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Super Flare: A Natural-Disaster Thriller
Today’s UV Index: Lethal
Deep inside the sun, magnetic lines of force are growing…building in ways not experienced for a millennium.
When a pair of increasingly severe solar storms disables internet, communications, and GPS for millions around the globe, helioseismologist Greyson Finn fears the imminent arrival of a cataclysmic super flare, a magnetic explosion of the sun with the potential to obliterate life on earth.
In a desperate bid to help the world prepare, Finn and his fellow scientists rush to address the critical question: will the solar weather subside, or is the worst yet to come? And if a super flare does arrive, what can they—or anyone—do to mitigate the disaster’s impact?
Deep inside the sun, magnetic lines of force are growing…building in ways not experienced for a millennium.
When a pair of increasingly severe solar storms disables internet, communications, and GPS for millions around the globe, helioseismologist Greyson Finn fears the imminent arrival of a cataclysmic super flare, a magnetic explosion of the sun with the potential to obliterate life on earth.
In a desperate bid to help the world prepare, Finn and his fellow scientists rush to address the critical question: will the solar weather subside, or is the worst yet to come? And if a super flare does arrive, what can they—or anyone—do to mitigate the disaster’s impact?
445 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2022
384 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Steven F. Freeman
68 books80 followersThriller/mystery author Steve Freeman is a former member of the US Army's Signal Corps, a thirty-four-year employee of a large American technology company, and an avid traveler who has visited every continent but Antarctica. His novels draw from firsthand knowledge of military service, the tech industry, and the diverse cultures of our world.
He currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, daughter, and four dogs.
He currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, daughter, and four dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 11, 2022
Super Flare (Kindle Edition) by Steven F. Freeman
Greyson Finn, head of SWPC (Space Weather Radiation Center), and Isom Jackson discover a Solar flare of a magnitude not seen since the last extinction event millions of years ago. A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. Flares are our solar system’s largest explosive events. They are seen as bright areas in the sun and they can last from minutes to hours.
After a pair of increasingly severe solar storms disables internet, communications, and GPS for millions around the globe, helioseismologist Greyson Finn fears the imminent arrival of a cataclysmic super flare, a magnetic explosion of the sun with the potential to obliterate life on earth.
At first, he doesn't know what to do - should he inform the public so they can prepare? Should he tell the government and let them decide how to manage the catastrophe?
He chooses the second and he contacts Edna Donovan, the 56 y/o 4' 11" director of FEMA. Preparations ensue and what follows is the story of its impact, how preparations are done, and then the apocalyptic episode that occurs with the slow recovery from the impact.
How bad will it be? Will the earth survive?
The book is narrated from the third-person point of view. I did not like it. There is too much technical mumbo jumbo which was unnecessary. There are too many characters, several per short chapter. They are two dimensional and I never identified or care for any of them. The plot is weird - to say the least and not believable, in my opinion.
It's a quick easy read, but I do not recommend the book.
Greyson Finn, head of SWPC (Space Weather Radiation Center), and Isom Jackson discover a Solar flare of a magnitude not seen since the last extinction event millions of years ago. A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. Flares are our solar system’s largest explosive events. They are seen as bright areas in the sun and they can last from minutes to hours.
After a pair of increasingly severe solar storms disables internet, communications, and GPS for millions around the globe, helioseismologist Greyson Finn fears the imminent arrival of a cataclysmic super flare, a magnetic explosion of the sun with the potential to obliterate life on earth.
At first, he doesn't know what to do - should he inform the public so they can prepare? Should he tell the government and let them decide how to manage the catastrophe?
He chooses the second and he contacts Edna Donovan, the 56 y/o 4' 11" director of FEMA. Preparations ensue and what follows is the story of its impact, how preparations are done, and then the apocalyptic episode that occurs with the slow recovery from the impact.
How bad will it be? Will the earth survive?
The book is narrated from the third-person point of view. I did not like it. There is too much technical mumbo jumbo which was unnecessary. There are too many characters, several per short chapter. They are two dimensional and I never identified or care for any of them. The plot is weird - to say the least and not believable, in my opinion.
It's a quick easy read, but I do not recommend the book.
