WORLDWAR: UPSETTING THE BALANCE

Third episode of Turtledove's vast, continuing saga, this following hard on the heels of Worldwar: Tilting the Balance (p. 34), that pits the once-warring nations of WW II against the infinitely more dangerous invading alien Race. Atvar, the alien leader, barely survives a leadership challenge, while his human foes—fuel shortages have reduced them to using horses and bicycles—rush to prepare poison gases and nuclear bombs to use against the aggressors. Among humans, the old social, racial, religious, and gender divisions are crumbling, while the once utterly obedient, now ginger-addicted Race soldiers mutiny against their imperial masters. Again sporadically gripping, with panoramic views and a cast of thousands.