The Big Uglies v The Lizards (Worldwar Series - Harry Turtledove in general)

Member Name: bwana.mdevu

Product:	Worldwar Series - Harry Turtledove in general
Date:	25/01/01 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Rivetting good read

Disadvantages: Lates nights spent reading!

Don`t be put off by the appallingly garish covers of the U.K. editions.I was for years and am now kicking myself for not trusting my previous knowledge about Harry Turtledoves writing!If you manage to acquire the original Del Rey they have much better covers without a Lizard in site to put you off!I only bought them after being recommended to the series by the staff of Bakka Science-Fiction Bookstore in Toronto.
Anyway,down to the review.
You know what it`s like when you`ve been away from someplace for quite a few years and on your return everything seems to have changed leaving you quite dis-orientated?Well,pity some poor alien ,reptilian invaders who think that they will have a virtual walk-over in their conquest and susequent colonization of Earth.You see their information is derived from the probe they sent here over 800 years ago and they think that all they will be up against will be savages in rusty chain-mail wielding clubs and swords .The technology they expect is going to be pretty low tech artillery and embattlements.
Why don`t they expect us to have changed?Their reptilian evolution is very slow and consequently their society reflects this.Change is carefully controlled on their world and there is little difference over a 1000 years.
They have never come across mammalian creatures before like us humans or "big uglies" as they refer to us and our rate of evolution and change is completely foreign to them.
Their invasion lands them slap bang in the little skirmish we call World War 2.Our technology is just a bit advanced over what they expect!All the factions involved
,the Axis powers,the Allies,Communist Chinese must band together to save the world.
Harry Turtledove is an acknowledged master of Alternate History and he blends together historical facts and figures together with highly credible fiction to produce a saga in four hefty books that I found so compelling I read all 4 one after the other!I was engrossed from
page one,book one.He develops such plausible characters,both human and alien(the Lizards)They have their strengths and weaknesses.You live this tale through their eyes and lives,encompassing sadness and humour.
In common with his other books one or two main characters end up dead.A Lizard soldier I got to know really well dies in the snow and I really felt quite sad at this point for we had got to know him so well.
I could go on for pages but would not want to spoil your enjoyment of the series by giving away to much.
If you are a fan of Alternate History and have not met this series buy it now!You will not be disappointed.
Good Reading!

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