Blue Devil Island

Publisher's Summary

October 1943: The tide of war in the Pacific has begun to turn in favor of the United States and her allies. With the opening of a new offensive campaign, the U.S. military deploys a number of new air groups in the Solomon Islands, including a naval fighting squadron known as the Blue Devils, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Drew McLachlan. From their base at a remote island known only as Conquest, McLachlan and his brave pilots mount a number of successful raids against the enemy, eventually making a name for themselves that comes even to the attention of the Japanese.
 

Soon, however, a new and sinister force begins to stir on the island, seemingly disturbed by the very presence of the American fighting forces. Several men disappear under mysterious circumstances, but their bodies turn up horribly mutilated. The sound of drums begins pounding out of the jungle. And Lieutenant Commander McLachlan witnesses a gigantic, half-invisible shape moving atop the mountain at the center of the island.
 

Soon, the Blue Devils are forced to fight on two fronts: against the known enemy, the Japanese, and an unknown, predatory force on the island that threatens to destroy McLachlan and his men.

©2015 Stephen Mark Rainey (P)2019 David N. Wilson

Very Entertaining WWII Meets Something Weird Story

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is for the audio copy of Blue Devil Island by Stephen Mark Rainey and narrated by Joshua Saxon. This was a fun book to listen to. It contained sufficient WWII air war action to make it interesting while combining a mysterious otherworldly twist to be dealt with. This made for a very entertaining story. Very good narration by Joshua helped make the story come alive in my mind.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Did not disappoint

I listened to this one on audio and enjoyed it.

WWII stories or war stories in general really aren’t my bag. I like them every once in a while, and this one looked like it had some elements more up my alley and seemed promising. It did not disappoint. The narration and the story moved briskly and kept me entertained throughout.

This is a solid 3 stars, but the audio elevated it to 3.5+. I wish I could give it the half star, but alas, GR or Audible won’t let me. Thanks a lot GR and Audible :)

I’m going to go 3 Stars with a stipulation that I may change my mind and round it up to 4, if and when the mood strikes me. I also reserve the right to leave it a 3 star forever.

*"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great air action!

Here we are, 1943 in the midst of WWII in the Solomon Islands fighting the Japanese. Our protagonist, Lieutenant Commander Drew McLachlan is in charge of a squadron of F6F Hellcats. They have been assigned to a remote island, which they call Conquest, to perform raids on the Japanese and provide cover for U.S. ships. There’s also a platoon of marines on the island to provide maintenance for the aircraft. Things are going well in the raiding department, but soon there is a feeling of unease as they no longer believe they are alone on the island and are being watched. Bad feelings deepen and strange occurrences begin to take place. What our boys discover on the island is far beyond the norm, and something they’ve never experienced before. The military actions are exciting and very well described IMO. The mysterious happenings are a bit underwhelming but the air action makes up for it. I enjoyed the story and recommend it. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Blue Devil Island

I enjoyed this book. It was not as fast-paced as some that I have been reading lately, but it was consistent and interesting and the plot was fun. I thought it would be a different novel, frankly, but I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that though starting out as a war novel it morphed into something else as well. The characters were well thought out and the plot moved along well. I enjoyed the ending of the novel and will look for more books by Stephen Mark Rainey in the future. The narration was also well done and helped to create the atmosphere for me.

This story was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great story concept.

Blue Devil Island.
Great story concept, strong characters, and a story that flows and sucks you in.
Superb narration.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Pacific WW2 Combat with a twist

Pretty good read altogether. Excellent narration, story was a little....odd. I wish the ground commander had been a little more developed or had some incite into his story to understand the sudden change.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful