Genres: Dystopia/Sci-fi
This is book #4 in the Edge of Collapse series I couldn't put this one down and I was hanging on every word. I love it when a book can sweep me away like that.
The characters are all unique but they all have need for survival in common. It was interesting to see how the author explored the gray area where we find out how far people will go and what lines they are willing to cross to protect and feed their families/communities.
When I finished this one I immediately picked up book #5. SO 4 stars.
This is book #4 in the Edge of Collapse series I couldn't put this one down and I was hanging on every word. I love it when a book can sweep me away like that.
The characters are all unique but they all have need for survival in common. It was interesting to see how the author explored the gray area where we find out how far people will go and what lines they are willing to cross to protect and feed their families/communities.
When I finished this one I immediately picked up book #5. SO 4 stars.
December 1, 2024
Really enjoyed this one! I’m nervous to see how it all ends😅
October 16, 2024
Audiobook 🎧
July 14, 2020
I'm just staying mostly for the dog at this point.
May 30, 2023
The series keeps progressing nicely . . . I’m ready for the next book.
April 13, 2024
Non stop action since the first book… thirsty for the rest of the series! 😂
April 17, 2025
the best in the series so far!
January 8, 2025
Really enjoying this series!
November 12, 2024
Audiobook 🎧
May 21, 2025
After the last book I very nearly didn’t pick this one up as I felt like the series was stagnating a bit but I’m glad I went back to it! This one felt much more like a return to form. 3.5 ⭐️
August 27, 2024
Looooved this. Love Hannah and Liam’s character development but wtf is happening to Noah?!
December 11, 2024
Still going strong! This entry was pretty much on the level of the previous one (as far as star rating). I still had my handful of complaints and grumbles, namely with the blatantly (still-existent) predictable aspects, but nothing that was strong enough to derail my momentum or drive to finish. My enjoyment still exists, though I must admit that I'm curious if the remaining books in the series will continue to be "just shy" of where they started, or if they will lose steam and be even worse (which I doubt will happen, but...still). *Crossing fingers*
Anyway, we're all crossing over at last! This is the first book in the series in which all characters finally intersect into each other's paths. It's also one that starts off with an immediate bang, throws you right back into the grind without slow buildup. At this point in time, there's no point for buildup anyway. Liam and Hannah are closer to her hometown, but sadly are still being pursued by Pike, who they foolishly thought was dead and gone. Now that Hannah's giving birth to her child, things get even MORE complicated. Meanwhile, Noah's handle on being a cop in a town that is falling more apart is becoming a heavier load to bear. Can any of these folks still hold on and stand strong in their various burdens?
As expected, there are a few new revelations in this book, a couple of which I didn't see coming. Now that folks have finally met, adversaries and their motives are more revealed and fleshed out, though there's still more work to be done in that department (no doubt stuff that will come later). As I said earlier, though, my issues with this book (and all its predecessors) stemmed mostly from the predictable and way-too-obvious aspects. In addition to this, I feel like some character arcs and/or personalities, once coming further into fruition, were grossly exaggerated. Villainy felt over-the-top, even cartoony. Character feelings and/or expressions towards others often felt sophomoric, like I'm reading a high-school drama.
That's probably why Stone (author) may have had some of her characters make decisions that were uncharacteristic, bizarre, or counterproductive to their own missions. Some sort of shock-value to shake things up, perhaps? For example, Pike had a massive advantage over Liam and Hannah when he survived that snowmobile crash at the end of the previous book, and he KNEW he had this advantage. So instead of being a smarter villain and maintaining that advantage, he decides to advertise his presence with another dead carcass like he did in book one. I was legit like, "Damn, dude, why would you do that? Now they know you're alive." Liam, too, KNEW Pike was luring him out, but still pursued anyway, making some choices that nearly got him killed.
The fact that these complaints of mine have been consistent with each book is, I admit, KIND OF worrisome, even despite the fact that I'm still enjoying myself, which I so am. I guess I just don't want things so much handed to me as I read. Let me WORK for something, ya know? Let me be SHOCKED. I don't like so many obvious things, such as Hannah and Liam being set up as love interests. Thing is, in order to do that, you have to remove the complication that is Noah. So, it's my prediction that Noah is gonna become more and more unlikable as a character so that it can justify Hannah being with Liam instead. I mean, I love Liam and Hannah and I certainly wouldn't complain if/when they become official, but...I just think it's just sorta tragic to taint another character to achieve this.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. But it ain't like anyone's out there reading this stuff anyway lol. Onward!
Anyway, we're all crossing over at last! This is the first book in the series in which all characters finally intersect into each other's paths. It's also one that starts off with an immediate bang, throws you right back into the grind without slow buildup. At this point in time, there's no point for buildup anyway. Liam and Hannah are closer to her hometown, but sadly are still being pursued by Pike, who they foolishly thought was dead and gone. Now that Hannah's giving birth to her child, things get even MORE complicated. Meanwhile, Noah's handle on being a cop in a town that is falling more apart is becoming a heavier load to bear. Can any of these folks still hold on and stand strong in their various burdens?
As expected, there are a few new revelations in this book, a couple of which I didn't see coming. Now that folks have finally met, adversaries and their motives are more revealed and fleshed out, though there's still more work to be done in that department (no doubt stuff that will come later). As I said earlier, though, my issues with this book (and all its predecessors) stemmed mostly from the predictable and way-too-obvious aspects. In addition to this, I feel like some character arcs and/or personalities, once coming further into fruition, were grossly exaggerated. Villainy felt over-the-top, even cartoony. Character feelings and/or expressions towards others often felt sophomoric, like I'm reading a high-school drama.
That's probably why Stone (author) may have had some of her characters make decisions that were uncharacteristic, bizarre, or counterproductive to their own missions. Some sort of shock-value to shake things up, perhaps? For example, Pike had a massive advantage over Liam and Hannah when he survived that snowmobile crash at the end of the previous book, and he KNEW he had this advantage. So instead of being a smarter villain and maintaining that advantage, he decides to advertise his presence with another dead carcass like he did in book one. I was legit like, "Damn, dude, why would you do that? Now they know you're alive." Liam, too, KNEW Pike was luring him out, but still pursued anyway, making some choices that nearly got him killed.
The fact that these complaints of mine have been consistent with each book is, I admit, KIND OF worrisome, even despite the fact that I'm still enjoying myself, which I so am. I guess I just don't want things so much handed to me as I read. Let me WORK for something, ya know? Let me be SHOCKED. I don't like so many obvious things, such as Hannah and Liam being set up as love interests. Thing is, in order to do that, you have to remove the complication that is Noah. So, it's my prediction that Noah is gonna become more and more unlikable as a character so that it can justify Hannah being with Liam instead. I mean, I love Liam and Hannah and I certainly wouldn't complain if/when they become official, but...I just think it's just sorta tragic to taint another character to achieve this.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. But it ain't like anyone's out there reading this stuff anyway lol. Onward!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2021
I love everything about this series, the story keeps getting better with each book. Well I love everything about this series except for one thing. For some reason in each book there is at least one pretty big editing issue. Big enough that it takes me out of the story, and I hate that. In my copy of this book, without giving any spoilers, chapter 35 is a different version of what happened in chapter 34. I thought at first I'd lost my mind. Or maybe it was part of the story. (It wasn't) And what's really bad is that chapter 34 was a very pivotal chapter. So it was pretty disappointing to me that the editors didn't pick up on this huge mistake. Like I said, there were other issues, either small or large, in the previous 3 books as well, but I won't go into all that. This is why I give these books only 4 stars. Otherwise I highly recommend this series.
August 28, 2024
I'm tempted to say there were no shocking events in this one, but that doesn't mean nothing Big and Important happened. All the developments are in the spoiler tag below. You've been warned!
I'ma take a little break to read the KU Romantasy Quicksilver, then I'll pick up this series again with #5.
I'ma take a little break to read the KU Romantasy Quicksilver, then I'll pick up this series again with #5.
February 25, 2023
Perfect buildup for a awesome climax
More awesome writing in this story. Some closure for a few characters. Hannah gets her justice with the help of her beautiful dog Ghost. Her baby girl is beautiful and worth everything to live for. Liam is the perfect protector determined to protect Hannah and the baby girl. The Psych Pike gets what he deserves - brutally (happy dance). Noahs shock of Hannah still being a live and what happened to her is having difficulty seeing the truth of everything. Everyone it seems he trusted can't be trusted. Noah finds himself between making the right side or standing by and doing nothing in order to keep his son Milo safe. However, the friends, citizens around him are dropping like flies. The struggle to deal with the truth of the leaders real motivation has come to the fore front especially now that her two sons are dead. Her revengeful to Noah is keeping him at bay and from turning him away from her. He has to do her bidding or his son Milo won't have the medical meds he needs to survive. Quinn has gather a few together to do something about the militia takeover and put an end to the madness. A climax is coming and I'm looking forward to the next book to see if the citizens rise against the militia and the tyranny leader that has threatened Noah. All good stuff. Every character is amazingly developed and I find myself rooting for their righteousness.
Excellent Read!
More awesome writing in this story. Some closure for a few characters. Hannah gets her justice with the help of her beautiful dog Ghost. Her baby girl is beautiful and worth everything to live for. Liam is the perfect protector determined to protect Hannah and the baby girl. The Psych Pike gets what he deserves - brutally (happy dance). Noahs shock of Hannah still being a live and what happened to her is having difficulty seeing the truth of everything. Everyone it seems he trusted can't be trusted. Noah finds himself between making the right side or standing by and doing nothing in order to keep his son Milo safe. However, the friends, citizens around him are dropping like flies. The struggle to deal with the truth of the leaders real motivation has come to the fore front especially now that her two sons are dead. Her revengeful to Noah is keeping him at bay and from turning him away from her. He has to do her bidding or his son Milo won't have the medical meds he needs to survive. Quinn has gather a few together to do something about the militia takeover and put an end to the madness. A climax is coming and I'm looking forward to the next book to see if the citizens rise against the militia and the tyranny leader that has threatened Noah. All good stuff. Every character is amazingly developed and I find myself rooting for their righteousness.
Excellent Read!
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