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Review of Book 2: Crusade
By Peter Hodges of
www.peter-hodges.com
"I mentioned in the review of Taylor Anderson’s first book,
Destroyermen: Into the Storm, that I
thought the work defied easy categorization. With its mix of science
and military fiction, fantasy, and history, there’s a little
something for everyone in this book. After reading Destroyermen: Cusade, I think I “get” what the series is about.
"Honor.
"If you’re not steeped in the military culture (or not a resident
of Texas) this concept may be a little foreign. Honor, as Taylor has
portrayed it in this book, is doing what’s right no matter the cost.
There is really only one right choice at each branching point in the
book–that is sticking by your allies, doing your best to accomplish
your goals, and remaining loyal to your men no matter the
circumstances. Doing so makes the overall goal of defeating a
terrible enemy a reality. Taylor teaches some excellent lessons
about what it means to be a man in this series, showcasing this with
several of his characters “growing up” during the course of the
plot. Young men at high school age could learn a great deal by
giving these books a once over.
"Setting is just a crucible in which writers place characters to
watch them do interesting things. By definition, a crucible is piece
of laboratory equipment which is generally used as a container for
reactions at high temperatures. Taylor has put the crew of the
Walker, a WWI era four stacker destroyer, in a brilliantly designed
crucible just to see what would happen. Men of disparate
backgrounds, education, and work ethics come together to defend the
Lemurian people who facing annihilation at the hands of the
reptilian Grik. They don’t face simple domination; their people will
be broken, harried, and eaten until they are extinct. The Grik are
not a pretty enemy, nor is there anything redeeming about their
character or culture (at least so far).
"Lt. Commander Matt Reddy, now Admiral Reddy at the behest of his
Lemurian allies, welds an alliance of many different tribes
together, spearheads a logistics drive to outfit them with
rudimentary cannon, and uses a paroled Japanese officer and an older
Marine sergeant to outfit a company of soldiers based on Roman
infantry tactics. As you might guess, being an intrepid reader, all
of this preparedness results in a huge battle at the climax of the
book. The payoff is well worth it.
"Taylor’s sense of timing, comprehensible prose, and spot-on
characterizations keep the narrative moving at a brisk pace to the
inevitable conclusion. There are a few surprises along the way (even
one that I totally called), but nothing feels like a deus ex machina.
If you like action-packed adventure that hearkens back to the time
when heroes were black and white and larger than life, then you
cannot miss the novel."
Interview with Taylor Anderson
Check out interviews with Peter Hodges:
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Imaginative flair, coupled with historical and technical
accuracy, drives Taylor Anderson’s first novel. It launches the
Destroyermen series with a
tale of unparalleled action, alternate worlds, and frightening
possibility.
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Destroyermen: Into the Storm
(Book 1)
Pressed into service when World War II breaks out in the Pacific,
the USS Walker—a Great-War vintage “four-stacker”
destroyer—finds itself in full retreat from pursuit by Japanese
battleships. Its captain, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Patrick Reddy,
knows that he and his crew are in dire straits. In desperation, he
heads Walker into a squall, hoping it will give them cover—and
emerges somewhere else…
Read More
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 Destroyermen: Crusade
(Book 2)
Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy, along with the men and women of
Walker, have chosen sides in a war not of their making. They
have allied with the Lemurians—a mammalian race whose peaceful
existence is under attack from the warlike, reptilian Grik. The Lemurians are vastly outnumbered and ignorant of warfare, and
even the guns and technology of Walker cannot turn the tide of
battle...
Read More
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 Destroyermen:
Maelstrom
(Book 3)
Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy, along with the men and women of
Walker, are once again at war. Having sided with the peaceful
Lemurians against the savage, reptilian Grik, they now find themselves
scrambling to prepare for the attack that is sure to come, searching
for resources to support their forces—even as they look for allies to
join their struggle...
Read More
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More Reviews of Book 2: Crusade
"This is a terrific graphic sequel to INTO THE STORM as
readers will believe they are part of Reddy’s crew with fully
described sea, air and land battles and a typhoon to add to the
overall chaos. The story line is filled with action, but the bottom
line is Taylor Anderson’s deep look at the deterioration of unit and
individual values in combat. Does for instance the seven modern day
Army Values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor,
Integrity, and Personal Courage truly hold up when the enemy has
overwhelming fire power that leaves your comrades dead, dying or
severely injured?"
—Harriet Klausner at
Genre Go Round Reviews "This combination of military sci-fi
and alternate-world thriller, Destroyermen, book two, picks up where
book one ends, but newcomers will have no trouble grasping the plot.
Descriptions and action-packed battle scenes add depth to a fast-paced
plot. The two non-human races are well thought out, and there's enough
twists to keep the pages turning."
—Gail Pruszkowski at
Romantic Times Book Reviews |
Extras
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