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Title: The RISING FLIGHT ENGINEER (Star Trek's Scotty) by S. M. Stirling, James Doohan ISBN: 0-671-87849-2 Publisher: Baen Pub. Date: 01 October, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.35 (17 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Review
Comment: First of all something to congratulate the author with is it has nicely escaped the Star Trek genre. It is not just another romp through the galaxy USS Enterprise story, not that there is anything wrong with those.
This book drops the reader into the life of ex-pilot turned Flight Engineer Peter Raeder as he leaves his flying days behind him and ventures onto the deck of a spick and span state of the art spaceship. However all is not well, a lot happens in this story with several plot lines and sub plots. From intergalactic wars right down to the quirkiness of Raeders subordinates it feels like a real, plausible environment.
Of course no SF story is complete without science, luckily this book does not drown us in techno babble. The science is believable and doesn't distract the reader from the story.
Another thing that I enjoyed about this book is it is not a perfect place. Even on the "good guys" side not everything is well. Space Command has its fair share of incompetence and blundering bureaucracy, which gives rough edges to the futuristic world. It is good to see some things never change.
The camaraderie and relationships, and especially Raeders own thoughts about the people he knows give an interesting insight in his world. A well-rounded novel, however one complaint that the demise of Larkin at the end of the novel is somewhat of an anti-climax, but it is hardly a major spoiler.
Rating: 3
Summary: Basically a good story that needs polish
Comment: The Rising has a fairly well executed plot, with twists and turns that keep you guessing how things will work out. The protagonist, Peter Raeder is a likable sort, as are his shipmates (if not likeable, believeable). However, if you've never read S.M. Stirling's work before, don't judge him by this novel. Read his Island in the Sea of Time or Domination of the Draka, to get a handle on what he can do with a story.
There were several things about the book that I found to be amateurish. The story is set on a military space ship, but the dialog and references show a lack of knowledge of military jargon, particularly the way people address each other. Since Stirling has written accurately about military situations in his other books, I have to say the book wasn't well edited. James Doohan should also have some understanding of military conduct from his role on the original Star Trek. There were also a few places were it was difficult to follow the characters.
However, on the whole the story is a good one. The motivations of the characters are natural and well thought out, and the plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. However, the book could have used a bit more editing before it was published.
Rating: 5
Summary: War From the Hanger Deck
Comment: Rising is the first novel in the Flight Engineer series. Commander Peter Raeder was an ace fighter pilot, but lost his right hand in a Mollie ambush. Now he is a young flight engineer assigned to the Fast Carrier Invincible.
The Mission of Life Lived in Ecclesia sect, the Mollies, have rebelled against the Commonwealth. Since this religious group is rather abrasive and intolerant, none would deny them autonomy if antihydrogen was available anywhere else. If the Mollies become independent, however, the Commonwealth will suffer a tremendous economic setback. Moreover, the Mollies have allied with the Fibians, alien sentients, which has generated xenophobic fears in the Commonwealth population. War soon followed.
In this novel, Raeder has been released from therapy and received his orders. After a shuttle ride to Lunabase, he boards the freighter Africa for transport to Ontario Base. Enroute, Africa's convoy is attacked by raiders and Raeder thwarts the assault by crossing over to a raider ship in his spacesuit and breaking its sensors with a hammer. In his spare time, he wins most of the crew's available money playing Dynamics.
On the Invincible, Raeder is responsible for keeping 36 Speed fighters and seven stealth fighters operating. He controls everything on the hanger deck except operations. His second-in-command is Lieutenant Cynthia Robbins, an excellent technician but short on people skills. As he learns during his interview with the Captain, Raeder also has the unofficial responsibility for discovering the saboteur who killed his predecessor.
Raeder is an innovative, experienced and pragmatic officer. His methods are often outside the box, but produce good results. In other words, he is the kind of engineer, and officer, that combat commanders love to have in their units, but that desk jockeys despise and fear.
This novel draws upon Doohan's experience as a engineer, artillery commander, and flying officer in the Canadian Army during World War II. It may even have been influenced by his years playing Scotty, chief engineer on the Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Recommended for Stirling and "Scotty" fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of mavericks thumbing their noses at authority while getting the job done.
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Title: The Privateer (Doohan, James. Flight Engineer, V. 2.) by James Doohan, S.M. Stirling ISBN: 0671319493 Publisher: Baen Pub. Date: 29 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Independent Command (Doohan, James. Flight Engineer, V. 3.) by James Doohan, S.M. Stirling ISBN: 0671319515 Publisher: Baen Pub. Date: 31 October, 2000 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: The DoubleCross Program (Star Risk Ltd) by Chris Bunch ISBN: 0451459865 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: 06 July, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5) by J. K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré ISBN: 043935806X Publisher: Scholastic Pub. Date: 21 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $29.99 |
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