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The Philosophers Series #2
The Philosopher's War
The second book in the thrilling series that began with The Philosopher’s Flight finds Robert Canderelli Weekes as a rookie Rescue and Evacuation flier on the front lines of World War I in France. He came to save lives, but has no idea how far he’ll have to go to win the war.
Thanks to a stunning flying performance and a harrowing shootout in the streets of Boston, Robert Canderelli Weekes’s lifelong dream has come true: he’s the first male allowed to join the US Sigilry Corps’s Rescue and Evacuation service, an elite, all-woman team of flying medics.
But as he deploys to France during the waning days of the Great War, Sigilwoman Third-Class Canderelli learns that carrying the injured from the front lines to the field hospital is not the grand adventure he imagined. His division, full of misfits and renegades, is stretched the breaking point and has no patience for a man striving to prove himself. Slowly, Robert wins their trust and discovers his comrades are plotting to end the Great War by outlawed philosophical means. Robert becomes caught up in their conspiracy, running raids in enemy territory and uncovering vital intelligence. Friends old and new will need his help with a dangerous scheme that just might win the war overnight and save a few million lives. But the German smokecarvers have plans of their own: a devastating all-out attack that threatens to destroy the Corps and France itself. Naturally, Robert is trapped right in the thick of it.
The Philosopher’s War is the electrifying next chapter in Robert Weekes’s story, filled with heroic, unconventional women, thrilling covert missions, romance and, of course, plenty of aerial adventures. The second book in a series “that grabs readers from its opening lines and doesn’t loosen its grip or lessen its hold all the way through” (Associated Press), Tom Miller again brings Robert’s world to life with unrivaled imagination, ambition, and wit.
Thanks to a stunning flying performance and a harrowing shootout in the streets of Boston, Robert Canderelli Weekes’s lifelong dream has come true: he’s the first male allowed to join the US Sigilry Corps’s Rescue and Evacuation service, an elite, all-woman team of flying medics.
But as he deploys to France during the waning days of the Great War, Sigilwoman Third-Class Canderelli learns that carrying the injured from the front lines to the field hospital is not the grand adventure he imagined. His division, full of misfits and renegades, is stretched the breaking point and has no patience for a man striving to prove himself. Slowly, Robert wins their trust and discovers his comrades are plotting to end the Great War by outlawed philosophical means. Robert becomes caught up in their conspiracy, running raids in enemy territory and uncovering vital intelligence. Friends old and new will need his help with a dangerous scheme that just might win the war overnight and save a few million lives. But the German smokecarvers have plans of their own: a devastating all-out attack that threatens to destroy the Corps and France itself. Naturally, Robert is trapped right in the thick of it.
The Philosopher’s War is the electrifying next chapter in Robert Weekes’s story, filled with heroic, unconventional women, thrilling covert missions, romance and, of course, plenty of aerial adventures. The second book in a series “that grabs readers from its opening lines and doesn’t loosen its grip or lessen its hold all the way through” (Associated Press), Tom Miller again brings Robert’s world to life with unrivaled imagination, ambition, and wit.
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First published July 16, 2019
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About the author
Tom Miller
2 books240 followersTom Miller grew up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He graduated from Harvard University and went on to earn an MFA in creative writing from the University of Notre Dame and an MD from the University of Pittsburgh. While writing The Philosopher's Flight, he worked as a travel guidebook writer, EMT, and college English instructor. He's now an emergency room doctor in Madison, Wisconsin. The Philosopher's Flight is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
April 24, 2019
The second book in this excellent series and it was just as good as the first.
Robert leaves his education behind and heads off to take his part in this author's wonderfully imagined alternative World War One. Wanting to save people rather than kill them Robert joins Rescue and Evacuation where he uses his flying skills to bring injured soldiers out of the fighting zones. Note that his flying skills are magical. No plane is required.
I love Tom Miller's imagination and his expertly created steam punk world which includes drawings and descriptions of the equipment used in flying and fighting. The capture of Berlin is just perfect in its conception and in the way the team carry it out.
Robert himself has developed into an intriguing and oh so likeable character and this is not spoiling anything by saying that the best woman won! This pleased me enormously! I am not sure if the author is planning to write more about Robert but if you read the quotes at the start of each chapter and check the speaker and date carefully one of them gives a huge hint as to the direction future history will take, at least for our hero.
If you enjoy alternative history with a bit of magic on the side then you will enjoy The Philosopher's War but make sure to read The Philosopher's Flight first.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Robert leaves his education behind and heads off to take his part in this author's wonderfully imagined alternative World War One. Wanting to save people rather than kill them Robert joins Rescue and Evacuation where he uses his flying skills to bring injured soldiers out of the fighting zones. Note that his flying skills are magical. No plane is required.
I love Tom Miller's imagination and his expertly created steam punk world which includes drawings and descriptions of the equipment used in flying and fighting. The capture of Berlin is just perfect in its conception and in the way the team carry it out.
Robert himself has developed into an intriguing and oh so likeable character and this is not spoiling anything by saying that the best woman won! This pleased me enormously! I am not sure if the author is planning to write more about Robert but if you read the quotes at the start of each chapter and check the speaker and date carefully one of them gives a huge hint as to the direction future history will take, at least for our hero.
If you enjoy alternative history with a bit of magic on the side then you will enjoy The Philosopher's War but make sure to read The Philosopher's Flight first.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 16, 2019
Out of order, but still good!
Update 7/16/19--Happy publication day!
Confession time--I committed a cardinal sin of book reading.
I picked up book 2 in this series before reading book 1. Luckily, it worked out pretty well this time. Most of the background info I needed was provided, and I did a bit of light googling to help me figure things out a bit more quickly.
If you're new to this series, as I was, sigilry is the type of magic practiced in this world, and it's mainly practiced by women. Sigilry can be used for a variety of things, but here, the most important uses are sending messages, transporting people and things (a little like Star Trek), healing injuries, and flying (without an airplane).
The background of how this magic came to be is only alluded to in The Philosopher's War. I'm assuming this world building is done in The Philosopher's Flight, so I definitely won't factor missing information into my review.
Note to US readers: Here,"philosopher" is used like it is in this book...
not this book.
Fascinating sounds like an odd word to describe a book about war, but I was fascinated by the reversal of gender roles in this world and how it impacted even the tiniest of details in people's everyday experience. When Robert Canderelli Weekes is placed in an elite WWI sigilry unit, his title is Sigilwoman, and he earns the privilege of being addressed as "ma'am." To avoid being overshadowed by his mother's accomplishments, he takes his father's last name while serving. Because women are in charge here, they've wasted no time putting into place progressive maternity and childcare policies that would be balked at by some of today's leaders.
While I expected the male MC to be the hero of this story, it's really all the women around him who are driving the action. They're the badass heroes, and he's mostly just trying to fit in and earn their approval. I'm back to the word fascinating again--it's fascinating how Miller is able to pull off this role reversal.
Once I became immersed in this world, action and drama kept me interested in reading more. If I had to quibble with anything, I'd say that there was some repetition across action scenes, and there were so many bit roles that I had trouble telling apart a few minor characters.
All in all, an enjoyable read! Four stars, and I plan to go back to The Philosopher's Flight to learn more about this world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a DRC of this novel.
Update 7/16/19--Happy publication day!
Confession time--I committed a cardinal sin of book reading.
I picked up book 2 in this series before reading book 1. Luckily, it worked out pretty well this time. Most of the background info I needed was provided, and I did a bit of light googling to help me figure things out a bit more quickly.
If you're new to this series, as I was, sigilry is the type of magic practiced in this world, and it's mainly practiced by women. Sigilry can be used for a variety of things, but here, the most important uses are sending messages, transporting people and things (a little like Star Trek), healing injuries, and flying (without an airplane).
The background of how this magic came to be is only alluded to in The Philosopher's War. I'm assuming this world building is done in The Philosopher's Flight, so I definitely won't factor missing information into my review.
Note to US readers: Here,"philosopher" is used like it is in this book...
not this book.
Fascinating sounds like an odd word to describe a book about war, but I was fascinated by the reversal of gender roles in this world and how it impacted even the tiniest of details in people's everyday experience. When Robert Canderelli Weekes is placed in an elite WWI sigilry unit, his title is Sigilwoman, and he earns the privilege of being addressed as "ma'am." To avoid being overshadowed by his mother's accomplishments, he takes his father's last name while serving. Because women are in charge here, they've wasted no time putting into place progressive maternity and childcare policies that would be balked at by some of today's leaders.
While I expected the male MC to be the hero of this story, it's really all the women around him who are driving the action. They're the badass heroes, and he's mostly just trying to fit in and earn their approval. I'm back to the word fascinating again--it's fascinating how Miller is able to pull off this role reversal.
Once I became immersed in this world, action and drama kept me interested in reading more. If I had to quibble with anything, I'd say that there was some repetition across action scenes, and there were so many bit roles that I had trouble telling apart a few minor characters.
All in all, an enjoyable read! Four stars, and I plan to go back to The Philosopher's Flight to learn more about this world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a DRC of this novel.
April 27, 2019
The Philosopher's Flight was brilliant. One of the most interesting and original novels I've read in a good long while. It followed Robert Weekes as he enters Radcliffe College with the goal of being the first male to ever join the R&E Service as a flying medic rescuing wounded soldiers in France. The Philosopher's Flight ended with him graduating and being accepted into R&E.
The Philosopher's War begins with him landing in France and joining the 5th Division, a motley group of misfits and malcontents, overworked and undermanned. As he starts rescuing soldiers from the front his comrades slowly warm to him and finally accept him. But he is much more than just an R&E flyer. He's the lynch pin in an audacious plan to force Germany to the sue for peace. A plan which if it fails could have him executed for treason. That's if he even survives.
The Philosophers War is so different to book one that it wasn't easy to get into. Pretty much everything from The Philosopher's Flight was tossed into the fire and I had to start again. Robert even lost his name, going from Weekes to Candarelli.
But honestly this book is brilliant. It's just so imaginative and original that you can't help but love it.
The Philosopher's War begins with him landing in France and joining the 5th Division, a motley group of misfits and malcontents, overworked and undermanned. As he starts rescuing soldiers from the front his comrades slowly warm to him and finally accept him. But he is much more than just an R&E flyer. He's the lynch pin in an audacious plan to force Germany to the sue for peace. A plan which if it fails could have him executed for treason. That's if he even survives.
The Philosophers War is so different to book one that it wasn't easy to get into. Pretty much everything from The Philosopher's Flight was tossed into the fire and I had to start again. Robert even lost his name, going from Weekes to Candarelli.
But honestly this book is brilliant. It's just so imaginative and original that you can't help but love it.
July 24, 2019
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/07/23/...
Tom Miller’s debut The Philosopher’s Flight was one of the best gems I found in 2018 and in my opinion it’s still tragically under-rated and under-read. Somehow it flew under a lot of radars, but after the brilliance that was this sequel, you can bet I’ll be jumping up and down, telling everyone about this series every chance I get. My God, this book! I can’t remember the last time I read something that affected my emotions so strongly and unraveled them to such a deep level. Needless to say, not only did The Philosopher’s War live up to every expectation set by the first book, it surpassed them in many ways as well. It’s now at the top for my favorite novel of the year.
But because having a good understanding of the main character’s background and being familiar with the world-building is so important, I definitely wouldn’t advise tackling this book without having read the previous one first. To recap, the series takes place during World War I, following protagonist Robert Weekes AKA Robert Canderelli, the first man to be allowed to join the US Sigilry Corps’s Rescue and Evacuation service, an all-women elite team of flying medics. In this world, there exists a magic system termed “philosophy”, which gifted individuals use with sigil drawing to perform all kinds of amazing feats like teleportation, flight, and crafting a myriad of incredible objects from smoke. For reasons unknown, however, women tend to have a much stronger affinity for philosophy, beating out their male counterparts by far. Not surprisingly, this means philosophical fields are dominated by women, and in the face of this bizarre twist on gender roles, men like Robert had to work twice as hard to prove himself and fight the discrimination against him in order to pursue his dreams of flying for R&E.
Now he is about to meet an even greater challenge, as he prepares to be shipped off to France to help in the Great War. Because its effects would be so powerful and devastating, use of philosophy in war is strictly regulated by international conventions. No army is allowed to use it in the field, except in disaster relief and in rescuing and evacuating the wounded, which suits Robert just fine. Ever since he was a child, he has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his heroines to become a Sigilwoman, serving his country and saving lives. But once in the Corps, all his romantic notions of heroism and bravery are dispelled as Robert finds himself in way over his head, surrounded by the danger, chaos, and death on the front lines. The only comfort he finds is in the rare messages he is able to receive from his girlfriend, the legendary transporter Danielle Hardin, or in the company of his sister flyers, who support him as much as they rag on him. However, as the weeks wear on and the Germans become more desperate, fears arise that the enemy will break with international law by using sigilry and smokecarving to develop a deadly chemical weapon. Fortunately, Robert’s commander, the unflappable General Blandings has a plan in place, and she’s hoping to recruit him for a key role in her group of spies, rebels, and misfits.
Much like its predecessor, few things in The Philospher’s War will unfold the way you’d expect. For the most part too, it takes on a completely different tone than the first book and focuses on a new conflict. Still, there are some familiar themes, mostly surrounding Robert’s struggles of trying to prove he can do the job just as well as any woman, though very quickly he realizes that things on the front lines are very different than they were at Radcliffe College. For one thing, the women of Second Division could care less about his pride or private hang ups, as long as they can count on him when it really matters. Because no matter what, you always stand with the women next to you.
And this is why I loved this book. It’s a fascinating mix of history and fantasy, but it reads like WWI fiction. The narrative style reminds me very much of the epicness of the WWII drama Band of Brothers, except with all female characters, but told from the perspective of a man, who is also “one of the girls.” Again, the situation makes for interesting dynamics. Robert’s history books are filled with stories of female heroes and their achievements, but despite having almost all the philosophical power in their world, women still have to fight for their place in a society where men have a lot of authority. Still, within the female spheres of influence, it’s as cutthroat as it can get with ruthless politics and powerplays. Robert is caught in the middle, a symbol of change for some women who see his acceptance into R&E as a step in the right direction, while others would like nothing more than to see him fail as proof that “men just can’t cut it.”
But away from the politicians and generals, down in the lower ranks with Robert and his friends, it’s an easy camaraderie between the women from all walks of life and their fierce loyalty to each other. My hat’s off to Tom Miller for writing the most awesome, realistic and genuine group of women I’ve had the pleasure to read about. They were all written so well, and I loved every one of them: Lt. Drale, Andrada, Punnett, Kiyo, Millen, and all the other women of Second Division. I laughed along with their jokes and antics, commiserated with them over defeats and challenges. It wasn’t difficult to sympathize with Robert’s dilemma, as he gradually grew in solidarity with his sisters in the Corps while feeling more and more unanchored from his life from before. And then, there were the deaths. Obviously, death is a huge theme of this book, being a war story and all, and R&E suffers a lot of casualties while trying to fly the injured out of warzones. Still, I just didn’t expect to hurt so much over the loss of some of these key characters. It was like having my guts ripped out, and yes, there were plenty of tears involved as well.
All told, I loved loved loved The Philosopher’s War. Although the story may take some time to get started, once it does, it becomes this formidable and emotionally powerful novel that will grip your attention and plunge itself into your heart. It’s one of the most poignant and harrowing books I’ve ever read, vividly evoking the terror and tragedies of battle but also the unshakeable bonds that are forged in times of hardship. War is hell for everyone involved, including the rescuers who ferry the gravely wounded men from the frontlines, even though the work is dangerous and fine brave women are being lost every step of the way. But they fly in spite of that, because lives need saving. As the reader, you get to experience those extraordinary friendships that form between Robert and his squad mates, as well as the crushing loss when the war claims them. But amidst the battles and bloodshed, there is also plenty of action, adventure, and even some humor. And of course, the world-building and the magic of philosophy was crazy unique and fantastic. As I’d hoped, this sequel has managed to reach new heights and has even surpassed the original, and I am just absolutely in awe. Whether you’re a war fiction buff, a lover of history, or a sci-fi and fantasy fan, there’s something for everyone, and I can’t recommend this series enough.
Tom Miller’s debut The Philosopher’s Flight was one of the best gems I found in 2018 and in my opinion it’s still tragically under-rated and under-read. Somehow it flew under a lot of radars, but after the brilliance that was this sequel, you can bet I’ll be jumping up and down, telling everyone about this series every chance I get. My God, this book! I can’t remember the last time I read something that affected my emotions so strongly and unraveled them to such a deep level. Needless to say, not only did The Philosopher’s War live up to every expectation set by the first book, it surpassed them in many ways as well. It’s now at the top for my favorite novel of the year.
But because having a good understanding of the main character’s background and being familiar with the world-building is so important, I definitely wouldn’t advise tackling this book without having read the previous one first. To recap, the series takes place during World War I, following protagonist Robert Weekes AKA Robert Canderelli, the first man to be allowed to join the US Sigilry Corps’s Rescue and Evacuation service, an all-women elite team of flying medics. In this world, there exists a magic system termed “philosophy”, which gifted individuals use with sigil drawing to perform all kinds of amazing feats like teleportation, flight, and crafting a myriad of incredible objects from smoke. For reasons unknown, however, women tend to have a much stronger affinity for philosophy, beating out their male counterparts by far. Not surprisingly, this means philosophical fields are dominated by women, and in the face of this bizarre twist on gender roles, men like Robert had to work twice as hard to prove himself and fight the discrimination against him in order to pursue his dreams of flying for R&E.
Now he is about to meet an even greater challenge, as he prepares to be shipped off to France to help in the Great War. Because its effects would be so powerful and devastating, use of philosophy in war is strictly regulated by international conventions. No army is allowed to use it in the field, except in disaster relief and in rescuing and evacuating the wounded, which suits Robert just fine. Ever since he was a child, he has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his heroines to become a Sigilwoman, serving his country and saving lives. But once in the Corps, all his romantic notions of heroism and bravery are dispelled as Robert finds himself in way over his head, surrounded by the danger, chaos, and death on the front lines. The only comfort he finds is in the rare messages he is able to receive from his girlfriend, the legendary transporter Danielle Hardin, or in the company of his sister flyers, who support him as much as they rag on him. However, as the weeks wear on and the Germans become more desperate, fears arise that the enemy will break with international law by using sigilry and smokecarving to develop a deadly chemical weapon. Fortunately, Robert’s commander, the unflappable General Blandings has a plan in place, and she’s hoping to recruit him for a key role in her group of spies, rebels, and misfits.
Much like its predecessor, few things in The Philospher’s War will unfold the way you’d expect. For the most part too, it takes on a completely different tone than the first book and focuses on a new conflict. Still, there are some familiar themes, mostly surrounding Robert’s struggles of trying to prove he can do the job just as well as any woman, though very quickly he realizes that things on the front lines are very different than they were at Radcliffe College. For one thing, the women of Second Division could care less about his pride or private hang ups, as long as they can count on him when it really matters. Because no matter what, you always stand with the women next to you.
And this is why I loved this book. It’s a fascinating mix of history and fantasy, but it reads like WWI fiction. The narrative style reminds me very much of the epicness of the WWII drama Band of Brothers, except with all female characters, but told from the perspective of a man, who is also “one of the girls.” Again, the situation makes for interesting dynamics. Robert’s history books are filled with stories of female heroes and their achievements, but despite having almost all the philosophical power in their world, women still have to fight for their place in a society where men have a lot of authority. Still, within the female spheres of influence, it’s as cutthroat as it can get with ruthless politics and powerplays. Robert is caught in the middle, a symbol of change for some women who see his acceptance into R&E as a step in the right direction, while others would like nothing more than to see him fail as proof that “men just can’t cut it.”
But away from the politicians and generals, down in the lower ranks with Robert and his friends, it’s an easy camaraderie between the women from all walks of life and their fierce loyalty to each other. My hat’s off to Tom Miller for writing the most awesome, realistic and genuine group of women I’ve had the pleasure to read about. They were all written so well, and I loved every one of them: Lt. Drale, Andrada, Punnett, Kiyo, Millen, and all the other women of Second Division. I laughed along with their jokes and antics, commiserated with them over defeats and challenges. It wasn’t difficult to sympathize with Robert’s dilemma, as he gradually grew in solidarity with his sisters in the Corps while feeling more and more unanchored from his life from before. And then, there were the deaths. Obviously, death is a huge theme of this book, being a war story and all, and R&E suffers a lot of casualties while trying to fly the injured out of warzones. Still, I just didn’t expect to hurt so much over the loss of some of these key characters. It was like having my guts ripped out, and yes, there were plenty of tears involved as well.
All told, I loved loved loved The Philosopher’s War. Although the story may take some time to get started, once it does, it becomes this formidable and emotionally powerful novel that will grip your attention and plunge itself into your heart. It’s one of the most poignant and harrowing books I’ve ever read, vividly evoking the terror and tragedies of battle but also the unshakeable bonds that are forged in times of hardship. War is hell for everyone involved, including the rescuers who ferry the gravely wounded men from the frontlines, even though the work is dangerous and fine brave women are being lost every step of the way. But they fly in spite of that, because lives need saving. As the reader, you get to experience those extraordinary friendships that form between Robert and his squad mates, as well as the crushing loss when the war claims them. But amidst the battles and bloodshed, there is also plenty of action, adventure, and even some humor. And of course, the world-building and the magic of philosophy was crazy unique and fantastic. As I’d hoped, this sequel has managed to reach new heights and has even surpassed the original, and I am just absolutely in awe. Whether you’re a war fiction buff, a lover of history, or a sci-fi and fantasy fan, there’s something for everyone, and I can’t recommend this series enough.
August 6, 2019
If I could give this book more than five stars I would. It stole my sleep and kept me up two nights in a row. I sincerely hope there will be more, even as I acknowledge that this was a very good place to end the series. Darn it. Thanks for the trip.
July 17, 2019
Tom Miller's The Philosopher's Flight was one of the most refreshing books I read in 2018. He has followed that debut with a triumphant second novel that continues the bildungsroman account of Robert Canderelli Weekes, a nineteen-year-old sigilrist and rare male practitioner of the magical art called philosophy. Robert's Radcliffe dreams have come to fruition and he's become the first male member of the US Sigilry Rescue and Evacuation Corps. Let me assure you, it is his worst possible nightmare.
Thrust into an environment in which he must deal with the prejudice against a male practitioner of sigilry (sexism) and the prejudice against practitioners of sigilry period (a sort of racism, but also sexism, in this alt-history of WWI, where Black Jack Pershing is not a sigilry fan), Robert finds himself in the midst of a great ethical crisis. It puts him at odds with his flame, Danielle, with half the corps, and facing a huge dilemma as the first man to be allowed in the corps. You will recall that in the Great War, warfare was waged with terrible weapons. And so it is with Miller's war, where not only chemical weapons but biological weapons are readied by both the Americans and Germans. The American plan to use a smoke laden with plague on the city of Berlin has Weekes' commander, General Blandings, planning mutiny at best and treason at worst. What side will Robert stand on? And how much will that stand cost him? And let's not forget that while all this is playing out, he is flying rescue missions against sometimes crazy odds. War, in all its heartbreaking dreadfulness, is on full display here.
Introducing a number of delightful new characters, The Philosopher's War offers a rousing sequel to readers who loved the first book. I was also glad of the illustrations, which provide a better understanding of a philosopher's equipment and their fearful weaponry. I'm hoping, (not a spoiler, since we see this early on from the prologue) that we will enjoy a third and possibly fourth novel about the man who will eventually become a Brigadier General and, as of May 1941, be living in exile? Give us more, Dr. Miller, give us more!
Thrust into an environment in which he must deal with the prejudice against a male practitioner of sigilry (sexism) and the prejudice against practitioners of sigilry period (a sort of racism, but also sexism, in this alt-history of WWI, where Black Jack Pershing is not a sigilry fan), Robert finds himself in the midst of a great ethical crisis. It puts him at odds with his flame, Danielle, with half the corps, and facing a huge dilemma as the first man to be allowed in the corps. You will recall that in the Great War, warfare was waged with terrible weapons. And so it is with Miller's war, where not only chemical weapons but biological weapons are readied by both the Americans and Germans. The American plan to use a smoke laden with plague on the city of Berlin has Weekes' commander, General Blandings, planning mutiny at best and treason at worst. What side will Robert stand on? And how much will that stand cost him? And let's not forget that while all this is playing out, he is flying rescue missions against sometimes crazy odds. War, in all its heartbreaking dreadfulness, is on full display here.
Introducing a number of delightful new characters, The Philosopher's War offers a rousing sequel to readers who loved the first book. I was also glad of the illustrations, which provide a better understanding of a philosopher's equipment and their fearful weaponry. I'm hoping, (not a spoiler, since we see this early on from the prologue) that we will enjoy a third and possibly fourth novel about the man who will eventually become a Brigadier General and, as of May 1941, be living in exile? Give us more, Dr. Miller, give us more!
July 12, 2019
*4.5 stars rounded up!
Tom Miller takes us this time to an alternative history of WWI in which the flyers, including Robert, perform rescue missions to bring out the wounded on the battlefronts of Europe. If you are not familiar with this series, when I say 'flyers,' they are not in any kind of plane but fly using sigils and a mixture of powders. Robert is one of a very few male flyers in this service and is the brunt of lots of jibes and discrimination so of course he has to keep proving himself. And then he is called on for a very special mission that may end the war.
Robert experiences every cruel and bloody aspect of war in his work and it changes him. Can he even imagine going back to every day life in the States after what he's seen and done? Can he and Darlene still be together?
There's humor, action, adventure, bravery, romance all rolled up in this story. And perhaps a bit of mutiny...Makes for some exciting reading.
I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for an exciting adventure!
Tom Miller takes us this time to an alternative history of WWI in which the flyers, including Robert, perform rescue missions to bring out the wounded on the battlefronts of Europe. If you are not familiar with this series, when I say 'flyers,' they are not in any kind of plane but fly using sigils and a mixture of powders. Robert is one of a very few male flyers in this service and is the brunt of lots of jibes and discrimination so of course he has to keep proving himself. And then he is called on for a very special mission that may end the war.
Robert experiences every cruel and bloody aspect of war in his work and it changes him. Can he even imagine going back to every day life in the States after what he's seen and done? Can he and Darlene still be together?
There's humor, action, adventure, bravery, romance all rolled up in this story. And perhaps a bit of mutiny...Makes for some exciting reading.
I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for an exciting adventure!
January 19, 2019
I didn't realize that The Philosopher's War is a second book. I think reading the first would have helped my understanding. It's a fast entertaining read. The history of the world is different, and it's definitely got a steampunk vibe. There's action and drama and enough to keep you reading until the end. The characters are smart and engaging. A good read overall. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2019
Tom Miller's second alternate history about women and one man in World War I who fly to rescue and evacuate wounded soldiers during the height of battle and who ultimately try to win the war is a triumph of the imagination. It reads like a soldier's diary as he turns the genders on their heads. Kudos.
October 2, 2019
Often with book series, like with movie series, the first book starts out strong and following novels don't live up to the same high standard - not so here. This second book is a tour de force of gripping cliffhanger scenes, imaginative and well-crafted world-building, great characters, thought-provoking social commentary, bits of comic relief, and basically all kinds of good things you want in an alternate history novel. The second book in this alternate history series takes the reader through the First World War, in a world where women control a seemingly magical technology, and the balance of power of the genders is somewhat swapped.
March 26, 2020
Awesome book! Had the same fun and action as the first .
August 8, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Philosopher's War is the second book in Tom Miller's alt-history WW1 timeline novel. Released 16th July by Simon & Schuster, it's 416 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
I reviewed the first installment last year and admit to some trepidation on reading this, the second. I was afraid it couldn't possibly live up to my remembered opinions about the quality and depth of the writing. I worried needlessly; this book is quite wonderful in its own right and felt to me like a worthy successor to the previous book. I did not re-read the first book in preparation for the second. I had no trouble following the plot or remembering returning characters, so I do think this book could work as a standalone without necessitating a reading of the previous content. I would certainly recommend hunting down the 1st book, it's a wonderful read, but it's not absolutely necessary.
The story follows the further adventures of Robert Canderelli Weekes, son of a very famous family of female fliers in a magical air corps fighting in WW1. In fact, his family are so famous for their sigilry (magic use) that he adopts his father's name as a surname to avoid politicization of his joining the flying corps (elite troops who have hitherto been female only).
This book could so easily have simply devolved into a morality play about patriarchy and sexism and crossing gender boundaries, and the author resisted that, and the book is stronger for it, in my opinion. There's very little stridency or preachiness in this book. It's a solid, entertaining, good read and I would recommend it heartily to lovers of speculative fiction, adventure fiction, historical fiction, and the like. It would also make a good book club selection or buddy-read.
The author weaves real history with fantasy so skillfully, it's very difficult to winnow out what's real and what isn't; I stopped trying. He's a wonderfully talented author and the fact that his other day job is as a physician in emergency services gives a lot of the book an unusually vivid verisimilitude. Also included in the back of the book are 'excerpts' from other fictive history books which include illustrations (by Michael Gellatly) and back story.
Really well written and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Five stars. I am looking forward to future installments.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Philosopher's War is the second book in Tom Miller's alt-history WW1 timeline novel. Released 16th July by Simon & Schuster, it's 416 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
I reviewed the first installment last year and admit to some trepidation on reading this, the second. I was afraid it couldn't possibly live up to my remembered opinions about the quality and depth of the writing. I worried needlessly; this book is quite wonderful in its own right and felt to me like a worthy successor to the previous book. I did not re-read the first book in preparation for the second. I had no trouble following the plot or remembering returning characters, so I do think this book could work as a standalone without necessitating a reading of the previous content. I would certainly recommend hunting down the 1st book, it's a wonderful read, but it's not absolutely necessary.
The story follows the further adventures of Robert Canderelli Weekes, son of a very famous family of female fliers in a magical air corps fighting in WW1. In fact, his family are so famous for their sigilry (magic use) that he adopts his father's name as a surname to avoid politicization of his joining the flying corps (elite troops who have hitherto been female only).
This book could so easily have simply devolved into a morality play about patriarchy and sexism and crossing gender boundaries, and the author resisted that, and the book is stronger for it, in my opinion. There's very little stridency or preachiness in this book. It's a solid, entertaining, good read and I would recommend it heartily to lovers of speculative fiction, adventure fiction, historical fiction, and the like. It would also make a good book club selection or buddy-read.
The author weaves real history with fantasy so skillfully, it's very difficult to winnow out what's real and what isn't; I stopped trying. He's a wonderfully talented author and the fact that his other day job is as a physician in emergency services gives a lot of the book an unusually vivid verisimilitude. Also included in the back of the book are 'excerpts' from other fictive history books which include illustrations (by Michael Gellatly) and back story.
Really well written and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Five stars. I am looking forward to future installments.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
February 4, 2019
War is always stupid and tragic, but I've always thought of World War I as particularly stupid and tragic, possibly because both of my grandmothers lost brothers in it. I wouldn't normally read a book set in WWI, as a result, but I enjoyed the first book in this series so much that I couldn't pass it by. (It was the best book I read in 2017.)
This one didn't disappoint. Here we have Robert Weekes again, 19 years old, sole male flyer in the Rescue and Evacuation Corps (in a world where women have more powerful magic, and drawing sigils in corn powder mixed with sand enables people to fly). He has to contend not only with the hazing and prejudice he suffers as an anomalous interloper, but also with the horrors of war, and with a plan to involve him in a mutiny to prevent the war being won through biological warfare that will kill millions. He has to constantly choose between his lover and his comrades, his duty and his conscience. It comes close to tearing him apart before the end.
I will say, it's a very American view of WWI; the Americans win the war, and the British and Commonwealth (and French) troops go mostly or entirely unmentioned.
One thing I did appreciate, however, was that the morally correct but legally dubious actions of the central characters gain them official displeasure, censure, and punishment (though not as much as early hints led me to expect), and that it's based in large part on powerful men's dislike of the existence of powerful women. The religious extremists who were such a key part of the first book are only briefly referred to in this one, but there's always the awareness that if they handle matters badly, the conspirators will not only draw down dire consequences on themselves, but on others like them.
A coming of age in a terrible set of circumstances, with strong and varied action sequences that mean something emotionally rather than just being there for decoration, and constant inner conflict to match the outer conflict that fuels and drives it. Victories tend to be partial and costly, and there are frequent tragic screw-ups, through which the characters bravely persevere as best they can.
It's wonderfully written, too, and I look forward eagerly to the next in the series.
I received a pre-publication copy from Netgalley for review.
This one didn't disappoint. Here we have Robert Weekes again, 19 years old, sole male flyer in the Rescue and Evacuation Corps (in a world where women have more powerful magic, and drawing sigils in corn powder mixed with sand enables people to fly). He has to contend not only with the hazing and prejudice he suffers as an anomalous interloper, but also with the horrors of war, and with a plan to involve him in a mutiny to prevent the war being won through biological warfare that will kill millions. He has to constantly choose between his lover and his comrades, his duty and his conscience. It comes close to tearing him apart before the end.
I will say, it's a very American view of WWI; the Americans win the war, and the British and Commonwealth (and French) troops go mostly or entirely unmentioned.
One thing I did appreciate, however, was that the morally correct but legally dubious actions of the central characters gain them official displeasure, censure, and punishment (though not as much as early hints led me to expect), and that it's based in large part on powerful men's dislike of the existence of powerful women. The religious extremists who were such a key part of the first book are only briefly referred to in this one, but there's always the awareness that if they handle matters badly, the conspirators will not only draw down dire consequences on themselves, but on others like them.
A coming of age in a terrible set of circumstances, with strong and varied action sequences that mean something emotionally rather than just being there for decoration, and constant inner conflict to match the outer conflict that fuels and drives it. Victories tend to be partial and costly, and there are frequent tragic screw-ups, through which the characters bravely persevere as best they can.
It's wonderfully written, too, and I look forward eagerly to the next in the series.
I received a pre-publication copy from Netgalley for review.
December 9, 2022
I’m going to admit a little secret that’s not so secret: I don’t tend to read books written by straight white cis men. There are a lot of reasons for this, some justified and some maybe not, but as someone who takes care to be inclusive in their reading choices, it doesn’t always mesh that I knowingly avoid books by certain authors. I know why I do it; I don’t see the representation I so desperately want to see in the publishing industry, and it’s my way of prioritizing the voices I want to here. But I realize that sometimes it causes me not read books that are very good and I would like, just because I’m trying to make a point.
I know this about myself, which is why I’m in books clubs that force me to break out of the stubborn patterns I get in. But I’m not joking when I say this is one of a handful of books that I’ve read on my own this year that defies my usual resistance to that category, and I’m very happy I did. It helps that it’s a fairly feminist premise and the author is careful to write from his own perspective and not try to take over the voices of the women in the story. And perhaps the most compelling part of it is that it’s really just stripped down to being a soldier or a rescuer.
This author is an emergency room doctor, which I have a lot of respect for because my parents both work in medicine and also because I am the last person who should ever be called upon in an emergency. I lose my head entirely, and it’s amazing to read a fictional account by someone who has been trained not lose their head, and understands the cost of doing so. It��s one of the many reason I flew (philosophy pun!) through this book, and why I am desperately waiting for more in the series.
So thank you Tom Miller for changing the narrative and making me think in more ways than one!
I know this about myself, which is why I’m in books clubs that force me to break out of the stubborn patterns I get in. But I’m not joking when I say this is one of a handful of books that I’ve read on my own this year that defies my usual resistance to that category, and I’m very happy I did. It helps that it’s a fairly feminist premise and the author is careful to write from his own perspective and not try to take over the voices of the women in the story. And perhaps the most compelling part of it is that it’s really just stripped down to being a soldier or a rescuer.
This author is an emergency room doctor, which I have a lot of respect for because my parents both work in medicine and also because I am the last person who should ever be called upon in an emergency. I lose my head entirely, and it’s amazing to read a fictional account by someone who has been trained not lose their head, and understands the cost of doing so. It��s one of the many reason I flew (philosophy pun!) through this book, and why I am desperately waiting for more in the series.
So thank you Tom Miller for changing the narrative and making me think in more ways than one!
October 11, 2021
I absolutely loved this book and I love the series. A few highlights for me: subplots aren’t contrived and are connected; all of the twists and turns feel earned and different sides all make good points, it all feels very human; I loved that it explored how war impacts its participants including the rescue and evacuation fliers; the blurbs at the start of each chapter continue to excite me.
Another thing I really appreciate is that flipping gender roles doesn’t feel like a gimmick and Miller manages to position Robert not as someone who feels like the world is against him unjustly but someone who just wants to be one of the girls in his platoon. I also think it is interesting that he explores how the patriarchy responds to a loss of power and privilege - women are key to the war effort and are more capable than men in solving problems in the book because they can do magic better, but male leaders can’t accept that the world doesn’t revolve around them any more, certainly seems prescient to contemporary politics.
My favorite quote: “Freddy, I don’t remember how to sleep, I said. A moment later, I heard the rattle of the Lewis gun as Mullen test fired it outside the warehouse. My eyes fluttered shut.”
Another thing I really appreciate is that flipping gender roles doesn’t feel like a gimmick and Miller manages to position Robert not as someone who feels like the world is against him unjustly but someone who just wants to be one of the girls in his platoon. I also think it is interesting that he explores how the patriarchy responds to a loss of power and privilege - women are key to the war effort and are more capable than men in solving problems in the book because they can do magic better, but male leaders can’t accept that the world doesn’t revolve around them any more, certainly seems prescient to contemporary politics.
My favorite quote: “Freddy, I don’t remember how to sleep, I said. A moment later, I heard the rattle of the Lewis gun as Mullen test fired it outside the warehouse. My eyes fluttered shut.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2019
These are such incredible books - Miller's imaginative recasting of history into a female-centric world in which women rule the branch of the magical armed forces is brilliant. I don't normally read war stories - and this is, above all else, a story about the brutality of World War I - and I had a tough time with the heavy emphasis on the warfare. But Miller does such an incredible job bringing his world and his characters to life, that I found myself engaged almost despite myself. If I enjoyed the first in this marvelous series (The Philosopher's Flight) more because it focused more intently on the characters and establishing the altered reality of their world, I enjoyed this one for its continued development of those aspects of the series. Robert is still very young, despite the years of life experience he tacked on during the war, and the drop quotes at the start of the chapters hint at the continued role he and his compatriots play in the legal and political battles over the role of the Philosophical Corps. I hope those were allusions to many more stories to come, and truly cannot wait to see where Miller goes with this series next...
Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.
May 3, 2018
What an adventure!
Warning! When you open this book, you will find it nearly impossible to put down. It's an alternative history that turns your perched upside down. A cross between a Harry Potter magic, and a suffrage age novel. All characters are engaging and often humorous. It's simply a rollicking good read. Have fun!
Warning! When you open this book, you will find it nearly impossible to put down. It's an alternative history that turns your perched upside down. A cross between a Harry Potter magic, and a suffrage age novel. All characters are engaging and often humorous. It's simply a rollicking good read. Have fun!
January 17, 2019
FABULOUS! I absolutely loved this alternative history! Magic, great characters, jealousy, valor. All the makings of a great story! I highly recommend this book.
November 10, 2019
3.5 stars. A little slow in the beginning, and I was super annoyed with Danielle, but otherwise I enjoyed this one.
November 3, 2022
Good book except the main character annoys me but like very clever integration of history and magic and fantasy I appreciated that
July 9, 2019
The Philosopher’s War is an eagerly-awaited sequel to The Philosopher’s Fight. It picks up after Robert graduates from Radcliffe and heads off to World War I where soldiers’ lives are wasted by profligate generals determined to win at all cost. As the only man in the R&E, he flies to the front to rescue and evacuate the wounded. The experience bonds him to his fellow R&E fliers in ways that people on the outside cannot understand.
Meanwhile, General Blandings who leads the rescuers is organizing an alternative strategy to end the war and recruits Robert to her effort. Robert is, she insists, the key to success and she wants him to be careful, an impossible ask for a committed rescuer who stands by the woman next to him. He befriends his fellow fliers and mourns when they are killed, as is bound to happen with the mishaps and tragedies of war. Each loss makes the bonds to those who remain stronger.
I enjoyed The Philosopher’s War. There are sweet moments that made me smile, such as a quote from a never-written book by Hemingway as a chapter epigraph referencing the philosophical flyers. The sigil-notes that Robert exchanges with Danielle Hardin, his sweetheart who now works for a U.S. senator seem an amusing form of phone sex. Most particularly, I liked the evolution in their relationship as Robert identifies more and more with the women in the Sigil Corps with whom he faces death time and time again. Danielle simply cannot understand what his life is like and their relationship suffers.
Robert is a good man, committed to his craft and his fellow fliers. The story is often harrowing and death and mayhem are ever-present, far more so than in the first book, but then war is violent and World War I was a horror.
This is a good series, an alternative to reality that is fantastical but still recognizable with real history.
The Philosopher’s War will be released on July 16th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
Meanwhile, General Blandings who leads the rescuers is organizing an alternative strategy to end the war and recruits Robert to her effort. Robert is, she insists, the key to success and she wants him to be careful, an impossible ask for a committed rescuer who stands by the woman next to him. He befriends his fellow fliers and mourns when they are killed, as is bound to happen with the mishaps and tragedies of war. Each loss makes the bonds to those who remain stronger.
I enjoyed The Philosopher’s War. There are sweet moments that made me smile, such as a quote from a never-written book by Hemingway as a chapter epigraph referencing the philosophical flyers. The sigil-notes that Robert exchanges with Danielle Hardin, his sweetheart who now works for a U.S. senator seem an amusing form of phone sex. Most particularly, I liked the evolution in their relationship as Robert identifies more and more with the women in the Sigil Corps with whom he faces death time and time again. Danielle simply cannot understand what his life is like and their relationship suffers.
Robert is a good man, committed to his craft and his fellow fliers. The story is often harrowing and death and mayhem are ever-present, far more so than in the first book, but then war is violent and World War I was a horror.
This is a good series, an alternative to reality that is fantastical but still recognizable with real history.
The Philosopher’s War will be released on July 16th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
January 14, 2019
Publishing Date: July 2019
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 9781476778181
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3.4/5
Publisher’s Description: Thanks to a stunning flying performance and a harrowing shootout in the streets of Boston, Robert Canderelli Weekes’s lifelong dream has come true: he’s the first male allowed to join the US Sigilry Corps’s Rescue and Evacuation service, an elite, all-woman team of flying medics.
Review: This novel follows in the footsteps of ” Philosopher’s Flight” continuing with the life of Robert as he embarks to Europe for the war effort.
What distinguishes this series is not only the story line that has that steampunk vibe coupled with an alternate Earth history, but the writing. The prose just captures you from page to page and creates interesting events and characters in the process. Robert continues to grow in character which is a testament to the writers ability to utilize movement to provide depth.
War is hell. And in this story the gruesome aspects are not shied away from. The gore did not detract from the story line but rather highlighted the direness of the situation while elevating the poignant aspects.
Where the novel falls down is the main plot and scene extension. The “Mutiny” is not really grounded in anything substantive and drives the novel to completion without adequate content. Some of the scenes were fairly long and lacked the alacrity that made the prior novel so good. Some of the supporting characters were not built with enough depth to place them firmly in your imagination thereby rendering them more an irritant than a valuable source of entertainment.
I still had a fairly good time reading this but gave a lower rating as it did not continue to build upon the first novel in exemplary fashion.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 9781476778181
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3.4/5
Publisher’s Description: Thanks to a stunning flying performance and a harrowing shootout in the streets of Boston, Robert Canderelli Weekes’s lifelong dream has come true: he’s the first male allowed to join the US Sigilry Corps’s Rescue and Evacuation service, an elite, all-woman team of flying medics.
Review: This novel follows in the footsteps of ” Philosopher’s Flight” continuing with the life of Robert as he embarks to Europe for the war effort.
What distinguishes this series is not only the story line that has that steampunk vibe coupled with an alternate Earth history, but the writing. The prose just captures you from page to page and creates interesting events and characters in the process. Robert continues to grow in character which is a testament to the writers ability to utilize movement to provide depth.
War is hell. And in this story the gruesome aspects are not shied away from. The gore did not detract from the story line but rather highlighted the direness of the situation while elevating the poignant aspects.
Where the novel falls down is the main plot and scene extension. The “Mutiny” is not really grounded in anything substantive and drives the novel to completion without adequate content. Some of the scenes were fairly long and lacked the alacrity that made the prior novel so good. Some of the supporting characters were not built with enough depth to place them firmly in your imagination thereby rendering them more an irritant than a valuable source of entertainment.
I still had a fairly good time reading this but gave a lower rating as it did not continue to build upon the first novel in exemplary fashion.
July 3, 2019
I loved Miller's first book - The Philosopher's Flight. The Philosopher's War picks up where Flight ended.
"Robert Weekes is now a flier for the US Sigilry Corps’s Rescue and Evacuation service, an elite, all-woman team of flying medics - the first male allowed to join. He ships to France to serve in the final days of WW I. But he'll have to make decisions about loyalty and love to help end the war."
I would consider this a historical fiction/magical realism. The world of empirical philosophy created by Miller is remarkable. Smokecarvers, transporters and fliers - cornmeal and sand - 12 lb bags - 40 lb bags - Lewis guns
And through it all Robert must navigate as the only male in an army of women, and being held to a higher standard. It is interesting to see how he handles some situations.
This is WW I so there is loss and death and Miller doesn't sugarcoat it. Robert must deal with the loss of squad mates and still find the will to fly.
This book is full of wonderful characters and the writing is fast-paced. If you enjoyed the first book, you will love this one. A must-read for your summer reading list!
"Robert Weekes is now a flier for the US Sigilry Corps’s Rescue and Evacuation service, an elite, all-woman team of flying medics - the first male allowed to join. He ships to France to serve in the final days of WW I. But he'll have to make decisions about loyalty and love to help end the war."
I would consider this a historical fiction/magical realism. The world of empirical philosophy created by Miller is remarkable. Smokecarvers, transporters and fliers - cornmeal and sand - 12 lb bags - 40 lb bags - Lewis guns
And through it all Robert must navigate as the only male in an army of women, and being held to a higher standard. It is interesting to see how he handles some situations.
This is WW I so there is loss and death and Miller doesn't sugarcoat it. Robert must deal with the loss of squad mates and still find the will to fly.
This book is full of wonderful characters and the writing is fast-paced. If you enjoyed the first book, you will love this one. A must-read for your summer reading list!
February 20, 2020
Fantabulous. Our protagonist Robert has grown up and gone off to World War I. He's not fighting in the trenches, but instead living his dream of rescuing wounded soldiers through the Rescue & Evacuation division. It's grim. War is grim. But the dialogue is just as snappy and the adventures are even more hair-raising than in The Philosopher's Flight. Passions and dangers and near-deaths abound. I love how the longer arc of the plot unfolds, revealing master plans behind events that otherwise seemed to occur by chance. More, please!
December 14, 2023
I enjoyed the first book in this duology when I read it last year, but this one elevated the series to another level. It was so much fun to read, not only about the flight and magic systems that I enjoy, but even the reimagining of WWI was incredible.
Robert also developed so much as a character in this, and really discovered his own motivations and sense of duty. I think that’s the thing that really puts it at 4.5 stars rounded up for me. Because the action was great in both, but the characters in this were so much better.
Robert also developed so much as a character in this, and really discovered his own motivations and sense of duty. I think that’s the thing that really puts it at 4.5 stars rounded up for me. Because the action was great in both, but the characters in this were so much better.
November 12, 2022
Just like the first, I really love the concept of philosophers being able to teleport, fly, manipulate matter, etc... I just am so not a fan of historical fiction.
This book (obviously from the title) is very combat/war heavy being set in WWI. I knew that going in so 3⭐ is not including my distaste for the genre.
For people who actually like historical fiction and like magic (think Harry Potter or The Magicians), then I highly recommend!
This book (obviously from the title) is very combat/war heavy being set in WWI. I knew that going in so 3⭐ is not including my distaste for the genre.
For people who actually like historical fiction and like magic (think Harry Potter or The Magicians), then I highly recommend!
June 28, 2020
This was a really enjoyable read which I found to be more of a page turner than The Philosopher's flight. Miller does a good job at world building / creating the alternate reality in which his books take place. I found some of the 'carnal' parts with Dar a bit cringeworthy and out of place. The book would have stood on its own without some of these racy interludes.
July 25, 2019
Definitely a solid 4.5 - great use of historical events to tie in the narrative of this book. I really like the main characters in this book and am hopeful Tom will write a 3rd to continue the storyline.
May 18, 2020
Notes:
Interesting notes on what it was like to be a Rescue Corps' philosopher in the war but the overall story ended up being too dry because it didn't have the strong characterizations of the first book to pull off the "plot".
The first half was much stronger than the last.
Interesting notes on what it was like to be a Rescue Corps' philosopher in the war but the overall story ended up being too dry because it didn't have the strong characterizations of the first book to pull off the "plot".
The first half was much stronger than the last.
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September 17, 2023I liked this one. The last one really dragged a bit for me until the end, this was better.
I know the end was supposed to put me on the edge of my seat (and to be fair it did keep me up past my bedtime), but there was real logic to all of Robert A's choices and I respected them.
Hope we get more books in this world someday.
I know the end was supposed to put me on the edge of my seat (and to be fair it did keep me up past my bedtime), but there was real logic to all of Robert A's choices and I respected them.
Hope we get more books in this world someday.
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