State of Emergency

Jack Emery, Book 2

By: Steve P. Vincent

Narrated by: Todd Menesses

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

What is the true cost of security?

Amid a wave of unprecedented terrorist attacks on American soil, a panicked and inexperienced president declares a state of emergency and hands over control of the country to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The quiet and unassuming Administrator Hall soon becomes the most powerful man in America. Determined to stop the attacks, Hall enforces his order across the US, using a newly empowered State Guard to deal with anyone who gets in his way.

As totalitarianism descends across the country, battle-weary reporter Jack Emery is faced with a terrifying new reality when friends, colleagues, and sources are imprisoned before his eyes. Among weekly terrorist attacks, FEMA atrocities, and the clamp tightening on every element of society, Jack becomes one of the few struggling to stop the madness.

This time though, he's on the wrong side of the law and fighting the very government he's trying to save.

©2015, 2017 Steve P. Vincent (P)2018 Steve P. Vincent

I've Never Read A Book Quite Like This

It's interesting to jump into a book two where you don't really remember much about book one. Thankfully with books like these is that they don't always completely build off of each other. There are always character growth (and relationships) that will persist from book to book, but the plotline is usually so different it doesn't need to be read back to back.  Vincent did a good job of reminding me of the things I missed or couldn't remember (relationships, former issues, etc).

The premise of this book was super interesting to me - I've read a lot of post-apocalyptic books where FEMA is involved but nothing like this. Sure, it's not a Post-Apocalyptic book but this was an about-face from the typical books where FEMA is involved.  Basically, there are terrorist attacks that just won't stop - and FEMA jumps in to help. I can't really talk too much more about the plot for fear of giving more away but things just go off the rails.

This book had a little bit of everything.  There was a love story, major thriller aspects, a government off the rails, and a resistance trying to stop said government in any way possible. Vincent wrote a story that flowed well and kept my interest from beginning to end.

I wanted to see this one through.  I needed to know what was going to happen.  It felt hopeless at times. I really didn't know what was going to come of the US or the main characters.  I kept thinking that the book was over and it wasn't.  There were so many false endings that Vincent had me questioning everything. I like when a book can do that because it means that it's something new and different.

When a series switches narrators - it's usually a big pet peeve of mine - but thankfully it had been long enough from the time that it didn't really bother me. Also, there was only one book done by another narrator - so it wasn't like there was this epic 10 book series that Vincent switched for book 11. With all that said, Todd Menesses has a great voice and it lends itself to this book well.

Overall, a book that threw me for a loop.  A book that kept me interested until the last few minutes.  A book that made me feel.  State of Emergency was a unique book that I enjoyed. I requested a copy of this book - it has not affected my review in any way.

Cartoonish and outlandish

The first volume seemed believable; this one seemed like a comic book. Super villains taking over the government, and droids marching in the streets, I mean National Guards and Marines arresting and executing dissenting voices. This prize-winning reporter doesn't do a whole lot other than jump into bed with the new girl after losing the love love of his life, ole what's-her-name, in volume 1.

The narration is cartoonish too. Emery doesn't have much of an Australian accent, but he does sound like Popeye. The new sack woman has far too posh an accent. I couldn't stand her.

This is the graphic novel version of what happens when government takes over to "protect the people," so if you like big government, you won't like this book. Lots of Nuremberg defense: I was just doing my job; I was just following orders. It is meant to be a warning to us, but it's too Marvel-ous.

A great ride

I thought the author did a great job at giving a good listen, giving a story with a nice plot, interesting characters, with danger, a few thrills, and excitement. Very fast-paced, intense and gripping it is a true political thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat with lots of danger and a man who is at his wit ends. Jack pulls his self together after his world falls apart to bring you one exciting read that holds your attention with a story and plot that leaves you wanting more.

The narrator did a great job bring true emotions, with only one place where he repeated a set of words. His character voices were good, I thought they fit the character but was really different from the first book, since listened to them back to back it took me a little while to get use to the change. I did think he did a better job of narration then the one who narrator the first book. His voice is easy to listen to, the audio moves smoothly from one chapter to the next. There is no volume changing, and no background noise. I thought he did a great job and I really enjoyed his work.

Scary

Seems outrageous until you compare the current event of congress trying to ban TikTok with a bill that takes away all internet privacy in one fell swoop, then if seems a bit more realistic and frightening.

A must read

This book scared me. A story line that is so easy to imagine happening. There are a series of terrorist attacks, in order to stop the attacks FEMA is given authority that threatens America With FEMA in charge of the USA There are armed State guards that are shooting Americans, marshal law, and censoring of the press.
A great book to read.

Another great book

I thought the first Jack Emery episode was outstanding but this one blew me away. Just what I needed at work to help pass the day. Jack Emery is a news reporter finds himself into some dangerous places. A group of terrorists is attacking different locations in America; they seem to be undetectable and are able to disappear by time help arrives. Richard Hall the head of FEMA has convinced the President that he can use FEMA to help stop them and keep Americans safe. But to do so Americans will lose their freedoms and many end up in prison camps. Many will die!!! Hall has the President convinced it will all work out and is for the best. But when it seems hopeless as time after time his ideas fail and people die Jack leads a group fighting to inform the public that this is a real. Looking forward to seeing what book 3 will bring.

Even better than Book 1

As much as I loved Book 1 in the Jack Emory series (The Foundation), I loved this one even more. The narrator was amazing, a much better fit than from The Foundation. As with the first book, it was very relatable. I could definitely see something similar happening, no matter how scary it would be, unfortunately. Steve P. Vincent did a great job roping you in, getting attached to a character, and then breaking your heart when one ended up dead, lol. I went through this book much faster than the first because I did not want to stop listening. I even got the ebook so I could continue reading when I wasn’t able to listen. I am definitely glad I found him and his books, I can’t wait to read more.

FEMA running the Govt is scary in itself

The story was well thought out as Jack Emery once again finds himself in the middle of another plot to take over the government but this time from within and from FEMA no less. Not to give too much away but I don't think anyone has ever seen a FEMA like this in the states and hopefully, we never will. The FEMA take over is not due to a natural disaster but due to acts of terror and with the clamp down on the media that FEMA imposes it makes things even harder for our hero as he becomes public enemy number one just trying to get out the truth. Scary thought when all news stories have to be "approved" by FEMA/FEDS before they can be published for all media both TV, print and internet.

The narration was nicely done and each character was distinct and easy to decide who was who...really liked how the main villain in this was portrayed, unassuming to many until his plot is figured out.

In all, a good listen and worth the credit.

State of Emergency

What appears to be terrorists hitting random sites is in fact a government official that wants to control America. The government enforces curfews, takes control of all news outlets, and sets up detention camps. Pioneering journalist Jack Emery leads a revolt to bring America back to it's democratic roots. There is no down time in this action thriller. I was gifted this from the author.

Interesting rollercoaster

This one wasn't bad, just I don't know Jack seems too immortal for a reporter, or maybe he is just very lucky or too resourceful.

At times this feeled very hollywood like in a way, it was fun with all the twists and madness going on, but they say that fiction immitates reality so could be interesting in a way to know if something like this can happen, and I think we have lived worse already.

A very gritty and suspenseful rollercoasters of will and resources.