Customer Reviews

Distant Thunders: Destroyermen

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The reptilian Grik continue their assault using any sort of mass weapons of destruction against the Lemurians whose strongest supporter are the dimensionally displaced U.S. Navy Captain Matt Reddy and the crew of the USS Walker. The American navy desperately is trying to move forward the Bronze Age Lemurians into at least an Industrial Age and preferably past that too especially with their ship badly devastated in the last encounter (see Maelstrom). That is the only hope for the allies against the overwhelming superiority of the invading Grik.

Reddy and his unit make some progress using paddle-wheel steam frigates developed in New Britain as the Americans free cities in the west from the previously invincible conquerors and give new hope to their allies. However when word reaches Reddy that the enemy has captured New British Princess Rebecca Anne McDonald, he rushes back east on the renovated USS Walker to mount a rescue of a key symbol.

The latest Destroyermen science fiction thriller, Distant Thunders, is an action-packed entry with strong relevant moral questions about the rules of combat engagement running throughout the adrenalin pumping story line. Reddy ponders whether negotiations with a species apparently seeking genocide are feasible as the enemy seems resistant to a peaceful solution although the displaced hero recognizes some of the beliefs on both sides may be bogeyman propaganda. He also wonders whether are any weapons of mass destruction include biological, chemical or nuclear in their arsenal that will be used especially on the brink of perhaps extinction acceptable? Taylor Anderson is one of the best at military science fiction as his plots combine cerebral thought provoking issues within a great adventure tale; the alternate realm of the Destroyermen saga is worth the journey.

Harriet Klausner

I haven't any idea how long this series was initially intended on going on, but I thought it was a trilogy based on the tone and pace of volume one. Now we're on to volume four with as much in front of us as behind.

In addition, the author is caught in a trap that befalls any multi-book series. He can either assume the reader in the later books has read the previous books and is up to date on them or he needs to constantly insert flashbacks. Here Anderson uses flashbacks and uses them quite a bit so if someone were to have read volume one months or years ago they'd be refreshed as to the tensions and relationships. The downside is if one were to find this series and consume them in rather rapid order, the flashbacks become irritating and slow the narrative down. This book is replete with sentences like, "X looked with annoyance at Y remembering that in the battle of Z, Y failed to perform some task or another." That's fine unless you just read about the battle of Z a few days ago as I had. It seemed to this reviewer that we couldn't get a page or two without yet another flashback.

I understand the need for this so I'm not knocking the book down but thought to mention it as a heads up for readers who may be more annoyed at this than I was.

What has me annoyed is that, like Robert Jordan, Taylor Anderson has found a world which immerses many readers. Rather than have a neat, tight trilogy or two book series, he or his publisher or someone has decided to streeeeeetch this thing out. To me, this would be stronger if the stretching included many more details of the alien societies which are still superficially treated now four books in. Instead, most of the action is among the few humans (two threads of humans, but all human) and the aliens do very little unless they are acting in concert with or in reaction to, humans.

I enjoyed this book as I enjoyed the series but I'm bothered by the prospect that it'll be years before the series finishes dealing with the issues facing it now. In addition, there is a whole new world to explore which could have been and may be in the offing.

I gave up on Jordan's Wheel of Time series when the mid volumes slowed down to glacially narrated office politics. I hope this doesn't occur with Anderson's series, but as of the slowdown in volume four, I'm seeing similar symptoms.

This my fouth review of this series and I can honestly say it is getting better. Taylor Anderson is a man with a plan. This series seems to have a definite idea where it is going and I am can't wait to see where. Malestrom was one bloody action packed book. So Mr. Anderson wisely has given us a somewhat of lull in the action. He does stint on his characters and their emotions. The girl queen is beginning to round out in charcter. The new air force personel are introduced and promise to be players in the future. Jenks, British stuff shirt, moves from a cartoon to a real person. We have the raising of the Walker, the trials of the begining air force, and the really "neat" surprise in the newly found cargo ship. There is a kidnapping and a "rescue" of sorts which lead the ending of this book and the possible revenge by Capt Reddy.

While all of the above is well and good, it is some the lesser parts that intrigue me and give me hope for some crazy story lines in the future. The first one is the Catholic religion aspect in Reddy's camp and the British hate of anything Catholic. The "new" Indian lizards that Silva befriends is another. The last one is one I am really looking forward to, the idea that the storm that caused all this has been happening for a long time and ..wait for it...it is possible that there are other like storms doing the very same thing in DEFFERENT parts of the real world. So could a German ship or whatever be in the future? Like I said I can't wait.

Taylor Anderson has maintained his freshness and got me salivating for more.
He knows his subject and period extremely well and fills his pages with new plot (not repetition and rehash).
Reminiscent of Turtledove and Forschen at their best.

