Excellent book! Great action, sharp characters and timely issues. ( )

An absolute struggle to get through. I don't typically read thrillers so I thought that may have been my problem, but honestly it wasn't that "thrilling." Mainly everyone goes around murderering each other and saying how stupid and mean people are. ( )

I do not typically read post-apocalypse books but since this one was written by Gilstrap, I made an exception. What was most interesting to me was the strong focus on how survivors deal with the aftermath of the nuclear attacks. Gilstrap gives the reader glimpses of dangers such as anarchy, people turning against each other and how dependent we've become on technology which is destroyed. Interesting, worthwhile read and I recommend. ( )

Crimson Phoenix by John Gilstrap
Victoria Emerson #1

I started reading and could not stop and after reading the first few pages I contacted my sister by email telling her to look for this book in her lending library, sent her the book description, and since it was not listed, she requested they purchase it. I read her email response and kept reading until the wee hours of the morning and then tried to sleep although I first looked to see how soon book two in the series might be coming out. I never did find that information but know I will be reading it when it is published.

What I liked:
* Victoria “Vicky” Emerson: strong, independent, resourceful, tough, leader, intelligent, mother, and more. I am eager to see what she will do in book two.
* Vicky’s sons: Adam, Caleb, and Luke. Need to know more about this trio of intriguing young men.
* Major Joe McCrae: professional, dedicated, loyal, strong, capable, interesting.
* 1st Lieutenant Paul Copley
* The three threads of the story: The political group in the bunker, Adam and his girlfriend, and Vicky with her two younger sons and the two military men.
* The dystopian world created by a scenario I hope never occurs in real time.
* The plot and writing
* The pace and action.
* The character development
* That I felt I was there, and all senses were engaged.
* Thinking about what I would do if in a similar situation.
* Being reminded of books by Wyndham, Shute, and others borrowed long ago from my father’s library.
* The gritty feel of it – no sugar coating – tough decisions made.
* The concentric circles theory and how it applied to the situation.
* The Vicky had prepared her sons so well.
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* The Grubbs Gang
* More than one of the politicians
* The group overseeing the bunker
* Having to wait for the next book.

Did I like this book? Definitely!
Would I read more in this series? As soon as possible!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )