Reader Reviews

Reviewed  by Michael DeStefano, award winning author.

Every once in a while, a novel comes along at the right moment in time. As the politically correct Boycotts of recent years metastasize into the Cancel Culture of today, the growing political divide in the United States is becoming untenable. What’s the solution to such diametrically opposed views? Enter D.F. Brent, Sr., who offers us a clairvoyant and cautionary tale, foreshadowing the antics of BLM, Antifa, and their Deep State backers of chaos to further their radical agenda. 

From the very first chapter, Brent has created detailed, recognizable characters on both sides of the Great Separation, which began as most conflicts do; within the basic family unit. The media are the catalyst to drive a wedge between a husband and wife, whose disparate political views are magnified to the point of irreconcilable differences. At the same time, a little-known freshman congressman from San Francisco has defeated the octogenarian incumbent and is being groomed for the totalitarian objectives of an organization called, Big Blue. Through the machinations of a mysterious Senior Advisor, this congressman is vaulted to the Oval Office and in a prime position to turn their portion of the country into a socialist paradise. 

Standing in way of the malevolent Big Blue is a group of characters whose faith in God, the country as founded, and the rule of law, are unwilling to simply give up their liberty in the face of national separation. 

On their side, in the hallowed halls of Congress, are two tenured Senators, one liberal, one conservative. They remember what it meant to be the loyal opposition to one another. Watching the same media, these two Senators offer up an idea in an attempt to quell growing national anxiety. 

Though fictitious, Separation of State delves into the logistics of separating a country, by geographic, economic, and social boundaries in this novelized thought experiment that’s frighteningly closer to reality than fiction. Character-driven prose moves the story forward, inexorably revealing the sinister method and frightening scope of the antagonists’ plans for the UnitedStates.

Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer 

Separation of State by D. F. Brent is a socio-political thriller that looks deep into what could be the future of the United States. The United States of America has been divided into The People’s Social Republic of America and The Republic of New Liberty. The people have to decide which of these countries they would like to become citizens of on Declaration Day. Nothing is simple and nothing is easy. The Great Separation is about to happen and two families are stuck in the middle of it. From drug abuse, abuse of power to the vicious mind of a woman hell-bent on getting what she wants, the fate of countless people is on the line. Who can save them all?

Chaos gives birth to desperation and desperation gives birth to criminal intentions. This is a point that is very actively and vividly described in the story. Separation of State is deceptively simple, but it conveys a bold message. With the way things are going, it is apparent that we are in for a rude awakening if they don’t do something about it. This novel can easily be a reflection if we are not careful. D. F. Brent isn’t subtle about his opinions in this novel; he presents his ideas in the most entertaining yet liberating way. The mystery behind the Saury and Brenton families is equally entertaining and intriguing. Susan Saury is perhaps the most deceptive yet very transparent character. You know she is up to no good and you cannot help but wonder what she will do next. The descriptions are vivid, the dialogues are crisp and the characterizations are amazing. You will hate Susan, feel sorry for Thomas, and your heart will ache for Kat. This is a political thriller at its best. A well-thought-out and interesting story.

Reviewed By Robert A. Groves 

Washington, D.C. and its interwoven political maneuvers is the setting of D. F. Brent’s Separation of State. However, this novel depicts the ultimate in political craftsmanship as two polarizing factions prepare to execute an unfathomable plan which results in New Liberty and a People’s Republic. Two families, the Brentons and the Saurys, are caught in the crosshairs of the plan. As the plan unfolds, both these families’ choices and actions will shape the result of compromises and landmass division. As the plan develops, it is certain to change the future of a nation and its people in irrevocable ways. Readers will be surprised, and perhaps even a little torn, page after page, as steps of the plan are implemented and ordinary citizens step up to shape that future.

As I finished the last page of D. F. Brent’s Separation of State, three words came to mind to describe what I had just read – impressive, imaginative, and damn scary (o.k., that’s four words). Impressive because no matter which side of the political divide you find yourself on, the politicians in Brent’s tale actually do lead. Who knew? Imaginative in how those leaders enact decisions that culminate in Declaration Day. All the logistical details of New Liberty’s security, resettlement, and commerce were as equally captivating as the political feuds which led to them. Brent also expertly painted what happens in the People’s Republic when behind-the-scenes forces manipulate a president in the present and well into the future. Finally, damn scary because Separation of State could so easily become reality given the right mindset and ambitions of present-day politicians. D. F. Brent’s Separation of State is a multi-tentacled tale with depth, enthralling characters, and thought-provoking issues that one will enjoy immensely from the first to the last pages.

Reviewed By Tammy Ruggles 

Separation of State by D. F. Brent is a gripping, sometimes funny, and cynical political thriller that could mirror our own chaotic state of America today. In the vein of a great conspiracy novel, the story has the so-called invisible elite, powers-that-be growing strong enough to manipulate or even quash the ideas of freedom and liberty. Socialism and social justice warriors are to become the norm, if not the ruling power unless stopped. Rioting and mayhem rule the streets, and America is on the cusp of what is called The Great Separation, where the country is divided into two stereotypical groups--Conservatives against Progressives; two states in one--and you can choose to live in one or the other. Two senators, Elders and Moran, try to prevent it and save American ideals. There is only one thing standing in the way: the President of the United States. And, make that two things, if you count his nefarious Senior Advisor.

The precarious state of affairs affects everyone--not just certain parts of the US. It reaches right down to all families, including the Brentons and the Saurys, where lives are dramatically impacted. We are introduced to these two families in their homes and conversations in their vehicles as they travel and hang out at the lake. The dialogue is realistic and spicy. Some of the scenes are humorous--intentionally or unintentionally, I'm not sure, but it seems to work under the circumstances. It could almost be called a parody if it didn't ring so true. The scenario desperately needs a hero, and this is where one enters the picture. A tech genius, Kat, the Saurys' daughter, who tries to save her own family. These situations force average families to consider actions they'd never thought about before, but some are prepared to take them--actions that would save themselves if not America itself. This book asks how far would you go to protect your family and country? The author is skilled at character, plot, and pacing, making this an engaging read, but I won't divulge whether the two-state country succeeds or not. You'll have to find out for yourself. Separation of State by D. F. Brent is a lively, provocative tale with attitude.

Reviewed By Gobi Jane for Readers’ Favorite

Separation of State by D. F. Brent is a political thriller with wonderful themes and great story craft, and for a debut, it is a huge success. What once was the United States of America is being torn into two separate states: The Republic of New Liberty and the People’s Socialist Republic of America. Citizens are pressured to decide within a year which state they’d like to belong to. Two senators have their own plan to beat the new system that is about to enslave the American people. The repercussions of the political machinations and decisions made in Washington DC are deeply felt by the families of the Saurys and the Brentons. The hope of American freedom might be in the hands of a young tech-savvy prodigy. But how much time do they have before the country is turned into chaos?

Separation of State felt so real and as I turned the pages, it was like observing the political landscape in real time. The writing is gorgeous with short chapters, each focused on an important scene in the narrative, each raising more complex issues than the one before. The writing is filled with social and political commentaries that capture the general feel of the setting. It is an America that readers don’t know and the author gets readers thinking about the “what ifs” of the American political landscape. The story explores the game of power in a way that is original and shows readers how a few people can hold a country hostage and thwart the dreams of millions of people. Separation of State is fast-paced and engrossing; it is written in great prose and features exceptional characters. D. F. Brent is a master at creating the kind of conflict that readers will want to follow.