I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four people forced to survive a world in which our technology has been stripped away discover what kind of survivor they are in the book “The Days That Followed” by Hailey Gosack.
The Synopsis
Almost everyone is caught off guard by a complete technological blackout that sends society into a tailspin. Your greatest enemy is now your neighbor as you fight to feed your family. Four characters, each with unique circumstances, struggle to survive in this page-turning apocalyptic novel that dips and turns until their fates intertwine.
T.L. Payne and William Forstchen fans will appreciate this new twist on an EMP thriller.
On August 25 at 3:11 p.m., our modern way of life comes to a screeching halt when two nuclear bombs are detonated in the atmosphere hundreds of miles above Utah and Ohio. The blast’s Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) wipes out most electronics for 95% of the country’s population. Cell phones, vehicles, and other forms of technology produced after 1974 are rendered useless. Without the delivery of food, pharmaceuticals, and other supplies, resources soon become scarce, causing an all-out war among the people. Looting and violence are rampant as law and order cease to exist.
Carrie is a beautiful, ambitious young professional visiting Salt Lake City from Philadelphia to pitch a business proposal to the executives at the corporate branch. After the EMP destroys her chances of getting home, she must figure out how to survive alone in an unfamiliar city with very few possessions.
Bodin is an angry teenager who dreams of emancipation while living with his stepdad, mom, and three-year-old stepsister Evie in Salt Lake City. But after the EMP strike, he finds himself trapped and forced to participate in the family life he shunned. He begins to appreciate his family just as the fight for resources among the city inhabitants heats up. Now, he’ll do anything to protect them, but will it be enough?
Sarah is an ICU nurse working at a hospital in Salt Lake when the EMP strikes, and much of the hospital’s equipment is rendered useless. As she works hard to save her patients, she must also contend with her own survival odds. Sarah has recently been diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer.
Sam is a retired Rancher living out his days in the small town of Stanley, ID. Sam has an advantage. Not only is he well-versed in what it takes to live off the land, but he was also warned to prepare for survival before the blackout. But Sam has it far from easy. Sam has been tasked with the seemingly impossible.
The characters are faced with an intriguing question that continues to unfold: is help coming, or is there something more sinister at play for the citizens of the United States?
The Review
For so many people, the need to explore a post-apocalyptic or dystopian setting often involves supernatural or sci-fi elements, like zombies or killer robots. However, the genuinely thought-provoking and haunting tales often come from stories of human survival in a man-made apocalypse. The author did a fantastic job of crafting a narrative that felt original and chilling. The haunting nature of what mankind can do to one another, as well as what it can do to survive and help those around us, was perfectly captured in this story.
The heart of this narrative rests on the complex character development of the four main characters. The way the author captured such distinct and unique voices in these characters from all walks of life and still held onto the desperation and engaging survival lessons that these characters must learn to live in this new world made this a memorable read. The detailed imagery and the emotional core of these character’s experiences made this a harrowing reading journey.
The Verdict
Compelling, entertaining, and thrilling, author Hailey Gosack’s “The Days That Followed” is a must-read EMP apocalyptic thriller. The twists and turns in each of these characters’ journeys and the dynamics explored within these characters as their lives are turned upside down make this a remarkable story. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Hailey was born and raised in Salmon, ID. She now lives in Park City, UT, with her husband, two young daughters, and two dogs. The Days That Followed is her debut publication and is book one in a two-part series. She’s also passionate about educating herself on health-related topics and advocates for healthcare reform. When not writing, reading, or researching, she can be found in nature or having princess tea parties at home.
