 |
In this riveting book, the narrative introduces Lieutenant Frank Nicolosi, a US Navy flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida. His code name is Pizza, and he lives for nothing more than the speed of jets and the wide, blue infinity of the skies. Nicolosi is a tough instructor. He shares harrowing rides with students who, like him, dream of conquering the skies. His rival, Joe Christmas, is just as intense as Nicolosi, and the two find themselves working together when another instructor threatens to surpass them and their students. Meanwhile, unexpected and whirlwind love affairs unfold, causing some of the best students, like the unconquerable, unquenchable, and unbreakable McGrady, to rethink their entire careers.
Set against the backdrop of intense training, flight school banter, and lifelong camaraderie, this story is packed with intense action and off-duty shenanigans. Nicolosi is an entertaining, keenly observant narrator who tells his story—and others' stories—with humor, depth, and emotion. One of the book's most beautiful moments is when Nicolosi reflects, "Autumn was just around the corner, and with it came promises of cooler days and nights. With that, another holiday season inched closer. The cycle seemed to go faster and faster with each passing year." His reflection affirms that, despite their heroic antics in the skies, these characters' stories are a clear reminder of the humanity that rests beneath the uniform. Human connection and the shared, life-changing experiences that make those connections even more special center this book. Historical and military fiction fans will definitely appreciate this novel's fast-paced, page-turning adventures.