Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Cry Pilot by Joel Dane Series: Cry Pilot #1
Published by Ace on August 6, 2019
Genres: Science Fiction
Pages: 416
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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There's only one way for a man with Maseo Kaytu's secrets to join the military: by volunteering for a suicide mission as a 'cry pilot'. He cheats the system to survive, but you can't fake basic training. Assigned to a squad of misfits, Kaytu learns how to fight, how to obey, and how to trust. Yet the more he bonds with his fellow recruits, the more he risks exposure of his criminal past.
Keeping his secret is about to become the least of his problems. Kaytu discovers that his platoon is being deployed against a new kind of rogue bio-weapon. One that has torn apart every military force it's ever faced . . . .
I’ve always enjoyed science fiction and space opera. Both scifi and fantasy sometimes are hard for me to start. The first book in the series has me trying to understand all the new people and places and they often have made up names. Cry Pilot is the start of the Cry Pilot series and I had a little of the first book syndrome I sometimes have.
My efforts were compounded because we are not only looking at Katyu’s current situation but there are a few chapters flashing back to his past. His past is the emotional base for the present. He starts from a place of nearly certain death, hoping to survive and get into the military. I suppose it’s a spoiler he survives but it wouldn’t be much of a book, much less a series if he died at the start of the first book.
There were a lot of characters, a lot of new worlds and new tech and all the terminology. It was richly detailed but not really overwhelming. The characters made it all real. They all may have their flaws but also and tremendous strengths to build a team. I came to love the team.
Their military group is barely trained and set up as fodder for the trained groups. There’s non-stop action with plenty of death, destruction and injuries. I won’t spoil what happens but this is the little team that could. It’s a wild race to victory.
You definitely want to read the series in order or you’ll be completely lost. I like the bromance feel between the characters on the team. That provides a bit of subtle humor I enjoy. I’m moving on to see what happens next to the rest of the team in Burn Cycle.
“That’s the biggest question in the world”
“That’s the smallest answer.”
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I’m not a big sci-fi reader but I should read more in this genre
I don’t read it all the time but I like it. There’s an energy about the battles and stategy and an intelligence but also the heart of the team.
This genre is still a mystery for me. Maybe because I struggle with the whole concept of living in outer space worlds. This does sound interesting, though. Excellent review, Anne?
Well I was into computers early and the tech aspects, the strategy all appeal to me. The politics and the fight of the underdog fire me up.
It’s been a while since I read or listened to a space opera. This sounds like just the thing.
I just finished the second book and it continues to be good. It’s scfi / space opera without any real romance. It’s gritty and there are some morally gray characters for certain.
I always seem to read these kinds of books slower than others. There is just so much to take in but it sounds like it was worth the effort. I will have to keep this one in mind.
sometimes i find the first book in a series is laying the groundwork for the rest of the books
yes and it’s important but sometimes I take too long to assimilate it.
This looks interesting. I earmarked it.
It’s good. I don’t read so much scifi but I always seem to enjoy the ones I do. There are some morally ambiguous characters just to make things intriguing.
I enjoy a good space opera, and this definitely sounds like one. Lovely review, Anne. Happy you are enjoying this series.