Ring of Fire Cascadia: A Disaster Thriller

by Bobby Akart

Major volcanoes across the Pacific Rim — from Indonesia to the Americas — erupt in quick succession, each more violent than the last. As the earth trembles and cities fall into chaos, the world is plunged into an unprecedented crisis.
Ring of Fire is a natural disaster thriller series from international bestselling author, Bobby Akart, one of America's favorite storytellers, who has delivered up-all-night thrillers to over two million readers in 245 countries and territories worldwide.

It begins at the Cascadia Subduction Zone off America's Pacific Northwest. Triggered by a massive earthquake as two titanic tectonic plates clash, a tsunami races inland wreaking havoc on the coast. However, that was just the beginning as the seismic activity threatens to awaken a sleeping giant causing an undersea volcanic eruption at the one-mile-wide Axial Seamount caldera. The Earth is rocked to its core and the Ring of Fire has been awakened by sudden shifts in tectonic pressure setting the stage for a global extinction level event.

“Bobby Akart is a master at creating disaster scenarios.”

The Ring of Fire, the world’s most volatile volcanic system encompassing the Pacific Rim, suddenly becomes unstable. The great tectonic plates have held the Pacific in a delicate balance for millennia shift with terrifying force triggering a cascade of catastrophic events.

“Akart is one of those very rare authors who makes things so visceral, so real, that you experience what he writes.”

From the volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest to Fuji in Japan to Tambora in Indonesia and to the massive volcanic systems at Kilauea and Mauna Loa in the Hawaiian Islands, the fury of nature is unleashed. Earthquakes level cities. The oceans themselves rise in wrath, swallowing coastal cities as tsunamis flow in all directions. Lava cascades down the slopes of volcanos. The ash-filled skies darken above, triggering a volcanic winter.

“Edge of your seat thrilling!”

Dr. Duke Mercer, his wife Betsy, and their children Sloan, Graham, Beau, and Reid, together with Duke’s beloved English Bulldog, Winston are celebrating his retirement from the USGS when a phone call comes in.

“ We need you back .”

Earth has reached its boiling point. Will it result in the end of mankind?

This modern-day, fact-based novel will have you whispering just one more chapter until the end.

Genres: Thriller

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2025

About the author

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).
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"He's right up there with James Patterson, David Baldacci, Brad Thor and others that write thrillers. To me he actually surpasses them.”
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He has written more than 80 novels in the disaster, survival, medical and political thriller genres.

Reviews

[Maria Fledgling Author Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Ground Deforms

Ring of Fire Cascadia, Bobby Akart's newest Disaster Thriller is a triumph. He puts you in the driver's seat of the Volcano Observatory, where you feel every pop of sulfur gas, see all of the precursors to an eruption, and then He blows you away (quite literally) with the big event.

Prepare yourself for an elevated heart rate while reading, for the action never stops. Or I should say that when it gets quiet, you will be terrified. Like the build-up to a major earthquake, you'll never know when you are safe.

A good Bobby Akart book keeps you alert for major plot twists, keeps you reading all night, and surprises the heck out of you. A great Bobby Akart book delivers you breathless and shaking to the end, thanking Him for the thrills and chills. Ring of Fire Cascadia is a great Bobby Akart book.

Make sure you don't miss this thriller, and remember that this is only the first part of a four-part series. You won't regret a single minute spent in thrall to the master of thrills. I highly recommend anything Bobby Akart writes.

[Elizabeth Lian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My God!

You Must read this book now! And when the other 3 come out, read them as well. I have been reading everyone of his Series, but this one, something about it just grabbed whole of me, I read the entire book in 6 hours non-stop! I actually felt all the people in the book, as if they were right here, that is how great he did with this first book of his newest series.
READ THIS BOOK, I promise you will not regret it.
Liz, f/Somers Pt., NJ USA

[tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speed record for reading!

This book didn't waste time getting into the thick of things. Informative and entertaining at the same time. I could not put it down the entire last half of the book!

[michael r hyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ring of Fire Cascadia

Bobby Akart did it again! This is another best seller! Once again it kept me up all night! I love the characters and the action!

[Skip Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outfrickingstanding!!!

I wouldn't have thought it possible, but Bobby Akart has outdone himself. Having read so many of his books, I guess I've become a tad jaded and naturally assume I'll enjoy my next one. Ring of Fire Cascades has me wondering just how much excitement he can put on a page.

Just finished RoFC a few minutes ago and had to take few minutes to tell all of you fans of disaster/apocalypse/EotW tales DO NOT PASS THIS UP. From laying in the background science to his truly superior character building, Akart is a master. Combine these features with a believable plot with lots of tension building action and you have a story that will have you anxious to dive into the sequel without pause. Hence this relatively short review.

