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A review by topdragon
Indiana Jones and the Sky Pirates by Martin Caidin
3.0
After six Indiana Jones prequel novels by [a:Rob MacGregor|4094986|Rob MacGregor|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1364920494p2/4094986.jpg], veteran Martin Caidin took the reins for two novels beginning with this entry in the series. Judging by this book, Caidin’s version of Indy is a bit more cerebral and a more mature version. It seems that between the last book and this one, Indy has changed from the “Young Indiana Jones” style, as played by Sean Patrick Flannery in the TV series, to a Harrison Ford style Indy. He accomplishes less by luck and accident than he does by careful preparation and being ready for anything.
Caidin also brings his considerable experience in aviation, especially pre-WWII era flying machines to the plot. Indy is recruited to stop a mysterious group of flying craft shaped like disks or scimitars that have been plaguing the shipping lanes. We see Indy in more of a James Bond-style espionage caper this time around instead of pure adventure. It works OK but somehow didn’t seem quite as “Indy-like” as I was looking for.
Indy’s professorly knowledge on a variety of subjects is on full display throughout this novel. There are several info dumps on subjects such as piloting skills, aeroplane engine mechanics and the Indians of the Southwestern US. There are also mentions of ancient artifacts including a cuneiform-covered cube and a “crystal skull”. Oh my.
[I must digress for one moment to identify a couple of anachronisms that seemed to have escaped the author and editors. The town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico is mentioned at one point in the narrative when Indy and his cohorts are navigating the skies in search of the strange aircraft. Keep in mind that this novel takes place in 1930. In point of fact, the town's name was changed from "Hot Springs" to "Truth or Consequences" on March 31, 1950, after Ralph Edwards, the host of the popular game show "Truth or Consequences," called for any town in America to do so - in celebration of the show's ten year anniversary. Indy’s group also references Los Alamos which in 1930 was still just a Ranch School for boys, certainly not a reference point for aerial navigation. Sorry to digress but I felt compelled to point out these errors. Don’t you hate it when reviewers do that?]
This is not the best of the Indiana Jones prequel series but isn’t bad either. There is a lot of planning and coordinating and lots of characters are introduced but, there is not nearly as much action as what a typical Indy fan would anticipate. The finale is well done though and certainly highlight’s the authors understanding of high altitude flying. I also really enjoyed the major character introduced in this novel, Gale Parker, a feisty gal who is certainly more than she appears. I was happy to discover that she will be back in the follow-on novel, [b:Indiana Jones and the White Witch|429147|Indiana Jones and the White Witch (Indiana Jones Prequels #8)|Martin Caidin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320430956s/429147.jpg|418135].
Caidin also brings his considerable experience in aviation, especially pre-WWII era flying machines to the plot. Indy is recruited to stop a mysterious group of flying craft shaped like disks or scimitars that have been plaguing the shipping lanes. We see Indy in more of a James Bond-style espionage caper this time around instead of pure adventure. It works OK but somehow didn’t seem quite as “Indy-like” as I was looking for.
Indy’s professorly knowledge on a variety of subjects is on full display throughout this novel. There are several info dumps on subjects such as piloting skills, aeroplane engine mechanics and the Indians of the Southwestern US. There are also mentions of ancient artifacts including a cuneiform-covered cube and a “crystal skull”. Oh my.
[I must digress for one moment to identify a couple of anachronisms that seemed to have escaped the author and editors. The town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico is mentioned at one point in the narrative when Indy and his cohorts are navigating the skies in search of the strange aircraft. Keep in mind that this novel takes place in 1930. In point of fact, the town's name was changed from "Hot Springs" to "Truth or Consequences" on March 31, 1950, after Ralph Edwards, the host of the popular game show "Truth or Consequences," called for any town in America to do so - in celebration of the show's ten year anniversary. Indy’s group also references Los Alamos which in 1930 was still just a Ranch School for boys, certainly not a reference point for aerial navigation. Sorry to digress but I felt compelled to point out these errors. Don’t you hate it when reviewers do that?]
This is not the best of the Indiana Jones prequel series but isn’t bad either. There is a lot of planning and coordinating and lots of characters are introduced but, there is not nearly as much action as what a typical Indy fan would anticipate. The finale is well done though and certainly highlight’s the authors understanding of high altitude flying. I also really enjoyed the major character introduced in this novel, Gale Parker, a feisty gal who is certainly more than she appears. I was happy to discover that she will be back in the follow-on novel, [b:Indiana Jones and the White Witch|429147|Indiana Jones and the White Witch (Indiana Jones Prequels #8)|Martin Caidin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320430956s/429147.jpg|418135].