Declared Hostile
The United States has been fighting – and arguably losing – the so-called “War on Drugs” for decades. In an unusual assignment, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Coral Sea is sent to the Caribbean for training, but that is only the cover story.
Jim Wilson is back as a carrier pilot in the Firebird squadron caught up in a shadowy world of covert operations that turns into actual combat with a blend of nation-states and powerful drug cartels intent on doing harm to the United States.
As he did in Raven One, Kevin Miller brings to life the men and women of Coral Sea – and the human emotions of their enemies fighting them. Societal and geo-political issues of interpersonal and international conflict are raised which there is no clear answer, causing the reader to reflect and ponder. High-level military command relationships are explored, and the emotions of jealousy, greed, courage and betrayal are found on both sides in this human story. This epic novel takes to a new level the authentic high-g flying action as well as the deep and interesting characters Miller is known for.
Readers' Comments
If You Like Real World Suspense with a Gripping Story Line
A geo-political thriller!! A follow up to Kevin Miller's Raven One this is the next chapter in Flip Wilsons career as a Navy Fighter/Attack Pilot. Commander Wilson is the Horatio Hornblower of our generation and a real hero; I can't wait to read what he does next. There is far more to the story than the fast paced combat flight operations and I could not put this book down. If you like real world suspense with a gripping story line, this is it. Declared Hostile is the stuff movies are made from.
Another Great Book by Kevin Miller
Another great page turner by Kevin Miller. Clearly, he is an author who has been there, and anyone interested in aviation will love his detailed descriptions of carrier operations. In a manner similar to Tom Clancy, he is willing to look at frightening outcomes and new weapon technology. Senior Officer and Squadron politics are always factors, and the author does not shy away from some real but touchy situations. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Surprisingly Deep Air Combat Thriller
Miller's greatest strength is, surprisingly, not his mastery of the pace of air combat, the tension of a night approach or a night cat shot at gross weight, but the depth and realism of his characters and their internal lives. He's good at all the flying stuff, but great at the people. This is definitely a story for the Tom Clancy fan, but expect deeper and more interesting characters.
Excellent Read!
Not since Stephen Coonts have I encountered such a "multi sensory" author. Not only does Captain Miller bring the all the sights, sounds and sensations of flying a F/A-18 to life, but he perfectly captures every aspect of squadron life. The fun of liberty, the stress of strike planning and the interpersonal conflicts in the wardroom. All this and a thrilling page turner to boot! Highly recommended!
Full Afterburners!
This book moves like an F-18 on full afterburners, rockets along with a high tension ending, edge of your seat thrills!! This would make A GREAT movie!!
Great Military Flying Fiction
All three books by Capt. Miller should be on your reading list if you like reading about military aviation. His latest work was outstanding and will no doubt keep you reading past lights out. The writing will keep you strapped in to your seat with the blowers on! Heartily recommended.
One of the Best Novels I’ve Read in Some Time
Great read! Very timely and thoughtful story accompanied by some great character development. I highly recommend for those who like a good story. Even if you are not a military/techo-thriller fan, I think you will like how this story weaves in a lot of contemporary human issues into the story. I read a lot due to my heavy travel schedule and I rarely find a novel that combines so many excellent sub-plots into an overall great story. I look forward to future publications from Kevin.
Better and Better!
Raven one was good. This is better. More riveting action. Richer and more complex and engaging characters. Looking forward to book #3!
Professional Review
Reviewed by Charles Bogart, Naval Historical Foundation
Those who read Kevin Miller’s book Raven One will find that he has once again authored a fascinating and believable book. This time the story centers on a contemporary but fictitious U.S. Naval action in the Caribbean. The naval action within this book revolves around Cdr. Jim “Flip” Wilson who the reader first encountered in Raven One. That Kevin Miller, the author of this book, was once a Navy pilot comes through loud and clear as one reads each page of the book. Because the story is told in Navy lingo, the author thankfully provides a glossary of naval terms and acronyms at the front of his book.
Some may find the story line in Declared Hostile somewhat far-fetched, but who would have given credence to the 9-11 attack on the United States if presented in a work of fiction in 1999. Today it is, unfortunately, a fact of life that national leaders and heads of drug cartels sometimes collaborate to ensure that each other survive. It is also a fact that terrorism is used by both governments and non-governmental organizations to ensure conformity to their goals. It is also a fact that the United States is not all powerful and cannot impose its will throughout the world, and it must often limit the military force it uses against an adversary.
The story line of the book centers around an alliance between portions of the Venezuelan government and a drug cartel that directly threatens the security of the United States. The author performs an impressive job in bringing to life not only the men and women of the aircraft carrier Coral Sea and its air squadrons, but also the members of the cartel and their allies. We get not only to know these individuals as people but what motivates them. The author, paints a beautiful canvas that one can judge not only the actions of Cdr. Wilson and his fellow pilots, but the steps taken by the drug cartel and its allies as well. While the climactic battle is well-written and believable, the author does not end his book here; instead, he continues to examine the retribution inflicted upon those the drug cartel leadership believe failed in carrying out their assignment or who helped the United States.
This book is read on two levels. It is a war story in which good appears to win over evil, as well as an examination of political options and consequences. The author raises some political, military, and humanitarian issues within the book for which no correct answer is provided, perhaps because there is no correct answer. Because there appears to be no correct answer for some of these issues raised, I believe the book is worthy of being the subject of a college seminar on actions and consequences.