I love four things besides my wife and doggy companion.
Travel - the more adventurous, the better,
My day job, but I don’t talk much about that,
Writing (obviously), and
Reading
When I read, I'm motivated by three inducements: research, education, and pleasure. I'm going to delve into the pleasure side of things here. Although my tastes are pretty eclectic, dystopian survival novels and alternate universe fantasies appear on my reading list with predictable regularity. The subject of this article is a case in point, a series I have reread more than once.
Taylor Anderson's Destroyermen series is a masterful blend of historical military fiction and alternate universe fantasy. The premise of a World War II destroyer, the USS Walker, being entering a strange storm and being transported to an alternate Earth inhabited by various evolved species offers a unique backdrop for intense naval warfare, political intrigue, and rich world-building. The mechanics of the stormy translocation remain unexplained and beyond the understanding of the unfortunate sailors, and this fact doesn't detract in any way from the engaging narrative of the tale.
The Destroyermen find themselves on an Earth familiar in many ways, geographically similar to their home, but possessing an entirely alien evolutionary history. Instead of humans, the dominant sentient species are feline people believed to have evolved from Lemur-like creatures from the island the destroyermen knew as Madagascar on their home world. Highly intelligent and possessing a complex social and political society, the Lemurians become valuable allies to the stranded sailors.
The other sentient species in this strange world are the Griks, lizard/avian-like creatures with a binary culture occupying a vast empire. They view the world through a hunter/prey ideology that drives them to universal conquest. As more of the sailors’ new world unfolds through exploration, the Grik resolve into an existential crisis for humans and Lemurians alike, and much of the series revolves around this war for survival.
As an added complication, a Japanese warship transitioned during the same atmospheric event as the USS Walker, and its commander is hell-bent on carrying on the war from the old world with fanatical vigour. Of course, the Japanese aid the Grik in the fight with the sailors from the USS Walker, lending their know-how and technology to the enemy.
As you progress through the series, the crew from the USS Walker discover other castaway societies stranded like themselves. In the Hawaiian Islands, the sailors find the Empire of the New Britain Isles, founded by the crews of three East Indiamen, transferred by another cosmic storm event to this world in the mid-1700s. The society of the New United States was founded along the North American coast by US army troops from transport ships caught in the phenomenon in 1847 en route to the Mexican-American war. This society’s origin story forms the backbone of Anderson’s new Spain off series set in the same world.
If the Grik weren't enough of an existential challenge, another fiendish nation (and, not the last) bent on fanatical conquest appears on the horizon. The Holy Dominion, founded by the Spanish Acapulco galleon transferred into the Destroyermen's world sometime in 1681. After the emerging from their storm, they established a bloodthirsty presence in Central America, conquering and converting local Indian tribes (whose ancestors transferred centuries before them).
One of the standout features of the series is Anderson's detailed understanding of naval operations and the minutiae of early 20th-century warfare, giving the numerous battles a sense of realism and immersion that will appeal to military history enthusiasts. Anderson doesn't shy away from developing human and non-human characters, adding depth to the story.
As with any long series, there are moments in some of the middle books where the pace slows a little, especially when delving into the intricate socio-political dynamics of this alternate world. But these details enrich the narrative if you are like me and appreciate the odd deep dive into well-constructed alternate realities.
Taylor Anderson's Destroyermen series is a rewarding read for those who appreciate intricate world-building, military strategy, and a fresh take on alternate history. The blend of familiar historical elements with fantastical creatures and cultures makes for a captivating journey.
The series:
Into the Storm (2008)
Crusade (2008)
Maelstrom (2009)
Distant Thunders (2010)
Rising Tides (2011)
Firestorm (2011)
Iron Gray Sea (2012)
Storm Surge (2013)
Deadly Shores (2014)
Straits of Hell (2015)
Blood in the Water (2016)
Devil's Due (2017)
River of Bones (2018)
Pass of Fire (2019)
Winds of Wrath (2020)
If you’re looking for a good read, give these a try, and don’t forget to get a copy of THE VALLEY from Amazon, if you haven’t already.
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