Storm Surge

Destroyermen, Book 8

By: Taylor Anderson

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 18 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the Pacific, as USS Walker is repaired and updated after a previous battle and Reddy is healing from his wounds, planning begins for a bold raid on the very heart of the Grik Empire.

But time is running out for the Alliance army in India, and the Allied forces in the west must gather in an unprecedented land, air, and sea campaign to destroy the mighty Grik battle fleet and break through to their relief. All other plans go on hold when the attempt proves more difficult - and more heartbreakingly costly - than anyone imagined.

Meanwhile, the struggle continues on other fronts near and far: in the jungles of Borno in distant Southern Africa and in the Americas, where the allies are finally learning the terrible truth about the twisted Dominion.

The Alliance is on the offensive everywhere, but their enemies have a few surprises, including new weaponry and new tactics...and a stunning geographic advantage that Reddy never suspected. Until now.

©2013 Taylor Anderson (P)2013 Tantor

Endless, endless, endless series

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This series was like climbing a tree. One starts on a solid trunk of a story line, then encounters a few interesting side branches, but you are still firmly attached to the trunk. As the books continue, the reader finds himself in a tangle of increasingly tiny, parallell story branches, the plot line lost. This last book reads as an English assignment: "write a 5,000 word essay on....".

Has Storm Surge turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yeah. Many authors that develop a lot of interesting characters, and perhaps have a contractual obligation to their publishers, end up ruining a good story by dragging it out.

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

He has excellent voice characterization, but after the first 3 or 4 books, even he can't keep up with the increasing senseless complexity.

I can not wait for book 9. Book 8 is Great !

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

As soon as a new book is released I immediately wait for the next one. I have always been pleased with the characters moving in and out of the chapters. I don't know how the author keeps everything moving like he does. Maybe submarines are coming soon as the alliance keeps coming up with new weapons. The torpedo was a game changer in this one.

So in a word, YES I recommend this book and it would be a shame that an avid reader has not started getting to know the characters from the first moment of the first book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Silva. He keeps coming into each story when a light or serious moment is needed.

What about William Dufris’s performance did you like?

He does a great job and is clearly the voice of the series.

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

Yes. I finished it in 4 days. I love a long book when it is so interesting.

Any additional comments?

I wonder what devious plans the Japanese Admiral will come up with next. It is hard to imagine that in a real society that this guy would not have been executed or ended his life himself. He just suffered one heck of a pasting.

Just a summarization of prior books

What disappointed you about Storm Surge?

Just a summary of the previous books in the series. Kind of a waste of time. The usual epic battle was like a pop gun. Once again, miracle of miracles, the evil Jap commander escapes again. Shocking!!! Enough already.

What could Taylor Anderson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Get out of the political minor stories and move forward.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Narrator is fine. Subject matter needs work.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I paid full price for a summary.

Long in tooth...

After a year away from Taylor Anderson's "other earth", I'm starting to wait less eagerly at the next book in the series. Its fun, irreverent and entertaining and the expanding world is interesting but between the meat of the pages, I kept waiting for more ground to be covered. With a cast that now easily spans beyond a few dozen, I'd expect the novels to expand to fit the multiple plot lines and/or move slightly faster.

As much as the inner kid in me loves in the idea of dinosaur piloted zeppelins duking it out with a fleet of vintage WWII boats and planes piloted by Humans and Lemurs, I'm worried by the end I'll of experienced too much of a good thing.

There's only so many times Walker, Mahan Salissa and Catalina can make death defying escapes. Only so many Human enclaves that seem feasibly to be "off the grid" as far as the Grik and Lemurians are concerned and only so many antics that sideshow (stooges) trio of Dennis, Larry and Moe can perform.... before all the troupes are tired.

I'm all for this series but I'd like to see it wrap up. Perhaps an end could lead to more adventures but for now I just want the feeling that this series has a conclusion.... even if just for a moment.

Great Book

I love the way Taylor Anderson develops and interacts the characters in his books, I can't wait for the next one...

It Continues Hungry for more

I really didn't pay attention when I first bought this book. Then once I listened, I am hooked. My ears hunger for more.

great story really enjoyed it.

really enjoyed the narration and have been a fan of this series for a long time

Riveting rollercoaster ride of fictional history

The eighth book in the series and still twisting and turning into the strange future.

Enjoyable Yarn.

The story is very original and draws you in before you know it. I started as mildly intrigued, now can not stop .

Wonderful Alternate History with Action!

Two WWII American destroyermen are transferred to an alternate world where they discover new species. They form an Alliance with the Lemurians, a cat-monkey like race, against the the fierce Grik, a lizard like species who eat their enemies.

In this eighth installment there are numerous battles going on at many locations. General Alden is still pinned down and waiting for relief in Indiaa. Japanese General Niwa has shared tactical strategy with Grik Hige Halik and they are making progress in their battles. But the madman Japanese Commander, Kurokawa, using the Griks as tools, isn’t seeking to help the Grik in their fights. Instead he hopes to lure the American and Alliance into battle at Maa-ni-la where he plans to annihilate them with the new ships.

Reddy and his Allies have been busy building new planes and new ships. Although a few troops are sent on individual missions the majority of the forces are being readied to face Kurolawa and the Grik.

Imperial Commodore Jenks is planning the battles in the East against the Holy Dominion threat. Silva and others are trekking through jungles seeking other species of Grik that may be friendly like Laurence. There are a few new groups that are discovered and agree to get involved including some Jaguar warriors, another species of superlizards being led by an American and unexplained spies. There is also a new group that is making attempts to align with Kurokawa and the Grik.

This series is full of action and good character development. I enjoy the battle strategies and scenes as well as the personal interaction.

Audio Notes: I love listening to this series. Dufris' narration has character distinction and scene excitement. It is effective to help me get wrapped up in and lost in the story.

Beginning to repeat

I like serial books and the subject matter is unusual and interesting., but I am finding so much of the story line just repeating.

Excellent

A great progression in the story and world building. The great William Dufris RIP is on top form yet again.
Highly recommended

Still good

Waited a long time for the next episodes and had almost given up. Storm Surge is as good as the rest now getting on with 8 & 9

another hit

I really enjoyed this book, it moved the story on well. the new allies on both sides opens up an already massive story