Precision Writing with Emotional Depth

Blending strategic intelligence with deeply human storytelling, Fallout of War: Ukraine – Year One by H. Peter Alesso is a gripping geopolitical thriller infused with military realism and political tension.

Lieutenant Commander James Fairbanks, a U.S. Navy submarine officer, is reassigned as naval attaché to the American embassy in Kyiv in late 2021. He arrives with his wife Lucy, a State Department analyst fluent in Russian and Ukrainian, expecting routine briefings and ceremonial diplomacy. Instead, James encounters something far more unsettling: a city functioning normally while quietly bracing for catastrophe. In cafés and corridors of power, he hears what official reports only hint at: a grandmother speaks of her grandson stationed near Donetsk and a foreign ministry official predicts invasion with chilling certainty. James comes to understand that the real battlefield begins long before the first missile—within intelligence assessments, political hesitation, and the psychology of leaders. As Russian forces tighten their grip around Ukraine’s borders, his reports gain urgency in Washington, while Lucy’s analysis of Russian media reveals a narrative carefully crafted to justify war.

Alesso’s writing is meticulous, informed, and restrained. His military background lends authenticity to operational details, intelligence assessments, and diplomatic protocols. The dialogue is sharp without being theatrical, and the pacing mirrors the slow tightening of geopolitical tension. Particularly impressive is the balance between macro-level strategy and intimate human perspective. The alternating focus on James and Lucy allows readers to experience both battlefield logic and civilian conscience. The author’s research into Ukrainian history, Russian doctrine, and NATO dynamics gives the novel credibility and depth without overwhelming the reader.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent war fiction rooted in real-world events, Fallout of War is an engaging read because it feels immediate and plausible, transforming headlines into human stories. For those interested in leadership, moral responsibility, and the fragile line between diplomacy and war, this read is both compelling and thought-provoking. 5 stars!