Vivo: Reckoning by Eric Brandt is a dystopian epic that weaves together political intrigue, ethical dilemmas, and action sequences set in a divided and war-torn America. The story explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the moral ambiguities of power. The novel’s protagonist, John Bates, is a complex and morally conflicted cardiac surgeon thrust into a series of events that challenge his ideals and priorities. As John navigates a fractured world where medical advancements coexist with political oppression, his journey reflects the fragility of humanity and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones.

Eric Brandt’s attention to detail is evident in his world-building, which creates a stark portrayal of a future America divided between the North and South. Advanced technology, including artificial hearts and nanite research, is seamlessly integrated into the narrative, challenging readers to consider the ethical implications of such advancements. Brandt’s writing is thought-provoking, blending fast-paced action with moments of introspection. The narrative introduces characters like Sydney Roux, whose sharp wit and courage strongly counter John’s brooding demeanor. Their dynamic interactions highlight the human connections we have in life. It is important to note that Vivo: Reckoning contains graphic content and intense scenes, which may not be suitable for all readers. The depiction of violence and morally challenging situations serves to underscore the story's high stakes but may be unsettling for some. The book delivers action and moral exploration for dystopian plot-driven fiction and speculative storytelling fans. It’s an ambitious start to a promising series.

Vivo Reckoning is the first book in the Pax Globus Anthology by Eric Brandt. At the dawn of the 22nd century, America is still reeling from the aftereffects of a deadly pandemic and a second Civil War that has divided the country into the North and the South. Having lost his beloved wife, Dr. John Bates is now desperate to find a cure for his disease-ridden daughter, Nola. After a deadly attack on an eco-friendly commune forces John to flee to the South with ex-soldier Mike and Nola, John discovers the South is ruled by a tyrannical theistic regime with nefarious plans of developing devastating weapons. As war inevitably breaks out once again, John struggles with his loyalties to his dying daughter, his country, and his conscience.

Tragic and profound in equal measure, Vivo Reckoning is a dystopian sci-fi novel that provides political intrigue and edge-of-your-seat action sequences galore. Author Eric Brandt infuses relevant social commentary into a gripping narrative that touches upon themes of war, patriotism, love, and choices. The story is a cautionary tale, an allegory of the growing socio-political divide in America and what it signifies for the future state of the nation. It's an epic story, and the plot is very well-paced, taking the reader by surprise at regular intervals. But it's the characters who keep you invested in the setting. The major characters -- John, Nola, Mike, and Sydney -- are complex and have interesting story arcs that impact the larger narrative. If you enjoy stories with morally grey characters, you will love this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

Vivo Reckoning by Eric Brandt follows John Bates, a cardiac surgeon in a fractured United States divided by civil war. The North, led by a secular authoritarian regime under President Ava Rumsfeld, clashes with the South, heavily influenced by theocratic rule from the Christian States of America. John’s daughter Nola becomes crucial due to her body hosting nanite technology—microscopic machines capable of healing or weaponization. Southern leader Tran uses Nola as part of a plan to defend against Northern aggression. John allies with Sydney, a disillusioned scientist working on nanite applications, and Mike, a soldier haunted by his past, to rescue Nola. All of this culminates in deadly operations and sacrifice as John balances his love for Nola, his role in the war, and his fight against the weaponized technology that could redefine human existence.

Vivo Reckoning is an epic dystopian science fiction novel by Eric Brandt. The author does an excellent job of leaning into a new type of civil war that has some eerie, intentional or otherwise, parallels to the US today, with very little in the middle between the far right and the far left. Brandt's outlook in terms of the plot is taut and intelligent, with clever ambiguity concerning which side John is most inclined to work with or, more appropriately, forced to work with. For me, Tran and Sydney were the most interesting characters, but John's attempts to come to terms with an outcome where there are no good choices are brilliantly put forward. There are cinematic sequences of harrowing escapes and brutal combat and quite a lot of philosophy and politicking, but even with the latter, the pacing remains steady. Overall, this is a solid introduction to the Pax Globus Anthology and I look forward to seeing where Brandt leads us next.

In Vivo Reckoning by Eric Brandt, it has been forty years since the second civil war that divided the USA into the North and the South. Apart from the government, there are other groups like the Carlisle Independent Permaculture Precinct, who are fighting government control. Dr. Bates is committed to his job but would do anything to save his daughter from the disease that killed his wife. His daughter is part of the resistance that is fighting the government in the north. In his quest to find a cure for his daughter, Bates links up with Sydney and Mike. Because of his connection with Mike, the government is after him, which leads to a deadly confrontation with the resistance group. Eventually, they escape to the South, but things are not very good in the South, too. Who can Dr. Bates trust with all the conspiring and the backstabbing that is going on?

As a medic and a technology enthusiast, I was hooked from the first page to the last once I started reading Vivo Reckoning by Eric Brandt. I loved the diversity of the topics covered, like governance, geopolitics, and technology and their impacts on society. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about our moral obligation to offer checks and balances in our political system and our duty to fight tyranny. The plot flows seamlessly, and the vivid descriptions help the reader to create a mental picture of what is happening. The reader will also appreciate the message in the book, which offers a glimpse into how easily civilization can collapse and the cost of war on individuals and society. This was an amazing book, and I look forward to reading something else by this author.