The Battle Over Britain

Misfit Squadron #1

by Simon Brading

The Second Great War is going poorly for the Kingdom of Britain - the British Isles are under siege and the only thing standing between the all-conquering Prussian army and victory is a thin strip of blue water and the gallant men and women of the Royal Aviator Corps.

Aviator Sergeant Gwen Stone is one of those women, but almost as soon as she begins her fight against the Prussian air force, Die Fliegertruppe, she is stripped of her wings and imprisoned in disgrace for illegally modifying her aircraft.

As the battle over the skies of Britain progresses and it looks like the Prussians are going to be as dominant in the air as they were on the fields of the continent, the hopes of the beleaguered nation come to rest firmly on the shoulders of Misfit Squadron, an elite group of pilots who don’t always pay strict attention to military discipline, and Gwen is given a chance to redeem herself by joining them.

Genres: Alternate History, Steampunk

263 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2018

About the author

NEWSLETTER - https://simonbrading.kit.com/d505dade6d
https://bsky.app/profile/simonbrading...
www.instagram.com/sibrading
https://www.facebook.com/simonbrading...

From a very young age, Simon Brading was in no doubt that he wanted to be a writer. Life got in the way a bit, though, and it was thirty years before he sat down and put pen to paper.
Less than a decade later he has more than twenty books published in various genres of fiction (sci-fi, steampunk, time travel, ballet...) and has no intention of being slowed down by anything except his son's demands on his time.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brading has done it. I've been converted to the steampunk world. This book was:

"Bloody marvelous! Bloody, bloody marvelous!"

And while that quote was really out of context, it does sum up my feelings rather well. Seriously, British steampunk alt-WWII - who would've thought?

"Gwen Stone loved flying so much; the freedom she felt was incomparable to anything she ever felt on the ground."

Gwen Stone, a twenty-something pilot, takes to the air like a bird. Everything she does centers around flying...that is until she tanks her career with the British Royal Aviator Corps (RAC).

Ever since she was young , she's worked with planes. Tinkering here, modifying there... so when she gets her own standard issue plane, she couldn't help making a few teeny-tiny changes to improve her flight.

When her team is ambushed, she manages to make it out alive thanks to her illegal mods. But after a mandatory investigation, her higher-ups are aware of her adjustments and disciplinary actions are around the corner.

No matter how much Gwen pleads, her reasoning falls on deaf ears:

"That was a risk I was willing to take and it ended up saving my life...Why not let each pilot modify their aircraft how they want? We could save so many lives!"

Just when it looks like she will lose her flying rights completely...the Misfit Squadron catch wind of her.

"The squadron was a legend, a myth almost, like Father Winter, or the Dark Scythesman."

Soon Gwen is swept up into the world of high flying and hijinks - only to realize that there is something far more sinister just beyond the horizon.

I really enjoyed this one! Brading was fantastic at drawing the audience in. What a wonderfully informative (and inventive) steampunk A WII!

The characters were just the right kind of kooky - they were all unique but not overbearingly so.

The steampunk gadgets were awesome - so many times it feels like steampunk has gadgets to have gadgets - just fluff stuff to make the plot seem more whimsical.

Brading had just the right blend between practical (i.e. really complex watches designed for pilots) and fanciful gadgets (I loved the overly complicated bathroom that poor Gwen suffered through).

The only thing that threw me off a smidge was that Gwen was nearly perfect. I would've liked to see her suffer a bit more. (but then again, I'm a masochist when it comes to my characters - I love to watch them struggle and overcome insurmountable odds).

Overall, I cannot wait to read the next one.

With many thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

P.s. Shout out to the author's dad who designed the cover - how cool is that?!

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[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I read the 2nd (3rd ?) Maigret novel earlier this week and commented that it was a very close 2nd for my fiction book of the year, well unbelievably (sorry Simon that is no disrespect to you) this has to be my very clear 3rd.
Wow what a rollercoaster, what a well crafted, characterful, emotional romp of a Sci Fi novel. It is alternative history, it is steampunk, it is just a bloody good book, exceptionally well written.
I, like Simon was in the CCF (Brits will understand), I like Simon, flew but did not get into the RAF, however Simon can write, I can’t, and he has written a marvellous book that encapsulates what being British is all about. My parents were in WW2, so I heard many stories as I grew up through the 60s and 70s, Simon has captured the feel and essence of Britain in the war and made a brilliant alternative history Sci Fi novel of it.
Hey, you can guess I loved it, it’s going to be in my top 5 reads of the year for sure. And onto the next episode I think, I want more !!!

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...


