I think this is a very cool dystopian universe that Gilstrap has created. It leaves a massive amount of very interesting directions for him to take the series in.

Overall, it was a solid, if not evenly paced thriller. I read through it quickly, but did not feel any ratcheting up of tension. The ending was also rather abrupt. I would have expected that battle alone to occupy the last quarter or third of the book. There was a lot of build up to that moment, then it was over in a matter of paragraphs.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Frankly, I found this post-apocalyptic novel to be a difficult read. One can only imagine what life has in store for those who survive such a thing, and I did not particularly like the author's chosen scenarios in Blue Fire. I did like the spirit of those survivors as portrayed by the author. Should this ever happen in my life, I hope to see such spirit.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58230480-blue-fire" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Blue Fire (Victoria Emerson, #2)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1624029556l/58230480._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58230480-blue-fire">Blue Fire</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/181831.John_Gilstrap">John Gilstrap</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4394518589">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
<br><br>What happens when the political leaders make a mess of the world. World chaos. In some ways this thriller could be prophetic. I think that's what makes it so good. I have not read the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54231822.Crimson_Phoenix__Victoria_Emerson__1_" title="Crimson Phoenix (Victoria Emerson #1) by John Gilstrap" rel="nofollow noopener">
<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597018170l/54231822._SY75_.jpg" alt="Crimson Phoenix (Victoria Emerson #1) by John Gilstrap" class="gr-hostedUserImg">
</a> but I did not feel lost in reading this one. I do want get my hands on the first one so it is what it is. <br><br>The scene starts with several strong characters from the first book surviving what is known as Hell Day. Where everything that is known is destroyed. You are not enjoying the basics of running water, going to a job, your are surviving and it is the strongest of the fittest. There are no paper pushers but only those that know how to sustain. Victoria Emerson is at the center. Before Hell Day, she was in politics. She was in the rat race. She is different. She knows people need purpose and responsibilities. She knows that people cannot thrive with more government. The plot is driven by how those that have courage, purpose, and humanity will thrive from nothing. On the other side is those that are bullies and will take and terrorize. That work in lawlessness and end up with nothing. <br><br>The story line is riveting. Emerson is on the side of hope. Rebuilding something better and not putting up with those that won't take responsibility. She has her two sons and others that seek the same thing. It is a picture of humanity at its worst and best. <br><br><i>A special thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.</i>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5130755-jeanie">View all my reviews</a>

Set in a dystopian post-nuclear apocalyptic world, Blue Fire is a tale of overcoming adversity, necessity as the mother of invention, and coming together as a community. It forces you to ask uncomfortable questions and face inconvenient truths about how far you’d go to ensure your own survival in a severely resource constrained environment. In doing so, John Gilstrap has delivered a novel that is equal parts entertainment, survival guide and an introspective thought exercise.

Blue Fire picks up several weeks after Hell Day, a nuclear world war that came and went with just enough warning to sequester the United States Congress in a secret government facility. Former West Virginian congressional representative and doomsday prepper Victoria Emerson, who refused to enter that facility without her kids, is now the de facto mayor of a town called Ortho where she is doing her best to rebuild a fair and just civilization. As word spreads about this town’s enviable resources and organized society, they become a target of a group of Army National Guardsmen and the violent recruits they pick up along the way. As a result, Vicky and this small town are put to the test to see if their training and resolve will hold up under the onslaught of an armed attack by a determined and well-organized enemy. Nothing less than the survival of all citizens of Ortho hangs in the balance. Failure is not an option.

Blue Fire offers a bevy of intense moments, uncertain outcomes, and fierce action sure to please any thriller fan. It’s full of suspense and every single character faces mortal danger. And the development of each character is fantastic, allowing you to feel the emotional toll of what everyone is going through and understand the difficult choices they face at every turn…even if you thankfully don’t have the personal experience of what it’s like to live in the Stone Age-like environment that follows a nuclear war.

Additionally, while you don’t have to read Crimson Phoenix, the first book in this series, to understand and enjoy Blue Fire, it does help to read this young series in order if you want to get the full picture of Hell Day and the immediate aftermath of the war. But don’t let that deter you from jumping into the series with Blue Fire because it stands on its own merit by providing enough backstory to get caught up and fully engaged in these characters' struggle for survival and attempt to rebuild society.

If you’re a fan of dystopian novels, action packed thrillers or just plain old good writing, then Blue Fire is for you. John Gilstrap is onto something great with this series and it’s the perfect time to get stuck in.

John Gilstrap at his FINEST! I'm a huge fan of post-apocalyptic fiction to begin with, and since Nathan's Run is one of my top 10 all time faves, I was truly excited to read this. And he did NOT disappoint!

In book 2 of the Victoria Emerson thriller we find that Hell Day is over and now Victoria and her sons are working to create a place to live while trying to maintain some order amongst the chaos they now live in.
Victoria has become someone to lead the people she now lives with and that isn't easy with others taking matter into their own hands and taking whatever they want.
Victoria with the help of those around her have established rules and a system to keep watch for those who want what little they have.
The action in this book is fast paced and the story is well written.

I enjoyed this and can't wait to see what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced copy.

4.5 Stars ⭐️

Let me start this by repeating what I have said on most of the reviews for this author. He is one of the authors that I have come to trust when I see a new book release and he has become an "automatic buy" for me.. I have fallen in love with his Jonathan Graves series and then more recently, when I was awarded an ARC for his new Victoria Emerson Series. I was equally thrilled to be able to read the latest ARC of the second book in this series.

With that out of the way let me say that it took me a little bit to remember EXACTLY what had occurred in book 1, but it felt like I was drawn in immediately and things began to come back very quickly. This book really shouldn't be read as a stand alone. It probably has enough information that a new reader would not be lost, but it would make much more of an impact if you started from the beginning (especially to be able to laugh at the unintended comedy that is the bunker for our "wonderful" politicians.)

In this book, we get to see more of what is occurring in two different camps - the city of Ortho and the "bunker" with the legislative branch. We also get to follow along on the journey with Adam and his girlfriend as they try desperately to try to get to someplace even remotely "Safe".

Without going into spoilers, this book takes off from the very beginning and it does not let up. There were times that I found myself holding my breath and then realized my heart was racing as events began to climax.

Bottom line. This was a GREAT next installment. This story isn't finished and it is going to be very interesting to find out what is going to happen next. I will say that it makes me even more grateful for our ever important Second Amendment and it highlights how important it is to try to at least begin a discussion with family for a "worst case scenario" (I NEVER thought those words would come out of my mouth - or I guess my fingers) It is scary how quickly things can devolve and without any rules, the rule of MIGHT becomes the rule.

Another winner. Can't wait for book 3.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

The second in the post apocalyptic story, though I haven't read this first yet it did not stop me understanding or enjoying this novel. Great characters that push the story along, can't wait for the next in this series.

I received this book from Kensington Books via Netgalley for a review.

This book was so freaking good!!! This is a post-apoc story with a strong female lead, but told through multiple views then weave together to tell a heart-racing story of desperation, danger, and survival. I was sucked into this one from page one, and I couldn't put it down! I did realize about halfway through that this is book 2 in a series, but honestly, I was able to read this as a standalone, however, I want to go back and read book 1 now!

I highly recommend this one for readers that enjoy post-apoc stories that show how people try to survive after a major disaster.

America after a devastating nuclear war. People are fighting to stay alive from hunger, disease and in general it will be a survival of the fittest. with a clash of civilizations.
This novel was one I could not put down. If you like post-apocalyptic genre's, this one is for you.

Blue Fire took off where Crimson Phoenix and didn't slow down. After Hell Day (the war) everyone that survived had to band together or go alone and deal with the world that doesn't exist anymore. Victoria Emerson end up in the town of Ortho. Being a member of congress before Hell Day made her a natural leader and the town accepted her and her sons.

The town pull together to survive and had to deal with a roving gang who just wanted to steal everything that was of value.

The story line is very gripping and makes me think of what would happen if we were truly turned back to the 1800's. I don't think a lot would be able to cope with the new reality.

John Gilstrap has created a wonderful new series, that I can't wait to read the next installment. All the new minor characters that were added, just add to the storyline and make the novel more compelling and enjoyable to read.

John Gilstrap's newest series after most notably the Jonathan Graves series is about post-apocalyptic America after a devastating nuclear world war where people are fighting to stay alive from hunger, disease and general depravation. Somehow Gilstrap manages to make this scenario a very interesting setting for so far two books.
The first book dealt much with the political dealings of Congress that was whisked away to a top secret facility to enable the continuity of government in the case of war, but that was unable to get much news about the world outside the blast-safe doors of the facility - besides that the president and vice president were both dead in the nuclear attack.
The rest of the first book dealt with former congresswoman Victoria Emerson trying to survive with two of her three sons and establishing law and order in the rural town of Ortho, West Virginia, as well as about her third and oldest son trying to survive with his girlfriend and meet up with the rest of the family.
This second book deals much more about the trials outside the blast-safe government complex and about Ortho and its surrounding communities that have remained poorly managed and thus have descended further into depravation, looting and killing.
The big climax of the book is the clash of civilizations, but no spoilers about that here! But let's just say that the story isn't over - neither in Ortho nor in the secret government complex, so I really look forward to book three to get more in this well-written and exciting series. Gilstrap contrasts the good versus the evil a little too elaborately to my taste which ends up costing the fifth star, but just barely. Gilstrap's fans will not be disappointed by this book, but newcomers to the series must start with the first one - Crimson Phoenix - as much needed background to the story is given in that one.

This is part of a series under post-apocalyptic genre, featuring a 'former' congresswoman Victoria Emerson who takes charge of a town and prepares its citizens in handling the crisis which sweeps across the globe. Though this could be read as a stand-alone there are quite a number of references to the earleir book and some sub-plots which would make more sense if both books are read together.
Overall it was well executed and the end of the book has kept me intrigued enough to keep an eye out for that part when it gets published.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased feedback
Definitely worth a read once.
3.5 stars

Blue Fire, by John Gilstrap, is the continuation of Crimson Phoenix, featuring badass extraordinaire Victoria Emerson. Blue Fire picks up about 30 days after the nuclear apocalypse, aka Hell Night. The small town of Ortho, where Emerson and her two youngest boys wound up, is relatively flourishing under the leadership of Emerson. Ortho is surrounded by cities that have descended into lawlessness while Ortho is considered Eden. That means trouble is on the horizon for Ortho.

Crimson Phoenix was probably the biggest surprise I've had in terms of books and Blue Fire is just as great. Apocalyptic books aren't really my cup of tea but Gilstrap weaves so many interesting subplots along with how he develops the characters that the apocalypse is almost shoved to the back burner.

As Blue Fire is the second book in the series it shouldn't be read as a standalone. In fact, I couldn't remember what had taken place in Crimson Phoenix so I had to go back and read sections to refresh my memory. Gilstrap has set the stage for the next book and it'll be interesting to see how all the main characters evolve.

My sincere thanks to John Gilstrap, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Blue Fire.

I've long been a fan of John Gilstrap. I especially enjoyed Crimson Phoenix, the first in the Victoria Emerson series. Well, Blue Fire is the sequel and it did not disappoint. There wasn't much new to add to the story here, but the action was thrilling and the pace was fast and it was a quick and fun read. If you like lots of action, drama, and just a lot to think about, this one's for you.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent sequel to the first book of this thought-provoking series. Trying to provide leadership and direction for the nation struggling in the wake of the destruction caused a world-destroying war is a thankless job as various factions fight to take control.

The second book in this series is just as good as the first and what vivid picture this author is painting for us. Vivid enough to be terrifying.

This book picks up where the town of Ortho is hitting its stride and succeeding in helping those who need help so much right now while taking care of its own. The Emerson family is trying to reunite and congress is hidden away at the Annex.

This is one of my favorite new series. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.