Review: Humans join a Trading Cooperative
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 07 28, 2012
Why would aliens come to Earth in a ship without radios? Would you believe they need a wing of Navy planes; that the U.S. re-engines surplus stock with special engines for space? This is not deep Scify!The author blends 20th century carrier aviation with a spaceship and kept me reading for three nights. Picture two young enlisted sailors dropped amongst this alien race, speaking a different language, with social customs that they must adapt to. They help make their unorthodox combat wing a galactic success. Along the way they break some paternalistic traditions and a few hearts.Not that it is a polished work; there were at least two disconnects in the story that will cause you to re-examine the previous scene, and one glaring aeronautical fault. Some part of the rough draft must have been deleted which set the scene encountered upon return to earth. -minus 1 star-Other reviewers focus on the unequal status of the main characters versus their officers- but every hero needs to overcome challenges before achieving success. No, it doesn't reflect present day social strata, but it is 2053, and the world has gone through wrenching changes. It is a bleak place, feudal in many ways, bound by bureaucracy in others. The sex complaint ignores the close association of sailors and sex. So duty placing young males close to women is sure to result in occasional liaisons. Personal combat? Well, John did practice with a self-defense class, so that might give him an edge.But I give the book 2 stars for placing a talented young guy into a universe of possibilities and taking us with him through strife and combat to earn his share of a reward.This deserves to go on your shelf of trader stories.