Shut Up & Read discussion

Genre:Apocalyptic > Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction > Dystopian, Thriller, Suspense, Fantasy, Mystery

Book Description: In the dead of winter, an EMP attack destroys the U.S. power grid.
No electricity. No cars or phones. The country is plunged into instant chaos.

But for Hannah Sheridan, it's the best day of her life. For the last five years, she's been the captive of a sadistic psychopath--until the EMP releases the lock of her prison.

Battered but not broken, she emerges from her underground cell into a hostile winter wilderness with nothing but her determination to survive.

Reclusive ex-soldier Liam Coleman is headed nowhere fast. He believed he was prepared for any disaster, until the EMP took everything he'd ever cared about in a matter of seconds.

Two hundred frozen, perilous miles stand between them and their destination in rural Michigan. But the killing cold isn't the only threat, for Hannah's captor isn't about to let her go...

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.

From USA Today Bestselling Author Kyla Stone comes the Edge of Collapse series, a gripping EMP apocalypse story featuring flawed, complex characters and high-octane action adventure. A survival thriller perfect for fans of Ryan Schow, Boyd Craven, and Jack Hunt.

*This is the first book in a series. Rated PG-13 for mild language and moderate violence*

Some things to think about while you're reading. Answer just one or all of these questions, but remember, PLEASE USE SPOILER TAGS when necessary! If you don't know how, ask :)

1. What was your initial reaction to the book? Did it hook you immediately, or take some time to get into?

2. Do you think the story was plot-based or character driven?

3. What was your favorite quote/passage?

4. What made the setting unique or important? Could the story have taken place anywhere?

5. Did you pick out any themes throughout the book?

6. How credible/believable did you find the narrator to be? Did you feel like you got the 'true' story?

7. How did the characters change throughout the story? How did your opinion of them change?

8. Which character did you relate to the most, and what was it about them that you connected with?

9. How did you feel about the ending? What did you like, what did you not like, and what do you wish had been different?

10. If the book were being adapted into a movie, who would you want to see play what parts?

I've started. I think I will like Hannah...(view spoiler)[In the beginning I didn't because she seemed so weak, but after finding out what had been happening to her and seeing she is a survivor, I like her more. Plus she freed the dog :) (hide spoiler)]

I've started. It kind of reminded me of The Room. I like Hannah. Even though she was scared of the dog she released it. Pike is a creep.

I was thinking Room, too!
Pike is a psychopath!

Sheri wrote: "I was thinking Room, too!
Pike is a psychopath!"

Yes, he is totally a psychopath! I would not do well in that situation.

Finished. I was kind of surprised I was at the end because it seemed like there was still a lot left, but I guess it was the a preview for the second book?

I liked this book. I like Hannah and Liam, and I like that there’s not any romance between them. A lot of times in books in a situation like this you’ll have the main characters get together, but this one is just focusing on the story.

So let’s talk about the ending… or lack thereof, in my opinion. I feel almost that with the way it just ended so abruptly, with no resolution, no cliffhanger, no warning the ending was coming…that it wasn’t a complete book. I feel like there needed to be some sort of segue maybe from this book to the next? I don’t know, lol, what did you think? I just feel almost let down or disappointed that I didn’t get a whole story because there was no ending. Like…instead of making a second book the author should’ve just continue with this one. That would’ve been way better. Or, at the very least, a cliffhanger ending…but don’t just stop the story. It doesn’t make sense to me 🤷‍♀️

Congrats Sheri! I'm sorry you were disappointed.

I haven't quite finished. They have met the old woman. I like Liam. Love that the dog is so protective of her.

Leigh wrote: "Congrats Sheri! I'm sorry you were disappointed.
"

It was just the way it ended. I'm curious to see how you feel about it. Maybe it's just me, lol. I like the story, though, and would continue it.

Leigh wrote: "I haven't quite finished. They have met the old woman. I like Liam. Love that the dog is so protective of her."

I like the old lady. She's fierce. You'd have to be to live alone like that in the middle of nowhere.

Sheri wrote: "Leigh wrote: "I haven't quite finished. They have met the old woman. I like Liam. Love that the dog is so protective of her."

I like the old lady. She's fierce. You'd have to be to live alone like..."

Yes, she was fierce. I'm liking it so far. It does remind me alot of with an apocalyptic twist.

There were a lot of things I liked, too. The characters were all great. I did like Liam. I love the dog!

Hannah was a little wishy for me...as far as she's always thinking about how weak she is and how strong Liam is. BUT... considering what had happened to her and where she'd been for the last 5 years, that's actually completely understandable.

I also thought the things that happened were pretty believable. If an EMP went off in the world right now...There would be some who ban together and some who take it as a free-for-all where the toughest survive.

And I would continue the series for at least another book or two to see where it goes (I didn't realize there were 7 books!)

I was actually driving home from a doctor's appointment with my son yesterday while I was listening to this. We were about 90 miles from home and I was trying to figure out what we would do if an EMP went off right then and our car stopped working. I guess we would have had to walk, so I'm glad it didn't happen, lol. But then I was thinking about food and emergency supplies. I might have to start stocking up now!

Just finished and enjoyed it. The ending didn't bother me. It made we want to find out what was going to happen next? I liked that Hannah in the end found her courage again despite everything that happened to her.

Sheri wrote: "I was actually driving home from a doctor's appointment with my son yesterday while I was listening to this. We were about 90 miles from home and I was trying to figure out what we would do if an E..."

It is a pretty scary thought. We have plenty food but without electricity unless you have a generator with enough gas that food will spoil. We have survived without electricity for 2 weeks but it gets old quick. I am not a survivalist. I like comfort. Hopefully we don't have to live through this situation.

Leigh wrote: "It is a pretty scary thought. We have plenty food but without electricity unless you have a generator with enough gas that food will spoil...."

I wouldn't do well, lol.

I wonder why the ending bothered me so much. Maybe because I had more left in the book and so I was expecting more, but it was a preview for the next book. Oh well :)

Sheri wrote: "Leigh wrote: "It is a pretty scary thought. We have plenty food but without electricity unless you have a generator with enough gas that food will spoil...."

I wouldn't do well, lol.

I wonder why..."

It wasn't that surprise ending we usually get at the end of books in a series, but it did give you a glimpse into what will happen next.