I absolutely loved the first book of this series and could not wait to read this one. It is a refreshing take on war where women have a unique ability to do "philosophy" or you might say magic. Through the mastery of sigils they can flight, teleport, grow plants, freeze a body in time, etc. The main character of this series is Robert Weekes/Candarelli. He is a unique man in the fact that he can use philosophy and fly. The first book introduces you to Robert and gets you through his first year at Radcliffe where he learns to become even better.

These books take place during the Great War and Robert has to give a year of service in the sigil corps for his free year of schooling. The Philosopher's War is just that, the story of the corps part in the war. Robert is the lone man in Rescue and Evacuation with a group of all women. While there is a lot of joking Robert becomes a vital member of the division.

I liked this book enough stayed up until 1am reading the last 200 pages. If you are looking for a fantasy take on war and strength definitely read this series. The characters are all intriguing and will make you want to read more.

Tom Miller’s debut The Philosopher’s Flight was one of the best gems I found in 2018 and in my opinion it’s still tragically under-rated and under-read. Somehow it flew under a lot of radars, but after the brilliance that was this sequel, you can bet I’ll be jumping up and down, telling everyone about this series every chance I get. My God, this book! I can’t remember the last time I read something that affected my emotions so strongly and unraveled them to such a deep level. Needless to say, not only did The Philosopher’s War live up to every expectation set by the first book, it surpassed them in many ways as well. It’s now at the top for my favorite novel of the year.

But because having a good understanding of the main character’s background and being familiar with the world-building is so important, I definitely wouldn’t advise tackling this book without having read the previous one first. To recap, the series takes place during World War I, following protagonist Robert Weekes AKA Robert Canderelli, the first man to be allowed to join the US Sigilry Corps’s Rescue and Evacuation service, an all-women elite team of flying medics. In this world, there exists a magic system termed “philosophy”, which gifted individuals use with sigil drawing to perform all kinds of amazing feats like teleportation, flight, and crafting a myriad of incredible objects from smoke. For reasons unknown, however, women tend to have a much stronger affinity for philosophy, beating out their male counterparts by far. Not surprisingly, this means philosophical fields are dominated by women, and in the face of this bizarre twist on gender roles, men like Robert had to work twice as hard to prove himself and fight the discrimination against him in order to pursue his dreams of flying for R&E.

Now he is about to meet an even greater challenge, as he prepares to be shipped off to France to help in the Great War. Because its effects would be so powerful and devastating, use of philosophy in war is strictly regulated by international conventions. No army is allowed to use it in the field, except in disaster relief and in rescuing and evacuating the wounded, which suits Robert just fine. Ever since he was a child, he has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his heroines to become a Sigilwoman, serving his country and saving lives. But once in the Corps, all his romantic notions of heroism and bravery are dispelled as Robert finds himself in way over his head, surrounded by the danger, chaos, and death on the front lines. The only comfort he finds is in the rare messages he is able to receive from his girlfriend, the legendary transporter Danielle Hardin, or in the company of his sister flyers, who support him as much as they rag on him. However, as the weeks wear on and the Germans become more desperate, fears arise that the enemy will break with international law by using sigilry and smokecarving to develop a deadly chemical weapon. Fortunately, Robert’s commander, the unflappable General Blandings has a plan in place, and she’s hoping to recruit him for a key role in her group of spies, rebels, and misfits.

Much like its predecessor, few things in The Philospher’s War will unfold the way you’d expect. For the most part too, it takes on a completely different tone than the first book and focuses on a new conflict. Still, there are some familiar themes, mostly surrounding Robert’s struggles of trying to prove he can do the job just as well as any woman, though very quickly he realizes that things on the front lines are very different than they were at Radcliffe College. For one thing, the women of Second Division could care less about his pride or private hang ups, as long as they can count on him when it really matters. Because no matter what, you always stand with the women next to you.

And this is why I loved this book. It’s a fascinating mix of history and fantasy, but it reads like WWI fiction. The narrative style reminds me very much of the epicness of the WWII drama Band of Brothers, except with all female characters, but told from the perspective of a man, who is also “one of the girls.” Again, the situation makes for interesting dynamics. Robert’s history books are filled with stories of female heroes and their achievements, but despite having almost all the philosophical power in their world, women still have to fight for their place in a society where men have a lot of authority. Still, within the female spheres of influence, it’s as cutthroat as it can get with ruthless politics and powerplays. Robert is caught in the middle, a symbol of change for some women who see his acceptance into R&E as a step in the right direction, while others would like nothing more than to see him fail as proof that “men just can’t cut it.”

But away from the politicians and generals, down in the lower ranks with Robert and his friends, it’s an easy camaraderie between the women from all walks of life and their fierce loyalty to each other. My hat’s off to Tom Miller for writing the most awesome, realistic and genuine group of women I’ve had the pleasure to read about. They were all written so well, and I loved every one of them: Lt. Drale, Andrada, Punnett, Kiyo, Millen, and all the other women of Second Division. I laughed along with their jokes and antics, commiserated with them over defeats and challenges. It wasn’t difficult to sympathize with Robert’s dilemma, as he gradually grew in solidarity with his sisters in the Corps while feeling more and more unanchored from his life from before. And then, there were the deaths. Obviously, death is a huge theme of this book, being a war story and all, and R&E suffers a lot of casualties while trying to fly the injured out of warzones. Still, I just didn’t expect to hurt so much over the loss of some of these key characters. It was like having my guts ripped out, and yes, there were plenty of tears involved as well.

All told, I loved loved loved The Philosopher’s War. Although the story may take some time to get started, once it does, it becomes this formidable and emotionally powerful novel that will grip your attention and plunge itself into your heart. It’s one of the most poignant and harrowing books I’ve ever read, vividly evoking the terror and tragedies of battle but also the unshakeable bonds that are forged in times of hardship. War is hell for everyone involved, including the rescuers who ferry the gravely wounded men from the frontlines, even though the work is dangerous and fine brave women are being lost every step of the way. But they fly in spite of that, because lives need saving. As the reader, you get to experience those extraordinary friendships that form between Robert and his squad mates, as well as the crushing loss when the war claims them. But amidst the battles and bloodshed, there is also plenty of action, adventure, and even some humor. And of course, the world-building and the magic of philosophy was crazy unique and fantastic. As I’d hoped, this sequel has managed to reach new heights and has even surpassed the original, and I am just absolutely in awe. Whether you’re a war fiction buff, a lover of history, or a sci-fi and fantasy fan, there’s something for everyone, and I can’t recommend this series enough.

I enjoyed Tom Miller's The Philosopher's War even more than I liked the first book in the series! The sequel to book #1 was centered around the war, and I think the change in context made the military parallels so much more obvious and the subversion that much more interesting. The idea of referring to superiors as ma'am, the idea of Robert being forced to use the "ma'am" address because he was in a female unit, all of these things just hit home harder in the second book. I also liked how this one seemed to be more of a book in a series than the first; I can see how a third book (if there's going to be a third book) will fit, and am excited to read book #3 if it happens! If you haven't checked out Tom Miller's books, I definitely recommend giving them a chance.

"Show some respect. We are the things that go bump in the night. The whole world's praying for deliverance from us. Form up and launch."

When I read the first book in this series, I enjoyed it but was skeptical about how some of the world building turned out. However, the concept of the world Miller created was so interesting and full of potential that when I saw the second book in the duology was due for release, I eagerly asked for a copy. And boy, I wasn't disappointed. Miller takes all the best parts of book one and throws them into a situation where they truly shine: war.

This second book is darker with more action and more development for young Robert and his fellow flight troops in WWI. The book truly grasps the essence of war: how quickly horrible things happen, how monotonous even the craziest situations become, and how discombobulating it is to reenter the real, peaceful world. I enjoyed the subtle changes to military life from the point of view of a female brigade, along with their one male. As before Robert encounters more than his fair share of skepticism but, as it is in war, he's accepted quickly by proving himself on the field.

But this is war. Not everyone comes out of it. To my own surprise, I actually cried at one point in the book where Robert has to read the Form 41 (a will) for one of his fallen friends. It was touching and written so well; it felt so unfair, just as it is in war today when the young die. I appreciated that Miller wrote war for what it is, both heart wrenching and glorious and full of loss.

Watching Robert throughout this story is a fascinating look at how war changes a person. He undergoes incredible change from the boy he was in book one and while it hurt to watch him lose parts of himself, he gained such strength and purpose that it was exhilarating as well. I enjoyed the secondary characters immensely with Millen being my absolute favorite of the whole series. I also enjoyed getting to dive deeper into the magic system, particularly cartography. It was fascinating as a huge fantasy fan. The pacing is gripping; I could not put it down the whole way through. And the ending is just as it should be for such a hard story. I have never closed a book thinking that a character deserved a happy ending more, not that this was happy, I just hope those still alive in the end found it in that fictional world.

I would absolutely recommend this book to any fantasy fan, or a historical fiction fan who enjoys alternative narratives.


Note: I received a free Kindle edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher Simon & Schuster and the author Tom Miller for the opportunity to do so.

I loved Tom Miller's debut novel, "The Philosopher's Flight," an alternate history book about a world not unlike our own but with magic, so I was very excited to read this sequel. I'm sorry to say this book wasn't quite as fun or interesting as the first book in the series. Part of it is because the world is already established, and I think part of it is because it's set in Europe during World War I, and WWI, even with magic, is just a bit of a depressing slog. All that being said, I did still enjoy the book, wanted to keep reading, and would definitely still read further book(s) in the series should there be any. 3.5 stars.

A satisfying sequel to an already thrilling read. Miller does it again in giving readers a plot to sink your teeth into and characters you can't help but love despite all their flaws.

Book and Film Globe Review:
FLYGIRLS
by Michael Giltz

In Tom Miller’s clever fantasy series, the Great War is stumbling on and 18 year old Robert Weekes is determined to do his part. To Robert, that means one thing and one thing only: Rescue & Evacuation. In our world, that would have maybe meant driving an ambulance while risking life and limb to get the wounded from the front lines to a field hospital.

In the alternate universe of these books, R&E means Robert wants to be a flier, one of the “philosophers” who literally jumps in the air. Using their philosophical skills, they fly to the front lines, strap the wounded to their harnesses, and then fly out again, looking a lot like Superman in the process.

Well, everyone knows Robert is crazy. Men can’t fly, at least not well enough to join the all-female R&E. Naturally, that doesn’t stop Robert from pursuing his dream. In Miller’s first book The Philosopher’s Flight, Robert shows just enough promise for Radcliffe to admit him for training. He must endure the hazing and disdain of both the outside world and most of the women alongside whom he wants to work.

In the second book, The Philosopher’s War, the military tosses Robert into the midst of battle, where an understaffed corps of women strain to meet the demands placed on them. After a few explain exactly what they’ll do to Robert if he even thinks of looking at one of them sideways, the heat of battle and Robert’s gumption convince them to treat him as just one of the girls.

The Philosopher’s War is a new spin on an old story, a mildly fresh way of seeing what prejudice and exclusion can be like for an outsider, and a rousing tale that gets better and better as it goes along.

Miller fills in the details of this world by beginning each chapter with excerpts from memoirs, histories of the Civil War (in which female philosophers commit what we’d consider atrocities to end the damn thing), letters, private communications, and even textbooks written years after the events in which Robert is taking part.

Quite quickly, we learn a few things. What philosophers do isn’t magic, it’s a science we don’t understand very well yet. But because women do it best, men in power fear and despise them. Radicals want to kill any woman who does it, much as they burned women for being witches when practicing medicine. Meanwhile, radical philosophers don’t wait for the police and enact their own revenge.

Robert finds himself in the midst of all this, along with debates over genocide, weapons of mass destruction, mutiny, and more.

Naomi Novik added dragons to the Napoleonic Era in her Temeraire series and wondered what military strategy would be like if that were true. Miller does the same in The Philosopher’s War, deftly mapping out the possibilities of philosophy, which include, along with flying, the ability to transport people and materials hundreds of miles in one fell swoop and a thousand other niceties.

While the story stays focused on basic training in book one and the actual war in book two, Miller lays out how people have used and abused these powers over the decades and why Robert and women like him (it’s a point of honor that his fellow fliers call him “miss” and “Ma’am”) might refuse this time around to allow generals who want to win at any cost to misuse the Philosophers’ unique skills and powers.

Miller laid lot of groundwork in book one, which may be why I enjoyed The Philosopher’s War more. A fan of fantasy could read book two on its own, though I wouldn’t quite recommend that. The first book is good and the second one very good indeed. Will there be a third? They keep calling this the Philosophers Series, but it seems to me the story has wrapped up quite nicely.

