Rating: 
Summary: Echoes of Orwell on an Alien World
Review: The latest novel in William Forstchen's _Lost Regiment_ science-fiction series, DOWN TO THE SEA, is not only one of the most enjoyable science-fiction novels I've read in some time (well, ever since finishing his marvelous MEN OF WAR), but it is also an utterly compelling recasting of George Orwell's _1984_ in universal terms. This novel is the story of the discovery by the young Republic, a human-based nation on an alien world founded by men of Earth accidentally transported to this new world via fantastic alien technology, of a new threat to their hard-won freedom. The Kazan, a mighty empire of aliens who are kin to the Hordes who had enslaved, tortured, and murdered the human beings on this world since time out of mind, knows of the Republic, and determines to crush it. Lieutenants Richard Cromwell and Sean O'Donnell, one the son of a traitor to the Republic and the other the son of one of its great heroes, taken prisoner by the Kazan after an ill-fated reconnaissance flight over the territorial waters of the Kazan, learn to their horror that the Kazan are planning to destroy the Republic. Cromwell is allowed to escape and take word of what is about to happen back to the Republic by the high priest of the religious order that is the real power behind the throne of the Empire for reasons which have to do with an unknown game-within-a-game played by the priest against the Emperor. O'Donnell, on the other hand, remains a captive -- one to be converted to the frightening religion of the Shiv, human beings who have been bred for countless generations to become supermen beyond anything ever dreamed of by the Nazis . . . _real_ supermen with no loyalty to the Republic, men and women able to take on 100-to-1 odds and win against that could be thrown against them by ordinary men and women. Sean discovers, to his horror, that the Shiv are intended to become the tools by which the Empire will destroy the Republic, all that stands between humanity on this world and their total enslavement and destruction by the Kazan and their relatives. -- But thanks to a woman of the Shiv assigned to him, together with the drugs that she and the priests administer to him daily, soon his horror is converted to exultation, and, finally, to complete acceptance of the goal of the breeding-program by which the Kazan have been creating the Shiv over generations. In chapter 11 of DOWN TO THE SEA, Sean O'Donnell says to Karinia, concerning the breeding of human beings by the Kazan: "I understand how," Sean said softly, almost fearfully. "I do not understand why." In George Orwell's _1984_, Part III, O'Brien asks Winston Smith, ". . . Do you remember writing in your diary, 'I understand _how_; I do not understand _why_'? It was when you thought about 'why' that you doubted your own sanity. . . ." Later, in the same chapter, he answers his own question: "The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power. Not wealth or luxury or long life or happiness; only power, pure power. . . ." And just so, Karinia answers Sean McDonnell's question: ". . . Those of the inner circle know that nothing exists beyond this life. Therefoer it is power, my lover, power and nothing else that matters and that drives the game of our lives." She smiled. "And that power then gives us the pleasures we desire." At the end of _1984_, Winston Smith is thinking about everything he has been through at the hands of Miniluv, the police arm of Oceania: ". . . But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. he loved Big Brother." Sean O'Donnell has likewise undergone his own journey from hatred and loathing of the enemy to love of them and what they intend to do to humanity. He, too, has come to love Big Brother. Only in this case, it is Big Brother within himself he now loves, most of all. DOWN TO THE SEA is an extension and illumination of the central message of _1984_ presented in the context of alien-human interactions. It makes it clear that power-hunger, hunger for power entirely for its own sake, is an evil that respects no species, no world, no culture, no niche in time or space. And it asks questions that sear the heart: What is the answer to such a hunger, such an addition? Is _anything_ worth eschewing such power, absolute power, power to do whatever you will to others without let or hindrance or fear of consequences, after you have tasted its dark delights? I look forward very much to sequels to DOWN TO THE SEA, to learn what answers may be given to the questions posed in this novel. Sometimes you have to go far away from home to see it as it truly is and thereby come to understand just how far we can fall -- and rise again. An elegant contemporary recasting of Orwell's _1984_, this novel is a must-read for anyone who cares about the path our civilization is taking.
