Rating: 
Summary: Yawn
Review: If you liked "Into the Darkness", you'll like "Darkness Descending". If you didn't like "Into the Darkness", you won't like "Darkness Descending". That's the bottom line. I already wrote a lengthy review of "Into the Darkness"; to summarize: the battle scenes and military strategy are good, everything else is a waste of time, and the writing is lousy. In "Darkness Descending", Turtledove gives us more of the same ... a lot more. We get the same cast of sixteen major characters, the same choppy style as the entire book is divided into four-page sections, and the same space wasted on reminding us that Kaunians wear pants while Algarvians wear kilts, Unkerlanters drink beer while Zuwazi drink wine, etc...The problem, as I see it, is that the plot is now moving intolerably slowly. In fact, only three things of significance happen during this entire book: the Kaunians are rounded up and slaughtered, the Algarvian attack on Cottbus fails, and Kuusammo joins the war. All of this happens right at the start, and the rest of the book consists of nonsense like mushroom picking and shopping and characters saying "Aye" and "Powers above!" and "Curse those Algarvians!". To put it bluntly, it don't care about Sabrino's domestic woes or Talsu's dietary choices. If Turtledove had decided to focus only on the war and to leave out the silly subplots, he could have written a much more enjoyable (and shorter) series.
Rating: 
Summary: Darkness Descending
Review: In Darkness Descending, Harry Turtledove continues his series of World War II fought with dragons and magic. Algarve has invaded Unkerlant and is gobbling up territory at a fast rate. Then winter kicks in and slows down Algarve's advance. Sound familiar? Furious at the slow down, King Mezentio of Algarve commands the slaughter of Kaunians so their life energies can be harnessed for magic. Thousands of Kaunians are murdered in victory camps. King Swemmel, a chilling depiction of Stalin, vows to use the same methods to drive the Algarves from Unkerlant. This world, so steeped in magic and feudalism, has now entered a grim modern era of mass slaughter and despair. I picked up this book because of the cover and despite myself I enjoyed the book. Let's face it, Harry Turtledove's strengths are not style or characterizations or subtle themes. His style is flat as are his characters. With the exception of the Zuwayzan foreign minister Hajjaj, all the characters are corrupt, weak, or just flat out frightening in their callousness (ie King Swemmel of Unkerlant and King Mezentio of Algarve. His strength is in his knowledge of history and wars. This knowledge is put to good use in his detailed description of battles, diplomatic intrigues, and social nuances. I had fun matching up events and character to real historic events and characters. His other strength is in the scope of his works. He goes for the epic and that's really the only reason to read this work. Dozens of characters with ridiculous names parade through this work caught up and ground up by massive social forces they cannot control. One of the main things I like about this novel is his use of dragons, behomoths, and leviathans. He strips them of their magic and wonder and reduces them to nothing more than beasts. They are stupid, easily manipulated, and are often a nuisance. This adds to the grim tone of the novel. Squalid beasts in a squalid world. Looking forward to the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Mix & Match - Guessing is the best part of the game
Review: Mr. Turtledove's second book in his "Let's Fight WWII With Magic" series is better than his first. It may be that I am finally remembering the names of his characters and who they belong to without constantly referring to the glossery. The concept of the series is cute and Mr. Turtledove's execusion is clever. Indeed it is the matching of Magic-World events with Real World events that is the most fun aspect of the book. But in truth, if you don't have some interest/knowledge of WWII history, I suspect this book falls low on the charts. But then again, why would you be reading a Turtledove book if you weren't interested/familiar with history? I will grant him that he is making enough changes so that the outcome of the book is not absolutely set in stone. The Japanese (Gyongos) do attack Russia (Utlanders) here unlike our world and the American counterparts enter the war before their Pearl Harbor equivalent. The "Manhatten Project" set up IS extremely clever. So, in brief, a decent read for its size and ambition. If you enjoy historical trivia and appreciate the clever concepts better than the wooden characters (Mr. Turtledove's perpetual weakness), then go for it.
Rating:
Summary: Mix & Match - Guessing is the best part of the game
Review: Mr. Turtledove's second book in his "Let's Fight WWII With Magic" series is better than his first. It may be that I am finally remembering the names of his characters and who they belong to without constantly referring to the glossery. The concept of the series is cute and Mr. Turtledove's execusion is clever. Indeed it is the matching of Magic-World events with Real World events that is the most fun aspect of the book. But in truth, if you don't have some interest/knowledge of WWII history, I suspect this book falls low on the charts. But then again, why would you be reading a Turtledove book if you weren't interested/familiar with history? I will grant him that he is making enough changes so that the outcome of the book is not absolutely set in stone. The Japanese (Gyongos) do attack Russia (Utlanders) here unlike our world and the American counterparts enter the war before their Pearl Harbor equivalent. The "Manhatten Project" set up IS extremely clever. So, in brief, a decent read for its size and ambition. If you enjoy historical trivia and appreciate the clever concepts better than the wooden characters (Mr. Turtledove's perpetual weakness), then go for it.
Rating: 
Summary: So you wanna Blitzkrieg?
Review: Screaming "Heil Mezentio" the Algarvian master racestorms into the lands of Unted Tyranny of king Swemmel. Like in 1942the invaders are stopped just short of the capital and aim to strikefor the south (Kaukasus in our world) in order to cut off fuel from the Ru.. err Unkerlanters. Well, no surprises there, right? Algarvians make all the same mistakes that Germans made, and it will cost them dearly in the next book ;-]. Stil, the book is good. Even though I know the global trends, the particulars are always surprising and enticing. The dragons of Luftwaffe clashing with underfed Unkerlanter Air Force, or a Sibian sub commander... but no spoilers for you. Trust me on this one: the book beats the first one. Bottom line: If you have read the first one and did not burn it after reading, get the second one. If you haven't, look at my review for "Into The Darkness" and if you think you want to buy the first book, get "Darkness Descending" while you're at it.
Rating: 
Summary: Another WWII?
Review: Turtledove is using what he understands of WWII to recreate the fighting in a land where magic prevails and the lands involved are differently named. Nevertheless, the countries are, for the most part, easy to identify. Algarve is Germany, Unkerlant is Russia, Forthweg is Poland, the Duchy of Bari is the Rhineland...these are easy to figure, and their fates are easy to predict and analogize. I'm not so sure where Britain fits into this nor am I exactly clear on whether Valmiera or Jelgava is France, but it matters little since the main game is played out between Unkerlant and its Stalin-like King Swemmel and King Mezentio (Hitler) and his blitzkrieging armies of Algarve. Gyongyos may or may not be Italy (I can't really be sure) and in a climatic turnaround, I think Zuwayza is Finland, since it certainly falls in historically with the bahvior of the people of that country. The U-S may be the Land of the Ice People altho' that remains to be seen, and Japan's equivalent may not show up at all. The main difficulty I have with Turtledove developed in his THE GREAT WAR series and appears again in this book -- there are too many characters to keep track of and unlike the GREAT WAR series, in this case, their names are almost unpronounceable and certainly not memorable. Also, the first book ended so abruptly, I thought I'd lost the last two or three pages somehow. There was no indication of a sequel or of an ending. Very confusing. Since we are all aware of how WWII went and how it ended, I can only hope that Turtledove has something in store for us that differs from history, otherwise there is little point in finishing the series.
Rating:
Summary: Another WWII?
Review: Turtledove is using what he understands of WWII to recreate the fighting in a land where magic prevails and the lands involved are differently named. Nevertheless, the countries are, for the most part, easy to identify. Algarve is Germany, Unkerlant is Russia, Forthweg is Poland, the Duchy of Bari is the Rhineland...these are easy to figure, and their fates are easy to predict and analogize. I'm not so sure where Britain fits into this nor am I exactly clear on whether Valmiera or Jelgava is France, but it matters little since the main game is played out between Unkerlant and its Stalin-like King Swemmel and King Mezentio (Hitler) and his blitzkrieging armies of Algarve. Gyongyos may or may not be Italy (I can't really be sure) and in a climatic turnaround, I think Zuwayza is Finland, since it certainly falls in historically with the bahvior of the people of that country. The U-S may be the Land of the Ice People altho' that remains to be seen, and Japan's equivalent may not show up at all. The main difficulty I have with Turtledove developed in his THE GREAT WAR series and appears again in this book -- there are too many characters to keep track of and unlike the GREAT WAR series, in this case, their names are almost unpronounceable and certainly not memorable. Also, the first book ended so abruptly, I thought I'd lost the last two or three pages somehow. There was no indication of a sequel or of an ending. Very confusing. Since we are all aware of how WWII went and how it ended, I can only hope that Turtledove has something in store for us that differs from history, otherwise there is little point in finishing the series.
Rating:
Summary: Mix & Match - Guessing is the best part of the game
Review: Turtledove's usual formula is to write a story set in our world, but with different events. This time, he's reversed the formula: different world, same events. This series (which began with "Into The Darkness") tells the tale of World War II reenacted by a plethora of fantasy kingdoms. Strange as this idea may be, it's working very well. The first volume was good, enjoyable military fiction, and this one is no different. Events proceed more or less according to historical schedule. Algarve launches a massive blitz against Unkerlant, which, although initially successful, runs into some problems with the local weather. Lagoas attacks the Yaninan colonies in the Land of the Ice People, and Kuusamo joins the Anti-Algarvian alliance. I won't say any more, for fear of giving away the plot. But if you know WWII history, you can probably guess what happens. My review of "Into The Darkness" included my analysis of the story's politics. I shall now make some modifications. I formerly stated that Unkerlant represented Russia. I now see that it stands in for China, as well. Gyongyos (Japan) invades Unkerlant, which must symbolise the Sino-Japanese war, since Japan and Russia didn't fight until the last weeks of WWII. I also stated that Yanina represents either Italy or the Balkans. I now see that it represents both. It's status as a buffer between Algarve and Unkerlant suggests the Balkans, whereas it's colonial presence in the Land of the Ice People (Africa) suggests Italy. I also assumed that Siaulia was Australia. This now seems unlikely. It is mentioned that the Derlavian powers are fighting a naval war there, which would suggest the East Indies. Now, for some more analysis. (I hope you guys at Amazon don't mind these long reviews). Interestingly, it is mentioned that Unkerlanter behemoths are larger than Algarvian ones. This probably recalls the Russian T-34, which was perhaps the best tank of its era. It is also interesting to note Kuusamo's (i.e., the U.S.'s) reason for joining the war. In real life, the U.S. only joined the war after its territory had been directly attacked. In this story, however, it joins in response to the cruel Algarvian institution of the victory camp (i.e., Dachau, Treblinka, et al). In short, the U.S. is given a more altruistic motive than it actually had (this is not a criticism of the USA- I think Pearl Harbor was reason enough!). This may well be an example of Turtledove's politics shining through. There you have it! I could say a lot more, but it probably wouldn't interest you much! But be assured, when the next book in the series comes around, I'll be there to review it!
