Withstanding Anarchy: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Saga Filled With Fascinating Characters & Prepper Info

by Grace Hamilton

In a World Without Power, their True Strength is Family—Blood and Found.

After an EMP left civilization wrecked, survival is a daily struggle—something Deb and her group know all-to-well. Having found her ex-husband and Carol’s two sons, the anticipated happy reunion was anything but. With danger surrounding them, they’re all stuck together hiding from Mike, the abusive tyrant who held them captive in a work gang. Worse he’s the father of Carol’s unborn child and he wants them both back. At any cost.

As tensions in the camp rise and conflicts escalate, the atmosphere in the camp grows increasingly volatile. Minor disagreements escalate into fierce conflicts, supplies dwindle, and trust begins to erode, threatening to tear apart the fragile bonds they’ve formed. Now, they all must put their differences behind them and rally together to stop Mike before more people die.

He’s made it abundantly clear that he’s not leaving without Carol and their child.

And he’ll kill anyone who gets in his way…

Genres: Post Apocalyptic

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2024

About the author

Grace Hamilton is the prepper pen-name for a bad-ass, survivalist momma-bear of four kids, and wife to a wonderful husband. After being stuck in a mountain cabin for six days following a flash flood, she decided she never wanted to feel so powerless or have to send her kids to bed hungry again. Now she lives the prepper lifestyle and knows that if SHTF or TEOTWAWKI happens, she’ll be ready to help protect and provide for her family.

Combine this survivalist mentality with a vivid imagination (as well as a slightly unhealthy day dreaming habit) and you get a prepper fiction author. Grace spends her days thinking about the worst possible survival situations that a person could be thrown into, then throwing her characters into these nightmares while trying to figure out "What SHOULD you do in this situation?"

It’s her wish that through her characters, you will get to experience what life will be like and essentially learn from their mistakes and experiences.

Reviews

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I would say that the cover depicts a scene from within the book really well. I think all the covers of the books in this series have a great cohesive look. I bet they look amazing in paperback on a bookshelf!

I love the first line of the blurb “In a World Without Power, their True Strength is Family—Blood and Found” it really fits this whole Dark Nation series really well.

The book picks up more or less where the last one ended. Mike is injured and alone wandering about, probably 'lost' but determined to survive and live on for two main reasons. Firstly, to find Carol who is pregnant with his child and strongarm her into being back with him. Though his main focus is his child, at times he seems to hope Carol will become the woman he wants her to be. Mike then wants to rebuild his workforce, which will be from scratch as he has lost everyone at this stage. Starting over doesn’t seem to faze him at all, he thinks he can build more, build stronger and even bigger, all for his yet unborn child.
His second reason for surviving is to hunt down Deb, Bobbi and Jonah and teach them a lesson for escaping. His main target for torture when he catches her is Deb. Mike seems to think all his problems stem from this one woman. If it weren’t for Deb, he would still have Carol and his unborn child with him, as well as his right-hand woman Marie. He is infuriated about losing Marie, not only as his second in command but as his future female companion who wanted to bring up his child with. He had even begun to fantasise with the idea of having more children, this time with Marie. Mike really does want to build his own empire and have some sort of legacy. Mike had never thought about or wanted children until Carol became pregnant, then the idea of leaving a piece of him behind when he had gone., having a legacy began to appeal to him. He also liked the idea of 'ruling' with a son or daughter by his side. His son/daughter would be totally loyal to him, his blood, someone he could totally trust. Mike pushes himself to go on and comes across the small cabin of an older family, Lemuel, his wife Mary and John, Lemuel’s younger brother. Of course, Mike cannot reveal how he really came to be injured so he spins a tale to suit his needs, hoping to play on the sympathy of Mary. It’s not long until they are cleaning his wound and giving him precious antibiotics to fight the infection that has already taken hold. Mike is happy with the way he is being cared for and is gaining valuable information about Colton, such as the whereabouts of his cabin just half an hour away.

Deb, Bobbi, Jonah and Carol are trying to settle in as best as they can but to say the atmosphere is frosty is an understatement! From the natural suspicion about newcomers, to a little resentment at now having to make supplies stretch and then the muttered and at times blatant verbal jibes directed toward Carol from her eldest son Tommy things are not working well at Colton and Mollys settlement. There is also friction between Colton and Deb, old grievances are still simmering and seeing the happy family dynamic between Colton, Molly and baby Jack is at times too much for Deb to watch. However, when disasters strike one after another the two sides have to work together to defeat Mike once and for all.

I personally loved the dynamic between Laura and Bobbi. They both excluded due to Laura being in a wheelchair and Bobbi still struggling with her arm injury from helping fix the dam and have to stay at camp with little Jack. With Bobbi being a nursery teacher in her life before the EMP she soon befriends Jack and join forces with Laura in doing tasks they can manage together. I had enjoyed the subtle hints around the budding romance for the future for Bobbi.

