Grace Hamilton wrote this well and was engaged from the first page, I always enjoy the way Grace Hamilton writes these types of books and was glad I read this.This was a strong start to the Survivors of the New Dawn series, it had that element that I was looking for and was engaged with what was happening. The characters had that overall feel that I was wanting and enjoyed the concept. I enjoyed this as a opening chapter and am excited to read more in this universe.

An EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) attack on any country would, in all likelihood, severely disrupt and potentially collapse modern society. Immediately following the attack, widespread panic and chaos would ensue as people realise the extent of the damage and the limitations of their resources. Infrastructure, including transportation (modern vehicles that rely on electronics would be rendered inoperable), communication, and the electrical grid would be crippled, leading to a cascade of negative consequences, not least feral behaviour.

This then is the backdrop for “After the Fallout”, which follows a group of survivors, each with their own backstory, most of them with one thing in common, needing to be reunited with their families.

The only thing on Claire’s mind is finding her sister Lydia - unfortunately that will mean teaming up with her ex husband and she’s not sure how that will pan out, but they have a long journey on foot and there are some very dangerous people around, so they’ll have to try and make it work.

Somewhere out in the wilderness, Lydia’s plane has literally dropped out of the sky, into a lake and she’s not only injured but also pregnant. Lydia is carrying this baby for a powerful and ruthless family and they’ll do anything to get her back, and it’s not because they have any feelings for her, indeed she was on the plane because they’d kidnapped her!

Both Claire and Lydia have excellent survival skills, as taught by their father, but will that be enough to save them in this new lawless dog eat dog world?

The storyline is told from the perspectives of a group of characters, each of them given a voice to relate their own feelings and emotions. They’re all likeable (apart from the bad guys of course), the good guys are relatable, and there were many times when I had to question what I would have done in the various frightening situations they found themselves in.
A terrific post apocalyptic story that had me gripped from the start. Recommended.

After The Fallout by Grace Hamilton is a tense and fast-paced survival story filled with danger, family bonds, and unexpected alliances. The dual perspective of the sisters adds depth and urgency, making it impossible to put down. I enjoyed this thrilling read and rated it five stars.