kiki124's review against another edition
2.0
Space is not my jam.
Too technical, too many
people, feelings, worlds.
Too technical, too many
people, feelings, worlds.
christycorr's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
leelah's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 stars
I didn't really plan to do that, but I read three scifi mm in row: [b:Chaos Station|23595481|Chaos Station (Chaos Station, #1)|Jenn Burke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422552182s/23595481.jpg|43197919], [b:Gyrfalcon|24686085|Gyrfalcon (Taking Shield, #1)|Anna Butler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422211135s/24686085.jpg|44303874] and [b:Song of the Navigator|24744875|Song of the Navigator|Astrid Amara|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422530083s/24744875.jpg|44373569].
Of all three, Gyrfalcon in stands out simply because 1) it's all about the world building and 2)it doesn't follow the romance formula so faithfully.
1) I'll put this first out there: this book is written with sequels in mind. It's military scifi story with romance potential and that means that [b:Gyrfalcon|24686085|Gyrfalcon (Taking Shield, #1)|Anna Butler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422211135s/24686085.jpg|44303874] is heavy on setting and author paid A LOT of attention to details. It's kind of a weird for me to say just how much because it's definitely developed more than average mm romance demands, but, again, if you read scifi regularly you see that author didn't stray too far from ordinary, already-seen quirks and tricks. You have drones, photon-pistol,plasma bolts and laser rifle on first page. You will have technology, military operation and structure and mission objective explained to you in details so if this is not your jam, you have been warned.
Premise: Humanity is in war with alien race. Technically, we are following Bennet, who is part of infiltrating, covert unit. They are called Shield and they act mainly as spies, gathering information on enemy planets. They don't work so well with other branches of military because they are very secretive and they don't get attached since they risk their lives all the time. As it happens, Bennet has to work with Fleet unit for his next mission. He boards on dreadnaught Gyrfalcon where he meets ambitious pilot Flynn, who may be just what he needs. Majority of novel is happening on Gyrfalcon as Bennet and rest of pilot squadron prepare for his task that may be decisive for war. On one side, stories that are confined to space ship are not offering the large scope you would expect for scifi genre and various new planets, alien race and such. On the other hand, I love military scifi on ships because they are good for getting to know all characters, not just MCs. They give the strong sense of brotherhood-people interact more and they rely on each other all the time, so when the big fight comes- and it always does- you can see it's a not an individual effort, but a team work.
2) Romance part is tricky one. I'll start with something that may be deal-breaker for some readers. Bennet is in long relationship with Joss who is older than him and what's more important, who is not military. He is a college professor who basically sits home and waits for Bennet to come from his secret missions and their relationship suffers from it since Joss wants more and shows his resentment where Bennet just wants to rest and relax when he gets home. They have an arrangement to see/sleep with other men when Bennet is away and won't come home soon. This is the situation with them when Bennet comes to dreadnaught and if this is issue for you- you have been warned. There is instant attraction to Flynn and a lot of UST, but they don't act on it right away. Bennet's first concern is his mission and he NEVER forgets that and certainly won't risk anything jumping in bed with one of the pilots. Personally, I liked that-Bennet is a professional and damn good at what he does, so it's not a statement only told to reader, but you can conclude it yourself. Attraction between Flynn and Bennet is genuine and it doesn't affect development of their friendship- they like each other before they are friends, but they are friends before they become more. I really don't like insta-love/insta-sex so it worked for me, but it was mostly due to Bennet's character. Romance is not as much in the background as dependable on circumstances- they work for different military branches, they may never meet again and they are in war- they don't really have a lot of time to dwell on this. Again, I repeat that this book is written with sequels in mind, so don't expect hea nor resolution of any kind when it comes to their relationship.
This type of books is like catnip for me, so being heavy on military scifi elements and (not)romance didn't bother me at all, but the reason for my rating is structure of this series. At certain points I have feeling I am reading fanfic- and I don't mean it because it badly written or anything, but because you will get every minute of every day Bennet spends on Gyrfalcon described. It's like, main plot is his mission, but it's easy to forget that because you are reading what's his day like on dreadnaught. It moves slow as molasses. It's not boring, but it's not necessary for moving the plot.
Another thing (and I am aware this may be issue only for me) is the same thing I hated when it comes to Spy vs. Spook series by Tinnean*. I really, really don't like when authors describe same event from point of view of both main characters in two separate chapters. I read what happened already, I don't need to read it from other pov especially when it's not moving the plot forward at all. This book is already long and detailed and with sequels in mind- it doesn't need to be dragged down more.
All in all, it has potential but it needs tweaking with whole structure. There is a story that seems interesting, but I am not really liking the way it is told right now. Setting is important part of novel but it can't BE the novel. Pace and plot progression are what I hope to see done better in future novel(s).
*Originally online fiction under "Man of My Dreams" name.
I didn't really plan to do that, but I read three scifi mm in row: [b:Chaos Station|23595481|Chaos Station (Chaos Station, #1)|Jenn Burke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422552182s/23595481.jpg|43197919], [b:Gyrfalcon|24686085|Gyrfalcon (Taking Shield, #1)|Anna Butler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422211135s/24686085.jpg|44303874] and [b:Song of the Navigator|24744875|Song of the Navigator|Astrid Amara|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422530083s/24744875.jpg|44373569].
Of all three, Gyrfalcon in stands out simply because 1) it's all about the world building and 2)it doesn't follow the romance formula so faithfully.
1) I'll put this first out there: this book is written with sequels in mind. It's military scifi story with romance potential and that means that [b:Gyrfalcon|24686085|Gyrfalcon (Taking Shield, #1)|Anna Butler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422211135s/24686085.jpg|44303874] is heavy on setting and author paid A LOT of attention to details. It's kind of a weird for me to say just how much because it's definitely developed more than average mm romance demands, but, again, if you read scifi regularly you see that author didn't stray too far from ordinary, already-seen quirks and tricks. You have drones, photon-pistol,plasma bolts and laser rifle on first page. You will have technology, military operation and structure and mission objective explained to you in details so if this is not your jam, you have been warned.
Premise: Humanity is in war with alien race. Technically, we are following Bennet, who is part of infiltrating, covert unit. They are called Shield and they act mainly as spies, gathering information on enemy planets. They don't work so well with other branches of military because they are very secretive and they don't get attached since they risk their lives all the time. As it happens, Bennet has to work with Fleet unit for his next mission. He boards on dreadnaught Gyrfalcon where he meets ambitious pilot Flynn, who may be just what he needs. Majority of novel is happening on Gyrfalcon as Bennet and rest of pilot squadron prepare for his task that may be decisive for war. On one side, stories that are confined to space ship are not offering the large scope you would expect for scifi genre and various new planets, alien race and such. On the other hand, I love military scifi on ships because they are good for getting to know all characters, not just MCs. They give the strong sense of brotherhood-people interact more and they rely on each other all the time, so when the big fight comes- and it always does- you can see it's a not an individual effort, but a team work.
2) Romance part is tricky one. I'll start with something that may be deal-breaker for some readers. Bennet is in long relationship with Joss who is older than him and what's more important, who is not military. He is a college professor who basically sits home and waits for Bennet to come from his secret missions and their relationship suffers from it since Joss wants more and shows his resentment where Bennet just wants to rest and relax when he gets home. They have an arrangement to see/sleep with other men when Bennet is away and won't come home soon. This is the situation with them when Bennet comes to dreadnaught and if this is issue for you- you have been warned. There is instant attraction to Flynn and a lot of UST, but they don't act on it right away. Bennet's first concern is his mission and he NEVER forgets that and certainly won't risk anything jumping in bed with one of the pilots. Personally, I liked that-Bennet is a professional and damn good at what he does, so it's not a statement only told to reader, but you can conclude it yourself. Attraction between Flynn and Bennet is genuine and it doesn't affect development of their friendship- they like each other before they are friends, but they are friends before they become more. I really don't like insta-love/insta-sex so it worked for me, but it was mostly due to Bennet's character. Romance is not as much in the background as dependable on circumstances- they work for different military branches, they may never meet again and they are in war- they don't really have a lot of time to dwell on this. Again, I repeat that this book is written with sequels in mind, so don't expect hea nor resolution of any kind when it comes to their relationship.
This type of books is like catnip for me, so being heavy on military scifi elements and (not)romance didn't bother me at all, but the reason for my rating is structure of this series. At certain points I have feeling I am reading fanfic- and I don't mean it because it badly written or anything, but because you will get every minute of every day Bennet spends on Gyrfalcon described. It's like, main plot is his mission, but it's easy to forget that because you are reading what's his day like on dreadnaught. It moves slow as molasses. It's not boring, but it's not necessary for moving the plot.
Another thing (and I am aware this may be issue only for me) is the same thing I hated when it comes to Spy vs. Spook series by Tinnean*. I really, really don't like when authors describe same event from point of view of both main characters in two separate chapters. I read what happened already, I don't need to read it from other pov especially when it's not moving the plot forward at all. This book is already long and detailed and with sequels in mind- it doesn't need to be dragged down more.
All in all, it has potential but it needs tweaking with whole structure. There is a story that seems interesting, but I am not really liking the way it is told right now. Setting is important part of novel but it can't BE the novel. Pace and plot progression are what I hope to see done better in future novel(s).
*Originally online fiction under "Man of My Dreams" name.
mrbear30021's review against another edition
5.0
Once again Anna Butler has taken me on A wonderful ride as a fly on the wall in the lives of her characters. Bennett is a man who has a mission. Several actually. He has a specific duty to perform to help the war effort. He has a war at home that distracts him from his primary mission, and finally, he has an opening for peace negotiations with his father. Add to that, he now has to fight to control his baser instincts when it comes to a handsome and daring fighter pilot.
Bennett is the main story here, but Gyrfalcon has more story to it than just that. There is a sizable cast of characters but everyone has a specific role to play. No wasted bit parts here.
Being a gay man, I appreciate a character I can identify with. I felt more than once that I was seeing a bit of myself in Bennett. What I truly appreciated was that this was not a sexual escapade. Sex and sensuality are present, but are not the main driving force of our character's motives and actions. This was, on it's basic level, a military sci-fi story. One that drew me in and left me wanting more. The characters are the icing on the cake. Well developed and believable, yet able to learn and grow.
I wholeheartedly recommend this, and anything else Anna Butler has written, to everyone mature enough to see beyond sexual identity, and can simply enjoy a well written story.
Bennett is the main story here, but Gyrfalcon has more story to it than just that. There is a sizable cast of characters but everyone has a specific role to play. No wasted bit parts here.
Being a gay man, I appreciate a character I can identify with. I felt more than once that I was seeing a bit of myself in Bennett. What I truly appreciated was that this was not a sexual escapade. Sex and sensuality are present, but are not the main driving force of our character's motives and actions. This was, on it's basic level, a military sci-fi story. One that drew me in and left me wanting more. The characters are the icing on the cake. Well developed and believable, yet able to learn and grow.
I wholeheartedly recommend this, and anything else Anna Butler has written, to everyone mature enough to see beyond sexual identity, and can simply enjoy a well written story.
kbusse2's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
alisonalisonalison's review against another edition
5.0
This is a spectacularly good queer sci-fi series, and this is the first book. I absolutely loved it. This series has captured me like few do. It's the story of Bennet, a special forces military officer, and his adventures, professional and personal, over the years. This book is completely engaging and so full of depth and life and emotion, and of course, being badass in space. The writing is sharp and clean and lovely. The world-building and level of detail here is spectacular and never overbearing. This book and the others in the series are riveting and so well done. This is not a romance series and the love story is definitely not the focus, saving the world is, but the slowly-building romance is key to the characters and plays a big part in the background.
