Burning Nation: Divided We Fall, Book 2
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Modern civil war erupts in intense, action-packed sequel.
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What's the Story?
Danny Wright, the teen member of the Idaho National Guard who precipitated a showdown with the federal government in Divided We Fall, finds himself perhaps the most wanted man in the nation when the Feds invade the state. Forced into hiding, surviving without electricity, Danny struggles to protect his friends and allies while seeking revenge against those who killed his mother and occupied his hometown. At first, his goals seem clear-cut, but as more people die on both sides of the revolution, the more ambiguity Danny sees in what he's been forced to do.
Is It Any Good?
BURNING NATION avoids the pitfalls that often cause other trilogies to stumble in their second volumes. Author Trent Reedy keeps Danny Wright and his fellow "freedom fighters" on the run and living by their wits, while society crumbles around them. There's plenty of intense action but also a focus on the moral quandaries raised by Idaho's declaration of independence from the United States. Which side is in the right, and is it possible to defend yourself and friends without becoming a cold-blooded murderer?
In a shocking cliffhanger, Danny and his crew discover that the answers to their life-or-death questions aren't at all obvious; that uncertainty gives this near-future thriller its complexity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ways in which modern warfare is depicted by the media. Do certain outlets have a slant or bias?
Why do some U.S. citizens place such a high importance on states' right? Why do some want a strong federal government? Do you think a second civil war in the U.S. is possible?
Is torture an acceptable method of gaining intelligence about an enemy? What separates "enhanced interrogation techniques" from torture?
Book Details
- Author: Trent Reedy
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Arthur A. Levine
- Publication date: February 4, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 432
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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