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Artillerymen #3
Devil's Battle
Marooned on a deadly alternate Earth, Colonel Lewis Cayce and his soldiers find themselves outnumbered and outclassed in this riveting new adventure set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Destroyermen series.
After being stranded on a very different and more perilous Earth, Colonel Lewis Cayce led his small army of displaced Americans, natives of the Yucatán, and Jaguar Warriors to defeat the biggest host the Dominion general Agon could assemble. Most unexpectedly, General Agon came to recognize the inherent evil of the Dominion and its depraved Blood Priests and turned on his former leaders.
Awkwardly at first, Lewis Cayce and Agon join forces to press their common enemy back toward the dark heart of the Dominion in the Great Valley of Mexico. But more Dominion troops have been drawn from the west to stop the Allied march on the Holy City, and a grueling race has begun. Worse, the Gran Cruzada—a vast Dom army that was marching on the far Californias to eject yet another heretic foe—might’ve already been recalled to face Cayce’s soldiers.
Time has become more precious than ever, and before Lewis Cayce can even try to implement his plan for total victory, he and his force must brave their greatest challenge yet—a brutal fight against a larger, better-trained army whose commander has a gift for strategy to rival Cayce’s own. The struggle to keep all his soldiers alive, new friends and old comrades alike, will test Cayce like never before, and, win or lose, nothing will be the same.
After being stranded on a very different and more perilous Earth, Colonel Lewis Cayce led his small army of displaced Americans, natives of the Yucatán, and Jaguar Warriors to defeat the biggest host the Dominion general Agon could assemble. Most unexpectedly, General Agon came to recognize the inherent evil of the Dominion and its depraved Blood Priests and turned on his former leaders.
Awkwardly at first, Lewis Cayce and Agon join forces to press their common enemy back toward the dark heart of the Dominion in the Great Valley of Mexico. But more Dominion troops have been drawn from the west to stop the Allied march on the Holy City, and a grueling race has begun. Worse, the Gran Cruzada—a vast Dom army that was marching on the far Californias to eject yet another heretic foe—might’ve already been recalled to face Cayce’s soldiers.
Time has become more precious than ever, and before Lewis Cayce can even try to implement his plan for total victory, he and his force must brave their greatest challenge yet—a brutal fight against a larger, better-trained army whose commander has a gift for strategy to rival Cayce’s own. The struggle to keep all his soldiers alive, new friends and old comrades alike, will test Cayce like never before, and, win or lose, nothing will be the same.
480 pages, Hardcover
Published September 26, 2023
53 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 5, 2023
Review to follow. I have been wondering all along how this story could end in three volumes. It doesn't. Disappointing ending.
February 11, 2024
From one of the present masters of alternative history/fiction comes the third entry of artillerymen and theirs battles along the way to the Dominion's capitol in the Valley of Mexico. Fun to read and hard to put down.
September 27, 2023
This is about a group of people led by lieutenant Chase on an alternate earth which sounds exactly like the earth we live on except it’s The later half of the 1800s throughout the whole book they discussed battle and battle tactics and one of their prior enemies becomes a defector with his military and fight with Lieutenant chase which seems to be sadly needed because instead of just fighting the Doms another savage military group will come to fight them in right when it seems all is lost Lieutenant chase pulls a Hail Mary of sorts. I love historical books and historical books that have a weird twist it’s something I love but I found this one throughout the whole book they talk about military tactics which is something that just makes my eyes glaze over I do love a good battle scene but this was mostly talk about the battle unless they were talking about the clothes they were wearing or trying to catch you up on the plot. I really thought I was going to love this book. as I did find it in OK read I can’t say it’s one of my favorites or that I loved it. I do want to think Berkeley publishing and Net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
October 11, 2025
Up all night reading it
No matter how hard I tried to pace myself, I couldn't stop. Almost 10 years ago I stumbled onto Taylor Anderson's first novel "Into the Storm". He has created an intricate and intriguing alternate Earth with the Grik, Dominion, Empire, and the New United States in 1847.
The introduction of Commodore Jenks and the HEIS Nemesis is an Easter egg to faithful readers. Perhaps the ancestor of the Jenks introduced in "Maelstrom"? hmmmmmmm....
However I was wondering when Cayce and the others evacuate north to found the NUS. It is hinted in the Destroyermen series. Maybe book 4 or 5? Awaiting the next one
No matter how hard I tried to pace myself, I couldn't stop. Almost 10 years ago I stumbled onto Taylor Anderson's first novel "Into the Storm". He has created an intricate and intriguing alternate Earth with the Grik, Dominion, Empire, and the New United States in 1847.
The introduction of Commodore Jenks and the HEIS Nemesis is an Easter egg to faithful readers. Perhaps the ancestor of the Jenks introduced in "Maelstrom"? hmmmmmmm....
However I was wondering when Cayce and the others evacuate north to found the NUS. It is hinted in the Destroyermen series. Maybe book 4 or 5? Awaiting the next one
October 5, 2023
“DEVIL’S BATTLE” – BY TAYLOR ANDERSON – ACE/BERKLEY – 2023
Taylor Anderson has published a prodigious volume of literature in “alternate history” genre (though I’m not certain his work truly fits that name.) His 15-volume epic tale of “The Destroyermen” has pretty much set the bar for other writers, and this, the third volume in “The Artillerymen” easily clears that bar.
In a nutshell, a group of American volunteers and regular infantry, with a few civilians, are snatched from the Gulf of Mexico when on their way to support Winfield Scott’s campaign from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. They are dropped, literally, with substantial loss of life and equipment, high and dry in the Yucatan. This is, in a way, a prequel to “The Destroyermen,” because these castaways, for want of a better term, are the foundation for the “1847 Americans,” or “Los Diablos del Norte,” of the earlier series. They encounter prehistoric fauna and established cultures of various levels of development.
Anderson’s character development begins with what his cast was on Day Zero, with all the customs, habits, beliefs, and prejudices one would expect. In his mind, he has established the environment into which his characters are plunged, so rather than just throwing vaguely-developed personalities at a blank canvas, his plot is guided by how his characters respond to that environment. His plot and his people are developed as a unified system, making the tale one of entirely believable, consistent, seamless experience. A reader who is sufficiently open to such illustration can easily forget that Lewis Cayce and Giles Anson, for example, don’t really exist except as constructs of Anderson’s genius. This is about as close to “emersion therapy” as popular literature can get.
Anderson has extensive experience in the details and nuance of Napoleonic combat and muzzle loading artillery, which enables him to put a texture in the stories that comes as near putting the reader there and then as is possible. A big part of this theme is in his descriptions of the minutiae of the uniforms, equipment, tactics, and “customs of service” of the US military in 1847. One tiny example is his description of the sound of the soldiers’ tin cups swinging on the straps of their haversacks. (I reenacted Confederate infantry for 30 years, and have a powerful, 1st person testimony of such things.) Such detail, which some may view as extraneous or irrelevant, are a huge part of that texture to which I alluded; one can, if one wishes and is open, come closer to actually feeling, smelling, and hearing the true nature of campaigning and fighting in that era than by another means, other than getting out there and living it.
Because these are “real” people reacting to “real” situations (because the characters guide the plot, and the plot guides the characters in a near-cybernetic relationship)
their actions are guided by, not just what they know, but what they think – their morals, ethics, and philosophies. Thus, Anderson has fleshed out his characters with these things, and allowed them to discuss them with each other. Like the minutiae of physical and sensory details, some will say this leads to pointless “rat holes,” but I disagree. Real people do what they do because of what they think, and in situations like an army on campaign, sitting around a campfire, or leaders in conference, they talk about it. This personal, often intimate “texture” contributes to the tendency to forget these aren’t real people; they are the creations of genius.
For fans of “The Destroyermen,” there are dozens of tantalizing “Easter eggs,” or foreshadowing that you will find delicious and intriguing.
In conclusion, if you are looking for an effortless read – more like a video game – Taylor’s work will challenge you. (Of course, that’s not a bad thing!) For students of cultural development, and history – especially 19th Century military history – strap on your kits and fall in on the battalion line!
Taylor Anderson has published a prodigious volume of literature in “alternate history” genre (though I’m not certain his work truly fits that name.) His 15-volume epic tale of “The Destroyermen” has pretty much set the bar for other writers, and this, the third volume in “The Artillerymen” easily clears that bar.
In a nutshell, a group of American volunteers and regular infantry, with a few civilians, are snatched from the Gulf of Mexico when on their way to support Winfield Scott’s campaign from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. They are dropped, literally, with substantial loss of life and equipment, high and dry in the Yucatan. This is, in a way, a prequel to “The Destroyermen,” because these castaways, for want of a better term, are the foundation for the “1847 Americans,” or “Los Diablos del Norte,” of the earlier series. They encounter prehistoric fauna and established cultures of various levels of development.
Anderson’s character development begins with what his cast was on Day Zero, with all the customs, habits, beliefs, and prejudices one would expect. In his mind, he has established the environment into which his characters are plunged, so rather than just throwing vaguely-developed personalities at a blank canvas, his plot is guided by how his characters respond to that environment. His plot and his people are developed as a unified system, making the tale one of entirely believable, consistent, seamless experience. A reader who is sufficiently open to such illustration can easily forget that Lewis Cayce and Giles Anson, for example, don’t really exist except as constructs of Anderson’s genius. This is about as close to “emersion therapy” as popular literature can get.
Anderson has extensive experience in the details and nuance of Napoleonic combat and muzzle loading artillery, which enables him to put a texture in the stories that comes as near putting the reader there and then as is possible. A big part of this theme is in his descriptions of the minutiae of the uniforms, equipment, tactics, and “customs of service” of the US military in 1847. One tiny example is his description of the sound of the soldiers’ tin cups swinging on the straps of their haversacks. (I reenacted Confederate infantry for 30 years, and have a powerful, 1st person testimony of such things.) Such detail, which some may view as extraneous or irrelevant, are a huge part of that texture to which I alluded; one can, if one wishes and is open, come closer to actually feeling, smelling, and hearing the true nature of campaigning and fighting in that era than by another means, other than getting out there and living it.
Because these are “real” people reacting to “real” situations (because the characters guide the plot, and the plot guides the characters in a near-cybernetic relationship)
their actions are guided by, not just what they know, but what they think – their morals, ethics, and philosophies. Thus, Anderson has fleshed out his characters with these things, and allowed them to discuss them with each other. Like the minutiae of physical and sensory details, some will say this leads to pointless “rat holes,” but I disagree. Real people do what they do because of what they think, and in situations like an army on campaign, sitting around a campfire, or leaders in conference, they talk about it. This personal, often intimate “texture” contributes to the tendency to forget these aren’t real people; they are the creations of genius.
For fans of “The Destroyermen,” there are dozens of tantalizing “Easter eggs,” or foreshadowing that you will find delicious and intriguing.
In conclusion, if you are looking for an effortless read – more like a video game – Taylor’s work will challenge you. (Of course, that’s not a bad thing!) For students of cultural development, and history – especially 19th Century military history – strap on your kits and fall in on the battalion line!
October 19, 2023
I quite enjoyed this foray into the Destroyman universe, and peeling back some of the critical events of the NUS and the Dominion. I still have lots of questions as to how the events of the mid 1800s result in the disposition seen in 1940, and the villains (Blood Priests) are comically over the top evil, but it is still a fun read.
I'm hopeful Anderson gets an opportunity to finish the Artilleryman arc, and potentially return referenced by the Courtney Bradford opener and closer (roughly mid 1950s).
