'Striking the Balance' is the conclusion to an alternate history series where aliens invade during World War II, leading to a fragile alliance between the major combatants to resist the new common enemy. The novel explores the consequences of the alien invasion, showing how the major powers of WWII might have responded to such an attack. The plotline involves nuclear capabilities, negotiated peace, and the development of history along parallel lines, all set against the backdrop of a global conflict with a unique twist.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and believable, embodying a wide range of human experiences and transformations throughout the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is rich in detail and political commentary, though it occasionally becomes dense or repetitive.

Plot/Storyline:

The story intricately weaves the aftermath of an alien invasion with the global political landscape during WWII, showcasing how characters adapt and change in response to these significant events.

Setting:

The setting is a reimagined World War II backdrop, heavily influenced by the presence of an alien invasion.

Pacing:

Pacing varies, with a slow start that picks up in intensity before concluding in a somewhat abrupt manner.

In free fall, Atvar the fleetlord glided over to the hologram projector. He poked the stud at the base of the machine. The image that sprang into being above the projector was one the Race’s probe had...

Notes:

The novel is the fourth and supposedly final book in the Worldwar series by Harry Turtledove.

It explores the consequences of an alien invasion during World War II.

By 1945, all major powers have developed nuclear weapons after the alien invasion.

The aliens, referred to as the Lizards, create a buffer zone for the Jews in Poland, but there is no Palestine for them.

The story addresses the plight of various downtrodden groups, including American blacks gaining respect from whites.

Characters evolve significantly, such as Liu Han, who becomes a guerrilla leader.

The themes include tolerance and the impact of warfare on both sides.

Chuck Yeager, a famous pilot, survives and contributes to the war efforts against the aliens.

The Lizards struggle with how to handle their newly found power and relationships with humans after the invasion.

The novel has received criticism for its heavy focus on political dialogue.

Many readers found the pacing slow and thought the first two hundred pages were particularly drawn out.

Despite some criticisms, readers appreciated the character development and investment in their stories.

Typographical errors were noted in digital versions of the book.

The narrative explores the uncertainty and unpredictability of the future post-war scenario.

Readers expressed eagerness to read the sequel series, Colonization, after finishing this one.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include depictions of violence, war, and themes surrounding racism and persecution.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate presence of romance, with character relationships developing amidst the backdrop of war and political tension.

From The Publisher:

At the bloody height of World War II, the deadliest enemies in all of human history were forced to put aside their hatreds and unite against an even fiercer foe: a seemingly invincible power bent on world domination.

With awesome technology, the aggressors swept across the planet, sowing destruction as Tokyo, Berlin, and Washington, D.C., were A-bombed into submission. Russia, Nazi Germany, Japan and the U.S. were not easily cowed, however. With cunning and incredible daring, they pressed every advantage against the invader's superior strength, and, led by Stalin, began to detonate their own atom bombs in retaliation.

City after city explodes in radioactive firestorms, and fears grow as the worldwide resources disappear; will there be any world left for the invaders to conquer, or for the uneasy allies to defend?

While Mao Tse-tung wages a desperate guerrilla war and Hitler drives his country toward self-destruction, United States forces frantically try to stop the enemy's push from coast to coast. Yet in this battle to stave off world domination, unless the once-great military powers take the risk of annihilating the human race, they'll risk losing the war.

The fatal, final deadline arrives in Harry Turtledove's grand, smashing finale to the Worldwar series, as uneasy allies desperately seek a way out of a no-win, no-survival situation: a way to live free in a world that may soon be bombed into atomic oblivion.

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Striking the Balance?

About the Author:

Harry Turtledove is the award-winning author of the alternate-history works The Man with the Iron Heart, The Guns of the South, and How Few Remain (winner of the Sidewise Award for Best Novel); the Hot War books: Bombs Away, Fallout,…

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