Following immediately after the events of Directive 51, John Barnes continues the story in Daybreak Zero. The nanoswarm attack of the first book has sent technology around the world back to the 19th century. Bombings from the moon have destroyed major cities and triggered EMPs to shut down radio communication and wreak more havoc.
The focus of Daybreak Zero is on the political restructuring of the United States. Two competing centers of government, centered in Olympia, Washington and Athens, Georgia, are cooperating, to an extent, to make plans for an election, with hopes of reestablishing a true national government. However, throughout the middle of the country are huge areas controlled by tribes who embrace the goals of the Daybreak movement.
The whole Daybreak movement is, in my opinion, the weakest element of Daybreak Zero, even though it is central to the plot. Their goal, the eradication of the human race, it at odds with many of their methods (as you might expect). Once some of the Daybreakers gain power, they seem very interested in enjoying the perks of their position and don't seem to be in too big a hurry to shut it all down. Also, Daybreak is more than an influential philosophy. It's a mental virus that can be passed along. Sometimes people can catch it by merely thinking Daybreak-ish thoughts. I tried to ignore this part of the story. Unfortunately, it becomes important a few times.
Barnes's strength is creating the world of Daybreak. How people travel and communicate, how towns and regions structured, how trade occurs. It's not altogether convincing, but in broad strokes I felt like he established the setting well.
Daybreak Zero is number two in the trilogy. I'll be picking up number 3, if for no other reason than to see if the Daybreakers end up destroying humanity, or if the reestablished U.S. government succeeds in moving culture forward.
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