The end is here. A dark new beginning is upon them. In Chicago, our survivors are facing a horrifying new challenge. The exodus from the ruins of downtown Chicago are now upon them, led by a ruthless, determined man with a past as ugly as his future. In the fight to get out of town, there will be casualties. Not everyone will survive…
In Sacramento, Rock has returned home to an ex-girlfriend with a one-time fling at his side and the secret between them. Dropping your roots, however, is bigger than the relationships forming among the survivors. There is a group of rogue soldiers rounding up people like Rock, Jill and Maisie. They’re putting people in cages with plans of locking down Sacramento, and forming their own future civilization.
Welcome to the next evolution of high-octane, post-apocalyptic survival fiction! The Age of Reprisal is filled with some lovable, badass, downright frightening characters you’ll love and want to know, tons of action, a bit of humor and the kind of edge-of-your-seat suspense that refuses to let up. Grab yourself a double-dose of caffeine, find a quiet place and buckle up—this roller coaster ride into the apocalypse is just getting started!
I am enjoying this series. One thing in this book is how our society has emasculated men. It is a shame.
Fav quotes: 1. “but when they start burning, or when it gets so cold that all of these new homes with their fake fireplaces and no heat turn into iceboxes, what will you do?” “You don’t have real fireplaces?” she asks. “Environmentalists have a big say in the way things work in America, and the climate change agenda has us making rules that, under these circumstances, don’t make sense,” I tell her. “That means a lot of homes here don’t have real fireplaces because a lot of people think that burning logs is the same as killing the planet.” “What is the climate change agenda?” she asks.
2. “Our society bred weakness,” Fire said. “They created a bunch of entitled pansies with no sense of self-preservation. They only wanted to feel good, to feel safe, to be appreciated. This is what becomes of them. Those raging against slavery eventually become the slaves.”
Theirs was a society that began shaming strong men, the same society that introduced five year old boys to the idea that maybe they were born boys, but that they could become girls if they wanted. Most of the guys she knew played video games, were socially awkward and couldn’t change a tire, much less drive a car or get a job.....This was truly pathetic, and it was emblematic of a society run by people who so easily got their feelings hurt.
The third book in the Age of Embers series is finally hitting the drones/EMP drama head on. We are still following Rock in California and Fire & Ice in Chicago and I’m hoping the two story lines merge in future books. I wasn’t too keen on an entire chapter dedicated to pooping in a post EMP world in a small group of people and when I brought it up to my husband (the reason I’m reading these books), he was like “the details! It’s all about the details and making this real” and how true is that! Schow is bringing up survival topics that wouldn’t be at the forefront of my mind, like how to properly dispose of human waste if we are in a survival situation.
One thing I really love about this series is how real the book feels. The conversations are authentic, the scenario is frighteningly possible. Some of the action stuff might be stretched a little, and poor Fire can’t catch a break. We do have a new antagonist in this story which is resolved by the end and we have to say goodbye to a beloved (at least to me) character. I’m excited to continue on this journey! A little bird (my husband) says a town we live in is mentioned in the fourth book and that’s always a fun surprise!
Just like the rest, I give this book 5 stars. Great story line, great characters and great action.
The Age of Reprisal by Ryan Schow Audiobook Read 1/5/21-1/9/21 Five stars
In both The Last War and The Age of Embers series the character development was great with a rich mixture of characters. I couldn't help but like them and be concerned for their welfare. The plot was complex with both series cleverly and believably tied together but not so much that they can't stand alone. Ryan has a mastery of dialogue so that it flows smoothly. I was a bit concerned with the first book in The Age of Embers, fearing that there was going to be a political message involved. This was not the case. The time frame is in a believable not too distant future with all of the same social issue of our times however the author doesn't draw conclusions, only working within the constraints of modern society. If I have one criticism is that the development of the love angle made the plot drag a little at times. It is just my personal bias. All in all, an stating read that left me satisfied but anticipating the next book.
Part 3 of the Age of Embers series was sort of like one of those valleys in a roller coaster. This was my least favorite so far in the series, but it's clear there are several story lines being reset or changing direction. Lots of drama here too....the Rock and Jill drama, the Brooklyn and Draven drama, the pooping in the closet drama, the grandma drama, the Xavier-woe-is-me drama. Carver has been following Maria for weeks too....and for what? The story seemed very disconnected at times. Well...It was still good, and I am looking forward to part 4.
The book is a major merge point between the Last War series and this series. I’ll say that poor carver got the shock of his life meeting Maria with some other survivors. Nuff said as I don’t issue spoiler alerts.
Ryan Schow does it again and again. I hope this series last another few years. EMP’s and AI’s are recipes for danger, disasters and EOTW stuff. This is a must read!
I absolutely loved The Last War series which led me to this series and I’ve never been able to really get into post apocalyptic genre but I just happened to read a sample of The Zero Hour and here I am waiting none to patiently on The Age Of Exodus, his writing makes you feel like every bit of this could and would really happen and the attention to detail is amazing without being bogged down with too much detail
As this story progresses, I can’t help but look at the real world and my own living conditions. It makes me wonder what can I do better... what if? The characters are real and intense. I hate Maria and what she’s done, but can’t help wondering if she will truly help the world start over. Will the person inside give her some humanity? Can’t wait to get into the next book. Ryan, as always, a truly edge of your seat story!👍
I just finished the Age of Embers series and it was great. I really enjoyed the suspense and nasty twists and turns that you have written. When I first started reading I thought that it was the prequel to the Last War series. Thank you for bringing new survivors into the action. Waiting for the next book in this series.
I loved how the scenes from the other books were merged into this one! This was done wonderfully. I cried all over again when Bailey was rescued. Great addition to the series.
This is an awesomely, amazing ride! The storyline keeps you on your toes, just as you think you know next, here comes a curve ball. Can’t wait for book3, so many questions left.
I love the entire series of books , It is that kind of book when I started to read it I couldn't stop; since high school I haven't had this pleasure to read a plot like this. Because of this book I joined the Kindle Unlimited :).
Spinning the continuing saga with depth of character!!
Getting to know the back stories of key characters, peeking into their respective lives as they all head towards the final showdown. Well written and easy to read.
I just enjoyed seeing the characters go through expected changes as their circumstances changed. The author did a good job with character development. Onto the next book.
One thread of the tale weaves through the backside of the web of The Last War, another thread dangles Carver dangerously close to Maria & her mini-me’s. The third thread of the braid blends Fire & Ice.
I loved this book by Ryan Schow. I also loved these characters. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book and all of this Ryan’s books. I listened to this book on audiobook.
The character development is great in this book! I love the new relationships and family units that are emerging. Can’t wait to start the next in the series.
Ryan Schow is quickly making his mark in this Apocalyptic genre of Science Fiction. While most of the other Apocalypse writters follow a theme that has become predictable Ryan Schow is showing the world that he has created his own unique blend of inspired writing. Mr. Schow is now the leader in this genre imho because of his first story telling style. Schow is becoming a true Word Smith and if he continues to improve his craft he will be viewed along with the greats of Sci-Fi. I personally admire his tough rough accounting of what an breakdown of society and how that would play out. His thoroughly developed characters both hold your attention and also grab your emotions. Where you both Hate and are Disgusted with these characters but then you are yourself as a reflection in that we all hold demons lurking inside of us. Show has developed quite the world in these "Last War" and this "Age of Embers" series. He could spend the rest of his career; possibly like the great Robert Jordan "Wheel of Time"; exploring the Future of both these series and how they play-off of and converge up in each other. The dept of story and characters are there to carry off such. I would ideally love to keep reading about these characters and world; to see what they will become. Ryan Schow has upped his game with this book as it has a great strategy that links both series into this world he has created. Many of the characters I hate, admire, an disgusted in, in awe of, and simply like and enjoy both the plot and story telling. It will be a very interesting ride these next few years reading what will come from Ryan Schow. I'll surely read and admire every future new book from him ...