Book Review - The 34th Degree by Thomas Greanias

The 34th Degree falls somewhere in between the niches of alternate histories and historical science fiction. Thomas Greanias has penned two such novels besides his trilogy of Atlantis tales. First was The Promised War which introduced Sam Deker as a time-traveling memory agent who found himself in Jerusalem circa 1400 AD. Deker returns in The 34th Degree, this time making a journey somewhat unwillingly into the brain tissues of participants in the '40s who lived through the devastating Nazi takeover of Greece. Like most good plots, it's all very complex and twisted, as Chris Andros replaces Deker as main protagonist after the reader is taken back in time. But Greanias explores an alternate history of British/American alliances to topple Hitler's regime, and The 34th Degree comes together as a well-researched piece that mixes action with espionage for one hell of a journey.


Chris Andros is introduced to us early on as one of the recurring characters of the novel. Despite Deker's involvement, Greanias doesn't spend much time letting the reader get to know him; if you haven't read The Promised War, you might even be a bit confused about his role in The 34th Degree. Deker's characterization is lacking, and the frame story surrounding the 1940s Nazi plot is awkwardly explained. The science fiction elements here work, but the essence of why Deker is taking this brain trip into the past is never fully explored, nor does it seem as important as the alternate history Andros is involved in. It's almost as though Deker is unnecessary here; Andros and Greanias' enemy Ludwig von Berg could easily have carried The 34th Degree as an enjoyable thriller.

This is because Greanias has done the work of researching the time period he's working with. There are numerous references to real events; a paragraph or two about the supposed four authors of the Bible left me impressed with the extent of Greanias' probing. It's obvious the author cares about getting his facts correct, and that translates to verisimilitude in the novel.

But the fast pace of the novel also involves Greanias' magnificent ability to pen short, concise chapters that keep the adrenaline moving. The SS officer Baron von Berg is a magnificent villain, short-tempered with a tenacity and menace that makes him a formidable opponent for Andros. Likewise, Greanias captures the other dangers of the time period: warring factions, the uncertainty of safety, and the corruption of government. Compelling and razor-sharp, the plot works as a sort of old-fashioned adventure arc - sometimes convenient, but always surprising.

Slash to the Point: Greanias puts his all into The 34th Degree, there's no doubt about that. Though his main character Deker feels a bit underdeveloped and the frame story is given lesser attention than the Nazi threat, the novel is deep and unpredictable, always almost spiraling out of control before finding new tension. Time-travel and alternate histories combine for a thrilling trip to the past, although you might not recognize everything Greanias throws at you.