I was recently asked by my publisher, Skip Coryell, at White Feather Press, to review his latest novel. Skip's a pretty prolific writer, with nine books to his credit. Several of those are fiction. His latest, 'The Shadow Militia', is the second book in a trilogy begun in 'The God Virus'. Here are my thoughts on the book:

"Skip Coryell isn't the type of author who pens conventional fiction. In his latest effort, The Shadow Militia, the grid is down, and modern-day conveniences are a thing of the past--available only for those who have prepared for the sudden collapse of society. The Shadow Militia's premise is two-edged; terrible for contemplation, but eerily plausible. In a culture content with allowing `someone else' to wrap them in a blanket of protection, the breakdown of civil order could hinge on the lack of everyday necessities--and the destructive greed of those with little regard for human life. Coryell's dystopian world embraces a scenario where the essentials are denied to the American populace, and with chilling results.

Dan Branch is caught in a fight for survival, along with his son, Jeremy, Dan's wife, Jackie, and their infant daughter, Donna. Each have a background of loss and desperation (depicted in the first book in the series, The God Virus), with Dan giving his family a tenuous grasp on their continued existence. It's a day to day battle to push through to the next challenge, and the threats are varied as they travel to Iroquois City.

Arriving at their destination, Dan finds another side to his Uncle Rodney, a man whose past has been purposely hidden in shadow. And with good reason; the elder Branch, now the commanding General of the Shadow Militia, has lived a lifetime waiting for the collapse of civilization, anticipating the brutal conflict that will result in an end-time civil war.

A principled man, Rodney has a respectable war machine of his own. But these weapons are held in check, and the reader is left to wonder just what the General is holding back. Rodney's foresight will secure the lives of an enclave of survivors, and ensure their protection against an ominous enemy called the `golden horde'.

At the outset, Coryell keeps us guessing about this nemesis. For newcomers of the saga, he shields his readers from a full description, drawing back the curtain slowly, allowing the audience to plumb the depths of their own fears to conjure up a suitably threatening visage. The author employs this tactic to great effect--before providing the unsavory details of the story's antagonists.

The Shadow Militia is the second in a three book arc (The Saracen Tide is next), and the writing in this installment is among Skip's best. Coryell hits his mark when framing the narrative in richly descriptive paragraphs. Occasionally, he reveals his characteristically dry wit (a Prius is destroyed during the course of one battle, reduced to `fuel-efficient pieces'). And the author describes military tactics and strategies as easily as General Branch slips into a fresh set of camouflaged fatigues. A strong advocate of 2nd Amendment rights, Skip is a Certified NRA Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer.

While Hollywood often depicts the post-apocalyptic world in settings like Los Angeles, New York, or a host of other major cities, The Shadow Militia is set in a locale many readers can easily relate to--northern middle America. Coryell's second book in The God Virus is the story of pharmacists and factory workers, nurses and retirees--all common folk, coming to terms with the unimaginable. At times the narrative will set your teeth on edge, but like any good piece of fiction, its message will stay with you long after you've read the last page."

Check out Skip's novel on Amazon, and keep watching for other titles coming soon from White Feather Press!

Till then, keep reading.

Steve