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Divided We Fall Trilogy #2
Burning Nation
Idaho is a war zone under Federal occupation, and Danny Wright and his friends in the Idaho Militia are determined to fight back, running guerrilla missions against the army--but what at first seemed like a straightforward battle against governmental repression quickly grows murky, and Danny finds that even winning the war does not mean an end to tyranny.
437 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
January 10, 2024
This has slightly more self-awareness than the first book but it still paints a bunch of murderous war criminals as the heroes.
January 17, 2016
I put this on the thriller shelf as I don't have a YA/Juvenile survivalist shelf. Good grief this thing was sooooo young and juvenile it made my eyes and ears bleed (audio version). I like a good thriller...this is not a good thriller.
We open with Idaho in rebellion losing to the Federal (Fed) troops. Our young heroes go to get their girls before the "Fed Troops" get there...and our primary story teller gets a "hot kiss".
There is so much kid story telling here in what attempts to be an adult plot as to drive me crazy. maybe you'll think differently.
For now another in a recent long line of disappointing "thrillers"...in other words "unthrilling thrillers".
We open with Idaho in rebellion losing to the Federal (Fed) troops. Our young heroes go to get their girls before the "Fed Troops" get there...and our primary story teller gets a "hot kiss".
There is so much kid story telling here in what attempts to be an adult plot as to drive me crazy. maybe you'll think differently.
For now another in a recent long line of disappointing "thrillers"...in other words "unthrilling thrillers".
February 7, 2015
(this will not be reviewed by me on yadaily so my full review will be posted here)
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did, as sequels normally fall flat for me and I wasn't the biggest fan of Divided We Fall. But, as I was very invested in the structure of the government in this series, I read this in order to see how things played out, and was pleasantly surprised. Just as in the first book, the military talk really interrupted the flow of the novel. So much of it I felt like I wasn't understanding simply because the terms used are not common knowledge. Many times I had to put the book down and talk the plot over with myself so that I knew what was going on. But despite this, I enjoyed it.
Many more ethical questions were brought up in Burning Nation compared to Divided We Fall. You got to see new and old characters join the rebellion, and saw their struggles with that decision. Danny's friends began to take shape and change, which I loved seeing. I especially loved Danny and Becca's development together and hope that will continue in the next book despite current situations.
In Divided We Fall, it was very clear that Idaho was wrong. In Burning Nation, the Federal government begins to do unconstitutional things and the tides begin to turn. The Federal government is allowed to do everything they did, and it's terrifying to consider that this may happen one day. Danny's torture was especially interesting to read. It was morally wrong, but technically allowed. Most of this book dealt with "they SHOULDN'T do it, but they CAN" which I loved.
The ending was a huge shock to me and while I knew the Brotherhood was not going to be a good organization, I was shocked by the lengths they went to. It did not surprise me that more states began to secede from the Union. As in the last book, my absolute favorite part of this series is the news reports, civilian comments, propaganda, etc. that give you a glimpse at the way the world is responding to the situation you're reading about. I loved seeing the news reports increase in severity as the situation got worse, and watching the opinions of each side change.
Overall I enjoyed this book and will anticipate the final installment. I'm very excited to see how this ends, as the situation the characters are in right now has become worse than expected.
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did, as sequels normally fall flat for me and I wasn't the biggest fan of Divided We Fall. But, as I was very invested in the structure of the government in this series, I read this in order to see how things played out, and was pleasantly surprised. Just as in the first book, the military talk really interrupted the flow of the novel. So much of it I felt like I wasn't understanding simply because the terms used are not common knowledge. Many times I had to put the book down and talk the plot over with myself so that I knew what was going on. But despite this, I enjoyed it.
Many more ethical questions were brought up in Burning Nation compared to Divided We Fall. You got to see new and old characters join the rebellion, and saw their struggles with that decision. Danny's friends began to take shape and change, which I loved seeing. I especially loved Danny and Becca's development together and hope that will continue in the next book despite current situations.
In Divided We Fall, it was very clear that Idaho was wrong. In Burning Nation, the Federal government begins to do unconstitutional things and the tides begin to turn. The Federal government is allowed to do everything they did, and it's terrifying to consider that this may happen one day. Danny's torture was especially interesting to read. It was morally wrong, but technically allowed. Most of this book dealt with "they SHOULDN'T do it, but they CAN" which I loved.
The ending was a huge shock to me and while I knew the Brotherhood was not going to be a good organization, I was shocked by the lengths they went to. It did not surprise me that more states began to secede from the Union. As in the last book, my absolute favorite part of this series is the news reports, civilian comments, propaganda, etc. that give you a glimpse at the way the world is responding to the situation you're reading about. I loved seeing the news reports increase in severity as the situation got worse, and watching the opinions of each side change.
Overall I enjoyed this book and will anticipate the final installment. I'm very excited to see how this ends, as the situation the characters are in right now has become worse than expected.
April 2, 2015
Burning Nation picks up where Divided We Fall left off: following Danny Wright into the thick of the conflict in the quickly dissolving United States of America. Based in the near future, a Civil War has broken out and there seems to be no easy answers for the Fed or the States.
Things I love about Trent Reedy's writing:
The Micro and the Macro. The story revolves around Daniel and his friends. The emotional resonance and interest in the personal story hyper-engaged in this second installment. Yet, Reedy doesn't ignore the big picture. Interspersed between each chapter are segments of media footage that show the conflict and opinions on both sides.
The characters: As with any trilogy, you really get to know the characters after awhile, but Reedy gives a lot of attention to their personal quirks and mannerisms, doing a wonderful job of fleshing out both his male and female characters to make them real and authentic.
The intensity: It amps up in a big way in this one! You start in the war, and Reedy doesn't pull any punches. Staying in Danny's perspective through torture was specifically harrowing and realistic. In other words, it gets gritty, dark and sad in places in a big way. It also has plenty of action, which I really loved, especially the chase through the snowy wilderness(on horseback and snowmobiles!).
Emotional conflict: Danny longs for better days, especially at the end when things get even muddier. Instead of getting out of the conflict and running off with JoBell, Danny fulfills his duty to the newly formed Brotherhood--but risks becoming a pawn in their bigger vision.
Which leads to the ending and the major conundrum leading into book 3. The new government might have different values, but is it better than the old one? Was any of this worth it?
I don't know if I can wait for next year to get my hands on the third book!!!
Things I love about Trent Reedy's writing:
The Micro and the Macro. The story revolves around Daniel and his friends. The emotional resonance and interest in the personal story hyper-engaged in this second installment. Yet, Reedy doesn't ignore the big picture. Interspersed between each chapter are segments of media footage that show the conflict and opinions on both sides.
The characters: As with any trilogy, you really get to know the characters after awhile, but Reedy gives a lot of attention to their personal quirks and mannerisms, doing a wonderful job of fleshing out both his male and female characters to make them real and authentic.
The intensity: It amps up in a big way in this one! You start in the war, and Reedy doesn't pull any punches. Staying in Danny's perspective through torture was specifically harrowing and realistic. In other words, it gets gritty, dark and sad in places in a big way. It also has plenty of action, which I really loved, especially the chase through the snowy wilderness(on horseback and snowmobiles!).
Emotional conflict: Danny longs for better days, especially at the end when things get even muddier. Instead of getting out of the conflict and running off with JoBell, Danny fulfills his duty to the newly formed Brotherhood--but risks becoming a pawn in their bigger vision.
Which leads to the ending and the major conundrum leading into book 3. The new government might have different values, but is it better than the old one? Was any of this worth it?
I don't know if I can wait for next year to get my hands on the third book!!!
April 22, 2015
This book was read and reviewed by my co-worker, Emily:
The sequel to Divided We Fall. Seventeen-year-old Daniel Wright has inadvertently started the second American civil war through his actions during a protest in his home state of Idaho during the first book. This one covers the aftermath, where Idaho declares itself independent from the United States, and Daniel and his fellow rebels are in hiding from federal government agents.