It was interesting that though Colton and Molly’s group had fought for their survival and settlement they had become quite naïve and at times failed to see that they were being led down a certain route by Colton’s ex-Marine colleague Mike. Just when you thought Mike could not stoop any lower, he did. I thought it was great how Molly sort of played go between with her group and Deb’s group and they finally pulled together.

There are more devastating losses for the group to cope with, before the two groups have to regroup, and reunite to attempt to lure Mike in and get rid of him once and for all.
Though Mike may be hallucinating due to pain and infection it doesn’t mean he is going to be easy to take down. Mike’s marine training comes automatic, second nature to him, so he won't go down without a hard fight and being the man he is he fights dirty and tries to take as many people down with him.

There were some fantastic characters in this series, not just the main ones, ones lost along the way and of course I loved the inclusion of Laura’s service dog Argent who warned the group of danger on a few occasions. I also thought it great that Laura though was confined to a wheelchair, the group made adaptations for her wheelchair and she was still an equal voice and member of the survivors group. I liked the hints at the future of the society and the settlement, with both the younger and older characters romances and the possibilities that could lay ahead for them.

I really enjoyed reading this series, and thought it was interesting how the two main groups of characters ended up being related. I have to admit I desperately wanted Carol, Deb, Bobbi and Jonah to find a place they could settle down and call home as well as for Carol to be free of Mike and reunited with her two sons.

Summing up, this book continues to build the momentum with continuing losses to a final battle and a shocking conclusion. Truly loved this series . . . what am I going to read now?

[Jamie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dramatic End to the Series

The prior books of this series mostly had to do with how the two groups of people at the heart of the series interacted with outsiders, from families to small groups of thugs to communities. This book is all about the showdown between the surviving members of the two groups who are now living together uneasily in an abandoned Girl Scout camp in Maine and the person who's been the villain for three or four books. It felt odd, after the broader scope of the other books, to have this book shrink down so narrowly, both in the area covered and with the people it focused on.

Mike, the villain, was injured at the end of the last book, and the author did a great job showing us at the beginning of the book how his terrible wound became infected, and he became delirious because of infection. One particular chapter at the start brilliantly depicted the instability of his mind and his perception of his world. After this first part, though, we didn't see or hear much from Mike's perspective until the very end. That's unfortunate, because it was fascinating, and I was curious about what was going on with him. Surely, the author could tell us even if she kept the characters in the dark!

Most of the story is a cat-and-mouse game between Mike and the rest of the people. Mike's done enough that the group just wants to find him and make sure that he is no longer a threat to anyone. Mike thinks he's smarter than everybody, as he's thought through this series, and that he will eventually be able to get them all right where he wants them in the end. While some squabbling between the two groups of people brought together in the last book rears its ugly head on multiple occasions because of histories that can’t be overcome simply and the innate challenge of making two groups who are only just getting to know each other into a solid team able face their mutual foe.

For most of the book, despite his injuries and delirium, Mike appeared to be always a step or more ahead of the good guys. As a nurse who's seen people with actual delirium, this part of the story made little sense. He crafted some pretty ingenious traps that just, honestly, would not have been possible for a man in his state of mind. Chapters narrated by him made it clear he was slipping in and out of reality. Most of his traps were complex, which would have required logical reasoning to set up so that they would truly do what he intended. That's really my only quibble with the book.

I enjoyed watching the two groups of people truly meld into a unit as they worked together to bring down the man who cost them so much. Of course, we lose some key members of the good guys because of Mike's traps and outright violence. I had grown enough to care about the characters in this book that losing them in rapid succession brought a tear to my eye both times. I have to say this author does a fantastic job of characterization, even in large series like this one. This series and this book had a lot of players in it, yet each had his or her own growth arc and moments that were tests of their character that were so true to what we'd been shown of the characters before. These characters lived and breathed on the page, a rare and wonderful accomplishment by any writer.

Of course, eventually, good wins over evil, but even victory brings more losses to the group. But they've been so resilient so far you know everyone will be okay afterward. Happily, the epilogue, which takes place 18 months later, shows us that. I like it when authors make the epilogue a well-deserved victory lap. Highly recommended, but you definitely need to read or listen to the rest of the books in this series to appreciate what happens in this book.

