Wings of Steele: Destination Unknown, Book 1

By: Jeffrey J. Burger

Narrated by: Kevin Clay

"Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying." (Arthur C. Clarke)

Book one in the Wings of Steele series, Destination Unknown is an epic science-fiction adventure that reaches from the surface of our familiar planet and the safety of terra firma to the dark, vast expanse of deep space and distant star systems.

Jack Steele is an ex-big-city cop that left the department after losing a friend in the line of duty. Recovering from a tough divorce, he reinvents himself with a love of flying and restructures his life as a pilot for hire. Accompanied by his ever-present German Shepherd, Fritz, Jack will fly almost anything anywhere, shuttling new and used planes for clients all over the world.

He had never been a Boy Scout, but he is a man who likes to stay prepared and in control of whatever life throws at him. But nothing could have prepared Jack and his copilot for how life suddenly goes drastically and violently sideways, in a direction and magnitude that no one could have ever anticipated. Wanted men, it seems, like everyone on the planet, are hunting them, and their only option is to run...but to where?

©2012, 2014 Jeffrey J. Burger (P)2015 Jeffrey J. Burger

Lots of Action, But a Little 'Comic Book-ish"

I'm torn in two directions with this book...
One one hand, it was very entertaining and kept my attention the entire time.
On the other hand, there were too many loose strings, unexplained holes, and unrealistic characters and events then I would generally prefer in any story.

The story follows a former police officer turned pilot. In the wake of a recent messy divorce, he makes a new life and successful career for himself as an independent pilot. While on a trip to deliver a WWII plane to a movie set, he is... well, abducted by aliens. With him is his dog, his co-pilot partner, two naval pilots, and a covert US intelligence operative. The latter three characters are a long story, but the short version is that there were some snags in the plan to deliver the plane, and the two navy pilots were chasing them...
Post-Abduction, the five find out that they are on a luxury alien cruise ship, and that it will be some time (possibly years) before they can return to earth. They decide to make a life for themselves as pilots. After defending the cruise ship from a pilot attack, they take the ship and fighters as their own and decide to continue as something like galactic navy pirate hunters.

As I said I really did enjoy listening to it, but the story just has too many problems to be considered a good book. Lets lay some of them out...
The characters are very one dimensional. The main female character (supposedly a covert US intelligence officer, and assumed to be a rather smart person) has the attitude, mentality, and emotions of a two-year old child.
Some of the technology is believable, but some things seem closer to magic than something you'd find in a Science Fiction book.
There are waaaay to many holes in the story, or things that are just never explained properly, such as how the planes actually got on the ship and why several days passed before they realized it. There is also an entire sub-story back on earth with everyone looking for the missing planes that is very unbelievable. We even find out that the whole trip that he was on to deliver the plane was planned by US intelligence, but that it is never explained or elaborated on (like a lot of other things).
Also, there is this ancient alien guy that pops up to tell the main character that everything happening to him is all part of his "fate" or "destiny" or something like that... Kinda weird.

As I said, I enjoyed the listen, but this was more like a long science fiction comic book than anything else. It was worth the credit, but only barely. I may or may not download the next in the series (if there is a next audiobook) depending on what mood I'm in.

Steele Audible<br />

Loved it read the book but listen to it was as good as reading it again.. fun relaxing book.

Fun read

While there are some apparent holes in the story, I really enjoyed the story and the characters. Very Buck Rogers like. The narration was top notch and made the story come to life. Will definitely pick up the next volume.

it will get you

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes and have

What other book might you compare Wings of Steele: Destination Unknown, Book 1 to and why?

fear the sky

What about Kevin Clay’s performance did you like?

its OK not the best i have listen to

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

started slow not real slow before the end of the 1st chapter it step on the gas after that

Awesome Book!!!

Best story I've heard in a while! Looking forward to hearing the rest of the series!

fantastic book

I love this book have reD it many times. can't wait for the next one

Great fun!

While a little chauvinistic at times this was an excellent ride! The story was very intriguing and puts a new spin on escapism.

wow

What did you love best about Wings of Steele: Destination Unknown, Book 1?

This book starts off fast paced and never slows down, lots of action and adventure from the first page to the last. The narrative is superb and the voice acting top notch. I love science fiction, mixed with a does of reality.

Any additional comments?

I listened to the entire 4 book series with out stopping. Don't miss out on this one.

Space For Real?

Wings of Steel is a very believable sci go read. The characters are real (even Fritz) and the conflicts are understandable and their resolves are herotic. Is there more? I hope so! Amber G.

Popcorn

Decent story hampered by a few things. First...the narrator uses his "urgent" voice the entire time which gets old quick. Second...the progression is just too easy for the main character.

The ladies probably won't like the way the women main characters in the book are portrayed as they are not exactly strong or stable...but I'm a guy so it was more funny than annoying.

I would probably pick up the next one as the potential is there