'Axis of Andes' review

[Gary Oswald]

Discuss this article by @Gary Oswald here

 

[Coiler]

Great review. I know firsthand how difficult it is to write an ultimately positive review that still points out the flaws in the work when they exist, but you did it well. Since I love obscure/what if military conflicts I'll have to check this out myself.

 

[Thande]

Again will probably need to circulate this one later today as stuck in work meetings - apologies in advance.

 

[Charles EP M.]

Well, that's sold me on buying it

 

[Ricardolindo]

Discuss this article by @Gary Oswald here

No offense, but when you are the author, why don't you simply say the article is by yourself, instead of using your username?
Good review, anyways.

 

[RyanF]

Great review! I was very attracted to this when I saw it on the Old Country but found it impenetrable after a while because of the issues Gary addresses, but the plus points are all there.

Might consider trying again but just jumping into the second part!

 

[M_Kresal]

Well, I'll be purchasing this next payday. Sounds like an intriguing duology, even with its flaws.

 

[Charles EP M.]

Reading, I see what you mean about Book 1 - most of the Book Of Ecuador has been about real Ecuadorian history (and of its neighbours).

Though as someone who has little knowledge, I'm finding that bit fascinating so it's a win-win for me!

 

[Charles EP M.]

Oh bloody hell, I just got to the halfway point as the war kicks off and Hitler

Spoiler

has a generic "yeah go beat up our mutual enemy" telegram sent to the wrong country

 

[Gary Oswald]

Oh bloody hell, I just got to the halfway point as the war kicks off and Hitler

Spoiler

has a generic "yeah go beat up our mutual enemy" telegram sent to the wrong country

That's such a great moment, the best of the 'and this is how the outside world is reacting to this' bits. The first book is so frustrating because there's quite a few genuinely good narrative scenes and then we're back to 30 pages of exposition.

But I'm very much enjoying your comments as you read it and hope you keep them up.

 

[Charles EP M.]

Peru invades by accident and apologises. Dear me.

Now

Spoiler

the Andes Axis have gone from Alba storming towards Lima to the US embargo causing logistics to go in Peru's favour but with neither side deciding now's a good time to stop fighting, uh oh...

 

[Charles EP M.]

Book, repeatedly, earlier: "General Blandon was sent to the Oriente to sideline him"

General Blandon, now: "Obviously they needed a great genius to manage the whole Oriente but, and I'll grant you communication is slow, it almost seems like I've been sidelined......... nah, couldn't be. Still, better show up Alba by

Spoiler

launching an offensive without orders

, I'm not fragile"

 

[Charles EP M.]

About 61% in

 

[Charles EP M.]

The Chileans are now going to war

Spoiler

only to find it's a lot harder when you say "WE COULD GO TO WAR" for ages and attack at the exact place Peru always knew you'd attack during the height of their mobilisation. "Chilean officers refuse to acknowledge difficulties"

 

[Gary Oswald]

Yes, that's one of the things I didn't mention in the review but enjoyed. That it's a proper clusterfuck of bad decisions and people getting in over their heads.

 

[Charles EP M.]

Spoiler

Alba wins! War's over!

Wait, no, here comes a coup, and now Alba's heelturning his way through the countryside's civilians and we get a truly nasty scene of Peru's General Markholtz attempting Operation Pawn Sacrifice with his conscripts. You do not want to be a Native Peruvian in this story.

 

[RyanF]

I'm enjoying this feels like someone is live tweeting AH events.

 

[Charles EP M.]

I'm enjoying this feels like someone is live tweeting AH events.

There's definitely a twitter account in that. RealTimeWW4

 

[Gary Oswald]

Spoiler

Alba wins! War's over!

Spoiler

I thought you'd already reached that point earlier but love that bit. It's a great fake out and even in terms of book length it feels kinda possible though it obviously can't be that simple.

 

[Charles EP M.]

The Oriente/Selva front of quick and sudden boat combat is a nicely evocative section. A very different type of warfare to the WW2 AH norm