This book starts in the middle of a battle scene, so I’m led to believe it starts right after the events of the first book. Daniel and co. find a hiding place under a car repair shop, where they stay and try to take care of their wounded and figure out their next move. They sneak around the town stealing supplies and seeing who is on their side and who isn’t, and one of the soldiers gets infected and dies despite their efforts to clean his wounds. These various scenes are periodically interrupted by 2-3 pages of italicized news broadcasts and social media posts about the incident and the events that follow, giving the reader a feel for what’s going on in the rest of the country while the teenagers pretend to be revolutionaries.
When everyone isn’t arguing about what to do next, they’re arguing about “the girls”—JoBell, Daniel’s girlfriend who wants to support him but predictably also tries for a peaceful solution to the situation and gets herself shot, and Becca, Daniel’s childhood friend who is predictably also in love with him, but doesn’t say anything about it until the worst possible moment. Both are mostly there to up the female main cast to three—there is one female soldier in the group—and give Daniel something else to angst about besides having single-handedly started a war. He and his comrades constantly mention that who Daniel should be with romantically is the least of their problems, but then they keep on talking about it.
Eventually they decide to actually fight back against the Fed, which they do by setting fire to someone’s home and luring soldiers there so they can ambush them. The ensuing battle scene, complete with explosions and soldiers being burned alive, are described in grisly detail. One scene involves one of Daniel’s friends hacking people with a sword. While Daniel and several others talk later about how they feel bad about killing these soldiers, they all eventually chalk it up to “doing what they had to do,” for the sake of the newly minted Independent Republic of Idaho.
A group of federal soldiers led by a man named Alsovar manage to find their hiding place and capture Daniel and Sparrow, the female soldier. They torture them for information, which is horrifying firstly because it’s adults doing it to minors, and secondly because it seems to be more out of Alsovar’s desire for revenge than out of actual need for the information. After several excruciating pages of Daniel’s increasingly incoherent description of the torture, the Brotherhood, a special resistance group fighting for Idaho’s independence, finally rescues them.
Later, there is a final encounter with Alsovar. He and Daniel fight one-on-one, Alsovar gets impaled on a metal rod, and Daniel takes a few moments deciding whether or not to kill him. Eventually he decides the “right” thing to do is to turn away and leave the man to die alone from the stab wound, but Cal—the same guy who went ballistic with the sword before—hacks him to pieces. He shows no remorse, and no one seems willing to say or do anything about it. With this, Daniel’s town is free from the Fed for now, and when neighboring states send over food and supplies, the Brotherhood invites everyone into town for a “community picnic” to celebrate Idaho’s independence. Just as everyone is enjoying their hard-earned temporary peace, Becca’s parents show up to yell at Daniel for bringing their little girl into the fight—she joined of her free will, but they don’t listen to her—and then the Brotherhood brings out three people who turned out to be traitors to the cause. Despite Daniel’s protests, the Brotherhood hangs them in front of everybody. The end.
Problematic content: war-level violence, grisly wounds, torture. Foul language—everything but the f-word is used frequently. Crude humor and sexual jokes—Eric in particular likes to refer to himself as the “Great Asian Lovemaster” and has a naked animated female avatar for his phone, complete with a sexy voice that speaks only in innuendo. Daniel and JoBell have several lead-up-to-sex scenes that are interrupted or fade-to-black, and he makes out with Becca as well.
Other complaints: The book often refers to 9/11 and the events leading after it that make the book feel like anti-government propaganda, the teens are obviously too immature to be involved in war, as they use video game and zombie movie tropes to determine their strategies, and it’s misogynistic. Note that this is supposed to be set in the near future, and the supposed evil president of the United States is a woman, while all the state governors who secede—the “good guys”—are men. While everyone enthusiastically bashes the president for whatever it was she apparently did in the first book to trigger all of this, the governor of Idaho seems to be a hero just by seceding from the Union and declaring himself president of Idaho, with no clear strategy for what to do from there. The teens instantly start addressing him as “Mr. President” in a heartbeat, as if this were a totally logical step for the man to take. There are no high-ranking female soldiers or officers in the entire book on either side of the conflict, and the other adult women they meet in the town are either useless on their own or traitors. There are several passages where JoBell and Becca attempt to speak up during the soldiers’ battle planning, and higher-ranked male officers simply ignore them. While all of this may be “authentic” to how real soldiers act, it was never treated as something that can or should improve.
It felt like a teenage boys’ reenactment of a Call of Duty video game—all guns and gore and glory. Daniel occasionally attempts to add some ethical weight to it by saying how horrible it is to have to kill someone; then he sees Becca riding her horse—yes, her non-combat-trained horse—into battle firing a huge gun, and his reaction is: “I’m not gonna lie. It was kindof awesome.” And so we go back to Call of Duty in the space of maybe a minute.
(I felt sorrier for that poor horse than any of the humans in the book.)
I saw that this book is well-reviewed by quite a few people—male and female—on Goodreads, but I just don’t see the appeal. It’s possible that my complaints can be viewed as a matter of different taste, but at the same time, because of the graphic battle scenes, instances of underage drinking and foul language, I would not recommend this to anyone under 16.
The sequel to Divided We Fall. Seventeen-year-old Daniel Wright has inadvertently started the second American civil war through his actions during a protest in his home state of Idaho during the first book. This one covers the aftermath, where Idaho declares itself independent from the United States, and Daniel and his fellow rebels are in hiding from federal government agents.
This book starts in the middle of a battle scene, so I’m led to believe it starts right after the events of the first book. Daniel and co. find a hiding place under a car repair shop, where they stay and try to take care of their wounded and figure out their next move. They sneak around the town stealing supplies and seeing who is on their side and who isn’t, and one of the soldiers gets infected and dies despite their efforts to clean his wounds. These various scenes are periodically interrupted by 2-3 pages of italicized news broadcasts and social media posts about the incident and the events that follow, giving the reader a feel for what’s going on in the rest of the country while the teenagers pretend to be revolutionaries.
When everyone isn’t arguing about what to do next, they’re arguing about “the girls”—JoBell, Daniel’s girlfriend who wants to support him but predictably also tries for a peaceful solution to the situation and gets herself shot, and Becca, Daniel’s childhood friend who is predictably also in love with him, but doesn’t say anything about it until the worst possible moment. Both are mostly there to up the female main cast to three—there is one female soldier in the group—and give Daniel something else to angst about besides having single-handedly started a war. He and his comrades constantly mention that who Daniel should be with romantically is the least of their problems, but then they keep on talking about it.
Eventually they decide to actually fight back against the Fed, which they do by setting fire to someone’s home and luring soldiers there so they can ambush them. The ensuing battle scene, complete with explosions and soldiers being burned alive, are described in grisly detail. One scene involves one of Daniel’s friends hacking people with a sword. While Daniel and several others talk later about how they feel bad about killing these soldiers, they all eventually chalk it up to “doing what they had to do,” for the sake of the newly minted Independent Republic of Idaho.
A group of federal soldiers led by a man named Alsovar manage to find their hiding place and capture Daniel and Sparrow, the female soldier. They torture them for information, which is horrifying firstly because it’s adults doing it to minors, and secondly because it seems to be more out of Alsovar’s desire for revenge than out of actual need for the information. After several excruciating pages of Daniel’s increasingly incoherent description of the torture, the Brotherhood, a special resistance group fighting for Idaho’s independence, finally rescues them.
Later, there is a final encounter with Alsovar. He and Daniel fight one-on-one, Alsovar gets impaled on a metal rod, and Daniel takes a few moments deciding whether or not to kill him. Eventually he decides the “right” thing to do is to turn away and leave the man to die alone from the stab wound, but Cal—the same guy who went ballistic with the sword before—hacks him to pieces. He shows no remorse, and no one seems willing to say or do anything about it. With this, Daniel’s town is free from the Fed for now, and when neighboring states send over food and supplies, the Brotherhood invites everyone into town for a “community picnic” to celebrate Idaho’s independence. Just as everyone is enjoying their hard-earned temporary peace, Becca’s parents show up to yell at Daniel for bringing their little girl into the fight—she joined of her free will, but they don’t listen to her—and then the Brotherhood brings out three people who turned out to be traitors to the cause. Despite Daniel’s protests, the Brotherhood hangs them in front of everybody. The end.
Problematic content: war-level violence, grisly wounds, torture. Foul language—everything but the f-word is used frequently. Crude humor and sexual jokes—Eric in particular likes to refer to himself as the “Great Asian Lovemaster” and has a naked animated female avatar for his phone, complete with a sexy voice that speaks only in innuendo. Daniel and JoBell have several lead-up-to-sex scenes that are interrupted or fade-to-black, and he makes out with Becca as well.
Other complaints: The book often refers to 9/11 and the events leading after it that make the book feel like anti-government propaganda, the teens are obviously too immature to be involved in war, as they use video game and zombie movie tropes to determine their strategies, and it’s misogynistic. Note that this is supposed to be set in the near future, and the supposed evil president of the United States is a woman, while all the state governors who secede—the “good guys”—are men. While everyone enthusiastically bashes the president for whatever it was she apparently did in the first book to trigger all of this, the governor of Idaho seems to be a hero just by seceding from the Union and declaring himself president of Idaho, with no clear strategy for what to do from there. The teens instantly start addressing him as “Mr. President” in a heartbeat, as if this were a totally logical step for the man to take. There are no high-ranking female soldiers or officers in the entire book on either side of the conflict, and the other adult women they meet in the town are either useless on their own or traitors. There are several passages where JoBell and Becca attempt to speak up during the soldiers’ battle planning, and higher-ranked male officers simply ignore them. While all of this may be “authentic” to how real soldiers act, it was never treated as something that can or should improve.
It felt like a teenage boys’ reenactment of a Call of Duty video game—all guns and gore and glory. Daniel occasionally attempts to add some ethical weight to it by saying how horrible it is to have to kill someone; then he sees Becca riding her horse—yes, her non-combat-trained horse—into battle firing a huge gun, and his reaction is: “I’m not gonna lie. It was kindof awesome.” And so we go back to Call of Duty in the space of maybe a minute.
(I felt sorrier for that poor horse than any of the humans in the book.)
I saw that this book is well-reviewed by quite a few people—male and female—on Goodreads, but I just don’t see the appeal. It’s possible that my complaints can be viewed as a matter of different taste, but at the same time, because of the graphic battle scenes, instances of underage drinking and foul language, I would not recommend this to anyone under 16.
February 2, 2015
Burning Nation, the sequel to Divided We Fall, steps it up a LARGE notch and knocks it out of the park.
With Idaho declaring independence from the United States to get out from under federal laws that are impeding peoples freedoms (sound eerily familiar?), Danny finds himself a beacon of hope for the rebellion. All while trying to keep those he loves safe.
At times, the amount of stress this book caused me had me needing to walk away to catch my breath. I'm extremely impressed with the power that Reedy's words had over my emotions. Basically, when you sit down to read this one, buckle up. It's one helluva ride.
Now I have to try and be patient for the third and final installment of this very realistic and nerve wracking series!!!!
With Idaho declaring independence from the United States to get out from under federal laws that are impeding peoples freedoms (sound eerily familiar?), Danny finds himself a beacon of hope for the rebellion. All while trying to keep those he loves safe.
At times, the amount of stress this book caused me had me needing to walk away to catch my breath. I'm extremely impressed with the power that Reedy's words had over my emotions. Basically, when you sit down to read this one, buckle up. It's one helluva ride.
Now I have to try and be patient for the third and final installment of this very realistic and nerve wracking series!!!!
February 10, 2020
In my opinion, this book is just as great as the first book in the “Divided We Fall” series. If you read the first book and enjoyed it, I strongly suggest reading this book. This part of the series is mainly about the war between the United States of America and Idaho. And coping with the new way of life for Danny, his friends, and the new nation. The book still contains a great mix of love, war, and family, but no longer has many sports or high school life. Once again, I strongly suggest reading this book because in my opinion it is just as good as the first one, if not better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2017
I haven't slept yet because the book is that good.
November 8, 2017
Just like the first book in this series, this book was amazing and was able to grab my attention very well due to the suspense created by Trent Reedy. I would definitely recommend reading the first book before to make sure that you understand the plot and characters accurately. Published in 2015, "Burning Nation" is a thriller novel that continues the adventures of Danny and his friends through the 2nd American Civil war as he further defends his home from federal control.
Trent Reedy has written many other novels using his knowledge of the military. Among these is the first book in this series "Divided We Fall" and then also others such as "Words in the Dust". Reedy makes his stories very realistic and likely to happen in real life. Reedy uses suspense to draw the reader into wanting to read more but he also appeals to the emotions at key times which makes the reader feel connected to the characters and events at times. Characterization in this book is not very well developed but it does add on to the characterization from "Divided We Fall". To understand why characters are doing or acting a certain way at times you need to read the previous book. This book does elaborate to what extent the characters are being described and what personality still stays and what changed in the time of war. The plot is very original due to the circumstances and situations that Danny finds himself in. Since I cant spoil anything you will just have to trust me that the plot is original but also easy to predict at times. There are some sucker punches in there though that you would not expect to happen. For the most part, it is kind of easy to predict. that also adds to the suspense because you would have a go idea of what is about to happen but you are not for sue so of course, you have to just read it to find out.
This novel is, of course, like the other book in the series in the way how there is the 2nd American Civil War with a bunch of fighting and suspense but this book is also like what happened back in the first American Civil war and what could happen in present day. Due to this book being so realistic, there is a chance that it could get this bad again like it did back in the Frist American Civil War. It gets you thinking about what could happen. This book is really on a shelf of its own in the way how this book connects back to the present and the future and is also a different book for Trent Reedy in this same exact way.
I would advise that there is strong language at times, gory depictions, and just strong emotions that could be experienced. There are much blood and gore that could be offensive to younger children so I would only recommend this book and other books in this series to high school students or older. I would think both genders would like this novel because there are parts that would satisfy both included in the novel. I would recommend this book to advanced students and also possibly to history students in a way to better understand the American Civil war. I can tell you that I better understand history, politics, and society more after reading this novel.
I would say that the theme of this book is friendship and war but life lessons that can be found could include friendship is the most important thing in life, war is a messy subject that would be best if avoided at all cost, and that every event impacts a person even if they know it or not.
Trent Reedy has written many other novels using his knowledge of the military. Among these is the first book in this series "Divided We Fall" and then also others such as "Words in the Dust". Reedy makes his stories very realistic and likely to happen in real life. Reedy uses suspense to draw the reader into wanting to read more but he also appeals to the emotions at key times which makes the reader feel connected to the characters and events at times. Characterization in this book is not very well developed but it does add on to the characterization from "Divided We Fall". To understand why characters are doing or acting a certain way at times you need to read the previous book. This book does elaborate to what extent the characters are being described and what personality still stays and what changed in the time of war. The plot is very original due to the circumstances and situations that Danny finds himself in. Since I cant spoil anything you will just have to trust me that the plot is original but also easy to predict at times. There are some sucker punches in there though that you would not expect to happen. For the most part, it is kind of easy to predict. that also adds to the suspense because you would have a go idea of what is about to happen but you are not for sue so of course, you have to just read it to find out.
This novel is, of course, like the other book in the series in the way how there is the 2nd American Civil War with a bunch of fighting and suspense but this book is also like what happened back in the first American Civil war and what could happen in present day. Due to this book being so realistic, there is a chance that it could get this bad again like it did back in the Frist American Civil War. It gets you thinking about what could happen. This book is really on a shelf of its own in the way how this book connects back to the present and the future and is also a different book for Trent Reedy in this same exact way.
I would advise that there is strong language at times, gory depictions, and just strong emotions that could be experienced. There are much blood and gore that could be offensive to younger children so I would only recommend this book and other books in this series to high school students or older. I would think both genders would like this novel because there are parts that would satisfy both included in the novel. I would recommend this book to advanced students and also possibly to history students in a way to better understand the American Civil war. I can tell you that I better understand history, politics, and society more after reading this novel.
I would say that the theme of this book is friendship and war but life lessons that can be found could include friendship is the most important thing in life, war is a messy subject that would be best if avoided at all cost, and that every event impacts a person even if they know it or not.
April 21, 2018
While Burning Nation, the second book in the Divided We Fall trilogy by Trent Reedy, it was still a great book. The story continues to follow the story of Daniel Wright, and his friends as tension continue to build between Idaho and the United States. Throughout the story, more states start to rebel and eventually, the ordeal escalates into another civil war. Reedy uses every little detail throughout the story. He ensures that everything gets explained or has a purpose during the story. There are constant reminders that the characters are just high school students. Even in the midst of the crazy war they still have the typical high school drama. Each character has their own challenges that they have to overcome. The reason this book was not as good as the first was because I felt the plot was more predictable. The first book presented twists and turns always leading to the unexpected while Burning Nation had less crazy twists. The story takes place in the United States and involves multiple states accurately depicted in their real-life locations. The plot, while unlikely, could happen in real life it the states became infuriated at the government. It was similar to style to the first book because it was the same author and the same series, but it was also similar to the Gone series by Michael Grant in the way it creates suspenseful situations. While this is a great book there are some sexual relations, lots of swear words, and lots of death. The story’s main point is that there are freedoms that cannot be taken away and there are always people that will fight for them. The theme is once again is Unity among friends and nation, as well as how far people are willing to go to protect their freedoms. Lastly, it was fairly easy to read and is perfect high schoolers because it is fun to read but there are situations that would not be appropriate for younger audiences.
April 18, 2017
This book Burning Nation is the sequel to Divided We Fall written by Trent Reedy. In the beginning of this book Danny, the main character, is fighting his way through Federal Military because essentially Idaho, where Danny is from, seceded from the union. I found this an interesting topic because it isn't not likely to happen but could very well occur in the future. The story has some little holes in the plot but I overlooked them in the grand scheme of the story and continued reading. Overall so far I think Mr. Reedy has done a good job in giving us fully developed characters in Danny, Jobell, and Sweeney. Sometimes I wish he would've gave us some more background information on side characters but it's alright. I look forward to continuing through the series.
November 29, 2018
Once again, Reedy made a cover to cover page turner that kept me glued and wanting the third book.
May 12, 2020
Hey there Space Cadets! For more reviews like this one, be sure to check out my website in the link below.
JR Handley Website: https://jrhandley.com
Summary:
First, let me say that none of what I’ll say in this section couldn’t be found on the back copy of the novel. Heck, I cribbed this summary from the back, and then I added my own twist! And not even much of one, since most of the books I read have kick butt descriptions (aka blurbs). If the blurb doesn’t catch my eye, then I tend to skip the book unless a friend recommends it. Generally speaking, my goal is to provide a spoiler-free review, so here goes nothing!
At the end of Divided We Fall, Danny Wright’s beloved Idaho had been invaded by the federal government, their electricity shut off, their rights suspended. Danny goes into hiding with his friends in order to remain free. But after the state declares itself a Republic, Idaho rises to fight in a second American Civil War, and Danny is right in the center of the action, running guerrilla missions with his fellow soldiers to break the Federal occupation. Yet what at first seems like a straightforward battle against governmental repression quickly grows more complicated, as more states secede, more people die, and Danny discovers the true nature of some of his new allies.
Chilling, powerful, and all too plausible, Burning Nation further establishes Trent Reedy as a provocative new voice in YA fiction.
Cons:
I had a few major complaints about this novel. The constant use of foul language in a book that was supposedly for a young adult audience bugged me. I read this book in preparation for letting my 13-year-old son dive in. It’ll be a hard pass for me, he doesn’t need any further exposure to the levels of vulgarity. Secondly, like with the first book (Divided We Fall), I didn’t like the amount of time spent addressing sexual issues by the main character. I don’t mind that in my books, but not when the protagonist isn’t a legal adult in a book geared at my kids. This really bugs me, but not enough to stop reading. This is most certainly not a children’s book; the amount of swearing and graphic violence is certainly for mature audiences only. Speaking of the violence, I felt like the combat scenes in this novel was a tad repetitive, especially when asymmetrical warfare has plenty of opportunities from insurgent warfare, I saw plenty of it in Iraq, and the author would’ve experienced it when he deployed to Afghanistan. He could’ve done more to stop the fighting from being samey. I had other issues with the story itself as well. I felt like the angst coming from the main character, Danny Wright, was overdone. I don’t mind that it was there, just that it felt like it dragged the story down in the middle of an action scene. Speaking of characters, I had a lot of issues where there was a floating head syndrome, where I couldn’t visualize the setting and characters. The author went light on some of the descriptions, but that’s a personal choice for me, I like the details. Paint me a picture, I’ll love you for it. Oh, and the cliffhanger ending, ugh. Glad I read these years after they were published, so I wasn’t left hanging for a year with a partial story. Finally, I didn’t like the way the audiobook was done as a stage play. I prefer the standard read, without all of the sound effects. I find those to be annoying, but not enough to turn off the audiobook. I know that my audio complaint is mostly an issue of my own personal taste, but I figured I’d throw it in there!
Pros:
The author was strongest in his creation of a narrative that was both compelling and believable. He took what he’d started in Divided We Fall and kicked it up a notch. The scenario in this book was so convincing that it was scary. We saw what the reality of a second civil war would look like. This is an important thing to consider in a society so divided by chuckleheads on both sides who think that this is what they want to get there way politically. It’ll be ugly and deadly, and the world should recognize this. Because of how he set this scenario, the novel was one tale that wouldn’t let you stop thinking about it. Especially when he showcases the aftermath of modern warfare between two highly advanced armies in an increasingly realistic manner. As a part of that, we see the real consequences of combat on the modern psyche. Only a sociopath can walk away from killing unscathed, I am glad that Trent Reedy didn’t gloss over it. Seriously, those details matter. After the first novel, the author improved some aspects of his world-building. It was also top-notch, but that’s easy to do when writing in near-future America. We all already have our own cultural images of home that we bring in the story, making the author’s job a little easier. The continued use of news updates and personal vignettes as a way to push the narrative was a fun touch. It could’ve been overdone, but luckily Trent Reedy didn’t. While there are parts of the story arc and plot that weren’t fleshed out as well as I would’ve liked, it fits within the scope of young adult literature. Another pro for this book was its emotional resonance. As the main character, Danny Wright learned to hate his country, we did as well. It was hard to remember sometimes of this restriction, and not my America. We saw him struggle through his love for Jobelle and how that affected his life choices throughout this novel. As a result, we got to see more of her and see her character evolve and become more complex. Speaking of characters, they all felt more complicated in this book, an expansion of where they stood in the first novel in this trilogy.
Overall:
I’m really torn on my overall thoughts. In all honesty, I started this novel wanting to like it, the themes in question were “what if” scenarios that anyone who studied the Civil War or water uniform has thought about. However, there were parts that I hated because the characters make stupid decisions, the angst felt overdone or the military culture seemed off. And yet… I couldn’t put it down. And now I’m reading book three. One improvement from the last novel was how fleshed out the personalities of the main characters were. They all showed their reactions to the war that surrounded them; some became better more compassionate versions of themselves, while others embraced their more primal and animalistic side. This felt true to the fight I experienced in Iraq. I read a lot of soldier’s memoirs, from across all areas, and the way Trent Reedy portrayed the characters reacting to it fit within the broader scope of combat through the eyes of soldiers. Another place where the author really shined was in a setting he created. I could really picture what he was describing, though it helps that he set this novel in Anytown America. There was enough modern tech with the comms to make this story futuristic, but Reedy left us plenty of anchors to the contemporary world, so we felt grounded. We have weapon systems that haven’t changed, so I was very familiar with them. The vehicles described were ones we would recognize, the usual mix of trucks, vans, and the like. However, despite how gloriously he described the setting, he didn’t do such a good job with the characters. I still can’t visualize many of them. We know that JoBelle was a blonde, and Sweeney was Asian. That’s all that we could really say, and I prefer more. Again, I realize this is bucking the modern trends in literature, but I just don’t like that aspect of it. When it comes to details, more is always better. Hello Brandon Sanderson, I’m winking at you! One point that I didn’t like was how mature this story was, given that it was marketed as a YA novel. However, it didn’t feel fully adult either because it tried to walk a tight rope between adult content and books for juveniles. The torture, killing, murder, and sex scenes were too much for my kids, who are the target demographics, and not enough for what I’d expect from an adult novel. Seriously, I wouldn’t want my kid to read that torture seen. But let’s not be all doom and gloom, the author did a great job in portraying the personalities of the characters. All of their actions felt true to the people he created, which is a plus. Another aspect that I liked about this novel was how Trent wove in larger themes; good versus evil, the nature of war, exploring what our shared humanity even means in a post-government society. There were many more that I didn’t list, but I’m working on more concise book reviews. I didn’t mention this in my last review, but I really loved the covers of this novel. The image was evocative of everything that was contained within the pages, which is precisely what you want. But more than that, it was just a gorgeous piece of artwork. While there were parts that I didn’t like, in the end, the author’s ability to make we keep reading was the deciding factor. When combined with a premise that I’ve spent too much time thinking about throughout my academic studies, you have a recipe for a gripping novel. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 grenades and your assurances that I will read the final book in the trilogy.
JR Handley Website: https://jrhandley.com
Summary:
First, let me say that none of what I’ll say in this section couldn’t be found on the back copy of the novel. Heck, I cribbed this summary from the back, and then I added my own twist! And not even much of one, since most of the books I read have kick butt descriptions (aka blurbs). If the blurb doesn’t catch my eye, then I tend to skip the book unless a friend recommends it. Generally speaking, my goal is to provide a spoiler-free review, so here goes nothing!
At the end of Divided We Fall, Danny Wright’s beloved Idaho had been invaded by the federal government, their electricity shut off, their rights suspended. Danny goes into hiding with his friends in order to remain free. But after the state declares itself a Republic, Idaho rises to fight in a second American Civil War, and Danny is right in the center of the action, running guerrilla missions with his fellow soldiers to break the Federal occupation. Yet what at first seems like a straightforward battle against governmental repression quickly grows more complicated, as more states secede, more people die, and Danny discovers the true nature of some of his new allies.
Chilling, powerful, and all too plausible, Burning Nation further establishes Trent Reedy as a provocative new voice in YA fiction.
Cons:
I had a few major complaints about this novel. The constant use of foul language in a book that was supposedly for a young adult audience bugged me. I read this book in preparation for letting my 13-year-old son dive in. It’ll be a hard pass for me, he doesn’t need any further exposure to the levels of vulgarity. Secondly, like with the first book (Divided We Fall), I didn’t like the amount of time spent addressing sexual issues by the main character. I don’t mind that in my books, but not when the protagonist isn’t a legal adult in a book geared at my kids. This really bugs me, but not enough to stop reading. This is most certainly not a children’s book; the amount of swearing and graphic violence is certainly for mature audiences only. Speaking of the violence, I felt like the combat scenes in this novel was a tad repetitive, especially when asymmetrical warfare has plenty of opportunities from insurgent warfare, I saw plenty of it in Iraq, and the author would’ve experienced it when he deployed to Afghanistan. He could’ve done more to stop the fighting from being samey. I had other issues with the story itself as well. I felt like the angst coming from the main character, Danny Wright, was overdone. I don’t mind that it was there, just that it felt like it dragged the story down in the middle of an action scene. Speaking of characters, I had a lot of issues where there was a floating head syndrome, where I couldn’t visualize the setting and characters. The author went light on some of the descriptions, but that’s a personal choice for me, I like the details. Paint me a picture, I’ll love you for it. Oh, and the cliffhanger ending, ugh. Glad I read these years after they were published, so I wasn’t left hanging for a year with a partial story. Finally, I didn’t like the way the audiobook was done as a stage play. I prefer the standard read, without all of the sound effects. I find those to be annoying, but not enough to turn off the audiobook. I know that my audio complaint is mostly an issue of my own personal taste, but I figured I’d throw it in there!
Pros:
The author was strongest in his creation of a narrative that was both compelling and believable. He took what he’d started in Divided We Fall and kicked it up a notch. The scenario in this book was so convincing that it was scary. We saw what the reality of a second civil war would look like. This is an important thing to consider in a society so divided by chuckleheads on both sides who think that this is what they want to get there way politically. It’ll be ugly and deadly, and the world should recognize this. Because of how he set this scenario, the novel was one tale that wouldn’t let you stop thinking about it. Especially when he showcases the aftermath of modern warfare between two highly advanced armies in an increasingly realistic manner. As a part of that, we see the real consequences of combat on the modern psyche. Only a sociopath can walk away from killing unscathed, I am glad that Trent Reedy didn’t gloss over it. Seriously, those details matter. After the first novel, the author improved some aspects of his world-building. It was also top-notch, but that’s easy to do when writing in near-future America. We all already have our own cultural images of home that we bring in the story, making the author’s job a little easier. The continued use of news updates and personal vignettes as a way to push the narrative was a fun touch. It could’ve been overdone, but luckily Trent Reedy didn’t. While there are parts of the story arc and plot that weren’t fleshed out as well as I would’ve liked, it fits within the scope of young adult literature. Another pro for this book was its emotional resonance. As the main character, Danny Wright learned to hate his country, we did as well. It was hard to remember sometimes of this restriction, and not my America. We saw him struggle through his love for Jobelle and how that affected his life choices throughout this novel. As a result, we got to see more of her and see her character evolve and become more complex. Speaking of characters, they all felt more complicated in this book, an expansion of where they stood in the first novel in this trilogy.
Overall:
I’m really torn on my overall thoughts. In all honesty, I started this novel wanting to like it, the themes in question were “what if” scenarios that anyone who studied the Civil War or water uniform has thought about. However, there were parts that I hated because the characters make stupid decisions, the angst felt overdone or the military culture seemed off. And yet… I couldn’t put it down. And now I’m reading book three. One improvement from the last novel was how fleshed out the personalities of the main characters were. They all showed their reactions to the war that surrounded them; some became better more compassionate versions of themselves, while others embraced their more primal and animalistic side. This felt true to the fight I experienced in Iraq. I read a lot of soldier’s memoirs, from across all areas, and the way Trent Reedy portrayed the characters reacting to it fit within the broader scope of combat through the eyes of soldiers. Another place where the author really shined was in a setting he created. I could really picture what he was describing, though it helps that he set this novel in Anytown America. There was enough modern tech with the comms to make this story futuristic, but Reedy left us plenty of anchors to the contemporary world, so we felt grounded. We have weapon systems that haven’t changed, so I was very familiar with them. The vehicles described were ones we would recognize, the usual mix of trucks, vans, and the like. However, despite how gloriously he described the setting, he didn’t do such a good job with the characters. I still can’t visualize many of them. We know that JoBelle was a blonde, and Sweeney was Asian. That’s all that we could really say, and I prefer more. Again, I realize this is bucking the modern trends in literature, but I just don’t like that aspect of it. When it comes to details, more is always better. Hello Brandon Sanderson, I’m winking at you! One point that I didn’t like was how mature this story was, given that it was marketed as a YA novel. However, it didn’t feel fully adult either because it tried to walk a tight rope between adult content and books for juveniles. The torture, killing, murder, and sex scenes were too much for my kids, who are the target demographics, and not enough for what I’d expect from an adult novel. Seriously, I wouldn’t want my kid to read that torture seen. But let’s not be all doom and gloom, the author did a great job in portraying the personalities of the characters. All of their actions felt true to the people he created, which is a plus. Another aspect that I liked about this novel was how Trent wove in larger themes; good versus evil, the nature of war, exploring what our shared humanity even means in a post-government society. There were many more that I didn’t list, but I’m working on more concise book reviews. I didn’t mention this in my last review, but I really loved the covers of this novel. The image was evocative of everything that was contained within the pages, which is precisely what you want. But more than that, it was just a gorgeous piece of artwork. While there were parts that I didn’t like, in the end, the author’s ability to make we keep reading was the deciding factor. When combined with a premise that I’ve spent too much time thinking about throughout my academic studies, you have a recipe for a gripping novel. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 grenades and your assurances that I will read the final book in the trilogy.
