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Stalin's Hammer: Rome (2012)

by John Birmingham(Favorite Author)

3.51 of 5 Votes: 1

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Momentum

series

Axis of Time

review 1: I loved the axis of time trilogy, my introduction to alternate history fiction. Great concepts, great characters and not a little ogre and violence. Was delighted to find there was a fourth in the trilogy, but pretty disappointing. Few of my favorite characters, a very narrow and seemingly pointless story. This was a thin book, and I guess he's going to keep pumping out more of these. I'll probably try one more.
review 2: I enjoy John Birmingham's work in general and absolutely adore the Axis of Time series, but this was rather disappointing. It's a novella, but honestly, it reads more like a fanfic.In general, the AoT books are overflowing with culture clash, skewed pop culture references, and fun action setpieces, but the novella just doesn't have any of... more that familiar energy or spark. It's clearly supposed to be part of a series and an overarching plotline, but it feels weak as an introduction...like something Birmingham kind of tossed off in an afternoon. He wisely keeps the story pared down to two plotlines focused on fan-favourite characters (with a few cameos), but the problem is that they're both kind of wooden, and the Ivanov storyline is basically a "urban fighting in slum/wartorn area" stock story. less

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