Audible Book Review: Storm Surge: Destroyermen, Book 8 by Taylor Anderson

This is a continuation of this wonderful alternate world series.
Storm Surge: Destroyermen, Book 8


Written by: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: William Dufris
Length: 18 hrs and 3 mins
Series: Destroyermen, Book 8
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:07-02-13
Publisher: Tantor Audio

Genre: Alternate Universe, Action, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In the Pacific, as USS Walker is repaired and updated after a previous battle and Reddy is healing from his wounds, planning begins for a bold raid on the very heart of the Grik Empire.
But time is running out for the Alliance army in India, and the Allied forces in the west must gather in an unprecedented land, air, and sea campaign to destroy the mighty Grik battle fleet and break through to their relief. All other plans go on hold when the attempt proves more difficult - and more heartbreakingly costly - than anyone imagined.
Meanwhile, the struggle continues on other fronts near and far: in the jungles of Borno in distant Southern Africa and in the Americas, where the allies are finally learning the terrible truth about the twisted Dominion.
The Alliance is on the offensive everywhere, but their enemies have a few surprises, including new weaponry and new tactics...and a stunning geographic advantage that Reddy never suspected. Until now.
©2013 Taylor Anderson (P)2013 Tantor.

Review:
Two WWII American destroyermen are transferred to an alternate world where they discover new species. They form an Alliance with the Lemurians, a cat-monkey like race, against the the fierce Grik, a lizard like species who eat their enemies.

In this eighth installment there are numerous battles going on at many locations. General Alden is still pinned down and waiting for relief in Indiaa. Japanese General Niwa has shared tactical strategy with Grik Hige Halik and they are making progress in their battles. But the madman Japanese Commander, Kurokawa, using the Griks as tools, isn’t seeking to help the Grik in their fights. Instead he hopes to lure the American and Alliance into battle at Maa-ni-la where he plans to annihilate them with the new ships.

Reddy and his Allies have been busy building new planes and new ships. Although a few troops are sent on individual missions the majority of the forces are being readied to face Kurolawa and the Grik.

Imperial Commodore Jenks is planning the battles in the East against the Holy Dominion threat. Silva and others are trekking through jungles seeking other species of Grik that may be friendly like Laurence. There are a few new groups that are discovered and agree to get involved including some Jaguar warriors, another species of superlizards being led by an American and unexplained spies. There is also a new group that is making attempts to align with Kurokawa and the Grik.

This series is full of action and good character development. I enjoy the battle strategies and scenes as well as the personal interaction.

Audio Notes: I love listening to this series. Dufris' narration has character distinction and scene excitement. It is effective to help me get wrapped up in and lost in the story.

I am really enjoying the continuing adventures in this series. This book was from my own Audible library.

Audible Book Review: Rising Tides: Destroyermen, Book 5 by Taylor Anderson

I love this exciting series that is full of real characters, great story lines and enhanced by wonderful narration.

Rising Tides: Destroyermen, Book 5

• UNABRIDGED
• by Taylor Anderson
• Narrated by William Dufris
• Series: Destroyermen, Book 5

    LENGTH    17 hrs and 32 mins
RELEASE DATE    02-01-11
 PUBLISHER    Tantor Audio
Genre: Alternate World Fantasy
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Stuck in an alternate universe during World War II, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy of the U.S.S. Walker has found an unlikely but invaluable ally in Commodore Jenks of the New Britain Imperial Navy. And now they are united in their desire to hunt down the traitor who abducted two women both men would die to protect: Reddy's love, nurse Sandra Tucker, and young Princess Rebecca of the New British Empire. But first they have a new battle to win.

However, this battle will not be fought with broadsides and broadswords, but with cunning and intrigue. For when Reddy and Jenks report the situation to the New Britain Company, they are met with scorn and disbelief. It soon becomes obvious that the ruthless Company is attempting to overthrow the Imperial Throne - and that someone involved knows where Sandra and Rebecca are. From the halls of power to the ballrooms of the nobility, Reddy must navigate through a tempest of politics, deception, and betrayal if he is ever going to save the hostages and live to fight another day.
©2010 Taylor Anderson (P)2011 Tantor

Review:
This is a great addition to this series in which American and Japanese ships from WWII have gone through a warp to a parallel world filled with strange creatures and a cannibalistic enemy, the Grik.  I like facing the adventures in this strange world with these wonderful, quirky characters. The story had me laughing out loud when the Americans were introduced to the British Governor. At another part I was near tears as struggles to complete a mission turned to tragedy.

There is interesting detail of munitions, replacing supplies of weapons and transport, ships and aircraft, as well as battle strategy that I find fascinating. There is also plenty of action to keep the listener interested.  Taylor does a great job of making the characters full and real. One or two of the events are in the nature of miracles, but, hey - I believe in miracles! And not all of it has happy endings as this is full of war and struggling in hostile environments.

Audio Notes: Dufris does a fabulous job building on the real characters by giving them believable accents full of nuances and emotion. His narration is remarkable and definitely enhances the reading enjoyment for me. I am excited to listen/read on to book 6!

This is a summary of the action lines followed in this book 5:

• Captain Matthew Reddy, Commander in Chief of the Allied Forces, is back on the restored destroyerman, Walker, and is chasing after the half of dozen of his people who were kidnapped.  Walker follows his new friend, Commander Jenks, to the New Britain Empire Respite Island in the Philippines. There the Americans and New Britain leaders come under attack by the Holy Dominion.

•  General Pete Aldrich is pursuing the ongoing Navy war. He is leading a group of marines, including Lemurians, against the Grik on ‘Rangoon.’  His troops are getting some very helpful support from the newly built airplanes known as the “Nancys.”

•  Those kidnapped, including Matt’s not-so- secret love, Sandra, New Britain child Princess Rebecca, her friend, Lawrence and crazy sailor, Silva, as well as a few others, have escaped in life boats. Now they are trying to survive on dangerous Yap island. They have to find a way to get their small boat to the other side of the island  as the vicious chic-sac begin to swarm for their egg laying season. Along the way to get back to civilization they pick up a crazy talking bird.  “Eat?” he shrieks!

• Ensign Irwin Laumur is with a group at Talud Island trying to salvage a S19 submarine, while  the island volcano rumbles and threatens to blow. They ultimately have no choice but to take refuge in the previously abandoned sub. They scramble away when the eruption occurs only to be plunged under the resulting waves.

• Lieutenant Commander Russ Chapelle is directing the efforts at Chill-chaap trying to salvage a large freighter, the Santa Catalina, with it’s precious cargo of military equipment. They must face giant gecko-gators which turn out to be surprisingly social and responsive.

This download is from my own Audible Library. I have Book 6, Firestorm, ready next!

Audible Book Review: Distant Thunders: Destroyermen, Book 4 by Taylor Anderson

This is a action-packed series; entertaining listening!

Distant Thunders: Destroyermen, Book 4
UNABRIDGED
by Taylor Anderson
Narrated by William Dufris
    LENGTH    16 hrs and 47 mins
    RELEASE DATE    06-01-10
    PUBLISHER    Tantor Audio
Genre: Alternate Universe Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
After the battle in which the men of the destroyer Walker and their Lemurian allies repelled the savage Grik, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy is shocked by the arrival of a strange ship captained by one Commaner Jenks of the New Britain Imperial Navy - an island-nation populated by the descendants of British East Indiamen swept through the rift centuries before
With the Walker undergoing repairs, Reddy already has a great deal on his hands. For the Grik will return, and Reddy will need all hands on deck to fight them off when they next attack. But Jenks's uncertain loyalties make Reddy question whether he can trust the man. As tension between the Allies and the Imperials mount, Reddy will come to realize that his suspicions are not misplaced - and that a greater danger than the Grik is closer than he ever suspected.

Review:
This is the fourth book in the series continuing the adventures of Captain Matthew Reddy and the Americans from the two destroyers, Walker, and Mahan, who have landed in a parallel world– out of time. Author Anderson, through a smooth process of flashbacks, presents the background information of the existing characters so new readers can identify them. I found the information helpful to refresh my memory without being at all boring. The reader also learns more about the newer characters, particularly the British Empire officer, Jenks, who might turn out to be honorable and the “East Indian Company” man, Billingsly, who clearly is not honorable.

There is quite a bit of interesting history on ship and weapon development. I appreciated how the author combines the more advanced, industrialized 1940s crew with the previous peaceful, but non-industrialized Lemurian culture so they work together to develop new materials and methods to build the assets needed to prepare for the war against the Grik.

The Grik are still in the picture with a few scenes keeping the reader informed on the changes happening with their leadership and machinations. It is interesting to observe the hunter having to deal with the realization that they are becoming the prey to the American and Allied forces.

After reintroducing the players there is plenty of action. Captain Reddy takes Captain Jenks along to Aryall to see the battle preparations and advance engagements against the Grik. Meanwhile, repairs to Walker and other damaged ships is underway at the shipyard at Baalkpan.  Billingsly, left behind with the British ship at Baalkpan, kidnaps the New Britain Princess, Rebecca, along with several others, including Matt’s sweetheart, Lieutenant Sandra Tucker, and the irrepressible, salty, but genius, sailor, Dennis Silva.

Matt returns to Baalkpan to head out in pursuit of Billingsly while Silva ruminates over escape plans for those kidnapped. There is plenty more story to look forward to in the next installment!

Audio Notes: I am utterly impressed with the narration by William Dufris. He portrays the character idiosyncrasies and his reading keeps pace with the emotions and actions. I love listening to this series!

This was a download from my own Audible Library; Just for Fun pick for August.