May 9, 2015
They’ve been questions on everyone’s minds since the United States’ inception: To whom does an American ultimately owe their loyalty, their state or their country? What if the country’s interests are in conflict with the states’? The U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause says that the federal government has authority over the individual states, but what if the federal government treats the states unjustly?
Burning Nation, the sequel to Divided We Fall and the second installment in Trent Reedy’s thought-provoking trilogy, explores these queries. Taking place in the near future, the series concerns the western state of Idaho, whose state government nullifies a federal law mandating that all American citizens receive an ID card that, among other things, would allow Washington to track the cardholder’s every movement. Obviously, Idaho’s lack of compliance does not sit well with the federal government (nicknamed “the Fed”), which sends in the U.S. Army into the state to enforce the law. The Army sets up a blockade on all of Idaho’s borders in an attempt to starve the state into submission. Governor James Montaine calls forth the Idaho National Guard to combat the blockade, effectively pitting American soldiers against other American soldiers.
This novel is told from the point of view of Daniel Wright, a seventeen-year-old private in Idaho’s Army National Guard. It picks up right where Divided We Fall left off, with Danny, a few of his rebel National Guard comrades, and his friends Eric Sweeney and Cal Riccon on the run from Federal soldiers. The group holes up in an underground shelter beneath the auto shop Danny worked at; within a few weeks the news arrives that Idaho’s government has declared it to be an independent republic. The story really picks up the pace after that, with the majority of the narrative describing Idaho’s war to rid itself of Federal occupation.
Readers will enjoy the tale of Danny’s war against United States aggression, and they, too will wonder at the inhumanity of armed conflict. Like any good book, action sequences are well-paced placed throughout the chapters and never go on so long that the reader is left wanting for dialogue between characters or for Danny’s introspection. The characters, who range from a sweet-talking Asian playboy turned militiaman to Danny’s anti-independence former teacher to a vindictive U.S. Army officer, are fleshed out to the point where I could honestly see them as real people. The main cast exhibits such distinct behaviors and personalities that when one of their number is seriously injured the reader feels real concern. I personally believe Trent Reedy’s lineup of main characters is one of the best written in YA fiction right now.
A good portion of the chapters are supplemented with in-universe TV news reports, social media posts, and government speeches. In these, characters not directly participating in the Idaho war express the opinions about what its outcome will be and how the U.S. President, Laura Griffith, is handling it. These help the reader get a broader sense of the war’s impact. Twice, the reader will find rather lengthy lists of soldiers’ names and ranks, Idahoan and American, who have perished in the war. It’s chilling.
In the end, Trent Reedy’s Burning Nation is an excellent novel that explores the subjects of war’s futility, federal sovereignty, friendship, and mercy. I would recommend it to anyone interested in military operations or who just wants to thumb through a good story to pass the time. I’m looking forward very much to the series’ third book. The only issue some might have with this novel is the swearing, which while present does not crop up on every page and is never distracting.
Burning Nation, the sequel to Divided We Fall and the second installment in Trent Reedy’s thought-provoking trilogy, explores these queries. Taking place in the near future, the series concerns the western state of Idaho, whose state government nullifies a federal law mandating that all American citizens receive an ID card that, among other things, would allow Washington to track the cardholder’s every movement. Obviously, Idaho’s lack of compliance does not sit well with the federal government (nicknamed “the Fed”), which sends in the U.S. Army into the state to enforce the law. The Army sets up a blockade on all of Idaho’s borders in an attempt to starve the state into submission. Governor James Montaine calls forth the Idaho National Guard to combat the blockade, effectively pitting American soldiers against other American soldiers.
This novel is told from the point of view of Daniel Wright, a seventeen-year-old private in Idaho’s Army National Guard. It picks up right where Divided We Fall left off, with Danny, a few of his rebel National Guard comrades, and his friends Eric Sweeney and Cal Riccon on the run from Federal soldiers. The group holes up in an underground shelter beneath the auto shop Danny worked at; within a few weeks the news arrives that Idaho’s government has declared it to be an independent republic. The story really picks up the pace after that, with the majority of the narrative describing Idaho’s war to rid itself of Federal occupation.
Readers will enjoy the tale of Danny’s war against United States aggression, and they, too will wonder at the inhumanity of armed conflict. Like any good book, action sequences are well-paced placed throughout the chapters and never go on so long that the reader is left wanting for dialogue between characters or for Danny’s introspection. The characters, who range from a sweet-talking Asian playboy turned militiaman to Danny’s anti-independence former teacher to a vindictive U.S. Army officer, are fleshed out to the point where I could honestly see them as real people. The main cast exhibits such distinct behaviors and personalities that when one of their number is seriously injured the reader feels real concern. I personally believe Trent Reedy’s lineup of main characters is one of the best written in YA fiction right now.
A good portion of the chapters are supplemented with in-universe TV news reports, social media posts, and government speeches. In these, characters not directly participating in the Idaho war express the opinions about what its outcome will be and how the U.S. President, Laura Griffith, is handling it. These help the reader get a broader sense of the war’s impact. Twice, the reader will find rather lengthy lists of soldiers’ names and ranks, Idahoan and American, who have perished in the war. It’s chilling.
In the end, Trent Reedy’s Burning Nation is an excellent novel that explores the subjects of war’s futility, federal sovereignty, friendship, and mercy. I would recommend it to anyone interested in military operations or who just wants to thumb through a good story to pass the time. I’m looking forward very much to the series’ third book. The only issue some might have with this novel is the swearing, which while present does not crop up on every page and is never distracting.
April 28, 2017
Well the book was amazing. I hated putting the book down because the suspense rises and drops from page to page. You can already bet that I am going to read the third book. My favorite part is where they are in the shop hiding in a cellar. The government comes and searches the store and they start to beat up the store owner and the store owner ends up hitting everybody with a right hook. Then they hold him down about to shoot him and the main character and his squad come and help but they didn't know that they had had a machine gun outside. One of his partners got his leg blown off. They end up get back into the cellar and climbing through a tunnel that they made and they flank the bad guys. they end up taking their motor vehicle.
October 17, 2018
I like it but it is boring for the first 100 pages, nothing really interesting till last 300. love it still, the ending really makes you wanna read the 3rd book. I've read them all before i just wanted to re-read, so glad that I did.
Read
February 28, 2020When I first started reading this book I thought it was going to start how the first one ended but that threw me off when it didn't . Just like the first one this book can get into action at any point if the author wanted to and I like that factor. I haven't finished this book yet but I am going to finish it because this is hands down one of the better book/ series I have read. Another thing I liked is that all the characters moods have changed since the first book. I kinda feel bad for poor old danny when everyone in HIS bunker is yelling at him because he gave away the location of it to his girlfriend. Another thing I liked was the part of the book when they were trying to out drive a helicopter. Found it funny that cal brought a sword to a gunfight and somehow won. I was surprised that they had a mini christmas party in the middle of a war. Also one thing I liked and one I didn't / face slap type of moment. The thing I liked is that T.J has finally started to help danny. The face slap moment is that T.J failed his one job and danny's girlfriend got arrested.
May 18, 2015
In "Burning Nation" the gripping and emotionally-charged sequel to "Divided We Fall" Danny Wright and his friends are swept up in the military occupation of Freedom Lake. With their wounded Danny and his squad hide in the well-provisioned bunker under his repair shop but are soon hunted by Federal troops under Major Alsovar. When they begin running guerilla missions, the danger of capture quickly escalates as death draws ever closer.
Under the enhanced measures of the Unity Act President Laura Griffith has expanded her power and ordered a military strike on Idaho. But President James Montaine is one step ahead after Idaho secedes from the union. Setting up the state capital in the well-guarded north he knows that southern Idaho is vulnerable, will be overrun and will have to deal with governmental repression. As food and other resources dwindle President Montaine urges rebellion in southern Idaho and does what he can to assist the resistance of the " Brotherhood". In this dark and foreboding landscape Danny, his militia unit and friends begin terrorist strikes against Federals in his community, but quickly learns that the heart of many of his enemies may not be in this second civil war.
Action-packed and fast-paced as events unfold, the plot constantly raises questions about the implications and collateral damage of war and misuse of power. The intensity of the story builds slowly not only with the violence that whirls around Danny Wright and his friends, but through the media's coverage as the war escalates and the death count grows. Even the ending's explosive climax leaves a door open for a third book in this chillingly realistic narrative.
The characters in the story are complex, their personalities evolving as the war progresses. Haunted by nightmares and guilt Danny Wright continues to be a symbol of the second civil war. He's serious, intense and a leader that his friends listen to. Although he says he's in love with the stubborn and passionately opinionated Jobelle, Danny gravitates to the warmth, kindness and peacemaking skill of Becca who supports him by joining the rebellion. Of his friends Eric Sweeney has a conscience about all the killing while Carl Riccon gets caught up in all the violence and hatred; lusting to kill Federals. Major Frederico Alsovar the cruel and sadistic military officer is determined to break Danny and bring the Idaho rebels to justice. All these personalities and many others add depth and dimension to this exciting and riveting drama.
"Burning Nation" is a terrifying story, a realistic possibility in this modern age. Yet in all the violence there is the promise of hope and peace. I look forward to reading the last chapter of this page-turner.
Under the enhanced measures of the Unity Act President Laura Griffith has expanded her power and ordered a military strike on Idaho. But President James Montaine is one step ahead after Idaho secedes from the union. Setting up the state capital in the well-guarded north he knows that southern Idaho is vulnerable, will be overrun and will have to deal with governmental repression. As food and other resources dwindle President Montaine urges rebellion in southern Idaho and does what he can to assist the resistance of the " Brotherhood". In this dark and foreboding landscape Danny, his militia unit and friends begin terrorist strikes against Federals in his community, but quickly learns that the heart of many of his enemies may not be in this second civil war.
Action-packed and fast-paced as events unfold, the plot constantly raises questions about the implications and collateral damage of war and misuse of power. The intensity of the story builds slowly not only with the violence that whirls around Danny Wright and his friends, but through the media's coverage as the war escalates and the death count grows. Even the ending's explosive climax leaves a door open for a third book in this chillingly realistic narrative.
The characters in the story are complex, their personalities evolving as the war progresses. Haunted by nightmares and guilt Danny Wright continues to be a symbol of the second civil war. He's serious, intense and a leader that his friends listen to. Although he says he's in love with the stubborn and passionately opinionated Jobelle, Danny gravitates to the warmth, kindness and peacemaking skill of Becca who supports him by joining the rebellion. Of his friends Eric Sweeney has a conscience about all the killing while Carl Riccon gets caught up in all the violence and hatred; lusting to kill Federals. Major Frederico Alsovar the cruel and sadistic military officer is determined to break Danny and bring the Idaho rebels to justice. All these personalities and many others add depth and dimension to this exciting and riveting drama.
"Burning Nation" is a terrifying story, a realistic possibility in this modern age. Yet in all the violence there is the promise of hope and peace. I look forward to reading the last chapter of this page-turner.
Read
June 11, 2018Burning Nation, is the second book in the series. During this book Idaho is declaring independence from the United States to get out from under federal laws that are impeding peoples freedoms. Danny is a beacon of hope for the rebellion. All while trying to keep those he loves safe.
some times I found myself stressing over this book to the point it has me had me needing to take a walk. I'm impressed with the power and choice of his words. When you sit down to read this book buckle up its a thrill. All we know is is best summarized by this quote, “We gotta save something of ourselves, of our humanity, if we’re ever going to leave the war behind.” this book truly was a thrill
some times I found myself stressing over this book to the point it has me had me needing to take a walk. I'm impressed with the power and choice of his words. When you sit down to read this book buckle up its a thrill. All we know is is best summarized by this quote, “We gotta save something of ourselves, of our humanity, if we’re ever going to leave the war behind.” this book truly was a thrill
November 16, 2015
To quote the esteemed newscaster Ron Burgundy, “Boy, that escalated quickly.”, the storyline in the follow up to Divided We Fall did indeed escalate quickly. Danny and his group of Idaho National Guardsmen, along with some of his friends, are now running for their lives as the United States has shut off food and power sources to those living in Idaho. His group manages to stay in his little town, hiding in spots here and there, starting with Schmitty’s bunker. While holed up there, the reader experiences the first realization that Trent Reedy isn’t going to go soft on the characters as the casualties start piling up. Thrust into a civil war, Danny is still playing the symbolic role of the face of the war for Governor, I mean President (of Idaho) Montain’s civil war. The audio follows the format of the first, offering the feeling that you are right there in the fight. The newscasts, radio broadcasts, walkie talkie conversations, and government speeches are all done with different voices enhancing this story and taking it to the next level.
I said it before with the first book and it warrants saying with this as well. The governmental topics in this book are just too good for a teacher to pass up, even if just snippets of this story were read. War, civil war, constitutional rights, ethical dilemmas, state versus national powers, civil rights, torture in a time of war, and who really is the enemy in any war, are just begging to be discussed in a classroom. Not only that, but what the characters struggle with throughout the story gives such a realistic feel to it. Danny and others struggle with wanting to kill the Feds but know that they could be people just like them, to wanting to exact revenge on the General who was responsible for killing those close to Danny. Bloodshed is rampant in this story, much more so than the first, which makes sense but some readers may not be prepared for it. In addition to the war violence, there are scenes of torture and some graphic descriptions of battle wounds. Again, realistic for what is happening, but it is definitely a lot more mature in that area compared to the first book. Fast paced and timely, Burning Nation is aptly titled.
I said it before with the first book and it warrants saying with this as well. The governmental topics in this book are just too good for a teacher to pass up, even if just snippets of this story were read. War, civil war, constitutional rights, ethical dilemmas, state versus national powers, civil rights, torture in a time of war, and who really is the enemy in any war, are just begging to be discussed in a classroom. Not only that, but what the characters struggle with throughout the story gives such a realistic feel to it. Danny and others struggle with wanting to kill the Feds but know that they could be people just like them, to wanting to exact revenge on the General who was responsible for killing those close to Danny. Bloodshed is rampant in this story, much more so than the first, which makes sense but some readers may not be prepared for it. In addition to the war violence, there are scenes of torture and some graphic descriptions of battle wounds. Again, realistic for what is happening, but it is definitely a lot more mature in that area compared to the first book. Fast paced and timely, Burning Nation is aptly titled.
May 11, 2015
Picking up right where he left off in Divided We Fall, author Trent Reedy follows Daniel Wright, the reluctant face of the Free Idaho movement, as he and his friends and fellow military personnel fight back. As Idaho declares itself a republic, no longer a part of the United States, the president places harsh restrictions on the state and its citizens in order to bring the state to its knees. At first it looks as though the western state doesn't stand a chance in its revolt, but then, as other states such as Texas and Oklahoma follow Idaho's lead and other state legislatures express concern about the supremacy of federal over state's rights, the conflict erupts into a civil war. The high cost of war is described clearly here through the deaths of soldiers and civilians as well as the citizens' divided loyalties. As Danny watches helplessly as his friend Cal becomes increasingly violent and bloodthirsty, he also stands by and watches as draconian punishments are meted out, sometimes to the wrong individuals. As the second book concludes, Danny ponders on what has happened: "We'd fought hard, risked everything, to win our freedom and start a new country. What kind of society was this?" (p. 417) That's a great question to ask as readers wait for the next book. As with the book's predecessor, readers will find themselves wondering about the high cost of peace and whether Idaho will be left to its own devices. Certainly, it's hard not to imagine the book's premise actually coming true in these divisive times. If you're looking for a book filled with almost nonstop action but also one that occasionally slows down long enough for self-reflection, this one is a safe bet.
March 16, 2018
Personal Response
I think that this was a good sequel to the previous book. It kept the same kind of storyline and kept the plot going. I liked how the author kept the plot interesting throughout the whole book.
Plot Summary
This book is about the State of Idaho and Daniel Wright's fight against the U.S. This all started when the U.S. tried to take custody of 13 Idaho National Guardsmen who were involved in riot control. During the riot things had gone wrong, and shots were fired.The U.S. wanted to hold the Guardsmen responsible. Idaho wouldn't let this happen and the President of the U.S. did not like this. Idaho also nullified a law set in place by the U.S. The United States then cut off food shipments to Idaho and further made the situation worse. Idaho then declared itself its own independent nation. This caused a full fledged attack by the United States. The book then follows Daniel Wright in his fight against the U.S. to help the new nation of Idaho stand.
Recommondation
I think that people interested in war type books would like this book. It show the kind of things that people in the military could possible get in to. I also think that people who like action books would like this because it is kind of fast paced and keeps action through much of the book.
I think that this was a good sequel to the previous book. It kept the same kind of storyline and kept the plot going. I liked how the author kept the plot interesting throughout the whole book.
Plot Summary
This book is about the State of Idaho and Daniel Wright's fight against the U.S. This all started when the U.S. tried to take custody of 13 Idaho National Guardsmen who were involved in riot control. During the riot things had gone wrong, and shots were fired.The U.S. wanted to hold the Guardsmen responsible. Idaho wouldn't let this happen and the President of the U.S. did not like this. Idaho also nullified a law set in place by the U.S. The United States then cut off food shipments to Idaho and further made the situation worse. Idaho then declared itself its own independent nation. This caused a full fledged attack by the United States. The book then follows Daniel Wright in his fight against the U.S. to help the new nation of Idaho stand.
Recommondation
I think that people interested in war type books would like this book. It show the kind of things that people in the military could possible get in to. I also think that people who like action books would like this because it is kind of fast paced and keeps action through much of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2015
I almost put this down during the first few chapters. It's been awhile since I read Divided We Fall, and, while I have a vivid memory of the way the book made me feel and the techniques the author used to bring immediacy to the story, I realized I didn't have a strong grasp of what actually happened to our main characters near the end. I think I was reading too fast to really absorb what was happening. It was exciting! Action-packed! Emotional! Anyway, that led to this...Burning Nation started off slowly for me. Hiding below the shop isn't exciting or action-packed although it does get emotional at times. It was a bit of a hard slog, but boy was it worth it, because when it picks up, it really goes! Again, without being a "message" novel or preachy about it, Reedy really brings up some major questions about political processes, state's rights, and federal control. It's easy to see how this type of thing could snowball from where we are sitting today, with just a very little bit of imagination. I'm very much looking forward to the third book.
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February 24, 2015This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
(Description nicked from B&N.com.)
“At the end of Divided We Fall, Danny Wright’s beloved Idaho had been invaded by the federal government, their electricity shut off, their rights suspended. Danny goes into hiding with his friends in order to remain free. But after the state declares itself a Republic, Idaho rises to fight in a second American Civil War, and Danny is right in the center of the action, running guerrilla missions with his fellow soldiers to break the Federal occupation. Yet what at first seems like a straightforward battle against governmental repression quickly grows more complicated, as more states secede, more people die, and Danny discovers the true nature of some of his new allies.”
Continue reading...
(Description nicked from B&N.com.)
“At the end of Divided We Fall, Danny Wright’s beloved Idaho had been invaded by the federal government, their electricity shut off, their rights suspended. Danny goes into hiding with his friends in order to remain free. But after the state declares itself a Republic, Idaho rises to fight in a second American Civil War, and Danny is right in the center of the action, running guerrilla missions with his fellow soldiers to break the Federal occupation. Yet what at first seems like a straightforward battle against governmental repression quickly grows more complicated, as more states secede, more people die, and Danny discovers the true nature of some of his new allies.”
Continue reading...
March 3, 2015
Reedy's second book in his Divided We Fall Trilogy plunges readers deep into the realities of war from the first page. This volume opens with a firefight between Federal troops and Idaho Guard soldiers as the U.S. invades Idaho's borders, and the entire book is taken up with compelling issues of violence, politics, justice and morality. Reedy's teen characters wrestle with right and wrong and with the horrible things that become commonplace in their new reality of wartime, and Reedy does an amazing job of balancing all the sides of the issues his plot presents. This is a page-turner with a cliff-hanger even more surprising than the one in the first book. http://scribbleandhum.blogspot.com/20...
August 26, 2015
Burning Nation was even better than the first installment in this series, Divided we Fall. I love how we got to see the conflict play out further and see the agonizing ethical choices Danny and his friends have to make. There's friendship and heroism in this book, as much as cruelty and stupidity. Author Trent reedy captured the essence of war well. Danny remains a solid main character who is both likable and fallible - which means sometimes you just want to slap him silly :) For me the greatest strength of the book is how eerily real it feels, like this could actually happen. Can't wait to read the next book.
(Note: as with the first book, there's strong language, mentions of drinking and sex and obviously a bunch of violence)
(Note: as with the first book, there's strong language, mentions of drinking and sex and obviously a bunch of violence)
January 25, 2016
This is the second in Reedy's planned trilogy of a Second American Civil War as told through the eyes of a high school student fighting in that war. This is a gritty second installment with some pretty graphic scenes of war violence and torture. It's not fare for the younger teenage set. The great thing about this book is that while it plows some familiar ground (an uprising against an over-reaching federal government), it does so through a unique point of view and focuses as much on the characters as the plot. I recommend this book for thoughtful older teens and adults who like the genre, but want something new.
May 31, 2015
I had been very excited to read this book when I finished Divided We Fall and was not disappointed. The sequel adds even more action to story as Idaho's war for independence is waged. It follows Danny and his squad as they attempt to wage a guerrilla war on the occupying United States. Reedy also gives many of the characters more depth, especially Cal, who becomes very different as the story goes on. The book was very hard to put down, keeping me on the edge of my seat for most of the book. Overall, the book was great and I definitely can't wait for the final book.
February 18, 2016
Ive read quite a few second civil war type novels. Most have ridiculous caricatures, preachy moments explaining how clear the right and wrong are, and events that make no sense.
This novel is different as the degeneration into a civil war is gradual and realistic which makes it all the more chilling. Right and wrong gets blurred as this story isn't very much good vs evil as much as two sides unable to come to an agreement where war is the only choice left.
Good story, good action, and a book quite a bit better than the first novel.
This novel is different as the degeneration into a civil war is gradual and realistic which makes it all the more chilling. Right and wrong gets blurred as this story isn't very much good vs evil as much as two sides unable to come to an agreement where war is the only choice left.
Good story, good action, and a book quite a bit better than the first novel.
June 1, 2015
This is the second in a series by Trent Reedy. Having served in the military, he brings a first hand perspective to the conflict of states rights versus loyalty to the national government. What happens when the National Guard follows orders from the state government and those orders conflict with the laws of the nation? This series will make you think about governmental involvement and our response in a new way.
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