Into the Storm

Destroyermen, Book 1

By: Taylor Anderson

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Pressed into service when World War II breaks out in the Pacific, the USS Walker---a Great-War vintage "four-stacker" destroyer---finds itself in full retreat from pursuit by Japanese battleships. Its captain, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Patrick Reddy, knows that he and his crew are in dire straits. In desperation, he heads Walker into a squall, hoping it will give them cover---and emerges somewhere else.

Familiar landmarks appear, but the water teems with monstrous, vicious fish. And there appear to be dinosaurs grazing on the plains of Bali. Gradually Matt and his crew must accept the fact that they are in an alternate world---and they are not alone. Humans have not evolved, but two other species have. And they are at war.

With its steam power and weaponry, the Walker's very existence could alter the balance of power. And for Matt and his crew, who have the means to turn a primitive war into a genocidal Armageddon, one thing becomes clear: They must decide whose side they're on. Because whoever they choose to side with is the winner.

Battle stations! Listen to more in the Destroyermen series.

©2008 Taylor Anderson (P)2008 Tantor

I love this entire series!

First of the series and my least favorite book of the four I have listened to, but still very good. Alternate history and military SCI-FI fans will love these books! I have listened to the first four and I enjoyed them all.

Preposterously funny and grippingly romantic

What did you love best about Into the Storm?

The Space/Time travel of an outmoded Destroyer from WWII to a parallel earth is an over-the-top premise, but the author makes the travails of the destroyermen and their unfailing courage and ingenuity believable and consistent. So the story is not about the strange and dangerous world, but about the characters, of course the heroes are outnumbered, beset, betrayed, but they all refuse to give up. Their ideas and knowledge shape the world around them for the better. It's light reading, but I liked it. I am currently waiting for the 7th book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Chak Sa'b Aht (hope he spells that way), a Lemurian "alien" from the parallel earth that has a successful career in the new 'Maahrines' which has a perfect sense of Humor.

Which character ??? as performed by William Dufris ??? was your favorite?

The likeable Rogue of the Chief Gunner's Mate Silva Character is always a highlight in these books.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud several times and although I did not actually cry, the poignancy of several scenes and the gallantry in the face of death, doom and destruction the main characters face, choked my throat on several occasions.
The cynic in me knows that there's a severe element of Deus Ex Machina, of sacrificial deaths to put the hero through the wringer without terminating the story, of the naive Good vs. Evil structure. But despite all that You are pulled inside the world of the Destroyermen.

Any additional comments?

The Destroyermen have an impact out of all proportion to their small number on the entire World of the parallel universe. The author makes this feat believable in spite of a sceptical reader.

Great Story, but strange segues in narration

I'm loving the story. It's captivating and fun.

One reason for the 4 star rating is because the narrator moved from one section to another without even a breath in between. It's a bit confusing to be listening about one group of characters and then another group with no segue to mark the change.

Decent all around

This is a pretty good story and narrated pretty well. I am looking forward to hearing the second book in the series once it comes out. I enjoyed this audiobook.

Well done! Taylor Anderson does his research.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Fun listen!
A Well written steam punk americana Book!
If you like ww1 and ww2 trivia, naval tradition... cool story... Great audio Book

Swashbuckling WW2/Fantasy Adventure (Spoiler Free)

The premise is silly, an aging retrofitted outdated US Destroyer amid the Second Battle of the Java Sea is enters a titanic storm after being locked in a battle (painfully out gunned by the Japanese) in the south pacific and comes out on the other side... to a new world it seems. It sounds much like the start of a B movie, except it isn't. Strange new life inhabits this new, dangerous world, that's answered by a very interesting Darwinian "What if?". Large dinosaur like lizards, man eating fish, and plenty of creatures both friend and foe inhabit this strange new world.

Taylor Anderson commands an expert knowledge of technology from yesteryear, south pacific geography and uses fun evolutionary dissections to explain how this world works, without burdening the listener. The focus isn't the why or how, but rather what happens after such an event. The Lieutenant Commander USS Walker 163, commanded Matthew Reddy, leads a great swashbuckling series, that's part War/Military fiction, part sci-fi and part history, in a strange yet very entertaining series. Its well thought out, imaginative and takes premise that could have been rote with poor plot points, bad dialogue and silly archetypal characters and makes it smart enough to keep the science minded contented, and adventure seeker thrilled. Having bought and all 6 books (and am on 5th), I eagerly await the 7th in the series. In the end, this series has been... fun.

The only downside is you'll be hooked, eagerly awaiting each next book. William Dufris gets special merit, creating voices for individual accents for creatures human to non-human, American to Japanese to Australian, oaf to educated, young to old, female to male. It adds an extra dimension to story he brings life to Anderson's world. Drufis alone is reason to buy this book.

Pretty good story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Probably not, there is nothing outstanding in this book. The idea is interesting and the story is ok but nothing great.

If you’ve listened to books by Taylor Anderson before, how does this one compare?

This is the first Taylor Anderson book I have listened to, or read, so I have nothing to compare it to.

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

He is a very good narrator. He gives each character their own voice and personality. He does a very good job.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not, it isn't that interesting.

Purely Awesome!

I don't generally go for WWII but my hubby got me interested by combining the phrases WWII, sentient Lemurs, and sentient Velociraptors. I had to check it out and was hooked forever by just a couple of chapters in. The narrator, William Dufris (now deceased, sadly) personifies the entire story with excellence, giving voice to the characters with wit and charm and a lot of skill. This book is the opening to a sweeping 15-book adventure saga that leaves you crying for more every time a book ends. Vividly depicted, sometimes a bit graphic (obviously necessary, it is a war story after all) and there is quite a lot of bad language (which sometimes adds humor), but getting past that, it is definitely one of my favorite series EVER. If you listen at work or on long commutes, this series will give you LOTS of listening time, as most of the books average 15+ hours long. If they had an option for 10 stars, Taylor Anderson and William Dufris have earned every one of 10 for this series!

I just enjoy the series

What did you love best about Into the Storm?

I like the how does stuff get done, and the character interactions,

What was one of the most memorable moments of Into the Storm?

Transition to one world to the other and everyones reaction

Which character – as performed by William Dufris – was your favorite?

Matt Reddy

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Lets make a long movie series, or a long mini series

Any additional comments?

I like the narrator too.

original and captivating

I read/listen to a lot of sci-fi and fantasy bit don't fable into military fiction to much. this book's unique take on combining naval fiction with fantasy grabbed me and held me. loveable (if not tropeish) characters, good narration, and exciting battles. good narration. looking forward to more in the series.