This is the fifth novel in the Destroyermen series and the second one I've read. I enjoyed the first enough to buy this one and I've got the last one in the series just waiting.This continues the saga of the US Navy destroyer USS Walker that has been relocated to another world similar to Earth, but with significant differences. Captain Reddy, now supreme commander of the allied forces, continues the war effort to eradicate the evil Grik. In the meantime they save another nation from being conquered by a religious gov't called the Dominion and now have two wars to fight.This is a thrilling ride with believable and endearing characters, threaded with intriguing subplots, monster volcanoes, creatures that want to eat anything living and enemies galore. Human-like cats and sentient beings test social conceptions and racial stereotypes, bringing into glaring light many of the social issues we deal with on this Earth.I am very much enjoying this series. Reminds me of Asimov's Foundation series in that an entirely new existence must be mapped out by Taylor Anderson, a daunting task for any writer, let alone the creation of a compelling story populated with a host of unique characters. Interestingly, this book is better than the previous books in the series, though I still have a number of issues with the series as a whole:1. Still no explanation of how the Grik civilization can feed itself, much maintain forward momentum.2. The good guys are getting powerful a mite too quickly. These books also work way better when the good guys are behind the power curve and scrambling to just wring out survival (see Bill Forstchen's Lost Regiment series, particularly the 2nd and 3rd books).3. Having some perspective on the Mexica myself, I found the Dominion a little flat... but with possibilities.4. The cover art promised a much more interesting battle at the end than actually happened.5. The Dominion "plan" to conquer New Britain was lacking in convincing detail. We needed to see what was happening from a Dominion character's point of view, to see that they did indeed have a real chance of capturing the island.Again, the balance of tension between the opposing parties was not quite right. Too slanted to the Americans. Also, the effects of the Talaud eruption needed to be a bit more immediate. The best parts of the book were the struggles against nature and the very world itself.
What do You think about Destroyermen: Rising Tides (2011)?
Love this series, despite its flaws and my unlove for William Dufis.
—jordans9673
