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WWIV #1
WWIV: In the Beginning
Einstein told us many years ago... "I know not with what weapons WWIII will be fought, but WWIV will be fought with sticks and stones." And so it begins.
248 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2014
258 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
About the author
E.A. Lake
26 books40 followersBegan writing after the age of 50.
Novels are based on recurring dreams that can last for weeks at a time.
No where near as dark as my writing would make me. Happy guy with a normal life.
Loves all things dystopian.
Novels are based on recurring dreams that can last for weeks at a time.
No where near as dark as my writing would make me. Happy guy with a normal life.
Loves all things dystopian.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
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July 30, 2014I wrote it. So I read it ... like some 500 times.
I like what I've created. I hope you do as well.
I won't rate it for two reasons: 1) seems ameaturish for the author to give himself a rating, and, 2) I don't think GR will let me.
Thanks,
e a lake
I like what I've created. I hope you do as well.
I won't rate it for two reasons: 1) seems ameaturish for the author to give himself a rating, and, 2) I don't think GR will let me.
Thanks,
e a lake
April 23, 2014
First, the disclaimer: I received a copy free for review on StoryCartel.com.
I'm a fan of this genre and was excited to read this story, but I felt there were lots of missed opportunities for drama and conflict in the book. In fact, the first 2/3 of the story it seemed like the main character met many more nice people who wanted to help him than real threats. In a story entitled "World War IV" I couldn't figure that out. The dramatic stuff seemed to happen "off-stage" so to speak; the character "heard about trouble" but avoided it or didn't encounter it until very close to the end of the book. While I kept reading (not really "skimming" is more accurate), I just felt this book would have been so much better if more scary, dramatic things actually happened to the narrator.
Here's an example that doesn't give away too much: the narrator goes to the drug store to get medicine weeks after the power went out. There's a guy there with a shotgun,BUT he nicely agrees to let the character get the drugs, pay and leave. WHAT? This is an apocalypse story! I was expecting a dramatic confrontation. I was expecting the narrator to have to shoot the man-- only to discover the drugs he needed were long gone, taken or sold. Or that he'd have to devise a way to sneak in and steal them! No, he paid (an outrageous amount, but so what since he had the money?) and left.
Missed opportunity for conflict, for character development and excitement. That happened a lot in this book. Until the teenaged character Brit shows up, nothing much happened. That might be true in "real life" but this is a story. In a story, things should always be going wrong. The character should have to face dilemma after dilemma-- bad problems-- not just having to take the long way because militias are blocking the bridge. That made a good portion of the book really, really boring. I would have given it 2 stars if hadn't been for Brit.
Also, something is off with the formatting. My version was 1173 page-- a paragraph on each page. Weird.
I'm a fan of this genre and was excited to read this story, but I felt there were lots of missed opportunities for drama and conflict in the book. In fact, the first 2/3 of the story it seemed like the main character met many more nice people who wanted to help him than real threats. In a story entitled "World War IV" I couldn't figure that out. The dramatic stuff seemed to happen "off-stage" so to speak; the character "heard about trouble" but avoided it or didn't encounter it until very close to the end of the book. While I kept reading (not really "skimming" is more accurate), I just felt this book would have been so much better if more scary, dramatic things actually happened to the narrator.
Here's an example that doesn't give away too much: the narrator goes to the drug store to get medicine weeks after the power went out. There's a guy there with a shotgun,BUT he nicely agrees to let the character get the drugs, pay and leave. WHAT? This is an apocalypse story! I was expecting a dramatic confrontation. I was expecting the narrator to have to shoot the man-- only to discover the drugs he needed were long gone, taken or sold. Or that he'd have to devise a way to sneak in and steal them! No, he paid (an outrageous amount, but so what since he had the money?) and left.
Missed opportunity for conflict, for character development and excitement. That happened a lot in this book. Until the teenaged character Brit shows up, nothing much happened. That might be true in "real life" but this is a story. In a story, things should always be going wrong. The character should have to face dilemma after dilemma-- bad problems-- not just having to take the long way because militias are blocking the bridge. That made a good portion of the book really, really boring. I would have given it 2 stars if hadn't been for Brit.
Also, something is off with the formatting. My version was 1173 page-- a paragraph on each page. Weird.
April 24, 2014
First, let me say that I received a free copy of this book through Story Cartel in return for an honest review.
The book is easy enough to read, but seems to be geared towards young adults. The main character is not quite believable, or he is simply not the brightest bulb in the box. I'm not sure which. I tend to think that very few adults would actually wait several weeks after all the power going out to figure out that things might get pretty bad.
Also, the book could use some serious editing. There are typos, grammatical errors, and misused words that detract from the enjoyment of the book.
Overall, the book is pretty good for light reading.
The book is easy enough to read, but seems to be geared towards young adults. The main character is not quite believable, or he is simply not the brightest bulb in the box. I'm not sure which. I tend to think that very few adults would actually wait several weeks after all the power going out to figure out that things might get pretty bad.
Also, the book could use some serious editing. There are typos, grammatical errors, and misused words that detract from the enjoyment of the book.
Overall, the book is pretty good for light reading.
August 4, 2020
I enjoyed this book overall I just found it hard to suspend disbelief sometimes. I felt some of the situations and actions didn't seem realistic in an apocalyptic setting. Things like people still buying supplies and stores still being open. In my opinion when the power went out and society broke down people would begin looting and just breaking into stores and houses to find the necessary supplies they needed. I also found the protagonist forgetting his gun, losing ammo and seeming nonchalant about the weapons and ammo the neighbor left behind unrealistic. I mean if this happened to me and my neighbor left a gun locker full of weapons and ammo I probably would clean it out not opt to take one handgun and 100 rounds because that "should be enough". He was also too forgiving and friendly. If I was armed and being threatened by unarmed people trying to steal my supplies I wouldn't opt to hand them over "just to make the people go away". Also If I realized someone was trying to drug and rape/murder me or my traveling companions I would kill them when they pulled a knife and end the situation not run away and then hide and hope they don't find me. That's why you're armed in the first place so I found the whole narrative of hiding in the cornfields avoiding people for a third of the book a little tiresome. I know it may sound like I'm being overly critical of the book but despite these things overall I did enjoy the book I just prefer the protagonist being forced into making tougher decisions than he did. In a situation like an EMP people would be forced to do anything to survive.
May 29, 2019
"What happens when technology fails overnight!" is a premise I've seen pop up several times in realms of the free Kindle books. E A Lake takes the idea in a different narrative direction than seems to be the usual course, though. No real time is spent on investigating the "why" behind the event, or on the efforts of anyone to build/maintain a just society in the face of this phenomenon. Instead we get a fairly personal story about one man's journey to find his family; and the new family he accidentally finds along the way. I don't think the execution is quite up to scratch (and the protagonist is a blithering idiot at times, which doesn't help), but it's at least something a bit different.
August 21, 2025
when the emp hit he was home, his wife out of town, his two kids with their grandparents. he waited 3 weeks then head off on bike with the dog to find them
he met a boy on the way, then the boys 14 yr old girl cousin. they parted ways with the boy but he continued on with her to take her to her grandparents
when they got there the farm was burned down and she remembered they were off on a trip. she convinced him to take her with him
he ended up at his family cabin, his wife and kids never to be seen again
a woman and her kid showed up so they became a family
his wife and kids ended up on a farm with a new family as well
he met a boy on the way, then the boys 14 yr old girl cousin. they parted ways with the boy but he continued on with her to take her to her grandparents
when they got there the farm was burned down and she remembered they were off on a trip. she convinced him to take her with him
he ended up at his family cabin, his wife and kids never to be seen again
a woman and her kid showed up so they became a family
his wife and kids ended up on a farm with a new family as well
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2018
Interesting book
Interesting read. It is strange for me to read apocalyptic books when the main character is a liberal. That said, I did enjoy the book. Brit is definitely a survivor.
I know Bill is a village idiot. Bless his heart. But it's okay.
Fav quote:
I smiled at the group around me. “I have a gun with me. I’m not too worried. I know how to protect myself.” As the last words left my lips, I froze. My gun, my bullets; crap. I left them at the house".
Interesting read. It is strange for me to read apocalyptic books when the main character is a liberal. That said, I did enjoy the book. Brit is definitely a survivor.
I know Bill is a village idiot. Bless his heart. But it's okay.
Fav quote:
I smiled at the group around me. “I have a gun with me. I’m not too worried. I know how to protect myself.” As the last words left my lips, I froze. My gun, my bullets; crap. I left them at the house".
August 14, 2017
Good read...
I enjoyed this book immensely. Very warm and well written characters. With exception to the bad guys. They're not warm. Creepy and frightening. John particularly made my skin crawl. Welcome to the apocalypse. The ending of this book hit me right in the gut. Vindication! Can't wait to see what happens next!!! I'm off to read the next installment.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Very warm and well written characters. With exception to the bad guys. They're not warm. Creepy and frightening. John particularly made my skin crawl. Welcome to the apocalypse. The ending of this book hit me right in the gut. Vindication! Can't wait to see what happens next!!! I'm off to read the next installment.
October 26, 2018
Not shabby
3 stars. 5 stars is reserved for literary classics. 4 is for longer more in depth books with no grammatical errors. I liked this book, but the ending left me a bit blah. It's almost like the author wanted to be done writing and just quickly ended it. It took me a few hours to read. Maybe a total of 4 hours, good for a couple plane rides. Overall not a bad book.
3 stars. 5 stars is reserved for literary classics. 4 is for longer more in depth books with no grammatical errors. I liked this book, but the ending left me a bit blah. It's almost like the author wanted to be done writing and just quickly ended it. It took me a few hours to read. Maybe a total of 4 hours, good for a couple plane rides. Overall not a bad book.
July 14, 2022
Good read
I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. The characters were so in depth. The interactions believable. It all seemed totally plausible. And I loved the development of relationships. The ending was tidy and filled in some blanks. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. The characters were so in depth. The interactions believable. It all seemed totally plausible. And I loved the development of relationships. The ending was tidy and filled in some blanks. I look forward to the next book in the series.
March 18, 2018
Where Do We Go From Here
This is a well written story. The characters are very well defined, the story has a nice easy flow, and the plot and theme has been written about by many authors. This author gives hope for man kind. Good job.
This is a well written story. The characters are very well defined, the story has a nice easy flow, and the plot and theme has been written about by many authors. This author gives hope for man kind. Good job.
October 3, 2019
Just Don’t...
This book just drug on. It took this guy the entire book to go 30 miles and 2 pages to find a woman, settle down, and let 2 seasons pass by. Unfortunately I bought the series. I want my money back. Can’t bring myself to start the next book.
This book just drug on. It took this guy the entire book to go 30 miles and 2 pages to find a woman, settle down, and let 2 seasons pass by. Unfortunately I bought the series. I want my money back. Can’t bring myself to start the next book.
May 3, 2022
Wonderful as always
Ea lake is the best! The stories are so believable, the characters are so real and the storyline has enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. They just aren’t long enough for me!
Ea lake is the best! The stories are so believable, the characters are so real and the storyline has enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. They just aren’t long enough for me!
September 17, 2017
As in the later editions of his Surviving Nowhere series, the teenage girl element in this story is over the top annoying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2018
Good Read
This is a very well written book. I found it an easy read. I am really anxious to continue the series.
This is a very well written book. I found it an easy read. I am really anxious to continue the series.
February 21, 2020
Good read
I enjoyed EA's perspective of what would happen after the world ends as we know it. It's nicer to think that the would still be pockets of humanity in the world.
I enjoyed EA's perspective of what would happen after the world ends as we know it. It's nicer to think that the would still be pockets of humanity in the world.
March 24, 2021
Very Good Read
All things are possible in life. This story is a what if? , story. Living and survival through an EMP. Very well written!
All things are possible in life. This story is a what if? , story. Living and survival through an EMP. Very well written!
October 4, 2023
My hometown
It was a better read because I knew their route. It was a provocative read considering we're we are heading.
It was a better read because I knew their route. It was a provocative read considering we're we are heading.
December 3, 2025
EOTWAWKI. A family is separate at a time of power loss. The devoted father in St. Paul in Minnesota tries to reach Milwaukee Wisconsin. He finds a bond with a young girl on the way. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. Purchased from Amazon on Aug 16, 2025 for free.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2016
The title is extremely misleading..
So, with a title like WWIV you'd think there would be, I don't know, a war, or at least a battle. Nope.
This is about an EMP, and the hero, Bill, is optimistically clueless. First he waits around for things to settle down, hoping his wife will show up, and trying to keep the neighborhood from falling apart. His two children and his wife had been visiting her parents, and the kids were going to stay for a while. After a couple of weeks he decides to head out to find his family. He puts a few supplies in a child carrier and heads off on his bike. He has a gun a neighbor left for him, and a bit of ammo, but he forgets to bring it. Oops. After running into some problems on the road, he goes back for the gun.
Now, this book is fairly well written, but poor Bill is so naive it made me cringe. I mean, at one point he loses his extra ammo because he forgot it. Again, oops.
There isn't as much violence as is often the case in prepper fiction, but there wasn't much prepping either.
Results: Ok. Nothing new or different, but it was free, and if you disregard the title you might enjoy it.
So, with a title like WWIV you'd think there would be, I don't know, a war, or at least a battle. Nope.
This is about an EMP, and the hero, Bill, is optimistically clueless. First he waits around for things to settle down, hoping his wife will show up, and trying to keep the neighborhood from falling apart. His two children and his wife had been visiting her parents, and the kids were going to stay for a while. After a couple of weeks he decides to head out to find his family. He puts a few supplies in a child carrier and heads off on his bike. He has a gun a neighbor left for him, and a bit of ammo, but he forgets to bring it. Oops. After running into some problems on the road, he goes back for the gun.
Now, this book is fairly well written, but poor Bill is so naive it made me cringe. I mean, at one point he loses his extra ammo because he forgot it. Again, oops.
There isn't as much violence as is often the case in prepper fiction, but there wasn't much prepping either.
Results: Ok. Nothing new or different, but it was free, and if you disregard the title you might enjoy it.
July 22, 2016
Great beginnjng
This book was great til the last chapter. This author always has taken his time. His other books were well thought out and this one too..until the end. The last chapter felt like it was written in a hurry and everything was left wrapped up with a nice little bow. The last chapter could have been the synopsis for book 2. But Book 2 has new characters.
I just felt there was too big of a rush to finish quickly. I gave it 3 stars because it was great til the end
This book was great til the last chapter. This author always has taken his time. His other books were well thought out and this one too..until the end. The last chapter felt like it was written in a hurry and everything was left wrapped up with a nice little bow. The last chapter could have been the synopsis for book 2. But Book 2 has new characters.
I just felt there was too big of a rush to finish quickly. I gave it 3 stars because it was great til the end
August 24, 2016
Good
A good book in the apocalypse genre. Shows that when life is at its worst, there is always hope for happiness. We all need someone and if we recognize the signs when they appear, we find them.
A good book in the apocalypse genre. Shows that when life is at its worst, there is always hope for happiness. We all need someone and if we recognize the signs when they appear, we find them.
January 5, 2017
The book was entertaining. I was a bit disappointed in the end. The last few pages was a quick run through of things that happened over a year's time span. Those things could have been a book in itself. I am hoping the next book will at least follow the wife and kids.
February 14, 2016
The apocalypse from the perspective of a clueless leftist.
August 15, 2016
Great characters
Such a good read you felt for the characters throughout the whole novel. I am going right now to buy the next book!
Such a good read you felt for the characters throughout the whole novel. I am going right now to buy the next book!
December 28, 2022
Pandemic Read
Very good reading during quarantine-pandemic . I enjoy dystopian genre and plan to read more of a e lake's books!
Very good reading during quarantine-pandemic . I enjoy dystopian genre and plan to read more of a e lake's books!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews