Score: 4.50 / 5 – Reviewer Top Pick

Firestorm is the kind of book that I don’t read often enough and then wonder why. A good part of why I like the book (and what I have read of the series so far) is that it appeals to me on a couple of different levels.

One, it appeals to me on the ‘alternate history’ level in that it is set during what is/was World War II and the author shows the divisions brilliantly.

On another level, it appeals to the SF/F fan in me with the additions of the Grik, the Lemurians, and other creatures such as the whale fish. I really like seeing these additions and how the different people deal with them.

Another reason I find this book (and the series) appealing is how Taylor Anderson takes “what if” something happened (or didn’t) and works it into what really could have been.

Finally, there is the “Holy Dominion”, how it came into being, how it was worked into the story and how things worked out in the end.

I would recommend this book (and the series) to anyone who enjoys science fiction, alternate history and a very good story.

More reviews over at Night Owl Reviews!

For the current contest, the “scratch-built” category still exists, but compromises were made.

Drumroll!

There were 3 “runners up” to the “Grand Prize,” and all three artists will receive 2 signed books–the 2 most recent, unless they have a preference.

Todd Garrepy must be rewarded for his imaginative use of LEGOS???!!! to make a model of USS Walker.  Building anything that looked like a ship, much less something that was clearly a 4-stacker out of LEGOS must have been like planning and executing a sphere made of Rubik’s cubes!

Rick Essert made an outstanding model of Walker sinking a Grik Indiaman.  I don’t know why it seems to have disappeared from the website, but it IS very nice, and I had the pleasure of seeing it in person while on my book tour on the west coast.  I will try to figure out why I can’t find the picture, and if necessary, re-post it.

Wayne Hawkins built a virtual fleet of ships, entirely from scratch.  Very nice.  His detail–particularly on non Destroyermen specific ships, is amazing for the scale he chose.

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By unanimous agreement of the “judges” and myself, the “Grand Prize” must go to Bill Early, whose model was almost perfect for its depiction of USS Walker as she appeared in “Rising Tides.”  The foundation of his model was  the 1/240 Revell kit, but he went to a tremendous amount of effort to “personalize” it.  Ultimately, the detail he included on the scratch-built “Nancy” was sufficient to take the cake, and make him the overall winner, regardless of category.

Congratulations to you all!  Give me a shout and send me your contact information and I will send your prizes!  Thanks for participating, and I hope everyone had fun!

New model contest begins!

Based on how many contacts I had from people who were “building” Walker, or some other subject in the series–but couldn’t finish in time–I decided to “re-boot” the contest!  I don’t have a “finish” date just yet, but I will give plenty of warning.  Let’s get them started ASAP and when posted, we’ll try to make sure they are all together this time so they’re easier to find and compare.  I hope the “winners” of the previous contest will join me as judges for the next–unless you choose to compete again!  Prizes will be the same, but will be based on absolute “Best,” with two “runners up.”

You can read the article here. 

Anyway, in the new book I discovered a big mistake in the artwork I previously sent.  In the technology blog back in March there was some discussion about how the 25mm’s were at torpedo tube locations 1 & 2.  However, that obviously changed before book 6 came out like so many things need to do as a story progresses.  Maybe the torpedo tube mounts will be back on locations 1 & 2 as those heavy things would be more towards the center of the ship and will have room to swing.  Hmmmm.  Just maybe, but I guess I’ll have to wait and see on that one!  

So… I have updated my artwork with that change as well as a few other minor corrections. 

The action, which rarely slackens, features splendid naval battles pitting destroyers against wooden-hulled fleets with cannons, land engagements where vastly outnumbered humans and Lemurians face hordes of vicious but none-too-bright dinosaurs, and inflexible Imperials terrorized by fanatically loyal Catholic armies.

You can read the whole review here.

Todd says:

I mean i have been soo inspired that i even built a model of theWalker and im working on one of the Amagi. 

This is the 1/240th scale Revell kit of the Campbeltown. It was built to reflect the USS Walker during her voyage to the New Britain Isles.

I  added a photo etched detail set to the basic kit. Scratch built details include the blower, Coke machine, 25mm guns, various deck and gun details, and the Nancy. The bridge area was also highly modified and detailed.  Patch plates were added to the hull to reflect damage done during battle. Machined brass gun barrels were added to the main 4″ gun mounts.The Nancy was built out of balsa wood and sheet plastic, using the drawings on this site. The rigging was done using transparent nylon thread. The hull was painted overall Gunship Gray, with weathering applied by airbrush.