The Crossing (4) (Assiti Shards) Mass Market Paperback – July 25, 2023

Kevin Ikenberry’s “The Crossing” is a unique, engrossing story of the young and unprepared stepping up to perform their duty. Fans of military and alternate history will love this genre-bending story.Ikenberry’s easy writing style flows well, and I zipped through the book in one sitting as I eagerly devoured each new situation. Characterization was superb, the historical anchors were accurate, and the military culture was realistic. As a retired infantry Marine, although our terminology sometimes differs from Army-speak, I found myself slipping into the storyline as if I was there. The key to the book wasn’t in the action. What drove the book was how the characters reacted in an unbelievable situation. This is where this book shone.I hope there are more books in the series forthcoming. I’d like to follow Mason and the rest as the fledgling nation fights for its independence.

I am a fan of the worlds created by Eric Flint. Part of his genius was to allow other authors to expand upon his vision. This work is a credible addition to the body of work begun by Flint. A group of ROTC cadets gets flung back to the winter of discontent in the American Revolution. They eventually meet with Washington and lend a hand. The story is reasonable. The characters true to type and time. I am pleased that at some level the expansion of the Flint inspired universe continues. This is well worth the time to read.

Good price,shipped fast. A very good story from outside the Ring of Fire perimeter.

THE CROSSING offers an intriguing premise even by the standards of the Ring of Fire universe: what might happen if 8 modern US Army cadets were dropped in the middle of the American Revolution, and had a chance to change history forever? With several black and female cadets, how might America be different? How might technology change - on BOTH sides of the war?The book goes in bold and exciting new directions, while laying some very tantalizing groundwork for follow-ups in a potential sequel - and by the end, you will want that sequel as badly as I do.Longtime Ring of Fire/1632 fans will need to read this for some of the greater implications it may have across the multiverse. For any newcomers, welcome to the party.

Good character development. Would have been better if so many of main characters didn't have similar names. Also, kept referring to weapons of Revolutionary War as rifles. Weapons of armies at this time period were smooth bore muskets, not rifles.Rifles were personal weapons used for hunting where accuracy was more important that fast reloading. Also, using black gunpowder of this period would foul M-16 rifle actions as they are gas operated. If they wanted to quickly help they could have introduced the Minie Ball for use in what rifles were available.

The author should have a deeper understanding of military rank and usage in the 18th Century. For example, Gen Howe was not a Lord, only his older brother the Admiral was Lord Howe. Muskets were not rifled . In the British only a few Jagers carried them. But as I have said it wss generally a good read.

The Revolutionary War is agreat place to play in Alternative History. Kevin Ikenberry is new to the Assinte Shards Universe and is among the best story tellers in it already. This universe has grown to over 10 million words over the last 24 years and has many different story lines going. This one will have the legs to go on for many years and books.Welcome to the Ring of Fire 1632 universes.

Excellent take on alternative history at the crucial battles at the founding.of our nation.When is the next one in the series due out? Who's writing it? I want to know more!!

I enjoyed this story a lot. The characters were human and they were living in the past with people from history. I love that the 1632 world invented by the late, great Eric Flint is still inspiring writers. Long may it continue!

Loved this, well written and good characters with eventually action sequences to liven it up. However it is a story that needs continuing, on its own it’s a waste of