Of course, whether Miller writes another book or not, this won’t be the end of it. Movies, or more likely a TV series, will be in the cards. It’s got a winning if imperfect young hero, magic, some great roles for men (like the befuddled head of Radcliffe who seems nuttier than a fruitcake until his daft pronouncements start predicting the future), and a TON of great roles for women. In fact, it has so many good female characters that the performers would lock up the acting Emmys for years to come.

Female generals run the entire Philosophers arm of the military. Hard-bitten women curse and argue strategy with one another. Grizzled veterans and wide-eyed kids play cards, swap stories, break in the newbies, and give the lone guy for miles around a good-natured but hard time of it. All of this takes place against the heartbreaking backdrop of the War To End All Wars. It’s the perfect fictional recipe for a world hungry for representations of strong, complex women. I’m no wizard, but I can make a prediction: future books or not, this isn’t the last we’ve heard from the Philosophers or Tom Miller.

-- Michael Giltz

Look, I know that this is a very different book from its predecessor, "The Philosopher's Flight," and that that first book won my heart and soul in no time flat. "The Philosopher's War" takes everything we loved about the first book--schools of magic, arcane fantastical science-y arts, a dash of danger and a dollop of a good time--and flips it all on its ear. By all rights, then, I should probably feel an equally different feeling toward this book--but you know what? I don't. I freakin' love this book, and I will fight *anyone* who wants to mess with my very confused but intractably loyal feelings right now.

About the only parts of the first book that Miller pulled through this sequel were its underpinnings as alternate history, and its LGBTQIA+ representation. We got a whole bunch of lesbian medics here, and I'm all for it, just as Miller seems to be all for it, without that being any of the major tentpoles of the book. It's just ... there, nestled happily between battle scenes more reminiscent of Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" than any of the WWI literature I've read to date--although, admittedly, I haven't sampled widely from Hemingway's cohort, ever since I grew impatient with long declarative sentences in college.

Let's not beat around the bush any longer: This is one grim-ass book. That's where the comparisons to O'Brien come in. There's a peculiar quality to the grimness that bypasses the unremitting gore and violence of many of modern fantasy's biggest franchises right now, or the mindless action sequences of many of modern science fiction's. It would be inaccurate to say that the grimness is "leavened" or "offset" or "mitigated" by intimate moments between rapidly beloved characters when in the comparative safety of a field base or on leave in France. The closest I can come to putting this accurately is to say that Miller's pacing is exquisite, and he always knows when to provide a second to breathe and contemplate the grimness from a new angle, or in the fresh light cast by sympathetic hand. Gone are the fun romps and near disasters Robert survived while a student at Radcliffe; here are battlefields strewn with the dead and dying, requiring endless and often ill-fated rescue attempts by the R&E. Here are friends from before Robert's deployment who are facing their own private battles, and yet who are simply incapable of understanding the slow but steady dehumanizing demands the war places on its medics. Everyone's at war, and everyone's alone.

I mean, not quite. Robert's most endearing trait is his loyalty to the women at whose side he works, and in turn their simple pleasure in living alongside each other is winsome enough to break your heart ten times over each time the casualty list grows. What I mean to say is: Everyone goes to war alone, even in the midst of a crowd, and Miller gets this. He gets the fear the horror and the abject misery of it. There is no heroism in the midst of a real war, no medals that can salvage one's lost friends and comrades. But there's no alternative for the truly good soldier or medic, the beloved character, than to strive to be good and decent when it is least possible to be so. Ironically, Miller has for me captured the spirit of the best nonfiction works that came out of the Vietnam War--hopeless men, against hopeless odds, never to be respected and welcomed back at home, forever frozen out of their own country in spirit if not in fact--and managed to inject the teeniest, tiniest, most vitally important smidgen of hope back into that narrative.

You'll have to read it to believe me, but let me just add one last thing: I'm still crying as I finish out this review. This has been a year for emotional gut-punches in fantasy, from Sarah Gailey's "Magic for Liars" to Seanan McGuire's "In an Absent Dream" to E.K. Johnston's "The Afterward." My little heart is too fragile for all of this power, but I'm making room for at least one more, and that book is "The Philosopher's War."

P.S. Anyone who makes use of Montana as a part of the solution to a global conflict without mucking it up will have me in tears anyway, but this book? This freakin' book, my friends. It does everything well.

I'm not sure how to classify this book: historical fiction/fantasy? It is a powerful story. The Philosopher's Flight was pure delight as it followed Robert's pursuit of his dreams. The Philosopher's War records the reality of realizing his dreams. It is so real in its depiction of the emotional toll that war inflicts that it almost hurts to read. Robert stands with his sisters and they stand with him as they become a cohesive frontline Rescue and Evacuation unit in the Great War. I hope there is a third book so I can check on Robert and his friends post-war.

Tom Miller's The Philosopher's Flight was one of the most refreshing books I read in 2018. He has followed that debut with a triumphant second novel that continues the bildungsroman account of Robert Canderelli Weekes, a nineteen-year-old sigilrist and rare male practitioner of the magical art called philosophy. Robert's Radcliffe dreams have come to fruition and he's become the first male member of the US Sigilry Rescue and Evacuation Corps. Let me assure you, it is his worst possible nightmare.

Thrust into an environment in which he must deal with the prejudice against a male practitioner of sigilry (sexism) and the prejudice against practitioners of sigilry period (a sort of racism, but also sexism, in this alt-history of WWI, where Black Jack Pershing is not a sigilry fan), Robert finds himself in the midst of a great ethical crisis. It puts him at odds with his flame, Danielle, with half the corps, and facing a huge dilemma as the first man to be allowed in the corps. You will recall that in the Great War, warfare was waged with terrible weapons. And so it is with Miller's war, where not only chemical weapons but biological weapons are readied by both the Americans and Germans. The American plan to use a smoke laden with plague on the city of Berlin has Weekes' commander, General Blandings, planning mutiny at best and treason at worst. What side will Robert stand on? And how much will that stand cost him? And let's not forget that while all this is playing out, he is flying rescue missions against sometimes crazy odds. War, in all its heartbreaking dreadfulness, is on full display here.

Introducing a number of delightful new characters, The Philosopher's War offers a rousing sequel to readers who loved the first book. I was also glad of the illustrations, which provide a better understanding of a philosopher's equipment and their fearful weaponry. I'm hoping, (not a spoiler, since we see this early on from the prologue) that we will enjoy a third and possibly fourth novel about the man who will eventually become a Brigadier General and, as of May 1941, be living in exile? Give us more, Dr. Miller, give us more!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC.

After being pleasantly surprised by [book:The Philosopher's Flight|32620364] last year, this felt like a step down as far as an ending goes. This seems to do what many so-so sequels do, which is to separate the two main characters whose chemistry helped make the first book so enjoyable in ways that make both of them blander by comparison.

I appreciated the attention to detail with regards to the actual timeline this takes place in, but the last half of the book became a muddle of newly-introduced characters doing things in battles in ways that felt like they could have been more tightly plotted. An epilogue helps wrap up the storylines in a way that I wish was more spread out than the baggy passages that proceeded it, since I was largely left underwhelmed.

I loved the first book in this series and I loved this one.
They're engrossing and entertaining, full of humour and with some interesting food for thought.
The world building is as impressive as it was in the first installment, the characters are fleshed out, the plot keeps you hooked till the last page.
I look forward to reading other books by this author and hope this isn't the last in the series as I want to read more about this amazing universe.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I'm officially done with this series. The first book had enough promise to encourage me to read this second installment, but this book plodded along unevenly and did not make me care enough to continue reading. If you're looking for an alternate reality war-heavy fantasy, then there's probably enough here to keep you interested. I wanted more from the relationships, but Robert (the main character) has very flat interactions with all of the women. None of those relationships felt real or nuanced to me. The war parts and world-building are stronger though, so if that's your interest, then this series might be a better fit for you.

This is the follow-up to "The Philosopher's Flight" by Tom Miller. In this alternate history, the breaking point is the American Civil War. In this America, some woman have the ability to fly (called Philosophes) and hover like helicopters. They got a bad rap after they bombed the city of Atlanta with poison gas and killed all the inhabitants, not just the Rebels. After this flyers could only be used to transport the wounded to casualty stations.

It's now the "War to End All Wars" and the American Army is being slaughtered on the ground, while the Philosophes are being shot out of the air, by ground snipers and from airplanes. Robert has joined the Corp as the first male flyer. He and his division go on a secret mission which if successful will end the war...blah blah blah. It's an interesting idea, but the characters are weak and the interaction of Robert with the other (all female) flyers is poor and pedestrian.

Against all odds, Robert proved he could fly with the big girls and got into the US Sigilry Corps. No man has ever been admitted into Rescue and Evacuation, so of course the first gets dumped into Fifth Division with the other rejects, mostly women whose skin color kept them from achieving the accolades their abilities warranted. The tight-knit group slowly warms to their new little brother, but WWI remains a meat grinder even in a universe with magic. The slaughter disgusts Robert so much he contemplates joining a mutiny that could save millions of lives. Rigorous world-building and a cast that's 90% powerful women: delightful.

The Philosopher’s War is the second novel in the series by Tom Miller. And it is an epic sequel by any means. This is a world where magic exists in the form of Philosophy. It’s also a female dominated practice, due to their innate talents.
The series follows Robert Canderelli Weekes – one of the only male Philosophers of note. And the only male R&E flier out there. Because of his unique circumstances, as well as his drive to follow his passion, Robert finds himself in a series of plots and schemes to end the war. But what will it cost him?
The Philosopher’s Series is in many ways, a historical fantasy series. It’s set during the First World War, which is going quite differently thanks to the use of Philosophers. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but it’s worth it.
This series has been a complete whirlwind for me. I first discovered the series thanks to Book of the Month club, but I was too hooked to wait and see if it would be featured again this year. And I’m glad I was impatient – because The Philosopher’s War held up to all of my expectations.
The Philosopher’s War is four hundred and sixteen pages – but they all passed by in a blur for me. I devoured this book. But then I was left with one of the worst book hangovers - I just couldn’t get this world out of my head!

Warnings: The Philosopher’s War is set during World War I. Specifically, Robert and the rest of the team he works with, are evacuating soldiers from the front. There are graphic deaths described during these scenes, as well as fairly accurate descriptions of PTSD and survivor’s guilt. There is also a huge dose of sexism from those that run the war – the type that won’t want women in power. It’ll leave a bitter taste in your mouth (though I respect Tom Miller for portraying this element of his world).
It’s been two days, and I still can’t get the Philosopher’s War out of my head. This novel just completely grabbed all of my imagination and attention span, and it won’t let go. Honestly though, I’m okay with that. It’s not every day you can get that obsessed with a book, right?
This was a seriously intense book. I knew that Robert was going to join the R&E (Rescue and Evacuation) unit, and that he would be flying injured men from the war. But knowing it and seeing it are two completely different things. Honestly, all credit to Tom Miller for accurately portraying both the horror and the numbness that comes from seeing injuries and losses such as those.
There was more to this novel than that though, because of course Robert got himself pulled into something bigger. It was interesting to see him struggle and make the moral decision that felt right to him. Sometimes he was stuck between the love of his life and the women on his flight unit. Not an easy choice by any means.
I will say that there was one point that had been bugging me through the course of the novel. I’ll try to avoid spoilers here. Robert got pulled into a bigger plot during the war, because they needed a man. They didn’t say why, but kept building on that point. It wasn’t too painful, but maybe a little grating? However! Once the reason why got revealed, I had to laugh about it! It actually made complete sense, and I can’t argue with the what and why of it in the least. So if that part bugs you at all, just keep reading. I promise it’ll work out.
I’m honestly not sure if the Philosophers Series is a duology, trilogy, or whatever it wants to be. Part of me feels like this is the end, while the rest of me isn’t ready to say goodbye just yet. I’m too afraid to look it up and find out right now though. Maybe once the book hangover is over with I’ll be more inclined to find an answer.

*4.5 stars rounded up!

Tom Miller takes us this time to an alternative history of WWI in which the flyers, including Robert, perform rescue missions to bring out the wounded on the battlefronts of Europe. If you are not familiar with this series, when I say 'flyers,' they are not in any kind of plane but fly using sigils and a mixture of powders. Robert is one of a very few male flyers in this service and is the brunt of lots of jibes and discrimination so of course he has to keep proving himself. And then he is called on for a very special mission that may end the war.

Robert experiences every cruel and bloody aspect of war in his work and it changes him. Can he even imagine going back to every day life in the States after what he's seen and done? Can he and Darlene still be together?

There's humor, action, adventure, bravery, romance all rolled up in this story. And perhaps a bit of mutiny...Makes for some exciting reading.

I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for an exciting adventure!

The Philosopher’s War is an eagerly-awaited sequel to The Philosopher’s Fight. It picks up after Robert graduates from Radcliffe and heads off to World War I where soldiers’ lives are wasted by profligate generals determined to win at all cost. As the only man in the R&E, he flies to the front to rescue and evacuate the wounded. The experience bonds him to his fellow R&E fliers in ways that people on the outside cannot understand.

Meanwhile, General Blandings who leads the rescuers is organizing an alternative strategy to end the war and recruits Robert to her effort. Robert is, she insists, the key to success and she wants him to be careful, an impossible ask for a committed rescuer who stands by the woman next to him. He befriends his fellow fliers and mourns when they are killed, as is bound to happen with the mishaps and tragedies of war. Each loss makes the bonds to those who remain stronger.



I enjoyed The Philosopher’s War. There are sweet moments that made me smile, such as a quote from a never-written book by Hemingway as a chapter epigraph referencing the philosophical flyers. The sigil-notes that Robert exchanges with Danielle Hardin, his sweetheart who now works for a U.S. senator seem an amusing form of phone sex. Most particularly, I liked the evolution in their relationship as Robert identifies more and more with the women in the Sigil Corps with whom he faces death time and time again. Danielle simply cannot understand what his life is like and their relationship suffers.

Robert is a good man, committed to his craft and his fellow fliers. The story is often harrowing and death and mayhem are ever-present, far more so than in the first book, but then war is violent and World War I was a horror.

This is a good series, an alternative to reality that is fantastical but still recognizable with real history.

The Philosopher’s War will be released on July 16th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.

Final Grade: A

TL;DR - A great war story, and a Great War story.

Similar works: All Quiet on the Western Front (1979 film), Full Metal Jacket, Band of Brothers (miniseries)

I don't read a lot of war novels. In fact, I don't really watch much in the way of war movies or TV shows either. Mostly, it's the machismo that turns me off. At best, they're usually a narrative played straight along the lines of "Tough Guys are excited to fight for their country, go to war, find out War Is Hell, return home broken." Some do it better than others.

That being said, I loved The Philosopher's War. It feels qualitatively different from other war stories. Maybe it's because the focus is on non-combatants, (view spoiler). Or maybe it's because all the characters besides the protagonist are women, and they aren't written as one-note Action Girls. For the most part, they're fully formed characters, and the reader comes to care about them and their well-being. There's certainly no shortage of War Is Hell drummed into you. However, the stakes feel real, the losses feel tragic, and there's a real sense of the old adage that war is "months of boredom punctuated by moments of terror."

FYI, for those coming in from The Philosopher's Flight, a lot of the threads from that book are put on hold for the duration of this book. Fair enough, our baby boy Robert's gone off to war, and he's too busy to keep up with domestic affairs. Regardless, I got the sense that the author intends to return to all of that business in the next installment.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for unbiased feedback.

I enjoyed The Philosopher’s Flight. It was worth the read and I was happy to read the sequel. I’m glad I did — because The Philosopher’s War was even better. Gone are the college days and courting of first love; this was a story of camaraderie, trauma, war, and the greater good.

We open with Robert on his way to France to serve in Rescue & Evacuation for WWI. He’s placed on a team of misfits who are close like family and passionate about doing good, doing their jobs. After a slightly rocky start, he finds his place among them. But it’s not the glamorous life of heroism that he’d picture. It’s hard and ugly and filled with trauma, and there’s a lot more at stake than he ever thought. Turns out he’s also the center of a master plan that could end the war and save millions of lives. Also, Danielle is back in Washington DC, so far removed from what he’s going through now — physically and emotionally.

The biggest thing that struck me about this story is how much more mature Robert is. He’s a year older and goes through a lot on the frontlines of the war that makes him more mature. Tom Miller brought this out not only through Robert’s internal monologues, but also in the language choices Robert uses naturally, in the descriptions of all his experiences. The whole writing style is subtly shifted.

About a third of the way through the book, the story really picked up and I was hooked. Tom Miller does a great job of bringing readers into this alternate universe of a war, all action and no unnecessary, drawn out battle details. And the ending was fantastic; I had never imagined it all happening like that.

There’s plot space for future Philosopher books (I hope there will be!), but it also all wrapped up nicely. All in all a solid story with good writing that is exciting and magical and fun.