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After It Happened #3
Society
Set in the UK in the immediate aftermath of a mysterious illness which swept the country and left millions dead, the series follows the trials facing a reluctant hero, Dan, and the group he forms around him. They must battle the elements, find sufficient supplies and equipment to survive, and protect themselves against the most destructive force on the planet: other people.
The survivors have prospered, but their home is an enticing prospect for others to take. Besieged, they must respond with a savagery to dissuade further attempts.
Is this the end of society?
The survivors have prospered, but their home is an enticing prospect for others to take. Besieged, they must respond with a savagery to dissuade further attempts.
Is this the end of society?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2016
400 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Devon C. Ford
78 books431 followersDevon is from the UK, having lived in many places until finally settling in the Midlands. His career in public services started in his teens and has provided a wealth of experiences, both good and some very bad, which form the basis of the book ideas that cause regular insomnia.
He first started reading for fun as an adult, having tried his hardest to avoid anything resembling academia growing up, and at that point the world became a far bigger place. He has been reading, at least one book at a time, ever since.
His debut works, the After It Happened series, (Survival, Humanity, Society) were published in April 2016 followed by Hope (July 2016) and Sanctuary (December 2016). The first part of the series concluded with the release of Rebellion which was published in June 2017.
Storming high into the charts with the first books of the After It Happened series, Devon launched into the top 10 sellers listings in the UK, Australia, Canada and the US, and he made the decision to write full time shortly after the launch of Hope.
Devon’s self-published beginnings caused a stir in the publishing world, and resulted in contracts with Podium Publishing for Audible, narrated by R.C. Bray (The Martian, Expeditionary Force, Arisen), before a publishing deal for kindle and paperbacks with Vulpine Press.
Further works have seen the start of a multi-author series, sci-fi/post-apocalyptic cross genre, futuristic dystopian and alternative history zombie apocalypse. Spin-off books from the After It Happened world have been announced for 2018.
He first started reading for fun as an adult, having tried his hardest to avoid anything resembling academia growing up, and at that point the world became a far bigger place. He has been reading, at least one book at a time, ever since.
His debut works, the After It Happened series, (Survival, Humanity, Society) were published in April 2016 followed by Hope (July 2016) and Sanctuary (December 2016). The first part of the series concluded with the release of Rebellion which was published in June 2017.
Storming high into the charts with the first books of the After It Happened series, Devon launched into the top 10 sellers listings in the UK, Australia, Canada and the US, and he made the decision to write full time shortly after the launch of Hope.
Devon’s self-published beginnings caused a stir in the publishing world, and resulted in contracts with Podium Publishing for Audible, narrated by R.C. Bray (The Martian, Expeditionary Force, Arisen), before a publishing deal for kindle and paperbacks with Vulpine Press.
Further works have seen the start of a multi-author series, sci-fi/post-apocalyptic cross genre, futuristic dystopian and alternative history zombie apocalypse. Spin-off books from the After It Happened world have been announced for 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 22, 2016
Great series devastating ending
Loved this series well written great characters but the ending felt abrupt and hopeless left me empty and hanging out in the cold. Edit: Was so upset I missed there was a book four. THANK God. LOL. I spent the whole day depressed and thinking about all the characters, the author draws you in that much. One of the Best Written End of the World book series I've read and I've read a lot of them.
Loved this series well written great characters but the ending felt abrupt and hopeless left me empty and hanging out in the cold. Edit: Was so upset I missed there was a book four. THANK God. LOL. I spent the whole day depressed and thinking about all the characters, the author draws you in that much. One of the Best Written End of the World book series I've read and I've read a lot of them.
February 11, 2017
Another excellent installment in the series and then ending was so dark and frightening that I must read the next ASAP--
Good way to
End a book in a series!
Still love: no zombies... I enjoy them but the human stories around them is why I read them
Limited swearing
Emotional connections to characters
Main characters have moral compass
Writing is right. No mince for words the military knowledge continues to intrigue
Good way to
End a book in a series!
Still love: no zombies... I enjoy them but the human stories around them is why I read them
Limited swearing
Emotional connections to characters
Main characters have moral compass
Writing is right. No mince for words the military knowledge continues to intrigue
January 28, 2020
Leah's a little badarse, and I must read the next book now!
