Rating: 
Summary: A Frozen Hell
Review: Through the Darkness is the third novel in the World At War fantasy series, following Darkness Descending. In the previous volume, the Algarvians, although outnumbered in Grelz, keep outmaneuvering the Unkerlanter army. In Kuusamo, Pekka, with Siuntio and Ilmarinen observing, uses a divergent series chant to release enough energy to blow out all the window glass in the lab. In Forthweg, Sidroc finally signs up for Plegmund's Brigade and Ealstan is sick, so Vanai has to venture out to get medicines for him. Cornelu finds that his Lagoan leviathan isn't as well trained as Eforiel, but still gets the job done. In Jelgava, Talsu keeps being told that he is lucky to be alive after the stabbing incident. In far western Unkerlant, Istvan is not enjoying his stroll through the woods, being too busy fighting ambushes and forest fires. In Valmiera, Valnu takes Krasta for a walk just before a bomb goes off where they had been; unfortunately, the bomb only causes superficial damage to Colonel Lurcanio. In Grelz, Garivald is caught by the Algarvians but is rescued by Unkerlanter irregulars. In this novel, Ealstan recovers from the sickness and finds that some of his clients have made other arrangements. Zuwayza has Kaunians coming to their shores requesting asylum from the Algarvians. Skarnu attends a meeting of the resistance which is raided by the Algarvians. Constable Bembo and his fellows come to Oyngestun to round up Kaunians. Garivald goes on his first ambush with the Unkerlant irregulars. Colonel Sabrino returns to his dragon farm to find that the Lagoan dragons had dropped eggs there earlier. On the Southern continent, Fernao is pleased when Kuusaman and Lagoan dragons fly in, but they don't bring any more supplies; the meals continue to be camel or ptarmigan. Leudast's men give the Algarvians a hard time in a swamp before reforming on higher land. Marshall Rathar perceives the Algarvian strategy and convinces King Swemmell that the red heads are trying to take the Mamming Hills. The King permits him to build up his forces to stop the Algavians before Suligen. This series is an allegory of the World Wars, with magic replacing the science and technology of this worldline. Some of the events in this series are more indicative of the first World War while others are more like the second; for example, the life force magic is analogous to the chemical weapons used in WWI, but the new magic being developed by the Kuusamans is much more like the atomic weapons developed during WWII. Another reflection of earlier events is the invasion of Gyongyos into far western Unkerlant. These actions seem to reflect various Japanese intrusions into Russian territories beginning with the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-1905, through the Russian Civil War in 1917-1921, and then to 1924, when Japan returned Sakhalin Island. However, Japan occupied other areas, including Korea, in the northern Pacific coast of the Far East until the end of WWII. Recommended for Turtledove fans and anyone else who enjoys speculative fiction with a strong historical and moral component.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Turtledove has written excellent characters, and interesting plots. He is one of the few authors to kill off main characters, which is realistic (there IS a war going on here), but it is frustrating to have a well-liked character be killed. This series has a ton of action, emotion, and suspense. The characters race the clock, and time never seems to be on their side. Despite all the problems, love still thrives and life goes on. This is a great book, and a great series.
Rating: 
Summary: Ignoble beasts...
Review: Turtledove, long recognized as the Grand Master of Alternate History, has now firmly established himself as a fine crafter of off-beat fantasy extravaganzas, as well. His sweeping, multi-volume "Darkness" epic retells World War II with a very bizarre twist: the world is not Earth, and magic takes the place of science. Strange though this may sound, it has made for a very fascinating and entertaining series. Military historians will enjoy looking for familiar places and events, while fantasy buffs will find plenty of interesting magical gadgets. And, as long-time Turtledove fans have come to expect, there is a large and varied cast of characters, representing every nation and all walks of life. From these myriad viewpoints, readers are treated to a full view of the war, in all its bloody detail. In this third volume, the struggle enters its critical phase. Events are taking place that will have a major effect on the outcome of the conflict. Algarve (Germany) gears up for a massive assault on Sulingen (Stalingrad). If they can take this strategically-vital city, the material wealth of southern Unkerlant (Russia) will be theirs for the taking. Meanwhile, down in the Land of the Ice People (North Africa), Lagoan (British) and Kuusaman (American) forces struggle to expell the Algarvians, with massive supplies of cinnabar at stake. This valuable mineral allows dragons to shoot their fiery breaths much further, greatly increasing the air power of whoever posesses it. And in Kuusamo itself, government-backed mages continue to plumb the deepest, darkest depths of magic theory. The further their research progresses, the more astonishing- and terrifying- their findings become. Although some are afraid to continue, no one wants to run the risk falling behind Algarve. All of this is told with Turtledove's usual blend of action, humor, romance, and suspense. And the horror of WWII is never far away: Algarve continues to sacrifice innocent Kaunians in a savage Holocaust, using their life energy to power deadly magical attacks. Against this increasingly terrifying backdrop, the myriad viewpoint characters must fight just to stay alive. In the conquered kingdom of Forthweg (Poland), Ealstan the bookkeeper struggles to keep his Kaunian lover hidden from the prying eyes of the Algarvians. Far to the east, in Valmiera, Skarnu's guerrilla war with the occupying army places his life in increasing danger. Trasone comes face to face with the sheer determination of King Swemmel's (Stalin's) soldiers as he fights for his life in the blasted streets of Sulingen. If you've read the previous books, don't hesitate to buy this one. A gripping and detailed flight of (dark) fantasy, it is a most enjoyable way to spend your leisure time.
Rating:
Summary: Ignoble beasts...
Review: Turtledove, long recognized as the Grand Master of Alternate History, has now firmly established himself as a fine crafter of off-beat fantasy extravaganzas, as well. His sweeping, multi-volume "Darkness" epic retells World War II with a very bizarre twist: the world is not Earth, and magic takes the place of science. Strange though this may sound, it has made for a very fascinating and entertaining series. Military historians will enjoy looking for familiar places and events, while fantasy buffs will find plenty of interesting magical gadgets. And, as long-time Turtledove fans have come to expect, there is a large and varied cast of characters, representing every nation and all walks of life. From these myriad viewpoints, readers are treated to a full view of the war, in all its bloody detail. In this third volume, the struggle enters its critical phase. Events are taking place that will have a major effect on the outcome of the conflict. Algarve (Germany) gears up for a massive assault on Sulingen (Stalingrad). If they can take this strategically-vital city, the material wealth of southern Unkerlant (Russia) will be theirs for the taking. Meanwhile, down in the Land of the Ice People (North Africa), Lagoan (British) and Kuusaman (American) forces struggle to expell the Algarvians, with massive supplies of cinnabar at stake. This valuable mineral allows dragons to shoot their fiery breaths much further, greatly increasing the air power of whoever posesses it. And in Kuusamo itself, government-backed mages continue to plumb the deepest, darkest depths of magic theory. The further their research progresses, the more astonishing- and terrifying- their findings become. Although some are afraid to continue, no one wants to run the risk falling behind Algarve. All of this is told with Turtledove's usual blend of action, humor, romance, and suspense. And the horror of WWII is never far away: Algarve continues to sacrifice innocent Kaunians in a savage Holocaust, using their life energy to power deadly magical attacks. Against this increasingly terrifying backdrop, the myriad viewpoint characters must fight just to stay alive. In the conquered kingdom of Forthweg (Poland), Ealstan the bookkeeper struggles to keep his Kaunian lover hidden from the prying eyes of the Algarvians. Far to the east, in Valmiera, Skarnu's guerrilla war with the occupying army places his life in increasing danger. Trasone comes face to face with the sheer determination of King Swemmel's (Stalin's) soldiers as he fights for his life in the blasted streets of Sulingen. If you've read the previous books, don't hesitate to buy this one. A gripping and detailed flight of (dark) fantasy, it is a most enjoyable way to spend your leisure time.
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