Advanced Praise
Action, loyalty, valor, and blood make Stewart’s series kicker in the Knights of the Air series a remarkable historical. When Lance Fitch joined the British Royal Flying Corps, he had nothing else but revenge on his mind. As he enters 100 Wing as an elite pilot on his commanding officer Arthur Wolsey’s request, the urge to destroy his enemies becomes stronger than ever. But the aerial war is both bloody and lethal, and to preserve his wing, Lance must learn to stay alive first. A fine blend of fictional and historical characters, with themes drawn from the Arthurian myths, the book displays Stewart’s flair for vivid imagery and his skill at weaving various narrative strands into an ingenious whole. This is a story of war, and the fate of those fighting at the front is never much in doubt but it’s an engrossing and tense story all the same. From Lance’s inner turmoil to his rage in the field to his conversations with Arthur, a sense of rugged hardness and loss is palpable. Stewart is unsparing when it comes to depicting the physical, psychological, and spiritual damages wrought by war. A sharp and effective blend of WWI aviation action and adventure, a hefty dose of emotion and human drama, plus a dash of romance keep the pages flying. Finely written and vividly imagined, this is a complex, gritty novel delving into the brutalities of war. Stewart is an author to watch.
“RAGE!, the first book in lain Stewart’s Knights of the Air series, is about as realistic & loyal to history as they come. The author’s meticulous research is evident not only in its vivid strategy and action but also in its rich and textural detail. Each item in this world is specific and purposeful; the dialogue is nuanced and strategic; the book is packed with immersion into scenes that really happened and into the minds of people who really lived. If you’re looking for a deep dive into World War I aviation, you just met your match with this Knights of the Air series…If Rage is any indicator for the rest of the Knights of the Air series, military history buffs better be making some room on their bookshelves now.”
“Military history readers who like their stories couched in the drama and psychological examinations of fiction will find Knights of The Air, Book 1: Rage! a story of combat, unexpected romance, friendships tested by war, and a rise to leadership commanded by events that test even the most seasoned of pilots.” –D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“Wrapping World War I and aeronautic history around the personal struggles of some of the men who lived it up close, Iain Stewart has created a cinematic viewpoint as seen through the career of a dedicated, determined, vengeful loner.“
“”Knights of the Air” is Book One of what promises to be a highly enjoyable series and this reviewer, for one, is looking forward to the sequel.“
Rage! also won the “Highly Recommended” award!
Iain Stewart –
My favorite reading experiences involve being entertained, while coming away with newfound knowledge. This book fires on all cylinders. A roaring yarn about a piece of history I sadly knew little about – WW1 and the birth of wartime aviation. A fascinating melding of exciting storytelling with true-to-spirit technical know-how created a story that forced me to suspend all other activities until I read through to the very last page. Stewart shows a writing style that is rare among his peers: Fluid and transporting, with deft employ of precise aviation terminology, and yet never broaching on the dry and didactic. Character development is solid; protagonist profile is imperfect and believable. Bonus: there were no typographical or grammatical errors to be seen. To my delight, I came to find out that Stewart has more books coming. I’ll be the first in line!
Alexander P Lorenz
Iain Stewart –
Nothing destined me to love Knights of the Air.
I am neither a history nor an airplane buff.
The synopsis: a young Brit from British East Africa who ends up (out of revenge) becoming an ace in the Royal Flying Corps during WW I.
I was gripped by the book.
The psychological transformation and complexity of the main character, the effective and rich descriptions of the war communities (English and German) and air battles, the depiction of a significant cast of characters (males and females) and their interactions…are all made extremely compelling thanks to a rich, often humoristic (British humour) , sometimes lyrical prose.
The book is light and deep, entertaining and enlightening, complex and direct,…
I can’t wait for Vol 2.
Didier Birsch
Iain Stewart –
Knights of the Air suprised me with both the riveting details of the WW1 air war and the East Africa stories.
I started reading and just did not want to put the book down. The Characters in the book were very well developed and their stories engrossing. Would love to read more, especially about the WW1 air war that changed the course of the war.
Dov Schlein
Iain Stewart –
Knowing a bit about the early days of the Royal Flying Corps inspired by my Father who was a post WW2 jet fighter pilot I found this a wonderful read. Beautifully written with a wealth of historical detail, it had me engrossed from the first few pages and was difficult to put down. The novel , based on a young man, or perhaps boy would be a better description, transported from South Africa to the battlefield of France has shades of Wilbur Smith’s “A sparrow falls”, but this is much superior, less cliché driven and brings home the tragedy and despair of young men in an ultimately pointless war.
Simon Jeremy Glass