Tidhar (Osama) introduces people with supernatural powers into the wars of the 20th century in this disappointing alt-historical. A machine created in the late 1930s by the German scientist Vomacht sent a wave of changes across the entire world, granting random people unusual abilities. Henry Fogg, who can control foggy weather and is recruited by British intelligence services, witnesses crucial parts of WWII up close, until his own loyalties are tested for the sake of a beautiful and superpowered woman. Fogg and the rest of those changed turn out to be immortal, but WWII casts a long shadow over the next 60-odd years, and Fogg takes a long time to come to terms with his secrets. Tidhar's well-researched book never becomes more than the sum of its sources. His characters are too flat and his plot too derivative to bear the emotional weight of the real-world horrors that form the bulk of the narrative, and his attempts to manipulate superhero archetypes never quite gel. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Fans of Alan Moore's Watchmen (1987) should thoroughly enjoy this imaginative story about the hidden side of modern history. Its central characters, Oblivion and Fogg, spent years in the early part of the twentieth century as part of a shadowy organization dedicated to protecting the British Empire from external threats. The story begins in the present day. After being estranged for decades, since the end of WWII, Oblivion and Fogg are ordered to return to the Retirement Bureau (such an unassuming name for what is essentially the organization in charge of Britain's superheroes), where they sift through their memories of WWII, a war that is nothing like the WWII of mainstream history books. Here, in Tidhar's gifted hands, WWII was an epic battle of superheroes, with a villain (the German scientist Dr. Vomacht) so evil that he makes Hitler seem mild by comparison. A terrifically told tale of heroism and enduring friendship that captures our imaginations from the very first page.--Pitt, David Copyright 2015 Booklist

Starred Review. World Fantasy Award winner Tidhar (Osama) presents a new masterpiece that could be compared to Marvel's X-Men. His protagonists, Fogg and Oblivion, are men with very special abilities (they can manipulate weather) who have worked for the British government since the 1930s and into the present day. The novel moves backward and forward through time, recounting how they came to possess these special powers and their role in the events of the 20th century. Initially the experimental prose style-dialog is written with no regard for grammar or punctuation-is a stumbling block, but the patient reader who can clear that hurdle will be rewarded with a tremendous, unforgettable read. VERDICT This study in heroism, love, revenge, and violence will be in demand by lovers of complex, intelligent sf and alternative history. Anyone who enjoys stories of people with supernatural abilities will thrive reading Tidhar's world.-Jason L. Steagall, Gateway Technical Coll., Elkhorn Lib., WI (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.