Electric Monkey Silver Stars

Excellent description of the conditions encountered by our troops in war

Happy

This is the second of a trilogy series of books. Firstly, I have to state that I've not read the first book, which in hindsight I should have done before reading this one, mainly because it focuses on the main characters that were introduced in the first book.I found the book a little bit of a hard read (not because I can't read), because it delves into the meaty part of war. It's less humour, more brutal with good visual descriptions of the scenes. This book marries up the facts of WWII and fiction in a good way. I learned a great deal from the facts of the war mentioned in it. This whole story is told by one person looking back on the war and addressing the reader as 'Gentle Reader'.The book is well researched, and the rawness of the time it is set in is well portrayed. It didn't quite blow me away, which is why I've not given a full five stars. I felt it missed something, but can't pinpoint it. Maybe I need to read the first book and return to this. I'll consider getting the third book if/when it is available.

Silver Stars is a breathtaking sequel to the novel "Front Lines." In Front Lines we are introduced to a slight alternative US History, giving us strong female characters from across the states, ready to serve their country in the war that is devastating their very lives. "Font Lines" was a non-stop page turner for me and "Silver Stars" was no different. Imaginative, action-packed, gut-wrenching, and heart-stopping. Silver Stars is not a sophomore slump book.In Silver Stars, we return to our three protagonists, now face to face with real danger. They're suddenly closer to everything and with the way the novel is written you get to experience each perspective of their war. I highly recommend this novel for fans of historical fiction. The world building is unique and rustic, everything leaves behind the taste of metal and gunpowder, you hold your breath as you turn the page. Silver Stars is hopefully not the end of these three charismatic protagonists, I cannot wait to see what Grant delivers in the next novel.

While the initial premise of a court decision mandating that women be included in the draft during World War II isn't especially plausible, once you accept the premise this series is excellent. I've really been pulled in by the characters and situations, which feel very real. Highly recommended for those who enjoy their history with a twist.