I'm a dedicated reader of EMP or "end of the world as we know it" books and this is the first one I have read that featured a group of people on a cruise ship when doom strikes. It makes you wonder why when Kendall Talbot has done such a good job of showing us what could happen. When the captain of the ship dies due to a malfunctioning pacemaker, it starts a chain of events that makes you take a look around at your world and try to imagine what WOULD happen if our everyday lives were to be singularly disrupted. As the passengers and crew face many unique problems, some with integrity and bravery, some with so much less, their stories move quickly, very quickly, while you keep turning pages long after everyone else is asleep. But I could not go to sleep until I found out what happens to everyone.....
It looks like this is the first in a series so I'm adding Kendall Talbot to my "followed" authors to make sure I don't miss the next one.

First Fate by Kendall Talbot
Waves of Fate #1

Desperate situations bring out the best and worse qualities of humans and this story provides both. An Electromagnetic Pulse can occur naturally with a solar flare or when too close to a lightning strike but can also be manmade, intentional, and used to debilitate one’s foes in times of war. Doomsday worriers have backup plans for end of world scenarios but on the Rose of the Sea cruise ship nobody was prepared for the EMP that struck and all that happened afterward. As the first book in a new series the cast of characters are all presented with their good and bad traits and some backstories. Who will live and who will die? What doe people truly value when in dire circumstances? Who will rally to the cause and who will give up?

What I liked:
* Madeline: a survivor that has overcome much, has a strong will to live, does not give up, and may have found a love to stand by her forever.
* Sterling: a teacher, surfer, nice guy, ditched at the altar, on his honeymoon alone, stalwart, supportive and he may have found his potential future mate in a bad situation.
* Gabby: mother, wife, journalist, selfish but perhaps grows and sees the world differently after her life changes so drastically.
* Max: father, business owner, athlete, calm, caring, giving, and perhaps more than his wife Gabby realizes.
* Gunner, Sykes, and other crew members that survived. I am guessing each will show up more in future books in the series.
* The way that some of the survivors pulled together.
* That there happened to be a physician that survived…they definitely needed her.
* The pace and writing that were intense, graphic, and made me feel I was there.
* Thinking about what I might be able to do now to be better prepared for a worst-case scenario like this.
* That it was almost like watching a movie…it would adapt well to that medium.
* Wondering what will happen next…

What I didn’t like:
* Zon: a bit of a crazy guy…his childhood sounded intense and horrible but he also ended up not being the best guy in the world…self-centered, me-first, gambler, not very nice BUT he might be redeemable…maybe?
* Knowing that EMP’s are real and that a big one could be devastating.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Absolutely unputdownable! I’ve been on cruises and have decided they aren’t for me. But I could never imagine being stuck on a ship without electricity, water, satellite, anything with technology. It’s amazing what these poor people did and the Captain was so level headed. The story is told from the view of a few different people as they survive and brave the new situation. I found myself becoming attached to these characters and rooting for their success. This is going to be a thrilling trilogy as the survivors look toward the future. I received my copy through Netgalley and wrote my review voluntarily.

The beginning was very interesting but the story became chaotic and very gory. Not a book I would pick up and I am not interested in reading the next in the series.