Like thousand suns. As such, in my view, shines this war novel from Alex Scarrow. The book has two story-lines; first from the end of the war in 1945, which tells the story of the bomber's crew; the second from the present, where a journalist with his friend a diving instructor head off to explore the found wreck. Some might be put off for from the very beginning it's clear how the crew ends. However, it's not so. Within a while the book will devour you and won't go until the end.As was said the story is highly addictive. Even thou it's clear how the crew ends, it doesn't mean that there is no surprise for you between the beginning and end. And of course there is the story of our journalist. What else is important here is that the jumps between the past and present do not confuse the reader. Everything is given so that sooner or later we get the answer to everything. Another important is the characters. There're quite a few here, but it's impossible to get lost in them. What else deserves praise is how they have been drawn out. Especially the main characters so you think you know them personally. And I must say I quite pitied the crew. The right will to fight for their country a people, however, not exactly with the right means. And of course there is still the other side from the present, which for 60 years has been trying to maintain the secret a secret, but again with not the best means. Everyone will find here someone whom he'll like or hate.Also what I liked is that even thou the books should be a thriller, it's not exaggerated, over-combined and mainly because it won't full of senseless action, since there wasn't so much of some conspiracy. The story mainly concentrates on the fate of the bomber's crew, which can be a bit misleading. One might await a story about a new-age hero, who uncovered a shocking secret, thanks to whit his life is in jeopardy, but he refuses to give up and fights so the truth sees the light of day. It really isn't so and it's so much better so. I was just a little bit sad when I finished it. :-)Anyway, this book's really something to recommend. And I think that this book can surprise you nicely, even thou you're not a big fan of war. I’ve to prise the author and I surely will try some of his other books.
1 star - binned it before half way, please don't write anymore!!!2 stars - finally binned it after really trying, I mean really trying and I hate to not finishing someth....3 stars - finished it but boy was that hard work on times, it just about hooked me back in as I was about to dump it4 stars - great book but it lacked something, something, can't put my finger on it but.... something5 stars - want more, more books, more movies about the books, more movies about the authors and the making of the movie, just more!!!(less)
What do You think about A Thousand Suns (2008)?
The premise of this book is interesting – in the dying days of World War II, Hitler authorises a desperate mission to turn the tide of the war by dropping an atom bomb on Manhattan. By demonstrating the Germans' might at this last minute, the US would have no choice but to surrender and join them in turning back the Russians, who are rapidly advancing on Berlin.We see the ill-fated mission unfold from a number of different, and mostly German, perspectives. In fact, in this long-winded and padded
—Hayley
I found myself absolutely absorbed by this book, despite it being an unusual choice for me. The pace of the story kept me interested and the descriptive battles provided enough information for my imagination to do the rest. Although the leading characters were from 'an historical enemy' and their mission was to be a devasting one, I found myself drawn to them as individuals and sympathetic to their experiences and dilemmas. Other reviews have critised the ending - suggesting that Chris should no
—Iona
A Thousand Suns: Alex ScarrowThis book is a fantastic debut Novel for Alex, I myself am a fan of many genre, and in the world of War time exploits one of My favourite authors is Jack Higgins, some one I consider the master of this genre. I would put this book up there with his best, against the likes of Cold Harbour and The Eagle Has landed.The Story Is a great testament to the courage or the men who fought in those times, alot of people forget or don't know that the Germans had many Brave men who were not Nazis and hated the Nazi ideal, but at the same time were committed to Germany and her people. They fought under the same appalling conditions with a great deal of courage and conviction...there are 2 side to every tale and this Story Shows the courage of the men from both sides and the hard decisions they might have had to make.The story has a nice pace to the action, flitting between past and present without confusing the reader, and embroils you in web of secrecy that might have surrounded such an event if it had truly happened with its excellent easy to like characters.Its a shame that this book is clearly a 1 off as I would really have like to meet some of these characters again.Keep up the good work Alex, and I hope you write another wartime novel soon as you have a great flair for it.(Parm)
—Robin Carter
