Eighty years ago the Nazis won World War II and are ruling the former United States with an iron fist. They have murdered millions upon millions in a world divided among the Communist Russia, Japan, Italy and Nazi Germany.

Those still alive are ruled over by not only the normal military but Anomalies as well. They are humans that were created genetically enhanced and trained from youth. They only allow perfect German anomalies to survive all others are killed.

Zara St. James is a sixteen year old girl who lives with her uncle. She is half white and half Japanese and looked down on by all others. She has survived by following the rules, staying quiet and hiding the fact that she is an anomaly. Her mother and her uncle were members of the Alliance, a group determined to over throw the Nazi regime. With her mother dead fighting for the cause and her uncle too determined to protect her to fight Zara can't stand watching innocent people killed any more. Now she feels she must do something, so when the Alliance comes calling she jumps at the chance to help.

THE ONLY THING TO FEAR is an interesting look at how the world would be if the Nazis had won the war. It is not a nice world that emerged after the war; Caroline Tung Richmond does not shy away from the fact that the Nazis would have "cleansed" the world given the chance. You can feel the fear and desperation in the people trying to live their daily lives, determined to just make it to the next day. She also hits upon the American spirit that we hope would still be there even after eighty years of suppression.

The characters are strong and determined and you are drawn into their world. THE ONLY THING TO FEAR is a great story that I read cover to cover in one afternoon. Caroline Tung Richmond has a hit with this young adult novel that shows anyone and everyone can make a difference.