April 22, 2016
Wow...
SOCIETY, the 3rd and final book in Devon Ford's AFTER IT HAPPENED series continues the communal life, loves and longings of all of the primary protagonists of Books 1 and 2 of this very good PA/SHTF/TEOTWAWKI series. There's action, suspense, long and short treks, triumphs as well as tragedies, an answer to the origins of the pandemic and a believable but heart-wrenching conclusion to the storyline. The AFTER IT HAPPENED trilogy is a very worthy addition to the genre - Prepare to care about these characters, even to the natural results of the pandemic for those who are immune.
SOCIETY, the 3rd and final book in Devon Ford's AFTER IT HAPPENED series continues the communal life, loves and longings of all of the primary protagonists of Books 1 and 2 of this very good PA/SHTF/TEOTWAWKI series. There's action, suspense, long and short treks, triumphs as well as tragedies, an answer to the origins of the pandemic and a believable but heart-wrenching conclusion to the storyline. The AFTER IT HAPPENED trilogy is a very worthy addition to the genre - Prepare to care about these characters, even to the natural results of the pandemic for those who are immune.
April 24, 2016
Solid 4 stars.
And damn! Epilogue was surprising : didn't expect this one. Well done
And damn! Epilogue was surprising : didn't expect this one. Well done
Read
November 5, 2019A policeman finds himself in a world where 99% of the people has died from a kind of pneumonia. He set out to find other survivors.
I read book 1-6 as a boxset. My full review will be under book 6 to avoid spoilers.
The books are very well written but at some point I was almost shouting to Dan to create a militia and put guards up. I can understand you do not want to arm strangers but after having settled in you would think to defend yourself would you not? And what about passing knowledge? Would a remnant of humanity not be able to do as the Arabs did with Greec knowledge? Nevertheless the book series had me glued to my kindle. Can recommend it.
I read book 1-6 as a boxset. My full review will be under book 6 to avoid spoilers.
The books are very well written but at some point I was almost shouting to Dan to create a militia and put guards up. I can understand you do not want to arm strangers but after having settled in you would think to defend yourself would you not? And what about passing knowledge? Would a remnant of humanity not be able to do as the Arabs did with Greec knowledge? Nevertheless the book series had me glued to my kindle. Can recommend it.
August 27, 2018
This book was just as awesome as the first two!! On to the fourth book in the series!!!
May 19, 2016
After receiving a recommendation to check out a new author, I read all three of Devon C Ford’s ‘After It Happened’ series in the same number of days. I’ll be honest; I expected them to be good, but worried that the hype would eclipse the content. I couldn’t have been more wrong!
The third volume – Society – is (at the time of writing) the last in this series. The back-and-forth between different groups in the story is excellent, and as with ‘Humanity’, I found the pacing to be just right to keep the balance between suspense, action, and the quieter moments. This book explores more fully the cause of the situation humanity is in, raising some interesting questions for the reader, whilst simultaneously keeping up with the peril, torment, humour, and affection between the characters. The ending did not disappoint, and I’m excited to read book four as soon as I can!
The third volume – Society – is (at the time of writing) the last in this series. The back-and-forth between different groups in the story is excellent, and as with ‘Humanity’, I found the pacing to be just right to keep the balance between suspense, action, and the quieter moments. This book explores more fully the cause of the situation humanity is in, raising some interesting questions for the reader, whilst simultaneously keeping up with the peril, torment, humour, and affection between the characters. The ending did not disappoint, and I’m excited to read book four as soon as I can!
May 29, 2016
O...M...G!
This book in this series just left me sad to the bone..... The fact there's another book coming gives some hope. And appropriately that's the name of the next book. I'm just.. speechless. This is some fantastically great writing!!! Words put to paper (or electronic device) that can reach deep down inside and make you feel solid emotion speaks volumes to the talent of this author. Lord, I'm all tore up! And seriously can't wait for the next book.
This book in this series just left me sad to the bone..... The fact there's another book coming gives some hope. And appropriately that's the name of the next book. I'm just.. speechless. This is some fantastically great writing!!! Words put to paper (or electronic device) that can reach deep down inside and make you feel solid emotion speaks volumes to the talent of this author. Lord, I'm all tore up! And seriously can't wait for the next book.
July 1, 2016
Devon - Epilogue ? Seriously. So glad to hear that another book is in the works. Book 3, Society has brought the characters to life. No matter how small or large, the sub plots are there, they are all working and what a fantastic read to follow on from the previous 2 books in the series. I don't do spoilers go so and read this. I promise you it will be the best $4.00 you will spend on Amazon this year. Don't believe me ? read it and find out.
March 28, 2019
It's more of the same, excellent, high octane survival stuff, following characters that are now practically a family, also a bubble of goodness and normality in the world that's left after it happened. Because, you can have tons of chips on your shoulders and still remain normal, if everybody else has it, right?
May 25, 2016
Best one yet!
I can't wait for book 4.. I read all 3 straight thru. I became involved with the characters. I laughed with them and I shared their pain and tears. This is a must read..human survival..humanity..friendship and family.
I can't wait for book 4.. I read all 3 straight thru. I became involved with the characters. I laughed with them and I shared their pain and tears. This is a must read..human survival..humanity..friendship and family.
June 22, 2016
Disturbing
I look forward to the 4th book in this series, but am so sad about the ending of the 3rd book. Enough said so I don't ruin it for someone else. Excellent writing and great character development.
I look forward to the 4th book in this series, but am so sad about the ending of the 3rd book. Enough said so I don't ruin it for someone else. Excellent writing and great character development.
June 28, 2016
Outstanding Thriller!
Like the previous two, a book that you just can't put down. Well written, fast paced, great characters, and a totally believable story make this book a must read!
Like the previous two, a book that you just can't put down. Well written, fast paced, great characters, and a totally believable story make this book a must read!
October 3, 2017
OK, OK, I know I've said I will wait till the audiobook version will come out. But I just couldn't. I just kept on reading - Thank the Goddess for Kindle Unlimited! If this is really these Authors first post-apocalyptic series, I am on a lookout now for his new works.
June 13, 2016
Totally unexpected
I DoD not expect the ending and you won't either. I am really looking forward to the fourth book in the series.....Hope
I DoD not expect the ending and you won't either. I am really looking forward to the fourth book in the series.....Hope
June 11, 2016
Good read
Enjoyed reading this series so far it kept me interested in the story line. Can't wait to see what happens in the end.
Enjoyed reading this series so far it kept me interested in the story line. Can't wait to see what happens in the end.
June 16, 2016
Good deries
Can't wait for book four, really enjoyed the series so far. Characters grow on you, Great plot, a must read
Can't wait for book four, really enjoyed the series so far. Characters grow on you, Great plot, a must read
June 27, 2016
Re xcellent
Good read without the zombies. Great characters, lots of action. Sounds very realistic, that this is a feasible reality then
Good read without the zombies. Great characters, lots of action. Sounds very realistic, that this is a feasible reality then
October 9, 2016
You This was an amazing series the Characters where so well defined and never forgotten the attention to detail was amazing I loved the story the point the action the people
January 27, 2019
listened to on youtube
January 16, 2025
Reading 3rd time
February 3, 2026
Society is the third installment in Devin C. Ford’s After It Happened series, and at the point of writing this review I have read four books in the saga so far. Of those four, Society is easily my least favorite—though that assessment comes with important caveats.
This entry is, without question, the bleakest and most pessimistic of the series to date. Ford leans hard into the darker realities of a collapsed world, and the cumulative effect is heavy. By the time the novel reaches its conclusion, it leaves the reader with a sense of exhaustion rather than resolution. In fact, the ending is so grim that I seriously considered setting the series aside altogether. I very nearly moved on to another book or a different series entirely before deciding to give the fourth installment a chance—a decision I’m glad I ultimately made, as I found the next book far more enjoyable.
That said, Society is not without merit. The story continues to move forward at a respectable pace, avoiding the stagnation that often plagues long-running post-apocalyptic series. The plot progresses, the world expands, and the consequences of earlier events are meaningfully explored. Ford does not simply tread water here; things change, and those changes matter.
One of the book’s strongest elements remains its protagonist. Dan continues to be a compelling and relatable main character—practical, thoughtful, and grounded. He is someone the reader naturally roots for, even as the circumstances surrounding him grow increasingly dire. Ford’s writing shines most clearly through Dan’s voice, which feels authentic and consistent, and it remains a pleasure to experience the story through his perspective.
Ultimately, Society is a well-written but emotionally draining chapter in the After It Happened series. Its darkness and pessimism overshadow its strengths, leaving a lingering sense of discomfort once the final page is turned. While it succeeds in advancing the story and developing its characters, it does so at the cost of reader satisfaction.
For those reasons, I would rate Society three out of five stars. It is an important installment in the series, but not one I would be eager to revisit.
This entry is, without question, the bleakest and most pessimistic of the series to date. Ford leans hard into the darker realities of a collapsed world, and the cumulative effect is heavy. By the time the novel reaches its conclusion, it leaves the reader with a sense of exhaustion rather than resolution. In fact, the ending is so grim that I seriously considered setting the series aside altogether. I very nearly moved on to another book or a different series entirely before deciding to give the fourth installment a chance—a decision I’m glad I ultimately made, as I found the next book far more enjoyable.
That said, Society is not without merit. The story continues to move forward at a respectable pace, avoiding the stagnation that often plagues long-running post-apocalyptic series. The plot progresses, the world expands, and the consequences of earlier events are meaningfully explored. Ford does not simply tread water here; things change, and those changes matter.
One of the book’s strongest elements remains its protagonist. Dan continues to be a compelling and relatable main character—practical, thoughtful, and grounded. He is someone the reader naturally roots for, even as the circumstances surrounding him grow increasingly dire. Ford’s writing shines most clearly through Dan’s voice, which feels authentic and consistent, and it remains a pleasure to experience the story through his perspective.
Ultimately, Society is a well-written but emotionally draining chapter in the After It Happened series. Its darkness and pessimism overshadow its strengths, leaving a lingering sense of discomfort once the final page is turned. While it succeeds in advancing the story and developing its characters, it does so at the cost of reader satisfaction.
For those reasons, I would rate Society three out of five stars. It is an important installment in the series, but not one I would be eager to revisit.
July 4, 2024
Action, drama and potentially some answers.
As well as some in positions of leadership living up to the epithet concerning; power and corruption.
It’s all go in this addition to ‘After It Happened’. The Home Farm (a former low security prison) is evolving and the community is expanding. They have viable crops and livestock as well as a healthy reserve of canned/ preserved food. Unfortunately the group encounters others who want what the survivors camp has. The worst realisation on reading this series is that it’s not a surprise that some groups come together with the sole focus being to take whatever they want by force. Who needs zombies when there are inevitably plenty of monsters amongst the living.
The struggles of the survivors makes compelling reading. It’s easy to find yourself rooting for favourite characters. With the introduction of Emma a postgraduate virology student emerging from a government bunker, the overall story makes inroads into what exactly IT was that happened.
The series itself is tells of the struggles of survivors of a devastating virus with around a 99% mortality rate. The series does need to be read in order as each book follows on from the previous one.
There’s plenty of action to keep readers engaged along with healthy levels of irony and dark humour. I think a lot of people have given brain power to the thought exercise of this kind of “what if?” Well worth reading for post apocalyptic fiction readers.
As well as some in positions of leadership living up to the epithet concerning; power and corruption.
It’s all go in this addition to ‘After It Happened’. The Home Farm (a former low security prison) is evolving and the community is expanding. They have viable crops and livestock as well as a healthy reserve of canned/ preserved food. Unfortunately the group encounters others who want what the survivors camp has. The worst realisation on reading this series is that it’s not a surprise that some groups come together with the sole focus being to take whatever they want by force. Who needs zombies when there are inevitably plenty of monsters amongst the living.
The struggles of the survivors makes compelling reading. It’s easy to find yourself rooting for favourite characters. With the introduction of Emma a postgraduate virology student emerging from a government bunker, the overall story makes inroads into what exactly IT was that happened.
The series itself is tells of the struggles of survivors of a devastating virus with around a 99% mortality rate. The series does need to be read in order as each book follows on from the previous one.
There’s plenty of action to keep readers engaged along with healthy levels of irony and dark humour. I think a lot of people have given brain power to the thought exercise of this kind of “what if?” Well worth reading for post apocalyptic fiction readers.
September 7, 2024
This is the third book in the series, and it's not bad. After the previous events in the first two books, it's kind of more of the same.
The survivors get attacked by the self-styled "King" of Wales, and soundly defeat him. They warn him if he tries to attack again, he'll be wiped out. At the same time, they find a group of hippy survivors, and agree to trade animals and food.
Meanwhile, a scientist who thinks she knows how the apocalypse happened is almost ambushed by a mysterious group who want to kidnap her. She tells Dan and the survivors that she thinks a plant discovers buried deep in the arctic ice is responsible, but she needs to go to a lab in Scotland to prove it.
One of the Rangers, Steve is an ex-Air Force heli pilot, who volunteers to escort her. They find a group of survivors under military control, and the commander wants Steve to join them as they have a helicopter they think will fly. Steve helps the scientist to escape, and then works on stealing the helicopter for himself.
The "King" attacks again in the hope of taking the survivors and their refuge over, but as Dan promised, they get wiped out, and Steve arrives back with the stolen heli.
The characters are well fleshed out, the action is good, and the plot all works, so I'm looking forward to the next book. I'm guessing that the Military commander from Scotland is not going to be happy about losing his heli, and comes south to take it back.
The survivors get attacked by the self-styled "King" of Wales, and soundly defeat him. They warn him if he tries to attack again, he'll be wiped out. At the same time, they find a group of hippy survivors, and agree to trade animals and food.
Meanwhile, a scientist who thinks she knows how the apocalypse happened is almost ambushed by a mysterious group who want to kidnap her. She tells Dan and the survivors that she thinks a plant discovers buried deep in the arctic ice is responsible, but she needs to go to a lab in Scotland to prove it.
One of the Rangers, Steve is an ex-Air Force heli pilot, who volunteers to escort her. They find a group of survivors under military control, and the commander wants Steve to join them as they have a helicopter they think will fly. Steve helps the scientist to escape, and then works on stealing the helicopter for himself.
The "King" attacks again in the hope of taking the survivors and their refuge over, but as Dan promised, they get wiped out, and Steve arrives back with the stolen heli.
The characters are well fleshed out, the action is good, and the plot all works, so I'm looking forward to the next book. I'm guessing that the Military commander from Scotland is not going to be happy about losing his heli, and comes south to take it back.
December 8, 2023
This episodic series just keeps getting better and better. Book 1 may have started off a little slow where blood and guts action was concerned, but it steadily picked up speed until it had become a runaway freight train thrill ride. Society, book 3 is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride. Nonstop action from the first page to the last page.
There are no superheroes in these books. The characters that we have come to love and root for go into battle to preserve their way of life, but not without suffering wounds of their own. Some recover to fight another day, some do not. That is one of the things that makes this series so realistic, so real and lifelike. Society drives that point home with a vengeance.
After It Happened is an episodic thriller series. Each episode ends with a cliffhanger. Being an episodic thriller series where each new episode builds on the ones that went before it, we come to expect the cliffhanger scene that sends us scurrying off to grab the next episode in the series. If you pay close attention to the dialog in this episode, you will know that something catastrophic is about to happen. I know that I did, but I was still not prepared for what the epilogue to Society left me with. It left me shaking my head saying, “Wow! I did not see this coming!” Fortunately for my emotional well-being, I have already downloaded Hope, book 4 in the series.
There are no superheroes in these books. The characters that we have come to love and root for go into battle to preserve their way of life, but not without suffering wounds of their own. Some recover to fight another day, some do not. That is one of the things that makes this series so realistic, so real and lifelike. Society drives that point home with a vengeance.