Rating:
Summary: Smaug meets the Luftwaffe
Review: Turtledove's usual formula is to write a story set in our world, but with different events. This time, he's reversed the formula: different world, same events. This series (which began with "Into The Darkness") tells the tale of World War II reenacted by a plethora of fantasy kingdoms. Strange as this idea may be, it's working very well. The first volume was good, enjoyable military fiction, and this one is no different. Events proceed more or less according to historical schedule. Algarve launches a massive blitz against Unkerlant, which, although initially successful, runs into some problems with the local weather. Lagoas attacks the Yaninan colonies in the Land of the Ice People, and Kuusamo joins the Anti-Algarvian alliance. I won't say any more, for fear of giving away the plot. But if you know WWII history, you can probably guess what happens. My review of "Into The Darkness" included my analysis of the story's politics. I shall now make some modifications. I formerly stated that Unkerlant represented Russia. I now see that it stands in for China, as well. Gyongyos (Japan) invades Unkerlant, which must symbolise the Sino-Japanese war, since Japan and Russia didn't fight until the last weeks of WWII. I also stated that Yanina represents either Italy or the Balkans. I now see that it represents both. It's status as a buffer between Algarve and Unkerlant suggests the Balkans, whereas it's colonial presence in the Land of the Ice People (Africa) suggests Italy. I also assumed that Siaulia was Australia. This now seems unlikely. It is mentioned that the Derlavian powers are fighting a naval war there, which would suggest the East Indies. Now, for some more analysis. (I hope you guys at Amazon don't mind these long reviews). Interestingly, it is mentioned that Unkerlanter behemoths are larger than Algarvian ones. This probably recalls the Russian T-34, which was perhaps the best tank of its era. It is also interesting to note Kuusamo's (i.e., the U.S.'s) reason for joining the war. In real life, the U.S. only joined the war after its territory had been directly attacked. In this story, however, it joins in response to the cruel Algarvian institution of the victory camp (i.e., Dachau, Treblinka, et al). In short, the U.S. is given a more altruistic motive than it actually had (this is not a criticism of the USA- I think Pearl Harbor was reason enough!). This may well be an example of Turtledove's politics shining through. There you have it! I could say a lot more, but it probably wouldn't interest you much! But be assured, when the next book in the series comes around, I'll be there to review it!
Rating:
Summary: Smaug meets the Luftwaffe
Review: Turtledove's usual formula is to write a story set in our world, but with different events. This time, he's reversed the formula: different world, same events. This series (which began with "Into The Darkness") tells the tale of World War II reenacted by a plethora of fantasy kingdoms. Strange as this idea may be, it's working very well. The first volume was good, enjoyable military fiction, and this one is no different. Events proceed more or less according to historical schedule. Algarve launches a massive blitz against Unkerlant, which, although initially successful, runs into some problems with the local weather. Lagoas attacks the Yaninan colonies in the Land of the Ice People, and Kuusamo joins the Anti-Algarvian alliance. I won't say any more, for fear of giving away the plot. But if you know WWII history, you can probably guess what happens. My review of "Into The Darkness" included my analysis of the story's politics. I shall now make some modifications. I formerly stated that Unkerlant represented Russia. I now see that it stands in for China, as well. Gyongyos (Japan) invades Unkerlant, which must symbolise the Sino-Japanese war, since Japan and Russia didn't fight until the last weeks of WWII. I also stated that Yanina represents either Italy or the Balkans. I now see that it represents both. It's status as a buffer between Algarve and Unkerlant suggests the Balkans, whereas it's colonial presence in the Land of the Ice People (Africa) suggests Italy. I also assumed that Siaulia was Australia. This now seems unlikely. It is mentioned that the Derlavian powers are fighting a naval war there, which would suggest the East Indies. Now, for some more analysis. (I hope you guys at Amazon don't mind these long reviews). Interestingly, it is mentioned that Unkerlanter behemoths are larger than Algarvian ones. This probably recalls the Russian T-34, which was perhaps the best tank of its era. It is also interesting to note Kuusamo's (i.e., the U.S.'s) reason for joining the war. In real life, the U.S. only joined the war after its territory had been directly attacked. In this story, however, it joins in response to the cruel Algarvian institution of the victory camp (i.e., Dachau, Treblinka, et al). In short, the U.S. is given a more altruistic motive than it actually had (this is not a criticism of the USA- I think Pearl Harbor was reason enough!). This may well be an example of Turtledove's politics shining through. There you have it! I could say a lot more, but it probably wouldn't interest you much! But be assured, when the next book in the series comes around, I'll be there to review it!
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