Review: Devastating, inspiring, intelligent and realistic
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 20, 2013
Welcome to the State of America in the year 2016.  The Bill of Rights has been suspended.  American citizens deemed a threat (for the most simplest of reasons) can be detained indefinitely or worse.  Society has become entirely and completely self-absorbed, with barely no recognition of how warped and out of balance things have become.  Few humans with common sense and honest values have survived, with those barely a force to be reckoned with against the remaining `Zombies'.Thought that was bad?  Greece has sent the whole of Europe into bankruptcy, with Spain, Greece and Italy tied to swear allegiance to China in exchange for basic fuel supplies.  America doesn't seem far behind, its days numbered until its imminent collapse.  And to top it all off, the price of a cup of coffee has hit $12!!  Not a world I'd like to be living in!Despite the negativity, I found myself completely immersed in this book, intrigued by the events as they unfolded and, more often than not, questioning how `fictional' they may or may not be, or whether we'll be likely to see (at least some) similar events unfolding in our world over the coming years.Cleverly written, author Tyler Roberts weaves an engaging story, backed by historical facts...all the more reason to wonder whether his tale is purely fantastical or a mere glimpse into our future.  You will find yourself empathizing with the characters (whilst at the same time thanking your lucky stars you're not in their shoes!) and, despite their hardships, feeling heart-warmed, too.  Whilst we're on shoes, one of the most touching scenes was where one of the characters, far from well-off himself, removed his own shoes and jacket to give to a homeless man, trudging home through the snow barefoot.  It scenes like these that give soul and enable you to digest some of the more difficult matter that unfolds.A worthwhile, educative read with enough substance to keep you hooked till the very end.