Iron Gray Sea

Iron Gray Sea by Taylor Anderson, 421 pages

 

This is the seventh book in Anderson's "Destoyermen" Series. This series takes place during World War 2 and involves ships that, by means of super typhoons, have been magically transported into a parallel earth where humans are not the dominant species. There seems to be two dominant non-human species that occur throughout the series. On is the Grik and the other are the Lemurians. The Grik are large reptilian like creatures that kind of look like bigger komodo dragons and walk on two legs. The Lemurians are more of a cross between lemurs and cats with some humanish features.

 The series itself focuses on the struggle that is going on between these two species and the influence that the transported people bring. Iron Gray Sea, like every book in the series is very engaging and presents a very likeable cast. It is very fast paced and plot focused. If you like military novels that have you hanging on every word and rushing to get the next novel then the “Destroyermen” series is for you!

Dreamwalker by C.S. Friedman

Dreamwalker by C.S. Friedman
312 Pages

Jessica Drake's life has been fairly uneventful when she discovers that her DNA doesn't match that of her mother or father.  In addition a strange woman has been watching her house and shows up to try and buy Jessica's artwork which is based upon dreams she has had all her life.  She finds a group of people in the same situation as her and is warned that members of that group have been mysteriously dying.  As she begins to search for answers it becomes clear that whoever is watching her does not want her to learn the truth. One night her house catches on fire, and when the smoke clears she discovers that her brother has been kidnapped.
 Now she must find her brother before it is too late.

The first in a new series by Friedman, the novel has some interesting moments but is also very young adult like in nature.  

Storm Surge

Storm Surge by Taylor Anderson, 465 pages

Reading a series of books can be one of the most frustrating things in the world. Not only do the authors always end their books with you wanting more, you then have to wait months if not years before the next book comes out. By then you have not only forgotten some of the characters but you also don’t remember some of the underlying plots. Anderson takes some elaborate means to help jog your memories. Not only does he give an index at the front for handy referencing, he also gives a small bio on each character as he reintroduces them.

Storm Surge continues the story of the USS Walker who, after getting transported to a parallel world, met the Grik and the Lemurians. In this book both sides of the conflict put their newest technological marvels to the test for control over India. Anderson does a masterful job describing both the land and sea battles in such detail that you feel you were there. His likeable characters make you cringe and read faster whenever they are in danger. Overall this series is a must read for those that like military novels with a sci-fi twist.

 Sadly I have now caught up with the series and despite the fact I want to know what happens next, I must wait.