Rating: 
Summary: Sons of the Lost Regiment
Review: The Lost Regiment is back! Actually, they are the "Sons of the Lost Regiment" for the most part. Andrew Keane and Pat O'Donald are now politicians, but their sons and a second generation of the 35th Regiment are in the thick of the action. Forstchen manages to find yet another horde, the Kazan, to threaten the Rebublic. It is somewhat repetetive, but you still can't help but get excited when the Yankees have to find another way to fight against impossble odds - think Battle of Midway. The good news is that this next generation of characters promises a whole new series of conflicts of good vs. evil. Forstchen even sets the stage for future conflict with a "master race" of humans bred by the Kazan. An excellent read. Welcome back Lost Regiment, I can't wait for the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: Great new start!
Review: The Lost Regiment Series was terrific and I felt as if I lost an old friend upon completing the "final" chapter. With much surprise, I stumbled upon "Down To The Sea" and enjoyed it thoroughly. IT'S A GREAT AND FAST READ. BRING ON THE NEXT BOOK AND KEEP 'EM COMING!
Rating:
Summary: The old 35th is back!
Review: The wait is over. The Phoenix has risen. This new installment of the "Lost Regiment Series" shall keep Regiment fans happy. The epic style that we all have came to love is back in all its glory. This is one book that I refused to put down, just like the previous eight novels it will leave you begging for more. Mr. Forstchen has what it takes to keep your nose glued to the pages. My only complaint is that some of the action was late in coming and seemed slightly condensed and toned down compared to earlier novels. "Regiment" fans will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling.
Review: There is a new generation of soldiers now. Andrew Keane's son and several other worthy candidates are graduating and getting their first assignments. Thanks to Keane and others, peace has reigned for twenty years. But in another part of the world, another alien empire, the empire of the Kazan, is engaged in a civil war of its own. Two of the young men are captured, one a son of a traitor, the other a former slave. Their fate mirrors the fate of the entire republic, and their decisions could mean its survival or its end. "The Lost Regiment" series continues, decades after the original Civil War regiment was transported to a distant planet to fight for a world not their own. The younger generation was born on that world, however. It is theirs, and now they have to fight to keep it free. Forstchen continues to satisfy in this latest "Lost Regiment" story. A new enemy and new heroes make this book as compelling as the first. Based on its ending, there is definitely more to come.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling.
Review: There is a new generation of soldiers now. Andrew Keane's son and several other worthy candidates are graduating and getting their first assignments. Thanks to Keane and others, peace has reigned for twenty years. But in another part of the world, another alien empire, the empire of the Kazan, is engaged in a civil war of its own. Two of the young men are captured, one a son of a traitor, the other a former slave. Their fate mirrors the fate of the entire republic, and their decisions could mean its survival or its end. "The Lost Regiment" series continues, decades after the original Civil War regiment was transported to a distant planet to fight for a world not their own. The younger generation was born on that world, however. It is theirs, and now they have to fight to keep it free. Forstchen continues to satisfy in this latest "Lost Regiment" story. A new enemy and new heroes make this book as compelling as the first. Based on its ending, there is definitely more to come.
Rating:
Summary: Sons of the "Lost Regiment"
Review: There is no peace in a world shared by the Horde. After twenty years of peaceful life after "Men of War" our heroes have all grown old and some have even past away. Now the sons of our hero's step up into the light, graduation of the academy introduces us to four young men that this book and others will follow."Down to the Sea" also introduces the reader to a new and deadlier foe. Religious fanatics in the Horde, blind belief to follow to follow a religious leader who will stop at nothing. A game within a game within a game, and everyone is but a piece on the board. The Kazan, the new southern Horde we are introduced to, have a great navy, far greater than our heroes, and the also have an army of bred human warriors The Shiv. Mindless, soulless, Frankenstein monsters that even make the Horde nervous. I wondered as I read if this creation will only some day turn against their creators as all monsters do. Once again, William R, Forstchen gives his readers a grand and sweeping story that I feel has reached epic proportions! He is able to breath such life into his work, his characters are so real, that as you read you again feel as we did in his other "Lost Regiment" books, that we are once again with them. Our old friends are back with us again, and we are introduced to new ones, and we feel for them as we did for their fathers before them. This is really what makes the "Lost Regiment" series, Mr. Forstchen's ability to give us real characters. Hero's and villain's we can feel for, have pride in, believe in, laugh with, and cry with. There is more than a couple of great goose bump scene's in "Down to the Sea", I was stirred more than a couple of times with the same awe and power and even choked up a few times. Mr. Forstchen was worried about writing a new series, he did not wish to write a rehash, or just tack on another story to the series. I don't think he has any worries. "Down to the Sea" is a fresh and bold look into a New World of the "Lost Regiment." Another great book!
Rating:
Summary: Really a 4.5 Star... I love this series!!
Review: This is another good book. This is a great series. I am still waiting for mor information on the ancients and what caused their downfall. This book picks up 20 years after the final battle. There is a new race of "beasts" out there. This race is much more advanced than the humans. At least 50 years. Truly giant ships and fast planes. I would say they are advanced similar to America just prior to WWII. The ending is left wide open for the next two or three novels. I hope Forstchen keeps it up!
Rating:
Summary: Down to the Sea
Review: This new book is substantially improved over the previous series. What turned me off before were the graphic descriptions of things, like the Tugar Moon Feast. He lost me back at "Fateful Lightning" because of this issue. I think Forstchen has scaled that back just the right amount. It's there and you are aware of it, but it isn't churning your guts and detracting from the story. After 20 years of complacency, the Republic discovers that the Kazan have been using that time to strengthen their technology base. They have larger, faster, ships with bigger guns, and tactics to match (they practiced on each other). They also have built a manufacturing infrastructure. The Republic appears to be about 40-years down-rev from the Kazan. But, there is hope. This parallels a lot of what happened at the start of WW2, when the Japanese had larger battleships, after the Pearl Harbor attack. But, picture this using "Spanish-American War" naval technology, for the Republic, and WW1 technology for the Kazan. In both WW2 and this story, air power makes the difference. This follows WW2 pattern right up until the Battle of Midway Island. An interesting side line is that he develops, air-dropped, self-propelled torpedoes but no submarines and no ship-board torpedo launchers. PT boats would be interesting too. Maybe, next episode? The other development is the Shiv, a genetically bred race of humans with Ninja-like training, but conditioned like Whirling Dervishes, as religious fanatics/soldiers, over a period of one thousand years. They are created/controlled by a Kazan group only known as "The Order". Of course, we now have a classic Political-Religious power tension, between the Kazan Emperor and the Grand Master of the Order. What this makes for is a rollicking tale with three main view points. Two of which are youngsters caught up in the main-stream. O'Donald, the Kazan puppet, Kean's son, and Cromwell. They are in the midst of all the action and it is great! Forstchen does a good job balancing the capabilities of all sides and moving quickly through what would otherwise be the tedious stuff. Balance is excellent, technology growth is fast-paced, the action is fluid, and the ending is not a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: Down to the Sea
Review: This new book is substantially improved over the previous series. What turned me off before were the graphic descriptions of things, like the Tugar Moon Feast. He lost me back at "Fateful Lightning" because of this issue. I think Forstchen has scaled that back just the right amount. It's there and you are aware of it, but it isn't churning your guts and detracting from the story. After 20 years of complacency, the Republic discovers that the Kazan have been using that time to strengthen their technology base. They have larger, faster, ships with bigger guns, and tactics to match (they practiced on each other). They also have built a manufacturing infrastructure. The Republic appears to be about 40-years down-rev from the Kazan. But, there is hope. This parallels a lot of what happened at the start of WW2, when the Japanese had larger battleships, after the Pearl Harbor attack. But, picture this using "Spanish-American War" naval technology, for the Republic, and WW1 technology for the Kazan. In both WW2 and this story, air power makes the difference. This follows WW2 pattern right up until the Battle of Midway Island. An interesting side line is that he develops, air-dropped, self-propelled torpedoes but no submarines and no ship-board torpedo launchers. PT boats would be interesting too. Maybe, next episode? The other development is the Shiv, a genetically bred race of humans with Ninja-like training, but conditioned like Whirling Dervishes, as religious fanatics/soldiers, over a period of one thousand years. They are created/controlled by a Kazan group only known as "The Order". Of course, we now have a classic Political-Religious power tension, between the Kazan Emperor and the Grand Master of the Order. What this makes for is a rollicking tale with three main view points. Two of which are youngsters caught up in the main-stream. O'Donald, the Kazan puppet, Kean's son, and Cromwell. They are in the midst of all the action and it is great! Forstchen does a good job balancing the capabilities of all sides and moving quickly through what would otherwise be the tedious stuff. Balance is excellent, technology growth is fast-paced, the action is fluid, and the ending is not a disappointment.
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