I'm hopeful Anderson gets an opportunity to finish the Artilleryman arc, and potentially return referenced by the Courtney Bradford opener and closer (roughly mid 1950s).
November 30, 2023
I'm already in
What can I say? I'm fully onboard in this series so I'm going to read this book no matter what. And the next one and the next one. With that said I did enjoy this book and it left me in anticipation for the proceeding entry. As always this author is amazing at world building and I want to know all about the upcoming founding of the NUS.
What can I say? I'm fully onboard in this series so I'm going to read this book no matter what. And the next one and the next one. With that said I did enjoy this book and it left me in anticipation for the proceeding entry. As always this author is amazing at world building and I want to know all about the upcoming founding of the NUS.
October 11, 2024
I borrowed this from the Sherwood Regional Library of Fairfax County, VA. It was on the "Just in!" shelf and caught my eye. Alternate Earth where prehistoric animals, especially dinosaurs, and humans co-exist in the Mexican wilderness?! Yes, please!
However, after over 50 pages in, there just aren't any dinosaurs to keep me engaged. There are some giant armadillos that get spooked and run off into the jungle and some winged feather reptiles--are these meant to be Pterosaurs or something smaller?--mentioned as trained by the enemy to carry messages. But we don't get any close encounters with these creatures and there's no struggle for survival. It reminds me of when "The Walking Dead" series became more about humans waging war against each other instead of the zombie apocalypse. Based on the "Devil's Battle" front cover, I expected dinosaurs to be an aspect of everyday life, not a rare oddity.
That disappointment aside, I also didn't like the antagonist zealots chosen for this war or how female characters were described. For the third book in a series, there's a lot of exposition dumping and not much action. The human communities were too well established into new societal structures and cities for my taste in a "wild" alternate Earth. Maybe the first book delved into that more. Oh well, just not my cup of tea, I guess.
However, after over 50 pages in, there just aren't any dinosaurs to keep me engaged. There are some giant armadillos that get spooked and run off into the jungle and some winged feather reptiles--are these meant to be Pterosaurs or something smaller?--mentioned as trained by the enemy to carry messages. But we don't get any close encounters with these creatures and there's no struggle for survival. It reminds me of when "The Walking Dead" series became more about humans waging war against each other instead of the zombie apocalypse. Based on the "Devil's Battle" front cover, I expected dinosaurs to be an aspect of everyday life, not a rare oddity.
That disappointment aside, I also didn't like the antagonist zealots chosen for this war or how female characters were described. For the third book in a series, there's a lot of exposition dumping and not much action. The human communities were too well established into new societal structures and cities for my taste in a "wild" alternate Earth. Maybe the first book delved into that more. Oh well, just not my cup of tea, I guess.
September 28, 2023
One of Mr. Anderson's best books. A great mix of warfare, strategy and insight. Nicely balanced with fun scenes and some romance. Characters showing more development and depth. Sorry i have to wait another year for volume 4. I will say, though; i doubt this series ought to be as long as the Destroyermen.
November 7, 2023
I'm warming up to this series with this latest installment, though it's still not quite as good as the Destroyermen series. Our artillerymen from 1848 continue their campaign against the Dominion in an alternative universe Earth. A lot of characters to keep track of, and plenty of action scenes throughout. I did like at the end that they set up the next novel in the series.
May 11, 2024
Another excellent entry in Anderson's alternate Earth series.
Displaced from their own war torn 1848 world, Colonel Lewis and his 3rd Pennsylvania Infantry combined with local forces are bringing the fight to the insidious Dominion unly city.
A wonderful job spinning this tale with artillery and sword battles
Displaced from their own war torn 1848 world, Colonel Lewis and his 3rd Pennsylvania Infantry combined with local forces are bringing the fight to the insidious Dominion unly city.
