Freedom demands a price…As the United States unravels, the town of Fall Creek, Michigan struggles to survive. Hannah, Liam, and the others have endured the brutal winter and ruthless adversaries, but the threat has never been greater. Enemies from within have wrested control of the town–including what little remains of the food. Isolated, overpowered, and on the verge of starvation, the … starvation, the townspeople are faced with a desperate choice.
To be free, Fall Creek may have to sacrifice more than they ever thought possible.
When the country goes dark, ordinary people find themselves facing the end ofthe world as they know it. As society collapses before their eyes, they’ll have to risk everything to protect their home and the people they love.
Edge of Collapse is a riveting post-apocalyptic series featuring flawed, complex characters and heart-in-your-throat action adventure. It’s perfect for fans of One Second After, Swan Song, and The Road.
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I just can’t say enough great things about this series! I have come to love (or hate) the characters as if they are people I actually know.
This book is full of action, with plenty of gun battles, psychological twists, betrayals, and pathos. You will cry at times, you will cheer at times and you will feel like throwing your e-reader at times. To me, that is what makes a book a 5 star read.
Hannah continues to astound with her strength and her love for her son and daughter. Liam is….well, Liam! What an amazing superhero of a guy! Quinn is a one tough young girl, hurting inside at her losses, full of anger but also full of hope.
And, Ghost? Well, what can you say about a wonderful Great Pyrenees dog that is ready to protect his family at all costs?
The author has created an amazing cast of villains, especially Rosamund Sinclair. If it were possible for me to reach through my Kindle and kill that woman with my bare hands, I would have done it! She has to be one of the most villainous of villains that I have read in a long time! The book does end on a bit of cliffhanger since some of the bad guys survive and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
The writing is superb, the action fast-paced, but the author has also written a wonderfully emotional book as well. The narrator is perfect and her performance truly adds a whole other dimension to the book. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author and chose to review it.
The best of the series – action packed!
This fifth installment in the Edge if Collapse series is the best yet because it begins to tie up a number of unresolved issues between the major characters and several previously hidden things begin to come to light resulting I dramatic conclusions. If you have been reading this series, you will find this story to be one that you cannot put down until that final page where you are provided an unexpected surprise.
Amazing! Started just before bedtime planning to read a chapter or two before I closed my eyes. Well, I didn’t put it down until I’d finished. Needless to say, I was very sleepy at work the following day. Well worth the gallon of coffee I drank.
As soon as I realised this one book was available to buy, I knew I had to read it. I needed to know what would happen to the Fall Creek and Winter Haven divide as well as contemplating whether Noah & Hannah would rekindle their relationship. If they do will it just be for the sake of Milo? Then there’s Charlotte Rose, who is the granddaughter on Rosamond Sinclair! Even if she doesn’t want to acknowledge it. I had so many thoughts and feelings about the characters and what I wanted to happen to them in this book. Some of it happens even more dramatically than I expected. Other parts of the characters lives are on the way to where I thought they would be and there are a whole load of extra things and surprises I hadn’t imagined happening at all.
The cover again fits in really well with the rest of the books in the series. The cold, wintery backdrop but then there’s the smoke in the distance and Hannah at the forefront of the cover looking towards the smoke rising and her gun at the ready. The cover certainly suggests that there is more hardship and heartache to come.
It seems Fall Creek was lucky when Liam arrived with Hannah as those living there need his military, no-nonsense mind quite a lot in this book. I love the chemistry between Hannah & Liam, the way Liam has kind of become the father figure to Charlotte the baby created during Hannah’s kidnap and torture at the hands of Gavin Pike, who is Rosamond Sinclair’s son. Though Rosamond is grieving the loss of her sons, she is still ruling Winter Haven and Fall Creek with a hard hand with the help of her cousin Mattias Sutter, leader of the Militia. If anyone dares to disagree with them, or in the case of the Militia even be considered to have looked at them in a wrong way they are blacklisted. If blacklisted you are not included in food handouts.
Molly & Quinn are still setting up their trading system, though Molly is approaching this by teaching new skills so people can become self-sufficient where ever possible. They have big plans hoping to start trading with other local communities too. However, that won’t be so easy to accomplish when it’s revealed during an attack on Fall Creek that the Militia have been forcibly taking supplies from other communities, just as Liam had suspected.
Liam and Bishop decide that they need to end the Militia’s reign of terror after one of the Militia men almost shoots a teenage boy. Though Liam doesn’t know the boy or his family, he manages to stop the shooting, but puts himself firmly in the sights of the Militia again. They know that Liam is their largest threat and if the community join him, they could have a battle on their hands. Mattias Sutter, leader of the Militia and cousin of Superintendent Rosamond Sinclair decides they need to concentrate their forces and any supplies they gather on only those at Winter Haven.
At the beginning of the book Hannah & Charlotte are living with Noah & Milo at Winter Haven. With both Rosamond’s sons now being dead she seems to have latched onto Noah as a kind of replacement. Noah is slowly changing from the by the book Police Officer into something more like a member of the Militia. It started by turning a blind eye when first Julian and then other Militia members just shot people for disagreeing with them and their actions. When Rosamond turns things into a them/Fall Creek and us/Winter Haven situation a few characters need to make difficult choices. On the Winter Haven side, Noah tries to order Hannah to stay within the boundaries of Winter Haven. Then Ghost is threatened by one of the Militia Men for simply walking at Hannah’s side. It seems like Noah has chosen his side of the way to live, he is starting to think like the Militia men around him. To take what he needs for him and himself no matter the cost to anyone else. Although Noah is a good father to Milo, he barely acknowledges the existence of Charlotte which naturally bothers Hannah. When the time comes during a heated exchange between Noah & Hannah, she blurts out she is leaving. Hannah had already been seriously thinking that the time make come when she would have to choose between Noah & Winter Haven and Liam, Molly, Quinn etc at Fall Creek. Hannah chooses to take Charlotte and move to Fall Creek but Noah insists she has to leave Milo with him. Hannah does ask for Noah to bring Milo to visit her in Fall Creek at either their old home or Molly’s but he refuses. When Milo asks to visit his mum, or Quinn & Molly Noah simply puts him off to begin with. Noah does end up upsetting and alienating his son by keeping him from his mother and his friends in Fall Creek.
Now that the Militia is no longer patrolling Fall Creek it means that no one from Fall Creek can visit Winter Haven which means Noah needs childcare for Milo whilst he works and ends up trusting someone he really, really shouldn’t from Winter Haven, meaning when disaster strikes there’s no one reliable with his son Milo.
There’s lots and lots of action, altercations and fighting in this book. Liam using his military tactics training. Bishop steps up to back him up despite being a man of God, he knows the only way they will be rid of the Militia is to shoot them. As things change for everyone, to begin with nothing changes for Rosamond, she has power for cooking, warm showers etc. Every surface in her kitchen has food and supplies in abundance on them. The thing with Rosamond is, she actually thinks it’s acceptable to keep all these things for herself even though on some level she must know she couldn’t possibly use all of them! This book really reveals more about Rosamond as a character and you certainly know where her son Gavin got his sick, violent personality and ways from.
I loved the scene in the book where Hannah and Quinn face off with Rosamond. Hannah finally gets to meet the mother of the evil man that kidnapped her and stole so much her life head on. There are a few shocks/surprises revealed when they confront Rosamond, she knew a lot more about things that had happened than she had previously revealed. It becomes clear that Rosamond has no feelings towards her granddaughter, Charlotte, all she had time for were her sons or any men around her that she can manipulate.
I also enjoyed the end of the book where the surviving characters reflect on what they have had to do to get rid of the Militia, who is no longer with them and looking towards the prospect of a new way forward. Then there’s the very end where someone tells a group of crazy, violent teenagers who want to stay in a world without power, the where abouts of Winter Haven!!
