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The Savage Sky
A novel set in World War 2 where Rob Stallard leaves war-torn London for a Florida airbase along with a group of RAF pilot cadets. He quickly develops a great passion and talent for flying, despite the tough, rigorous conditions, but is not so happy when he encounters US cadet James Theodore Benson III, socialite, sportsman, womaniser and son of a senator. A powerful and moving account of allies who struggle to understand each other.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2015
28 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Emma Drummond
24 books15 followersA pseudonym used by Edna Dawes.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 15, 2015
Almost forgot to write a review, but it's going to be brief. Quick recap, hero #1 is Rob Stallard. His mother, father and grandmother all dead after the Germans bomb their home, he leaves his sister behind to train in Florida as a pilot. There he meets US cadet James Theodore Benson III, son of a wealthy businessman and born with a silver spoon in his mouth. For stupid reasons these two take an instant dislike to each other, a dislike that goes on and on and on and on all through the war, and even gets worse when JT ends up in England and falls in love with Rob's sister.
**yawn**
I love Drummond, but this was just not up to her usual standards. Only recommended for aviation geeks and WWII die-hards.
My copy obtained via Kindle Unlimited.
**yawn**
I love Drummond, but this was just not up to her usual standards. Only recommended for aviation geeks and WWII die-hards.
My copy obtained via Kindle Unlimited.
July 29, 2017
I so wanted to love this book. It has everything I could want; a beautiful cover in my favourite colours, brave pilots, danger, excitement, love in a time of war, the fascination of the 1940s, which is near enough to be understood and far enough away to be genuine history but I found it flawed. This is a personal judgment and I know there will be some that love it because it came so highly recommended. I found it a struggle to get through although I was glad I did.
What spoiled it for me was the negativity and actual hatefulness of the two male leads. It went on and on and on, totally unreasonable, irreconcilable and without foundation, seething in the background of what should have been a great story. It was hard to choose which of the two was least horrible. Romance is delayed until the very last, by which time I really didn't care whether either of these men had a happy ending. I just felt sorry for the women. The Epilogue is a little unbelievable in the light of all the previous hostility.
What I loved was the attention to detail on all the flying missions, I liked that Rob flew a Mosquito rather than the more common Spitfire or Hurricane. These were much underestimated and lesser known because, although they were easy to produce quickly, they were not on the Government approved list of aircraft. Somehow Mosquitos slipped through having passed the design stage before production was limited and, as two-seater planes, they were ideal both for training and special ops. Jim's experiences in a B17 highlight the dangers of flying in Bomber Command.
The romance when it eventually happens is clean, not erotic in the slightest way but not particularly emotional either. I'll pass on that. It was matter of fact and didn't move me which was disappointing for a book I had been led to expect much from.
What spoiled it for me was the negativity and actual hatefulness of the two male leads. It went on and on and on, totally unreasonable, irreconcilable and without foundation, seething in the background of what should have been a great story. It was hard to choose which of the two was least horrible. Romance is delayed until the very last, by which time I really didn't care whether either of these men had a happy ending. I just felt sorry for the women. The Epilogue is a little unbelievable in the light of all the previous hostility.
What I loved was the attention to detail on all the flying missions, I liked that Rob flew a Mosquito rather than the more common Spitfire or Hurricane. These were much underestimated and lesser known because, although they were easy to produce quickly, they were not on the Government approved list of aircraft. Somehow Mosquitos slipped through having passed the design stage before production was limited and, as two-seater planes, they were ideal both for training and special ops. Jim's experiences in a B17 highlight the dangers of flying in Bomber Command.
The romance when it eventually happens is clean, not erotic in the slightest way but not particularly emotional either. I'll pass on that. It was matter of fact and didn't move me which was disappointing for a book I had been led to expect much from.
February 6, 2019
Great war story!
Although, I found the enmity between two young WWII aviators idiotic to the extreme, the descriptions of training of British aviators in Florida is very interesting. I had no idea.
Why young men act so foolishly is beyond me, but it happens to this day. The dislike between the British and American pilots here is terrible given the devastating loss of life during the war. Leave it to the females involved to get it right!
The detailed descriptions of flying and fighting here is very informative. Great historical fiction read!
Although, I found the enmity between two young WWII aviators idiotic to the extreme, the descriptions of training of British aviators in Florida is very interesting. I had no idea.
Why young men act so foolishly is beyond me, but it happens to this day. The dislike between the British and American pilots here is terrible given the devastating loss of life during the war. Leave it to the females involved to get it right!
The detailed descriptions of flying and fighting here is very informative. Great historical fiction read!
August 24, 2024
It could have been a much better book if it wasn't bogged down by two alienating male characters hating on each other for no apparent reason. Just not for me.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews