Anarchy Rising is the follow up to Dr. Bradley’s first novel, The Survivalist: Frontier Justice. It picks up right where the first book left off, with the main character, Mason Raines, heading back out on the road to see what remains of his fellow U.S. Marshals. Throughout, the reader also follows the continuing adventures of Mason’s father, Tanner, and his young charge, the 11 year old Samantha, who we learned a bit about in the first book (hey, I’m trying desperately to avoid spoilers here!).

To recap the general story as presented in the first book: a plague called Superpox-99 has wiped out the vast majority of the population. Some survivors were left deformed by the disease and are generally shunned by the “normal” people. This is a total societal collapse scenario, with small towns fending for themselves while larger cities are filled with looters, rioters, and, well, are just unpleasant places to be.

Once again, I’m very impressed with Dr. Bradley’s ability to weave a compelling story. The writing is superb, particularly with action scenes as well as dialogue. Many authors suffer from what is sometimes called “sophomore slump,” where the second book in a series is sort of weak and doesn’t do much to further the overall plot. That is definitely not the case here! Right from the get go, the reader is pulled along from scene to scene, compelled to keep turning pages to find out what happens next.

In this volume, Mason visits a town called York, where he learns there is much more than meets the eye. Ruled with an iron fist by Alex, a beautiful yet cruel woman, it doesn’t take long for Mason to decide on an appropriate course of action.

Meanwhile, Tanner and Samantha continue on their trek across the country. Along the way, they learn a bit more about each other and it is readily apparent there is developing a father/daughter relationship between the two.

Interspersed between these story lines, we also find out more information about the current state of the country and why there are certain people determined to keep Samantha from reaching what’s left of her family. I’m hoping that in future volumes of the series this particular plot is expanded further as I’m very intrigued as to where it is leading.

Understand, it is very difficult to get into any great detail with the plot without revealing spoilers. I will say this, though. Mason does finally make it to Glynco, the main headquarters for the U.S. Marshals. What he finds there leaves the reader truly chomping at the bit for the next book in the series.

If you like your post-apocalyptic fiction with a touch of realism, absent of any major diversions into science fiction or the supernatural, and have it also be very well written, I’d highly suggest you pick up this one, as well as the first book, Frontier Justice.