Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: turtledove strikes again Review: Once again we are brought into the fantasy world of an earth that has narrowly escaped conquest only to be faced with ever increasing tension as the colonization fleet lands. Although I enjoyed this continuation, I found the lack of actual combat disconcerting. Alas, I must also agree with the complaint that this particular book simply has too much repetition. Nevertheless, I will continue to read the entertaining adventures articulated in Turltedove's latest saga.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Nice, but very strettttttcccchhhhhedd! Review: Ok I enjoyed the main story, but frankly it seemed to drawn out, most of the Chinese and Middle East material comes across as padding, I honestly can't see how this will stretch to four books. This is particularly frustrating when the only one of the major powers we get an insight into is the USSR, if hes going to let us into the secrets of one then why not the others? Fine he wants to keep us guessing, but the exception just makes the rest rankle more. And I can't escape the feeling that he keeps the secret of the Lewis & Clark until the end because its mission SEEMS pretty transparent, maybe he has a big surprise in store, I certainly hope so, but I fear not. And was it just me or did the same phrases seem to crop up time and again? Altoghether this was good, but I was expecting so much more.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A nice read Review: Well, another page turner from Turtledove. Alternate histories are such a hoot and Turtledove does an excellent job. I look forward to any and all of Turtledove's works. I recommend them to anyone who loves a twist on history.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Snnnooooooozzzeeee.... Review: This book keeps saying the same things over and over. Fans of the series will be sick over the over-development of characters yet at the same time a lack of any comprehensive plot development. Its like watching a soap opera. As for the art cover, why have Khomeini, Himmler, and Martin Luther King? None of the 3 appear at all, except Khomeini in passing. And why no development of top-level Nazi characters? Even Himmler's uniform on the cover lacks swastikas, which I'm sure a Nazi uniform would contain. Are we afraid of hurting the politically correct folks? We don't even get a good "fleshing-out" of Earl Warren, the US President! Come on Harry, you can do a whole lot better than this. Do I really need to spend another $30 on 4 or 5 more books? Spare me.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Not again.... Review: To our misfortune, Mr. Turtledove is stretching things a bit thin. All this character development would be good if there was a payoff. As it is, the only payoff is to wait for the next book. I'm sure this is what the publisher had in mind (well, actually $$$ was foremost). I think we had a peek of what was to come when-during the WorldWar series-we were told of the NEXT series to come. I mean, write the story first, then worry about how many books in the series there will be. ITS TOO DRAWN OUT-BOREDOM IS SETTING IN. I love Turtledove and I'm not putting sole blame on him but WHERE'S THE MEAT!!??
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Fabulous continuation of a favorite series! Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Colonization. The transition from the 40's to the 60's was seamless, and it was great to re-acquaint myself with the familiar characters, as well as meet some interesting new ones. May the series never end!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: ...and the beat goes on!! Review: While I understand the complaints of those who feel that Harry Turtledove has become a "hack", I think that he is merely setting the stage for the other 3 books, as most of us have already read the first set of four, he is just getting most of the framework in place. I'll wager that the next 3 will be ZINGERS!!
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Worth Reading! Review: This book was interesting in that we had a glimpse of the events of the 17 years following the first series. The content could have been more detailed, does not stand up to, say Tom Clancy, but I was satisfied. I look foreward to the next book, now that we know what is in place there can only be more action.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A little repetitive, but still a good read Review: I really enjoyed the WORLDWAR series; the only thing that bothered me about it was the constant harping on (1) The fact that the conquest fleet expected humanity to be less advanced and (2) The basic physchological differences between humanity and the Race. Turtledove mentioned it every six pages or so.In Second Contact, these same topics are mentioned about every other page. You can only read the same thing so many times before you hurl the book away screaming. The good news, though, is that this is a good story in spite of the... constant... harping... on... the expectations... excuse me, I must calm down. I recommend the book if you are able to tolerate such repetition.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A step below first series, but leaves you wanting more. Review: There is less action than the Worldwar series, but that is offset by a build-up of suspense. The mystery attack on the Colonization fleet, the secrecy about the purpose of the "Lewis and Clark," the unsettling effects of ginger on the females of the Race, all serve to make you wonder what will happen next. Although I was not as dispointed as some readers by the ending of the first series, I still find myself hoping that humanity will eventually have a complete triumph. However, Turtledove does seem to love a massive number of sub-plots, not all of which seem meaningful. What, for instance, is going to come out of the scenes with Straha? Nonetheless, to my way of thinking, one test of the first book of any series is whether it leaves you wanting to read the next one. This book, while not as good as it could be, certainly passes that test.
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