Burning Nation

Burning Nation (Divided We Fall, Book 2) by Trent Reedy

Idaho has left the United States and declared itself an independent Republic. The US government has tried to go in and reclaim the state. There is plenty of fighting that goes on. Civil rights go out the window for all Americans. The president is portrayed as a idealist woman who feels that spreading falsehoods can help her cause. Alas, this does not work. New England states attempt to declare neutrality. Other red states eventually join with Idaho. There are food and general supply chain issues throughout the United States. The protagonist gets caught and tortured. (The writing in the torture section could have been improved to help us become part of it.) It felt like he was stuck, since he was the protagonist, you knew he would have a way out. 

The book is a gripping, easy read. A civil war hurts everyone involved. It levels criticisms at both the left and the right. However, the characters are fairly flat. Why are they suddenly so dedicated to their state? What are they really fighting for? Who are the good guys? Why would we feel the "feds" are bloodthirsty, amoral goons, while we brush similar behavior off when the rebels do it?