End of the world and after the disaster books hold a certain fascination to me. Life as we know it can change in an instant as it does for the characters in Grace Hamilton's series. I have read alot of her books and they are all fresh, no retelling the same story over and over. The fact that she can write so many unique versions of a catastrophe means I am well educated on how to get from point a to point b before, during and after an event.

Book #3 in this awesome series. You could read it as a stand alone, but if you're a Grace Hamilton fan like me, you really don't want to.

I have read Hamilton's Chaos series and thoroughly enjoyed her books. So when I saw this book available to review I jumped at the opportunity. This is the third book in her Anarchy series, still set in a post apocalyptic world as with her other book series. Even though this is in a series readers do not need to read the other two books in order to enjoy this one and understand what is happening. It does help though for some of the backstory and more subtle character nuances and character development that has happened in the other two.

When an EMP knocks out the power grid, Molly finds herself caring for a bunch of teens as winter approaches quickly. There are new threats and dangers, some are familiar faces from the first book. It keeps the reader interested in the character's ultimate fate until the end and Hamilton's writing and dialogue continues to improve with every series. The characters are relatable as are their emotions and reactions to the situations they are in.

As always, Hamilton's books are fast paced and flow easily. There is tons of action along with all the drama associated with surviving disaster. Survival story and post-apocalyptic book fans will enjoy this whole series.

I've read most, if not all of Grace Hamilton's books, and never been disappointed yet. I somehow missed the precursor to this book - and did have to go back to the previous one to play catch up - well, that wasn't a hardship! Keep 'em coming Grace! You're amazing!

I really liked this story and really wish a read the first ones. Only a teacher could keep that many people safe and together.

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this exciting book

its book 3 in the series and though i havent read any of the other books it didnt put me off at all....though some catastrophic event has occurred and molly being a teacher seems to be in charge of a group of teenagers and a few adults

they are off to find somewhere safe to live and to stay safe themselves, so they are looking for mollys grandparents place deep in the woods

but they know they have to be careful as there are people looking out for them

an interesting read that pulled me right into the storyline, characters were well established and likeable and you could feel the tense atmosphere

will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors books

Once again, the cover does its job well, in that it would make me want to pick this book up from a book store shelf, or click on it online to learn more about the book. The cover has two of the female characters on it, possibly Scarlet and Jenna.

The “gang” have finally made their way back to each other and are making their way to Molly’s cabin in the woods. They hope it will be a safe haven in all the chaos the world has been in since the EMP. They are all tired and glad to be away from the Fairfield, all they want is a quiet life together, their own little self-sufficient community. Sadly, they have many hurdles to scale ahead, perhaps as many as they have defeated behind them. When they finally arrive at the cabin it seems Molly’s happy memories of the cabin and the condition, she thought it was in were perhaps viewed through rose coloured glasses. It soon becomes apparent that there’s a lot of work ahead to ensure they can survive the winter that is quickly approaching. It’s not long before the older people in the group start irritating each other. The cabin is far from wheelchair friendly Alex isn’t used to following directions from others and it seems to grate on him how much everyone seems to look to Molly & Colton when making decision. When Scarlett & Zack, then Erik and Jenna start to become romantically interested Alex adds this to his ever lengthening, list of why he thinks it would be better for him and his family find their own cabin. There are plenty available around them to be used. Laura tries her best to dissuade Alex, saying she likes them all being together and for a while it works. Supplies are found to build a lift contraption to enable Laura to have more independency getting in and out of Molly’s cabin. Laura argues now they have the “lift” it would be silly to move out. Alex seems appeased for now though he refuses to drop the idea of their own cabin, and insists on keeping an eye out for something suitable. The cabin soon becomes even more cramped and tension filled when an injured man is found and brought back to the cabin, where it is discovered, he has a bullet wound. Who has shot him and why? The group care for him and watch over him day and night. Mostly Zack (who still has an injury) and Laura & Argent as neither of them can do the other jobs just yet. The group share their meagre meals with him and give him precious pain medication and antibiotics when he needs them. Though he is grateful, he doesn’t want to reveal his past, as he thinks they will throw him out if he does. Eventually this man’s dead friend’s bodies are found and he has to come clean and reveal who he is and why he was shot at.

Back in Fairfield, those in the school is being run by an honest man at the helm. Diego Cruz has also been freed from his bunker full of supplies his daughter Jenna locked him in. It’s one of the Fairfield Prison Guards, Victor Fox that lets him out. They both decide to help each other. Victor needs some muscle to hunt down and either imprison or kill all those escaped convicts from the prison he used to work at. Victor enjoys feeling in charge, and important with his big folder full of photographs of the convicts and the crimes they committed. Victor enjoys ordering Diego’s men about, it makes him feel crucial to the new world that is being created. Though Victor thinks that he will receive great praise for his “work” when things become more normal. It’s this self-importance that has him forgetting his end of the deal he made with Diego. Diego’s men try to warn Victor, saying the boss won’t wait forever, and eventually the fact Victor is not fulfilling his bargain with Diego is filtered back to Diego himself. Diego confronts Victor and reminds him that whilst he is willing to offer his men to help Victor, in return Victor has to find his runaway daughter Jenna. When Victor tries to reason that its unlikely Jenna will come to harm with Molly and her friends, Diego rapidly loses his patience and demands Victor find his daughter now!

I really liked all the “Scared Straight kids” and the adults that all ended up together at Molly’s cabin. Though Molly remained a strong favourite, the way she opened the cabin for everyone to use, she sacrificed treasured items for the benefit of the group. When things get tougher Molly looks around at her newly made family and tries to work to solve any issue that is thrown at her. Molly makes it perfectly clear she would lay down her own life for any of those children that have become family to her. Theres also a little bit of romance in Surviving Anarchy. There’s certainly something in the air with Zack & Scarlett, Erik & Jenna noticing each other and becoming closer too. But there is also a little romance left in this new world for Molly & Colton.

The one character that had me undecided in my opinion of him in this final instalment was Alex, I could see his point of view about having a separate base for him, Laura and their two teenage children. A place that all rooms would be more accessible for Laura in her wheelchair did make perfect sense and there were times I thought the whole group may move on to a bigger more appropriate cabin. I think it was the way Alex silently simmered and then just blurted out they were leaving. His final straw being the lift that gave Laura some independence ending up being broken when it was used to lift materials to quickly mend the cabin roof. Alex really didn’t like being one of the adults, he wanted to be the adult in charge, which he could be away from the others. I think Surviving Anarchy showed the reader a different side to Alex.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this book were, that I had really enjoyed reading this series, I thoroughly enjoyed loving & hating the different characters in equal measure.

Summing up, the Dark Nation series along with other books/series written by this author are so believable, with 'normal' easily relatable people in them. The world building is great, and described so well you can visualise it and the plot is so interesting on multiple levels, it really is hard to put down!