GRR Reviews Rebel Wing (Rebel Wing Trilogy, Book 1) by Tracy Banghart

Rebel Wing is a scifi military fiction with a light dose of romance. It is closer in spirit to Starship Troopers (the novel, NOT the movies!) but also with some intriguing conspiracy in the background that together, worked up to a great tale of working past challenges, maturing from naiveness, and embracing one's destiny. Romance is only a MINOR component of the book, even though it formed the initial premise.

The Dominion of Atalanta is at war, but for Aris, who is just coming of age, her heart was set on Calix, her almost-betrothed, and her flying, for she is possibly the best flyer in all of Atalanta. But for the kids, the war is far away, until Calix was drafted into the military as a mender. Aris was willing to do ANYTHING to be close to him, but females are not permitted in Atalanta military, not even as menders. When someone offered her a chance, she jumped at it, no matter the price, and thus Aris, with a little tech help (holo veil and voice changer) from the off-the-books organization, will become Aristos the flyer, a "ghost" (disguised female) in the Atalanta military, and join the Search and Rescue squad, just for a chance to see Calix again. For Calix, Aris will give up her friends, her family, even her identity. And on the way, Aris will find herself in the middle of a great conspiracy to subvert an ally of Atalanta... and realize her true calling.

The book can be described as part Mulan, part Starship Troopers, and part Iron Eagle. For Aris/Aristos still has to survive the training (which means she had to toughen up, and Calix will be no longer her top priority, for she finally understood WHY he had to go, and how selfish her wishes are, but now that she had tasted combat, nothing will ever be the same again. All the emotions rang true, from confusion to bravery to acceptance to rage to doubt... and the plot was weaved quite well.

For the readers who found the premise, the girl abandoning everything just to be with the guy... simplistic and stupid... this is not really much of a spoiler... She'll grow out of it. Give the book a chance. I think you'll find it is a worthwhile read.

Category: Science Fiction

Primary Plot: Young woman following her man to war, entered secret program to enter military disguised as a man; embroiled in conspiracy

Tropes: disguise, fated mate, coming of age, childhood sweetheart

Overall Rating:  5/5