The Philosopher's Flight, 1 (The Philosophers, #1)

by Tom Miller

The first book in a new series and a thrilling debut from ER doctor turned novelist Tom Miller, The Philosopher's Flight is an epic historical fantasy set in a World-War-I-era America that "[begins] with rollicking fierceness that grabs readers from its opening lines and doesn't loosen its grip or lessen its hold all the way through. Miller's writing is intoxicating" (Associated Press).

HE'S ALWAYS WANTED TO FLY LIKE A GIRL.

Eighteen-year-old Robert Weekes is one of the few men who practice empirical philosophy-an arcane, female-dominated branch of science used to summon the wind, heal the injured, and even fly. He's always dreamed of being the first man to join the US Sigilry Corps' Rescue and Evacuation Department, an elite team of flying medics, but everyone knows that's impossible: men can barely get off the ground. When a shocking tragedy puts Robert's philosophical abilities to the test, he rises to the occasion and wins a scholarship to study philosophy at Radcliffe College-an all-women's school. At Radcliffe, Robert hones his flying skills and strives to win the respect of his classmates, a host of formidable and unruly women. Robert falls hard for Danielle Hardin, a disillusioned young hero of the Great War turned political radical. But Danielle's activism and Robert's recklessness attract the attention of the same fanatical anti-philosophical group that Robert's mother fought against decades before.

With their lives in mounting danger, Robert and Danielle band together with a team of unlikely heroes to fight for Robert's place among the next generation of empirical philosophers-and for philosophy's very survival against the men who would destroy it.

"Part thriller, part romance, part coming-of-age fantasy, The Philosopher's Flight...is as fun a read as you'll come across... Miller has already set a high bar for any book vying to be the most entertaining novel of [the year]" (BookPage). Tom Miller writes with unrivaled imagination, ambition, and humor. The Philosopher's Flight is both a fantastical reimagining of American history and a beautifully composed coming-of-age tale for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

• ISBN10: 1476778159
• ISBN13: 9781476778150
• Publish Date: 13 February 2018
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Philosopher's Flight is the debut novel from ER doctor, writer of travel guides, English instructor, and renaissance man Tom Miller. Released 13th Feb, 2018 by Simon & Schuster, it's 422 pages and available in ebook, hardcover, paperback and audiobook formats.

I received my copy of this book last January, I'm ashamed to say. Winter season and early Spring are busy times for me at the hospital lab and in my reading pile, and I didn't get a chance to start it until this past week (we're in September). I devoured it in two sittings. I was enchanted from the first page. I literally missed my bus stop reading. That's only happened a couple of times previously.

This book does not read like a debut. There is absolutely no floundering. The voice is strong and sure and the writing is sublimely good. The dialogue is really well done with deftness and subtlety. The characters are fleshed out and interesting and I cannot wait to see what happens next. I really loved the alternate WWI setting, the magic system, the cohesiveness of the world building, and the pacing. The story arc progresses in a believable arc with logical character motivations. I never once internally questioned why any of the characters did the things they did. Suspension of disbelief is a precious thing and the author never abused my trust.

The book is based on some actual historical characters and occurrences. Fleshing out the framework of real history is a skillfully woven skin of fantasy. It's not always possible to tell where one ends and the other begins. This gives the entire story, despite being a fantasy, a sense of realism which is amazing and a joy to read.

I don't care if Dr. Miller is a doctor (well done, you!), he's a writer with a prodigious gift for storytelling.

I recommended this book highly to colleagues and friends even before I was finished with it. I recommend it now to everyone. Wonderful writing, superlative book.

Five stars. Can't wait to read the next book.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Quirky Cat]

The Philosopher’s Flight is an interesting sort of story, and if I’m being honest I’m not sure I would have picked it up for myself had it not been a Book of the Month club option. I’m really glad I gave it a chance though – it’s been too long (a month at least) since I was able to really sink my teeth into a sci-fi/fantasy blend of a series (I say series, but I actually don’t know if Tom Miller will continue in this world – though I sincerely hope he does).
The Philosopher’s Flight is Tom Miller’s debut novel, and I can safely say that he is an author worth keeping an eye on. I didn’t know this before reading the book, but Miller has a background in medicine. The moment I read that fact everything sort of clicked for me – it explains little details and references tossed throughout the novel.
The novel is a blend of science fiction and fantasy, as I mentioned above, but it’s also very much an alternate history novel. It covers an altered Civil War and World War I, as well as many events that occur in between. If you don’t enjoy alternative fiction (a fact that I can sympathize with), then you may find yourself more annoyed than appreciative with the alterations.



I wasn’t really sure what to make of Philosopher’s Flight when I first started reading it. On the one hand I was charmed with the unique nature of the story, but on the other I was concerned that it was trying too hard. The latter concern ended up fading with time, as I got more and more absorbed into the tale being told.
Robert Weekes lives in a world full of Philosophers. But it isn’t the world that we’ve typically seen portrayed in science fiction novels – this is a world where the women are better at writing sigils, and the men are usually incompetent and lacking in power at best. There are teams of women who run rescue operations, from acting as ambulatory services to putting out fires. Women who act as healers. Women who evacuate injured soldiers during the war. Every use you can think of, and there’s probably already a team of women doing just that.
Sure, there’s been a rare male Philosopher here and there, but on the whole they’re significantly less powerful than their female counterparts. There’s a lot of religious and legal opposition to the Philosophers, and throughout the novel we’re given to believe that this has a lot to do with the gender of Philosophers. An interesting point, to say the least. And interesting food for thought.
So you’re probably wondering; if this is a world where the women are better Philosophers than men, then why is the main character a male? Robert is a strong and stubborn boy, who was raised by and around strong women who were also fliers and rescuers. Naturally, being raised by these women he never wanted to do anything more than be like them. He’s never let anybody’s negativities get in his way.
More than anything Robert wants to become a US Sigilry Corps Rescue and Evacuation Service member. The problem? A man has literally never joined the corps. They need the best fliers, and no man has ever compared to any of the ladies in service, and certainly never to a point where any officer would be willing to take the risk on him.
Robert’s story is all about the struggles women face – even (or perhaps especially) when they have access to a power that most men don’t. His story is about overcoming biases and expectations and barriers all in hopes of finally achieving one’s dreams. The moral behind everything is really beautiful, and Miller isn’t afraid to show the ugly truth for what it is.
I can’t wait to see what Miller comes out with next. I hope it’s a sequel to The Philosopher’s Flight, though it did end in such a way where I would be okay with it being a standalone novel. If he doesn’t continue Robert’s story, I hope he at least continues to write inside the delightful world he’s designed.


For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks