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TREAD: Fallen Nation
In the years of the second Civil War, and before the great tribulation, hope failed in the darkest of times.
Staff Sergeant Evan Decker is an EOD tech returning from war. The country he’s returned to bears no resemblance to the one he remembers. A virus has ravaged the population, as millions have died, the communication infrastructure is disabled, leaving the nation cut off, Washington D.C. is gone, wiped off the map. But who is responsible?
In the chaos, civilians and inner city gangs have risen up; at war with police and military forces, martial law has been declared. Ordered to do the unthinkable, Evan is at odds with his leaders; follow orders and become a murderer or attempt escape, risking both death and dishonor.
Follow Evan as he uncovers the conspiracy to enslave the United States, and risks all for the woman he’s growing to love.
Staff Sergeant Evan Decker is an EOD tech returning from war. The country he’s returned to bears no resemblance to the one he remembers. A virus has ravaged the population, as millions have died, the communication infrastructure is disabled, leaving the nation cut off, Washington D.C. is gone, wiped off the map. But who is responsible?
In the chaos, civilians and inner city gangs have risen up; at war with police and military forces, martial law has been declared. Ordered to do the unthinkable, Evan is at odds with his leaders; follow orders and become a murderer or attempt escape, risking both death and dishonor.
Follow Evan as he uncovers the conspiracy to enslave the United States, and risks all for the woman he’s growing to love.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2019
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2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 15, 2022
Tread: Fallen Nation is a post-apocalyptic tale set in a near-future America. Sergeant Evan Decker returns from Afghanistan to an America changed. The government has fallen due to the spread of a lethal virus, and the remnants of the Federal government have withdrawn all troops from around the globe. Decker returns home to biological de-contamination and a city that has become a warzone. Soon, he and and his buddies, along with a few mysterious strangers, are pressed into service against what the current government calls "Al-Qaeda in America," civilians who are fighting against the remnants of Federal power. During this unsavory duty, they learn the current Powers That Be are ruthless and are not planning for the recovery of the country, but the enslavement of the remaining population. Not happy at being forced to ignore the Constitution and its defined liberties, Decker and a few others manage to escape their predicament, vowing to fight for their freedom.
The action in this tale is fast and furious, the descriptions chaotic and gritty, the violence unsparing. The author's descriptions also evoke feelings of claustrophobia and paranoia. A few characters are not what they seem, and the villain is straight out of central casting. DeMarco also sprinkles the tale with a little romance and humor, sarcastic or otherwise. Sergeant Decker and his companions are not automatons; they are motivated by justice and love for their countrymen. The characters speak in plain language with military slang but few profanities. The characters react to hardship realistically, and as (I imagine) soldiers would. A detailed background to the events in the story is not provided, though I think Mr. DeMarco will probably provide that in future tales in the series, letting the reader learn what caused the downfall of America along with the characters. This is always the best way.
One quibble. A prologue sets the philosophical and political themes of the story. While such themes are necessary to the plot and characters, in my humble opinion the words of this prologue would have been better coming from the mouths of the characters.
All in all a good read, but a quick one. This tale is ideal for an afternoon at home or a domestic flight. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
The action in this tale is fast and furious, the descriptions chaotic and gritty, the violence unsparing. The author's descriptions also evoke feelings of claustrophobia and paranoia. A few characters are not what they seem, and the villain is straight out of central casting. DeMarco also sprinkles the tale with a little romance and humor, sarcastic or otherwise. Sergeant Decker and his companions are not automatons; they are motivated by justice and love for their countrymen. The characters speak in plain language with military slang but few profanities. The characters react to hardship realistically, and as (I imagine) soldiers would. A detailed background to the events in the story is not provided, though I think Mr. DeMarco will probably provide that in future tales in the series, letting the reader learn what caused the downfall of America along with the characters. This is always the best way.
One quibble. A prologue sets the philosophical and political themes of the story. While such themes are necessary to the plot and characters, in my humble opinion the words of this prologue would have been better coming from the mouths of the characters.
All in all a good read, but a quick one. This tale is ideal for an afternoon at home or a domestic flight. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
May 22, 2020
I discovered author Jeff DeMarco while browsing Twitter. It seems this author is building quite a following, and fast! And for good reason. TREAD: Fallen Nation, is my 2nd read from Jeff and book one in his new series did not disappoint! If you’re looking for a read that’ll hook you from the start and keep you intrigued and guessing, and one that, like Jeff’s first novel, Into Armageddon, builds tension and fastens you to your chair, look no further.
I read TREAD in only three days, as the novel is not very long, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Book one apparently sets things up for what is sure to be an explosive series where all hell has broken out in the United States—where hardly anyone knows what in the world is going on. And this is just the beginning. Excellent dialog keeps the reader bolted to this ride—inside the story. I’m there! A real stage-setter, and with an action-packed high-speed ending, plus a short, throat-gripping epilogue. Whoa, I’ve just been arrested! I’m booked for the next book!
I can’t wait for the next novel in this new series. And while I found a few minor glitches in the editing, which in some novels can be a distraction, I found this not the case here. Five stars for fast pace. Characters get deeper with each page, a passion crescendo and secrets left unrevealed—but satisfyingly. And, like I’d discovered in Jeff’s debut novel, there’s technical jargon that made this stand out as one written by someone who hasn’t only been there, but must’ve done that. Very authentic. No seatbelt needed because I’m sure the next one, too, will bolt me to my chair!
I read TREAD in only three days, as the novel is not very long, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Book one apparently sets things up for what is sure to be an explosive series where all hell has broken out in the United States—where hardly anyone knows what in the world is going on. And this is just the beginning. Excellent dialog keeps the reader bolted to this ride—inside the story. I’m there! A real stage-setter, and with an action-packed high-speed ending, plus a short, throat-gripping epilogue. Whoa, I’ve just been arrested! I’m booked for the next book!
I can’t wait for the next novel in this new series. And while I found a few minor glitches in the editing, which in some novels can be a distraction, I found this not the case here. Five stars for fast pace. Characters get deeper with each page, a passion crescendo and secrets left unrevealed—but satisfyingly. And, like I’d discovered in Jeff’s debut novel, there’s technical jargon that made this stand out as one written by someone who hasn’t only been there, but must’ve done that. Very authentic. No seatbelt needed because I’m sure the next one, too, will bolt me to my chair!
May 19, 2020
TREAD: Fallen Nation is the second work I’ve read by Jeff DeMarco. Like his novel, Into Armageddon, this story is full of post-apocalyptic possibilities that will make you think… and maybe even get your blood boiling.
Evan Decker returns from his tour of duty thinking that he has experienced the worst situations that a war can bring. But when he arrives back on US soil, he is faced with an even worse situation than he could've ever imagined. He discovers that the country he knew and loved is in the midst of what is essentially, a second civil war. And now he is asked to do the unthinkable--kill innocent people who are also his fellow citizens. He is expected to follow orders… But will he? Can he?
The author knows his stuff. As a Veteran himself, he is very familiar with all things military… and it shows with the details in his writing. This is not a horror story, but it is scary. With so many ‘what ifs’ in not only the world today, but right here in the USA, DeMarco paints a very scary picture as to what could be.
This is the first in a new series, and it does exactly what it is designed to do--draw you in, invest you in its characters, make you care about what happens next, and then leave you wanting more as you wait for book two. Definitely a five star reading experience.
Evan Decker returns from his tour of duty thinking that he has experienced the worst situations that a war can bring. But when he arrives back on US soil, he is faced with an even worse situation than he could've ever imagined. He discovers that the country he knew and loved is in the midst of what is essentially, a second civil war. And now he is asked to do the unthinkable--kill innocent people who are also his fellow citizens. He is expected to follow orders… But will he? Can he?
The author knows his stuff. As a Veteran himself, he is very familiar with all things military… and it shows with the details in his writing. This is not a horror story, but it is scary. With so many ‘what ifs’ in not only the world today, but right here in the USA, DeMarco paints a very scary picture as to what could be.
This is the first in a new series, and it does exactly what it is designed to do--draw you in, invest you in its characters, make you care about what happens next, and then leave you wanting more as you wait for book two. Definitely a five star reading experience.
September 7, 2020
Having read and enjoyed Into Armageddon, I thought I knew what to expect coming into Tread. First off, the author's voice is stronger and more confident. The narrative, descriptive language, and dialogue are all improved. This isn't to say Into Armageddon was flawed, rather that something very good has evolved into greatness.
There were hints in the previous work to Jeff's biography, but in Tread, his military background is on full display. White and Black, Good and Evil, these are concepts for a world with the freedom to study them. In Tread, the only thing our characters have time for is survival, as the US is devastated by a virulent plague, and soldiers take up arms against survivors and victims alike. It provokes thought into many of the current issues facing our country and seems prophetic in that regard, since it was written and published before Corona was anything more than the name of a beer company.
Will Evan Decker bury his morals and follow orders? Would you, if you were regular miliary or National Guard and were called upon to fight your own people?
Tread provides some answers but leaves enough questions for me to eagerly await the next book in the series.
Well done, Jeff!
There were hints in the previous work to Jeff's biography, but in Tread, his military background is on full display. White and Black, Good and Evil, these are concepts for a world with the freedom to study them. In Tread, the only thing our characters have time for is survival, as the US is devastated by a virulent plague, and soldiers take up arms against survivors and victims alike. It provokes thought into many of the current issues facing our country and seems prophetic in that regard, since it was written and published before Corona was anything more than the name of a beer company.
Will Evan Decker bury his morals and follow orders? Would you, if you were regular miliary or National Guard and were called upon to fight your own people?
Tread provides some answers but leaves enough questions for me to eagerly await the next book in the series.
Well done, Jeff!
July 31, 2020
A gritty vision of a post-apocalyptic America, the U.S is enmeshed in a second civil war. The characters are hard, battered and honed by war, plus a plague that didn't leave many survivors.
The main character, Evan, is on deployment abroad, fighting terrorists. His division is recalled to the States, where he discovers a country ravaged by plague and fighting an unknown enemy. There's no black and white in this story...it exists in the gray. All the characters have flaws, which adds to the realism. Orders are orders, and the army appears to be fighting the civilian population.
This story, book one of a series, is not for the faint of heart. It is a grim picture of a possible future. I enjoyed it and look forward to see how the author develops this theme.
The main character, Evan, is on deployment abroad, fighting terrorists. His division is recalled to the States, where he discovers a country ravaged by plague and fighting an unknown enemy. There's no black and white in this story...it exists in the gray. All the characters have flaws, which adds to the realism. Orders are orders, and the army appears to be fighting the civilian population.
This story, book one of a series, is not for the faint of heart. It is a grim picture of a possible future. I enjoyed it and look forward to see how the author develops this theme.
December 29, 2019
This novel kicks off a series about a modern America wracked by civil war. It's written from the perspective of Staff Sergeant Decker, a soldier who is suddenly redeployed from the battlefields of Afghanistan to the streets of America. His unit has been tasked with policing a quarantined area of the country where many have been afflicted by a virulent disease. Their opposition is American people. Not everything is as it seems and the Sergeant has some decisions to make.
I enjoyed this novel because of the soldier perspective. It grabbed me from the start.
I enjoyed this novel because of the soldier perspective. It grabbed me from the start.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews