Breakthrough

The Great Martian War, Book 2

By: Scott Washburn

Narrated by: Ray Greenley

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the second of the three-part series covering the opening salvo of the Great Martian Invasion. US forces recover from the initial shock of the Martian invasion of the Southwest and attempt to set up a defensive line along the Mississippi. The best minds in the US try to come up with ways to defeat the Martians using the little captured technology available to them. Meanwhile, President Roosevelt tries to rally world leaders to aid in stopping the invaders.

©2016 Scott Washburn (P)2017 Scott Washburn

Break through review

We may have lost this battle but we have not lost the war. I’m confident that the characters in the story will help us turn the tide. It was nice seeing People such as Harry Truman, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton and many others. It will be interesting to see what will happen in the series.

Good Sequel; Tense Battle for Survival

This is a good sequel which brings the reader/listener into a tense battle for survival of the species. My rating 4.25.

I enjoyed coming back to these characters. The conflict continues between the Martians and the 1909-10 version of the US forces under the commander in chief, Theodore Roosevelt.

The Americans are improving their technology, but it is still not enough. They may have a few successful encounters but the battles are still being controlled by the Martians. The Martians target the transport systems (railroads) in order to limit the tanks and other equipment that the humans can bring to the fight.

The story follows the primary characters from book one, both US and Martian. Andrew Comstock has been promoted and is still working in the ordinance department to help develop improved weapons that can increase the American chances in the war. He travels from D.C. to Niagara Falls to observe Tesla testing the Martian lasers. Then he travels to Santa Fe where he is commanded to head a force in the field.

The young farm girl who survived the battle in book one has become a nurse who longs to fight the Martians up close and personal. She is very close to the front lines and involved in caring for physical and mental injuries inflicted upon prisoners who are rescued from the Martian home hold.

Qetjnegartis is a Martian warrior in the home hold who is fighting for his race. He has a “bud” (an infant) whom he is training as one of the replacement corps. The Martians have their own reasoned strategy as they fight for survival and, sadly and frighteningly, elimination of the human population.

Mr. Washburn writes a convincing and engaging plot. He has developed likeable characters, US and Martians. The story has good action and interesting social growth and interaction as the reader/listener is pulled into a tense battle for survival of the species.
I recommend this to fans of the original story (War of the Worlds) and those who enjoy engaging sci fi. I look forward to more in the series.

Audio Notes: Ray Greenley does a wonderful job with the narration. He provides strong, distinct voices and carries the action forward. The narration enhances the story for me.

I received this Audiobook from the narrator for an honest review. My rating 4.25.

Great story great narration.

Would you listen to Breakthrough again? Why?

You bet have already listened to it 3 times. Will do it again. Will listen to the 1st book again also.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nicola Tesla. He just seems right.

Which scene was your favorite?

Shelling the tripod with train wrecked field gun.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The second destruction of the defence forces.

The Martians are entrenched!

Second book in this series. I liked the first book better, but this is common for me. Middle books aren’t nearly as exciting as the first book in the series. However, I am absolutely looking forward to the third book in the series. There was a lot of character development in this book. Of course, Ray Greenley really brings this book to life.

If you have read the first book in this series, you can’t miss this second book. We really start seeing the challenges the world faces. How can we truly seek to beat this foe when they are so deeply entrenched? Not sure how the author is going to pull this one off, but I am sure anxious to find out. It is helpful to have read the original book, but not necessary.

More Focused than Book One in the Series

Would you consider the audio edition of Breakthrough to be better than the print version?

Sorry, I haven't read the e book or print format. I am very impressed with this audio version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Breakthrough?

This is Book Two in the series. I also reviewed the first book a few months ago. I'm impressed with how evolved the writing and thus the story is. Book One had a lot of development of the Martian characteristics. Book Two here, is much more listenable regards the story and human characters.

Which character – as performed by Ray Greenley – was your favorite?

The characters work together to make an interesting story. I liked Teddy Roosevelt, and the young nurse's part in the book. Ray Greenley kept my interest with his storytelling skills.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The evolution of the battle successes of the Humans.

Any additional comments?

This is developing into a very good action series in a true manner to H.G. Wells's War of the Worlds

Quite an enjoyable listen!

Thanks for the opportunity to review it!

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost. Which I can only assume was voluntary on their part. I am happy to give my honest review of it. I think I'm suppose to mention how reviewing this was voluntary on my part too.

The Martians are back!

What did you love best about Breakthrough?

This book takes place in the All Quiet on the Martian Front game world. The author did a great job of developing that alternate history time line.

What other book might you compare Breakthrough to and why?

HG Wells: War of the Worlds
The Great Martian War: Invasion

Did Ray Greenley do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Ray did a decent job. My problem was that I actually read book 1 and his "voices" never seemed to match my own.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

Pick this up, its worth the credit!

excellent addition

book two is just as good as book one. You see the development of how the world and a nation will technologically-advanced under struggle. The narrator continues to do a great job. I am loving this series I cannot wait for additional books to come out

Good sequel, looking forward to book 3!

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

Will Martians Win?

What was one of the most memorable moments of Breakthrough?

When Tesla was going a little crazy blasting everything around with a captured Martian heat ray gun. I can just imagine him cackling as everything in site burns.

Which character – as performed by Ray Greenley – was your favorite?

Frank Dolfen - he's a great grizzled veteran character who is the kind of guy who has really earned his stripes.

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

I listened to this book while commuting, so it was a nice pace listening for an hour or two at a time, then coming back later.

Any additional comments?

This was a great continuation of the first book. The story moves on and there's lots of character development. I'm excited to see how this story progress is in the next book in the series.

Not H.G. Wells version, but a fun adventure.

This isn't H.G. Wells vision, but I have been enjoying turning the serious, society critiquing scifi into a pulp adventure story with heroes and villains.