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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Military Science fiction set in WW2 in the US Asiatic Fleet. A destroyer - USS Walker is engaging a superior Japanese naval force when at a critical moment they sail through an odd storm which is a spacetime anomaly which takes them to the same spot on Earth but with dinosaurs around and other intelligent species which have evolved competing civilisations - and are inimical to one another. The Walker is forced to take sides - fortunately able to defend one civilised species against an aggressor determined to wipe them out - and / or eat them! The arrival of a new technology and military methods help a lot. This is the first in a long series, and I am enjoying them but won't review them all!
It's a good fun quick read. It seemed to stumble in a few places, the pacing was a little off, and I found myself skimming through a few times. For the most part the characters have more dimensions than I anticipated - except for the few female characters. They fell a little flat. But the working comraderie of the fighting crew was played out well.
That was the books strength. It's weakness was in a plot that never seemed to rise above sci fi cliches held together with chicken wire and chewing gum. (spoilers) battleships and freak storms that transport them into a parallel universe. Friendly cat-monkey (or monkey cat?) people and evil Lizard people. The kick ass Americans train the otherwise peaceful monkey people into fierce warriors to stand against the pure evilnof the Lizard people. There are, of course, rousing speeches given by the US captain that propelled them into unheard of feats of monkey-cat bravery.
That's not an all bad thing. If you want a delicious sandwich, you open up your fridge and squish everything that makes your mouth water between 2 pieces of bread. But the book never really rises above. ... and I'm being told that's not really the best way to make a sandwich - i was just guessing to be honest.
If I can find the next one used, i'll pick it up as a "vacation book". It was enjoyable enough for that. And if you're looking for some light naval/sci fi reading, this is the way to go.
But if you really want a taste of what that military snap crossed with sci fi can do, I would humbly recommend the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson. Starting with 'Gardens of the Moon'. It's like 'Into the Storm' only better. Having finished this book I have the nearly overwhelmed urge to reread that series.
That was the books strength. It's weakness was in a plot that never seemed to rise above sci fi cliches held together with chicken wire and chewing gum. (spoilers) battleships and freak storms that transport them into a parallel universe. Friendly cat-monkey (or monkey cat?) people and evil Lizard people. The kick ass Americans train the otherwise peaceful monkey people into fierce warriors to stand against the pure evilnof the Lizard people. There are, of course, rousing speeches given by the US captain that propelled them into unheard of feats of monkey-cat bravery.
That's not an all bad thing. If you want a delicious sandwich, you open up your fridge and squish everything that makes your mouth water between 2 pieces of bread. But the book never really rises above. ... and I'm being told that's not really the best way to make a sandwich - i was just guessing to be honest.
If I can find the next one used, i'll pick it up as a "vacation book". It was enjoyable enough for that. And if you're looking for some light naval/sci fi reading, this is the way to go.
But if you really want a taste of what that military snap crossed with sci fi can do, I would humbly recommend the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson. Starting with 'Gardens of the Moon'. It's like 'Into the Storm' only better. Having finished this book I have the nearly overwhelmed urge to reread that series.
Eh, apparently one of the guys have sex with one of the monkeycats
Am now thoroughly grossed out, yuck
Am now thoroughly grossed out, yuck
Really enjoyable, but not sure sure I'm ready to read nine more books.
I really like alternate universe books, and I enjoy reading WWII. This is a great book for both. There are human females and alternate universe females in here that get quite a bit of strength, so this book is for everyone. I found out about this author at Books and Crannies in Terrell, TX. If you get a chance, please stop by there. I plan to go out there again sometime.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the first book of (as of this moment) 7 books. It starts with the crew of a destroyer class vessel of the US Navy during WWII. In the process of evading the Japanese fleets, they enter a squall (storm on the water) to help hide themselves for being followed. During the passage through the squall, something happens and once they emerge, though everything seems the same, there has been a dimensional slip, or parallel universe change.... I don't know exactly what. I started the book interested in how things would go, but unfortunately, after the squaw and them finding dinosaur-like creatures, the story started in from the viewpoint of some race in this "new" land... it just made me lose interest. I will be honest and say I did not finish it.
Really enjoyed the story of a WWII destroyer going to an alternate place and dealing with the situation that presents itself. Looking forward to book 2 to see where the story takes us. Reminds me a little of the lost regiment series by William forstien.
i have to say that this is a very imaginative series.
i was never one for those world war 2 books about men on a ship and all that. but taking it all to a new world, with new creatures, new places, and unseen adventures makes it a lot more fun.
this is a review of most of the series so far. all 7 books that i know of.
im amazed with this series. its long, and it just keeps going. i have developed attachments to many characters, and im enjoying there inventiveness and sense of adventure. especially denis silva.
the down side of this series is, there is to much going on. by the 7th book, there are fights going on all over the world and i am so lost as to who is where and whats going on.
they try to anchor you by telling you who is in this battle, but there are now so many characters, i cant keep up and remember all of them. i knew going in that a story about a ship was going to have a lot of characters. but the numbers just became to much. so i personally am getting lost in this series as the army grows and more and more people become important.
yes people do die, and they are replaced. but i just cant keep up with it.
but i love the story, and just wish there was not so much going on. if we just focused on the one ship, and not all over the world. the first several books where good. when that was all that was going on. but its so big now....
anyway, still a good series. and im going to keep with it till it maybe ends. if it ever will.
i was never one for those world war 2 books about men on a ship and all that. but taking it all to a new world, with new creatures, new places, and unseen adventures makes it a lot more fun.
this is a review of most of the series so far. all 7 books that i know of.
im amazed with this series. its long, and it just keeps going. i have developed attachments to many characters, and im enjoying there inventiveness and sense of adventure. especially denis silva.
the down side of this series is, there is to much going on. by the 7th book, there are fights going on all over the world and i am so lost as to who is where and whats going on.
they try to anchor you by telling you who is in this battle, but there are now so many characters, i cant keep up and remember all of them. i knew going in that a story about a ship was going to have a lot of characters. but the numbers just became to much. so i personally am getting lost in this series as the army grows and more and more people become important.
yes people do die, and they are replaced. but i just cant keep up with it.
but i love the story, and just wish there was not so much going on. if we just focused on the one ship, and not all over the world. the first several books where good. when that was all that was going on. but its so big now....
anyway, still a good series. and im going to keep with it till it maybe ends. if it ever will.
adventurous
medium-paced