Cody Franklin

Interesting alternative history idea WWII never occurred so that Hitler, despite early setbacks, was able to unify Europe and fulfill his mission of racial purity and creating a distinct Aryan race in Europe. The Strait of of Gibraltar was damned to create infinite hydroelectric power and drain the Mediterranean for fertile farmland and lebensraum. Unfortunately, the Mediterranean basis proved to be a deep, infertile extension of the Sahara that is so hot and dry, it becomes known as the Kiln. North African cities and trade were totally eradicated creating hordes of “Scavengers” trying to eke a living out of ancient artifacts on the sea floor.
Now, some 2000 years into the Reich, the protagonist captains a “ship” on treads that traverses the sea floor to trade amongst the Eagle’s Nests, military outposts that dot the desert. The details of manning the ship are great world building. However, the characters are incomplete, inconsistent and exist only to drive the plot. The captain, Ansel, is a privateer who takes advantage of his distance from the center of the Reich to give vent to his basest instincts. Hence, the book is marred by an unseemly level of violence. His brother, Ulric, an “SS Knight” who embodies an idealized combination of warrior (in a time of relative peace) and a Reich historian. He is impetuous and whines a lot which is totally contrary to the degree of training and devotion he supposedly embodies.
What is interesting is the glimpses of the Reich’s 2000 year history that are doled out throughout the book. The Reich was unified by people who were happy to join Hitler peacefully. The Jews left willingly but, dark skinned, conniving people that they were, they became the scavengers who threatened the Reich. A statue of Hitler shows an Adonis-like, blond haired figure. Huh? Ah, but history is always written by the victors.
When a 2000 year old book is found that describes the actual era (and has pictures of Hitler with black hair) the two brothers have a crisis of faith that each treats differently.

Lots of interesting thematic elements here but there is too much violence, superficial characterization, lazy plotting and a tedious writing style. This could have been a great book. It wasn’t.… (mehr)