OBTW: This terrific tale is about a family raised in the shadow of a loving father who also happens to be a famous volcanologist. All four siblings have a rather good understanding of volcanoes and related fields. The daughter is a well respected volcanologist, in her own right. The title sort of gives you a hint as to where the plot leads. The final pages will "set the hook" for the sequal. Therefore, I leave you to jump into what happens next. (Another review to come after the next volume.)

[Matt Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another meticulously researched winner of a thriller!

Ring Of Fire is perfectly plotted, meticulously researched disaster thriller about the possibility of solar energy deviations causing increased global seismic and volcanic activity. Smart does a remarkable job of world building, until he destroys it! The writing is so clear and detailed, providing the reader with a visceral experience. As is always the case with Akart, the writing is superb with likeable characters, realistic dialogue and, simply, perfect plotting and pacing. Akart also does a great job of contrasting the struggles of the Sloan family with the perils faced by the world as a whole, something some authors of disaster thrillers sometimes struggle with. This is a book I can highly recommended to any audience, the quality of the writing will appeal to just about anything. The actual documentation with contemporary news articles makes the book even more plausible and real to the reader. 5/5 stars!

[Judith C Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappoints!

I know from the moment I open one of Bobby Akarts books that three things are going to happen, I'm going to devour it immediately, that I won't be able to wait for the next one, and that it will always be exceptional from page 1.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bobby Akart weaves an incredibly thrilling, emotional, scientifically driven (which maybe a glimpse into our future), wild ride of a story. He writes the story with such an articulate and succinct, yet extremely vivid way-you can see everything happening in your mind.
I cried, I laughed, I encouraged the characters to keep going, and most of all, I fell in love with the Mercer family, their colleagues/friends, and (of course) Winston!
If you have yet to read a Bobby Akart book and you are looking for a new author to love, start with this new series “Ring of Fire, Cascadia”.

[Donna Beveridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh yeah!

When will I ever learn? Don't read one of Bobby Akart's books until all the books in the series are published! He literally leaves you breathless and gives a new meaning to cliff hanger! Literally, sometimes your favorite characters are left hanging over a cliff! I can hardly wait for book two, but I guess I have too. I just finished this one and my pulse is still racing!

[Joseph C Smiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

another nail biter

Well that just scared me to death. Another great read. Can’t wait for the next installment. Hurry up and release already.

[Frank G Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

EARTH-SHATTERING and QUAKING! A MUST BOBBY AKART READ

I have read every book Mr. Akart has written and have always loved every book! Until today, my favorite was The Loyal Nine, The Ring of Fire is the BEST BOOK ,in my opinion, Bobby has ever written, so enthralling and exciting. Watch TV, read the paper, this is ongoing in real time. We can all hope what Mr. Akark has written stays a fictional read, hope and pray!!

[Jim Smeaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boots on the ground excitement in the real world of the Pacific Northwest


Smart delivers another well researched thriller. His detailed descriptions make you feel like you are right there in the Pacific Northwest as the Earth begins its cataclysmic throws. Who needs TV when the authors skill set makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the story. Looking forward to the remaining three books in this series. Always entertaining, believable, and informative. Keep them coming!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most volatile volcanic system all along the Pacific Rim is waking up and it's angry. The great tectonic plates in the Pacific are shifting with terrifying results. Volcanoes above ground can be seen when ready to erupt but the ones you can't see are more dangerous. The main characters in this "it could happen" story are Dr. Duke Mercer, his wife Betsy and their children Sloan, Graham, Beau and Reid plus Duke's beloved English Bulldog Winston. Duke and Sloan work at USGS and are volcano experts, Graham works at a Nuclear Plant in Japan, Beau is in the Navy while Reid is a daredevil photographer, all experts in their fields and all caught in the center of this possibly world ending event. Looking forward to the next books in the series.

[Cheryl K Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long Awaited and Richly Enjoyed

Mr. Akart’s Ring of Fire erupts to waiting fans with a stellar cast of misfit volcanologists struggling to save the World despite the inertia of the government assigned that task. Wade through the science because there’s real drama boiling here.

[Michele Reinhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary!

As always, Akart's books leaving me hanging on the edge of a cliff. When will I learn to wait until the series is finished to start? I need the next book now! A month is too long!

[Maryann Sasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akart does it again!

This book is a great start to an exciting series. Akarts fans and new readers will be thrilled by this explosive thrill ride.

[Adolf von Wurttemberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Bobby Akart’s “Ring of Fire, Book 1”:
I could not put this novel down! I read it in 2.5 days. It is carefully researched and I learned one new word (“lahar”) and several new phrases. I have pre-ordered Book 2 which will arrive on 16 July, 2025.

