3 out of 4 stars
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So Beware by James Hockenberry is a historical fiction published by HN Books, LLC on August 26, 2017. It is the second installment of the World War One Intrigue Trilogy and has only 48 standard pages (250 words per page). This book can be understood even without having read the first book (Over Here).
This military action story starts in November 1918 and ends in September 1919, spanning over Paris, Berlin and New York. The author gives rare insights into the intricacies that arose after World War One through this riveting fiction. It explores the themes of love, loss, the quest for power, war, death, and deception.
What happens when Allied nations grow greedy and other forces collude with the sore German soldiers that will not accept defeat? The book begins six hours before armistice (truce) between Germany and the Allies is to take effect. Gilbert Martin and Paul Keller of the New York’s elite Bomb Squad unsuccessfully try to stop a bloody battle against the Fritzes (German soldiers) prompted by General Donald Prescott.
The good news of the peace treaty signing spreads amidst celebrations. Talking with Colonel Edward House, Martin learns that the world is but a cauldron ready to burst again into another full-scale war. Will the upcoming war destroy their souls and the relationship they hold so dear? They soon learn it is not only their lives at stake as they fight to navigate the perilous path to world peace.
The book has numerous characters that are well fleshed out. The main characters are Gilbert Martin, Paul Keller, Shannon Keller and Ana Primakova. The dialogue in the book is well written and flows easily through the book. Vulgar words are used in a few instances.
The plot is complex and thrilling. The story has good battlefield depictions with coordinated assaults that form vital parts of the gripping and entertaining storyline. The descriptions were great. I almost witnessed the war as the deafening grenade blasted, breaking tree branches and hurling macabre body part all around Shannon and Ana.
The author paints a vivid picture of the dying and the dead with this story. The book had the longest battle scenes I have ever encountered. There was a battle that lasted two chapters.
The epub version of the e-book that I got was professionally edited. I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars mostly because of the drawn-out battle scenes that covered a big part of the story. I recommend this book to readers that love military action, suspense, and would not mind explicit battlefield depictions.
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So Beware
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