msmarques's Full Review: Harry Turtledove - Worldwar: Finding the Balance
First, if you have not yet read WorldWar: In the Balance (see my review at http://www.epinions.com/content_88156507780), read that book first. Also, read that review first; this review assumes you are familiar with the first book (either from the review or the book itself) and are considering the second book in the series. There is no point in reading this book without first reading the first in the series; it would be confusing, and the book does not stand on its own.
WorldWar: Tilting the Balance is the second book in Harry Turtledove's gripping WorldWar series. This series is based on the premise that aliens (bi-pedal lizards) have invaded during World War II, and all of Earth has to unite to fight the aliens.
Harry Turtledove has a PhD in history, and is able to tell an alternate history that is plausible. He is at his best in the historical (and alternate-historical) details. Real people from history, as well as his fictional characters, populate this series. You can always look up who's real, by checking the character list at the front; real people are listed in UPPERCASE letters. In this book, you'll get to meet Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin, as well as others. While in the first book all the main characters are fictional,in this book some historical characters play a significant role. Skorzeny (a Nazi soldier) and Groves (an American soldier) both are both fairly major. Also, Stalin is in a few scenes.
This series is told from many viewpoints. Although the first book was a bit slow to start, by the time this book starts, you are familiar with most of the characters, and the pacing is always fast. Action takes place in the United States, Europe, China and Japan. There are some brief references to other parts of the world. As with the previous book, significant weight is given to the viewpoints of the invaders.
This book does resolve certain plots. Most stories are far from over, however, and you will want to start the next book as soon as you put down this book.
My main disappointment with this book was that the actions by certain characters did not ring true.
Spoiler Alert: I want to justify my previous statement, but this will reveal certain plot details. Stop reading now, if you don't want to know.
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Personally, I thought that Barbara gave up too easily on the possibility of her husband's return. (In case you haven't read the first book, her husband Jens spends much of that book trying to get back to her after completing an important mission.) With the country at war, it would increase the chance of Jens being killed, but it would also increase the difficulty of his returning or sending word back. Jens is portrayed in such a favourable light in the first book and part of this book, that it is hard to accept his complete transformation in this book. He becomes quite nasty, and not just toward Barbara and her new husband. Jens has motivation, but the extent of his change does not seem in character.
From Pearl Harbor to panzers rolling through Paris to the Siege of Leningrad and the Battle of Midway, war seethed across the planet as the flames of ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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