February 3, 2023
Too much like a documentary; no characters I could relate to
This is my second book by Stephen F Freeman. Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish this one. The other book, Extraction, was good as well as unique how it was almost five thrillers in one. Super Flare, however, just wasn’t my style. It reads more like a documentary than a story. This cane be ok but just not my style for this type of apocalyptic story. Most chapters are very short, only 2-3 pages. Each chapter jumps all over the world, looking into before, during and after affects of the solar flares that are occurring. The chapters are tense, unnerving, informational and all build on the apocalypse that is occurring. So what’s the problem? There’s no character building. You’re introduced to people, events happen, tragedy occurs but there’s no connection to these characters. The chapters are so short and people die so quick. At over half way through the book, the writing is on the wall. The food supply is gone, most, if not all, electronics are fried and large sums of people are going to die. Do I need to read more? Apocalyptic books are one of my favorite genre. I’ve read so many and most are initial books to a series. These books build the story and characters such that you are invested and want to read more. This book didn’t do that. Not only do I not want to read any follow-on books, but I don’t even want to finish this one.
This is my second book by Stephen F Freeman. Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish this one. The other book, Extraction, was good as well as unique how it was almost five thrillers in one. Super Flare, however, just wasn’t my style. It reads more like a documentary than a story. This cane be ok but just not my style for this type of apocalyptic story. Most chapters are very short, only 2-3 pages. Each chapter jumps all over the world, looking into before, during and after affects of the solar flares that are occurring. The chapters are tense, unnerving, informational and all build on the apocalypse that is occurring. So what’s the problem? There’s no character building. You’re introduced to people, events happen, tragedy occurs but there’s no connection to these characters. The chapters are so short and people die so quick. At over half way through the book, the writing is on the wall. The food supply is gone, most, if not all, electronics are fried and large sums of people are going to die. Do I need to read more? Apocalyptic books are one of my favorite genre. I’ve read so many and most are initial books to a series. These books build the story and characters such that you are invested and want to read more. This book didn’t do that. Not only do I not want to read any follow-on books, but I don’t even want to finish this one.
October 27, 2022
This book scared the sh*t out of me! It's so detailed and possibly has some accurate accounts of the solar system and the possibility of humanities extinction It's terrifying. When I read these apocalyptic novels, I like to get in depth with the authors writing and visual for their storyline and cause not just the characters and plot. This book gave everything and more. I knew it was ending on a note that we never will know if there ever will be another natural disaster, but we just need to recover from what we've survived. I'm watching the skies a lil more than usual now, because this fiction got me seeing things lol!!🤣👀
December 26, 2022
Wow Amazing story
I always start reading dooms day books with optimism that the book will seem so possible I get sucked into the story. This book was outstanding and did just that. I found myself looking up references and starting to wonder what if. Amazing book with multiple views to keep it from too much doom and gloom. Great ending of hope that has me believing that humanity can survive and not end up like a Mad Max novel. Awesome book and worth reading, it will make you think. Happy reading .
I always start reading dooms day books with optimism that the book will seem so possible I get sucked into the story. This book was outstanding and did just that. I found myself looking up references and starting to wonder what if. Amazing book with multiple views to keep it from too much doom and gloom. Great ending of hope that has me believing that humanity can survive and not end up like a Mad Max novel. Awesome book and worth reading, it will make you think. Happy reading .
April 16, 2023
I really struggled with this one. I don't doubt that the author has a good grasp of technical issues, but the writing was a little wooden and 2 dimensional for me (especially when it came to the characters). I had very little if any sympathy for any of the characters and felt entirely unvested in them (which is not what I look for a good read).
I have only given it three stars because conceptually I liked the super flare idea and the associated science (especially given how little we really know about what is happening in the sun).
I have only given it three stars because conceptually I liked the super flare idea and the associated science (especially given how little we really know about what is happening in the sun).
December 4, 2022
The Big One Is Coming
I didn’t know if I would like this book at first but once you got into it you can’t put it down. It’s like someone telling them something bad is going to happen and then it does. I would hope the military would be more involved. Does show what it could be like even with an EMP blast like event in a solar flare. Got me looking at ham radios. Read it. Big D
I didn’t know if I would like this book at first but once you got into it you can’t put it down. It’s like someone telling them something bad is going to happen and then it does. I would hope the military would be more involved. Does show what it could be like even with an EMP blast like event in a solar flare. Got me looking at ham radios. Read it. Big D
December 7, 2022
Very informative (even when it might be considered speculative on some effects and after effects). The survivalist actions were also effective getting the reader thinking what they would do, under the same circumstances. While very creative in dealing with the consequences after the super flare my only observation and question is - bicycles.
