Straits of Hell (Destroyermen)

Another great installment in the Destroyermen series!!! I looked forward to this book for some time and I was not disappointed. The story continues to develop on several fronts and does not disappoint. Now, I will begin to look forward to the next installment. Keep up the great work!

Great action and characters! I die between waiting for the next books! Fabulous battles in an alternate but similar world. I wish I was there almost. This book continues the great series--what will happen next?! Taylor -- u rock and roll!!

Taylor Anderson's Destroyermen leaves me waiting for the next installment in the series. He continues to develop the world of the USS Walker and leaves me supporting the principal characters as they face and overcome threats and obstacles.

Success can be destructive. It's happening here in the Destroyermen series where the story has spread literally all over the planet. Result, tidbits of story set in different locations, neatly separated into differing accounts.
I was afraid of this.
What we now have are three or four novels compressed into one, a sort of concentrated storyline that leaves one feeling oddly un-filled. Perhaps the story needs to break into "The war against the Grik" in one novel, "The war against the Doms" in a second novel, and "The war against the Unknowns in our own back yard (Silva's storyline).
Seriously, while the quality of storytelling remains high, the dilution ratio tends to weaken the flavor.
Like I said, Success can be destructive.

I think when an author can't seem to figure out where to go or how to end a series the easiest thing to do is to add new characters and/or story lines. I wonder if this has happened with Mr. Taylor? At this point the story is too complicated to be interesting and there are too many characters to care about. I doubt I will buy the next book. One also also has to wonder if money is a factor in where he has gone with this series. Face it, it will take quite a few books at this point to tie up all the loose ends and story lines, yet, it seems from reading about the next book coming out Mr. Taylor is introducing yet another major story line. But, 20 books at around 13.00 a book is better than 10. This is the last destroyer men I will buy.

The thing I liked best was the fuller Character development. We have a new enemy, introduced in Deadly Shores and learn more about them. We learn more about Kurokawa and what he has been up to, a scene with the Konashi, and Don Hernan becomes even more loathsome. While predictable in that the good guys win both East and West the cost is high. We see a dark side of Shinya.

We lose another major character in the defense of Grik City, and a minor but known character in the west. One technological improvement gets to both fronts the 0.30 water cooled Browning clones.

As always we leave with a cliff hanger East and West, in the East Shinya chases the defeated Doms and in the West we still await General Esshk's attack, the battle in Grik City was by one of the Regents using old fashioned Uhl. Fred and Kari are flying to try to contct the 1847 Americans in a hazardous mission of their own. The book is a roller-coaster ride.

I'm addicted to this series and this latest addition only reinforces my interest. It gets a little complex at times but if you've been reading the series from the beginning, you're likely as hooked as I am. Can't wait for the next one.

The series is starting to bog down. I am finding that the names of the lemurians is getting to confusing to keep track of. With a year between each book now, I don't take the time to go back and relearn who everyone is. I pretty much just ignore the new names and read on. It makes is hard to have any story continuity.
On a different note, I have always felt that the characters have always been very 2 dimensional and this has not changed. Overall, the book is worth reading (especially if you have been following the series), but I am not eagerly waiting for the next book in the series. More like reading the book just to see what happens.

The series is starting to bog down. I am finding that the names of the lemurians is getting to confusing to keep track of. With a year between each book now, I don't take the time to go back and relearn who everyone is. I pretty much just ignore the new names and read on. It makes is hard to have any story continuity.
On a different note, I have always felt that the characters have always been very 2 dimensional and this has not changed. Overall, the book is worth reading (especially if you have been following the series), but I am not eagerly waiting for the next book in the series. More like reading the book just to see what happens.

In this volume, the fighting in the West is a throw back to the old, almost mindless Grik mass assaults. Unknowingly our heroes may have worsened their prospects by killing the commanders of the old style Grik army. The fighting in the East is edge of your chair suspenseful. Even though the bulk of STRAITS OF HELL concerns battles, the world Geo-political situation continues to develop with lurking danger for the new Union & its allies.

This book falls right into the same basket as the previous installments - lots of rip-roaring fun. However, things are (1) getting too predictable and (2) a bit out of hand. This book follows the familiar format - recover from the previous volume's battle(s), develop some new technology, get in some tight scrapes, prevail against the bad guy(s) at the end. Others have already mentioned that we are getting too many different parties involved. Time to stop adding new peoples, get to the climactic world war, and end it. I know it's going to take a few more books, but if resolution doesn't appear on the horizon soon, I'm going to have to jump ship. Maybe Halsey's complete task force will blow through the next storm, and deliver the world wide coupe de grace.

Well, I'm pretty sure that won't happen, but please Mr. Anderson, let's get it finished in the next few books and not wear out a great thing.

!
Been reading this series since first book. It's been a slow slide to I could care less (ICCFL).
Probably just me but, I hate never-ending stories, especially when new villains continually appear to maintain the dollars for the author/publisher.
What started as a good trilogy has morphed into a meaningless journey!

love the action and battle but seems their is so much going on your leaving out the adventure....take a break and look at it from a different angle will help. I bought all the books in this series because of your excellent eye for detail. The enemy seems to be getting more of an upper hand while more of the heroes are failing. Less Carl Marx and more John Wayne! Thanks for your time.

I've been reading "The Destroyermen" books from the first book. With the latest in the series Taylor Anderson does not disappoint. The story of WW2 sailors in an alternate world continuing the fight against New enemies and enemies from their own world, alongside allies both human and non-human sees the struggle for survival continuing. Added to the mix is another faction that could best be described as Fascist, located somewhere in the middle East making the presence known. Really hoping that Taylor Anderson introduces another transplanted group of soldiers, hopefully pro-alliance who arrive with updated technology and weapons from WW2 in the old world. This latest book delivers and does not disappoint. Another excellent book by Taylor Anderson.

I've read all the books in this series but with this new one I quit. The first few were fun to read but they have become less & less interesting as the series went on. Too many new characters & peoples, too many different sides to keep track of. This latest book was the last straw with a whole new set of allies for the villainous Japanese. I'd have been much happier if the author had stuck to the original peoples he created & followed them to a satisfactory conclusion rather than adding more & more new groups in order to spin the story out to more & more & less & less satisfying books.

The author has introduced so many new factions into the story that it is almost impossible to keep them all straight with out using a score card or spreadsheet! This was a very good story line until it got so cluttered up.

I have given every previous book in the series a 5 star rating but this one was disappointing. too much self serving introduction, too much rehashing, too much politics, not enough character development.

Ok read, not as good as the first few in the series. Story jumps around and just as your interest is getting "into" the current story line -it jumps to a different area and storyline.
At this rate - I'd think there will be around 15 or so books in this series. Over priced too boot. If the next installment is priced as this one was, I doubt I would continue to follow series. (Sorry)

Absolutely the BEST Alternative History/Reality series this side of reality!!! Taylor Anderson hits it out of the park....AGAIN

As a writer myself, I can appreciate the labor that goes into constructing a good story. That labor has rightly been characterized as "labor pains" because, as in the case of childbirth, writing is a solitary thing that only the author can do. Taylor Anderson has "given birth" to not just one solitary story, he has birthed an entire universe, and populated it with near-to-real, and very lovable characters that drive the story along to the very last page. That is a very impressive feat! I won't delve into book 10 of the series (no spoilers from me), except to say to those following along, "Sound General Quarters. All hands to actions stations!"

The Destroyermen series opens on the first stages of WWII, in the Pacific. Our main characters serve aboard the USS Walker (DD-163), an aging WWI destroyer, and the USS Mahan (DD-102), her sister ship. Both ships are engaged in a running (losing) battle with a massive, and more modern, Japanese battleship, when they are swept into a strange storm that somehow transports them to an alternate Earth. The men and women of Walker and Mahan quickly find themselves in another kind of running battle, that for their survival in a strangely familiar but deadly new world.

The Destroyermen series is a wonderful alternate history/fantasy that captures the spirit of American WWII soldiers and sailors. Here there are no cynical criticisms of American foreign policy; no, "We should have done that, instead of this;" but rather an accurate salute to the "CAN DO" attitude that characterized the fighting men and women of the Greatest Generation. Politics are strictly confined to those the characters find themselves in. Taylor Anderson admits to having the author's itch, "What if?" and uses that itch to infect his readers with all the wonders of speculation we had as children. "What if dinosaurs evolved into intelligent beings, along with other species?" "What if humanity wasn't the dominant species on earth?"

If you are a fan of good alternate history, are a patriotic American, or just love a good fantasy read, you will love the entire series. Adults and kids alike should find it an imaginative and thrilling ride. One slight caution however: Although it isn't any worse than what you may be exposed to on TV, there is a limited amount of profanity in these stories (they are sailors after all). Children below, say 12, may need to wait on these, but everyone else should dive right in and begin swimming! Aha....just watch out for the "Flashies!"

(The Audible version has "WhisperSync", and the narrator, William Dufris, absolutely owns the story and really brings all of the wonderful characters to life. I highly recommend it as a compliment to the book. Believe me, you won't want to stop reading!)

I would love to see this series made into a movie series. It's that damned good!

Way to go Mr. Anderson.

It was ok. I always thought the 1st book of the series was by far the best.
Recent volumes seemed to have a lot of filler and this one was no exception.
Still I like the series so I will keep buying the volumes ot see how it all turns out.

While these books have never exactly been great literature, they've always been fun, and the cast of Mary-Sues entertaining. Unfortunately it's all wearing a bit thin at this point. The cast is so large that you hardly see or spend any time with any of them, and were still introducing new characters, not to mention yet another adversary. The scope of this series is getting (has gotten) out of hand and it's really lost its focus. Still, for what it is, it's not a terrible read, and if you're this far in, you're probably invested in seeing the ending anyway.

A story arc which was initially fresh and unique, is now stale and unending, much like a holiday dinner with a large cast of annoying family and friends who don't understand when the party is.....over.

Several years ago the USS Walker (DD-163) sailed into a strange storm, and was somehow transported to a different version of Earth. Soon, they joined forces with the peaceable, lemur-like "Cats" to battle the evil reptilian Grik.

With each successive novel, the author expands the scope of this strange world. We learn that there are several groups of humans who have arrived from different points in time: from the dark ages to the WWII era.

Generally, most of the humans join with the Destroyermen to battle the Grik. But, some groups have their own agenda.

In this chapter of the series the author adds some new wrinkles to the tale.

It seems that not all of the humans on this version of Earth have come from the same historical time line.

There are some pretty advanced groups who are practicing politics on a global scale. They have been watching the battles between the Grik and the Allies. Yet they refuse to get involved.

There is lots of great battle action in this novel. On the Eastern front, the Allies battle the fanatical forces of the Dominion. The Dominion are humans that practice a strange religion which seems to be a blend of the Spanish Inquisition and Aztec beliefs. They are led by the diabolical Don Hernan.

In the East, the Allies continue to fight the Grik. The Grik are in a state of internal turmoil. With the death of their Celestial Mother they quarrel with each other over who will be the leader of all the Grik.

Additionally, the Allies and the Grik themselves are learning more about the true nature of the Grik race.

Once again, Anderson has delivered an action packed adventure. There are great action scenes, both on land and sea. And we learn a little bit more about the strange Earth the destroyermen are in. I enjoy Anderson's easy to read style. The pages fly by and soon you've finished another great novel.

If you are interested in this book, I suggest that you start the series at the beginning. Taylor uses a large cast of characters. The Lemurians and the Grik have oddly spelled names. Fortunately, there is an extensive list of characters at the front of the book.

I truly enjoyed this novel and I eagerly await the next book in the series.

I like Taylor Anderson’s “Destroyermen” series but its getting more than bit top heavy. When the book starts out with an eleven-page list of characters one has to suspect there may be a little too much going on. Essentially, the WWI era naval destroyer Walker and various other ships and planes are mysteriously transported from 1942 to a parallel Earth without humans but populated by Lemur-like humanoids (the good guys) and a competing race of repellant, reptilian creatures (Griks, the bad guys). After nine books (1942-1944) the humans have not only enabled the Lemurians to replicate industrial civilization but to field a two-ocean fleet with aircraft carriers, home-made fighter planes, automatic weapons and so forth. By contrast it took the real-world US two years to do the same thing starting from an advanced industrial base. Meanwhile a variety of humans have turned up from other parallel worlds, wars are being fought on at least two fronts (or maybe three), three or four new societies have been added, and the whole thing has become overly complex and less and less involving. To his credit, Mr. Anderson manages to keep his story going despite this juggling act but the burden is starting to show.

Incidentally, for another version of what might happen to a typical modern American dropped into a primitive era (in this case Vikings) the reader might be interested in Poul Anderson’s “The Man Who Came Early”. It takes a considerably less optimistic view.

Once again, this contribution to the overall story did not disappoint. The lack of "Silva" escapades was a tiny loss to the overall story,yet it is set up for the next book in this regard. The writing is snappy and patterns well with previous books, I would like to see a little less predictability in some of these offerings, but they are by no means stale. The pacing is fantastic and at time frenetic. the characters, by now, are incredibly developed and intricate. I am a staunch supporter of these books, and indeed this particular author, I look forward to the future endeavors of Capt. Reddy and his crew!

I listened to this book on Audible audiobook, which I've done for the entire series. I have to agree with both the negative and positive reviewers in this. I do think the alternate universe Taylor Anderson has built is quite rich and compelling. The complexity of it continues to grow, and many of the characters are further developed in this book. His writing is engaging and I am going to be anxious for the next of the series to come out. But I also have to agree that this series is possibly getting too complex. Bringing in a whole different enemy (who showed up at the end of the last book) and adding them to the complex politics of this world is something I am not sure is worth doing. The wars happening at opposite sides of the world, along with the various side plots (Donaghey, Silva, Halik) makes the overall plot get too busy and somewhat blurry. It seems time to start bringing this storyline to a close, yet I wonder if that can be done adequately in 2 more books. At that point, we may all be growing tired.

Tenth in the Destroyermen science fiction-military alternate history series and generally revolving around Captain Reddy and the USS <em>Walker</em>. The primary focus in <em>Straits of Hell</em> is on keeping Grik City and beating the Dominion.

<b>MY TAKE</b>
<em>Straits of Hell</em> is composed of more battles, and the primary reason it took me four weeks to read. I kept picking it up and reading a few chapters before I put it down again for days. It was fearsome to read as I kept worrying about the outcomes of the different battles and who would die next. The story touches on the new groups that have been introduced in past stories, and we do learn more about the group behind the sinking of the Allies' sub. It is <em>not</em> promising for our side.

The League are a terrifying group who want to become friendly with the Japanese. They want to take over the world — with the right kind of people — and are concerned about the Allies winning any of their battles, hence the sinking of USS <em>Respite Island</em> in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18667936-deadly-shores" title="Opens Taylor Anderson's Deadly Shores in Goodreads" target="_blank"><em>Deadly Shores</em></a>, 9. They seem to have a powerful technology (for their time) and have been listening in on everyone!
<blockquote>"…Gravois and his superiors have their own plans, always, that are rarely respectful of those they consider to be in their power."</blockquote>Their behavior in Africa is reprehensible. They treat the Republic as if it were a child needing their tyrannical guiding hand.

Having abandoned Esshk, Kurokawa must rein in his own tempers having realized that he needs to keep his few surviving officers on his side. It's a treat to read, especially when he goes groveling to Esshk.

I guess I should have known how the next Celestial Mother would be chosen. Jesus. You'll laugh at Esshk's maneuverings that push Ragak into his boastful fate, although I was surprised at how well his army did.

I do like Choon! The situation in Alexandria is too frustrating for words, and Garrett and Choon both hound the emperor for his lack of decision.

Circumstances will teach Rebecca, Nig-Taak, Matt, and others to allow for their emotions and not to take past encounters as set in stone. Circumstances will also, lol, teach Shinya's forces that he doesn't tolerate incompetence. Nerino has also learned that war is not beautiful, although Don Hernan wallows in the blood and suffering as "cleansing". I suspect the Allies will be able to convert the Doms simply by how the Allies care for their wounded.

There's a thoughtful piece when Matt discusses with Bernie what he thought Gray, what all of them, are fighting for, and it may start with one's immediate ship and shipmates, but it truly is for the grand scheme.

Geerki has grown quite a bit since he first joined with Rolak. He's almost a person, as he says, and he's quite firm in his dealings with the civilian Grik, quite sneaky in fact.

It's a combination of battle, weapon upgrades, better tactics on the part of the Grik and the Doms, the terrifying way in which the Allies learn them, and <em>Walker</em> keeps falling apart.

<b>THE STORY</b>
Along with the Lemurians and Imperial allies, Matt Reddy's old Asiatic Fleet destroyer USS <em>Walker</em> and his crew fight to keep the reptilian Grik, a race growing in supremacy, from reconquering the Lemurians' ancestral home on Madagascar. Reddy and his crew are exhausted, far from reinforcements, and wildly outnumbered, so the odds seem greater than ever before.

As for the fate of the Americas, Don Hernan and the evil Dominion have gathered to annihilate the forces behind the walls of Fort Defiance while a shadowy power with an agenda all its own rises with chilling resolve.

As the war teeters on a knife-edge, a tipping point may have been reached at last — and cold steel and hot-blooded valor will remain the ultimate weapons.

<b>THE CHARACTERS</b>
The complete character list is too long, so you'll have to visit the review for <em>Straits of Hell</em> on my website if you want to see it at http://kddidit.com/2015/07/19/book-review-taylor-andersons-straits-of-hell.

The <strong>Grand Alliance</strong> is forming up as a United States of the allies. <strong>Adar</strong> is its Chairman, High Sky Priest for <em>Salissa</em> and Baalkpan, and High Chief of Baalkpan. <strong>Commander Alan Letts</strong> is helping Adar set up the new constitution in Baalkpan Bay.

<b>Grik City, Madagascar is…</b>
…the Lemurians' ancient homeland that had been occupied by the Grik. It's where the Celestial Palace, dubbed the "<strong>Cowflop</strong>", is located and was taken by the Allies in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18667936-deadly-shores" title="Opens Taylor Anderson's Deadly Shores in Goodreads" target="_blank"><em>Deadly Shores</em></a>. And where the <strong>Celestial Mother</strong> was killed.

<em><b>First Fleet South is…</b></em>
…led by <strong>USS <em>Walker</em></strong>, a destroyer that fell through a hole in the universe while fleeing an overwhelming Japanese task force. <strong>Lieutenant Commander (Captain) Matthew Reddy </strong>commands the <em>Walker</em> then and now. He's also the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in this world. <strong>Nurse Lieutenant Sandra Tucker Reddy</strong> is Matt's wife and the Alliance's Minister of Medicine. And pregnant.

<em><b>Fort Defiance is…</b></em>
…part of the Eastern front fighting the Doms off Central America. <strong>General Tomatsu Shinya</strong> is commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force. <strong>Colonel James Blair</strong> is one of the Imperials.

<em>Second Fleet Task Force 11 is…</em>
…off the coast of Costa Rica, conducting a probe of the Dom fleet. It's led by <strong>Admiral E.B. Hibbs</strong> on his flagship, <strong>HIMS <em>Mars</em></strong>. <strong>Midshipman Varley</strong> is part of the <em>Mars</em>. <strong>Lieutenant Ruik-Sor-Ra</strong> captains the <strong>USS <em>Simms</em></strong>. <strong>Lieutenant Gaal-Etkaa</strong> is his exec.The <strong>HMIS <em>Icarus</em></strong>, a square rig steamer, is captained by <strong>Lieutenant Parr</strong>. Other ships include <em><strong>Finir-Pel</strong></em>, <em><strong>Mertz</strong></em>, <em><strong>Tindal</strong></em>, and <strong>Captain Grimsley</strong> commands the <em><strong>Achilles</strong></em>.

<em>Second Fleet will be led by…</em>
…<strong>High Admiral Harvey Jenks</strong>, and Rebecca insists on coming along. The <em><strong>Mithra</strong></em> will become his flagship. <strong>Surgeon Commander Selaas-Fris-Ar</strong> is Keje's daughter and chief medical officer for all Second Fleet.

<em><b>Alexandra, Republic of Real People is…</b></em>
…in southern Africa and sounds like our Cape Town. The <strong>kaiser</strong>, their ruler, is <strong>Nig-Taak</strong>. The <strong>Gentaa</strong> are a human-Lemurian hybrid who keep themselves apart and have set themselves up as an exclusive labor class. <strong>Inquisitor Kon-Choon</strong> is chief of intelligence for the Republic and a passenger on <em>Donaghey</em>. <strong>Corporal Meek</strong> is Doocy's son. <strong>General Marcus Kim</strong> is commander of the land forces of the Republic.

<b>The Enemy</b>
<em><b>The Grik homeland is…</b></em>
…<strong>Sofesshk</strong> in East Africa and is ruled by <strong>Regent Consort Ragak</strong>. The <strong>Hij</strong> are the ruling class. The <strong>Uul</strong> are warriors and can follow basic commands. <strong>First General Esshk</strong> has power struggles with Ragak, who will lead his own army to recover the Celestial City. The <strong>Chooser</strong> has proclaimed Esshk <strong>Regent Champion</strong> until a new <strong>Giver of Life</strong> can be chosen from the candidates Esshk managed to rescue from Madagascar. <strong>General Ign</strong> is the commander of the "new" warriors.

