Firestorm: Destroyermen

Out of all the Destroyermen Books so far (including Iron Gray Sea), Firestorm is my favorite. The battles are incredibly fierce, there are surprises for the allies, including "grik birds" and zeppelins, and there is an evil to rival even the Grik in the Dominion. Anderson even finds the right person to deal with the Dominion problem, in only a way that this particular character could. This book, out of all the series, is a good old fashioned war story at its best. We finally see North America in this alternate Earth, the New British Empire becomes committed to the Allies, and the Americans get to experience a taste of the old Earth in their time in the New British Isles. Then, Anderson ends the book in shocking fashion with the Grik attacks (reminiscent of Pearl Harbor) and the introduction of new surprise characters. Overall, an awesome book.

Great continuation of the Destroyermen saga. Lot's of action, adventure and some romance involved. It takes some surpising avenues in the story and I was really surprised by the zeppelins attack. However, the author it's taking too long between books publising.

ENJOY IT IS GREAT!

Very entertaining series. Can hardly wait for the next installment. I was swept into the pages and felt like I experiencing the adventure and dangers in person. Would make a very good series on SIFI
channel on tv.

I've been a fan of this series finding the books tend to vary in quality slightly. For example, to my eye, Book 4 sagged but Book 5 picked things back up. Here with Book 6, it feels as if the author has grown bored with the writing chore and while he's still willing to put the words to paper (as it were) he's unwilling to make sure the story is cogent. In short, this one is a mess almost from start to finish.

First, the author has created so many fronts and players that keeping track of each one along with their relations is almost impossible. Worse, though, since this book series has committed itself away from exploring this new alternative Earth and instead just discussing how each faction is at war with other factions, it needs to at least keep the battle scenes lucid. In the past five books, the author has done a wonderful job of doing just that. You knew what was happening and where the troops were and what their strategies were. Here you have none of this.

The battle in what we call Hawaii is so confused it makes no sense whatsoever. People are marching hither and yon, deploying and then fighting to no obvious goal except to win something or other. If you took one of the wonderfully described battles in this series and removed every other paragraph you'd end up with a confusing mess like this. In another theater, an 'enemy' is apparently marching north, the defenders are organizing and then we just leave the area only to learn later that it seems the enemy forces are now retreating through dangerous territory (due to scary animals). In yet another theater, the enemy has laid a trap but we have no notion what that trap is but the good guys mysteriously uncover it and avoid doom. What the trap was or how the good guys intuited that it existed is, at the end, a mystery.

There are also so many folks running around re-creating 1940's tech on this stone age world that everybody is a cardboard cutout. After one major battle, we learn that 'thousands died' but its like they are thousands of microbes for all the emotional impact this causes either the characters or the reader. Well, it makes no difference. The sides in this endless war seem to have infinite resources and infinite population the latter which seems happy to act as bullet sponges even in battles their nation / race has no interest in.

In the end, this is an intriguing world wasted both as literature and as the war wages across it. The one person interested in exploring the natural world has now been reduced to trivial comic relief as has the physically giant sized hero. This hero, among other great feats, shoots a 25 mm rifle. Just as a comparison, the 50 caliber machine gun round is about 12.7 mm so this canon the guy just carries around shoots a projectile twice the diameter of the 50 cal BMG. I'd estimate this fellow must mass roughly 300 kg (660 lbs) to handle such a device. He is described as big, though. If you doubt me, Google up a picture of a 20 mm cannon. Add 5 mm and you're good to go.

Sorry fans, but this fan is now rather lukewarm on this. I'd go one star but I just can't in deference to the previous books.

I did very much like the first 2 books, then....too repetitious and really, can you remember everything from book to book, year to year. Great first book, falls off as series dribbles out. No further books for me!

I've been following this series since it was out, and I have to say, it's been interesting watching this author's writing mature over the passage of the series. If you are buying this book im going to assume that you probably have read the 1st few books already soooo....
The positives:

-Lots of action and battling (realistic as well...no inconsistencies that I can come up with)
-No plot holes or inconsistencies that I know of...(things like stormtrooper accuracy or dues ex machinas)
-interesting plot twists and elements keeps the story engaging
-not a dictionary. Some authors (ahem david weber) can get books to some 800 pages. This one is a good length I think.
-the world is rich with potential storylines and possible plots, much like Eric Flint's 1632 series i would think.
-no super long political meetings (thankfully)
-makes for an enjoyable read overall
-Dennis. Freaking. Silva. that is all.
-if you liked the previous ones, you will definitely like this one.

negatives:
-The character development is kinda shallow compared to other series i think. I can pretty much label a character and that character will stay true to that label...well forever. So predictable in some ways which detracts from the book a bit.
-The enemies are just that, the bad guys. They have no redeeming qualities, just like the heroes have no real negative qualities (with one exception). Basically, it makes them somewhat boring as a species. (however, this author seems to be working on this)
-there are some points where i felt the author cut off way prematurely, where the situation could have been more explored in depth or actually depicted.
-As the story grows larger, the characters that hooked me are getting less and less screen time. I hope that Mr. Anderson doesn't fall into what I call the Weber Trap, that is, where the world/universe/story grows so large that we lose focus on the characters/type of story that we got hooked on in the 1st place.

I like this book, however, it isn't perfect (mostly due to character development i think) and it simply doesn't have those meaningful moments that gives me reason to reread it. Nothing really touched me on an emotional level. However, I still have high hopes for this author!

I ... liked the book ,the action ... and the characters. What I didn't ... like were the ... inserted ... in every sentence. Please, Mr. Anderson, figure out another way to describe the characters' thought processes.
I found the pervading ... very annoying after a while.

Mihai Pruna
Author, Blood in the Sandbox

Taylor Anderson is a superb writer and the destroyermen series is very entertaining.

Nonwithstanding, this was the least likable of them. Too many independent plots. When the action is reaching its climax the author ends the chapter and starts or continues another plot somewhere else. Too many charcaters to remember.

The book does not stand alone - you have to been hooked before. But still a very good read.

Although an Army Aircav dude LOL. Love (maybe thats the old Army Air Corps and P40's angle you included) reading your Destroyermen book series and I waited impatiently for the next. I came across your first in the series and immediately bought all 5. I think I read them all within a week LOL. Keep up the great work and already waiting for your next. Sorry for the typos, if it wasn't for spell check, I'd be lost.

I've loved every other book in the series but this one leaves me cold. It almost feels as though something changed for the author - a new contarct or big book deal? A new editor? Whatever it is it's a turn for the worse. This book wastes half it's time in redundant exposition and the the rest in mndless meandering. When it's not just dull, repetitive and boring it simply veers mindlessly into Leave to Beaver "Gee Mrs Cleaver" idealism and naivete. Aw shucks Mrs Cleaver twern't nuthin' to build a couple of aircraft carriers and a complete fleet air arm out of bailing wire, twine and a collection of sentient cat monkeys in a few weeks.

Sheesh.

The world of idealism is pessimistic compared to this dreck. The things that made every book up to this series a fun and enjoyable diversion is lost in this one. I sincerely hope the author who lost his way in this installment rediscovers his voice in the next....

I first noticed the original three books in Taylor Anderson's "Destroyermen" series at the local bookstore, and was greatly intrigued by the cover art. I liked the basic premise: in 1942, an aging WWI-era naval destroyer named the USS Walker gets pulled into an alternate universe by a freakish electrical storm somewhere near modern-day Indonesia. Suddenly, a ship-full of memorable characters, totally bewildered, encounter somewhat familiar seas and islands populated by bizarre, often malevolent, sometimes very intelligent creatures.

To survive, the protagonists have to become very resourceful -- quickly -- and make friends with the native Lemurians (nicknamed the 'Cats), who are mammalian but definitely not human. The major threat to their collective existence consists of Japanese also caught in the storm, who have allied themselves with insane velociraptor-type creatures called the Grik.

OK, I was hooked. Fast forward to Book Six of the series, "Firestorm", and I'm still hooked. It's becoming an expensive habit, buying these things straightaway in hardcover because I can't bear the thought of waiting another year for the paperback edition.