After It Happened is an episodic thriller series. Each episode ends with a cliffhanger. Being an episodic thriller series where each new episode builds on the ones that went before it, we come to expect the cliffhanger scene that sends us scurrying off to grab the next episode in the series. If you pay close attention to the dialog in this episode, you will know that something catastrophic is about to happen. I know that I did, but I was still not prepared for what the epilogue to Society left me with. It left me shaking my head saying, “Wow! I did not see this coming!” Fortunately for my emotional well-being, I have already downloaded Hope, book 4 in the series.
December 30, 2018
Enjoyed this novel, and I have bought into the series.
This is a much better novel than the first two. Nothing has changed in the writer's style, but the plot that has been developing over the first two books is brought out into the light in a really nice way.
I felt that the characters are more vivid, the conflicts are brought out more and obsticals are less the focus. I would have given this five stars at this point but one character was just too unreal for me. As a former Infantry soldier, I have worked and trained with people for years, never, and I mean never, have I see someone transition from a completely useless piece of bubblegum flesh, to a hard as nails killer in less than a year.
Sure Basic training and Advanced training can be developed, but to suddenly be spec ops level of bad ass... I rolled my eyes. The characters age only made it worse. Sure I love the idea behind it, but...Meh
This is a much better novel than the first two. Nothing has changed in the writer's style, but the plot that has been developing over the first two books is brought out into the light in a really nice way.
I felt that the characters are more vivid, the conflicts are brought out more and obsticals are less the focus. I would have given this five stars at this point but one character was just too unreal for me. As a former Infantry soldier, I have worked and trained with people for years, never, and I mean never, have I see someone transition from a completely useless piece of bubblegum flesh, to a hard as nails killer in less than a year.
Sure Basic training and Advanced training can be developed, but to suddenly be spec ops level of bad ass... I rolled my eyes. The characters age only made it worse. Sure I love the idea behind it, but...Meh
October 22, 2019
AFTER IT HAPPENED BOOK 3: SOCIETY
The stot continues , but the pace seems to be slowing down a bit. Most of the focal persons are still here and activity moving forward to new dramas. It feels like there's much my about to happen as the last bombshell of Marie's pregnancy ended at book 3 with the overwhelming of possible extinction threaten the determined survivors of this new apocalyptic themed series. Not sure where this new version will go but as always, Dan and the sturdy group are still interesting and readable. Book 3 might just have been the bridge which allows new crises and triumphs to keep the reading pace up this far. I haven't get read any bits which make it impossible or boring so I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the up. Certainly not a boring read thus far.
The stot continues , but the pace seems to be slowing down a bit. Most of the focal persons are still here and activity moving forward to new dramas. It feels like there's much my about to happen as the last bombshell of Marie's pregnancy ended at book 3 with the overwhelming of possible extinction threaten the determined survivors of this new apocalyptic themed series. Not sure where this new version will go but as always, Dan and the sturdy group are still interesting and readable. Book 3 might just have been the bridge which allows new crises and triumphs to keep the reading pace up this far. I haven't get read any bits which make it impossible or boring so I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the up. Certainly not a boring read thus far.
October 18, 2017
A bit disappointing, the first two in series just kept leading me in, wanting to know more. Seemed to be well thought through and quite believable to me. This one is different in that based on what I think is flawed reasoning, the main characters are off on a journey. Then I started to notice quite a few things that didn't seem believable to me and I was losing interest, Not sure if I'm going to read the next in the series. I have so many books sitting here ready for me to delve into, so I'll probably not bother. Not for a while anyway.
May 15, 2019
A DCF. SYFY. Novel (AIHB. - 3)/The Survival Continues as the Time Has Lapse and Food Has Become Scarce
DCF. has. penned the third novel of the After It Happened series. The Ranger continues to lead the people during the good and bad times. Their biggest problem in not from within, but without. The ones who have attempted little expect the most. However, as society continues to crumble the ones after due. diligence and planning are the haves and the others are waiting for a handout. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
DCF. has. penned the third novel of the After It Happened series. The Ranger continues to lead the people during the good and bad times. Their biggest problem in not from within, but without. The ones who have attempted little expect the most. However, as society continues to crumble the ones after due. diligence and planning are the haves and the others are waiting for a handout. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews