The American Revolution gets an extreme makeover in “The United States of Atlantis,” by Harry Turtledove (Roc, 438 pgs., $25.95).

The sequel to “Opening Atlantis” shows an older Victor Radcliff as a reluctant rebel leader on the eighth continent of Atlantis. The English have chased the French from Atlantis, so who better to take the fight to the British than ex-English officer Radcliff?

Some parallels between America and Atlantis are obvious: King George sending troops to quell an Atlantean uprising over lack of representation in Parliament, for one. And historical figures such as Thomas Paine make an appearance in this otherwise alternate history tale.

Slavery is still a fresh issue, too, as Radcliff is aided by ex-slave Blaise. In dialogue, they are equals. Their conversations crackle with insights, many served with humor. Perhaps that’s due to the historical accuracy of their talking points.

To be sure, Turtledove adds his twists, but they are so rooted in the Revolutionary War setting that they also have an accurate sense (and won’t be given away here).

So taken together, whip-smart dialogue and Turtledove’s expertise make this book something of an anomaly: the middle book of a trilogy that is one of the author’s best works.

Other sci-fi reads

Jim Butcher is well-known for his Dresden Files series, but he wields sorcery in another series as well: “The Codex Alera,” of which “Princeps’ Fury,” (Ace, 386 pgs., $25.95), is the fifth book. Unlike the contemporary Chicago setting of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera books have a basis in the Roman Empire.

Tavi of Calderon has been revealed as Princeps Gaius Octavian, heir to the throne of Alera, and his leadership skills are befitting as he negotiates peace with longtime foes the Canim.

Alas, the enemy of my enemy. That peace serves as an alliance against the Vord, an insectoid species that has laid waste to the homeland of the wolflike Canim.

Butcher rouses the reader with climactic battle scenes. Furthermore, for all the furies flying around, he keeps the action rooted in Roman days. However, this is a story that could have been tighter and told in fewer pages.

“The Engine’s Child,” by Holly Phillips (Del Rey, 386 pgs., $15): An unlikable novice to the priesthood has a save-or-destroy power in this self-conscious dark fantasy.

“Fortune and Fate,” by Sharon Shinn (Ace, 403 pgs., $24.95): A female warrior saves a teen heiress and would leave it at that if not for fate. A Twelve Houses book that glides along.