Today I'm here with the blog tour for Angela Watts's new release, The Divided Nation! I'll be doing a review of her book, but first, let's learn a bit about Angela herself:
Angela R. Watts is a Christian fiction author who strives to glorify the Lord in all she does. She’s a homeschooled highschooler living at Step By Step Sanctuary, Tennessee, though with Gypsy and Norwegian in her blood, she tends to travel. She’s been writing stories since she was little, but also enjoys chores, painting, and watching sunsets.
WHEN THE NATION DIVIDES, THE INFIDELS MUST RISE.
The United States has fallen. Three years after the 2024 presidential election and the declaration of martial law, the nation is at war against itself. Gangs battle, civilians struggle for survival, and officials of the United Nations thrive. West Johnston, heir to the most powerful ganglord in the country, refuses to continue the family legacy. But, in order to defeat his father, he must become him: bloodthirsty and willing to do whatever it takes for control.
West gains control by helping fellow gangsters, Nate and Simon, when they form an alliance with one of the last remaining townships in America. After years of surviving and winter fast approaching, Springtown is in desperate need of supplies from the two teenagers. When the town leader’s daughter, Rene’, is kidnapped by an unknown rival, Nate and Simon risk their reputations to save her and the town they now love. But without help from West, their rescue mission will fail.
Told in multiple bold, abrasive narratives, THE DIVIDED NATION steps into a future where brotherhood bonds must be stronger than iron to survive a broken world, and faith without courage is dust in the wind.
My rating:
Wow. Wow, y'all. Now, that was a ride. Honestly, my first impression is that it's a replay of Angela's book Seek, but better. Is this a good thing? Yes and no. I didn't care for the fact that it seemed like she took Seek and just ballooned it up into something bigger. But the good thing was that it was better—her writing has definitely improved! (Not that Seek wasn't fabulous, but every author improves with each new book.)
The one other thing I didn't like was that it was so confoundedly confusing. As soon as I saw the glossary of characters, I knew that it'd be overwhelming . . . I just didn't realize how much so. Multiple different POVs, added to all the other side characters, was extremely confusing, and I kept mixing the characters up until I was over halfway into the book.
ALL THAT STUFF ASIDE. Now to the good stuff. *grins*
-The characters. Yes yes yes yes yes!! I know I just said all the characters were confusing—but it's the amount that was confusing, not the characters themselves. West (precious cinnamon roll!) was my baby. Probably my very favorite character (though so hard to pick!), but I also loved Gideon (why do I always love the bad guys??), and Rene' (though again, basically Angel from Seek), and Simon and Nate and Jack and *deep breath* I LOVE THESE PEEPS OKAY??
-Honestly I'm not a dystopian fan BUT this one was amazing. Probably because it only takes place 8 years into the future instead of 29128 . . . XD
-The themes of trusting God even when all else seems hopeless. Seriously, y'all, do I need to say anything else?? The book might've been a little preachy at times, but . . . I think for this story, it was good. Necessary even. In a story as blunt as this one, the salvation message also needs to be portrayed bluntly.
One more thing before you go—Angela is hosting a giveaway!
1st place: hardback copy of The Divided Nation. A custom mug with a quote from the book, bookmark, and an exclusive snippet from The Infidel Books.
2nd place: paperback copy of The Divided Nation, bookmark.
3rd place: ebook copy of The Divided Nation.
Click on the image to be redirected to the giveaway.
Does The Divided Nation look like a book that you'd like to read? Don't forget to enter the giveaway!
I love to read this. Thanks for the review.
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