A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series) - The Line of Departure

Mr Hopf demonstrates a basic lack of understanding of US military structure. One example: Col Barone's outfit? A battalion? A regiment? An MEU? Maybe was covered in first book... I don't recall. But, an outfit that size (-much- much larger than a Company) simply would NOT have an E-8 Master Sergeant (or even an E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant) as it's top enlisted man (Master Sergeant Simpson). He would be an E-9 Sergeant MAJOR. It's the small things like that in a book that makes the difference.

Spoiler Alert - I purchased this book because I was hoping to find the conclusion of the series. The first book was good but it goes downhill from there. We are strung along hoping to find out the reason for Cascadia and why Gordon is pretending to be dead but no answers in this book. It's descending into silly military encounters that Gordon miraculously wins. I doubt I'll buy the next installment.

I'm quickly losing interest in this story. The momentum that had been built up in the previous books is waning and I'm not sure if I will keep reading this series. The concept of regionalism and war fare seems plausible but the poor character conversations and development of the characters is wearing on me.

This novel lacked the suspense of the previous books. I already knew that Haley had been interviewed in the previous book and Gordon was narrating this story so you knew he was going to survive. Mr. Hopf is a great writer and I enjoyed this story.

I am beyond hooked, this series just keeps getting better and better. I have enjoyed watching the characters adapt to their new world immensely. I can not wait for the conversation between Gordon and Haley, the fall of the once great United States now turned dictatorship, and the further forming of Cascadia.