[Dawn'sReading ComeBackLater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timely reminder

Have been waiting on this book for months and eagerly devoured it. Author took some liberty with geography, since I grew up in the PNW, I'm familiar with the landmarks and features. Obviously much heavier on the technical facts, but some aspects of Evergreen Highway, old logging roads and trails don't sound quite right. Plot is solid, but occasional re-explaining of who a main character is or how they fit into the family is too repetitive. Still, I look forward to book 2.

[Michael Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Earth comes alive with ash and flame

Akart has written of different ways the people or the planet can create a country wide or planet wide disaster threatening the area or the whole bloody planet! The characters he creates or includes to populate his stories are prepared for disasters of world-ending proportions. While the world vibrates in fear and alarm, these characters are prepared to survive whatever deadly disaster threatens the peace and serenity of their town, city, state, country or continent. Bobby offers the disaster, his preppers show us the solutions.

This time the US Pacific Northwest and the entire Ring of Fire is at risk. Can the Mercer family of Volcanologists do more than observe and report as the continental plates grind their positions and release mega-tons of magma, lava, gas and Earth's crust into the air surrounding San Francisco, Salem, Portland, Seattle and smaller cities and towns around the Cascadia Subduction Zone portion of the Ring of Fire? While the Mercer Volcano Observatory watch helplessly, the Pacific Northwest portion of the Ring of Fire comes to life. Shasta, Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, the Axial Seamount, and Etna, Fuji, Pinatubo and Krakatoa around the Pacific Rim are coming to life again. The Earth's surface will be covered with fire and ash. Survival could depend on the Mercer family. This is a great read!

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the incredible amount of research that Bobby Akart fans have come to expect. Probably most natural events are localized. A hurricane in Florida might only indirectly affect a farmer in North Dakota, for example. An erupting underwater volcano in Oregon might not matter to people in South America. History has shown that sometimes it matters very much. Even small earthquakes can have serious effects. Even a small shift in the plates can trigger an underwater volcano. What might a large earthquake do?
April 5- This could be the start of something big
Dr. Duke Mercer is the retiring head of the USGS in the Pacific north rim. His only daughter, Sloan, is following in his footsteps, His other children Graham, Beau and Reid are also involved in related fields worldwide. And then there is Dr. Helen Vaughn, selected to replace Dr. Mercer. So it is that, on the eve of Duke's retirement party/family reunion, they all must scatter back to their jobs. Then they wait.
April 12 at 0307 hours "THE EARTH SCREAMED". The Cascadia Subduction Zone decided 200+ years is long enough to hold it in. A 9.0 magnitude earthquake raises havoc up the Pacific Northwest. A tsunami follows causing death and destruction.
The Axial Seamount, one mile below the sea, awaits its turn.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

My husband read this on Kindle Unlimited and read several parts aloud to me. Some of his many notes:

-A prologue that is devoid of context and impossible to place within the timeline of the book.

-Poor continuity- at one point, the MC is driving (in his Cybertruck, of course) to rescue two of his adult kids. In the next scene, his daughter has suddenly appeared in his Cybertruck with no explanation (until much later) and they are en route to get the other kid. Someone who seems like they’ll be a big part of the book makes a call to the MC after the disaster, but is later found to have died almost simultaneously off screen during the disaster.

-SO many adjectives and tortured descriptions

-Fat shaming a new mom who was trying to rescue her trapped baby beyond a broken door: “the new mother, still carrying her baby weight, would never have been able to fit through the narrow gap. Slender Sloan, as she called herself, had little problem.” First, shut up, you jerk. Second, no woman would call herself “Slender (name).”

- Most of all, the ridiculous, frequent, detailed, and fawning inclusions of the Cybertruck. The passages were so adoring that we wondered if Elon wrote this under a pseudonym. There was also at least one other weird product placement.

[Terry Jester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volcanos aren’t just for geeks anymore.

A non-stop, lean-forward-in-your-chair, can’t-turn-the-pages-fast-enough adventure combining real science with pulse-pounding action. The science is great as it’s necessary to catch your breath when things really start to get hairy. Akart does it again with his usual adherence to what must of been an incredible amount of research in order to pull this off and make it realistic, very believable and wonderfully exciting. I loved the characters. They valued each other and gave due respect to the Earth and the many ways she can really ruin your day —- Or, in this case, your entire life.
Recommended to anyone who likes well-written, well-researched, fact-based action.
And I’d like to add that it was very nice to read a book and not come across mistakes in grammar, poor sentence structure and typos, for a change. Not that I’d expect that in an Akart book. Just haven’t read him in a while. Thank you, proof readers!

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a science person so I really enjoyed the detailed info, including some nice graphics. I actually read a bit about the CSZ, Axial and the solar minimum; when a book gives me a reason to learn, it is a good thing. Naturally, volcano and tectonic issues were not listed in what I read about the solar minimum, but it was a nice possibility for this story. I like the author’s writing style and his descriptive writing worked well with the unfolding disaster. I also hope they find Helen Vaughn as she was a good counterpoint to Duke’s near adulation status. I like these characters and am willing to excuse Duke for his purchase of a Cybertruck instead of a better electric vehicle. My determination of 5 stars wavered a bit with my belief that Duke’s recovery of his children bordered on near improbability, but I really did like this book and look forward to the next. Hopefully the Mercer group will relocate to a safer spot.

[Karen Sauerwein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Ring of Fire Cascadia. Loved the story, the sciencey stuff, the Mercer family, and the whole premise of the entire Ring of Fire igniting like demolition blasting caps! The characters are well fleshed out and the story builds beautifully. The only reasons I gave it 4 stars are because, 1) After spending a lot of time detailing Duke and Sloan's observations of Mt. St. Helens with a seemingly imminent issue, they flee, terrified, race home and, what? Just ignore what they witnessed and deduced, never mention it again, and focus elsewhere? And, 2) Both Duke and Sloan seem to believe their purpose is to use their knowledge and analysis to warn others and make up for past errors but they do very little warning. Will I continue reading the series? Heck yeah, I love things that go boom as much as bump in the night.

[Nancy Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complicated

All of author Akart’s novels are outstanding. He is , without a doubt, one of the best in his chosen genre. That being said, this novel was not his best, in my humble opinion.
It was painfully obvious that he had done a great deal of research on the subject of volcanoes and the sciences that go along with the study of them. However, as his reader,I was not able to understand much of what he was telling me about all of this. I really wanted to skip pages of scientific volcano stuff but didn’t for fear of missing an important plot twist or character irem.
The characters were interesting and the plot is promising. I am in hope that the second book in the series will be less scientific and more character and plot driven. Or at least dumb down the science for those of us who are not MIT grads!

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ring of Fire refers to an area around the Pacific Ocean where there is tectonic activity, volcanoes and earthquakes. The book refers to a group of people that are monitoring the area include Duke, the head of the group and his daughter, Sloan.

Duke is due to retire quite soon and his replacement is Vaughn who really doesn't care much for him and wants to do things her way.

There's an explanation of what Duke feels could go wrong and matters deteriorate rather quickly. Not only is the Western coast of the U.S. in danger but so is Japan and one nuclear power plant in particular.

Worst yet some volcanoes appear to be on the verge of eruption, all at the same time.

So you have a bunch of characters done quite well, the science behind what is going on and things breaking down. All of this is covered extremely well by the author.

[Jackie]

I only read until page 46 so I'm not going to rate this, but my spidey senses found too many red flags. A picture of the author and his wife before the story begins? He quoted himself in the epigraph - I have never seen that before and it comes off as extremely cheesy. Also, a lot of the reviews for this book follow the same format (bolded first line followed by a fantastic review). Weird. Also, some of the writing was off for me. I have ick vibes from the first 46 pages and will not be continuing. I should know better with vetting Kindle Unlimited but the premise seemed interesting. It's a nope for me, though.

[Susan Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Bobby Akart is well researched for this book. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and although I know longer live there, the descriptions of everything are accurate. Many people who live there are unaware of the potential destruction that will someday come but more there are groups that are preparing and have disaster plans that will be put into action. Unfortunately, it will not help thousands, perhaps millions of people. Then again, disaster can happen anywhere, it's that kind of world we live in. The only thing I found a bit incredulous was the rescue by Duke of his daughter, Sloan in Seattle among the mass of humanity. And yet, miracles can happen.

[Bruce Tamanaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can this be the beginning of the end?

What an amazing beginning to the possible end of the world.

Bobby Akart has started another disaster series that is based on science, family values and strength.

The Mercer family led by Duke and Betsy join together to celebrate Duke's retirement from the VOC. But the volcanoes of the Ring of Fire have other plans.

The story was hard to put down with plenty of excitement, danger, and twists that left you ready for more. I enjoyed the book.

[Rick Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell of the Earth

Mr. Akart has written a fantastic story about our earth and it's very existence. If you are interested in earthquakes and volcanos this is the story you were waiting for. As in all Akart stories the characters are real and you care about what happens to them as you read the story. Winstons story is a great way Mr. Akart honored a faithful friend. Waiting for the next installment, Saint Helens.