A wonderful job spinning this tale with artillery and sword battles
January 19, 2025
These books are amazing in their descriptions of battles, and the logistics of same. There are amazingly realistic descriptions of what went on in large scale battles during this time (late 1840's). You also really get to know the core group of "good guys," with both their professional and personal struggles with war.
July 22, 2025
Honestly the Artilleryman series has one major flaw every book so far the Americans are winning every battle. In the Destroyermen the Main characters are constantly defeated by the Grik and they are a real threat. The dominion is brutal but I never worry about the main characters abd that holds these books back from what they should be.
October 16, 2023
Excellent Book 3
Another thoroughly enjoyable tale from that alternate earth. The battle details are very exact with attention to the way things work and seems well researched. I don't think you could find better descriptions of battle for this time period.
Another thoroughly enjoyable tale from that alternate earth. The battle details are very exact with attention to the way things work and seems well researched. I don't think you could find better descriptions of battle for this time period.
October 30, 2023
Artillery men book3 can't get enough of it
I love this series with all of it's detail and excitement. You need to read this series from the first book to really appreciate how this all came about. Its a wonderful series that I can't wait for the next in the series.
I love this series with all of it's detail and excitement. You need to read this series from the first book to really appreciate how this all came about. Its a wonderful series that I can't wait for the next in the series.
January 1, 2024
Enjoyed this Book
I enjoyed this Book. It wasn't what I expected, and the twist and turns of the battle for Mexico were interesting. We all know where this is leading to. I'm very interested in seeing the outcome.
I enjoyed this Book. It wasn't what I expected, and the twist and turns of the battle for Mexico were interesting. We all know where this is leading to. I'm very interested in seeing the outcome.
February 6, 2024
Great book
I found the battles too wordy, Is that a word? I found myself skipping forward skipping a lot of the descriptions. I have read all of the other books about fighting the gricks in the Pacific and Africa so I must like his writing. Thanks
I found the battles too wordy, Is that a word? I found myself skipping forward skipping a lot of the descriptions. I have read all of the other books about fighting the gricks in the Pacific and Africa so I must like his writing. Thanks
March 21, 2024
Book three in a grand series, a prequel to Destroyermen.
Misplaced in 1874 on an alternate Earth the remnants of the US and Mexican armies band together to battle a evil foe. Horrific creatures abound in the ocean and the land, yet the worst are those humans of The Dominion.
Misplaced in 1874 on an alternate Earth the remnants of the US and Mexican armies band together to battle a evil foe. Horrific creatures abound in the ocean and the land, yet the worst are those humans of The Dominion.
May 9, 2024
Great series.
Love the Artillery men as a as much as the Destorymen. Hope this series is as well writen.. Then do the 3rd set the last set of Americans in the southern States .....
Love the Artillery men as a as much as the Destorymen. Hope this series is as well writen.. Then do the 3rd set the last set of Americans in the southern States .....
October 27, 2024
This very good series continues resolutely out of the Yucatan Peninsula toward the heart of the Holy Dominion. The strangest collection of allies this world has ever seen. Awkward but effective it challenges the Realm of the Blood Cardinals for the hearts and minds of this world.
Read
November 3, 2023Excellent!
January 7, 2024
Great read as always.
March 2, 2024
Great
Another excellent book in this fun lineup! Can’t wait for the next chapter. Also wish I could see another destroyermen book. Miss them!
Another excellent book in this fun lineup! Can’t wait for the next chapter. Also wish I could see another destroyermen book. Miss them!
June 11, 2024
I've enjoyed both of Anderson's series and hope we'll get 'what happened between 1848 and 1942?' answered. More would be great.
March 1, 2025
Great continuation of the series!
September 12, 2025
continuing the story. Want to find out what happens next
September 25, 2024
Fantastic read
Another fantastic read I've enjoyed all the books of his I have read,all these and also all the destroyers ones too
Another fantastic read I've enjoyed all the books of his I have read,all these and also all the destroyers ones too
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews