In the post apocalyptic genre, the device usually used to get rid of people is a pandemic. However, in an EMP, it doesn’t go the same. In this series, especially the first two books, the sudden lack of people is weird. The number of fatal fiery car crashes is weirder.
Rednecks taking over Pagosa Springs, which I know well, in a drunken rampage was over the top. I believe the veteran boomers with full gun safes far outnumber the rednecks in Pagosa, and the veteran boomers would establish order and shoot the rampaging drunk rednecks in such a situation.
But I did find the start fun since I also have enjoyed oatmeal cookies from “bread” in Durango.
The characters are believable, the writing is good, but the main drawback is the sudden lack of people in an EMP situation. It pilled me out of the story, but the writing is better than many in the genre.