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Blackout #5

Hornet's Nest: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller

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When you poke the hornet's nest, ya better make dang sure you kill 'em all. If you don't, you're gonna suffer their wrath.

In a post apoclyptic world ...
You will face adversity ...
You may be threatened by forces greater than yours ...
Will you have the strength to overcome evil?

This fast-paced post apocalyptic dystopian fiction series from international bestselling author Bobby Akart (Doomsday Series, Yellowstone Series, Lone Star Series, Pandemic Series, The Boston Brahmin series and the Prepping for Tomorrow series), has been hailed as a masterpiece of EMP survival fiction. Prepare to learn, as well as be entertained as The Blackout Series continues with HORNET'S NEST.

In book one of this new post-apocalyptic survival fiction series, 36 HOURS, the reader was provided a glimpse into the rapid decline of society once word of the catastrophic solar flare racing towards Earth began to spread.

Book two, ZERO HOUR, thrust our characters into the perils of a post apocalyptic world. At Zero Hour, an EMP caused by a massive solar flare left America in darkness. The Ryman family, who weren't preppers, applied common sense, logic, and a will to survive to their decision-making as they faced their death, their neighbors, and the depravity of man.

In book three, TURNING POINT, the characters face a life altering decision - should we stay or should we go? The oldest and strongest emotion in man is fear, and the strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. Will American's flee the urban centers, the proverbial golden hordes, for the countryside? Will it be safer than the cities? TURNING POINT will lead the Ryman family into a complex, inexplicable world where danger lurks around every bend.

SHILOH RANCH brings the Ryman family to their bug-out location where then quickly learn that the grass isn't always greener on the proverbial other side of the sense. They quickly learn that there is one constant in a post-apocalyptic world - the threat from their fellow man. But without taking a risk, their cannot be reward. But what happens when you cross the line?

HORNET'S NEST, book five in The Blackout Series, tests the mettle of our characters. Will one success lead to devastation for them all? Is it possible for an unlikely group of heroes to band together to defeat an evil which had plagued a small community for decades? And if they are successful, how do you build a world shattered by the devastating aftereffects of a massive solar flare?

Note: This book does not contain strong language. It is intended to entertain and inform audiences of all ages, including teen and young adults. Although some scenes depict the realistic threat our nation faces from a devastating solar flare, and the societal collapse which will result in the aftermath, it does not contain graphic scenes typical of other books in the post apocalyptic genre.

BOOKS IN THE BLACKOUT SERIES:

BOOK ONE: 36 Hours
BOOK TWO: Zero Hour
BOOK THREE: Turning Point
BOOK FOUR: Shiloh Ranch
BOOK FIVE: Hornet's Nest
BOOK SIX: Devil's Homecoming

246 pages, Hardcover

Published March 29, 2019

655 people are currently reading
110 people want to read

About the author

Bobby Akart

90 books389 followers
International bestselling author, Bobby Akart, one of America's favorite storytellers, delivers up-all-night thrillers to readers in 245 countries and territories worldwide. He's achieved Amazon Top 5 Author status in both fiction and non-fiction genres, Amazon Kindle All Star and Top 50 Amazon Author (#35) and Top 25 Best Selling Book on Amazon Charts (Yellowstone #25).

"He's right up there with James Patterson, David Baldacci, Brad Thor and others that write thrillers. To me he actually surpasses them.”

He has written more than 70 novels in the disaster fiction, survival thriller, medical thriller and political thriller genres.

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5 stars
443 (58%)
4 stars
209 (27%)
3 stars
91 (11%)
2 stars
19 (2%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for BookLoversLife.
1,838 reviews9 followers
May 9, 2017
It's time to kick the Hornet's Nest!! The people are fed up with Ma and her followers and decide that it's time to do something about it. The Ryman's never thought they would be part of a Civil War but they are in the thick of things here! Can they take back Savannah from Ma?

Things have finally come to a head at Shiloh Ranch and everyone decides it's time to take back their town. Ma and Junior have done too much to too many people and it's time they pay. I was so happy to see Alex shine in this one. She has really come into herself and grew up a lot in this one.

Plot wise, it was really fast paced and at times intense! The Civil War was building for along time and it finally exploded in this. I was at the edge of my seat throughout and devoured this! I was a little disappointed that the war wasn't a little more..... brutal though. I thought a few more people would have gotten hurt.

In all, a great continuation on the series and makes me eager to see the next one. The ending was killer though, I'm not a fan of cliff hangers and this one was one heck of a cliffhanger!! I need the next book ASAP!!!

John David Farrell was better in this one than the last as he seemed to have gotten a feel for the characters. He was easy to listen to and was clear and concise. I will have to check out more by him.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
Profile Image for Uncle  Dave Avis.
432 reviews8 followers
March 3, 2017
This was a really good book right up to the end. I would have given it five stars. The author should have ended the book with the big kiss, but he spoils the whole mood with the last two pages. It seems that the author is greedy for more money by suddenly introducing an element that will continue into another book of the series. This really spoils the interest for me. The author needs to rewrite the ending to conclude with the big kiss and leave it at that. I will not buy any additional books in this series.
630 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2017
Book 5

Our characters have strong religious values. They all hate killing the bad guys which seems a little strange to me. This is another story of the apocalypse where gas never loses its spark. At one point the good guys are in a parking area full of the evil sheriff's cars and never consider disabling them. The ending is beyond unrealistic.
25 reviews
May 5, 2017
I like the overall story but am getting tired of the overuse of Christian/biblical lessons and themes and politicization of the hero and villain characters.
Profile Image for Julianne Adams.
71 reviews5 followers
March 5, 2017
Such a great series!

Bobby Akart proves again and again that he knows how to write excellent books and keep the reader well satisfied! In this book of the Blackout series the folks from Shiloh ranch and others from the surrounding area take on the task of finally clearing Savannah of Mayor Ma Durham and her son, Junior who is a corrupt sheriff. They have terrorized the citizens of Savannah and surrounding area since the blackout occurred. After the long successful fight for their town, Ma Durham and her evil son are taken to Jackson, where the FEMA camp is as well as a contingent of the National Guard. The two prisoners are turned over to the authorities there and Colton, Alex, Beau and Stubby return to Savannah. It's Thanksgiving and the town has a huge gathering at the town square to share food and fun. However, their celebration brings them more than they bargained for. Hurry with the next (and last) book Mr. Akart! Highly recommend this book! This whole series is written so that even young teens could read it. The whole series focuses on a family that had not prepared for a catastrophe like the blackout and are forced to adapt quickly to a very dangerous new world while also trying to make sure they have food, water and shelter. Read the series ! You won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Maggie Deaton.
730 reviews5 followers
September 11, 2020
YOU HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!!!!

No sleep for the weary at 2:10 a.m.!!! I thought that I would be able to slip quietly off to sleep and await the reappearance of the Durham fiends in Book 6...aptly named! After all, we knew they would stage some sort of attempted comeback... though I will admit until Alex pointed out the glaring discrepancies at the FEMA and National Guard base, it never entered my mind that they would return under the auspices of the same commanded by Junior's brother and Ma's other son! Ye gods and little fishes!!! And now with martial law declared, what's next - confiscation of all firearms??? So, who do "we" fight next and how??? What a horrible conclusion to what was a jubilant and truly thankful Thanksgiving Day celebration!!! Stay tuned for the final book in this series as "out guys" decide whom and how exactly they will have to fight to take control of their lives and town yet again!!!
Profile Image for Byron Hallson.
17 reviews
October 30, 2024
great book, great ending

I knew the serialized book to book continuation was an Akart theme, so went into it as such. As such, the ending was expected, unexpectedly! The twist of the how was cool. The entire series, I expect, was an ungodly long work and broken into smaller novels, and as long as you can kindle unlimited through them all, it will feel natural moving one to the next. I don’t think I’d like to have to wait months for the ne… oh wait. I’m 3/5 into the Nuclear Winter series and have a couple months to the next…. It is enjoyable enough to survive somehow I suppose. Just kidding. It is, as always, exactly what you were hoping the series to be, but with more detail.

I recommend All of Akart’s stuff really. I’ve read 6 of his series in the last 10 days plus 3/5 of NW. He writes the genre well, and creates believable characters.
Profile Image for Pam Shelton-Anderson.
1,921 reviews66 followers
May 7, 2017
I actually really liked this book and were it not for the ending, I would have given 5 stars. A lot of action in this and I was so looking forward to seeing the Durhams defeated. Alex is almost a little too superwoman, but it is nice to see a female character in such s strong role. I'm not a fan of the characters with a religious slant to things but in real life, there would be many who would lean on that to help them and others in such a distressful time. Clearly the ending set up another book but the specifics of it were too much of a stretch of imagination to have been possible. I guess anyone who watches "The Walking Dead" knows that if you don't take care of a problem right at the time, it will come back to bite you.
Profile Image for Michael  Keller.
919 reviews10 followers
February 20, 2017
No time to let your guard down.

When the sun blasted a mass of coronal material straight at the Earth, it did more than show a brilliant display of auroras over the skies of Cuba, it overpowered America's electrical grid. With almost no warning the power went out across the entire United States, most people hunkered down and waited for the government to step up, do their job and fix things. It might be a bit uncomfortable for a couple days, but there were government agencies for these types of things. Weren't there?
Alex Ryman learned about Solar Flares and the havoc they could wreak on unprotected electronic circuits in Astronomy class. She was a sophomore at Davidson Academy in Nashville, and Astronomy was her favorite subject but the teacher was way off track. When she told her mother, Madison Ryman, about the strange behavior of her teacher and the consequences of a Coronal Mass Ejection causing a power outage, it stuck in Madison's mind. After dropping Alex at golf practice, Madison stopped at the bookstore to get a cup of tea. An author was discussing his new book on preparedness in the event of a natural disaster, or an EMP attack on the grid. He was stressing the importance of having supplies and necessities on hand for emergencies, reminding his audience of the basics - beans, bullets and bandaids. Sensing a surplus of circumstances, she purchased the book about preparing for survival. The book included several lists of necessities for various calamities.
After picking up Alex, they stopped at Krogers for groceries and Madison decided to get some food that would last, just in case. Alex helped with a few suggestions of her own, and they filled a couple carts full of supplies. Colton Ryman raced from Dallas to Nashville in a rented Corvette, to arrive home just in time.
When the CME struck and the power was out, the Rymans were a little better prepared than most. Life in their neighborhood in Nashville followed a predictable course of looting, riots, theft, robberies and violence.
After conditions deteriorated and fires were closing in on their neighborhood, the Rymans decided to relocate to a safer area. One of Colton's earliest clients had a ranch near the Shiloh historical battlefield.
The trip to Shiloh was adventurous, to say the least, but they did finally arrive, butp not before crossing paths with Betty Jean Durham, the only child of the infamous former sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee, Buford Pusser, and her son Leroy Durham, Jr., but most everybody just called him Junior. Betty was the mayor of Savannah and Junior was the Sheriff. They ran the town and surrounding area with a series of rackets that did nothing to benefit the town, but did much to benefit the Durhams. Narrowly escaping from the traps set for the unwary, the Coltons found a way to cross the river to get to Shiloh. The Durhams controlled the only bridge for miles, but downriver a bit they found a working ferry to get them across.
Life in Shiloh was like a paradise, and plans were made to cooperate with neighbors and trade for things they needed, to build community and help each other. But the Durhams didn't forget, and Junior was strongly attracted to Alex. While the folk at Shiloh planned how to survive the coming winter, the Durhams were making their own plans to terrorize, enslave the men and women to work the quarries and mines, the girls to the brothels, and kill anyone they didn't need.

There is going to be an explosive confrontation in the near future.

The characters are boldly detailed, described vividly, rising off the page to share their stories. If you didn't know them before, you know them now. The couple across the way, the kid down the block, that pretty little gal from high school - you know the one! They're all here, and they all have a story to tell. The author shows a wealth of knowledge, not only about preparing for disaster, the methods of survival, but about the personalities that will thrive or wither as things run their course. This is an excellent story using the tale to teach and to instruct and, most importantly, to entertain. I know you will love this series as much as I do.

Profile Image for Claudia Wuelfing.
75 reviews
March 6, 2018
I don't usually read non fiction but this is a very possible reality.

I have this a 4 star only because I don't usually give 5 unless it's a life changing book. I like that the book gets to the point fairly quickly instead of being dragged out and I have found very good tips and ideas on prepping I overlooked. Plus the book is entertaining and has got me on the edge several times. This is not only on this book but all the others, I wouldn't have purchased the rest if I didn't have some type of adrenaline rush.
Profile Image for Joan.
1,102 reviews5 followers
August 5, 2023
The rescue mission is a success but they now realize Junior and Ma Durham won't let that slide without reprisals. The plan is take Savannah back for all the people. Shiloh Ranch, the Tiger Resistance, some of the nearly five dozen young women from town who have been holed up at Rhoda Croft's Dairies are game but they need more people to pull this off. Colton and Beau get together with 15-20 representatives from neighbouring farms and they agree to help. The battle is fought and I won't say who won but what a shocking twist to end this book.
Profile Image for Bruce&Marsha Sarrazin.
57 reviews2 followers
October 16, 2017
As good as the rest.

Like the other books in this series it's a good read. There is one reoccurring flaw. That is the Akart puts the first 2 chapters of the previous books in these books. On books two or three, no big deal. On book 6 it taking up the first quarter of the book.

Maybe it's not a big deal to some, but I find it aggravating. He could have combined books 5 and 6 if he had left out the aggravating filler.
Still I recommend reading this series.
Profile Image for Joanne.
7 reviews
March 10, 2018
It just keeps getting better!

There is always going to be evil in the world. We all need to take a stand. That is what this book is about. Taking a stand and doing what is right - even when it is hard and family can end up suffering loss. That’s what this group did and succeeded. I thought it would end here but [Spoiler Alert]………… The Government steps and screws it up.

On to the next book!
Profile Image for Nancy Silk.
Author 5 books82 followers
December 16, 2018
"The Survival Saga Continues"

Continuing the apocalyptic saga of the Blackout series, will the Ryman family be successful in continuing their survival? Can the band of heroes who they have joined defeat the evil doers? How will they be able to repair the world after the massive solar flare? Another great survival story from popular author Bobby Akart. He always knows how to captivate his readers with some facts blending into exciting fiction. Highly recommend.
442 reviews8 followers
February 18, 2017
Great story But...

Loved the continuing saga, the rescue, the fight for democracy. Would have gone five stars but hated the ending that leads to another book. Too far fetched and to me was only there to lead to another book. It should have ended or had a different spin for book six. I was disappointed and probably will stop at this book.
178 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2017
Hornet's Nest

Are you kidding me? Just when Ma and Junior Durham are arrested , things go from bad to worse....I was screaming at my Kindle...Alex had the right idea just to kill them so they wouldn't cause anymore trouble....I really love the Blackout Series and can't wait for the next book...
....
21 reviews
June 7, 2017
The saga continues

The tale of a husband, wife and teenage daughter in a post apocalyptic world continues as the citizens of Hardin county plot to throw off the shackles of the evil Ma Durham and her son, the Sheriff. Action packed from cover to cover, leaving you wanting to read the last book in this six book series.
Profile Image for Tracey Mccall.
354 reviews8 followers
February 13, 2018
Outstanding

Another outstanding book in this series. Author Bobby Akart is a master storyteller. He is able to bring the pages to life. With amazing characters you want to follow over and over, you become invested in them.
I'm excited to start reading the next book in this series. Get to Amazon and start reading
3,198 reviews26 followers
January 8, 2019
A BA. SYFY. Novel About An AMP Attack By The Sun/Blackout Series (5)

BA. has. penned the 5th Novel of the Blackout series where the good people of Savannah begin to plot against the evil doers who arrived from different states. The good people organize their action and the game begins. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
335 reviews1 follower
September 11, 2019
Holy cow!! What an ending!!

That was a fun ride and it’s not over. I gave this book in the series only a 4 star rating because of all the religious overtones. It was a little much for me personally but I love the storyline, the characters and the surprise ending. Eager to start the next book!!
295 reviews
July 8, 2020
Book five delivers!

A faster paced story as all the characters work together to foil their greatest enemies. Excitement prevails as we learn secrets and discover tragedies as the book ends. Hoping for another victory in book six but uncertain of the path there. Excellent writing as usual!
Profile Image for Diane.
214 reviews
January 26, 2023
HEARING THE BUZZ, FEEL THE STING

A LOT of action, tense moments, hairy situations in this series, especially book five, HORNET’S NEST.
Just when you think things are gonna Calm down, something else pokes the nest and someone else gets stung. Love it! Terrific reading withOUT ZOMBIES…but rift with monsters disguised as humans.
408 reviews6 followers
April 22, 2019
Book 5 as good as 1

Thinking they can win against murdering Mother and son and others the countryside go against them. But turning in the killers to the government may not be a good idea.
817 reviews7 followers
February 1, 2020
Very good

This series has really come together with new characters and challenges. The survivors seem to take one step forward and three steps back. Will they prevail against those against them?
76 reviews
August 30, 2017
Oh my gosh

Omg what a story and what a cliff hanger. Just when you thought it was done. Unbelievable good story I love this series and recommend it to all
Profile Image for Peggy Pancherz.
1,172 reviews6 followers
February 28, 2018
Good book

Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Characters are realistic and get better and better. Storyline continues to grow and develop.
191 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2018
Enjoyable series

Send rather realist. Very good characters and no noticeable editing or grammar errors. Will be interesting to see where this goes.
949 reviews22 followers
January 5, 2019
Very well done.

Overall I think this book is quite well done. A little more war by children than I liked, but a good read anyway.
262 reviews3 followers
April 3, 2019
As usual with Mr. Akart's books, I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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