Dietz starts with the now-familiar "meteor doom" scenario, throws in a bit of traditional warfare just to completely scupper society, and then takes off running in a whole new direction.

The U.S. government has been almost completely destroyed, the population desperate to survive whatever it takes, and many military branches orphaned without the support structure they typically rely upon. The end result? A new schism develops, threatening another Civil War to divide North and South even while parts of the existing administration are regrouping.

Civilians barely rate a mention in this military and political struggle while families are divided, walls are being built, and any position of authority seems up for grabs along with valued resources like oil and gold.

<spoiler>Mac's Maurauders are a nice twist: a non-profit, roaming mercenary group supporting the legal government. I especially liked the contrast between Mac and Victoria, the one being a moral mercenary and the other being an almost amoral military assassin.</spoiler>

I didn't realize this was the beginning of a series, so I'll be excited to read the next one!