Northern Fury: H-Hour

By: Bart Gauvin, Joel Radunzel

Narrated by: Arthur Morton

Length: 21 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

August 1991. Soviet hardliner Pavel Medvedev knows that only bloodshed can save the USSR from complete collapse. With violence breaking out in the streets of Moscow, few realize that he is piloting the Soviet Union on a collision course with its deadliest enemy yet: NATO. 

US Marine Colonel Robert Buckner, passed over for a coveted command, takes a post working for Vice Admiral Falkner on his way to retirement. As the world is lurching towards World War Ill, he finds his way towards a panoramic view of the unfolding crisis with a pivotal role to play. War breaks out across the globe, but the pin falls in the far north, where soldiers and civilians alike must battle not just the enemy, but the unforgiving elements. With arsenals of high-tech weapons loosed in both directions, the ultimate reward may not be victory, but survival. 

H-Hour is the first book of the Northern Fury series, which tells the alternate history of World War Ill's northern front through the eyes of those who lived it.

©2019 Ursus Rising Books (P)2020 Ursus Rising Books

Premise is good, execution lacking.

The authors do a good job of setting up an interesting scenario. The set up is a little slow, but it always is moving forward and building, once the plan is set in motion the pace becomes crazy fast, but not in a good way, then it just ends. The Russians plan and execution stretches what it means to be believe able. Nato reactions are too fast, but then inept. The Russians prepared to meet every challenge with a detailed tatical plan. If the action in the book had been paced over 2-3 weeks it would be believable, but the course of a day come on.

Slow Start - Awful Narration

I typically do not write reviews, but felt the need to concerning this book. This book's biggest challenge is the narration. His attempt to use a variety of accents falls well short, I found it a distraction to the story itself - some portions were downright painful to listen to. If these authors continue with the series, I highly recommend a change.

I also found the story started out very very slow - the action doesn't really start until about the mid-to-three quarters mark. The variety of story lines are intriguing and relatively easy to follow, but it appears the writing style, especially character development, has a rather amateur quality to it.

Hats off to these two authors for trying to tackle such a large and complex Odyssey and I will more then likely buy/listen to the next book just for the sake of seeing things play out, but anyone looking for the next Red Storm Rising or Team Yankee will more than likely be left wanting.

Terrible narration BORING

I was hoping for as other reviews said a Clancy type story... this is barely a one star story and the narrator is so bad. Waste of my money!

Good book, keeps your attention, ends oddly

Like the book, like the subject. Keeps you entertained throughout.

My big objection is how it ended. Abruptly and with no conclusion. So many stories left out there.

After 21 hours listening you would think they could wrap a few plot lines up.

Nope, just have to wait.

Brilliant!!!

Loved this, fantastic story, gripping narrative, likable character, and World War III :) I can't wait for the sequel!!

Binge-worthy!

Excellent execution of a story that captures the way things could have gone wrong in the cold war. Rich, developed characters, intricate plot and well delivered by the voice actor. You might set aside your Netflix for this one if you like the genre. Think Red October.

Enjoyable listening

A well researched and well written alternate Cold War scenario that finds a great mix between staging and action - a great listen

Good story, narration could be better.

If you’re looking for a story similar to Red Storm Rising this is a good book to get. It’s not the same but they are both within the same genre.
Great story and an interesting setting. I believe the narration could be much better, the narrator tries too hard with voices and it comes off as sounding odd and rather annoying. Other than that it was a good narration. I’d recommend that the authors/publishers use a different narrator for the next series.
Plot wise the story was very good, some points and occurrences were rather far fetched and hard to fathom. Such as Soviet forces achieving objectives with minimal losses in almost every case, NATO acts like they have no clue what is going on at times, and while that fits the surprise attack narrative for them to be so unprepared and inept is hard to comprehend. But other than that the story is good and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the series.

Good story - distractingly poor narration

This was a great story in the cold war gone hot genre. I'd listen to it all over again. the narration was the only downfall. The narrator seemed to have difficulty with the accents. Otherwise, I had no complaints.

audio

same old story which often cannot be heard garbled not compatible with audible app Disappointed

Must Listen, Brilliant

This is a very very good book. Red Storm Rising by the late Tom Clancy is my favourite book and all books for me in this genre are for me measured against this. Most fall well short, this does not. As this is not the complete story, I can only hope the wait for the next book is not too long. There is a great level of detail here, I wish I had found the book earlier. It's a long one but captivating in its scope. I keenly await what comes next. Brilliant so far