By now, the world of the Destroyermen has become very complex indeed. "Firestorm" came out much sooner than I'd expected, or I would have re-read the previous five volumes to prepare myself. The cast of characters has become so large, I'm having trouble keeping track of them all. Still, I plunged into the story with gusto. By the time I got halfway through the book, it was all coming back to me.

You definitely will want to read those earlier volumes before you start in on this one.

There are several different interwoven storylines picking up from Book Five, "Rising Tides". One arc, on the western front, follows the on-going war with the Grik and their remaining Japanese allies -- those who haven't been eaten yet. This is centered on the island of Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka in our universe). The Grik are starting to show disturbing signs of learning how to think for themselves; rather than just try to overwhelm their "prey" in their ravening thousands, they're beginning to actually employ strategy, even deviousness. They've got a few nasty tricks waiting in reserve. Will our friends get caught in a trap? Or will they catch wise to the situation?

On the eastern front is the developing conflict between the Empire of New Britain and the Holy Dominion, a tyranny dominated by some twisted amalgam of Roman Catholicism and the old Aztec religion, complete with human sacrifice and Blood Priests. A number of Americans and Lemurians, allied with Governor-Emperor Gerald McDonald, are trying to free the island of New Ireland from the clutches of the Dominion. The USS Walker, meanwhile, is heading toward North America to head off a likely invasion of some New British colonies. The Doms, as the enemy is known, also have some nasty surprises waiting.

A third story arc involves the appearance of yet more Japanese ships through the rift between universes. It is now late 1943, and the Pacific War is not going so well for Japan. They have some American prisoners who manage to escape, including a cousin of Lieutenant Commander Matt Ready. It is urgent that the allies find this new bunch of Japanese before they can complicate matters even further.

And there are a couple of minor story arcs, which are interesting and will presumably take on greater importance in later installments of the series.

All of our favorite characters are back, including Dennis Silva, Matt Ready, Sandra Tucker, Princess Rebecca McDonald, "Larry the Lizard" and any number of different Lemurians. Unfortunately, as another reviewer also notes, we don't get to spend a lot of time with these people, as different chapters focus on different plotlines and jump back and forth.

In fact, the book could benefit from a "dramatis personae" listing the principal lands, races and characters. Kind of like the "Dragondex" in Anne McCaffrey's early Pern novels. Call it the "Destroyerdex".

Without giving away too much of the plot, I can say that the book ends on a satisfying note for some of our old friends, while others are left in a very sticky predicament. Hopefully, Book Seven isn't too far away. This series has come a long way from that original trilogy, and there's no end in sight.

Increasingly, we're seeing a parallel WWII unfolding in this alternate universe. I can't help but wonder what else might cross over from our world as 1945 comes around.

I really enjoy series like this. It is a gritty us against them plot with the good guys from somewhere else helping out the under dogs against the bad guys. They introduce and educate the natives in technology and social awareness. Of course the bad guys get the enemy of the time, the nasty Japs, to help them out, not like the good Japanese that side, in honor, with the good peoples. I loved the first five but I only rated this 4/5 stars because the plot is blowing up to several sub plots and it is starting to get a little hard to keep everything straight. Plus Reddy is turning into just another sub plot which I don't care for.

I am really enjoying this series and the battle on two fronts. I like how each chapter takes me across the alternate world where action is happening. Some of my other favorite series (The Lost Fleet) have added a lot of politics at the expense of action but Destroyermen keeps going strong with battles and adventure. This might be the best book so far, but may not be the best book to start on. Since all the characters and their personalities are established I'd start at an earlier book.

Excellent!!! Worth the Wait. Audible Review. Listening to the Audible versions of these books add a whole new dimension to them. William Dufris has nailed the characters. Out of 150 audio books I have listened to these are my favorites. Better than TV or Movies, though I think these books would make an excellent mini-series. One review stated that the characters are shallow, well I disagree. This book is fast paced entertainment, nothing more. If you want philosophically deep characters and plots there are plenty of boring books out there.

I first noticed the original three books in Taylor Anderson's "Destroyermen" series at the local bookstore, and was greatly intrigued by the cover art. I liked the basic premise: in 1942, an aging WWI-era naval destroyer named the USS Walker gets pulled into an alternate universe by a freakish electrical storm somewhere near modern-day Indonesia. Suddenly, a ship-full of memorable characters, totally bewildered, encounter somewhat familiar seas and islands populated by bizarre, often malevolent, sometimes very intelligent creatures.

To survive, the protagonists have to become very resourceful -- quickly -- and make friends with the native Lemurians (nicknamed the 'Cats), who are mammalian but definitely not human. The major threat to their collective existence consists of Japanese also caught in the storm, who have allied themselves with insane velociraptor-type creatures called the Grik.

OK, I was hooked. Fast forward to Book Six of the series, "Firestorm", and I'm still hooked. It's becoming an expensive habit, buying these things straightaway in hardcover because I can't bear the thought of waiting another year for the paperback edition.

By now, the world of the Destroyermen has become very complex indeed. "Firestorm" came out much sooner than I'd expected, or I would have re-read the previous five volumes to prepare myself. The cast of characters has become so large, I'm having trouble keeping track of them all. Still, I plunged into the story with gusto. By the time I got halfway through the book, it was all coming back to me.

You definitely will want to read those earlier volumes before you start in on this one.

There are several different interwoven storylines picking up from Book Five, "Rising Tides". One arc, on the western front, follows the on-going war with the Grik and their remaining Japanese allies -- those who haven't been eaten yet. This is centered on the island of Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka in our universe). The Grik are starting to show disturbing signs of learning how to think for themselves; rather than just try to overwhelm their "prey" in their ravening thousands, they're beginning to actually employ strategy, even deviousness. They've got a few nasty tricks waiting in reserve. Will our friends get caught in a trap? Or will they catch wise to the situation?

On the eastern front is the developing conflict between the Empire of New Britain and the Holy Dominion, a tyranny dominated by some twisted amalgam of Roman Catholicism and the old Aztec religion, complete with human sacrifice and Blood Priests. A number of Americans and Lemurians, allied with Governor-Emperor Gerald McDonald, are trying to free the island of New Ireland from the clutches of the Dominion. The USS Walker, meanwhile, is heading toward North America to head off a likely invasion of some New British colonies. The Doms, as the enemy is known, also have some nasty surprises waiting.

A third story arc involves the appearance of yet more Japanese ships through the rift between universes. It is now late 1943, and the Pacific War is not going so well for Japan. They have some American prisoners who manage to escape, including a cousin of Lieutenant Commander Matt Ready. It is urgent that the allies find this new bunch of Japanese before they can complicate matters even further.

And there are a couple of minor story arcs, which are interesting and will presumably take on greater importance in later installments of the series.

All of our favorite characters are back, including Dennis Silva, Matt Ready, Sandra Tucker, Princess Rebecca McDonald, "Larry the Lizard" and any number of different Lemurians. Unfortunately, as another reviewer also notes, we don't get to spend a lot of time with these people, as different chapters focus on different plotlines and jump back and forth.

In fact, the book could benefit from a "dramatis personae" listing the principal lands, races and characters. Kind of like the "Dragondex" in Anne McCaffrey's early Pern novels. Call it the "Destroyerdex".

Without giving away too much of the plot, I can say that the book ends on a satisfying note for some of our old friends, while others are left in a very sticky predicament. Hopefully, Book Seven isn't too far away. This series has come a long way from that original trilogy, and there's no end in sight.

Increasingly, we're seeing a parallel WWII unfolding in this alternate universe. I can't help but wonder what else might cross over from our world as 1945 comes around.

I really enjoy series like this. It is a gritty us against them plot with the good guys from somewhere else helping out the under dogs against the bad guys. They introduce and educate the natives in technology and social awareness. Of course the bad guys get the enemy of the time, the nasty Japs, to help them out, not like the good Japanese that side, in honor, with the good peoples. I loved the first five but I only rated this 4/5 stars because the plot is blowing up to several sub plots and it is starting to get a little hard to keep everything straight. Plus Reddy is turning into just another sub plot which I don't care for.