October 11, 2023
Wow, hope it's not true.
Solar flares destroy much of the world and without fuel and electricity many more die. World population down, its a fresh start. I started to Google the facts of this book and was shocked to discover so much is true. Super flares every eleven years, are we due for another one soon?
Solar flares destroy much of the world and without fuel and electricity many more die. World population down, its a fresh start. I started to Google the facts of this book and was shocked to discover so much is true. Super flares every eleven years, are we due for another one soon?
October 30, 2023
Unbelievable becomes possible!
Loved this book! It will keep your attention from start to finish. The unbelievable becomes possible, and survival of the fittest becomes a reality as mankind faces an unimaginable catastrophe that requires the best of the best to step forward for civilization to prevail.
Loved this book! It will keep your attention from start to finish. The unbelievable becomes possible, and survival of the fittest becomes a reality as mankind faces an unimaginable catastrophe that requires the best of the best to step forward for civilization to prevail.
November 9, 2022
A fictional account of the Sun gone WILD. Brings awareness to a dangerous hazard humanity's technological society is not prepared for. Kindle book read with Alexa Audio assist. Purchased from Amazon on November 7, 2022, for free.
November 10, 2022
A-1
Now that was a great book! Not like other books on the subject of world ending disasters. At least the author didn't just go on about the mean things people do but went to explain how to fix it. Great job! Look forward to reading more from this author.
Now that was a great book! Not like other books on the subject of world ending disasters. At least the author didn't just go on about the mean things people do but went to explain how to fix it. Great job! Look forward to reading more from this author.
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November 13, 2022To deal for comfort
I read 1984 as a teenager and shivered at the potential for the future, this book invoked a similar reaction. I know it is fiction but it could also be the future. The book is well written and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I read 1984 as a teenager and shivered at the potential for the future, this book invoked a similar reaction. I know it is fiction but it could also be the future. The book is well written and I look forward to reading more from this author.
January 19, 2023
A difficult book to evaluate, so I gave it a two-star rating.
The first half of the book was depressing, and I quit reading it for several weeks.
Later, I was able to finish the story but was bored with the last half of the book.
Really surprised me that it was published.
The first half of the book was depressing, and I quit reading it for several weeks.
Later, I was able to finish the story but was bored with the last half of the book.
Really surprised me that it was published.
January 30, 2023
Interesting idea and well thought out scenario
But a little long at the end. A lot of people are introduced and their stories are told, but I think some of them could be prioritized out and some of them could have been elaborated.
Hope I never experience this in my lifetime.
But a little long at the end. A lot of people are introduced and their stories are told, but I think some of them could be prioritized out and some of them could have been elaborated.
Hope I never experience this in my lifetime.
February 7, 2024
Well balanced
I liked all the information about how various types of utilities are interconnected, how long it takes to shut them down and start back up. And the horrifying parts weren't always too horrible. Overall a good balance.
I liked all the information about how various types of utilities are interconnected, how long it takes to shut them down and start back up. And the horrifying parts weren't always too horrible. Overall a good balance.
December 1, 2022
If there is such a thing as a feel good apocalyptic story, this is it. Really likable characters dealing with horrendous issues. Steven Freeman is a master of the genre.
January 9, 2023
good
The sun is erupting solar flares of great magnitude. Read how the people try to survive not only the super flares but the disintegration of civilisation
The sun is erupting solar flares of great magnitude. Read how the people try to survive not only the super flares but the disintegration of civilisation
March 3, 2024
Not as good as Super Tide, mostly because this is a global event and he tries to show us too many things happening to too many people.
December 28, 2023
Super Story
Very fast paced with multiple characters and story lines. The plot evolves around a solar flare that comes into our planet and changes our whole day to day living as we currently know it.
Very fast paced with multiple characters and story lines. The plot evolves around a solar flare that comes into our planet and changes our whole day to day living as we currently know it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews