The Tide of War

Erotic romance author Witt sets up her clumsy first SF novel with a premise that has stunning implications for its characters, but earthshaking revelations are overshadowed as the interstellar narrative gives way to a burgeoning love story. Top pilot Kyle West is pressured by his command to join the Elite Squadron in assaulting the home world of the vicious Menarians, but he’s unwilling to leave behind his partner and their son. When Kyle’s family is killed in a raid, he gets on the next transport to the front lines, bent on revenge. Shockingly, mere weeks after those gory deaths, Kyle embarks on a steamy relationship with hotshot gunner Andrei Dezhnyov—who is also weirdly untraumatized by war and the loss of loved ones, except in obligatory scenes of vulnerability and comforting—and the adventure story loses focus. As the novel skids to a halt, the weak and implausible blend of romance and SF leaves Witt scrambling to wrap up major plot points, leaving fans of both genres unfulfilled. (June)