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book six and the finale of the Dark Nation series, which sees Deb and her small group of Carol. Debbi and Jonah, now staying at the camp if her ex-husband, Colton, and where Carols grown up sons, Tommy and Zach, are now based. Their presence is not exactly welcome, especially since they may have brought the dangerous Mike Spinner, their former captor, who held them in a work gang, into the area. He is determined to get Carol back, not for Carol herself, but for his baby that she is carrying. He blames Deb for making her want to leave him and for leading the escape plan which saw him lose so many of his workers. Colton and Carol’s sons aren’t happy to see any of them at the summer camp they have made their home, after suffering a shocking attack at their former home, where they have once thought themselves safe. Mike knows where Carol was heading and will do anything he can to get what he wants! Colton knows him from their military days together and knows how out of control he can be when others go against him.
Tommy especially makes his hatred and anger towards Carol plain, leaving Deb’s group to wonder if they should have stopped there, or just kept on running. Deb knows what she wants to do, but Carol is desperate to stay and see if she can have any type of relationship with her grown up sons, while also being pregnant with their new sibling and being clean for once. Disagreements grow between the two groups, especially when strange things start to happen, with items going missing and the blame automatically going to the newest members of the camp. Problems with the dam Colton’s group built across the river, soon has the two groups in more trouble than they could ever have imagined, as the full extent of Mike’s evil comes to light. People’s lives will be on the line, as Mike tries to whittle down their numbers to get what he wants, and is willing to kill to do so! They have already faced so much danger and hardship as part of a work gang and when they escaped his clutches, but he is injured and even more dangerous to anyone who is in his way. A fitting end to the series as tensions rise and the danger follows them to their new and temporary home.
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Latisha’s Low-key Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝕎𝕚𝕥𝕙𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔸𝕟𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕪
𝖣𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝖭𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖡𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖲𝗂𝗑
𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻
Post-Apocalyptic
310 pages
Pub Date: May 1, 2024

Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs
Deb, Carol, and the rest of their group stay at Colton’s camp, with tension still evident when Mike comes back into the picture, hellbent on getting to Carol and his unborn baby.

Can this group function together to defeat Mike?

Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs
First thoughts: Mike is an evil tyrant who thinks he is better than everyone. He is a character that makes you clench your teeth over and over.

I found the tension between Carol and her adult sons to be on target, knowing how Carol used to be. It would have been phony if they instantly connected all lovey-dovey.

The plot takes the reader on a ride as this mishmash group tries to get along and work together, especially once they realize Mike is back. The danger holds them together as a team.

I found their final plan to be an odd one; the labor involved was intense. With Mike’s situation, I thought his demise would come easily. Not so.

💕Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing this ebook for me to read and review.

[Kay Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always a little sadness upon reaching the end of a good series. With this last novel in the Anarchy set, by the amazing Grace Hamilton, I felt a sense of grief at losing such incredible characters. I cried for Carol’s grief, for Deb’s pain, for so many losses. Not Mike though! What an absolute piece of evil, so well portrayed as a psychopath. And at the end there was peace and happiness, as all endings should be. I do love when I learn something and I learned a lot about human nature and forgiveness. Thank you Ms Hamilton for the unbeatable journey!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life at the old Girl Scout camp was idyllic, well almost. Despite their best efforts, Mike finds Carol and German friends. Colton and Deb finally resolve old wounds. It will take longer for Carol, Zack and Tommy to work out their differences. Grace Hamilton writes realistic stuff and I love reading her work.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many Grace Hamilton stories and she has never disappointed. Colton and Deb finally work through their old wounds. Mike is on the hunt for Carol and the baby she is carrying. Carol, Zack, and Tommy will iron out their differences when eventually. I loved the story and can't wait to read the next set of books that Grace Hamilton puts out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Withstanding Anarchy is book six and the final book in the Dark Nation series. You need to start this series from book one otherwise you will be lost. The writing is well done, the characters are believable, and the it could happen scenarios are true to life scary. This was a great ending to the series and I can't wait to read the next series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping. Edge of you seat. Great read. I highly recommend you check this book out and the other books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Abdullah Adnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Amazing book! A truly captivating and enthralling read that transports you to a different world with its vivid storytelling.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Grace Hamilton; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the sixth and final book in the Dark Nation Series; the story continues from the previous book and needs to be read in order.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the "life after we knew it ends" category, Grace Hamilton is queen. She is a prolific writer of Post EMP books but never repeats the storylines. If her vision of like is realistic, I have alot of work to do to be ready. 5 easy stars......again.

[Joan L Huffman MD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Withstanding Anarchy - Dark Nation Book 6

The author brings this series to a satisfying conclusion, wrapping up the odd bits and easing conflicting personalities into grudging acceptance.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great series full of action, suspense and intrigue. The author has done a great job telling the story of an end of the world scenario. I really enjoyed tthis book as well as the first five in the series.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[J.L. Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author brings this series to a satisfying conclusion, wrapping up the odd bits and easing conflicting personalities into grudging acceptance.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two different strands work well and have combined well. This book tore at the emotions and no-one is safe, so there were elements of peril throughout. All in all really enjoyed it. For me this author writes intelligent books in this genre, the violence works.

Updated for listening to the audio

This tied up everything and worked really well. I do love the story writing as it is complex but doesn't appear to be, it feels natural. However she pulls no punches. The audio was well narrated and he just brings a different take onto the whole genre and it works well each character was well defined.