The 2nd Great War is going poorly for the Kingdom of Britain. The only thing standing between the all-conquering Prussian army and victory is a thin strip of blue water and the gallant Royal Aviator Corps. Aviator Sergeant Gwen Stone is one of those, but almost as soon as she begins her fight against Die Fliegertruppe, she is stripped of her wings and imprisoned in disgrace for illegally modifying her aircraft. The hopes of the beleaguered nation come to rest firmly on the shoulders of Misfit Squadron, an elite group of pilots who don’t always pay strict attention to military discipline, and Gwen is given a chance to redeem herself by joining them.


My Thoughts...

This book totally confounded me... Let me start at the beginning. I really love to support indie authors and when I learned about this book I decided to read it during December when I was doing a personal indie book readathon. I liked the idea of reading fictionalized British history. I thought this may be a book that my book club would like. It's female centered and I assumed the alternate part came in with the Misfit Squadron. I read it because I didn't know a lot about WWII aviation, just vague shadowy ideas from movies and such.

The thing is I had no idea before or during my reading of The Battle Over Britain that it was steampunk!!! In fact, I only learned about it due to a friend who also read it who labeled sci-fi and steampunk in the opening of his review. No where in the book or the blurb does it say as much as a word about steampunk. So another review later and this other reader is saying she LOVED the gadgets in the story... UHHHHHHH WHAT GADGETS?! What in the world is she talking about?! Did I read the same book?!

Stumped I consulted a friend who knows a bit more about aviation than I do and from my rough explanation the only gadget I could think of is the whirly-gig that is explained as what allows them to fly the distances that they do and the Misfits have TWO of these loaded up on their planes. I remember thinking it was neat and that I didn't know they had those in WWII... turns out they didn't?! TBH I read every page and I don't remember any other gadgets nor did the book feel like steampunk... not a single second. I can't claim to have read every steampunk out there but I've read plenty as its a subgenre that I enjoy.

BEFORE learning that this is steampunk I thought this was a neat little dramatized version of what I thought was WWII history. I found the writing style quite dense with description when we weren't in the air, which was boring at times, but the battles... the battles were sooooooo amaze that they quite made up for much of the drag in other places. I quite LOVED Gwen and she kept me reading... plus the Misfit Squadron members were super fun.

Learning this is supposed to be steampunk... I would have rated this 3 stars!! But I truly enjoyed the story elements of The Battle Over Britain so I split the difference and then rounded up... Despite now being totally confused and mystified about what was historically accurate and what was alternate history and what was steampunk...


Cover & Title grade -> C+

I know that a relation of Simon Brading created this and other covers for the Misfit Squadron series... I really love the graphic that was created representing the Royal Aviator Corps too. That being said the other elements of the cover don't do the book justice. The typography in particular is really amateur and drags the design down. What would make a really neat cover is a squadron of planes in the air (that look like the ones described in the book) with the view from out in front of their noses, the words hanging in the sky above them! Of course this is an indie book though... and I love that the other covers have a similar look and feel as this one.


Who would I recommend The Battle Over Britain to? Well, you've got to enjoy...

-Aviation!
The Battle Over Britain is ALL ABOUT aviation. Flying, the planes, battles, maneuvers, its about the manufacturing of planes, customizing them. It's super fun learning all about these elements through Gwen. She really has a love and drive for plane building and it was fun learning about her personal connection to the industry.

-Britain!
I know quite a bit about Britain reading all I can, having visited and watching a ton... for not being and living in Britain. This felt really authentic to all I know. Really part of why I enjoyed The Battle Over Britain sooooo much was that I believed in the world. I thought it was historic Britain during WWII!

-WWII!
Even though this is alternate the story gets your blood pumping, royalty comes into it and you get to see another side of WWII albeit fictional to some degree. I loved the contrast to how Gwen was treated in the normal corps to how she was in the Misfit Squadron... war causes all kinds of distinctions and it was fun how these came out in the story.

-And it really helps if you are quite knowledgeable about history too!
From my friend's review I could tell he knew a lot about aviation in WWII. He could distinguish what was fact and fiction in an enjoyable way. If you enjoy history and know about this time and place then you are sure to enjoy it as much! (I wish the author had laid out in an extra note what was and was not facts. I feel like I would have appreciated the book a whole lot more in the end.)


As a Writer...

As a reader who also writes I'm well aware that perception and expectation can play a MASSIVE role in whether a reader enjoys a book or not. Personally I know that when I'm in a reading slump from another book it can effect my reading even when its a book about topics I enjoy. So when a book isn't quite about what I thought it makes sense that my enjoyment can and is effected yet again.

I feel like the blurb as is misrepresent The Battle Over Britain a little. I had no idea until I came to write this review that I should have expected some serious alternate history and steampunk. I admit I didn't check goodreads before proceeding to read, and really there aren't any untrue facts in the blurb... but as a writer I would want readers to get a proper sense of the books topic.

I'm not saying to add a line about it being the best new steampunk novel, riddled with alternate history... no need to slap us across the face. A hint about the gadgetry and/or an allude to how this is alternate history would really make a lot of sense to me. Perhaps I'm just totally ignorant about WWII aviation... but does any author want a reader that walks away from your book feeling stupid?!

The Battle Over Britain has a star in Gwen Stone, and she is joined by an all-star Misfit Squadron. The aerial battles, her personal connection to flight and the interpersonal camaraderie make this an alternate WWII history of Britain that I totally recommend. However be aware that history and fiction blur quite a bit at the edges... if that sounds dynamite to you then read this book!


⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐⭐ Writing Style
⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐⭐ Plot & Pacing
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ World Building


Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.

______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my special perspective at the bottom of my reviews under the typewriter...

Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has about the same amount of clockwork punk as steampunk.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words can not say enough about this book! I loved every moment of sitting and reading and being transformed to the time period. I have found a love for steam punk! I wish I could be like Gwen Stone.
I wish I could meet each character in person and be apart of the squad.

I have recommended this book to everyone I have met and will continue recommending it to everyone. I can not wait till the next one comes out.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining gem!

Rating: 4 stars

Summary: The Secord Great
War against the Prussians and Great Britain is in its mist. Gwen Stone of the Royal Aviator Corps, however has been stripped of her wings for illegally modifying her craft. Just when she thinks she is to be shipped off to jail, she is given the chance to redeem herself in the Misfit Squadron. The squadron, while loose on the military discipline more or less, are the nation's best.

Thoughts: If I understood anything about flying (or if I had the eyesight) I would want to have one of the air crafts in this book and fly around.

The characters are just so interesting, I just want to hang out with all of them at the bar and listen to their stories. From the bomb loving Wendy, Abby the leader of the brunch, to the American Kitty.

In all seriousness, I just got dragged into this world and I didn't want to come out. That is what I love about steampunk stories, the world building, and the little elements that add to it. In this case its the air crafts and their equipment.

[Jared Kavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battle Over Britain is the first steampunk book which I've read, and it's set a very high benchmark for any future steampunk yarns I look at.

Before picking up this book, while I'd read plenty of general alternate history works, I'd never tried steampunk. So I came in without any expectations, and greatly enjoyed it. Battle Over Britain is a fast-paced, easy to read story about a very different Battle of Britain. Alternate-Spitfires and Hurricanes powered by springs - not what I would have thought of, but Brading makes it work really well.

The characters were fun, the dialogue was smooth, and the combat scenes really shows that Brading has actual flight experience. The setting mostly concentrated on the military aspects - understandably - but there were some enjoyable glimpses of how the rest of the world worked, especially when some of the characters visited this world's rather different London.

Short version: highly enjoyable and will definitely be picking up the next book in the series.

[Stephen h humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

A steam punk RAF during a different world war 2 with a squadron of misfit pilots good at their business

[John Mchale · Rating 4 out of 5]

very different and enjoyable

[Peter Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmmm - not normally a fan but ….

To start I do enjoy alternate history so, when I saw this read, I thought I’d give it a try.
When I started reading I realised the ‘steampunk’ content was very high and almost gave up. Glad I didn’t because it’s actually quite a good read with good characters and a ‘versatile’ storyline.
This isn’t a ‘blockbuster’ red (sorry Mr BRADING) but, rather, an enjoyable escape from ‘overused’ genres and with the added challenge of ‘equating’ the steampunk fantasy with actual history. It’s a fun read and well worth the read.

[Favour Creative · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Invasion of Britain kept me hooked from start to finish with its gripping stakes and fast-paced storytelling. The Misfits once again shine as underdogs who carry the weight of hope against impossible odds. A thrilling, well-written installment that left me eager for the next chapter in the series."

[Ashley Mindykowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting alternate history! I have never read a war book where it's all in the air but this was a very different perspective. I enjoyed the FMC and the other characters. It was an enjoyable read and I am definitely curious where the story will go from here.

[Volpot · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Certainly unique world that presents a steampunk version of WWII. Might read a sequel

[stephen conn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battle over Britain

Well that was interesting a steampunk version of the Battle of Britain spring powered aircraft and steam powered bombers I couldn't put this book down