United We StandEdited by
John Ringo & Gary Poole
(Baen, March 5, 2024, 336 pp, hc)
“Extraction” by John Birmingham
“Taking the Next Steps” by Jody Lynn Nye
“Isle of Masks and Blood” by Brian Trent
“Things to Do in Denver When It’s Dead” by Sarah A. Hoyt
“For the Triumph of Evil” by Jamie Ibson
“The Old Bastard” by Dave Freer
“Let Freedom Ring” by Griffin Barber
“Maligator Republic” by Lydia Sherrer
“Do Not Steal” by Mel Todd
“Gonzo’s Gauntlet” Christopher L. Smith
“The Bride Wore Camo” by Mike Massa
Reviewed by Richard Cartwright
This is the fourth anthology set in the popular Black Tide Rising universe and like its predecessors doesn’t disappoint. The universe has grown beyond the original four books, and continues to do so. The short stories make great entry points into the world and there’s not a bad story in the book.
“Extraction” by John Birmingham appeals to fans of technothrillers. It recounts the story of a group of survivors fighting their way through zombie infested France to an airport where they will be evacuated to promised safety. Along the way they encounter modified zombies and the reality that even in a zombie apocalypse old grudges remain.
Jody Lynn Nye is one of the two authors in United We Stand who have appeared in all four anthologies. She continues the storyline begun in her first Black Tide Rising story “Staying Human,” chronicling the adventures of the people based at the Nashville area Foresight Genetics.
“Taking the Next Steps” focuses on the characters from the Voices of the Fall story “Ham Sandwich” and their efforts to upgrade their broadcast studio and the difficulties of integrating the newly rescued into the community. The twist at the end is excellent.
“Isle of Masks and Blood” by Brian Trent continues with Silvio Cipriano and his family, first introduced in “Descent into the Underworld.” Silvio has shepherded the creation of a trading network across Italy and is trying to forget his past. But his past hasn’t forgotten him. Post Fall Venice is the place where the two collide and threaten everything.
Sarah A. Hoyt tells us about “Things to Do in Denver When It’s Dead” from the perspective of a member of a college climbing club recovering or “reaping” books, computers and later art to sell to a slowly recovering government. It’s a nice change from the survival scrounging that prior anthologies address, especially with the urban setting.
“For the Triumph of Evil” by Jamie Ibson revisits the Canadian team we first met in We Shall Rise’s “Chase the Sunset,” as they encounter fellow soldiers who have been duped by rouges pretending to be legitimate government officials.
“The Old Bastard” by 2023 Prometheus Award winner Dave Freer continues the theme of “who do you trust?” explored in “For the Triumph of Evil.” Set in the Australian islands, Dave explores the unique issues of urban holiday makers thrown back to a subsistence existence guided by “The Old Bastard” (which sounds suspiciously like the author) whose practical advice is the key to their survival. The lure of normality promised by a group from “the government” entices most of them to relocate to civilization and proves why “we’re from the government and here to help you” is almost always a false statement.
“Let Freedom Ring” is Griffin Barber’s first outing in the Black Tide Rising universe. Set in the post apocalyptic Bay area, the Treasure Island Collective encounters a self styled lord attempting to reinstitute slavery. It’s engaging and an excellent addition to the lore of the BTR world.
“Maligator Republic” by Lydia Sherrer is set in the Gallrein Farms community she introduced in an earlier BTR story, with not only the day to day of trying to maintain the technology of pre-Fall farming and ranching but deciding who they can trust versus those who want to reap the benefits of the community’s hard work without providing anything in return.
Mel Todd is another new BTR author whose powerful “Do Not Steal” examines surviving the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse from the point of view of a woman alone for two years seeking residency in a seemingly perfect town with two deceptively simple laws.
“Gonzo’s Gauntlet” by Christopher L. Smith is hands down the most hilarious story in the book. It traces the progress of retired Petty Officer First Class Lionel “Gonzo” Gonzalez from a coma in a VA hospital to waking up to the opening of a zombie apocalypse. After a rather novel recruiting pitch, he re-ups as a slightly less desirable alternative to being zombie chow.
Two years later, Chief Petty Officer Gonzo and his team are tasked to obtain vital supplies in post-apocalyptic San Antonio. With the help of two katana wielding Japanese wafu and the Alamo he battles zombies to achieve his quest.
Mike Massa bookends the anthology with “The Bride Wore Camo.” Mike is also a four time anthology contributor, plus has standalone BTR novels. He gives Christopher L. Smith a run for the funniest story. Woven in the humor was a tale of a senior corsetiere and his assistant called upon to dress the bride destined for a political marriage. Nothing is what it seems.
Readers of the BTR books will be treated to the appearance of an old friend. Con goers and anthology readers will recognize the main character’s assistant as well.
♦ ♦ ♦
(Editor’s note: For those interested in the previous Black Tide Rising universe anthologies they are linked below.)
[Left: Black Tide Rising, 6/16 – Center: Voices of the Fall, 3/19 – Right: We Shall Rise, 6/21]
