Thursday 18 August 2016

Heart of Granit - James Barclay

The world has become a battleground in a war which no side is winning. But for those determined to retain power, the prolonged stalemate cannot be tolerated so desperate measures must be taken.

Max Halloran has no idea. He's living the brief and glorious life of a hunter-killer pilot. He's an ace in the air, on his way up through the ranks, in love, and with his family's every need provided for in thanks for his service, Max has everything . . .

. . . right up until he hears something he shouldn't have, and refuses to let it go. Suddenly he's risking his life and the lives of all those he cares about for a secret which could expose corruption at the highest levels, and change the course of the war.

One man, one brief conversation . . . a whole world of trouble . . . 

My thoughts:
It's sci-fi, but at the same time, there is not a lot of sci-fi, but at the same time it's everywhere. Because when it's on it's on! It's Top Gun with dragons, but to be fair I can not remember a single thing from that movie so maybe it's wrong to compare those two. Let us begin.

There are dragons, but see they are not really dragons. It's alien DNA spliced with other to create these things that you can fly in. Live in (oh that was freaking insane). And they need to to fight for control of earth. Because as we can see today we are using too much of our resources, and in this future it's a constant war to get more to feed your inhabitants. 

A lot of the book is aerial battles, it's very heavy military sc-fi, it always take me some time to get into because I tend to get into that easier by watching than reading. Lots going on at the same time, and what a cool movie that would make.

But there is more than aerial battles. Holloran, a pilot, learns something he should not learn. Conspiracy alert. A pilot's life is also really short since that whole sitting in your dragon, hearing it's mind will make you crack.

I would have liked to learn more about the alien DNA. Since there are no aliens here, but the whole aliens has been here thing that hits you and explains one thing was fascinating.

Conclusion:
Battles in the sky, a country using their own as fodder for war. Insane pilots, and one that just wont let it go. It was innovative and cool

But I did have a hard time this time with the whole military thing.  Mostly cos of the many battles.

Paperback, 416 pages
Expected publication: August 18th 2016 by Gollancz
Sci.fi
In exchange for an honest review

42 comments:

  1. I would imagine it to be a little confusing and taxing to read all that aerial fights.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting, Top Gun with dragons lol

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wonder if I would like this one. Not my usual read but it sounds cool.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
  4. oh I do love those cool reads!! I like the mix of Top Gun with Dragons!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That'S a terrifying cover <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is the first time I've heard of this book! I do kind of like the sound of it...hmm no US release yet though so getting my hands on it would be tougher.

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wohoo, since you always introduce me to everything ;)

      Delete
  7. Interesting, but not sure it's for me :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hmm in general I think battles work better visually on the screen.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, man, this sounds good! "Living" in them - now that IS insane!!! And definitely innovative, I've been sitting here trying to decide if it reminds me of any other scifi, but nope, I've never heard this awesome concept before. Don't know about the heavy military thing, my guess is I would struggle with it too... I do have Seveneves waiting on my shelf, but I'll add this one too :) Linda, as always, it's a pleasure to visit and read your reviews! Looking forward to the next one :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could not wrap my head around it all, it was insane! :D

      I think the library have that one so I will brave it one day

      Delete
  10. Haha! Top Gun with dragons! I like it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love James Barclay!! This sounds intriguing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dragons, so geeky it's not geeky. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You fly the dragons? That's an interesting idea! I'm all for a Top Gun with dragons book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is no fuel left so they made dragons ;)

      Delete
  14. This sounds like a cool premise. I actually like the cover... it's engaging.

    ReplyDelete
  15. It sounds really nice - sci-fi and dragons are so completely up my valley :). Maybe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this totally would be your book!

      Delete
  16. Oh, I do love the sound of this one. The dragon flyer and pilot symbiotic thing and the conspiracy sound great.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, that sounds really unique. The alien dna dragon/ship things sound weird.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Since I don't remember that movie either, I get the reference. :D You did have me at dragons though. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, so it's good for those that do not remember it, honestly I am not even sure I have actually seen it

      Delete
  19. Oo different take on dragons. Sounds kinda fun. I don't remember the movie either but the singing in the undies thing. That was that movie, right? lol

    ReplyDelete
  20. I had something witty to say...but my brain is fried *sips coffee*

    ReplyDelete

Contributors

Copyright © 2008-2020 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell All Rights Reserved. Proudly powered by Blogger

  © Blogger template Starry by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008 Modified by Lea

Back to TOP