Book Review: The Grim Alliance by Angela R. Watts

WHEN THE NATION RIOTS, THE INFIDELS MUST BLEED.

The Second Civil War storms through the crippled US and winter brings nothing but disaster. West Johnston has earned his mafia father’s trust while searching for hidden answers: why are the UN leaders being assassinated, and why can’t the killers be found? If West can’t stop the Union from attacking D.C. in their last attempt to win the war, how can he stop his father?

Springtown remains one of the few townships left standing amid the tyrannical rule. Another group of gangsters prepare the town for winter. Rene’ Fisher is torn between fearing for her boyfriend Simon’s life and the upheaval taking place in Springtown. Can her father keep the town at peace? Will God have mercy on the allegiance the town must form with an unlikely candidate in order to survive, or will Rene’s home burn like the rest of the world?

Told in multiple bold, abrasive narratives, THE GRIM ALLIANCE steps into a war-ridden nation where bleeding for what you believe is the only option for those determined to win. But with faith, can even the bloodiest hands be made clean?

Series: The Infidel Books, #2 (Definitely read them in order to minimize confusion!)

My rating:

MY MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE OF 2020 IS OUT IN THE WORLD!

After reading The Divided Nation last year when it released, I couldn't wait to read its sequel. 

Well. That was definitely a ride. Once again, I adored Miss Watts' writing style and the way she DRAGS her readers through the muck and dumps them out on the other side.

She's heartless, I'll give her that. (Also I can say this bc I know Angela and I know that she's not gonna get offended...or if she does, I'm halfway across the country from her so what can she do to me?? *smirks*)

So. The Grim Alliance. Where to start?

Maybe I'll start with the things I didn't care for and get those out of the way. *grins*

SO. Heh. The main thing I didn't appreciate was the foul language. I'm not going to argue with anyone about Christian authors putting cuss words in their books, but it's just one of those things that bugs me, so unless the rest of the book realllyyyyyy makes up for it, it tends to detract from the story for me.

Also, it was verrryyyy confusing. Like, seriously. After all my confusion with The Divided Nation, I expected this one to be less confusing. I was wrong, haha! The Grim Alliance answered very few questions and added even more to my stack, soooo. *shrugs* BUT I think I'm finally starting to get all the characters straight!

The other thing is something that maaaayyyyy not be valid for anyone else. I mean, this part surprised me...it had slow bits. Which doesn't make sense to me. It was like WHOA hERe We GoOOOoOoooO and then all of a sudden we had a break where the characters do nothing but plot each others' demise and then YIKES EVERYONE'S DYING AGAIN.

*cough*

Again, like I said, it may not be this way for everyone who reads it. Angela herself said that it's more intense than The Divided Nation...but for me, it's somehow not...? But, I mean, it's been awhile since I've read TDN, soooooo...

ANYWAY. Now the things I like. *grins*

Everyone was screaming about Gideon after TDN and I have to admit that I became part of it after awhile...but OH MY WORD Y'ALL I FORGOT ABOUT MY FAVORITE CHARACTER. *cries* Can you believe I ACTUALLY forgot about my favorite baby?! WESTWESTWESTWESTWEST

*cough*

(As I edit this I realize that I'm doing lots of coughing)

(This is what Ang does to me)

WEST. Goodness gracious y'all. I mean, there's not really a character I don't love (unless it's one I love to hate *cough*George&Brian*cough*), but West is my cinnamon roll. Such a broken baby, trying to do it all on his own...for some reason he's always been my favorite and I couldn't give you a reason if I tried. So.

But ALLLLL THE CHARACTERS. Gideon, in all his loving gruffness. Alex, the amazing Aussie (some how I didn't know he's an Aussie? Or, at least, I'd forgotten until about 3/4 of the way through the book??) that keeps Gid sane. Simon + Nate, protecting each other while protecting Springtown. Rene' and her fam, leading citizens and people whose faith inspires and challenges me. And we can't forget GRAHAM!!

Yeah. I just love allllll of them.

But the best part of this book? Its message. My. Goodness. Gracious. The scariest part of this book is that, though it's a dystopian, it feels like it could happen at any given moment. Without Christ, our world is falling apart. I won't get into politics here, but let's just say that Angela strikes the fear of God into people with this book with how close to home it is. But the message is still there, shining oh-so-brightly. It's hope. It's light. It's knowing that, for those who trust in the Savior, everything is going to be all right in the end. Life may become hell on earth, but in the end...we win. Because y'all, the devil's already been defeated.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

About the Author

Angela R. Watts is a YA fiction author who strives to glorify the Lord in all she does. She’s a homeschool graduate  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.

Facebook | Website | Amazon | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway

1st place: paperback copy of The Grim Alliance + bookmark

2nd place: ebook copy of The Grim Alliance

Find the giveaway anywhere in this sentence *grins*

If you're a fan of edgy, freaky books with fantastic messages, this one's for you!