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Fight the Shock: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller
Everything changes in an instant when the nation’s power grid fails.An EMP attack knocks planes out of the sky and turns roads into disaster zones. And that’s just the first minute. The attack leaves Cade Bowman stranded a thousand miles from home and those he loves most. He’ll do anything to get back to his family, but it may not be enough.
A weekend in Las Vegas turns deadly for his daughter Lily and her best friend. She knows she has to get out of the city before it’s too late. But with junkies and opportunists on the hunt for easy prey, she’ll have to be stronger than ever to survive.
Fight the Shock is the first book in the heart-stopping World in Collapse series.
Could you fight through the shock and do what it takes to survive?
Get it now!
A weekend in Las Vegas turns deadly for his daughter Lily and her best friend. She knows she has to get out of the city before it’s too late. But with junkies and opportunists on the hunt for easy prey, she’ll have to be stronger than ever to survive.
Fight the Shock is the first book in the heart-stopping World in Collapse series.
Could you fight through the shock and do what it takes to survive?
Get it now!
- GenresPost ApocalypticFiction
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2019
410 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
William Oday
34 books43 followersWant my FREE Starter Library? One novel, one novella and one short story, all for free. Get it at WWW.WILLIAMODAY.COM.
I grew up in the red dirt of Oklahoma, the center of the states. I later meandered out to the West Coast and have remained off-center ever since. Living in Los Angeles, I achieved my Career 1.0 dream by working on big-budget movies for over a decade. If you’ve seen a Will Smith or Tom Cruise blockbuster action movie, you’ve likely seen my work.
The work was challenging and fulfilling… until I got tired of telling other people’s stories. I longed to tell my own. So, now I’m pursuing my Career 2.0 dream—a dream I’ve had since youth—to write stories that pull a reader in and make the everyday world fade away.
I’ve since moved to a small town in Northern California with my lovely wife, vibrant children, and a dog that has discovered the secret to infinite energy. His name is Trip and he fits the name in four unique ways.
You can find out more about me and my stories at WILLIAMODAY.COM.
I grew up in the red dirt of Oklahoma, the center of the states. I later meandered out to the West Coast and have remained off-center ever since. Living in Los Angeles, I achieved my Career 1.0 dream by working on big-budget movies for over a decade. If you’ve seen a Will Smith or Tom Cruise blockbuster action movie, you’ve likely seen my work.
The work was challenging and fulfilling… until I got tired of telling other people’s stories. I longed to tell my own. So, now I’m pursuing my Career 2.0 dream—a dream I’ve had since youth—to write stories that pull a reader in and make the everyday world fade away.
I’ve since moved to a small town in Northern California with my lovely wife, vibrant children, and a dog that has discovered the secret to infinite energy. His name is Trip and he fits the name in four unique ways.
You can find out more about me and my stories at WILLIAMODAY.COM.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 23, 2020
Another great Survival Book. I love how the story is told in three separate places with the family members. Will they all get home to Momma? Can’t wait to find out. Thank you Barbie for getting me this book for Christmas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2019
Absolutely fantastic as always. An EMP attack and everything is a disaster. Stranded away from family is not the best. Scary that it could really happen. Ready for more more books.
November 30, 2019
Are you prepared? When the US is hit with an EMP, life as we know it comes to a stop. No electricity, no phones, no electronics, no running water, little law enforcement brings the country to the edge of total anarchy. Unfortunately, the Bowman family of Durango, Colorado were separated with the father, Cade, in California; older daughter Lily in Las Vegas; mother, Sam and son Ethan in Durango. Fortunately though, Cade was a prepper and had taught his family basic survival skills along with being prepared. The family would need all of those skills, and a whole lot of luck to try and reunite.
This book is amazing but horribly scary. An EMP is a real threat. Our government has known of this weapon for years, but has done very little to prepare our country. Are we truly capable of returning to the primitive and lawlessness of the Wild West?
I received a review copy of this book, but I write reviews because I want to. And this book is definitely one that I highly recommend. William Oday is fast becoming one of my most favorite authors.
This book is amazing but horribly scary. An EMP is a real threat. Our government has known of this weapon for years, but has done very little to prepare our country. Are we truly capable of returning to the primitive and lawlessness of the Wild West?
I received a review copy of this book, but I write reviews because I want to. And this book is definitely one that I highly recommend. William Oday is fast becoming one of my most favorite authors.
September 4, 2021
Cade Bowman was flying home after eight weeks away working a job when the power went out. The plane made an emergency landing in San Francisco Bay. Cade’s first thought was his daughter in Las Vegas with a friend for a wedding. That would be his first place to go. If he could locate his daughter, then he could think about getting home. Cade’s daughter Lilly and her friend Piper were having problems avoiding the ne’er-do-wells in Las Vegas. Zeke and Donny, proud of his old El Camino were a part of those ne’er-do-wells. Cade’s wife Samantha, back home in Durango, Colorado was struggling to maintain stability in the face of chaos. We’ll follow all the characters mentioned as they encounter several encounters, some good, some not so much. We may not get to Las Vegas on this trip, that appears to be saved for the next volume. The story is pretty good with likable characters, for the most part, but unique and tension-filled it is not. Three.point.five for a good beginning. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 5, 2019
In the blink of an eye you are thrust back in time, into a world with no phones, no electricity, no running water. As a result the western portion of the US is instantly returned to a primitive and lawless state where society is rapidly dissolving into feral packs of opportunists who prey of the shocked and stunned population. Oday shows us the amazingly scary aftermath of an EMP strike. We have known about this possibility for years; but has the government and the people taken the warning to heart?
Fight the Shock in an excellent start to what promises to be a wonderful series. I know that it grabbed my attention so much that I read it in one sitting! I am anxiously looking forward to the adventures of the protagonists, Cade, Hudson, Lily, Sam and Ethan, and they navigate life in the post EMP reality.
Fight the Shock in an excellent start to what promises to be a wonderful series. I know that it grabbed my attention so much that I read it in one sitting! I am anxiously looking forward to the adventures of the protagonists, Cade, Hudson, Lily, Sam and Ethan, and they navigate life in the post EMP reality.
February 2, 2020
Edge of your seat scary!
Everyone says an EMP is just science fiction. It won’t happen in our lifetime. But what if? Do you have a clue, are you ready to suck it up and survive in a real world that has lost it mind? This is what Cade Bowman has tried to teach his family. The basics of what to do if the unexpected really happened. He never thought it would, but as he swam across the bay of San Francisco, his only thoughts were to get to his daughter Lily in Las Vegas and then to Sam and Ethan back home in Colorado. You really don’t know what you are capable of until you are tested.
Amazing story and so real. Scary, but also a heads up! What if? Are you prepared? Grab this book for an amazing read!
Follow William and check out more. His writing is amazing and the stories hold you spellbound.
Everyone says an EMP is just science fiction. It won’t happen in our lifetime. But what if? Do you have a clue, are you ready to suck it up and survive in a real world that has lost it mind? This is what Cade Bowman has tried to teach his family. The basics of what to do if the unexpected really happened. He never thought it would, but as he swam across the bay of San Francisco, his only thoughts were to get to his daughter Lily in Las Vegas and then to Sam and Ethan back home in Colorado. You really don’t know what you are capable of until you are tested.
Amazing story and so real. Scary, but also a heads up! What if? Are you prepared? Grab this book for an amazing read!
Follow William and check out more. His writing is amazing and the stories hold you spellbound.
December 3, 2019
Review of Fight the Shock by William Oday
The story opens on an exciting note – the crash of an
airliner into the bay at San Francisco. The main
characters, a man, his wife and son, and their 18-yearold daughter are all separated by hundreds of miles. It is
a wildly chaotic unpredictable fearful time. It is the end
of the world as they know it. Each of the characters is
personally tested in potentially fatal ways. The
excitement builds from chapter to chapter as Oday
bounces from one to another with ever increasing
unpredictable extremely dangerous situations for each of
the characters. And, like any good novel that is only the
beginning of a series, the reader is left wondering what
will happen next at the end of the book. Very good read.
The story opens on an exciting note – the crash of an
airliner into the bay at San Francisco. The main
characters, a man, his wife and son, and their 18-yearold daughter are all separated by hundreds of miles. It is
a wildly chaotic unpredictable fearful time. It is the end
of the world as they know it. Each of the characters is
personally tested in potentially fatal ways. The
excitement builds from chapter to chapter as Oday
bounces from one to another with ever increasing
unpredictable extremely dangerous situations for each of
the characters. And, like any good novel that is only the
beginning of a series, the reader is left wondering what
will happen next at the end of the book. Very good read.
December 17, 2019
This is one of those books that is so good you can't wait for the next one in the series. The characters are very interesting and realistic. The story covers Cade and his daughter after an EMP renders the electricity and electronics useless throughout the western United States. Cade has a young man he rescues when his airplane crashed who joins him as he attempts to reach Las Vegas to save his daughter. His daughter and her best friend, in Vegas for a prenuptial fling, fight off predators as they try to leave Vegas after the EMP makes the city a lawless mess. In this episode, both parties reach their goals, but much remains to be covered. The people they meet along the way are interesting and make the story quite good. I can't wait for more.
January 7, 2020
Fast Paced
What I loved about this book it that while very detailed, it wasn’t overly wordy. The chapters were full without dwelling on one character scene for very long. I wished it hadn’t ended where it did or that there was a second one in the works or published (is there?). I did not particularly like Lily and Pipers story line however. I found that there could’ve been much more benefit to observing the two on the road and seeing how they fared with much more action on the road home rather than being abducted by two meth heads and sold to repay a debt. I love EMP centered stories especially when they’re done well. Glad I purchased this book!
What I loved about this book it that while very detailed, it wasn’t overly wordy. The chapters were full without dwelling on one character scene for very long. I wished it hadn’t ended where it did or that there was a second one in the works or published (is there?). I did not particularly like Lily and Pipers story line however. I found that there could’ve been much more benefit to observing the two on the road and seeing how they fared with much more action on the road home rather than being abducted by two meth heads and sold to repay a debt. I love EMP centered stories especially when they’re done well. Glad I purchased this book!
January 20, 2020
This book wasn’t bad but it’s highly overrated. Not a 4.5 star book. It had some writing mistakes and errors. The book was a bit unrealistic. People realized an EMP went off minutes after the power shuts off. Not even a “what happened, is it just a power outage?” Just a flat out it was an EMP! Good thing dad was a prepper obsessed with EMP’s.
Almost immediately after the power is out people are robbing stores, throwing Molotov Cocktails and killing people. Two characters who don’t know it’s an EMP proceed to kidnap people in broad daylight in front of witnesses. The book is set up for sequels as the story doesn’t fully conclude.
Almost immediately after the power is out people are robbing stores, throwing Molotov Cocktails and killing people. Two characters who don’t know it’s an EMP proceed to kidnap people in broad daylight in front of witnesses. The book is set up for sequels as the story doesn’t fully conclude.
November 30, 2019
The book deserves 5 stars, but I tend to reserve those for world-shaking nonfiction, so I apologize for only giving it four.
The story of a family surviving an EMP attack is a well-designed read, describing likely events without being overly sensational or explicit. That the family is separated when the attack occurs and their narrow escapes while trying to reunite, makes interesting reading. The fact that the father is a prepper gives the book some educational tips I hadn't expected.
I enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading the forthcoming books in this series.
The story of a family surviving an EMP attack is a well-designed read, describing likely events without being overly sensational or explicit. That the family is separated when the attack occurs and their narrow escapes while trying to reunite, makes interesting reading. The fact that the father is a prepper gives the book some educational tips I hadn't expected.
I enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading the forthcoming books in this series.
November 30, 2019
This book is dang hard to put down!
Fight the Shock follows a family as they try and deal with the fallout of an EMP, and the chaos that follows.
Mr. ODay has done a wonderful job of drawing you into the lives of hi is characters, Cafe, Sam, Lily and Ethan.
There are two things I found disturbing. One, how fast people turn on each other. Two, that 90% of the population is expected to die in the first year after such an event.
I won't say any more as I don't want to spoil it for you. All I can say is, buy it, read it and think about what you'd do in their place.
Fight the Shock follows a family as they try and deal with the fallout of an EMP, and the chaos that follows.
Mr. ODay has done a wonderful job of drawing you into the lives of hi is characters, Cafe, Sam, Lily and Ethan.
There are two things I found disturbing. One, how fast people turn on each other. Two, that 90% of the population is expected to die in the first year after such an event.
I won't say any more as I don't want to spoil it for you. All I can say is, buy it, read it and think about what you'd do in their place.
December 1, 2019
 Thanks Kathleen Goelkel,
Your latest customer review is live on Amazon. We and millions of shoppers on Amazon appreciate the time you took to share your experience with this item. from kaylady on December 1, 2019
Powerful and scary
The story was almost too realistic.
It showed the best and the worst of our culture -people taking advantage of the situation, good guys getting shot in the back. Many not believng this was not a short term problem . Could not put it down. A must read.
.
Your latest customer review is live on Amazon. We and millions of shoppers on Amazon appreciate the time you took to share your experience with this item. from kaylady on December 1, 2019
Powerful and scary
The story was almost too realistic.
It showed the best and the worst of our culture -people taking advantage of the situation, good guys getting shot in the back. Many not believng this was not a short term problem . Could not put it down. A must read.
.
January 9, 2020
This was not an unfamiliar EMP scenario with a determined dad, mom trying to hold the home together with grouchy son and a plucky daughter trapped away from home. The strength was that I liked the characters. Cade is a resourceful stand-up kind of guy and Lily, the daughter, willing to fight and not be a victim. The mom, Sam, is OK too but didn't get as much action as the ones away from home. I was rather surprised her Kindle still worked but she might want to print out some good how-to books. I look forward to the next book.
November 30, 2019
Buy this book. Start to read and then forget about the rest of the day because you will be so hooked! This story grabs you from the start and won’t let go. It’s a very action packed emotional roller coaster of a ride. The story has a good diverse cast of characters. I really enjoy anything this author writes and I wasn’t disappointed by this book. It’s a great start to a series. I highly recommend this book
December 14, 2019
In Fight the Shock a family must survive the aftermath of an EMP and reunite. ODay does a great job of given the reader multiple viewpoints without seeming confused or stalling the story. Characters are developed so you form a bond. Shows various sides to humanity as well as different settings one could find themselves in. I can't wait to read the next part. I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review .
December 25, 2019
Fast read. Pulled a star for the continued lack of realistic thought processes. Please stop leaving bad guys alive when you overpower them. If you're going to be brutalized by a psycho rapists and have the opportunity to end them then do so, leaving them to "pop" up later in the book is Lazy writing and drives me bonkers. Rule 1 is kill bad people when you have the chance. Rule two is never break Rule 1.
February 5, 2020
Fast paced
A good apocalyptic story experienced by members of one family separated by hundreds of miles: California, Las Vegas, and Colorado. All four family members are strong and have been prepped by the father for end-of-the-world scenarios, of which there are many as humanity and society starts to fall apart. The only complaint I have is grammar related: using “that” when speaking of people instead of “who.” But the distraction didn’t ruin the story experience.
A good apocalyptic story experienced by members of one family separated by hundreds of miles: California, Las Vegas, and Colorado. All four family members are strong and have been prepped by the father for end-of-the-world scenarios, of which there are many as humanity and society starts to fall apart. The only complaint I have is grammar related: using “that” when speaking of people instead of “who.” But the distraction didn’t ruin the story experience.
April 3, 2020
It was just okay. I did not like two of the characters, Zeke and Donny- two dirty minded mean spirited and worse after they captured two young girls. I fast forward this part as I don't know why we have to be reminded that people are depraved and this had nothing to do with the EMP. It was disgusting, the descriptions. Why is it that some authors have to add dirty stuff to make a story. The book One Second after was excellent and not one thing of dirt. Other parts of the book were good.
December 1, 2019
Will Oday has done it again, Fight the Shock is an excellent lead-in to his new series and is one of those stories that is near impossible to put down once you start reading. I’m looking forward to following Cade, Hudson, Lily, Sam and Ethan as their life in the post EMP world unfolds. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
December 4, 2019
Entirely consumed by this book . I speed read it as i couldn't put it down, survival skills and day get away bags will be the rule of the day. However this Family will need a whole lot more to survive in this New World..Get ready to immerse yourself in the experience of Odays new World..Can't wait for book 2.
December 10, 2019
Very enjoyable and interesting read. Conveys the real implications of mismanagement of worlds resources and technology, and our utter dependence on companies who only see us as sources of revenue.
Should lead into a fascinating set of follow ups, depending on how far he wants to develop a theme that potentially could keep me reading for a long time.
Should lead into a fascinating set of follow ups, depending on how far he wants to develop a theme that potentially could keep me reading for a long time.
January 12, 2020
Very Engaging
While I don't often read this genre, Oday has never disappointed me before and this book is no different. It's exciting and believable. I had it in my TBR pile for a while to get into the right mood to read and wish I had read as soon as I got it. Now I can't wait for the rest of the series.
While I don't often read this genre, Oday has never disappointed me before and this book is no different. It's exciting and believable. I had it in my TBR pile for a while to get into the right mood to read and wish I had read as soon as I got it. Now I can't wait for the rest of the series.
March 20, 2020
This is a good start to the series. I am interested to see where it goes from here. I found the characters compelling - especially the fact that the father is a prepper of sorts, but not overboard about it. I'd be curious to see this character run into a prepper who IS overboard about it to really highlight the differences. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this family.
October 8, 2023
Wow
Terrific read with very plausible actions and reactions for the sinarios. I had a what the heck moment when Cades wife had the same name story as I do, my mom always loved Bewitched, and the actresses name was Elizabeth Montgomery, she always had me twitching my nose to make magic and we lived in Colorado when I was growing up.
Onto the next book in the series!
Terrific read with very plausible actions and reactions for the sinarios. I had a what the heck moment when Cades wife had the same name story as I do, my mom always loved Bewitched, and the actresses name was Elizabeth Montgomery, she always had me twitching my nose to make magic and we lived in Colorado when I was growing up.
Onto the next book in the series!
November 30, 2019
This was an action packed read. I finished it in record time. I am sorry it was so true about how awful people can be in a disaster. I hope if anything like this ever happens people will be kinder to one another.
December 1, 2019
Another great post apocalypse novel by William Oday, this one has a wide selection of characters. Both good, bad and four legged. And those characters stay with you well after the last page. The action is no slouch either. Can’t wait for the next book.
December 2, 2019
Excellent read , Good Characters and Good Storyline .
It's full speed ahead action, from start to finish.
You will be wanting the rest of the story . I do .
Highly recommend , The Author takes you right along with him,
On a great adventure .
It's full speed ahead action, from start to finish.
You will be wanting the rest of the story . I do .
Highly recommend , The Author takes you right along with him,
On a great adventure .
December 8, 2019
A definite winner!
I just finished this book and I'm really disappointed. Not in the story! The story was great. It grabbed me with the first sentence and didn't let go. I'm disappointed because it ended! I want more! I didn't want it to end! Please hurry with the next part!
I just finished this book and I'm really disappointed. Not in the story! The story was great. It grabbed me with the first sentence and didn't let go. I'm disappointed because it ended! I want more! I didn't want it to end! Please hurry with the next part!
January 9, 2020
Fight The Shock
Fight The Shock: A Post-Apocalyptic EMO Survival..... A wonderful book to read. The author kept the characters distinct and separate, real. The story line was kept believable.
Fight The Shock: A Post-Apocalyptic EMO Survival..... A wonderful book to read. The author kept the characters distinct and separate, real. The story line was kept believable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews