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Destroyermen #5
Rising Tides
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Science Fiction (2011)In Taylor Anderson's acclaimed Destroyermen series, a parallel universe adds a extraordinary layer to the drama of World War II. Now, as Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy and the crew of the U.S.S. Walker continue their battle for both freedom and survival, the stakes become much more personal...and much more perilous.
433 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 10, 2020
The war expands and some favorite characters face extreme danger
This world has so many ways to kill the unwary and often the wary as well. Not just sentient enemies but a large part of the fauna on land and sea and now some of the flora as well. Plus the Creature From the Black Lagoon, along with friends and relatives, makes an appearance in this volume as the allies seek to salvage priceless war material from a Javanese swamp. Then there are monster storms, volcanoes, and tidal waves.
The Lemurians and the Americans make new friends and end the "dame famine." Unfortunately the new friends come with new, repulsive enemies. The war is now a two front affair - the Grik in the west and the Dominion in the east. This fifth volume leaves the alliance fighting a war stretching from East Africa to the Americas. Just when you think Mr. Anderson has thrown all he had at his readers, he brings in new, fresh twists.
This world has so many ways to kill the unwary and often the wary as well. Not just sentient enemies but a large part of the fauna on land and sea and now some of the flora as well. Plus the Creature From the Black Lagoon, along with friends and relatives, makes an appearance in this volume as the allies seek to salvage priceless war material from a Javanese swamp. Then there are monster storms, volcanoes, and tidal waves.
The Lemurians and the Americans make new friends and end the "dame famine." Unfortunately the new friends come with new, repulsive enemies. The war is now a two front affair - the Grik in the west and the Dominion in the east. This fifth volume leaves the alliance fighting a war stretching from East Africa to the Americas. Just when you think Mr. Anderson has thrown all he had at his readers, he brings in new, fresh twists.
January 31, 2014
I've been singing the praises of this series until you guys are probably tired of hearing it. So I'm taking a different tact.
I think this song sort of captures the mood at the end of this book, and kind of the end of all books in the series so far, save one, maybe Malestrom. The proud USS Walker, victorious in battle, steaming into port, wounded and proud passing the cheering crowds of humans and lemurians. The song reminds me of coming home from deployment "manning the rails" of the USS Wisconsin after the first Gulf War.
Like the echoes in this song, I love the way things get so desparate in these books and at the end, even in the midst of tragic devistation, in steams USS Walker. All look in shocked and horrified expressions at the scars and battle damage and the proud crew working to reach the pier.
It's strange, so many characters get killed or wounded, the ships get sunk or blown up yet, even when the story ends in a desparate point, there is always some hope, usually surroiunding the USS Walker and her crew as a visible symbol of courage, hnor and commitment.
It's a good series. I love the ending of this one as much as book 3 but for many varied and different reasons. Anyway
Here's the song: (or you can listen through the Hyperlink above)
When the Ship Comes In
As perfomred by USA Folk Singers: Peter Paul and Mary
Oh the time will come up when the wind will stop
And the breeze will cease to be breathin'
Like the stillness in the wind 'fore the hurricane begins
The hour that the ship comes in
Oh the seas will split and the ship will hit
And the sand on the shoreline will be shakin'
And the tide will sound and the waves will pound
And the mornin' will be breakin'
Oh the fishes will laugh as they swim out of the path
And the seagulls, they'll be smilin'
And the rocks on the sand will proudly stand
The hour that the ship comes in
And the words that are used for to get the ship confused
Will not be understood as they're spoken
For the chains of the sea will have busted in the night
And be buried on the bottom of the ocean
Oh a song will lift as the mainsail shifts
And the boat drifts onto the shoreline
And the sun will respect every face on the deck
The hour that the ship comes in
And the sands will roll out a carpet of gold
For your weary toes to be a touchin'
And the ship's wise men will remind you once again
That the whole wide world is watchin'
Oh the foes will rise with the sleep still in their eyes
And they'll jerk from their beds and think they're dreamin'
But they'll pinch themselves and squeal and they'll know that it's for real
The hour that the ship comes in
And they'll raise their hands sayin', "We'll meet all your demands"
But we'll shout from the bow "Your days are numbered"
And like Pharaoh's tribe they'll be drownded in the tide
And like Goliath they'll be conquered.
Songwriters
Bob Dylan
Published by
SPECIAL RIDER MUSIC
I think this song sort of captures the mood at the end of this book, and kind of the end of all books in the series so far, save one, maybe Malestrom. The proud USS Walker, victorious in battle, steaming into port, wounded and proud passing the cheering crowds of humans and lemurians. The song reminds me of coming home from deployment "manning the rails" of the USS Wisconsin after the first Gulf War.
Like the echoes in this song, I love the way things get so desparate in these books and at the end, even in the midst of tragic devistation, in steams USS Walker. All look in shocked and horrified expressions at the scars and battle damage and the proud crew working to reach the pier.
It's strange, so many characters get killed or wounded, the ships get sunk or blown up yet, even when the story ends in a desparate point, there is always some hope, usually surroiunding the USS Walker and her crew as a visible symbol of courage, hnor and commitment.
It's a good series. I love the ending of this one as much as book 3 but for many varied and different reasons. Anyway
Here's the song: (or you can listen through the Hyperlink above)
When the Ship Comes In
As perfomred by USA Folk Singers: Peter Paul and Mary
Oh the time will come up when the wind will stop
And the breeze will cease to be breathin'
Like the stillness in the wind 'fore the hurricane begins
The hour that the ship comes in
Oh the seas will split and the ship will hit
And the sand on the shoreline will be shakin'
And the tide will sound and the waves will pound
And the mornin' will be breakin'
Oh the fishes will laugh as they swim out of the path
And the seagulls, they'll be smilin'
And the rocks on the sand will proudly stand
The hour that the ship comes in
And the words that are used for to get the ship confused
Will not be understood as they're spoken
For the chains of the sea will have busted in the night
And be buried on the bottom of the ocean
Oh a song will lift as the mainsail shifts
And the boat drifts onto the shoreline
And the sun will respect every face on the deck
The hour that the ship comes in
And the sands will roll out a carpet of gold
For your weary toes to be a touchin'
And the ship's wise men will remind you once again
That the whole wide world is watchin'
Oh the foes will rise with the sleep still in their eyes
And they'll jerk from their beds and think they're dreamin'
But they'll pinch themselves and squeal and they'll know that it's for real
The hour that the ship comes in
And they'll raise their hands sayin', "We'll meet all your demands"
But we'll shout from the bow "Your days are numbered"
And like Pharaoh's tribe they'll be drownded in the tide
And like Goliath they'll be conquered.
Songwriters
Bob Dylan
Published by
SPECIAL RIDER MUSIC
January 20, 2016
Fifth in the Destroyermen military science-fiction series that takes place in a parallel world between our Earth's American men and their destroyer, the USS Walker, and their many and varied allies against a horrifying set of enemies.
My Take
Oh man, this is a fascinating tale. Anderson keeps me churning through the book as fast as I can…I just have to know what'll happen next! I love the cultural misunderstandings as well as the meshing that occurs. It's always a treat to see our own perceptions stood on their heads when we get a new perspective from an alien culture…and not all alien cultures are real aliens!
The mechanical and engineering work on the Walker. The strategy of battle and weapons deployment. Coping with the natural disasters that Talaud keeps trying to throw at them as well as the typhoons. Then there's the geography. It's like and, yet, not like their Pacific. The Philippines are there as are the Hawaiian Islands. Java. Ceylon. India. But the contours and size are not the same. The Marshall Islands aren't there. Atolls and islands Matt was aware of are no longer in existence or they're smaller/bigger. The people Matt and his crew have met so far are either 'Cats or Griks. There's a "dame famine" on. The industrial infrastructure Matt is used to…has to be built up from scratch by his people and the 'Cats, so it's an interesting meld of technologies.
Most of the story revolves around the Alliance (Matt) meeting the Imperials (Jenks) as they attempt to thwart the Company's treason on outlying islands and finally, at their home base.
There is not much exposure to the Grik story in Rising Tides. Just enough to worry the reader as to what their new plans might be against the 'Cats and Americans.
If you enjoy military fiction, read Taylor Anderson's Destroyermen. You will not regret it!!
A Bit of Back Story
In the first book, Into the Storm , 1, Walker and Mahan are American battleships being chased by the Amagi, a Japanese destroyer [it's shortly after the bombing at Pearl Harbor] when a massive storm comes up at sea swallowing all three ships and spitting them out in a totally new Earth. Oh, they're still in the Pacific…but it sure ain't Kansas, Toto. One bit of luck is that all three ships are spewed out in different parts of the Pacific, which allows them to get their bearings and have wild adventures…including, meeting the Grik and the 'Cats. Lemurians if we're gonna be proper about it. Over the centuries, the Grik and the Lemurians have fought usually resulting in the Lemurians fleeing in their sailing Homes. The Americans and their ships change all this leading to a firm alliance between the two races.
The destroyermen have had losses and the 'Cats are more than willing to learn so by this point, Walker's crew is about half and half…less and more. In Distant Thunders , 4, we encountered the Imperials led by Commodore Jenks. The Imperials are former Englishmen who were caught up in a similar storm several hundred years ago and have since built up their own empire.
The American personnel and friends kidnapped by the Company — Sandra, DaSilva, Princess Rebecca, Lawrence, Sister Audrey, Abel Cook, Stuart Brassey, and Captain Lelaa in Distant Thunders — have "rescued" themselves blowing the Ajax up in the process but are in a bit of a pickle stranded on an island with three Imperial soldiers with huge carnivorous beasties about to descend on them. Their main concern is to find a way through the breakwaters that seem to surround the island.
The Story
There's fighting on many fronts: Admiral Keje-Fris-Ar and his fleet intend to try some new tactics out on Rangoon and rout the Grik there before they attack Ceylon. Lieutenant Laumer has set sail with the USS Toolbox to find and repair the submarine, S-19, where this universe's version of Krakatoa is about to blow while Lt. Commander Russ Chapelle and Major Ben Mallory are searching for the Santa Catalina to recover the crates of P40-Es and guns the Mice found.
Meanwhile, Captain Reddy has set sail with a small fleet along with the Imperial fleet led by Commodore Jenks in search of the kidnappers…and they've found 'em. Heh-heh-heh…
The Characters
Matthew Reddy is the captain of the USS Walker, High Chief of the American Clan, and Supreme Commander of all military forces united beneath he Banner of the Trees. He and Sandra have been in love since book one and her kidnapping…well, let's just say any Company man will regret it. They won't live to regret it…they'll just regret it.
The Mice are a couple of guys who rarely emerge from the boiler room. Spanky McFarlane is the ship's engineering lieutenant, and Tabby loves to tease him.
The 'Cats, or Lemurians, are…
…one of the dominant species in this brave new world and, luckily for both the Americans and the 'Cats, they're friendly. Walker needs all the friends she can get while the 'Cats need all the military help and instruction possible. The thing is, the 'Cats look just like, well, cats.
Tab-At, a.k.a., "Tabby", is a female 'Cat adopted by the Mice and taught how to run and repair the engines. Chanka is a former wing runner and pacifist who is now one of the most fearsome of the Marines.
The Imperials are…
…the Americans' human allies in this strange new world. Commodore Jenks was in charge of the Imperial fleet sent to rescue Princess Rebecca and has since become friends with Matt.
The Grik are…
…lizard-like sentient beings who conquer everything they see and eat everything they conquer including their own dead. General Esshk is one of the top generals for the Grik while General Halik has ascended from the ranks of the fighters.
The Griks' Japanese allies include…
…Kurakowa is/was the captain of the Amagi and he's in thick with the Grik. His main concern is his prestige, his survival…and screw his men. Orochi Niwa, former lieutenant of the Amagi's Special Naval Landing Force has been promoted to General of Hunters in the Grik army.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a bit…eeek… Actually I think it's a collage of everything happening in Rising Tides…and, oh brother, isn't this title apt!?? The Walker is steaming into a storm. There are pterodactyls circling in the sky while a razor-toothed sea monster rises up from the ocean and one of the precious Nancys is flaming into the water.
My Take
Oh man, this is a fascinating tale. Anderson keeps me churning through the book as fast as I can…I just have to know what'll happen next! I love the cultural misunderstandings as well as the meshing that occurs. It's always a treat to see our own perceptions stood on their heads when we get a new perspective from an alien culture…and not all alien cultures are real aliens!
The mechanical and engineering work on the Walker. The strategy of battle and weapons deployment. Coping with the natural disasters that Talaud keeps trying to throw at them as well as the typhoons. Then there's the geography. It's like and, yet, not like their Pacific. The Philippines are there as are the Hawaiian Islands. Java. Ceylon. India. But the contours and size are not the same. The Marshall Islands aren't there. Atolls and islands Matt was aware of are no longer in existence or they're smaller/bigger. The people Matt and his crew have met so far are either 'Cats or Griks. There's a "dame famine" on. The industrial infrastructure Matt is used to…has to be built up from scratch by his people and the 'Cats, so it's an interesting meld of technologies.
Most of the story revolves around the Alliance (Matt) meeting the Imperials (Jenks) as they attempt to thwart the Company's treason on outlying islands and finally, at their home base.
There is not much exposure to the Grik story in Rising Tides. Just enough to worry the reader as to what their new plans might be against the 'Cats and Americans.
If you enjoy military fiction, read Taylor Anderson's Destroyermen. You will not regret it!!
A Bit of Back Story
In the first book, Into the Storm , 1, Walker and Mahan are American battleships being chased by the Amagi, a Japanese destroyer [it's shortly after the bombing at Pearl Harbor] when a massive storm comes up at sea swallowing all three ships and spitting them out in a totally new Earth. Oh, they're still in the Pacific…but it sure ain't Kansas, Toto. One bit of luck is that all three ships are spewed out in different parts of the Pacific, which allows them to get their bearings and have wild adventures…including, meeting the Grik and the 'Cats. Lemurians if we're gonna be proper about it. Over the centuries, the Grik and the Lemurians have fought usually resulting in the Lemurians fleeing in their sailing Homes. The Americans and their ships change all this leading to a firm alliance between the two races.
The destroyermen have had losses and the 'Cats are more than willing to learn so by this point, Walker's crew is about half and half…less and more. In Distant Thunders , 4, we encountered the Imperials led by Commodore Jenks. The Imperials are former Englishmen who were caught up in a similar storm several hundred years ago and have since built up their own empire.
The American personnel and friends kidnapped by the Company — Sandra, DaSilva, Princess Rebecca, Lawrence, Sister Audrey, Abel Cook, Stuart Brassey, and Captain Lelaa in Distant Thunders — have "rescued" themselves blowing the Ajax up in the process but are in a bit of a pickle stranded on an island with three Imperial soldiers with huge carnivorous beasties about to descend on them. Their main concern is to find a way through the breakwaters that seem to surround the island.
The Story
There's fighting on many fronts: Admiral Keje-Fris-Ar and his fleet intend to try some new tactics out on Rangoon and rout the Grik there before they attack Ceylon. Lieutenant Laumer has set sail with the USS Toolbox to find and repair the submarine, S-19, where this universe's version of Krakatoa is about to blow while Lt. Commander Russ Chapelle and Major Ben Mallory are searching for the Santa Catalina to recover the crates of P40-Es and guns the Mice found.
Meanwhile, Captain Reddy has set sail with a small fleet along with the Imperial fleet led by Commodore Jenks in search of the kidnappers…and they've found 'em. Heh-heh-heh…
The Characters
Matthew Reddy is the captain of the USS Walker, High Chief of the American Clan, and Supreme Commander of all military forces united beneath he Banner of the Trees. He and Sandra have been in love since book one and her kidnapping…well, let's just say any Company man will regret it. They won't live to regret it…they'll just regret it.
The Mice are a couple of guys who rarely emerge from the boiler room. Spanky McFarlane is the ship's engineering lieutenant, and Tabby loves to tease him.
The 'Cats, or Lemurians, are…
…one of the dominant species in this brave new world and, luckily for both the Americans and the 'Cats, they're friendly. Walker needs all the friends she can get while the 'Cats need all the military help and instruction possible. The thing is, the 'Cats look just like, well, cats.
Tab-At, a.k.a., "Tabby", is a female 'Cat adopted by the Mice and taught how to run and repair the engines. Chanka is a former wing runner and pacifist who is now one of the most fearsome of the Marines.
The Imperials are…
…the Americans' human allies in this strange new world. Commodore Jenks was in charge of the Imperial fleet sent to rescue Princess Rebecca and has since become friends with Matt.
The Grik are…
…lizard-like sentient beings who conquer everything they see and eat everything they conquer including their own dead. General Esshk is one of the top generals for the Grik while General Halik has ascended from the ranks of the fighters.
The Griks' Japanese allies include…
…Kurakowa is/was the captain of the Amagi and he's in thick with the Grik. His main concern is his prestige, his survival…and screw his men. Orochi Niwa, former lieutenant of the Amagi's Special Naval Landing Force has been promoted to General of Hunters in the Grik army.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a bit…eeek… Actually I think it's a collage of everything happening in Rising Tides…and, oh brother, isn't this title apt!?? The Walker is steaming into a storm. There are pterodactyls circling in the sky while a razor-toothed sea monster rises up from the ocean and one of the precious Nancys is flaming into the water.
June 21, 2012
Rising Tides: Destroyermen, Book 5 by Taylor Anderson is a solid book. But it feels like you are treading water, because overall the story is taking its sweet time in developing. I still have high hopes and at this point I am quite invested in the characters in series and am curious how things will progress.
This really felt like a development book, setting up the next couple of books for some bang up, drag out fights. Not to say that the book is totally devoid of action, but the biggest danger in this book really came from nature (rouge waves, volcano's) and not from the Grik or to a lesser degree the New Dominion.
The fun (but sometimes dragging part) of this story is that there are number of diverse story lines all running concurrently. CPT Reddy and the Walker visiting New Britain, Sandra and the Princess still shipwrecked, the recovery of the ship full of P-40E's, the attempts to recover S-19, and the ongoing campaign against the Grik. Add in the nature of slow travel and sheer size of the Pacific and things are going to slow down.
That said, I will buying the next novel shortly. Great writing style and even when it is slow it is still a great read with engaging characters and societies.
This really felt like a development book, setting up the next couple of books for some bang up, drag out fights. Not to say that the book is totally devoid of action, but the biggest danger in this book really came from nature (rouge waves, volcano's) and not from the Grik or to a lesser degree the New Dominion.
The fun (but sometimes dragging part) of this story is that there are number of diverse story lines all running concurrently. CPT Reddy and the Walker visiting New Britain, Sandra and the Princess still shipwrecked, the recovery of the ship full of P-40E's, the attempts to recover S-19, and the ongoing campaign against the Grik. Add in the nature of slow travel and sheer size of the Pacific and things are going to slow down.
That said, I will buying the next novel shortly. Great writing style and even when it is slow it is still a great read with engaging characters and societies.
August 29, 2016
I will admit that this series is completely outside my box. Alternate history is something I would say 'thanks, but no thanks' to, but I am enjoying this series. I think the narrator adds to that. He does a fantastic job with all the voices and accents.
This book is the 5th book in the Destroyermen series by Taylor Anderson. A warship gets lost during WWII and finds itself in an alternate world that looks a lot like earth but evolution took a detour. This is well written and the twists are very creative. I love the characters and they are all so different. I love the good guys and their constant fight to change the injustices of their new world. These have been fun. I've already started the next one in the series.
This book is the 5th book in the Destroyermen series by Taylor Anderson. A warship gets lost during WWII and finds itself in an alternate world that looks a lot like earth but evolution took a detour. This is well written and the twists are very creative. I love the characters and they are all so different. I love the good guys and their constant fight to change the injustices of their new world. These have been fun. I've already started the next one in the series.
October 2, 2013
Book Report: Rising Tides
By Evan J. Hunt
Rising Tides is a great read if you’re into alternative history, military adventure, suspenseful action, and science fiction.
The book Rising Tides takes place in the early 1940’s on an alternate earth. The USS Walker, an outdated U.S. Navy destroyer, was on a “cushy assignment” in the Philippines when the Pacific front of the Second World War opened up. Itself and the rest of its battle group pursued by the Japanese, only the Walker, and another outdated destroyer (the USS Mahan) escaped destruction.
Pulled through an anomaly that would be called the Squall by the Americans (it turned out to be an inter-dimensional rift), they found themselves in a parallel universe. Soon after that, they encountered two sentient races: the mostly peaceful Lemurians (think giant Lemurs) and the reptilian, warlike, Grik (imagine giant, slightly furry, feathery lizards). After a year and a half, the Americans and their Lemurian allies have met another group of humans: the Empire of the New Britain Isles.
Now the the Walker has been miraculously repaired after sinking in the last major Grik offensive. Captain Matthew Reddy, her captain, is on the hunt for a group of rouge New British who have taken hostage several Alliance personnel, including Sandra Tucker, the love of his life. Matt and his new ally (Commodore Harvey Jenks of the New British Navy) have to navigate British politics to weed out those who stole Sandra and the other hostages away from the Grand Alliance. Unknown to Matt, the hostages have escaped and are stranded on a dangerous, extremely remote island.
Rising Tides, was, in all, a great addition to a great series (Destroyermen). In terms of action, Rising Tides was exciting at times, and the social interactions between characters and intrigue covered most of the spots that weren’t action-packed. Some action was natural, such as the volcanic eruption that almost destroyed the operation to salvage a submarine called S-19, and a Strakka (a storm on the alternate earth that can outclass most hurricanes) that nearly sank the Walker. Near the end of the book (I really should’ve seen this coming) a twisted group of humans calling themselves the “Holy Dominion” launched a massive naval assault on New Britain, with the assistance of corrupt members of the Imperial Government and troops they had stationed in abandoned warehouses. The part where Matt’s ship got hit hard by Dominion “battlewagons” was really suspenseful, because although I knew the old destroyer could handle eighteenth-century-style cannons, she wasn’t indestructible. The gunfight on the island of New Scotland did nothing to relieve the suspense and I ended up on the edge of my seat as I read it.
RT’s author did an amazingly good job at maintaining a very large and very diverse cast of characters spread across hundreds or even thousands of miles. Ranging from a salvage operation for a wrecked submarine, to the survival story of the former hostages on an uncharted island, Matt’s navigation of New British Politics with Commodore Harvey Jenks, and an operation to add the former freighter Santa Catalina to the Alliance fleet. I don’t know how Taylor Anderson (the author) managed to keep up with all those parallel events. And in terms of the antagonists, they mainly took the forms of the Holy Dominion's ambassador, Don Hernand, and Mr. Reed, a corrupt “Honorable” New Britain Company official.
So, in summary, Rising Tides was an excellent read. It was packed with drama, suspense, intrigue, and action. The ending wrapped up most of the suspense (a good thing too) with S-19 somehow surviving a volcanic eruptions, the Walker beating off the Dominion invasion, and S-19 finding the former hostages, Sandra among them. The ending also set the next book up, as the the Grik were preparing for a counterattack and New Ireland fell in with the Holy Dominion.
(As a final note, there is some mature content, just as a warning BEFORE you read the book)
By Evan J. Hunt
Rising Tides is a great read if you’re into alternative history, military adventure, suspenseful action, and science fiction.
The book Rising Tides takes place in the early 1940’s on an alternate earth. The USS Walker, an outdated U.S. Navy destroyer, was on a “cushy assignment” in the Philippines when the Pacific front of the Second World War opened up. Itself and the rest of its battle group pursued by the Japanese, only the Walker, and another outdated destroyer (the USS Mahan) escaped destruction.
Pulled through an anomaly that would be called the Squall by the Americans (it turned out to be an inter-dimensional rift), they found themselves in a parallel universe. Soon after that, they encountered two sentient races: the mostly peaceful Lemurians (think giant Lemurs) and the reptilian, warlike, Grik (imagine giant, slightly furry, feathery lizards). After a year and a half, the Americans and their Lemurian allies have met another group of humans: the Empire of the New Britain Isles.
Now the the Walker has been miraculously repaired after sinking in the last major Grik offensive. Captain Matthew Reddy, her captain, is on the hunt for a group of rouge New British who have taken hostage several Alliance personnel, including Sandra Tucker, the love of his life. Matt and his new ally (Commodore Harvey Jenks of the New British Navy) have to navigate British politics to weed out those who stole Sandra and the other hostages away from the Grand Alliance. Unknown to Matt, the hostages have escaped and are stranded on a dangerous, extremely remote island.
Rising Tides, was, in all, a great addition to a great series (Destroyermen). In terms of action, Rising Tides was exciting at times, and the social interactions between characters and intrigue covered most of the spots that weren’t action-packed. Some action was natural, such as the volcanic eruption that almost destroyed the operation to salvage a submarine called S-19, and a Strakka (a storm on the alternate earth that can outclass most hurricanes) that nearly sank the Walker. Near the end of the book (I really should’ve seen this coming) a twisted group of humans calling themselves the “Holy Dominion” launched a massive naval assault on New Britain, with the assistance of corrupt members of the Imperial Government and troops they had stationed in abandoned warehouses. The part where Matt’s ship got hit hard by Dominion “battlewagons” was really suspenseful, because although I knew the old destroyer could handle eighteenth-century-style cannons, she wasn’t indestructible. The gunfight on the island of New Scotland did nothing to relieve the suspense and I ended up on the edge of my seat as I read it.
RT’s author did an amazingly good job at maintaining a very large and very diverse cast of characters spread across hundreds or even thousands of miles. Ranging from a salvage operation for a wrecked submarine, to the survival story of the former hostages on an uncharted island, Matt’s navigation of New British Politics with Commodore Harvey Jenks, and an operation to add the former freighter Santa Catalina to the Alliance fleet. I don’t know how Taylor Anderson (the author) managed to keep up with all those parallel events. And in terms of the antagonists, they mainly took the forms of the Holy Dominion's ambassador, Don Hernand, and Mr. Reed, a corrupt “Honorable” New Britain Company official.
So, in summary, Rising Tides was an excellent read. It was packed with drama, suspense, intrigue, and action. The ending wrapped up most of the suspense (a good thing too) with S-19 somehow surviving a volcanic eruptions, the Walker beating off the Dominion invasion, and S-19 finding the former hostages, Sandra among them. The ending also set the next book up, as the the Grik were preparing for a counterattack and New Ireland fell in with the Holy Dominion.
(As a final note, there is some mature content, just as a warning BEFORE you read the book)
September 19, 2012
3.5 Originally posted at FanLit.
If you’ve been enjoying Taylor Anderson’s DESTROYERMEN series, there’s no reason to stop now. Rising Tides is another quality installment in which we do a lot of sailing, have some fun and laughs, and barely survive some frightening events — exactly what we were expecting.
Captain Reddy and his original crew of Destroyermen, of which less than 100 survive, are different men than those who entered the storm so many months ago. They’ve been tried and tested in many ways, and it’s brought out the best in most of them, though some make deadly mistakes due to inexperience. Right now the Destroyermen are rather spread out across the unpredictable south Pacific ocean. One group is trying to free an old submarine from a volcanic island. Another is trying to recover a sunken cache of planes and ammunition from a different island. Captain Reddy himself is pursuing the traitors of New Britain who kidnapped some of Reddy’s crew who, though he doesn’t know it, are now stranded on a deserted (and very dangerous) island. It’s obvious that the Americans will have to get involved in the messy politics of the New British… but at least they might meet some women.
Though the DESTROYERMEN epic has a completely different setting and cast, its structure is very similar to Robert Jordan’s WHEEL OF TIME. There’s a large ever-expanding cast of characters who begin to split off and have their own storylines, though each separate adventure has been coordinated by Reddy to further the allies’ goals. With each book, Anderson spends time reminding us about each character — where they are, what they’re doing, and all their particular personality quirks. This gets repetitive and, like Jordan, Anderson uses some of the same phrases or in-jokes to re-introduce his characters in every book.
The repetition also slows down the plot but, generally, Anderson’s story moves faster than Jordan’s does. By the end of each book there are few major developments, but the plot has definitely advanced (not always the case with WOT) and we’ve always enjoyed spending time with some likeable characters. A few new characters are introduced in Rising Tides, including a cute talking bird whose vocabulary, because he’s hanging out with Dennis Silva, consists mostly of curse words.
Though the structure of DESTROYERMEN is very similar to WOT, the story is not — it’s unique for a fantasy novel. I’m enjoying the industrial revolution that the Americans have brought to their new world and I’m learning a bit about some interesting topics such as fuel efficiency, developing bombs and mortars, radio transmission, the dangers of target fixation, and how to raise sunken ships. The Americans still solve problems a little too easily (I think Anderson wants to give us a scare but not stress us out too much) and they’re still a bit too righteous while the bad guys are over the top, but I’m willing to forgive this because DESTROYERMEN, overall, is genuinely entertaining. And I’m pleased with Tantor Audio’s version which is read by William Dufris.
If you’ve been enjoying Taylor Anderson’s DESTROYERMEN series, there’s no reason to stop now. Rising Tides is another quality installment in which we do a lot of sailing, have some fun and laughs, and barely survive some frightening events — exactly what we were expecting.
Captain Reddy and his original crew of Destroyermen, of which less than 100 survive, are different men than those who entered the storm so many months ago. They’ve been tried and tested in many ways, and it’s brought out the best in most of them, though some make deadly mistakes due to inexperience. Right now the Destroyermen are rather spread out across the unpredictable south Pacific ocean. One group is trying to free an old submarine from a volcanic island. Another is trying to recover a sunken cache of planes and ammunition from a different island. Captain Reddy himself is pursuing the traitors of New Britain who kidnapped some of Reddy’s crew who, though he doesn’t know it, are now stranded on a deserted (and very dangerous) island. It’s obvious that the Americans will have to get involved in the messy politics of the New British… but at least they might meet some women.
Though the DESTROYERMEN epic has a completely different setting and cast, its structure is very similar to Robert Jordan’s WHEEL OF TIME. There’s a large ever-expanding cast of characters who begin to split off and have their own storylines, though each separate adventure has been coordinated by Reddy to further the allies’ goals. With each book, Anderson spends time reminding us about each character — where they are, what they’re doing, and all their particular personality quirks. This gets repetitive and, like Jordan, Anderson uses some of the same phrases or in-jokes to re-introduce his characters in every book.
The repetition also slows down the plot but, generally, Anderson’s story moves faster than Jordan’s does. By the end of each book there are few major developments, but the plot has definitely advanced (not always the case with WOT) and we’ve always enjoyed spending time with some likeable characters. A few new characters are introduced in Rising Tides, including a cute talking bird whose vocabulary, because he’s hanging out with Dennis Silva, consists mostly of curse words.
Though the structure of DESTROYERMEN is very similar to WOT, the story is not — it’s unique for a fantasy novel. I’m enjoying the industrial revolution that the Americans have brought to their new world and I’m learning a bit about some interesting topics such as fuel efficiency, developing bombs and mortars, radio transmission, the dangers of target fixation, and how to raise sunken ships. The Americans still solve problems a little too easily (I think Anderson wants to give us a scare but not stress us out too much) and they’re still a bit too righteous while the bad guys are over the top, but I’m willing to forgive this because DESTROYERMEN, overall, is genuinely entertaining. And I’m pleased with Tantor Audio’s version which is read by William Dufris.
January 12, 2013
Once again Anderson Taylor produces a superb read! I have seen some critics claim that the book feels like he's laying out the plot for the next stage - not so! In "Distant Thunders" Taylor introduced some new elements that were fundamental to the overall arc in this alternate Earth that he has created. In this book he starts to tie these elements together in what is, of necessity, a number of episodes taking place parallel to each other. In so doing he produces a tale of real adventure. His "meerkat" heroes and reptilian villains no longer appear strange, even slightly comical... and new evils have been introduced that are just as nightmarish as the Grik once appeared to be!
September 24, 2017
Definitely enjoyed this one, and the "growing' of the universe to have a complex, multi-sided war. The mixed corporate plutocracy of "New Britain" is pretty interesting too. Generally a lot of nice details and world building, if that is your sort of thing-It is for me.
I'm concerned, like many of these "epic" series, that its getting bogged down by having too many threads to follow at once. Weber's Safehold series fell to the same issue and now moves at a glacial pace.
I'm concerned, like many of these "epic" series, that its getting bogged down by having too many threads to follow at once. Weber's Safehold series fell to the same issue and now moves at a glacial pace.
June 23, 2015
Another fine installment of the Destroyermen series, with quite a number of enjoyable plot lines to follow, and tidbits dropped near the end of the book to keep you wanting to read the next book. Mr. Anderson has an exceptional ability to keep the reader engaged throughout, and to keep the characters fresh and entertaining from book to book. Looking forward to the next one!
October 28, 2018
Having read several of this series, the odd circumstances of the story now seem less bizarre than they did.
May 19, 2022
3.3 stars, I liked it, might read again someday
Rising Tides is a solid continuation to a good series and the previous hints now uncovered thoroughly dispels the myth that species is the sole determining factor of social order. And the WW II era American crew is a bit more accommodating towards these facts than I would have expected. Well, it is fiction.
Unlikely things happen, but they do make the story interesting, and while old problems are resolved, new problems are constantly appearing. These make the story appealing. But the author has a tendency to postpone the narrative with devices like, "Wow, take a look in the binoculars, isn't it amazing?". I've generally found it irritating when characters discuss what they know and the reader does not in this fashion, both in this series and in others. Yet in some, it's handled well and isn't irritating but drives your curiosity. I think the difference lies in the secrets that aren't irritating to hide from the reader are "plans" and those that are irritating are "events" currently happening.
Rising Tides is a solid continuation to a good series and the previous hints now uncovered thoroughly dispels the myth that species is the sole determining factor of social order. And the WW II era American crew is a bit more accommodating towards these facts than I would have expected. Well, it is fiction.
Unlikely things happen, but they do make the story interesting, and while old problems are resolved, new problems are constantly appearing. These make the story appealing. But the author has a tendency to postpone the narrative with devices like, "Wow, take a look in the binoculars, isn't it amazing?". I've generally found it irritating when characters discuss what they know and the reader does not in this fashion, both in this series and in others. Yet in some, it's handled well and isn't irritating but drives your curiosity. I think the difference lies in the secrets that aren't irritating to hide from the reader are "plans" and those that are irritating are "events" currently happening.
February 21, 2021
Read this review (and others) at: https://literatureislife.com/2021/02/...
Rising Tides kicks off right where Distant Thunders left off, really being Act 2 of this story arc. With several of their people kidnapped, Captain Reddy and his destroyermen must sail Walker into new waters for the rescue. While the Empire seems like a potential ally, having traitors running loose does not make for a good first impression. Given the fact that the Empire was founded by ships from the East India Company at the height of its power, it should come as no surprise how their modern-day “Company” is behaving. Think Pirates of the Caribbean.
What Reddy can’t know, of course, is that the hostages have already rescued themselves. In no small part thanks to Silva. God, I love Silva. And they are now stuck on an island that’s just about as hospitable as anywhere else in this world. This takes us to the part of the story where the author has split the party. In pretty much any grand-scale military sci-fi series, this happens eventually. The war starts to get bigger and Team Protagonist has to split up to fight battles on multiple fronts. It’s now abundantly clear that The Grik are not the only threat in this world and the new enemies will also need to be dealt with.
The action is still a bit toned down here, but not as much as it was in the last book. Some of the action does come from military fighting while the rest is built around natural disasters and the planet’s many super-predators. This all happens on multiple fronts since the characters are scattered around now. Along with the physical danger, getting new factions involved means politics are now playing a bigger role in this war. Not to mention all the implications that the Empire’s existence has for the Lemurian religion and their newfound friendship with Reddy and his crew.
While Reddy and his crew are fully aware that humans can be bastards, this is a new(ish) concept for the Lemurians. Yeah, they’ve already fought against Kurokawa and know he’s helping the Grik. But knowing an enemy is on a ship somewhere is a lot different than talking to the person. Showing that so many other humans can be bastards demonstrates that Kurokawa is not some outlier of normal human behavior.
The events of Rising Tides wrap up a lot of subplots but also open many new doors. This really feels like the turning point where the series goes from being about one ship to being about war. And considering how good these books have been so far, I can’t wait to see where Anderson continues to take his series as it sails into new waters.
Rising Tides kicks off right where Distant Thunders left off, really being Act 2 of this story arc. With several of their people kidnapped, Captain Reddy and his destroyermen must sail Walker into new waters for the rescue. While the Empire seems like a potential ally, having traitors running loose does not make for a good first impression. Given the fact that the Empire was founded by ships from the East India Company at the height of its power, it should come as no surprise how their modern-day “Company” is behaving. Think Pirates of the Caribbean.
What Reddy can’t know, of course, is that the hostages have already rescued themselves. In no small part thanks to Silva. God, I love Silva. And they are now stuck on an island that’s just about as hospitable as anywhere else in this world. This takes us to the part of the story where the author has split the party. In pretty much any grand-scale military sci-fi series, this happens eventually. The war starts to get bigger and Team Protagonist has to split up to fight battles on multiple fronts. It’s now abundantly clear that The Grik are not the only threat in this world and the new enemies will also need to be dealt with.
The action is still a bit toned down here, but not as much as it was in the last book. Some of the action does come from military fighting while the rest is built around natural disasters and the planet’s many super-predators. This all happens on multiple fronts since the characters are scattered around now. Along with the physical danger, getting new factions involved means politics are now playing a bigger role in this war. Not to mention all the implications that the Empire’s existence has for the Lemurian religion and their newfound friendship with Reddy and his crew.
While Reddy and his crew are fully aware that humans can be bastards, this is a new(ish) concept for the Lemurians. Yeah, they’ve already fought against Kurokawa and know he’s helping the Grik. But knowing an enemy is on a ship somewhere is a lot different than talking to the person. Showing that so many other humans can be bastards demonstrates that Kurokawa is not some outlier of normal human behavior.
The events of Rising Tides wrap up a lot of subplots but also open many new doors. This really feels like the turning point where the series goes from being about one ship to being about war. And considering how good these books have been so far, I can’t wait to see where Anderson continues to take his series as it sails into new waters.
December 27, 2011
Interestingly, this book is better than the previous books in the series, though I still have a number of issues with the series as a whole:
1. Still no explanation of how the Grik civilization can feed itself, much maintain forward momentum.
2. The good guys are getting powerful a mite too quickly. These books also work way better when the good guys are behind the power curve and scrambling to just wring out survival (see Bill Forstchen's Lost Regiment series, particularly the 2nd and 3rd books).
3. Having some perspective on the Mexica myself, I found the Dominion a little flat... but with possibilities.
4. The cover art promised a much more interesting battle at the end than actually happened.
5. The Dominion "plan" to conquer New Britain was lacking in convincing detail. We needed to see what was happening from a Dominion character's point of view, to see that they did indeed have a real chance of capturing the island.
Again, the balance of tension between the opposing parties was not quite right. Too slanted to the Americans. Also, the effects of the Talaud eruption needed to be a bit more immediate. The best parts of the book were the struggles against nature and the very world itself.
1. Still no explanation of how the Grik civilization can feed itself, much maintain forward momentum.
2. The good guys are getting powerful a mite too quickly. These books also work way better when the good guys are behind the power curve and scrambling to just wring out survival (see Bill Forstchen's Lost Regiment series, particularly the 2nd and 3rd books).
3. Having some perspective on the Mexica myself, I found the Dominion a little flat... but with possibilities.
4. The cover art promised a much more interesting battle at the end than actually happened.
5. The Dominion "plan" to conquer New Britain was lacking in convincing detail. We needed to see what was happening from a Dominion character's point of view, to see that they did indeed have a real chance of capturing the island.
Again, the balance of tension between the opposing parties was not quite right. Too slanted to the Americans. Also, the effects of the Talaud eruption needed to be a bit more immediate. The best parts of the book were the struggles against nature and the very world itself.
June 17, 2013
This is the fifth novel in the Destroyermen series and the second one I've read. I enjoyed the first enough to buy this one and I've got the last one in the series just waiting.
This continues the saga of the US Navy destroyer USS Walker that has been relocated to another world similar to Earth, but with significant differences. Captain Reddy, now supreme commander of the allied forces, continues the war effort to eradicate the evil Grik. In the meantime they save another nation from being conquered by a religious gov't called the Dominion and now have two wars to fight.
This is a thrilling ride with believable and endearing characters, threaded with intriguing subplots, monster volcanoes, creatures that want to eat anything living and enemies galore. Human-like cats and sentient beings test social conceptions and racial stereotypes, bringing into glaring light many of the social issues we deal with on this Earth.
I am very much enjoying this series. Reminds me of Asimov's Foundation series in that an entirely new existence must be mapped out by Taylor Anderson, a daunting task for any writer, let alone the creation of a compelling story populated with a host of unique characters.
This continues the saga of the US Navy destroyer USS Walker that has been relocated to another world similar to Earth, but with significant differences. Captain Reddy, now supreme commander of the allied forces, continues the war effort to eradicate the evil Grik. In the meantime they save another nation from being conquered by a religious gov't called the Dominion and now have two wars to fight.
This is a thrilling ride with believable and endearing characters, threaded with intriguing subplots, monster volcanoes, creatures that want to eat anything living and enemies galore. Human-like cats and sentient beings test social conceptions and racial stereotypes, bringing into glaring light many of the social issues we deal with on this Earth.
I am very much enjoying this series. Reminds me of Asimov's Foundation series in that an entirely new existence must be mapped out by Taylor Anderson, a daunting task for any writer, let alone the creation of a compelling story populated with a host of unique characters.
April 29, 2018
I've taken this series off the "SciFi" shelf as the storm that facilitated everybody's repository to this alternate universe is the only science fiction, by definition.
Anyway the story has now taken on several distinct plot directions:
>> The push deeper into reclaiming Grik-conquered territory continues with a couple of revelations;
>> A new aquatic form of grik-like creatures was discovered during the salvaging of the supply freighter;
>> USS Walker and crew has arrived at New Britain and find themselves embroiled in political upheaval as their new allies must fend off a new alliance between their arch enemy, the papist descendants of Conquistadors, and "The Company";
>> The attempt at salvaging the submarine is interrupted by the eruption of this universe's Krakatoa sitting on the same island which it was stranded; and
>> Finally, (most of) the escaped Company hostages finally make contact with Lawrence's people. …
Lots going on in this installment.
4.5 Stars
Anyway the story has now taken on several distinct plot directions:
>> The push deeper into reclaiming Grik-conquered territory continues with a couple of revelations;
>> A new aquatic form of grik-like creatures was discovered during the salvaging of the supply freighter;
>> USS Walker and crew has arrived at New Britain and find themselves embroiled in political upheaval as their new allies must fend off a new alliance between their arch enemy, the papist descendants of Conquistadors, and "The Company";
>> The attempt at salvaging the submarine is interrupted by the eruption of this universe's Krakatoa sitting on the same island which it was stranded; and
>> Finally, (most of) the escaped Company hostages finally make contact with Lawrence's people. …
Lots going on in this installment.
4.5 Stars
September 7, 2013
When I read a series I sometimes find that the books that come after the first one are not as good, not as well written, & not as interesting. This is not happening with the Destroyermen books. This is the 5th book and it is as interesting, as well written as the first.
Wish there were more stars to give these books.
Wish there were more stars to give these books.
January 30, 2013
This was the most expansive book in the series. Following six different story leads, Anderson's alternate history tale weaves it way across a world that is both frightening and fascinating. The character list grows with more diverse humans and ...? Fun read with a storyline that keeps you reading (rather then watching TV, sleeping, or getting to work on time!). What Next?
January 18, 2016
In this, the fifth novel of the Destroyermen series, survivors of a battle against the Grik struggle to join up with the Alliance of Lemurians and humans. The USS Walker is pitted against a strong inquisition of a Catholic cult that trades in humans. Several parallel plots play out in this science fiction alternative Earth novel.
January 14, 2014
Another really good one.
June 18, 2024
The Destroyermen series is a long-lasting product: a fifteen-book series that goes on and on, but so far each book has been entertaining enough to stand on its own while advancing the overall story only a little bit.
In an alternate Earth occupied by lemur-like Lemurians and raptor-like Grik, it turns out that the World War II destroy Walker and its Japanese pursuers were not the first humans from our Earth to stumble through whatever portal brought them here. There is already New Britain, descended from British ships that crossed over centuries ago, and the Dominion, descended from Spanish Catholics. While New Britain was introduced in the previous book, where Matthew Reddy and his crew figured out that they are based in roughly what is Hawaii on this world, the Dominion moves into the chief villain role in this book when the Walker arrives at the capital of New Britain.
Despite being very much a sea-going action thriller that is read by people who want battles and intrigue and banter between Lemurians and WWII sailors, Anderson does a good job of creating plausible alternate history empires. New Britain is very British culturally, but its politics have diverged significantly, as the East India Company has become a sinister "shadow government." The destroyermen and Lemurians also discover that (for reasons that kind of make sense but still seemed a bit tortuous), women are virtually chattel. Although the more salacious implications of this are only hinted at, there are a whole lot of British officers saying "Well, of course we don't like the system but what can we do?" while insisting they really love their wives.
The Dominion seems to have combined the worst aspects of the Inquisition and the Aztec empire, and the one Dominion character we meet, the Dominion ambassador to New Britain, is the Big Bad of this book. In previous books, the Japanese and the Grik both began as essentially faceless orc enemies, but later became individual characters with some diverging from their "racial archetype," so it remains to be seen if the Dominion will remain unambiguously evil or if there will turn out to be some nuance and dissent there as well.
Speaking of the Grik and the Japanese, much like the last book, we only get a few chapters showing cameos of our old foes and what they are up to on the other side of the world. Rising Tides is primarily split between Matthew Reddy and the Walker in New Britain, and his girlfriend Nurse Sandra and Princess Rebecca and their fellow survivors out on the seas, who have to survive hostile natives (of the non-human variety) and volcanic eruptions.
The Destroyermen is a series for people who like the premise and the action and don't mind the story being dragged out for many, many books. A little bit gets added in each book, there are usually a few new characters introduced, but long-running plot threads like the war between the Grik and the humans and Lemurians, which side the Dominion will be on, and for that matter, when Reddy will finally be reunited with his nurse gal who was abducted two books ago, get stretched out across several volumes.
In an alternate Earth occupied by lemur-like Lemurians and raptor-like Grik, it turns out that the World War II destroy Walker and its Japanese pursuers were not the first humans from our Earth to stumble through whatever portal brought them here. There is already New Britain, descended from British ships that crossed over centuries ago, and the Dominion, descended from Spanish Catholics. While New Britain was introduced in the previous book, where Matthew Reddy and his crew figured out that they are based in roughly what is Hawaii on this world, the Dominion moves into the chief villain role in this book when the Walker arrives at the capital of New Britain.
Despite being very much a sea-going action thriller that is read by people who want battles and intrigue and banter between Lemurians and WWII sailors, Anderson does a good job of creating plausible alternate history empires. New Britain is very British culturally, but its politics have diverged significantly, as the East India Company has become a sinister "shadow government." The destroyermen and Lemurians also discover that (for reasons that kind of make sense but still seemed a bit tortuous), women are virtually chattel. Although the more salacious implications of this are only hinted at, there are a whole lot of British officers saying "Well, of course we don't like the system but what can we do?" while insisting they really love their wives.
The Dominion seems to have combined the worst aspects of the Inquisition and the Aztec empire, and the one Dominion character we meet, the Dominion ambassador to New Britain, is the Big Bad of this book. In previous books, the Japanese and the Grik both began as essentially faceless orc enemies, but later became individual characters with some diverging from their "racial archetype," so it remains to be seen if the Dominion will remain unambiguously evil or if there will turn out to be some nuance and dissent there as well.
Speaking of the Grik and the Japanese, much like the last book, we only get a few chapters showing cameos of our old foes and what they are up to on the other side of the world. Rising Tides is primarily split between Matthew Reddy and the Walker in New Britain, and his girlfriend Nurse Sandra and Princess Rebecca and their fellow survivors out on the seas, who have to survive hostile natives (of the non-human variety) and volcanic eruptions.
The Destroyermen is a series for people who like the premise and the action and don't mind the story being dragged out for many, many books. A little bit gets added in each book, there are usually a few new characters introduced, but long-running plot threads like the war between the Grik and the humans and Lemurians, which side the Dominion will be on, and for that matter, when Reddy will finally be reunited with his nurse gal who was abducted two books ago, get stretched out across several volumes.
June 26, 2017
Rising Tides is surely one of my favorites, if not the favorite of mine, in the Destroyermen series. Before I even talk about the plot, the fact that Anderson had Captain Reddy take care of business with a certain villain, rather than "dramatic banter" or simply "taking the higher road," made me love him all the more. Too often, the hero corners the bad guy just to be fooled by distraction, or have his good nature used to spare his life. Agh, so refreshing just to read the bastard catch four in the chest.
Back to Rising Tides as a whole, though, this was one I had a really hard time puting down. The "new" world they've landed in is more and more starting to look like the old one. With psychotic Inquisitionists taking the place of the Nazis in the East, and the Grik lizard savages in the west taking the place of the old Japanese Empire; ironically, with help from the Japs themselves. Add to all the inter-species/alliance conflicts the final eruption of a volcano larger than Krakatoa, massive hoards of "shit-sacks" (Silva's great name for some nasty monsters) coming to mate on their accidental island refuge, and this installment's brimming with more of the ingenious drama I've come to expect from Anderson. Oh, and we also get to enjoy a double duel to the death turned battalion battle in the arena. Oh... and the largest naval battle to date.
Definitely a good read.
