The Book Connection...: Book Review & Giveaway: Side Launch by Brock Martin

Immerse yourself in the history of the Canadian Navy's involvement in World War II and The Battle of the Atlantic with Side Launch by Brock Martin.

Lieutenant Ian Thompson is skeptical as the mass produced, mid-sized warship the Corvette is rolled out. But Canada is determined to help Great Britain against Germany in the conflict.

Kate, also known as the daughter of S.D. Andrews, is close with Ian, a friend of her brother, Robbie. And Ian's correspondence acknowledges their close friendship. As their friendship blossoms into something deeper, the wartime stakes increase, and for Kate, working in a field where her gender is seen as a disadvantage, the stakes could be even higher.

If you enjoy a well-researched historical, Side Launch is definitely that. It has a level of detail that one expects from a Tom Clancy novel. Leaning on personal experience and knowledge, Martin crafts a novel steeped in specific military and technical accuracy. The hint of romance softens some of those rougher sides of this type of novel. The characters are interesting and engaging, and I came away with a feeling of what the conflict looked like for someone outside of the United States.

Where I struggled as a reader was with the extensive narration and abundance of backstory. I'm a drop me into the middle of the action and sprinkle the backstory in as you go along kind of person. Side Launch simply isn't that kind of story. It's not categorized as a thriller, so the slow and steady pace isn't an issue. It's just that I felt distanced from the characters because of the paragraphs and paragraphs of narration and backstory. That doesn't mean it isn't a good story. It's just not told in a way that I came away breathless and eager for more.

If you enjoy Tom Clancy, then Side Launch should be right up your alley.

Excerpt:

There was a collective sigh as the Collingwood entered St. John’s port, even the ship relaxed with calm waters. The crew knew there was work to do but the pressure of performance was eased. The stress of the war was left outside the harbour or that’s how it felt. The HMCS Collingwood arrived at night and the entrance was as the Chief had explained. The access to the harbor was intimidating, much like trying to go through a hole in the wall. They had to navigate a narrow passage between rock walls, until they could relax at the opening of the bay. It was easy to imagine pirates entering the port hundreds of years ago.

The relaxed atmosphere didn’t last long. The next day in the officers’ wardroom Ian could hear what he imagined was the beginning of a fierce argument. Ian was focused on writing a letter to his father so he kept his head down and tried his best to stay out of it. The wardroom was a lively place and arguments and banter could, and often did, break out over any topic. Ian was reluctant to pull rank in this setting, and preferred to let it ride. This was the place where his officers should be able to feel free to express any concerns. He liked and respected all his officers and most of the time any conflict was good-spirited and he felt confident they could work it out. It was most often Davies who would stir the pot. He had a gift of pulling the right levers, getting Kendrick and Plasket going. At times, Ian found it entertaining and the banter reminded him of his college days with Robert and the many useless arguments they would have for the sake of arguing.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0228860180

Chapters Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/side-launch/9780228860181-item.html

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/side-launch-brock-martin/1141317544
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09WZK4XND
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tellwell Talent (March 30, 2022)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 30, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4423 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages