Shadows of the Past

The Great War of the Worlds #1

by Eric Goebelbecker

It's 1915, twenty years after the Martian invasion failed. The aliens left behind advanced technology and weapons, and now humanity is on the brink of a catastrophic war. Caught in the middle of the chaos are two unlikely Emil Zimmerman, a young German soldier, and James Brogan, an introverted radio engineer. Emil dreamed of escaping his small village and making his way to the big city, but finds himself in the trenches fighting for an army that indiscriminately wields deadly Martian weapons. Meanwhile, James just wants to be left alone, but is pulled into a web of conspiracy when he's called upon to repair crucial radios on Long Island. As the world hurtles towards the brink of destruction, Emil and James find themselves on a collision course with fate, each struggling to survive and make sense of a new reality.

Genres: Science Fiction, Aliens

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2024

About the author

Eric is the author of *The Great War of the Worlds*, an ongoing series about the aftermath of the Martian invasion in the War of the Worlds.

Eric was lucky enough to inherit an incurable curiosity about technology and a tremendous love of science fiction from his father. Both led to a career repairing radars in the U.S. Army, followed by another as a programmer on Wall Street. Now, he writes about technology during the day, while writing scifi part time.

Reviews

[Anita Dow · Rating 4 out of 5]

An imaginative alternative history of World War I, with added Martians!
There are two protagonists telling this story set in 1915, in the early part of World War I. The plot harks back to the Martian invasion of Earth about fifteen years earlier (from H.G. Wells' The War Of The Worlds) which the author refers to as the Martian Attack. Emil Zimmerman is an ordinary foot soldier on the German side and as the story opens we find him in a trench in Belgium. The plot imagines that the Martians have never left our planet – or have recently returned – and their machinery and technology have been misappropriated by a group of renegade Germans. Meanwhile, on the outskirts of New York, a young radio engineer named James Brogan becomes embroiled in what seems to be a conspiracy involving the US War Department and Security Police, but the Germans are being blamed.

Author Eric Goebelbecker has an accomplished writing style that is very readable, however at times this story did not feel authentically 1915. In places I found some of the dialogue and vocabulary too modern and one or two of the historical elements a little questionable. As this is an alternative history story I'll put that down to intentional 'artistic licence' rather than an error on the author's part. The first third of the book had a decent pace but the middle lacked energy as there was little action and it was dialogue heavy. It almost felt as though the story was being padded out to make it longer – and it didn't need that at all. The last third of the book was very good, with engaging content and energy that didn't let up until the very last sentence. Author Goebelbecker has set the scene very nicely for the second book in the series, with the principal characters left in situations that readers will certainly want to hear more about. This story contains no 'adult' language or sex scenes and could therefore be enjoyed by younger teenagers. The Martian elements of the story are quite lightly done and in fact the most violent scenes are carried out by humans. This is a well written and imaginative story that should appeal to fans of The War Of The Worlds and alternative 20th century history.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I laid eyes on Eric Goebelbecker’s Shadows of the Past the first book in The Great War of the Worlds series I knew right away that I wanted to read it. I couldn’t wait to dive in and start reading. I am not sure what I thought I would find between its pages but what I found was fantastic. I wanted to it read as I loved the movie War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise.

Shadows of the Past takes place after the Martian's attack on Earth years ago. Shadows of the Past is told from two points of view. One being that of Emil Zimmerman, a young German soldier, and James Brogan, an introverted radio engineer.

Emil gets caught right in the middle of a battle that he wants no part of. Emil just wants to be left alone so he can live his life the way he wants. But when the fight begins he doesn’t have much choice but to take up arms and fight. Then there is James who also just wants to be left alone as well but is drawn into the battle to help repair radios.

Shadows of the Past grabbed me from the start and never let go until I read the last page. But wait I don’t think that is quite true as it is still on my mind. I keep picturing everything I read in my mind as I sit here writing my review. I think Shadows of the Past will stay with me for a long time to come.

The world-building of Shadows of the Past is out of this-world amazing. I can’t wait for the next book Clouds in the Future due to be published November 15, 2024. If I could give Shadows of the Past a higher rating than five I would.

I highly recommend Shadows of the Past to all science fiction fans! Grab a copy of Shadows of the Past and begin the adventure today!

[Mads Finster · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I would like to say thank you to The Goodreads Team for this free kindle read!

Personally, I like War of the Worlds but that’s about it, just a nice classic to have read at least once. With that being said I didn’t have the highest hopes for it this would keep me entertained but I can honestly say each chapter had me flipping desperate for the next.

Both of our main characters we follow the POV of share drastic and extreme but both very emotionally and personal trials and tribulations in trying to put back together, essentially what life is after the Martians. But not just our life, what can war look like with these machines? What damage can this advanced technology do when used by the corrupt of man?

