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A Great State #1
The Divide
Julie Atwood is struggling with the day-to-day challenges of being a single mom. She works for a non-profit by day and clips coupons by night. The time in between is spent doing homework with her son. She wants a stable and secure life for him, but she needs a new start for herself. That won’t come easy, though. Julie is recently divorced, financially stressed, and still reeling from a violent attack in her past.
She is determined to make it on her own, however. She learns self-defense skills and enrolls in a women’s-only firearms class. That’s where she meets a likeminded woman who helps take her skills to the next level. Julie’s personal evolution continues as she uses her couponing know-how to stockpile essential food and survival supplies. She will become self-reliant—and never be a victim again.
The urgency of her efforts takes on new importance as society begins unraveling around her. America is divided. Conservatives and liberals are at war. Then the newly elected president cuts funding to so-called Sanctuary States, including her home state of Oregon. Julie loses her job. Everyone who lives off the government gets desperate. Riots. Crime. Fire.
Julie needs to flee to the safety of her family cabin in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Can she get there, though? There is an exodus of people, and the conservative states—now called Great States—have established border checkpoints. Refugees are being turned away. Will she be one of them? Will Steve, her ex-husband, let her take their son far away? Will he demand to go with them? There is a wildfire at hand. Civilization is crumbling. And Julie is running out of time.
The Divide is the first book in the A Great State trilogy.
She is determined to make it on her own, however. She learns self-defense skills and enrolls in a women’s-only firearms class. That’s where she meets a likeminded woman who helps take her skills to the next level. Julie’s personal evolution continues as she uses her couponing know-how to stockpile essential food and survival supplies. She will become self-reliant—and never be a victim again.
The urgency of her efforts takes on new importance as society begins unraveling around her. America is divided. Conservatives and liberals are at war. Then the newly elected president cuts funding to so-called Sanctuary States, including her home state of Oregon. Julie loses her job. Everyone who lives off the government gets desperate. Riots. Crime. Fire.
Julie needs to flee to the safety of her family cabin in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Can she get there, though? There is an exodus of people, and the conservative states—now called Great States—have established border checkpoints. Refugees are being turned away. Will she be one of them? Will Steve, her ex-husband, let her take their son far away? Will he demand to go with them? There is a wildfire at hand. Civilization is crumbling. And Julie is running out of time.
The Divide is the first book in the A Great State trilogy.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2018
About the author
Shelby Gallagher
6 books15 followersShelby Gallagher is a pseudonym. Shelby resides in the Pacific Northwest. She writes from her first-hand experience working in and around state capitols and has observed why a collapse is coming and how it may unfold. She is a parent and active prepper.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 18, 2018
Conservative Propaganda
I didn't get past the first few chapters. Apparently there is a misconception on the part of this author that only right-wing conservatives are fans of this genre. As if the garbage writing and sheer lack of depth in this "novel" weren't offensive enough, it turns out to be nothing more than right -wing propaganda. Steer clear.
I didn't get past the first few chapters. Apparently there is a misconception on the part of this author that only right-wing conservatives are fans of this genre. As if the garbage writing and sheer lack of depth in this "novel" weren't offensive enough, it turns out to be nothing more than right -wing propaganda. Steer clear.
January 22, 2019
Absolutely hated the writing of this book. With one main female character, the countless use of her name to start a sentence was overwhelming.
Often a sentence would start exactly the same as it’s previous one, the same with paragraphs (for example p177 :
“Julie remembered as a little girl...”
“Julie remembered that if...”
“Julie’s thoughts...”
“Julie found herself...”
“Julie found herself...”
“Julie struggles...” )
Putting that aside, the whole thing was kicked off by a way over the top foreword. I mean given the repetition highlighted above, Glen Tate didn’t do so great a job helping edit the manuscript.
Finally it was all just a little tin foil hat focused, with little padding out of story. Then again, there’s a sequel so who knows where that takes the story.
Disappointing read given the hype surrounding it.
December 12, 2020
Yes, the main character is conservative, but so what? If you pride yourself on being tolerant and open-minded, you should read it anyway.
The novel had good potential, but it was not written well. There was too much telling, not enough showing. The story starts in the present and then many of the next chapters are lengthy flashbacks.
Realistic: riots in big liberal cities and weakened police. “The channels from Portland made no mention of the riots, rapes, and arson happening almost daily. . . . News from Portland was riddled with press conferences from the governor and Portland mayor about the racist attitude of the new president” (139).
Unrealistic: Julie’s prepping seems to come on for no reason; there is not any danger in her city early in the book, but she preps anyway. She is poor, and yet she spends all her extra money on guns. I can understand buying one or two, but she goes way beyond that! She is too prepared, and her teenage son is too on board with all of her prepping. Realistically, a normal teen would probably think she’s a weirdo for what she’s doing. A normal teen would not be excited about leaving his home (117); he would be upset about leaving his friends. The story would’ve been more interesting if she hadn’t been so prepared. There is no conflict. This is more like a how-to manual for prepping, in novel form.
True: Oregon’s governor “blamed all the destruction on the president. He responded by saying, ‘Just call for help and I’ll send it.’ She never called” (149).
Also true: “The government was trying to get as many people—single moms in particular—hooked on government so they would be forced to vote to continue the money they now counted on to feed their kids and pay the rent. They would re-elect the politicians who promised to keep the programs funded” (120).
But why does Julie think that collecting government benefits will make a person incapable of supporting herself when the benefits run out? She would still have her job and her own money. The government benefits would just be something additional to add to it.
The novel had good potential, but it was not written well. There was too much telling, not enough showing. The story starts in the present and then many of the next chapters are lengthy flashbacks.
Realistic: riots in big liberal cities and weakened police. “The channels from Portland made no mention of the riots, rapes, and arson happening almost daily. . . . News from Portland was riddled with press conferences from the governor and Portland mayor about the racist attitude of the new president” (139).
Unrealistic: Julie’s prepping seems to come on for no reason; there is not any danger in her city early in the book, but she preps anyway. She is poor, and yet she spends all her extra money on guns. I can understand buying one or two, but she goes way beyond that! She is too prepared, and her teenage son is too on board with all of her prepping. Realistically, a normal teen would probably think she’s a weirdo for what she’s doing. A normal teen would not be excited about leaving his home (117); he would be upset about leaving his friends. The story would’ve been more interesting if she hadn’t been so prepared. There is no conflict. This is more like a how-to manual for prepping, in novel form.
True: Oregon’s governor “blamed all the destruction on the president. He responded by saying, ‘Just call for help and I’ll send it.’ She never called” (149).
Also true: “The government was trying to get as many people—single moms in particular—hooked on government so they would be forced to vote to continue the money they now counted on to feed their kids and pay the rent. They would re-elect the politicians who promised to keep the programs funded” (120).
But why does Julie think that collecting government benefits will make a person incapable of supporting herself when the benefits run out? She would still have her job and her own money. The government benefits would just be something additional to add to it.
April 5, 2020
Mini-Review:
3.5 Stars for Narration by Lessa James (Audio Production was great.)
2 Stars for Characters, Uneven Pacing, Minimal Plot
There are many reasons why I stopped getting ARC's or Reader Copies for books. One of them is the fact that I feel obligated to read the whole book and it's usually not worth the effort.
- The narration was fine but it did not add to the story because it came across as a recitation with little inflections to add to the overall story. The Divide was more like a summarized report than a fictional story and there was not a lot of "emotion" written into it. The narration fit the writing.
- This is a work of fiction. The author's note at the beginning and the actual writing made the story come across as a biographical piece with small flecks of fictional drama. By having the author note in the beginning, it set a tone and the story came across as a rough journal series that was slapped together into a book.
- A lot of detail went into the prepping and some of the flashbacks, yet the majority of the story was told in detached summations. I'm not a fan of being talked at by a book. Within the written format, it wasn't possible to get immersed into the story because those portions were rare.
- Content Warnings - I don't usually include these but this book has the following:
3.5 Stars for Narration by Lessa James (Audio Production was great.)
2 Stars for Characters, Uneven Pacing, Minimal Plot
There are many reasons why I stopped getting ARC's or Reader Copies for books. One of them is the fact that I feel obligated to read the whole book and it's usually not worth the effort.
- The narration was fine but it did not add to the story because it came across as a recitation with little inflections to add to the overall story. The Divide was more like a summarized report than a fictional story and there was not a lot of "emotion" written into it. The narration fit the writing.
- This is a work of fiction. The author's note at the beginning and the actual writing made the story come across as a biographical piece with small flecks of fictional drama. By having the author note in the beginning, it set a tone and the story came across as a rough journal series that was slapped together into a book.
- A lot of detail went into the prepping and some of the flashbacks, yet the majority of the story was told in detached summations. I'm not a fan of being talked at by a book. Within the written format, it wasn't possible to get immersed into the story because those portions were rare.
- Content Warnings - I don't usually include these but this book has the following:
June 6, 2019
I do not understand the good ratings. What a horrible little book. A book has to be REALLY bad to motivate me to write a negative review. If i wanted to buy a book slamming liberals I would have- what a waste. The amount of political commentary in this book is nauseating. I was willing to bypass the introduction, but if I skipped past every political screed in this book it would be about 2 hours at most. Her 'LIBERAL" neighbors, her mediocre intelligence as opposed to all the LIBERALS who get pulled around by their noses. I'm not even a liberal, but it disgusts me. I thought i was buying a post apocalyptic book. I don't pay for peoples political opinions and cannot begin to relate to a main character who is dumb and cliche filled. Don't waste your time!
April 22, 2018
Interesting and relevant
The story is good. It is reminiscent of Glenn Tate’s first book in preparing for the collapse. His influence on the work is evident. There are a few glaring grammatical mistakes that should have been caught by editors, but it doesn’t detract from the story.
The only thing keeping this from being a 5 Star review is a bit of man hating that seemed to invade the first few chapters. At one point I was questioning whether every man introduced in the book would be a bad guy. That’s disappointing in an otherwise great read.
The story is good. It is reminiscent of Glenn Tate’s first book in preparing for the collapse. His influence on the work is evident. There are a few glaring grammatical mistakes that should have been caught by editors, but it doesn’t detract from the story.
The only thing keeping this from being a 5 Star review is a bit of man hating that seemed to invade the first few chapters. At one point I was questioning whether every man introduced in the book would be a bad guy. That’s disappointing in an otherwise great read.
May 5, 2022
This is a rewrite of Glen Tate’s 299 Days with a woman as the main character. Very disappointing.
September 25, 2025
Rarely have I found a book to be outright offensive, but this is it. I would sooner read the Marquis de Sade than this dreck. I only made it to about 1/3 of the way before it made my blood boil and had to stop.
It is actual honest to god propaganda and as ham fisted as Fox "News" ! Mr Gallagher takes every opportunity to point out how dangerous and extremist and stupid and wrong the left is. The boy character is just overjoyed to take gun classes. I grew up in the country and also had to take hunter'ss education and it was as dull as dishwater. Maybe the kid character was too dumb to think of another hobby.
The way the characters are portrayed to "come around" to the right ideology seems very much like a 1970s porn film with the depth of their characters and the ridiculous cliches Gallagher uses. I hope to god this was self published and no real publisher was involved.
Meanwhile in the land of the real world and the actual TRUTH -the right has been the perpetrator of extremist violence 3 out of 4 times according to this congressional study https://www.congress.gov/118/meeting/...
By writing this garbage Gallagher has just made it that much easier for a Right wing kid to kill a left wing kid and then to be proud of it.
GROSS.
If your kid is reading this book- take it away. It will rot their brains
It is actual honest to god propaganda and as ham fisted as Fox "News" ! Mr Gallagher takes every opportunity to point out how dangerous and extremist and stupid and wrong the left is. The boy character is just overjoyed to take gun classes. I grew up in the country and also had to take hunter'ss education and it was as dull as dishwater. Maybe the kid character was too dumb to think of another hobby.
The way the characters are portrayed to "come around" to the right ideology seems very much like a 1970s porn film with the depth of their characters and the ridiculous cliches Gallagher uses. I hope to god this was self published and no real publisher was involved.
Meanwhile in the land of the real world and the actual TRUTH -the right has been the perpetrator of extremist violence 3 out of 4 times according to this congressional study https://www.congress.gov/118/meeting/...
By writing this garbage Gallagher has just made it that much easier for a Right wing kid to kill a left wing kid and then to be proud of it.
GROSS.
If your kid is reading this book- take it away. It will rot their brains
February 5, 2020
I enjoyed this story about a woman's transformation from victim to prepper. The story helped me to explain my newfound interest in prepping to my wife who at first didn't get it. I'll be reading the rest of the books in the story.
A few other reviewers criticized this as "right-wing propaganda," well virtually all Hollywood movies, Netflix shows are blatant leftist propaganda. With any propaganda, we must evaluate if it aligns with reality. Mainstream entertainment constantly shows us this bullshit portrayal of a superwoman who can beat up grown men without smudging her makeup. A real superwoman is a woman who preps, exercises her right to bear arms and takes self-defense classes so she can avoid becoming a victim. If this is propaganda, it's propaganda that more naive women need to read.
It's a great companion to the Prepping 2.0 podcast.
A few other reviewers criticized this as "right-wing propaganda," well virtually all Hollywood movies, Netflix shows are blatant leftist propaganda. With any propaganda, we must evaluate if it aligns with reality. Mainstream entertainment constantly shows us this bullshit portrayal of a superwoman who can beat up grown men without smudging her makeup. A real superwoman is a woman who preps, exercises her right to bear arms and takes self-defense classes so she can avoid becoming a victim. If this is propaganda, it's propaganda that more naive women need to read.
It's a great companion to the Prepping 2.0 podcast.
April 20, 2018
Loved it
I like this genre and Shelby doesn't disappoint. A page turner that was hard to put down. One thing that fascinates me in history, whether past or future, is the details of how people lived and what they find important set in the context of the bigger social structure. I got that and more. I did hear Glen Tate's voice at the beginning which mainly had to do with the third person narration. It did not detract from my enjoyment at all.
I like this genre and Shelby doesn't disappoint. A page turner that was hard to put down. One thing that fascinates me in history, whether past or future, is the details of how people lived and what they find important set in the context of the bigger social structure. I got that and more. I did hear Glen Tate's voice at the beginning which mainly had to do with the third person narration. It did not detract from my enjoyment at all.
August 15, 2019
Julie is your average single mom working hard and being frugal so that she can support herself and her son without government handouts. She is a woman who becomes determined to survive attacks on her and her son and the possibility of the government collapsing under the weight of its enormous debt. This book is based on things currently happening in the United States and projects it to what may come in the future. I am now seriously considering prepping for a future that may come.
Read
October 9, 2022I'm not gonna rate with stars because I didn't get very far. I don't care which side of the political divide you fall on, I don't want to read about how one side is responsible for all the bad. Neither is wholly good and right so this author spouting conspiracy theories and alternative truths makes it's a no for me.
April 24, 2018
Awesome
I loved this book. It is very informative and so realistic. Reading it is like headlines we see today. I love the characters and I am looking forward to the next installment of this story. Can’t wait for book 2.
I loved this book. It is very informative and so realistic. Reading it is like headlines we see today. I love the characters and I am looking forward to the next installment of this story. Can’t wait for book 2.
September 11, 2018
Too Close to Home
The Divide is everything you want in a prepping for a practical apocalypse scenario set to fiction. Highly recommended! So looking forward to what this authors has coming next!
The Divide is everything you want in a prepping for a practical apocalypse scenario set to fiction. Highly recommended! So looking forward to what this authors has coming next!
October 27, 2019
Great Read!
Similar to 299 Days series, but from a woman’s perspective. I learned a new technique to make storing toilet paper easier - now to see if it works...hard to put down.
Now to order the next book.
Similar to 299 Days series, but from a woman’s perspective. I learned a new technique to make storing toilet paper easier - now to see if it works...hard to put down.
Now to order the next book.
October 1, 2024
A darn good book
This was a nail biter and a page turner! I loved how she took control of her life and changed it. I also liked that she was a hard worker, doing her best to prep with the funds she had.
This was a nail biter and a page turner! I loved how she took control of her life and changed it. I also liked that she was a hard worker, doing her best to prep with the funds she had.
April 22, 2018
Great read
A different perspective written by a woman. I will have to read it again and take notes. Great story line. Thank You
A different perspective written by a woman. I will have to read it again and take notes. Great story line. Thank You
May 10, 2018
Great book!
Can't wait to get the next in the series... loved this one. A a a a a a a a
Can't wait to get the next in the series... loved this one. A a a a a a a a
August 5, 2018
Interesting
Interesting angle on the apocalypse topic. Like the characters, good start for this writer and hope to read more by her.
Interesting angle on the apocalypse topic. Like the characters, good start for this writer and hope to read more by her.
November 13, 2018
Could not put it down
This was well written and easy to read. The storyline is chilling because I could see it so easily happening. Good characters. Can’t wait to read the next one.
This was well written and easy to read. The storyline is chilling because I could see it so easily happening. Good characters. Can’t wait to read the next one.
November 28, 2018
Good story
This story has many helpful survival tips in addition to a story about a family trying to get to safety. I would like to read more stories by this author.
This story has many helpful survival tips in addition to a story about a family trying to get to safety. I would like to read more stories by this author.
February 26, 2019
Good prepper fiction
Loved the female perspective. Certainly written from a wealth of deep personal experience. I look forward to the next one.
Loved the female perspective. Certainly written from a wealth of deep personal experience. I look forward to the next one.
December 18, 2019
The Divide
A premonition of what is to come in our country. The Left Coast, including Oregon, is where it may all begin.
A premonition of what is to come in our country. The Left Coast, including Oregon, is where it may all begin.
July 13, 2020
What a tough gal Julie has become.
This was a great fast paced book that kept me hooked from the very beginning. What an empowering book for women.
This was a great fast paced book that kept me hooked from the very beginning. What an empowering book for women.
August 30, 2020
Ripped out the pages of the news
This book is fiction but reads as though it’s a news story about today’s events. Great read by first time author. Good post apocalyptic fiction.
This book is fiction but reads as though it’s a news story about today’s events. Great read by first time author. Good post apocalyptic fiction.
October 25, 2021
Not too shabby
Not bad, when it comes to "apocalypse" themed books. It is definitely a great start to the series, which I look forward to reading.
Not bad, when it comes to "apocalypse" themed books. It is definitely a great start to the series, which I look forward to reading.
January 21, 2022
Can't even recommend it to my Republican husband.
To far right-leaning for this independent voter.
To far right-leaning for this independent voter.
January 23, 2024
Realistic and Suspenseful
I enjoyed the real life scenarios including the main character's learning curve as events unfold in a larger city and rural areas
I enjoyed the real life scenarios including the main character's learning curve as events unfold in a larger city and rural areas
November 19, 2019
Prepping 101
What a great story, down to earth, real life people doing why it takes to survive. A textbook for prepping, surviving and even homesteading.
What a great story, down to earth, real life people doing why it takes to survive. A textbook for prepping, surviving and even homesteading.
April 17, 2018
This is a great first effort from a first book author. The writing style and delivery doesn't distract or jar the reader out of the story.
This is a refreshing perspective to the genre being from a woman's view instead of the typically macho male. The female character is well developed and the writing is brutally honest about challenges women face in life and preparedness. The single woman's struggle is magnified by the lack of a partner to share the burden of physical and mental needs in preparing.
Subjects of sexual abuse, violence on women and single parent struggles are dealt with honestly and with great sensitivity. I applaud the author for not shying away from these difficult subjects.
I also like this this book portrays a variety of male characters from the emasculated beta to the supportive and strong father/grandfather. A good reminder that grandparents, especially a strong grandfather can fill some of the gaps for grandchildren left by single parent and parents who lack skills and desire. Male bashing is not a story line and while the main character has difficulties with men, they are understandable and done without throwing all men into the same bucket.
This is a strong book that needs rereading for message and practical content. Women and men can learn from the mindset as well as real world advice the character provides and receives.
I look forward to books 2 and 3.
This is a refreshing perspective to the genre being from a woman's view instead of the typically macho male. The female character is well developed and the writing is brutally honest about challenges women face in life and preparedness. The single woman's struggle is magnified by the lack of a partner to share the burden of physical and mental needs in preparing.
Subjects of sexual abuse, violence on women and single parent struggles are dealt with honestly and with great sensitivity. I applaud the author for not shying away from these difficult subjects.
I also like this this book portrays a variety of male characters from the emasculated beta to the supportive and strong father/grandfather. A good reminder that grandparents, especially a strong grandfather can fill some of the gaps for grandchildren left by single parent and parents who lack skills and desire. Male bashing is not a story line and while the main character has difficulties with men, they are understandable and done without throwing all men into the same bucket.
This is a strong book that needs rereading for message and practical content. Women and men can learn from the mindset as well as real world advice the character provides and receives.
I look forward to books 2 and 3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews