Crusade

Destroyermen, Book 2

By: Taylor Anderson

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 15 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy, along with the men and women of the USS Walker, have chosen sides in a war not of their making. They have allied with the Lemurians - a mammalian race whose peaceful existence is under attack from the warlike, reptilian Grik.

The Lemurians are vastly outnumbered and ignorant of warfare, and even the guns and technology of Walker cannot turn the tide of battle. Luckily, they are not alone. Reddy finally finds Mahan, the other destroyer that passed through the rift. Together, the two American ships will teach the Lemurians to fight and stand against the bloodthirsty Grik - or so they think.

For there is another vessel that does not belong on these strange seas - the massive Japanese battle cruiser Amagi, the very ship that Walker was fleeing from when the rift took them. Like Mahan, it followed them through. And now Amagi is in the hands of the Grik.

Battle stations! Listen to more in the Destroyermen series.

©2008 Taylor Anderson (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Dramatic.... At heart this novel is about how honor and ideals can bend or break under the stressful, life-and-death conditions of total war." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Even better than the excellent Into the Storm." --( Booklist Starred Review)

On 7 books to go

If you could sum up Crusade in three words, what would they be?

It leads to another book.....

Would you be willing to try another book from Taylor Anderson? Why or why not?

Yes...but I have to get through this series first....

What about William Dufris’s performance did you like?

Excellent performance...

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, to long for one sitting....would have to break it up..

Full of action and character struggles!

This is book two of the Destroyerman series. In book one, Into the Storm, Destroyermen, two American destroyers, Walker and Mahan, are limping away from a powerful Japanese war ship, the Amagi, during World War II when a Pacific storm whisks them into a parallel universe. They are separated and the first story focuses on Walker and her crew as they encounter new species: the friendly cat-like Lemurians, who are farmers and fishermen and the ugly, reptilian (dinosaur-like) Grik, who are clearly a barbaric foe.

This second book expands on the personalities and relationships of the Americans and their Lemurian allies who they are training to fight and resist the attacks of the Grik. There are several cities and factions of the Lemurians to cope with. Young but fiercely brave Queen Moran of the Bibadans is one of the first to recognize the leadership of Captain Reddy and the need to take an aggressive stand. Unfortunately the neighboring tribe city of Arial is led by a cowardly King and a sniveling Prince who would betray a temporary alliance. This causes civil war with the mature head of the army, Lord Rollack, joining forces with Queen Moran and the Americans to force back a Grik attack.

There are plenty of personal stories and drama to engage the reader in the characters. Sinji is a Japanese Lieutenant who has become part of the crew on Walker, as has a young Jac, who sees himself as a Destoryerman now, no longer a Lemurian sailor. The teams, American and Lemurian, have discovered that their vessels are more than just ships; they have become homes to the officers and crews. The story is rich with actions of individuals, some brave and some despicable. There is racial prejudice and discipline to deal with. There are strategy plans, vibrant battles, betrayal, dishonor and sacrifice. Well into this story it is discovered that the more powerful Japanese ship, the Amagi, has also been pulled into this alternate world. Its crazed Captain is seeking revenge against the Americans and has allied with the Grik. The Captain has no regard for innocents to the dismay of his second in command.

I am invested in the characters and am apt to hold my breath at times of betrayal and danger. If you like a story full of personal interaction, some military strategy and plenty of action I highly recommend this series.

Audio Notes: William Dufris does an excellent job keeping up the pace, presenting the characters and conveying the tension to bring the story alive. I am definitely looking forward to listening to the rest of the series!

Great second book

I love this series and I will hear this again. This is like the third time now.

Better than Tolstoy

There is no reason to painfully slog through War and Peace when you can read Destroyermen: Crusade, instead. All the great themes are here: good and evil, love and hate, honor and treachery. You don't have to remember all those dreadful Russian names. Also, this is much more fun to read. I'm anxiously awaiting the third book.

Action packed, good continuation of the series.

Another great book, the narrator does a great job, and more depth is added to the story as you listen on in the second book.


FYI, people complaining about AUDIO books prices when comparing them to a paper back book. Think for a second. The audio book must be produced, scripted to a point, and a GOOD actor hired to read the book and act out all parts. Don't whine about an audio books price

very good series can't wait to get book 3

loved it looking forward to the rest of the story this ranks right up there with a couple of other books that I listened to

Excellent Naval SciFi

While not alternate history, it is a rousing sea tale. Narration is excellent. So far it's an excellent story. Looking forward to the next installment.

getting better and better

If you could sum up Crusade in three words, what would they be?

Keeps getting better

What does William Dufris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Brings the characters to life and is very consistent in voicing

Any additional comments?

While bordering on too simple at times in the beginning, it keeps pulling interesting twists. The further in I get the more I am enjoying this series.

Addictive Read

What made the experience of listening to Crusade the most enjoyable?

Mr. Dufris does an excellent narration of an action packed adventure.

What did you like best about this story?

An introduction to life aboard a WW2 fighting ship.

What about William Dufris’s performance did you like?

Brings the characters to life. Easy to distinguish his voices and the mood of the characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I kept driving around the block.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to finish the series.

Loved It. Even Better than the First

Deeper character development. As the story continues it gets harder to stop listening. I especially like the way that minor plot lines get tied up at the end of the book yet the story continues. Must read the next one.