I am really enjoying this series and the battle on two fronts. I like how each chapter takes me across the alternate world where action is happening. Some of my other favorite series (The Lost Fleet) have added a lot of politics at the expense of action but Destroyermen keeps going strong with battles and adventure. This might be the best book so far, but may not be the best book to start on. Since all the characters and their personalities are established I'd start at an earlier book.

Excellent!!! Worth the Wait. Audible Review. Listening to the Audible versions of these books add a whole new dimension to them. William Dufris has nailed the characters. Out of 150 audio books I have listened to these are my favorites. Better than TV or Movies, though I think these books would make an excellent mini-series. One review stated that the characters are shallow, well I disagree. This book is fast paced entertainment, nothing more. If you want philosophically deep characters and plots there are plenty of boring books out there.

I have not written a review for a book in a while but I wanted to make sure that Mr Anderson understood how much people appreciate his work. This series is one of the best war fictions I have ever read... It is fantastic in all respects, the characters are portrayed perfectly, the story is fascinating and exciting and I only wish that I did not read it so early so that my wait for the next one is so long.

If you are a fan of WWII, war fiction, alternate reality and a gripping story then you need to read this series... YOU NEED TO. You will not be sorry.

My brother-in-law recommended the Destroyermen series to me. I took him up on it and am now totally hooked. At this writing, I've now completed books 1 & 2 and will begin 3 shortly. I am just amazed how enveloped I am in the new world in which the destroyermen find themselves. The characters have become so real and so genuine that I have become totally lost in this new reality. What an excellent read . . . and my wife is now loving it, too, so it's not just for guys. Can't recommend this book and this series more highly.

Anderson writes a good series and I have followed this one but charging 12.99 for a ebook? Come on. It's a text file, guys. There's no cost for paper, ink, storage, freight shipping. There's no cost for stocking shelves... Get my point? Others may be okay with paying that much, but not me.

It was this same kind of pricing for digital music that spawned people downloading free music. If the publishers keep this up pirated ebooks will be everywhere.

Entertaining series, well-written, inventive, and engaging but seriously overpriced. I simply can't justify putting out another $25 + to finish this story, if it even finishes by the 7th book (I expect the author will keep milking the cow, so to speak). Having dumped what I did in the first five, I'm done, and, at these prices, I won't be looking for this author anytime soon.

In 1942 three combat vessels fell from this world into another realm. The two American destroyers and their enemy Japanese battle cruiser found an odd world. The dinosaur-like Grik are ethnically cleaning the feline-like Lemurians. The Japanese join the Grik side while USS Walker Commander Matthew Reddy unites his crew, those of the American frigate the USS Donaghey, the Lemurians and the human Empire of the New Britain Isles.

However, another human empire, the Holy Dominion has a different plan to eradicate the two sentient non human species and the otherworldly humans while subjecting their rival Empire of the New Britain Isles. Matthew, leading the ally military forces against the Grik-Japanese alliance, worries that his side faces a two front war while more Japanese ships come through the Squall from earth with ruthlessness as the only rule of engagement because they believe in victory at all costs.

The Destroyermen series (see Distant Thunders and Rising Tides) always provides non-stop military action with the latest entry not only living up to its predecessors but complicating the playing field. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down as Matthew uses all types of battle tactics to compensate for the Japanese superior ships and amoral disdain for collateral damage. Part of his plan is to take the fight to the Spanish conquistador Old Dominion on land and at sea but must also deal with the Japanese and the diabolically clever Grik. Although only Matthew stands out in a cast that would make Cecil B DeMille proud, fans will enjoy World War II.

Harriet Klausner

Ive read all of this dudes books and this one was another good one. Not the best of them but still very good. This is another one of those books that teaches you historical stuff about navy ships and such.

I like it for the dinos and action. The author creates a very cool world filled with dinos and weird races that do war upon one another. This would make a very cool movie or tv series.