The Last Full Measure (Divided We Fall, Book 3)

The Last Full Measure (Divided We Fall, Book 3) by Trent Reedy

In the conclusion of the series, the second American Civil War has devolved into anarchy and let the third World War break out. The United States has splintered into a number of different countries. Some unknown rogue elements got ahold of nukes and destroyed New York and Los Angeles. Paramilitary white-supremacist groups have gained power in local areas. Military leaders have gained power in some of the splintered United States. Fuel, food and medicine are all in short supply. Things are looking very miserable. It starts with the protagonist, Danny,  being used as a pawn for Idaho, encouraging the fighting. He later returns home and then has his death faked as he goes with some people to escape to an unoccupied area. They make it, but only after bloodshed. They finally have a place where they can "hide out" the conflict. But, on a reconnaissance mission, they uncover the paramilitary working as slave drivers. They narrowly decide to free the slaves, and make a plan. They manage to free them, but Danny's  fiance, Jo Bell, dies in the process. He wants to commit suicide, but a friend prevents him and they complete the mission. Among the prisoners they found were the son of the United States president. Danny and the president's son connect with a radio personality and are able to set up a peace.

This book seemed to just pile things on. With the US sidetracked, the Arab states attack Israel, Korea unifies, and Japan and China start fighting. The destruction of society creates all sorts of issues. Now Americans are the ones that are blocked form immigration. Those with guns end up with the food. It is only through a few fluke actions that things in. The president seems to defer to the military, then suddenly reappears and stops the destruction. It feels like things were just rushed together.

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?

Divided We Fall

Divided We Fall (Divided We Fall, Book 1) by Trent Reedy

A modern civil war starts in Idaho. The US government mandates a national electronic ID. Idaho does not like this, so decides it will not participate. In Boise people protest, so the national guard comes in. Violence erupts and some protestors die. There are calls for the head of the guardsmen. The Idaho governor refuses. Then the feds come into arrest the governor. The Idaho guard prevents them from carrying that out and sends them back. Things get worse from there. Idaho sets up blockades to prevent federal military or police from entering Idaho. Then the US seals off Idaho from the feds. There are attempts to recall the governor, but it fails. The president is assassinated in Philadelphia. The new president is a hardliner and says she will invade Idaho to force compliance.

The novel centers on a 17-year old high school student who had joined the Idaho guard. He was sent to Boise as part of the action. He had a gun that accidentally discharged and may have killed a protestor. (He was probably not supposed to be there. And they were initially ordered to not load their guns - but a lower leader overrode that.) He keeps his presence there a secret at first, but later it breaks out and causes a media frenzy. He tries to live a normal high school life, but soon can't. His mom was in Washington when the borders were sealed and was going to try to return. He was afraid for that and sought to escort her back. Things did not go well, and he ended up killing a US soldier, and his mom got shot and killed.

The viewpoint tries to be balanced. The protagonist is torn between duty to the president and to the governor. The politicians themselves come off most negative. They are hard headed leaders that find it difficult to compromise. It could be seen as an advocation of right-wing individual rights or a criticism of the the right wing. It does feel precinct in the "mob" behavior. He was concerned that he would not get a fair shake if he tried to tell his story. A few years later, police officers in Minnesota received decades in prison because they didn't intervene in George Floyd's death. Could someone that killed a non-violent protester have any hope of a fair trial?

The characters seem to be primarily caricatures of Idaho individualists. They want their rights and their guns and don't want the feds to tell them what to do. The governor quotes the Idaho and US constitution to justify his actions. Even the anti-violent liberal-arts girlfriend is also a great markswoman and quickly turns to the side of her boyfriend. The book is poorly written, but it keeps you following along to see how it turns out. Just when you expect a way out, things get worse. It finally ends in a cliffhanger.