A Tyce Asher Novel
(5.00)388 pages. Orbat, acknowledgments, excerpt from previous novel in the series.
This is the sequel to Assault By Fire, in which Marine Captain Tyce Asher, with a prosthetic leg and still haunted by the men he lost in Iraq, is on assignment with the National Guard when the Russians launch a sophisticated invasion of the U.S.
The mixed force of National Guard, Marines, special forces, and Navy medics has survived the winter, but the Russians are still on their trail – hitting a scavenging convoy with an aerial strike and sniper fire.
Tyce is now in regular contact with U.S. command in exile in neutral Canada, and is aware his small unit is part of significant resistance throughout the Eastern U.S. – particularly the 10th Mountain Division in New York.
Meanwhile, ambitious and ruthless Russian General Tympkin is in charge of pacifying the East Coast, assisted by General Kolikoff and his team's sophisticated battle software, now running on Pentagon computers. For reasons Tympkin does not disclose to his subordinates, he has arranged for a train carrying unknown cargoes to transit from the Mountain West to the East Coast. Kolikoff is in charge of protecting that train, and eliminating Tyce's resistance. For that purpose, he has been reinforced with a spetznaz team and a female spy/assassin.
When Tyce is ordered to stop that train, can he accomplish the mission despite desertions, airstrikes and a mole revealing his plans? Fortunately, he has a new asset: Stacy, a naval intelligence officer with excellent connections…
There are two subplots, one about getting medicine to treat radiation sickness for a retired U.S. general, and another about a mayor who wants a traitorous politician assassinated.
This is once again a novel with an emphasis on tactical combat, with simple maps provided for two major battles. (However, the battles come late in the novel.)
One challenge with this novel is that the Americans are hampered by leaks and a sniper killing key individuals. Tyce remains competent on the battlefield, but finds it difficult to solve his other problems. (The reader, however, learns early on who the mole is, and eventually what motivates them.)
While the novel comes to a satisfying conclusion, there are loose ends obviously setting up a third novel. However, a third novel has not been announced.
Can you game it? There are two major battles, in both of which the Americans are the ambushers, as well as being counter-ambushed. Both involve the Russian train. Sufficient information is provided to put these on the gaming tabletop.
I found the novel to be interesting, but not as 'fun' as the previous novel due to the subject matter.
Reviewed by 
Editor in Chief Bill 
.