Declared Hostile: Flip Wilson Series, Book 2

Started a bit slow, but Miller was setting up an important theme that later crowned the ending. The flying scenes were detailed,intense, and mesmerizing. I really appreciated the launches, landings, and combat flying. As a pilot (but not a naval aviator) I felt like I was in the cockpit and fully engaged in flying every second. Miller has a way of ratcheting up the action, and just when you think it is peaking, two or three more evolutions take you over the top. A great read.

In his first novel the author, a retired Naval Aviator, used a huge amount of naval acronyms and readers were forced to go back and forth to see what they meant. I spent 26 years in the Navy with time served on a carrier and even I was forced to look back to see what they meant. In he second book (this one) he gives the reader the full name of the acronym then goes back and used it in short. He must have had feed back for this change which was a very good one. The story line is very interesting and you can continue to follow along with the protagonist and his merry of aviators on a new carrier. Although some would tell you the story is implausible I would tell you that is is a "fiction" story so just read and enjoy.

This is a great follow on to the first book. While I thoroughly enjoyed Raven One I thought the author went into little much detail and specific vocabulary around flying from a carrier and aerial tactics. He certainly knows his stuff. This book has a great and surprising story line with really fleshed out characters. And not so many that it is confusing. He also cut back on the aeronautical details to make it easier for a non military reader like me. I learned a lot about life on a carrier and the air wing. I will definitely be moving on the next book

One of those books you start reading and quickly find yourself forgoing things like: bathing, sleep, food. :) Seriously, a "page turner" for me and I was bummed out when I finished it. I wanted more !! Read it over a couple of days because I simply couldn't wait to learn what happened next. Very well crafted. Suspenseful in a very original way. I enjoyed Miller's book Raven One and it is apparent his writing skills just keep getting better. Minor criticisms of his first book focused on the heavy technical detail, but I really appreciate that detail because it yields so much in added realism. There is a great glossary of acronyms / terms at the start of the book and the laymen that spends a couple of minutes reviewing them before delving into the first chapter will have no problem. Finally, I'd say that this and Raven One provide insights into squadron life while embarked aboard a ship better than anything I have ever read. If you're looking to understand unit hierarchy, interpersonal relationships among squadron mates and how a squadron interfaces with peer units and higher headquarters, you will not find a more entertaining way to do so.

A good read in general. I occasionally went glassy eyed on the level of detail describing certain preparations or circumstances. Still, some darned good stories. Worth the read and the follow up

Kevin Miller is a gifted writer who will soon be listed in the company of the great military fiction authors such as Tom Clancy, Stephen Coonts, Dale Brown, and P. T. Deutermann. As a former naval aviator, Kevin superbly weaves the intricacies of carrier aviation, anxieties of combat, and the human emotions of life within a squadron on deployment, into a a thrilling and exciting page-turning adventure. After reading Kevin's first novel Raven One, I anxiously awaited the publication of Declared Hostile and purchased it as soon as it was available. Similar to Raven One, the characters are well developed, the story line is unpredictable but still plausible, and the action is non-stop. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Kevin's newest novel and look forward to his next book. I highly recommend Declared Hostile to anyone who enjoys reading military fiction.

Just my gripes: Still drags a bit in parts leads to skimming to get to the next action set pieces more frequently than not. While we do get better fleshed out character development this time (one really good one) , some end up inconsequential (stand ins for audience to receive exposition) in the end. Could probably had been composited (two "main" characters) or eliminated (one early character, and another written out halfway through). Again, these are my gripes. There's enough good stuff to more make up for it.

Captain Miller writes with the US Navy aviator in mind. This book is ABSOLUTELY spellbinding. (I am a non-rated retired USAF officer.) Whether air-to-air, or air-to ground missions, Miller's descriptions capture the emotion and energy in the cockpit. Activities on board the carrier are described in such detail you can almost feel the energy and smell the ocean breeze. Miller's use of acronyms and "Navy-jargon", may be unfamiliar, but you can certainly get the gist of the communication. I especially enjoyed reading his description of the effect of women on-board as fighter pilots, intelligence officers, and on-deck Petty Officers. Time consuming mission planning, arming aircraft with correct mission ordinance, the jolt of the"cat" launch and on-board recovery at night and in weather are all absorbing activities described in great detail. This "Raven One" trilogy is an edge-of-your seat fictional account of his main character (and others) "Flip" (call-sign) Wilson, the Silver Waterfall, a novel of the battle of Midway is ALSO a must read of Kevin Miller. Sierra Hotel, sir! RogerB, USAF, LtCol (Ret)

An action filled novel of life in a carrier fighter squadron at war with interacting tension of multiple interpersonal conflicts. Great read!

Raven One was much better. This second book is not very good. Lots of loose ends, stories that begin and seem important but then never end and are forgotten by the author. He also tries to write parts of some conversations in Spanish and most of them make no sense or have spelling and grammar mistakes which do not look good at all. I think I will not buy the third book :(

Exiting navy story

A great follow up, read as a sequel or stand alone. Just enjoy the flair and complexity and authenticity that flows through this book. You enter this world of jets and technology and get taken on a ride of action, great characters, strong plot and that sense of satisfaction that this author knows his onions.

O escritor consegue se superar com essa obra em todos os momentos. Realmente um Thriller digno de filme, parabéns aí Kevin Miller!