Back to Rising Tides as a whole, though, this was one I had a really hard time puting down. The "new" world they've landed in is more and more starting to look like the old one. With psychotic Inquisitionists taking the place of the Nazis in the East, and the Grik lizard savages in the west taking the place of the old Japanese Empire; ironically, with help from the Japs themselves. Add to all the inter-species/alliance conflicts the final eruption of a volcano larger than Krakatoa, massive hoards of "shit-sacks" (Silva's great name for some nasty monsters) coming to mate on their accidental island refuge, and this installment's brimming with more of the ingenious drama I've come to expect from Anderson. Oh, and we also get to enjoy a double duel to the death turned battalion battle in the arena. Oh... and the largest naval battle to date.
Definitely a good read.
October 9, 2018
For the first time, I felt the story a bit dragged out - maybe because the author wanted to end at certain point and still wanted to keep a certain book length. It doesn't make it a bad read, but having read the previous parts, I know the author is capable of a much slicker pace (and less descriptions).
We are introduced to more threats - some manageable, others not. Also, the story now tries to cover 3 or 4 different arcs together. None of that feels misplaced and all proceeds in a logical manner - there are no backwards and forwards narratives in terms of timelines, and everything is happening in the order in which it appears in the book. Makes it less taxing to keep track of stuff. There are still big battles and well described - one of the strong points of the author. Also, 2 of the arcs end up together which is quite nice (to know that it wasn't a time filler or just a long-winded way of character development).
And at the end you get to see a bit of Grik thinking, which keeps the suspense up and seems to be building to a mega battle with lots of twists and turns. It will be nice to have battle between war-hardened, intelligent species rather than just mind vs numbers battles.
We are introduced to more threats - some manageable, others not. Also, the story now tries to cover 3 or 4 different arcs together. None of that feels misplaced and all proceeds in a logical manner - there are no backwards and forwards narratives in terms of timelines, and everything is happening in the order in which it appears in the book. Makes it less taxing to keep track of stuff. There are still big battles and well described - one of the strong points of the author. Also, 2 of the arcs end up together which is quite nice (to know that it wasn't a time filler or just a long-winded way of character development).
And at the end you get to see a bit of Grik thinking, which keeps the suspense up and seems to be building to a mega battle with lots of twists and turns. It will be nice to have battle between war-hardened, intelligent species rather than just mind vs numbers battles.
August 3, 2019
After book #4, I wasn't going to read anymore books in the series. But a very good friend insisted I continue, promising that I wouldn't be disappointed and even loaned my hardback editions of the other books. So, here I am again with #5.
Another, perhaps typical Destroyermen novel. While there were places where the author captured the magic, suspense and captivating storytelling that I loved in the earlier books, there were other sections that were slow, almost boring. Some of what I missed from earlier books was the details about how these men from a different world and technology used the brains and knowledge to figure out how to get things they needed in this new world. Still, there was enough here to carry me into the next boo.
Another, perhaps typical Destroyermen novel. While there were places where the author captured the magic, suspense and captivating storytelling that I loved in the earlier books, there were other sections that were slow, almost boring. Some of what I missed from earlier books was the details about how these men from a different world and technology used the brains and knowledge to figure out how to get things they needed in this new world. Still, there was enough here to carry me into the next boo.
August 14, 2014
fifth book in the series about US naval personnell swept into an alternate reality during WWII; their destroyer represents the highest level of technology in this reality.
This book picks up where 'distant thunder' leaves off.
One bad thing about starting the next book right away is that it becomes all-too easy to mix up this book with the one I am reading right now. So hopefully my 'synopsis' does not contain too many overlaps between this book and 'firestorm.'
This book was a fairly fast read for me. The series is now starting to cover larger amounts of territory, so it is becoming a little harder for me to keep track of who is where and what they are doing at times. :) Think maybe I should make a chart to keep track of everything, but that is too much like work and more effort than I want to put into these books. :) It kinda reminds me of Turtledove's 'In the Balance' series, but not quite as far-reaching or widespread. But I could see this series easily becoming as wide-spread as those books.
I thought the format was fairly easy to read and follow, overall. It held my attention all the way to the end. I did not find myself wishing I were done or wondering how many pages were left. The author continues to introduce new species of creatures as well as new characters that are very creative in nature; this creativity ensures each new book is as fun to read as the previous story.
This book picks up where 'distant thunder' leaves off.
One bad thing about starting the next book right away is that it becomes all-too easy to mix up this book with the one I am reading right now. So hopefully my 'synopsis' does not contain too many overlaps between this book and 'firestorm.'
This book was a fairly fast read for me. The series is now starting to cover larger amounts of territory, so it is becoming a little harder for me to keep track of who is where and what they are doing at times. :) Think maybe I should make a chart to keep track of everything, but that is too much like work and more effort than I want to put into these books. :) It kinda reminds me of Turtledove's 'In the Balance' series, but not quite as far-reaching or widespread. But I could see this series easily becoming as wide-spread as those books.
I thought the format was fairly easy to read and follow, overall. It held my attention all the way to the end. I did not find myself wishing I were done or wondering how many pages were left. The author continues to introduce new species of creatures as well as new characters that are very creative in nature; this creativity ensures each new book is as fun to read as the previous story.
October 1, 2019
This is a better story than Book 4, Distant Thunders. The first third of this story is exposition and a synopsis of the previous books, but eventually the story advances. The tale continues to expound the personality traits of the recurring characters. Still, there is character development; adding some depth to their individual identities.
The best aspect of this is their are no dire cliff-hangers at the end, merely a, "To Be Continued". Dramas with conflict should end as this does... Good guys win, bad guys lose.
The best aspect of this is their are no dire cliff-hangers at the end, merely a, "To Be Continued". Dramas with conflict should end as this does... Good guys win, bad guys lose.
August 24, 2024
I again enjoyed reading the saga of the adventures of the survivors of a WWII Destroyer and their new allies against enemies in this alternate world. This is definitely a series that should be read in order to have the best reading experience. My only complaints with this book is that the author had so many separate stories within the book that it was a bit distracting when the author switched to a different event with a new chapter and the story seemed a bit rushed at the end to conclude the book.
April 5, 2018
How, how does a bout about a displaced, falling apart, WWII era destroyer manage to hit me in the feels so much!?!? I’m talking pausing before continuing reading at times, drying my eyes, mouthing silent prayers after certain events. This book may be about a group of United States Navy boys and the never ending hot water they keep getting their selves it but it’s got a lot of heart and I’m really enjoying the series. I’m glad there’s plenty more books to read!
June 19, 2018
Enjoying so far still a lot more to read I think the plots very interesting.
I think the story is an interesting concept quite detailed
I’m not a person really interested in the fighting but it is makes it very clear and visual
If you check on Google there are images of the Grik and the Lemurians
Enjoy
I think the story is an interesting concept quite detailed
I’m not a person really interested in the fighting but it is makes it very clear and visual
If you check on Google there are images of the Grik and the Lemurians
Enjoy
March 16, 2021
More like a 4.5 rating this time. The writing is getting tighter as the series goes on. Not always the case in long series so tip-o-the-hat to Anderson in that regard. At this point I am completely hooked and have to see where all this goes with this cast of interesting, engaging and flawed characters....good fun and good Covid distraction to be sure.
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