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Panzer Spirit
A horror novel of a Haunted Magic Nazi Tank.
274 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 1, 2024
I literally didn't expect anything when picking this up and was positively surprised. You'll get ancient nordic lore about elfs and Mithreil, a very special material, the conflict between east and west, espionage, an eerie old tank (the Jagdpanther). Set in Western Germany the action soon takes of when the old panzer is found in the woods. Things get complicated when he is moved into the panzer museum of Ansbach. Can Sherri and Jim, our protagonists, can rid the world of the most uncanny item since Christine (Stephen King's novel)? Adventure, tank background, espionage, crime, Nazi history, some sex on a decent scale but a very good horror tale with mythological references. All the right ingredients for a proper pulp horror meal. Really enjoyed this one. A true blast from the past paperback from hell. The stunning cover didn't promise too much. Highly recommended!
June 24, 2024
Possessed Nazi tank made from ancient magic elven steel goes on rampage, and former US army tank platoon commander/general badass enlists the help of manic pixie dream girl/comic book artist/fantasy nerd well-versed in elf lore to try and stop it.
That’s pretty much all you need to know to figure out if this would be your thing or not.
It’s ridiculous, but damn fun, filled with Russian espionage, car chases, tank chases, gun fights, tank fights, etc. Oh and a tank that comes to life and likes to crush people into a nice pulpy stew. The somewhat simplistic writing style has the feel of a YA horror novel* from that era at times (like say something by pre-Goosebumps RL Stine or Christopher Pike), though interspersed with sudden bursts of gruesome violence.
I found everything involving the magic haunted Nazi elf tank to be great — ditto the spy action — and I could even suspend my disbelief when it came to the ludicrous nature of its Middle Earth-ish origins, but the one thing I could not abide was the romance between main characters Jim and Sherri. It went way past cheesy and into pure cringe at times, but I can look past that as the rest of the novel was a blast.
It’s too bad this is Townsend’s only horror novel, as I’d have been down for reading more the next time I’m in the mood for some good campy pulp.
* The YA feel makes sense considering every other book by Mr. Townsend (a former tank platoon commander himself) appears to be children’s or YA. This is very much an adult book, however, with a scene of sexual violence that isn’t too gratuitous, but is there.
That’s pretty much all you need to know to figure out if this would be your thing or not.
It’s ridiculous, but damn fun, filled with Russian espionage, car chases, tank chases, gun fights, tank fights, etc. Oh and a tank that comes to life and likes to crush people into a nice pulpy stew. The somewhat simplistic writing style has the feel of a YA horror novel* from that era at times (like say something by pre-Goosebumps RL Stine or Christopher Pike), though interspersed with sudden bursts of gruesome violence.
I found everything involving the magic haunted Nazi elf tank to be great — ditto the spy action — and I could even suspend my disbelief when it came to the ludicrous nature of its Middle Earth-ish origins, but the one thing I could not abide was the romance between main characters Jim and Sherri. It went way past cheesy and into pure cringe at times, but I can look past that as the rest of the novel was a blast.
It’s too bad this is Townsend’s only horror novel, as I’d have been down for reading more the next time I’m in the mood for some good campy pulp.
* The YA feel makes sense considering every other book by Mr. Townsend (a former tank platoon commander himself) appears to be children’s or YA. This is very much an adult book, however, with a scene of sexual violence that isn’t too gratuitous, but is there.
November 18, 2023
A 'haunted' Nazi tank (Jagdpanther/'hunting panther') starts to 'roll'! Created by magic elf metal it has a will to destroy - and tanker Jim Fafner (Fafnir: the dragon in Norse mythology that guards the Nibelungs' gold hoard) must try to stop this new Blitzkrieg! Suspend your belief and get in a 'Twilight Zone' mood and you may find that you like this book!
August 10, 2021
This should have been a short story, and even then it would have been too long. I did love how atrocious it was, however. Shoutout to Joshua from Coffee, Cats, and King for this absolute gem! Go check out his review of this masterpiece:
https://youtu.be/9kx6mbEQ6Ak
https://youtu.be/9kx6mbEQ6Ak
May 29, 2016
Four words: Haunted Magic Nazi Tank. This tells you everything you need to know about the story; specifically not to worry about anything and just enjoy the ride.
I love this book. There are glaring technical inaccuracies. So what? The protagonist is an obvious avatar with impossible runs of good luck (including finding the OTHER non-haunted magic tank just sitting around), but he's also very personable and easy to root for. The love story couldn't possibly be more ludicrous than the very premise of a haunted magic Nazi tank, but it tries really hard. When they get together, we're glad all the same.
It's also an interesting relic of Cold War culture, and that's where an actual bit of time travel happens.
Read this book. It is fun on many levels and won't hurt you to read.
I love this book. There are glaring technical inaccuracies. So what? The protagonist is an obvious avatar with impossible runs of good luck (including finding the OTHER non-haunted magic tank just sitting around), but he's also very personable and easy to root for. The love story couldn't possibly be more ludicrous than the very premise of a haunted magic Nazi tank, but it tries really hard. When they get together, we're glad all the same.
It's also an interesting relic of Cold War culture, and that's where an actual bit of time travel happens.
Read this book. It is fun on many levels and won't hurt you to read.
August 5, 2019
3 STARS
November 15, 2009
This is a fairly obscure novel which someone really should reprint. It's not the best-written literary thing ever published, but it's a wonderfully imaginative tale told with lots of enthusiasm and fun quirks and twists; I enjoyed it very much.
June 22, 2021
This is the most disappointing piece of crap I’ve read all year. Expect a rant review on my channel in the next few days.
P.S. Sorry to Juan and anyone else who tracked this down because of the awesome cover and blurb.
P.S. Sorry to Juan and anyone else who tracked this down because of the awesome cover and blurb.
September 4, 2019
When a long-dormant Nazi tank destroyer comes inexplicably to life and goes on its own bloody blitzkrieg, veteran tanker Jim Fafner may be the only man who can face down the otherworldly intelligence that pilots the haunted Jagdpanther. And eccentric fantasist Sherri Vail may be more Fafner's foil than a help. Can they put aside their differences and bring the tank destroyer's rampage to an end, or will a Soviet spy be the one to unlock the Jagdpanther's ghostly secret?
An effortless and unpretentious escapist fantasy, Tom Townsend's novel seamlessly welds WWII armor specs, romance, Cold War espionage and mythic mystery into one package. Panzer Spirit is a downhill thrill-ride from beginning to end that will not disappoint.
An effortless and unpretentious escapist fantasy, Tom Townsend's novel seamlessly welds WWII armor specs, romance, Cold War espionage and mythic mystery into one package. Panzer Spirit is a downhill thrill-ride from beginning to end that will not disappoint.
February 1, 2012
This was the first book I ever picked up to read for my own amusement. It helped kindle my love for reading, and will always hold a special place in my cold dead heart.
March 21, 2024
A horror/Cold War espionage thriller in which an abandoned German WWII prototype tank forged from ancient elven ore (!) goes on a rampage in modern day Europe, fueled by the malevolence of the deceased tank commander who had been its master. Fortunately, a rugged military historian/tank restorer and a successful comic book creator/reincarnated elven princess are on hand, finding love as they investigate the Jagdpanzer’s secrets and evade Russian spies who want to claim it for their own purposes. I swear, I can’t make this stuff up, but Tom Townsend can. He was a tank platoon commander and tank company executive officer in the Army, so he’s operating in his wheelhouse here and the details about tanks and tank tactics ring true. This book takes place in a world that evolved from a Tolkienesque prehistory, including abandoned subterranean forges and an impenetrable metal called “mithriel” just waiting to be discovered by Nazi occultists. This book is totally bonkers but a fun read.
https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com
https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com
November 11, 2019
Christine em um tanque de guerra nazista.
Um clássico subestimado.
Um clássico subestimado.
Want to Read
January 16, 2022https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kx6m...
wonder, if I can track this one, anywhere
wonder, if I can track this one, anywhere
April 23, 2008
This book is a real winner, it deals with a possessed Panzer tank. Think Christine but with a tank, nazis and russian spies and a lot of twists and turns. If that turns you on, this book is for you. I however was not turned on, the only redeeming part of the story was when the lead character was double crossed.
August 5, 2009
It was a good idea but I didn't find it compelling.
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October 5, 2009Awesome book! It was Good enough I think someone should make a movie out thew book!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews