Surviving the Refuge

Survivalist Reality Show, Book 2

By: Grace Hamilton

Narrated by: Connie Shabshab

They thought their journey would be over when they reached the island refuge, but life isn’t as simple as what they’d hoped.

At first glance, Wolf’s home is a prepper’s dream, but there’s a whole new learning curve that comes with living on the island. Regan is frustrated to learn that Wolf’s 12-year-old daughter outmaneuvers her constantly, and more seriously than that, Regan begins to feel like every move she makes is the wrong one - all except with Wolf, that is.

Even as the group begins to acclimate to the island, Wolf has to stay strong for his team and his daughter. Making it “home” wasn’t the relief he thought it would be. Instead, he finds a whole new range of skills he has to teach the group, and it all has to happen in the face of failing equipment and a quickly approaching storm season. Everywhere he turns, he finds something else going unexpectedly wrong.

Struggling to keep up with the demands of life on an island and as part of a group, Regan finds herself in a rapidly disintegrating situation that causes her to question everything: Her survival skills, the integrity of the group, and even the promise of safety they’ve worked so hard to secure. It’s enough to have her considering striking out on her own - even if it means threatening the safety of the team. But when the true threat is revealed, it will burn down everything the team knows - the good and the bad.

This novel contains violence.

©2019 Relay Publishing (P)2020 Relay Publishing

It’s my womb we’re talking about!

“Surviving the Refuge” defines the focus of this second volume in the series. After escaping the swamp, our intrepid survivors make their way to Wolf’s island. We are the fly on the wall, as we watch the survivors get acclimated to the island, the weather, and each other. That last item will be the most difficult. As Regan said, “Their island existence was a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs, with plenty of twists and turns.” The elephant in the room will be Regan and Wolf’s budding relationship. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Slow Start

I love EMP books. I did enjoy listening to this one as it was different setting on island after leaving the swamps and enjoyed the characters especially Wolf, Regan, Tabitha, Geno, Fred, RC, and Lily (thus far a bratty kid). It starts out a little slow and somewhat boring as s Wolf explains what he did and what needs to be done until the end when Victoria show up and the ending makes you want to listen as where are they going now. Recommend if you like EMP stories (very different than Hamilton’s other EMP book) and good one for younger groups. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

Great book!

So glad this is out and I was able to continue the saga and I am hoping the saga will continue still as they go into the swamp. Great narration and story!

Is the Island Refuge Best for Our Survivors?

I enjoyed Grace Hamilton's first book of the 'Survivalist Reality Show' series, 'Surviving the Swamp', quite a lot, so when I saw that Book 2, 'Surviving the Refuge', was being offered as a free review copy, I requested it. Now having received and listened to it, I am writing my voluntary review.

Book 2 sees Regan, Wolf and the group living on the Island that Wolf owns. They quickly realize that although the island is meant to be a prepper sanctuary, that doesn't mean it won't take a lot of work to keep it going. The newcomers begin learning skills that are important to their survival after the EMP that has struck the US.

This second installment in the series start off at a more sedate pace. The beginning is spent with the characters learning how to be self-sufficient in an island environment. It was interesting to see everyone use their particular skill set and learn new things needed for Wolf's work to continue.

Lily, Wolf's 12-year-od daughter, becomes sullen and mouthy. It's a little irritating, but thankfully, her behavior gets an explanation by the end and she shows some character growth (let's hope it lasts). The reader watches the progression of this disparate group become more like a family as they toil to make a home with Wolf, R. C. and Lily.

The end of the book plunges the group back into danger from others. It adds suspense and action to the book. There is a good set-up for the next installment. I'm looking forward to listening to Book 3.

Connie Shabshab's narration is once again superb. I really like the voices she has created. They bring these characters alive for me.

Recommended.

A good follow-up in the series

This is a good, realistic book about what happens if modern infrastructure is suddenly negated via EMP.

My only real 'complaint' is the 12 year old daughter's journal entries vary pretty wildly from what I'd expect a younger child to an older adult to put in and thus aren't very realistic for the age. That and we're reminded she's a 'Tween' seemingly every other time she's mentioned.

Ms. Shabshab does a wonderful job at narration and really brings the story to life.

I received a copy of this book at my request in exchange for a fair review.