Another mystery in the book is who Rosamond was talking to on her secret satellite telephone.
It seems that the fight for independence and survival for Fall Creek has only just begun.
I felt this book, for me, was a slightly slower than usual for this series. I think it was the increase in detailed fight scenes, some of which kind of went right over my head with me not really having gun knowledge. There were lots of deaths in this book too. I thought the scenes around the death of one of the major characters in the book was really dramatic. I honestly don’t think there was any more for this character going forward. I don’t think this character will be forgotten in the forthcoming books and will probably mentioned quite a bit. I thought it was really fitting how Bishop & Liam stayed true to their characters. The way when they came across a fatally wounded person, they did not leave them suffering, but shot them and put them out of their pain. I think the character flashback sections were really well done and it made them even more realistic and relatable. Bishop thinking of, and reliving the scenes where he lost those he loved. Quinn remembering the day it all began and Noah getting them down from the ski lift. Finally, the flashbacks Hannah still has, being haunted by what happened in the hunting cabin that she was held in the basement of by Gavin Pike.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this book were, Oh, wow, what a battle, what a shame to lose that character but there wasn’t really another way…and wow what an ending. Just when you think it could all be over, someone raises their ugly head, whispers in the ‘wrong ears’ and trouble is heading for those survivors trying to rebuild Fall Creek.
Summing up this was another great addition to the Edge Of Collapse series that has left me counting down to the next book. This is seriously addictive series!! I still have so many feelings and thoughts about what could happen, what I would like to happen to and for the characters in this series. I also have a feeling we are going to learn more about the Fall Creek residents and maybe some from the surrounding communities, that we met or learnt a little more of in this book as well as some new maybe not so nice characters being introduced.
Book 5 is super good. Lots of action, suspense, traitors and we lose a super character from previous books. There is at least one more book coming so do not miss this one or you might get lost in book 6.
I hate seeing this series end as it has been one of the best.
This book really leads up to the next one and you will not be able to wait for it to come out. The ending of book 5 tells us a lot about what to expect in book 6. As usual, Kyla’s writing style is superb and the characters are terrific. Almost all the characters have their moments in this book, some good, and some bad but all interesting.
I have read all of Kyla Stone books, but ‘this may be the best yet. I am already for book 6. This one still shows our beloved characters trying to do the righ thing and survive. Mr. Sutter who Rosamond Brought in to head the militia he brought in seems to have his own plans. This book is fast paced, lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing what will happen next. I still think it will bea long time before either of these towns can rest easy. I really want to see how Kyla pulls it all together without us loosing any more of our beloved characters. This whole series is a MUST READ for anyone who likes post-apolyptic books.
A read that I definitely could not put down. this is a fantastic read that grabs you from the first page to the last. Its a fast past read with epic scenes, the scenes are written so well that I can picture them in my minds eye. This is a real page turner with twists and turns that keeps you enthralled with this read. I definitely recommend this captivating read. Its a must read.