This story does so well presenting that world for us while presenting a group of beautifully designed and intricately flawed characters. I found for even the ones I couldn’t stand in the beginning and was SET on I won’t like them ( we’ve all had at least one book character like this) I was pleasantly moved by seeing these characters develop not just in their personal growth but how they grow with their fellow soldiers, colleagues, friends,etc.,

This was a wonderful continuation to the world H.G. Wells gave us while also adding a new storyline to it without it becoming a messy sequel for a quick cash grab or anything of the sort. I highly look forward to finishing the rest of this series!

[The Void Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Shadows of the Past: The Great War of the Worlds #1** by Eric Goenbelbecker is an intriguing introduction to a promising trilogy. While the pace may feel a bit slow at times, this deliberate pacing allows for a deep dive into the rich and immersive world that Goenbelbecker has crafted.

The author’s attention to detail in world-building is commendable. The settings are vividly described, making it easy for readers to visualize the landscapes and cultures of this new universe. Goenbelbecker’s world feels alive and expansive, providing a solid foundation for the narrative to unfold.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its well-developed characters. Each character is given a distinct personality and backstory, which adds layers to the story and keeps the reader engaged. Their interactions and growth throughout the book feel natural and contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment of the story.

In summary, **Shadows of the Past** may start off a bit slow, but it quickly rewards readers with its intricate world-building and detailed character development. It’s a strong start to what promises to be an engaging and immersive series. If you enjoy detailed fantasy worlds and character-driven stories, this book is definitely worth a read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book in return for a review.

A couple of decades after the events in H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds", and World War I is raging in Europe. Some German soldiers are attacked by a Martian wanderer. One of the enlisted men, Emil, manages to lead a group of others away, where they encounter a group of soldiers preparing under a general. Emil is promoted, first to lieutenant than to captain. He discovers that the general's men have salvaged Martian equipment and learned how to utilize it.

Meanwhile, in New York City, an Edison Electric worker finds that the worldwide 0communications system is being jammed, and finds a way to locate the source of the jamming. The jamming has prevented all news from the rest of the world from reaching the U.S., so they have no idea the Martians are back.

Having read "The War of the Worlds" as a child, and having seen both movie versions (the original was superior to the remake), I found this book to be very compelling and well-written. I recommend it without reservation.

[N. Glass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure if they ever directly claimed the connection, but I remember an odd little British TV series called Tripods that showed a world governed by these aliens, as if they had been the victors of the War of the Worlds. So I was intrigued by this book and what the author imagined happening two decades after the “Martians” attacked.

We follow Emil, a German soldier in France, and James, an American radio tech working for Edison. Both characters have realistic arcs and growth. I enjoyed the journey of discovery as we don’t learn right away exactly what is happening and how the events in Europe and New York connect. There are a few slight twists, not monumental, but engaging.

I always appreciate a “book 1” that leaves me with a satisfying ending while whetting my appetite for more, and Shadows of the Past does that.

[Susan Kalt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a GIVEAWAY. Ten years after the aliens invaded and were infected with a virus they return again. Emil is a German soldier and is trying to get home to check on his mother. James is an engineer and takes care of his mother in America. They both are working on radio transmissions between each other. A faction tries to take over and stops the radios from working on both sides. They are using weapons that the aliens left behind to attack humans and leveling cities. This book was an easy read but took time to figure out the plot. I will be reading the sequels when they come out next year.

[Big Fat Hairy Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emil, a young German, and James, a young American, are both trying to find their way in a post-Martian invaded world where Martian technology is being used willy-nilly across the globe in a very violent manner. This is an interesting series start and I look forward to the next installment.

I'm a member of the ARC team and have left an honest review voluntarily.

[J.W. Ellenhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read if you like:

*Lots of detailed historical references
*Honoring the original concepts in the novel “The War of the Worlds”
*Stories where technicians not trained in battle can become heroes
*Honest looks at old trench warfare
*Dual POV stories alternating chapters

[jonathan sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant

What a fantastic book! I love the authors take on this and he really does the story justice. First class writing and you soon become sucked into the story!!!!

[Marjie Alonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an entertaining and fun book to read, with the right flavor of smarts and fun.

[Kinyorda Sliwiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed the premise of a world war that included both countries and aliens. The parallel stories between the two different military "leaders" were confusing at times but allowed for a more developed story once you got the characters straight. The last quarter of the book dragged on. It became clear that there was going to be another book in the series and the author wasn't willing to tie up all the lose ends. Not a terrible ending but not satisfying after all the stalling. I would read another book by this author.