A Victoria Emerson Thriller
(4.00)403 pages. Author's Note. Sequel preview.
Victoria Emerson is a first-term West Virginia Congresswoman, a single mother with three children, a prepper, and an independent thinker. A military escort informs her that Crimson Phoenix is in effect, and she must be evacuated to the Congressional shelter. But when the shelter refuses to admit her with her two teenage children, she resigns from Congress and finds shelter in the hills.
Meanwhile, irresponsible journalists have leaked the news of the evacuation of America's top politicians, causing America's enemies to launch their missiles preemptively. From an abandoned mine, Virginia can see the glow on the horizon where Washington D.C. used to be.
Despite strong winds, fast-moving fires, and the assumption that America has fallen, Virginia's first goal is to reunite with all of her children. Her oldest son was attending a military-style high school, but she raised her children to be prepared, and she knows he will go to the rendezvous point if he possibly can. That becomes her destination too.
Can Virginia travel across backwoods West Virginia – with her two younger sons and two military escorts – despite the apocalypse and lawless bands? Did her oldest son survive, and will he make it to the rendezvous?
As mentioned in the Author's Note, Gilstrap's goal is not to provide a scientifically accurate depiction of the U.S. after a nuclear war. Rather, his story (of which this is the first volume) is about the breakdown of law and order, and how people band together to survive.
The novel moves along at a good pace. A family of hillbilly meth dealers turn into nasty opponents. But rather inexplicably, Virginia eventually halts her quest while she takes over the management of a backcountry village – leaving her quest to be resumed in some future novel.
The author also slips in occasional bits about what is going on at the Congressional retreat, as the politicians try to establish communications with any remaining U.S. forces, as political parties squabble, and as the armed shelter staff believe they are in control.
Can you wargame it? There are two skirmish-level fights against the bandits that could easily be wargamed.
According to the back cover of the book, Virginia will eventually become "the last hope of a nation and its people." I didn't find these characters interesting, and the subplot about managing the village I found boring. The final battle was pretty tense, though. Not recommended.
Reviewed by 
Editor in Chief Bill 
.