Shauna Joesten
ONE PHENOMENAL RIDE
Holy hell robin! Kyla reigns supreme serving up some small town justice with an mind-blowing vengeance, dishing out one action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, page flipping, block buster, blasting this hot little number to life spectacularly. Trapped in the mist of a raging storm, fighting to survive tyranny steeped with perilous drama, churning turmoil, harsh truths, intense animosity, heartbreaking loss, explosive danger, escalating suspense and unnerving encounters while traversing the dark cunning manipulations full of heinous intents, vicious deeds and sinister acts, wrapping this baby up sleek shiny and tight. Boundaries are amplified and shattered, baring the fervent facts, deadly deals and electrifying escapades, thrusting this baby into the eye of the storm, slamming it into a frenzy with an astonishing culmination. The characters, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere, along with relatable qualities and individual traits, adding depth and diversity, transforming into formidable personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and vivid descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Kyla, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
This is book five of the Edge of Collapse series and the good news is that is doesn’t end here quite yet! The book continues the story of how this small town of Fall Creek and some of its residents are coping after the EMP struck and changed everyone’s lives for ever. The problems between the residents of Fall Creek and their councilwoman and her private militia who stay in luxury in the private homes of Winter Haven are getting worse. Rosamond Sinclair and the head of the militia and also her cousin, Sutter, have plans for the residents causing the most problems with their word of law and they will not be gentle. They will be acting with force and their main targets are Liam and Bishop. Sheriff Noah is no longer a man to be trusted and his wife Hannah has to make a difficult decision about whether she can continue to live in luxury in Winter Haven with Noah and her son Milo, as well as her baby Charlotte, born from her years of captivity and abuse under the hands of Sinclair’s own son, or if she can actually leave her son and will be safer back in Fall Creek. Because she can be sure than Noah won’t let her take Milo with her, no matter what.
There are now some residents of Fall Creek who have been refused food or essential supplies by those now in charge of the town. People are starving and once they get desperate enough, tempers are going to fray. Teenagers take out their anger on some of the militia and would have been shot dead if Liam didn’t step in. Attacks from surrounding towns come their way, after the militia carry out raids on them and are followed back to Winter Haven and Fall Creek. Enemies are all around, as some residents believe the message of Rosamond and the militia and believe they are there to protect them, but Molly, Quin, Liam and Bishop, as well as a small group of residents, have come to realise that all their lives are in danger, especially if they sit there and do nothing!
The threat is greater than ever, as decisions on which side of the fight you want to be on, must be made and sacrifices will need to be made. Some will die, but if they do nothing, they will all die! They have survived the worst of what the storm of the century and the EMP did to their town, but now the fight is to survive against the evil forces governing them, led by their own council leader Rosamond, and to help their neighbours like they used to, however difficult that may be. Not all of them can offer assistance to defend the town, but each should be able to do their part, but many don’t. Molly, Quinn’s grandmother, is a great font of knowledge and has already assisted many of the underprepared residents with her common sense and old methods of keeping food, heating rooms, and purifying water. She has taken Liam, Hannah, baby Charlotte and Ghost into her home and her heart. There are some that are content to let the militia have their way, but Molly and her group are certainly not! They look for more supporters to defend their way of life, but numbers and arms are limited.
Matters are coming to a head and if they want to survive and to have a town left to live in, then they are going to have to face off against Rosamond and her militia, most of whom are deadly killers and have a propensity towards extreme violence, unlike most of the residents. Liam knows what to expect, but he is only one man. Bishop is the local reverend, but comes from a forces background. He has suffered more than many of them, but still has his faith to keep him on the right path. Quinn wants a more substantial role in the defence of her home and town, but at only sixteen, Liam thinks she is still too young to face the consequences of those sort of actions. A battle will come, when they least expect it, and they may well be overrun by a force with more supplies and a larger, better trained force. The fight is on and even if they win one battle, there may be many more to overcome, before any semblance of a normal life can resume.
A real humdinger of a book in this series, just when you think matters will begin to settle down in the town now they are over the initial shock of the situation, with huge battles and obstacles to be overcome. Allies are desperately needed to defend their way of life, but they need supplies of weapons and arms to have any chance against the well supplied militia. They also need food, water and petrol/gas to stave off the cold temperatures, so as many as possible can survive until the spring, when they can start to grow more food sources. Rosamond and her militia are in charge of nearly all supplies and are happy to kill for what they want and leave others without and dead! It is an uneven fight, but if the residents don’t even try, then they will never succeed. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next couple of books. Each book in the series ends up having you on the edge of your seat and there are a couple of loose ends in the end of this book that could bring more danger to the town and leave you wondering what on earth could happen next! I can’t wait! I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.