Buy on Amazon
Buy On Audible
Rating: 10/10 Stars
Synopsis
For the first time in two hundred years an enemy has stepped foot on American soil and war has come to our cities. The US military is rocked back on its heels and driven into a fighting retreat as each defense line falls. The foe is unstoppable and ... Fae. Creatures from a legendary past who have come to reclaim the Earth in the name of magic and revenge.
In the hills of Pennsylvania a ragtag, devastated army prepares to make a last stand against dragon fire capable of melting an Abrams tank and wizardry that stops fifth generation fighter jets in mid-air. Inevitably it comes down to shining steel verses human will, and Sergeant Oliva Acevedo transforms from a hospital clerk to a hardened fighter.
Volume Two of the best selling "Fae Wars" follows the fighting retreat of the US Army as the Fae establish control of a shattered America.
Review
After reading the first book in this series, Onslaught, I was curious in what direction the authors would go with the next book. I was surprised, in a good way, to see that they took an entirely different tack with this book. Instead of continuing the adventures of the characters from that book, this one occurs concurrently in a different part of the country, this time in the invasion of Philadelphia and the subsequent retreat. And instead of a Delta Force team leading the way, this time the story is centered around the remnants of an Army National Guard medical admin company, not exactly hard charging infantry grunts, but still trained to fight.
The world building is similar to the first book's. It's a modern world, this time Pennsylvania, invaded by magic wielding elves and their orc and dragon servants, bent on retaking the earth they were cast out of many centuries ago. We get to see what modern combat troops with high tech weapons can do against unfathomable magic (hint: ok in some instances but woefully inadequate in most) and it's done in the most realistic way possible. It does give the reader a peak into how the military actually operates, as opposed to the Hollywood version, both the good and the bad, and the magical elements are played well against that. It's very creatively done.
The characters are the kind of soldiers I served with when I was in the Army. From a variety of backgrounds and skills, they come together to form a crazy, gallows humor filled cohesive unit that is trying to keep each other alive in the face of overwhelming odds. From the unit commander, a captain trying to keep his people alive, to his top sergeant left alive trying to keep things organized with the lower enlisted troops as they desperately fall back to escape the elves, we get to see some great character development as troops rise to the challenge, while some fall by the wayside in the constant battle for survival against a heartless, implacable enemy.
And what an enemy! The various elf lords have a variety of motivations beyond just conquest, playing a dynastic game of thrones while they try and conquer their hated human enemies. This is all while trying to keep their orc shock troops in line, some of whom are not resigned to their fate of serving the elves, and may be willing to form a new alliance against their hated masters.
The narration is performed by the talented Talon Beeson. I was familiar with his work on other books by J.F. Homes, and was impressed by how much life he breathes into a story. He does an excellent job on this one, giving each character a unique voice, and does an excellent job in his narrative pacing, keeping the listener engaged throughout the story. I highly recommend this version.
With it's excellent mix of realistic military action and fantasy, this is a story that can appeal to a wide range of listeners. If you enjoy military thrillers, fantasy or urban fantasy, with characters you can really submerge yourself into, then this book has something for you. I highly recommend checking it out today.
Comments
Post a Comment