This review might contain spoilers for the people who have not read the first three books.
As a big fan of the first Destroyermen series, I preordered Distant Thunders and read it at a quick pace.
The story, picking up shortly after the large battle at Baalkapan, unfolded nicely, albeit a little predictably.
The New Brits, briefly introduced in Maelstrom, were a nice touch and, trust me, they provide plenty of action and trouble.
Some of the technological achievements of the Alliance seem a little far-fetched. However, I know Taylor Anderson is very serious about his research, and therefore am able to buy into this aspect of the story. There are a few fairly large passages dedicated to explaining how these weapon production efforts are put into place, and they might be tedious for non-technical readers. Not for me , though,I enjoy this kind of stuff.
The main problem with this book is that nothing much happens. Yes, things happen, but somehow the plot didn't keep me on the edge of my seat, as it has been the case with the previous books. Also, character development is kind of lacking. I feel that happened because by now there are way too many characters to keep track of. The Lemurian perspective does not appear alien at all. I guess they have all either speedily adopted American thought patterns, or Anderson kind of gave up on character development. And this brings me to another issue. I felt at times that this book is not as polished as the previous. Almost as if it was rushed, or the author is not as much into it as he used to be. Since I visited Taylor's website, where he maintains a lively discussion with readers, I know that to not be the case. Therefore I feel that it's the editor's fault.
I will give this book 4 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed it and because I really really dig the universe Taylor Anderson has created. I wish that in subsequent books he focuses more on fewer characters (without killing any of them though, I have grown fond of them!). I also wish for a better, more thorough editing process.

This old destroyerman thoroughly enjoyed the continuing saga started three books ago and I'm eagerly looking forward to #5. As a former DD Chief Engineer and later Ops Boss in a "deep-draft", I found that, other than a few "nit-picks", the story details were entirely authentic technically and the development quite complementary to the American Sailor's spirit and initiative. I am very glad to see that Mr. Anderson is no longer "casting off" the ship's lines but "taking in all lines" when getting underway (those babies are expensive and belong to the ship.) I would liked to have heard the order "Sound one long blast (on the ship's whistle)" instead of "Honk the horn" when WALKER last got underway from the pier but one can't have everything.

Once again Taylor Anderson delivers a rollicking adventure in the alternate reality he has created. I was concerned that the story might fall flat at the end of the initial trilogy, but it was not to be. This installment is the best of the series. Not only does this novel follow logically with the last novel (within the confines of the Lemurian reality), it expands the universe and the possibilities of further plot twists. I desperately needed some escapist fiction that could draw me in, and Mr Anderson delivered!! Looking forward to the next installment.

As a disclaimer, I read this on my iPhone in e-book format because the Kindle version was not available when I wanted to order the book.

I'm going to try to take a different approach with this review. As someone who greatly enjoyed the first 3 books of the series, I was very excited when I learned there would be more. I am not going to summarize this book, as other reviewers have already done this and have probably done a better job at it than I would. My main points are if you have not read the first 3 books, do so. It is not necessary to enjoy this book to do so, but if you don't you will be missing out on some very enjoyable reading. For me it was a joy to read about the further adventures and trials of characters I had learned about in the first 3 books, and I greatly enjoyed enjoyed the experience. The flashbacks and the fact that the series is stretching out has been pointed out by others. I can understand the flashbacks for the benefit of new readers, and the fact that the series is stretching out couldn't make me happier. I have a connection with the characters now, and getting to read more about them is like reuniting with old friends. My only complaint is having to wait for the next installment. Read it - you should enjoy it as well and the other books in the series.

Distant Thunders is the 4th book in the Destroyerman series. Taylor Anderson has another great book. If you love David Weber books you will love Taylor Anderson. The book does have enough flashback info to enjoy on its own but it is much better to read the previous 3 books. The victories the alliance of the Americans and the Lemurians over the Grik and Japanese are just the beginning of the future battles to come of who will survive. The New British island nation people whom little was mentioned in book 3 is now explored a bit more. Some spoilers: There is a big power grab by the Company over the Emperor-Governor of New Britain. We see hints of other nations and races that will be introduced in the next books. Capt Reddy has to win over Com Jenks and get Princess Rebecca home safe and sound. He has to get his crippled ship repaired before the Grik attack eventually or the treacherous Company tries something sneaky. He has to get some new airplanes built, pilots trained and flying. Capt Reddy has to scout out what the Grik are planning. He has a full plate. The Grik are learning to think and are also planning tech upgrades such as better ships and airplanes.

For me, this was an eagerly awaited continuation of the original Destroyermen series!

At the end of "Maelstrom" the U.S.S. Walker sank in the harbor of Ballkpan after sinking the japanese battlecruiser Amagi, and a massive land battle in which the Allies defeated a Grik invasion in an overwhelming manner. Rescue of Japanese Captain Kurokawa from the wreckage of the Amagi set the tone for the future of the conflict between the warring parties. Shortly after the opening of "Distant Thunders" a flotilla of ships from the New Britain Navy appear and are searching for Princess Rebecca, daughter of the Governer of New Britain. This flotilla is led by Commodore Harvey Jenks, who appeared briefly in "Maelstrom."

A great deal of suspicion towards the Allies is demonstrated by Jenks, reinforced by his company "political officer" Billingsly. After some discussions, Jenks reluctantly agrees to accompany Captain Matthew Reddy on an exploratory voyage to Arryal to determine the movements and strategy of the Grik; Billingsly meantime is hatching a plot to abduct the Princess.

Meanwhile, we are treated to development of aircraft, steam engines, salvage of the wrecked Amagi, and repairs to the Walker as the expedition prepares to sally forth. Another smaller expedition is formed to attemt salvage of the S-19 in the Fill-Pin lands. Slowly Jenks becomes an ally instead of a skeptical enemy, as he observes the actions of the Lemurian Allies in combat, and observing the manner in which the Grik have treated their enemies.

Billingsly succeeds in snatching Princess Rebecca and Lieutenant Tucker, but has Chief Dennis Silva to deal with. As we have learned in the 3 previous novels: Billingsly is in TROUBLE! Unlike the previous novels the conclusion is a "cliff-hanger."

Well crafted and interesting. A great read--5 stars, without question.