A New America: The State of Independence
"Morell masterfully delivers a frighteningly plausible dystopian tale." - Booklife Reviews
"Morell's alternate history feels dense with realistic detail. ... a fascinating thought experiment exploring notions of self-determination and freedom." - Kirkus Reviews
"Perhaps now is the best time for Aaron Morell's book to appear ... in the midst of national turmoil that impacts personal relationships as much as politics with questions of control, power, and law." - D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
"Thought-provoking and deeply relevant, this novel is a compelling exploration of the fragile balance between power, perception, and the human spirit." - International Book Review
"A gripping story that depicts a fictional, fragmented U.S. and the temptation of revolution." - Independent Book Review
In this fictional travelogue, journalist Roman Wolfe ventures into the heart of Independence, a nation formed after widespread secession movements rattled North America. Entering through a dusty border crossing in Eastern Colorado, he immediately witnesses a crippling fuel shortage and air of isolation that weighs heavily on the new republic. But another story is developing that will capture the national spotlight.
The murder of a southern Latino man, the nation's first homicide, sparks controversy when an initial report claiming the target was a U.S. fugitive is revealed to be disinformation spread by a local militia leader. Despite the victim being a longtime resident, rumors of a fugitive incursion dominate public discourse. The media amplifies this false narrative, fueling nationwide fear and distrust. Polarizing rhetoric exposes cultural resentment and an identity crisis over the ideals of secession and what it means to be Independent.
Amid the turmoil, Roman's journey turns deeply personal when he reconnects with Kat Taylor, a woman from his past. But love, like politics, is never simple. They eventually move to a remote farmhouse, which amplifies their challenges, mirroring the nation's growing discord and conflicting values.
As winter sets in, Roman documents the political rise of Albert Gonzalez, a new leader whose vision of the country is met with fierce resistance. Scattered incidents of rural crime and pervasive fear-mongering loom over both the nation and Roman's relationship with Kat. They struggle to reconcile their needs and desires with the country's inescapable austerity.
Evocative and timely, A New America is an exploration of desire, desperation, and the delicate threads that bind us together.
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"A gripping story that depicts a fictional, fragmented U.S. and the temptation of revolution....Something that is evidently clear from the initial pages is that this novel functions as a part exposé, part story. And it captivated me. Embedded between anecdotes of troubled farmers and disjointed families lies Roman's thoughts throughout a personal journey. He offers a reasonable voice that cuts through the more reactionary beliefs that Independence was succumbing to. His voice has a ruminative coating, often thinking about the human instinct behind actions. Why were the people of Independence so afraid of the boogeyman they created? Roman offers the reader a lot of thoughtful discussion regarding this question."
--Independent Book Review
"Perhaps now is the best time for Aaron Morell's book to appear ... in the midst of national turmoil that impacts personal relationships as much as politics with questions of control, power, and law. [His] ability to step into a milieu fraught with struggles that seep outside the new state's borders into the greater world at large, affecting reporting focuses and altering perceptions of what constitutes a fact, gives the story a powerful atmosphere that makes it hard to put down.
--D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"Morell successfully builds an expansive and immersive world out of a "what if" scenario. ... [His] alternate history feels dense with realistic detail. Independence becomes a strange microcosm of the real world, with debates about immigration and government overreach. It's a fascinating thought experiment exploring notions of self-determination and freedom."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Morell masterfully delivers a frighteningly plausible dystopian tale in which much of Kansas and swathes of other states in the region secedes from the Union and declares itself a new country called Independence. ... [His] storytelling demonstrates, with skill and persuasive power, the possible results of irresponsible and reckless speech about secession or civil war. He explores these outcomes with a sharp reportorial eye while avoiding a preachy tone. Instead, he suggests such conclusions rather than stating them outright. A cautionary tale about the extreme outcomes of the worst angels of our national character, this thoughtful work will stay with readers well after the final page is turned."
--BookLife Reviews
