From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Skybound

Aleksandr Voinov

Start date: November 1, 2012

Finish date: November 30, 2012

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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Book of the Month Club

* Candidates for Next Month's Read
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What Members Thought

Jul 27, 2012 Johanna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, short-story, ebook, favorites, aleksandr-voinov

I was touched by this story about brave men in the extreme circumstances. I couldn’t even start writing this review right after I finished reading, because the powerful, yet subtle story left me pondering on the characters and actions of Felix and Baldur. I loved the names the author had chosen to these men. Merely those two words describe them so accurately: the other one really is the lucky one while the other means bold, brave and good.

I think that the word love isn’t mentioned in this story ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Aug 22, 2012 Feliz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, historical, soldiers

This story was different.

Not only because of the setting on a German airfield near Berlin in the last days of WWII. Not only because both main characters were German Wehrmacht soldiers, and not only because of the first person present tense narrative. But still, all those factors worked together to make it exceptional.

As far as I can tell, this story captured the spirit and the mindset of the time perfectly. I recognized them from my grandfather's tales, battle-weary, honorable, conscientious ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Jul 03, 2012 Lady*M rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m-romance, military, historical

The cynic in me is waiting for the moment when Voinov will disappoint. Apparently, it will have to continue waiting. From the layman's point of view (on all things military), the only flaw of this story is that it's not twice as long.

I am not usually the fan of present tense narrative, but it works here - both to showcase the imminent danger and inevitable defeat of German side and Felix's feelings for Baldur, measured by ace's take-offs and landings. It also works in the prose, lyrical and touc ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Nov 10, 2012 JR rated it really liked it

Having a love affair with planes, fighter pilots, and WWII makes this story interesting to me. I found the characters endearing, and the story had a surprising gentleness that you don't associate with war. It left me hoping they grow old together. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 21, 2012 Joy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, re-read-2012

Many thanks to Aleksandr Voinov for giving us such a beautiful story. I look forward to reading it again--and again. Have read twice now and going for third time--the words are just so lovely

6 likes · Like · see review

Feb 14, 2013 Mtsnow13 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, historical, military, romance, less-than-100-pages, blue-collar-mechanic-trucker, 5-star-reads

A very meloncholy view of WWII, and the point of view of a German pilot and an aircraft mechanic that I found very fascinating.

During wartime, it is good to remember that the people on opposite sides of the war have regular lives, and the same challenges and concerns about daily life as we do.

At the end, it helped in realizing that there are always two sides to a war, and then of course, the war within oneself, as to what your own purpose is.

Quite a heavy subject matter in a short story, and I ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Oct 07, 2012 Antonella rated it it was amazing

I've just realized that not to say anything, apart from giving 5 stars, is not right.

This story is just perfect in all its parts: writing, historical setting, romance part (yes, there is a romance).

See also reviews by Johanna or Val Kovalin. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 03, 2012 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aleksandr-voinov, 2012, historical-regency, riptide, military

Oh my goodness. What an absolute gorgeous read! Such beautiful prose. The setting was amazing and so well detailed. Baldur and Felix's budding romance/relationship was so sweet yet it was constantly shrouded in a black cloud due to the impending doom that I was certain was going to befall Baldur. It was so hard to feel hopeful for them when I kept expecting Baldur to not return from one of his missions. And every time he took to the sky, my heart broke a little for Felix. However, the ending was ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 20, 2012 Ari rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm-romance

My first Aleksandr Voinov!!
And I impressed! Much!

I don't fancy war themed story (it's frustrating sometimes...)but I like how this story ended. And I hope there's more of it ^^ ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 02, 2012 Celine rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-book, m-m

again incredible writing by Aleks Voinov: heartfelt and gutwrenching. it's all in there...hope and despair, I can almost imagine what it would be to live in those times.

but why oh why is this so short?? there was so much to this story, masterfully crammed into a mere 40 pages... I get the masterpiece but it would have been so nice to dive into Felix and Baldur's world for a few days in stead of a few hours.... ...more

4 likes · Like · see review