In T.T. Michael’s Fire War II: Treason, the time is January 2082, just a couple of weeks before Marine sniper and trusted member of the Presidential security team, Anthony Jackson, will find himself addressing the country on national TV. The American Continent is slowly going under the rule of Frederick Meyers, the powerful president for life of the United Continental States of America (USCA). The constant threats of attacks from terrorist Hariq Jihad have replaced the varied political systems of the continent and sovereign states have dissolved into the USCA. But things are not what they seem to be. And when Maya Jackson, his daughter, is arrested for her association with the anti-government rebels, the Apocolytes, Anthony has to do something to rescue her from the detention centre. Can he go against the man he has loyally served until now?

Fast paced and action filled, T.T. Michael’s Fire War II: Treason is one of those dystopian novels that strikes a sensitive chord among its readers. Anthony Jackson lived a peaceful life until his daughter is thrown into a detention centre. And as he tries to find a way to rescue her, the line between truth and lies becomes unrecognizable. What makes Fire War II: Treason disturbing is that such a moral breakdown in the world’s leadership could be happening right now. T.T. Michael's subject matter is relevant at a time when terrorism has become a common occurrence and he is a very convincing writer. And if we cannot trust our own government and leaders, what is happening to the moral and political fibre of the society that we live in? As we are drawn into a world of betrayal and intrigue, we realize that man’s greatest enemy is himself.

In the second book of the Fire War series, Anthony Jackson's career takes a major twist. Recent events have opened his eyes to the reality of President Meyers' true colours and, given what he now knows, Jackson cannot continue to serve his government as diligently and blindly as before. In a desperate attempt to rescue his daughter, he reaches out to The Apocolytes - the only group he knows can help him in a fight against the institution he once believed in. A choice between serving his government and saving his country is not a hard choice for Jackson, but it is one that will test him immensely. Jackson questions the ways of his new allies but he must choose the lesser evil between them and Meyers. When his own family is caught in the crossfire of the evil political games, Jackson is pushed over the line and his decision is made. His ultimate allegiance has always been clear and he must pick the one side that promises hope for his country.

Fire War II: Treason by T.T. Michael is a fast-paced story that gets you into the thick of things right away with exactly the right blend between a political, spy and terrorism thriller. The central character is an engaging man with real depth. A man of many layers, Jackson is a spy against his own government and yet a true patriot. He is an honourable man who is smart, quick-thinking and brave, but he also has fears, flaws and doubts, which makes him more human and more relatable all round. T.T. Michael has crafted an amazing political thriller series with true depth to both story and characters. Fans of the genres will have an amazing time reading this series. Fire War II was an intense and thrilling read and yet the ending promises an even more intense book 3. I cannot wait to see how the next part plays out.

Fire War II: Treason is an action adventure novel by author T.T. Michael which also has dystopian themes. Our central hero is Anthony Jackson, a veteran gunnery sergeant who has since worked on the security team of President Meyers, president of the United Continental States of America. After the events of book one, Fire War, Jackson is now employed as a spy for the anti government Apocolyte group. His suspicions about Meyers continue to develop as a brand new danger looms ahead, but he still has doubts about the Apocolytes and their growing strength. Trapped in a personal battle of vengeance and right and wrong, Jackson must decide which side he’s really on and try to do the right thing.

T.T. Michael has created an intelligent and capable hero that all fans of the action genre will love. I really enjoyed the world building that was done to create the realistic atmosphere of the UCSA, a seemingly utopian society that’s not a far cry from reality. The military influence on the story is powerfully clear, adding another dimension to our hero, and the conspiracies, secrets and lies revealed throughout the plot make this book a real page turner. Fire War II: Treason is a highly plot driven piece with one strong central character, and it is capably written with no-nonsense prose that gets you straight into the action. Sharp dialogue and clear exposition of the plot help to create a thrilling ride in this fascinating exploration of terrorism.

President Meyers is the dictatorial president for life of the United Continental States of America (UCSA). Anthony Jackson is an ex-Marine serving Meyers as bodyguard and chief of his personal security team. Marcus is a leader among the group of revolutionaries called the Apocolytes. Together, these three lead characters form the crux around which T.T. Michael’s Fire War II: Treason revolves. In a world far into the future, the UCSA and a terrorist organization known as Hariq Jihadi occupy and control large portions of the world. Meyers uses false flags, personal freedom restrictions, and anti-terrorist propaganda to maintain a firm grip on his domain. A strong point in his ability to retain sole control is that the notorious terrorist group has never attacked the UCSA. Hariq Jihadi will remind readers of the current terrorist organization, ISIS. Mr. Michael’s dystopian world is an obvious extrapolation of current geopolitical situations and events. I thought the comparisons well thought out and incorporated into the story line.

Fire War II: Treason is a relatively fast paced thriller that will keep fans of dystopian stories entertained and turning the pages. A key element in a fiction writer’s arsenal is verisimilitude. This appearance of truth, likelihood, and probability is apparent throughout the novel. From characterization to dialog and sequence of events, in that each action creates an appropriate reaction that continues the plot line, verisimilitude is present. Mr. Michael adeptly incorporates several ideologies, exaggerated from current to potential impacts, into the plot and presents a compact version of various philosophies that add meat to the story. Highly recommended to thriller, terrorist, and dystopian society readers.