<em><b>The Holy Dominion are…</b></em>
…ruled by a bloodthirsty religion. <strong>Don Hernan de Devina Dicha</strong> is a <strong>Blood Cardinal</strong>, second only to this Supreme Holiness, and totally whacked. He "boosts" morale by threatening unholy torture unto death if any man fails him. <strong>General Ghanan Nerino</strong> is the former commander of His Supreme Holiness' Army of the South, the <strong>Army of God</strong>, who will be given a second chance. <strong>His Supreme Holiness</strong>, a.k.a., the Messiah of Mexico, Emperor of the World, is their ruler.

<em><b>Zanzibar is…</b></em>
…the headquarters for <strong>General of the Sea Hisashi Kurokawa</strong> who has too much in common with the Grik. <strong>General of the Sky Hideki Muriname</strong>, the last surviving pilot from <em>Amagi</em>, finally believes that Kurokawa is mad. <strong>Lieutenant Iguri</strong> is Muriname's executive officer. <strong>Commander Riku</strong> is the head of Ordnance.<strong> Signal Lieutenant Fukui</strong> handles communications. <em><strong>Tatsuma</strong></em> was Kurokawa's personal yacht and is an insult to Kurokawa when it arrives in Zanzibar.

<em><b>The League of Tripoli is…</b></em>
…an alliance of European countries with the French, Italians, and Spanish the powerful ones and the Germans a secondary ally. They control the Mediterranean, a chunk of North Africa, and have a toehold in Italy, France, and Spain.

<strong>Lemurians</strong>, a.k.a., 'Cats, are native to this new world, and while of a pacifist nature, have readily turned war-like to protect their people from the Grik. <strong>Homes</strong> are the great ocean-going ships each clan lived on. The <strong>Grik</strong> are a lizard-like people who eat each other and any prisoners they take. They revel in war and conquest. This war with the Allies is forcing them to re-think some aspects of their culture.

<b>THE COVER and TITLE</b>
The cover is fiery with deep reds and oranges in the night sky and the reflected yellows of weapon bursts on the churning waves with a collage of the ships that take part in the battles: a destroyer, brigs, a dirigible, and planes.

The title is the ferocity of the last battle. It's the <em>Straits of Hell</em> where the fate of Grik City will be decided.

Too many enemies on too many fronts. Things just keeping getting more and more complicated with almost no resolution. I think of many examples of the epic series.. Forstchen's "Lost Regiment", the entire "Star Gate" series on TV, even Jay Allan and the "Crimson World's" books. Each one the protagonists defeat one enemy before another 'bigger' or 'worse' enemy is introduced.

In Anderson's series, he just keeps piling on more adversaries beyond even my ability to suspend disbelief. The characters are the same and the battles are the same, no surprises, limited drama and of course Walker sails in to save the day...

This series started off pretty good but has dwindled into mediocrity.

I was a little concerned until about halfway through. The first part had all the pinnings of a book setting up future books. Don't get me wrong, it was suspenseful, but dry on action. The last half is just awesome though and I love the universe and characters that Taylor Anderson has spun up. Easy five stars.

This appears to have shades of Eric Flint's alternate worlds books. A WWII destroyer is transported to an alternate Earth, I think. On that alternate reality world a war is being waged by a variety of transported Earthlings and alien races.

This may be a good book but it is most definitely a sequel and there is a definitive lack of back story. The characters, races and alliances are totally confusing due to that lack of a back story.

This may be a good book but I can't really say as I didn't finish it. I got too frustrated trying to guess my way through the plot and characters. I like the writing style but there are too many other books out there that don't usually frustrate me.

Still an interesting series as the Destroyermen's world grows. Good battles scenes with their various enemies. Weapons evolution stays coherent and intriguing. It needs better maps and a stronger sense of strategy than we will fight evil where it appears.

I've read them all up to this point. I finished Straits of Hell today. Without echoing criticisms of others regarding excessive infusion of characters and alliances and the endless review of what happened in previous books. I simply say "I'm out". I peeked at the description of the next in the series thinking I would get it if it was the series finale but it looks like it is not.
I was attracted to the series by the premise of a WWII destroyer being transported to the alternate earth that evolved similarly yet different. Taylor Anderson had me riveted by the way the Destroyermen addressed problems of developing energy sources, metallurgy, ballistics to keep their destroyer in the fight.
Taylor, end the series and start a new one using the same winning formula.

Although I gave this five stars my only problem with the book is the fact that we don't see much more of "The Republic." But besides that the book does not disappoint and I found it hard to put down once I started reading it.

Got this book for my 19th anniversary, best gift I could have gotten. Couldn't put it down and finished it before the weekend was over. Without a doubt one the best books in the series. The best book I have read in 2015.