The second book in the Axis of Time Trilogy. The Emergence is no longer secret, and the historical events that would have unfolded are no longer facts as both sides know the supposed outcomes. The Multinational Task Force has been scattered amongst Allied resources in an attempt to halt a renewed Axis push, and a new kind of arms race has begun.
I am amazed at how much I enjoyed this book. Typically, intensely militaristic SF isn't my thing, but this series just gets better and better. There have been major changes to history, and the author doesn't shy away from characters realizing that and reacting to it. The sudden introduction of a mass of people who believe in and live by civil liberties that haven't even been conceived of, would be a huge shock to a culture. And on a personal level, knowing whom you would have married, and when and how you may have died had events taken a different path? These are the kinds of things that are usually ignored in a book with such a vast cast of characters and battle focus, but I'm pleased to say that here it is not ignored. Again, the action is fast and furious, with scenes that are detailed and graphic. The plotting is great, assuming a logical path of "what would X do with this knowledge?". In my opinion, this is shaping up to be one of the best alternate history series offerings yet!
I am amazed at how much I enjoyed this book. Typically, intensely militaristic SF isn't my thing, but this series just gets better and better. There have been major changes to history, and the author doesn't shy away from characters realizing that and reacting to it. The sudden introduction of a mass of people who believe in and live by civil liberties that haven't even been conceived of, would be a huge shock to a culture. And on a personal level, knowing whom you would have married, and when and how you may have died had events taken a different path? These are the kinds of things that are usually ignored in a book with such a vast cast of characters and battle focus, but I'm pleased to say that here it is not ignored. Again, the action is fast and furious, with scenes that are detailed and graphic. The plotting is great, assuming a logical path of "what would X do with this knowledge?". In my opinion, this is shaping up to be one of the best alternate history series offerings yet!
