Just Finished Reading: Destroyermen – Crusade by Taylor Anderson

After escaping into another world – one in which humans had not evolved – the old destroyer USS Walker and her crew find themselves involved in a deadly conflict between the mammalian Lemurians and the reptilian Grik. Now the most powerful ship on the planet the war against the Grik looks at least winnable. When her sister ship USS Mahan is found again – heavily damaged but afloat – it looks increasingly like the war could be over quickly. Using techniques perfected by the Romans, the crew of the Walker teach the Lamurians a way of war that can defeat the unorganised Grik on land as well as sea. Spirits are lifted when a massive Grik invasion force is defeated and new Lamurian allies join the crusade. But everything is thrown into doubt when reports of a gigantic ship sailing with the Grik make it clear that the Japanese cruiser Amagi has made it intact from their world and is in the hands of the enemy. Can the destroyermen face the ship that almost destroyed them so recently – especially when it is backed up by hundreds of Grik vessels? One thing is certain; the American ships certainly have a fight on their hands.

As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series – Into the Storm – I really enjoyed this one. The American sailors are beginning to settle into their new environment and coming to terms with their situation. Likewise the almost human Lemurians are beginning to understand and appreciate their new friends and allies. We are finding out more about the mysterious Grik, learning that they are possibly even more dangerous than they initially seemed. There is also the tantalising possibility of humans surviving from earlier ships trapped in the ‘new world’. This may, eventually, alleviate the ‘dame’ problem – although the Lemurians appear to be open (or at least not adverse) to cross species partnerships. The pace is fairly relentless, as you might expect in what is in effect a war novel. Not only is the combat – both at sea and on land – handled very well indeed I am impressed by the authentic sounding politics and double dealing going on behind the scenes. This too was handled well and the author certainly seemed to be at home and confident with both sides of the equation. Needless to say I have already purchased the third book in paperback and am already itching to read it. Book four is out in hardback and (hopefully) book five is being written. I am really looking forward to finding out if the crews of the USS Walker and USS Mahan make a home for themselves in this strange new world or if they eventually get back home. I have an idea of where things could end up but I’ll have to see if the author agrees with me. I am looking forward to finding out. Recommended.