6 best apocalyptic books

Apocalyptic books are a subgenre of literature that explores themes related to the end of the world, societal collapse, and the survival of humanity in the face of catastrophic events.These books often blend elements of dark fantasy, horror, and genre fiction to create gripping and thought-provoking narratives. Here are some key characteristics and notable examples of apocalyptic books:

Dystopian Settings: Apocalyptic books typically take place in bleak and dystopian settings, where civilization has crumbled due to various catastrophic events. These events can include natural disasters, pandemics, nuclear wars, or supernatural phenomena.
Survival Themes: Survival is a central theme in apocalyptic literature. Characters must navigate a harsh and dangerous world, facing threats from both external sources (such as zombies or mutant creatures) and internal conflicts (struggles for resources, moral dilemmas).
Exploration of Human Nature: Apocalyptic books often delve into the darker aspects of human nature. They explore how individuals and groups react under extreme stress and the moral choices they make when society breaks down.
Diverse Subgenres: Apocalyptic literature includes a wide range of subgenres. For example, post-apocalyptic fiction focuses on the aftermath of an apocalyptic event, while apocalyptic science fiction may involve advanced technology or alien invasions. Zombie apocalypses, as seen in works like "World War Z" by Max Brooks, are a popular subgenre within apocalyptic fiction.
Environmental Concerns: Some apocalyptic books address environmental themes, highlighting the consequences of environmental degradation and climate change. Books like "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy depict a world devastated by environmental collapse.
Religious and Mythological Elements: Some apocalyptic stories draw inspiration from religious or mythological sources, weaving them into the narrative. An example is "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, which combines humor with biblical elements.
Epic Quests: Many apocalyptic books follow characters on epic journeys or quests to find safety, answers, or a way to reverse the apocalyptic events. This sense of adventure and discovery is a common feature.
Social Commentary: Apocalyptic literature often serves as a platform for social and political commentary, reflecting contemporary concerns and anxieties. Authors use the apocalyptic backdrop to critique various aspects of society.

Notable examples of apocalyptic books include:

"The Stand" by Stephen King: This novel tells the story of a superflu pandemic that wipes out most of humanity and the battle between good and evil survivors.
"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy: A post-apocalyptic tale following a father and son as they navigate a desolate landscape in search of safety.
"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins: Set in a dystopian future, this series explores a brutal annual competition as a form of societal control.
"Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel: This novel weaves together the stories of various characters before and after a deadly flu pandemic.
"The Walking Dead" graphic novels by Robert Kirkman: A popular series that follows survivors in a world overrun by zombies.

Apocalyptic literature continues to be a popular and influential genre, providing readers with gripping narratives and opportunities for reflection on the fragility of human civilization.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best apocalyptic books on the market

The Complete Void Wraith Saga: Books 1 - 6 in the Epic Military Science Fiction Series

Based on 840 reviews Check latest price

Call Sign Reaper: The Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison, Book 1

Based on 526 reviews Check latest price

Existential: Crucible, Book 1

Based on 433 reviews Check latest price

The Ender Quintet: Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind, and Ender in Exile

Based on 405 reviews Check latest price

New Madrid Earthquake: A Disaster Thriller

Based on 463 reviews Check latest price

Product features

NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKE, a standalone disaster thriller

In the not too distant past, along the Mississippi River,

North America tried to tear itself in half.

It failed. It won't the second time.

New Madrid.

A standalone disaster thriller from international bestselling author, Bobby Akart, one of America's favorite storytellers, delivers up-all-night thrillers to readers in 245 countries and territories worldwide.

"From the very first chapter, you will begin to fall in love with the characters."

Two hundred years ago, several faults within the New Madrid seismic zone along the Mississippi River ruptured triggering some of the largest earthquakes in American history. The three massive quakes ripped open America's Heartland, shaking residents as far away as New York City and Washington, DC while ringing church bells in Boston and Charleston, South Carolina.

"No one can research like Bobby Akart and then turn this meticulous research into one exciting thrill ride."

Akart's standalone novel, New Madrid, is based on actual events. 200 years after the historic quake sequence of 1811-12, it's reawakened.

"I rank this as perhaps Bobby Akart's best work yet and that is indeed high praise if you have read any of his other stories."

The New Madrid fault zone, six times larger than the San Andreas in California, has generated a series of massive earthquakes thrusting the Atwood and Chandler families in a fight to survive.

"I felt like I was watching a movie most of the time rather than reading a book."

Attorney Jack Atwood and his brother-in-law Tony Chandler are winding up their year-end tax planning presentation atop The Met, a skyscraper in St. Louis, before returning to Memphis for their family's Christmas celebration. Jill Atwood, her daughter Emily and teenage son Tate, are in a downtown Memphis performing arts theater attending the dress rehearsal for Emily's Christmas pageant. Beth Chandler, 28 weeks pregnant, together with her 3-year old autistic son, are traveling from Louisiana to join the rest of the family in Memphis.

Will they arrive for Christmas? Will they arrive at all? Their lives are about to change forever.

“A Christmas story to remember."

NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKE

The New Madrid fault zone, six times larger than the San Andreas in California, has generated a series of massive earthquakes thrusting the Atwood and Chandler families in a fight to survive.

Will they make it home for Christmas?

Will they make it home at all?

COAST TO COAST AM with GEORGE NOORY

Bobby Akart was a featured guest on Coast to Coast AM with George Noory to discuss the New Madrid Seismic Zone and other natural disasters.

You may listen to the broadcast on the Coast to Coast AM website through their archive.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: New Madrid Earthquake

The most alarming aspect of telling the story of New Madrid's fault and its history of earthquakes was how little of it I made up. The history speaks for itself. Applying the scientific findings of the 1811-12 earthquake sequence to present day simply reinforces how vulnerable we are.

That said, sometimes one can only grasp the magnitude of a catastrophic event like an earthquake along the New Madrid fault line through the eyes of fictional characters. I may have conjured them up for purposes of telling this story, but the underlying scientific premise is very real.

I've included the history and the science I relied on when writing this novel, in the back of the book. I've also shared some insider tidbits about the story that I hope you'll enjoy.

Thanks for reading!

Bobby