DNF, Good story line but far to heavy with the global liberalism/socialism. I found it to overwhelm the readablity of the book. Further, the strange use of descriptive words that did not fit the flow of the story kept me losing focus. Other times the author used words that just were incorrectly used. Could have used some serious editing.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Concierge Marketing Inc, Rooney Publishing and the author, Jason McMillan, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of The Grey Zone in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
I was drawn to this book by the premise of the storyline. Unfortunately, it was not for me. I had a lot of trouble getting into it and staying interested.

The storyline was interesting and set in a future, globally united world, with factions of differing political beliefs arguing against mass globalization. There are a lot of characters in multiple settings that effect one another, this is a book that you will need to pay attention to. Unfortunately the characters did not resonate with me and I felt there was some repetitiveness. I would recommend to readers of S. M. Stirling.

Very interesting debut novel by Jason McMillan. He tackles a number of complex issues, including political ideologies and the role of law enforcement and journalism in a futuristic socialized society, while still weaving a good story. I would definitely recommend this book.

Combine a "Basic Human Standard" with a Global Federation and it must be good. I did like it but I was hoping for more human action rather than a bigger slant of tech and all the acronyms. I guess I was hoping for a better "flesh out" of Natalie and her interactions with the other characters. Still, it was okay, a different style story and I did finish it.

The Grey Zone by Jason McMillan is a novel taking place in 2072 when the United States joined a worldwide initiative. This is Mr. McMillan’s first book.

The United States has joined the Global Federation of Nations to implement the Basic Human Standard, which improved life for much of the world. Fifteen years later, many Americans still dismiss the principles of the GFN, and fight against it and its forces.

Natalie Kelley, a journalist on her way up, reports on the American terrorist groups who oppose the GFN. Natalie realizes that there might be a bigger story when she investigates a restaurant attack in Oklahoma City.

The synopsis for The Grey Zone by Jason McMillan sounded very interesting to a political junky like myself, add to that the sci-fi/fantasy element and I was sure to pick up the book. The author creates a world where two extreme political ideologies clash, and in a country as diverse as the United States, with people who pride themselves on being independent, that clash creates an interesting society.

I found the book to be very interesting on several levels. The world building, the multiple story-lines, and most of all the political aspects and parallels to today’s conservative/liberal/Republican/Democrat/Independent narrative.

The world building aspect was one which I can see the author expending onto in the future, especially when national and global policies are put in the proper perspective without the noise surrounding their implementations. I liked that the world hasn’t evolved, technologically wise, out of control but technologies that we either have, or are very close to having, are standard. If I could advise the author, I’d only mention to look into the not-so-new research of powering devices with light as oppose to electricity.

The multiple story-lines were interesting, I saw that several readers got confused, I can see how they did but for me everything made sense. The story follows the journalist, Lt. Director Luna who is a very senior official in the government, responsible for the “grey zones’, those areas who have not officially joined the Global Federation of Nations to implement the Basic Human Standard, and that of Wade, a religious man, anti-GFN, who borders the line of terrorist/martyr/useful idiot.

For me, the most interesting aspect was the political angle, how two extreme ideologies clash and the ideological hypocrisy one must suffer in order to support the bigger picture. What happens when one ideology will win over the other, and how the extremists who support the one that lost will react? Does the end really justifies the means?

Mr. McMillan’s world is not black and white, good people do bad things for good reasons, ideologists of all kinds believe that they’re 100% right, a problem for those who slightly disagree and an issue for those on the receiving end of their methods. A parallel line is drawn between religion and ideology and how extremists are really not that different.

It took me a little time to understand the premise and who is who behind this one. It was an interesting idea - a French politician with a passion for fairness and equality has formed a Federation of Nations. In the US the Govt has signed up but there are still many areas controlled by the old school of everyman for themselves and there is one main organisation and many small groups who operate ongoing gorilla warfare.
The book traces three characters - a reporter, a member of the rebels and a senior officer responsible for the border areas - and the events leading to a peace treaty being signed. While pitched 50 years in the future there is little reliance on "new" fictional technology.
The book just did not work for me. The action sequences were all a bit unreal which is a pity as the idea of the ultimate Democrat Vs Republican battle-line forcing a decision on one form of Government was very good.

For the fans of James Patterson, David Baldacci, and Lee Child, there’s a steady flow of action, crime, clash of Titans and drama around the conspiracies of United States.

I read about 25% of the way through the book and just couldn't get into it at all. It's not often that I cut my losses, but this was one of those instances.

An interesting first book in the series. I'm very curious to see what happens next in the Global Federation of Nations series. Thanks to the publisher for the review copy. Review to come!