Book Review: From the Heart of the Storm

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

From the Heart of the Storm     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Kurt R. A. Giambastiani
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction   Fantasy   Western   Alternate History
Series: Fallen Cloud Saga # 4
Roc, Jan 2003, $6.99, 368 pp.

At the battle of Little Big Horn, General Custer was victorious, became a hero to the American people and went on to become president of the United States. The encroaching Anglos on the Great Plains forced the Cheyenne to form alliances with other tribes and become a force to be reckoned with. George Custer Jr. came to the Cheyenne and stayed, believing it was wrong for settlers, politicians, and businessman to oust the Native Americans from their tribal lands.

After many clashes, the leaders of both the Cheyenne Alliance and President Custer met in Washington D.C. to start peace talks. Before that could happen, an assassin kills the Indian mentor of George Jr. and injures President Custer. As the acting commander-in-chief, the Vice President sends troops to the land of the Cheyenne Alliance with war imminent. He is also arming the rebels in Cuba hoping they will overthrow the Spanish colony while George Jr. and two Indian women travel to Spain in hopes of forging an alliance between the Cheyenne and the Spanish territories in North America.

Kurt R.A. Giambastini is a star of alternate historical weaving events so carefully that readers will wonder if they actually happened in this world. On the throw of the dice they could have happened which makes FROM THE HEART OF THE STORM so realistic. This entertaining story leaves enough loose threads dangling that there is at least one more book in this series that fans can hardly wait for it to be published.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner