War Birds

by R.M. Meluch

I DON'T KNOW WHO WON THE BATTLE...

I don't know who hit me or even if it was an intentional shot. There was no enemy ship registering in that direction. I think it was a random hit.

I thought my number was up, but I had an idea and anything was worth a try. If I could rig a power supply to activate the controls, it might afford enough thrust to kick me into a parking orbit around Erde.

Leaning out into infinity, I jerry-rigged my ship. I Pulled myself in and sealed the hatch again. No time left. This was it. I threw the switch. Nothing happened. Seconds ticking past. I beat on the switch. A flash. The ship lurched. The wrong way. The directional rocket's blast drove me into the atmosphere, and my ship with me in it was burning up...

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

253 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1989

Reviews

[EmBe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die Inhaltsangabe könnte den Eindruck aufkommen lassen, dass es sich hier um eine Art Landser-Roman im Weltall handelt, aber das stimmt nicht. Die Raumjägerpiloten wirken dafür zu wenig soldatisch und sind eher problematische Figuren. Auch nehmen Kampfhandlungen nur einen kleinen Teil des Romans ein und werden keineswegs glorifizierend geschildert. Durch den ganzen Roman zieht sich eine Begeisterung für die Raumfliegerei, die auch mit seinen technisch Details recht eindrücklich beschrieben wird.
Der Roman ist leidlich gut geschrieben. Die unterschiedlichen Kulturen sind zwar nicht sonderlich detailliert beschrieben, besonders über die occonischen Verhältnisse wünscht man mehr zu wissen, die Charaktere dagegen sind schärfer konturiert.
Am meisten hat man von dem Roman, wenn man ihn als die Geschichte eines Menschen liest, dessen Schicksal es ist, zwischen den Kulturen zu stehen und so zum Mittler zu werden. Die Hauptfigur und ihr spannungsvolles Leben mit dem Fremden und in der Fremde, ohne dass sie dabei die eigene Identität verliert, ist das Bemerkenswerteste des Romans. Der Titel "Kriegsvögel" ist etwas irritierend. Hinter den neutralen Initialen R.M. Meluch verbirgt sich die amerikanische Autorin Rebecca M. Meluch.

[Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters that are interesting. An environment and plot that draws one in. Passion and good story telling packed into a great novel.

Futuristic space combat with and emphasis on the people.

I loved this novel.

[Vroom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although there are significant flaws (the book feels more like several novellas crammed together), I truly loved the worldbuilding and characters here

[Kagama-the Literaturevixen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was recommended on Reddit as a sci-fi with a romance. The with space pilots who come from two planets colonized by humans and who are enemies. A real Romeo and Juliet story in other words.

But as you might have noticed the DNF tag it was not to be an enjoyable book.

Fo

I believe the author had aspirations to write a work of literary fiction but in space. But to me apart from some sci-fi trappings the everyday seems too much like a 20th century when it comes to characters attitudes and way of speaking.
The first chapter details their first meeting told from the man(Anton) point of view as he is witnessing Maggie climbing out of a window noting her lace garter and musing about the scantity of her underwear.

She is a seventeen year old and he is a man creeping onto middleage, I am quoting the character verbatim (but he assures us that he looks no older than his students) Yes, he is a teacher at the school she attends and they get together.

Later they are discovered living together and instead of being contrite he increases his ick factor by telling them that "they also fornicate" This character is not only scum but also a perfect example of intellectual condescending scum.

The whole book is told from the male perspective and its as cringy and with a patronizing attitude by Anton towards M as you would expect. Constantly referring to her as frothy/bubbly/young. For fairness sake he once says she has "a razor mind" beneath her beautiful face but it just feels like a line since to me as a reader I dont know what he based it on.

I cant believe a woman wrote this. Nor that its so highly rated.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phenomenal world building and a great writing style, but it seemed to rush through or gloss over what could be detailed action sequences and plot events. If fleshed out considerably, it could be amazing.

[thistle]

The worldbuilding is strong, and oh, what a narrative voice. Pity I didn't care much about our man's plight.

[Bryan Lunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting worldbuilding and characters maybe. I was a child when I read it, I dunno what I would think today.