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Birdie Down
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The Outer-Rim rebellion stumbles into its second day ...and in the wrong direction.
The third generation residents of the resource-rich New Worlds are seeking to throw off the yoke of corporate rule. Ex-Resource War veteran, Sebastian Scatkiewicz and his colleague, Andrew 'Birdie' Goosen, have dared to take on the biggest company of them all. Hot from attacking the Lynthax Corporation head offices on Trevon and then on G-eo they're planning to attack a third. But there's friction in the rebel camp. Scat's ignoring the advice of colleagues. His personal beef with Jack Petroff, Lynthax's head of security, is affecting his judgement; his friends and political masters are doubting his motives; and the loyalty of the newest recruits is far from certain...
'Birdie Down' fits right in at chapter 100 of the bigger story, 'Scat' (also free at Smashwords and Amazon)
The Outer-Rim rebellion stumbles into its second day ...and in the wrong direction.
The third generation residents of the resource-rich New Worlds are seeking to throw off the yoke of corporate rule. Ex-Resource War veteran, Sebastian Scatkiewicz and his colleague, Andrew 'Birdie' Goosen, have dared to take on the biggest company of them all. Hot from attacking the Lynthax Corporation head offices on Trevon and then on G-eo they're planning to attack a third. But there's friction in the rebel camp. Scat's ignoring the advice of colleagues. His personal beef with Jack Petroff, Lynthax's head of security, is affecting his judgement; his friends and political masters are doubting his motives; and the loyalty of the newest recruits is far from certain...
'Birdie Down' fits right in at chapter 100 of the bigger story, 'Scat' (also free at Smashwords and Amazon)
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2012
About the author
Jim Graham
3 books26 followersI was born in Bushey, Middlesex, England and grew up in Hatfield, Hertfordshire where I spent my early years covered in mud and grazes. When not gated to the garden, I stirred up neighbourhood wasp nests and made earwig and spider snacks for my baby brother.
I passed selection for the 21st Special Air Service Regiment at age 17 and was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Queen’s Regiment with which I served for several years in Northern Ireland.
Since leaving the army in 1986, I have lived and worked in Malaysia, South Africa, Belgium, Singapore and Hong Kong.
I started writing scifi in September 2010 and have since published SCAT and BIRDIE DOWN, both based on events in Scat’s Universe. ARMY of SOULS, the sequel to SCAT has recently uploaded to Amazon and Smashwords. SCAT is a big 'what if'. ARMY of SOULS is more of a 'what now'. Both are space operas, which question political systems, economic dependency, compromised regulators, too big to fail businesses, and conflict and vested interest in faith. BIRDIE DOWN is more of an episodic 'shoot em up', akin to a 50s scifi pulp. BIRDIE DOWN's sequel, PHARMA, is almost done.
I live with Vivien, my Malaysian-born wife, two East Asian street dogs and four pampered cats in Asia’s World City, Hong Kong. It is the company-run city which inspired Go Down City and the Lynthax Corporation in Scat’s Universe.
Twitter @jimsgraham
I passed selection for the 21st Special Air Service Regiment at age 17 and was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Queen’s Regiment with which I served for several years in Northern Ireland.
Since leaving the army in 1986, I have lived and worked in Malaysia, South Africa, Belgium, Singapore and Hong Kong.
I started writing scifi in September 2010 and have since published SCAT and BIRDIE DOWN, both based on events in Scat’s Universe. ARMY of SOULS, the sequel to SCAT has recently uploaded to Amazon and Smashwords. SCAT is a big 'what if'. ARMY of SOULS is more of a 'what now'. Both are space operas, which question political systems, economic dependency, compromised regulators, too big to fail businesses, and conflict and vested interest in faith. BIRDIE DOWN is more of an episodic 'shoot em up', akin to a 50s scifi pulp. BIRDIE DOWN's sequel, PHARMA, is almost done.
I live with Vivien, my Malaysian-born wife, two East Asian street dogs and four pampered cats in Asia’s World City, Hong Kong. It is the company-run city which inspired Go Down City and the Lynthax Corporation in Scat’s Universe.
Twitter @jimsgraham
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 27, 2012
Birdie Down is Jim Graham’s second novel and a science fiction version of what Rudyard Kipling would have called a "ripping good yarn." What we have here is high adventure of the best kind with a motley collection of crashed revolutionaries and hostages struggling to survive on a jungle planet rife with bad weather, deadly creatures, and hostile enemy forces. The odd dose of rank treachery adds even more spice to the rich mix.
The book opens with some solid foundation-laying. Birdie Down is an episode within the greater story told in Graham’s first novel, Scat (see my review), and early chapters provide the tie-in. We soon reach the story’s heart.
Andrew “Birdie” Goosen, the Birdie of the book’s title, is flying a shuttle on a critical mission only days into a revolt against an oppressive corporate entity that dominates planets on the “outer rim,” the region of known space farthest from Earth. At the start, he has only one small problem: he does not know how to fly. This soon becomes apparent and government fighters shoot his craft out of the sky. In the process, they also down a shuttle filled with former hostages.
Birdie (and company) survives, only now he has a whole lot of big problems. Bad weather keeps the enemy temporarily at bay, but torrential rain brings on the planet's feeding season, a frenzy reminiscent of the one on the much drier world in Vin Diesel's, “Pitch Black.” The story unfolds as the crash survivors try to reach safe-haven located miles away through a flooding jungle erupting with ravenous fanged fish and swarming man-eating vermin. This is definitely not a tale for the squeamish.
The jungle journey is a thrill in itself, yet there is more to come as the scene shifts to a flooding riverbank where huge monsters and enemy agents await the unwary. It all climaxes in a final shootout between rebel rescuers and corporate forces. However, as so often happens in Graham’s work, the story takes a number of unexpected turns and some things are not what they appear to be.
Besides the suspenseful adventure, what makes this novel work so well is Birdie. He is an extremely likable character and comes across as the decent human being caught up in a nasty situation not of his making. He tries so hard to do the right thing that you cannot help but respect and admire him. Other characters are well drawn, interesting, and effective.
There are some minor indie glitches here and there, but none that impairs the pleasing classic-sci-fi feel this entertaining novel so consistently presents. If you enjoy desperate struggles to survive against long odds, this one is a winner.
The book opens with some solid foundation-laying. Birdie Down is an episode within the greater story told in Graham’s first novel, Scat (see my review), and early chapters provide the tie-in. We soon reach the story’s heart.
Andrew “Birdie” Goosen, the Birdie of the book’s title, is flying a shuttle on a critical mission only days into a revolt against an oppressive corporate entity that dominates planets on the “outer rim,” the region of known space farthest from Earth. At the start, he has only one small problem: he does not know how to fly. This soon becomes apparent and government fighters shoot his craft out of the sky. In the process, they also down a shuttle filled with former hostages.
Birdie (and company) survives, only now he has a whole lot of big problems. Bad weather keeps the enemy temporarily at bay, but torrential rain brings on the planet's feeding season, a frenzy reminiscent of the one on the much drier world in Vin Diesel's, “Pitch Black.” The story unfolds as the crash survivors try to reach safe-haven located miles away through a flooding jungle erupting with ravenous fanged fish and swarming man-eating vermin. This is definitely not a tale for the squeamish.
The jungle journey is a thrill in itself, yet there is more to come as the scene shifts to a flooding riverbank where huge monsters and enemy agents await the unwary. It all climaxes in a final shootout between rebel rescuers and corporate forces. However, as so often happens in Graham’s work, the story takes a number of unexpected turns and some things are not what they appear to be.
Besides the suspenseful adventure, what makes this novel work so well is Birdie. He is an extremely likable character and comes across as the decent human being caught up in a nasty situation not of his making. He tries so hard to do the right thing that you cannot help but respect and admire him. Other characters are well drawn, interesting, and effective.
There are some minor indie glitches here and there, but none that impairs the pleasing classic-sci-fi feel this entertaining novel so consistently presents. If you enjoy desperate struggles to survive against long odds, this one is a winner.
January 15, 2013
Birdie Down by Jim Graham is an interesting side story that takes place in Graham’s Scat universe. In 2210, rebels led by Sebastian Scatkiewicz (known as ‘Scat’) are protesting the corporate rule of space. As his team is reaching out to cause trouble on one of the worlds owned by the enemy Lynthax corporation, a ship containing the rebel and former police officer Andrew Goosen (known as ‘Birdie’) goes down and must be abandoned for the good of the rebellion.
Birdie now has the enjoyment of trying to run with/rescue a friend and college (Tillier Bing) who was hurt so that he doesn’t remember knowing Birdie, the entire rebellion he was fighting for, or even what he had claimed was his own name. If that wasn’t enough, the two of them are stuck in a swamp swarming with giant lizards and horrible spider-rat creatures so sickening that you wouldn’t even leave a hated enemy to fend with them.
For everyone who loved the first one, this book is not to be missed. As the story is slightly set aside from it’s predecessor, it should stand alone well enough, but as the two works fit together into an elaborate, well put together tail, there is no real reason to miss either one. I hear Jim has a third story in the works; I am eagerly awaiting getting the chance to read it
Birdie now has the enjoyment of trying to run with/rescue a friend and college (Tillier Bing) who was hurt so that he doesn’t remember knowing Birdie, the entire rebellion he was fighting for, or even what he had claimed was his own name. If that wasn’t enough, the two of them are stuck in a swamp swarming with giant lizards and horrible spider-rat creatures so sickening that you wouldn’t even leave a hated enemy to fend with them.
For everyone who loved the first one, this book is not to be missed. As the story is slightly set aside from it’s predecessor, it should stand alone well enough, but as the two works fit together into an elaborate, well put together tail, there is no real reason to miss either one. I hear Jim has a third story in the works; I am eagerly awaiting getting the chance to read it
May 23, 2012
Birdie Down is a guns-blazing tale of a group of rebels in the Outer Rim, taking on the Lynthax Corporation. Scatkiewicz (or “Scat”) and his crew have hijacked a ship and attacked Corporation facilities on two worlds and are chased to a third. A group of rebels, led by Andrew “Birdie” Goosen, has crash landed a shuttle into the swampy jungle on the planet below. They must not only survive the Corporation forces searching for them, but also all the nasties that an alien world can throw at them.
Apparently this book was written for fun in only five weeks – if that is the case then Jim Graham has done a great job in a very short time. The start of the story thrusts the reader right into the action and there’s little time for character descriptions, but as the story moves on we get to know the crew better. Once the attack begins on Constitution, the action is exciting and non-stop, with plenty of alien creatures and gory bits.
This story is perfect for lovers of gritty sci-fi and fans of space opera will love it.
Apparently this book was written for fun in only five weeks – if that is the case then Jim Graham has done a great job in a very short time. The start of the story thrusts the reader right into the action and there’s little time for character descriptions, but as the story moves on we get to know the crew better. Once the attack begins on Constitution, the action is exciting and non-stop, with plenty of alien creatures and gory bits.
This story is perfect for lovers of gritty sci-fi and fans of space opera will love it.
April 7, 2019
Space
I rather well enjoyed this one. I liked the characters and it had a good storyline. I look forward to more from this author.
I rather well enjoyed this one. I liked the characters and it had a good storyline. I look forward to more from this author.
August 21, 2012
Jim Graham's Birdie Down is an engaging read that, despite a few flaws, is well worth checking out if you are a fan of what I might call swashbuckling science fiction. The book follows the progress of the inter-planetary revolution begun in Scat (which I have not yet read as for some reason I got hold of "Birdie" first. I plan to go back and read the first book next time I'm in the mood).
The story and the characters are engaging, although I didn't get "grabbed" until probably 50 pages in--getting a little close to my limit. Mr. Graham has created a consistent world, and largely avoids the "Bat utility belt" approach to solving SF problems (you know: when all else fails, pull out some amazing high-tech device to solve the problem). At times, however, I found it hard to keep track of things. The author creates a very real feel by using the acronyms and nicknames for things that would be common to the characters. I might recommend, however, that for those of us with shorter attention spans, he might want to occasionally throw in the full-length version, as I at times found myself a little lost.
A few other issues brought this book down from four stars to 3 or 3.5. First and largest, the changes of POV need more markers, especially as there are enough characters that it's not always easy to remember who is on which side. This (like the issue with jargon) was exacerbated by the piecemeal approach I took to reading the first hundred or so pages, which allowed me to forget too much. Things definitely were better after I was grabbed and read straight through the second half of the book, but I still needed more markers. As an aside, that's an issue that's worse with e-books. If I'd been reading a paper book, I'd have just flipped back to check out what I couldn't remember.
My second criticism is that the book needs better editing. I was at times distracted by minor errors of spelling (typing) or word use. If you are less anal than I about such, you probably wouldn't notice, but I did.
Finally, I was unsatisfied with the ending. Although the story is brought to a resting point, I thought it left too many loose ends (a couple of them brought up just in time to be left), making it a little too clear that a sequel will be coming--and must be read if you really want to know how things will work out in the end.
Despite these criticisms, I will reiterate: I enjoyed reading Birdie Down and can recommend it as an interesting read, and I plan to follow the development of the Revolution.
EDIT 8/20/12: I understand that Mr. Graham has edited the book and addressed many of the issues I raise. I have not yet looked at the edited version, but am confident that he has improved the readability of the book.
The story and the characters are engaging, although I didn't get "grabbed" until probably 50 pages in--getting a little close to my limit. Mr. Graham has created a consistent world, and largely avoids the "Bat utility belt" approach to solving SF problems (you know: when all else fails, pull out some amazing high-tech device to solve the problem). At times, however, I found it hard to keep track of things. The author creates a very real feel by using the acronyms and nicknames for things that would be common to the characters. I might recommend, however, that for those of us with shorter attention spans, he might want to occasionally throw in the full-length version, as I at times found myself a little lost.
A few other issues brought this book down from four stars to 3 or 3.5. First and largest, the changes of POV need more markers, especially as there are enough characters that it's not always easy to remember who is on which side. This (like the issue with jargon) was exacerbated by the piecemeal approach I took to reading the first hundred or so pages, which allowed me to forget too much. Things definitely were better after I was grabbed and read straight through the second half of the book, but I still needed more markers. As an aside, that's an issue that's worse with e-books. If I'd been reading a paper book, I'd have just flipped back to check out what I couldn't remember.
My second criticism is that the book needs better editing. I was at times distracted by minor errors of spelling (typing) or word use. If you are less anal than I about such, you probably wouldn't notice, but I did.
Finally, I was unsatisfied with the ending. Although the story is brought to a resting point, I thought it left too many loose ends (a couple of them brought up just in time to be left), making it a little too clear that a sequel will be coming--and must be read if you really want to know how things will work out in the end.
Despite these criticisms, I will reiterate: I enjoyed reading Birdie Down and can recommend it as an interesting read, and I plan to follow the development of the Revolution.
EDIT 8/20/12: I understand that Mr. Graham has edited the book and addressed many of the issues I raise. I have not yet looked at the edited version, but am confident that he has improved the readability of the book.
March 24, 2012
The year is 2210, and things are just a bit different now. Earth has several planets and they are under corporate rule. The corporation then reports back to Earth. Lynthax is that company. As with many companies, Lynthax believe themselves to be above the law. They downsize and rearrange peoples lives in a careless way. Many found fault with Lynthax and decided to fight back. The rebellion is new and still unorganized, but willing to fight to the death to expose the ways of Lynthax. The rebels are looking for independence from Earth and they'll do anything to get it. They promised land to those who would join the rebellion and help them gain the independence. The first to join were ex-cops. They'd been fired from their jobs by Lynthax. Andrew "Birdie" Goosen is one of them. During one mission to shut down Lynthax information storage facilities, Birdie's shuttle is shot down. Now what? Read the book to find out more.
I am a geek fan if ever there was one for books such as this. I love 'seeing' into the future as to what others feel our world might include. Jim Graham didn't disappoint. His vision of Earth in 2210 seems to be right in line with where we are today. The story is age old, the oppressed fighting the oppressor. It's always been my habit to support the underdog and I'm no different in this instance. Birdie Down is a well crafted tale and action filled. You'll enjoy the way this story unfolds with no apology for what the rebels do in an effort to win freedom. It offers all the things a scifi fan would look for and includes some, to me at least, gory, horror film stuff too. Not over the top, just fits with the story.
I am delighted to say, there were no issues.
I gave this on 4 out of 5 books just because of the horror film quality in part of it (not a fan).
I am a geek fan if ever there was one for books such as this. I love 'seeing' into the future as to what others feel our world might include. Jim Graham didn't disappoint. His vision of Earth in 2210 seems to be right in line with where we are today. The story is age old, the oppressed fighting the oppressor. It's always been my habit to support the underdog and I'm no different in this instance. Birdie Down is a well crafted tale and action filled. You'll enjoy the way this story unfolds with no apology for what the rebels do in an effort to win freedom. It offers all the things a scifi fan would look for and includes some, to me at least, gory, horror film stuff too. Not over the top, just fits with the story.
I am delighted to say, there were no issues.
I gave this on 4 out of 5 books just because of the horror film quality in part of it (not a fan).
April 7, 2012
For a book written in five weeks, it ain't half bad. It has all the elements a sci fi story requires, lasers, star ships and rebels. It reminds me of a space opera than anything else. The characters are not developed to a point for me to invest myself in them. They seem to be very stereo-typical.
Graham should be congratulated on writing and publishing this book in record time. I would hope he can keep up the pace and should have a large collection of work in no time. I was not particularly impressed by this story. It did not find it very interesting to me. At some points, I found it very annoying. Within the story is a laser rifle the author calls a PIKL. It stands for Pulsed Impulsive Kill Laser. In the entire story, the term PIKL is overly used. I would hope that in that vast universe there would be other types of firearms.
The story line is done well and resolves in a way that will allowing the characters to continues in other books. I believe a sequel is in the works. I can say that Birdie Down is not a must read but it's not something to avoid. Graham shows potential and talent and will only get better at his craft.
Graham should be congratulated on writing and publishing this book in record time. I would hope he can keep up the pace and should have a large collection of work in no time. I was not particularly impressed by this story. It did not find it very interesting to me. At some points, I found it very annoying. Within the story is a laser rifle the author calls a PIKL. It stands for Pulsed Impulsive Kill Laser. In the entire story, the term PIKL is overly used. I would hope that in that vast universe there would be other types of firearms.
The story line is done well and resolves in a way that will allowing the characters to continues in other books. I believe a sequel is in the works. I can say that Birdie Down is not a must read but it's not something to avoid. Graham shows potential and talent and will only get better at his craft.
June 17, 2014
Birdie Down as the title refers to the crash landing of a protagonist who supplies the majority of the point of view. His name is Goosen but his friends call him Birdie. He is an ex-cop as are all of his companions who are starting to rebel against the corporate chartered rule of the Lynthrax Corporation by shutting down power sources on their key worlds away from Earth. That’s the big picture.
The smaller setting of Birdie Down takes place on a world called Constitution. There are some vile creatures on this particular world mankind has decided to settle and man brings some of his own. The main line in this short installment is survival.
I enjoyed this story though at times I felt myself confused as to who was in the center of the story. Goosen’s companion in the crash also has more than one name. It gets complicated. Anyway, I’m giving this three nods out of five.
http://www.amazon.com/Birdie-Down-Reb...
The smaller setting of Birdie Down takes place on a world called Constitution. There are some vile creatures on this particular world mankind has decided to settle and man brings some of his own. The main line in this short installment is survival.
I enjoyed this story though at times I felt myself confused as to who was in the center of the story. Goosen’s companion in the crash also has more than one name. It gets complicated. Anyway, I’m giving this three nods out of five.
http://www.amazon.com/Birdie-Down-Reb...
September 4, 2013
I always enjoy getting wrapped up in a good science fiction space opera and Birdie Down by Jim Graham is just such a book. It is full of action and intrigue which kept me glued to the pages.
The author did a great job of developing a story that was believable and realistic. The action scenes in the book were exciting and at the same time not so farfetched that you got lost in them. I found it easy to put myself into the story and follow the characters.
The character development was excellent and Jim Graham made each of his characters real and easy to identify with. I like it when characters have an everyday Joe personality and are easy to relate to.
I really enjoyed Birdie Down by Jim Graham and I highly recommend this book.
The author did a great job of developing a story that was believable and realistic. The action scenes in the book were exciting and at the same time not so farfetched that you got lost in them. I found it easy to put myself into the story and follow the characters.
The character development was excellent and Jim Graham made each of his characters real and easy to identify with. I like it when characters have an everyday Joe personality and are easy to relate to.
I really enjoyed Birdie Down by Jim Graham and I highly recommend this book.
July 10, 2013
I enjoyed it, but I would rather have read it as a part of Scats Universe rather than a stand alone novel. For me it fills a gap in the original novel and could be a bit bewildering for someone who hasn't read Scat'a Universe.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews