Shadowstorm #1 Blades of Winter

Monday 12 November 2012

Shadowstorm #1 Blades of Winter

I'm not very knowledgeable as far as alternate history goes but GOD this book just took my breadth away...AMAZING. Presenting Shadowstorm #1 Blades of Winter by G.T. Almasi.

Here is the summary of the book:

In one of the most exciting debuts in years, G. T. Almasi has fused the intricate cat-and-mouse games of a John le Carré novel with the brash style of comic book superheroes to create a kick-ass alternate history that reimagines the Cold War as a clash of spies with biological, chemical, and technological enhancements. Nineteen-year-old Alix Nico, a self-described “million-dollar murder machine,” is a rising star in ExOps, a covert-action agency that aggressively shields the United States from its three great enemies: the Soviet Union, Greater Germany, and the Nationalist Republic of China. Rather than risk another all-out war, the four superpowers have poured their resources into creating superspies known as Levels. Alix is one of the hottest young American Levels. That’s no surprise: Her dad was America’s top Level before he was captured and killed eight years ago. But when an impulsive decision explodes—literally—in her face, Alix uncovers a conspiracy that pushes her to her limits and could upset the global balance of power forever.

The perfect cover and a scintillating synopsis, those were the things that attracted me to this book and the line about it being as alternate history.....and I was sold. From the first page to the last this is a minefield of a book. And impressive is the fact that Mr. Almasi put much work into it to produce such an amazing read....and it is clearly visible as we proceed into the story.

Strong characters and strong settings push this story in the right direction. Alix Nico is the perfect protagonist. The perfect killing machine. This infiltrator is the best one in the field and she knows it. From tumbling down giant building rooftop to leading a merry goose chase against the enemy in the desert country half-dead, to combating the enemy, Alix does it all.

A one woman show, Blades of Winter makes a smoking start to the Showstorm series. G.T. Almasi's world, a different post WWII world, where the countries fought a different form of war altogether. This is a world where Germany won a short termed victory in the war. This is a world that harnessed the science of cloning much before the real time period (our world) did. And it is interesting to see the implications of it from the author's pen. And if you are a fan of James Bond and John le Carré then you should definitely check it out.

"Fast-paced, gadget-savy and informative, packed with the scintillating twist and turns -- perfect blend of James Bond and John le Carré's George Smiley"