Humanity in the future is having a lengthy war with an alien race and Bennet is one of those soldiers who goes behind the enemy lines (in space) and does very dangerous and heroic things and tries not to get killed--he's very good at his job and he mostly succeeds. He is a fascinating and complex character--he's very reserved, extremely bright, very pragmatic, a lauded scholar of history, and he feels everything very deeply while acting like he doesn't. He's also arrogant and privileged and beautifully flawed and he makes a few truly boneheaded choices along the way. He's absolutely delightful and becoming immersed in his life is a wonderful experience. He's the heart of this series and he's so full of heart and it's absolutely riveting to follow along as journeys through new love and old love and his relationship with his father and the strain of his job and really, just figuring out who he is and what he wants, all while dealing with the endless alien war. Flynn, the other main character, is the hotshot fighter pilot and he's charming and awesome and such a bright spark. There's an amazing emotional depth here in between battling aliens and being badass in space. This series has a large and diverse cast of characters, and they're all full of depth and nuance and are all very distinct. Both main characters are bisexual, which is great, and it's not a big deal, which is also great. These characters are so relatable and I found myself caring so deeply.
This is a series about queer folk saving the world and being heroes and I wish there were more books like that. It's an excellent mainstream-style space opera and I wish it got a bit more attention. This is a book that lingers and stays with you and I look forward to re-reading it. It's completely enthralling. And there's so much more to come!
Humanity in the future is having a lengthy war with an alien race and Bennet is one of those soldiers who goes behind the enemy lines (in space) and does very dangerous and heroic things and tries not to get killed--he's very good at his job and he mostly succeeds. He is a fascinating and complex character--he's very reserved, extremely bright, very pragmatic, a lauded scholar of history, and he feels everything very deeply while acting like he doesn't. He's also arrogant and privileged and beautifully flawed and he makes a few truly boneheaded choices along the way. He's absolutely delightful and becoming immersed in his life is a wonderful experience. He's the heart of this series and he's so full of heart and it's absolutely riveting to follow along as journeys through new love and old love and his relationship with his father and the strain of his job and really, just figuring out who he is and what he wants, all while dealing with the endless alien war. Flynn, the other main character, is the hotshot fighter pilot and he's charming and awesome and such a bright spark. There's an amazing emotional depth here in between battling aliens and being badass in space. This series has a large and diverse cast of characters, and they're all full of depth and nuance and are all very distinct. Both main characters are bisexual, which is great, and it's not a big deal, which is also great. These characters are so relatable and I found myself caring so deeply.
This is a series about queer folk saving the world and being heroes and I wish there were more books like that. It's an excellent mainstream-style space opera and I wish it got a bit more attention. This is a book that lingers and stays with you and I look forward to re-reading it. It's completely enthralling. And there's so much more to come!
tichamm's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
It has been a bit since I wanted to read this book and I finally did it.
It has some good sci-fi elements each is a plus in my book, but I can't help to notice how the beginning was hella confusing. We are thrown into action without knowing anyone or wth are we and it's so confusing. The book only started to pick up after the MC is on Gyrfalcon and where we get strong relationship moments between father and son - which were the most interesting from the book.
Bennet has a long time relationship so is relationship with Flynn can be a bit too much to some readers, since tecnhically it's considered cheating
It has been a bit since I wanted to read this book and I finally did it.
It has some good sci-fi elements each is a plus in my book, but I can't help to notice how the beginning was hella confusing. We are thrown into action without knowing anyone or wth are we and it's so confusing. The book only started to pick up after the MC is on Gyrfalcon and where we get strong relationship moments between father and son - which were the most interesting from the book.
Bennet has a long time relationship so is relationship with Flynn can be a bit too much to some readers, since tecnhically it's considered cheating
Spoiler
however we do know that the meeting with others while away is agreed by both parties. I didn't mind Bennet and Flynn's relationship, but their thoughts of maybe being in love with eachother is a bit too soon from what we gathered from the bookkaje_harper's review
5.0
I have enjoyed Anna Butler's writing before, but waited to begin this series knowing this first book has an indeterminate ending. It was worth waiting for, although I did immediately download the next one (and considered opening it, at 1:30 in the morning.) This is an appealing military/special forces-style SciFi and I really liked the main characters.
It opens with Shield Captain Bennet, in action with the crew of his ship against robot drones, built by an alien enemy which humanity has never met in person. Bennet is brilliant and capable, and young for his rank. He's also dedicated to his service - a fact which his partner Joss back home on Albion resents. Bennet bounces between the worlds of sharp and lethal action against a foe that seems to be slowly winning, and shore leave back home, where his lover tries to persuade him to resign and go into academia.
There is no way Bennet is going to abandon his command, his friends and crew, or the fate of humanity, even for a long-time lover. They have carved out a compromise where their relationship is open, and they are free to have other sex partners when apart. Bennet hasn't taken half as much advantage of that as Joss, apart from the occasional night with a woman. But on a desperate mission that requires him to change ships for transport, he meets pilot Flynn. And what they have, amid the risks of battle, isn't as trivial, or as easy to move on from, as anyone before him.
The opening of the book is a bit slow despite the physical action, as we're introduced to many of Bennet's crew who don't actually play a big role in this book (although probably will in the series later.) It really gets going once Bennet separates from his ship, on a mission only he can accomplish. Flynn is a great character, and meeting him gives the story a big lift.
The character interactions, including Bennet's difficult relationship with his father, are a highlight. The action scenes are very well done. The world-building has perhaps a bit of a lean toward mimicking today's cultural mores, but it works smoothly enough. There are some emotional moments with resonance here, and I was deeply engaged by the end of the story. Looking forward to the next one (although I did wait till breakfast the next morning to start it.)
It opens with Shield Captain Bennet, in action with the crew of his ship against robot drones, built by an alien enemy which humanity has never met in person. Bennet is brilliant and capable, and young for his rank. He's also dedicated to his service - a fact which his partner Joss back home on Albion resents. Bennet bounces between the worlds of sharp and lethal action against a foe that seems to be slowly winning, and shore leave back home, where his lover tries to persuade him to resign and go into academia.
There is no way Bennet is going to abandon his command, his friends and crew, or the fate of humanity, even for a long-time lover. They have carved out a compromise where their relationship is open, and they are free to have other sex partners when apart. Bennet hasn't taken half as much advantage of that as Joss, apart from the occasional night with a woman. But on a desperate mission that requires him to change ships for transport, he meets pilot Flynn. And what they have, amid the risks of battle, isn't as trivial, or as easy to move on from, as anyone before him.
The opening of the book is a bit slow despite the physical action, as we're introduced to many of Bennet's crew who don't actually play a big role in this book (although probably will in the series later.) It really gets going once Bennet separates from his ship, on a mission only he can accomplish. Flynn is a great character, and meeting him gives the story a big lift.
The character interactions, including Bennet's difficult relationship with his father, are a highlight. The action scenes are very well done. The world-building has perhaps a bit of a lean toward mimicking today's cultural mores, but it works smoothly enough. There are some emotional moments with resonance here, and I was deeply engaged by the end of the story. Looking forward to the next one (although I did wait till breakfast the next morning to start it.)
maija's review
I felt that at 24%, the plot was just getting started. We had only just met both of the main characters. I think the book started at the wrong point and should've gotten here quicker. It might get going at this point, but I had lost interest when the beginning didn't grab me.
capellan's review
4.0
A solid SF action adventure tale with the added wrinkle of a male protagonist who unapologetically prefers the company of other men. The wider setting is not heavily developed in this tome - especially the progress of humanity's war with the alien Maess - but what detail there is generally gets rolled out in a way that feels natural. I'll definitely be checking out the second book.