Chronologically first in the series, but I now see why the author
recommends for it to be read later on. After the satire-heavy Inferno,
the change in tone is striking. This one is unrelentingly dark and more
plausible now than when it was written. After reading Crisis, it's
impossible to keep accusing the author of "wishful thinking" as there's
zero doubt it's only a tale of dire warning.
That said, with the
knowledge that the series ends with the country coming back together,
it's a fairly enjoyable read. The pacing, characterization and action
are all solid. As an author myself, I appreciate watching Kurt's writing
skills improve with every new entry. Moving on to The Split next since
this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.
I shelved it under
dystopia on GR because it's "The US Gone Bad" premise, but the beats and
style are more those of a military/political thriller. Fans of both
genres will find it worthy of their time.
