Gray Series by Lou Cadle

A dense black cloud boiled up in the southeastern sky. It rose high and fast, like a time-lapse movie of the birth of a thunderhead. But it was no rain cloud. Wholly black, it reached up and loomed over her, blocking out the sun. Somehow she knew it was Death coming at her. Pre-med student Coral is on a vacation in Idaho when something terrible happens. The black cloud is followed by a wildfire and searing heat that lasts for days... moreA dense black cloud boiled up in the southeastern sky. It rose high and fast, like a time-lapse movie of the birth of a thunderhead. But it was no rain cloud. Wholly black, it reached up and loomed over her, blocking out the sun. Somehow she knew it was Death coming at her. Pre-med student Coral is on a vacation in Idaho when something terrible happens. The black cloud is followed by a wildfire and searing heat that lasts for days. She survives deep in a cave but emerges days later to find the world transformed, a world of blackened trees, an ash-filled sky, and no living creatures except her. So begins her desperate journey: to find water, and food, and other survivors...and the answer to the mystery of what happened. less

A dense black cloud boiled up in the southeastern sky. It rose high and fast, like a time-lapse movie of the birth of a thunderhead. But it was no rain cloud. Wholly black, it reached up and up until it loomed over her, blocking out the sun. Somehow, she knew, it was Death coming for her. Three months have passed since the mysterious event transformed life on Earth... moreA dense black cloud boiled up in the southeastern sky. It rose high and fast, like a time-lapse movie of the birth of a thunderhead. But it was no rain cloud. Wholly black, it reached up and up until it loomed over her, blocking out the sun. Somehow, she knew, it was Death coming for her. Three months have passed since the mysterious event transformed life on Earth. The air grows colder, the days shorter, the snow deeper, and Coral and Benjamin struggle to find food enough to keep them on their feet. Moving on to warmer climes seems their only long-term hope, but travel means a terrible danger: encountering other people. The rule of law is gone, the old morality is crumbling, and Coral needs all her wits and skill to survive in this brutish new world. (Gray is a trilogy, and it's best to read it in order.) less

Welcome to Idaho CityThe sign was metal, the words still visible through scorching that had happened during The Event's long fire.The words spoke of the old days, seven months ago, when civilization was intact and the world robustly populated. The sign looked normal--or would have, had it not been for the pair of human feet attached over the first two words. The feet had been severed from their owner, and hex bolts were jammed between the metatarsals... moreWelcome to Idaho CityThe sign was metal, the words still visible through scorching that had happened during The Event's long fire.The words spoke of the old days, seven months ago, when civilization was intact and the world robustly populated. The sign looked normal--or would have, had it not been for the pair of human feet attached over the first two words. The feet had been severed from their owner, and hex bolts were jammed between the metatarsals.Coral and Benjamin are starving as they flee from this sight. When they encounter scavengers a few days later, have they found food and salvation? Or is it the deadliest trap of them all?Gray Part III concludes the tale of post-apocalyptic survival. The series should be read in order. less