Book Review #4

Red Tide

By: Richard Hess
Publisher: Köehler Books, Virginia Beach
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

The masters always say to write about what you know about. It’s obvious that Richard Hess knows his subject of war, particularly the part that takes place in the sky.

The story begins in the Spratly Islands of the Philippines as a research vessel discovers a vast oil field under the ocean. It seems that China’s habit of hacking into other people’s computers and listening to private conversations has allowed China’s President Xiao Ming to learn of the oil and gas find, causing him to be lured into a war over the disputed territory. President Xiao wastes no time accepting the advice of his General Zhang, who urges unrestricted war while at the same time promises there will be no direct involvement with the US. Zhang lays out his plan that involves a variety of clever and intertwined deceptions that are intended to distract their enemies, including the US, while China swoops in and takes possession of territory she has long claimed belongs to her.

The story progresses in shifting segments as the Chinese employ a host of allies ranging from North Korea to Communist insurgents in their great deception, which they are calling Red Tide; planning this operation during the holidays and before the lame-duck US President Phillips leaves office in the hopes that Phillips is every bit the weak and lame president he is assumed to be.

The great question the novel explores is this: will it be possible for China’s leaders to organize their resources and put aside a variety of petty political motivations and rivalries (always stereotypically in play in war stories that involve communists) and execute this surprise attack with true skill and competence? Or will the members of the Pacific military alliance, most specifically the President of the US, rise to the threat and act decisively to defend their strategic interests? In the end, the story (I mean, the author) even makes a challenge to both sides of the equation which involves a thoughtful alternative path. I love this element of the book even though it’s put forth in the wrap-up stage of the story. Perhaps there’s a way to work this sort of theme up to the surface through one of the characters as the story progresses.

Well, I want to thank Richard Hess and congratulate him. First, thank you for your service to America as a pilot. And secondly, thank you for putting your knowledge to use as a brand-new author. I wish you all the best as you grow as an author and hone your skills, which is a never-ending project.

Finally, I want to propose a challenge to you: In your future novels, I want you to put on your helmet, get your ejection seat prepared, hang on tight, and climb more deeply into your characters to find their hearts. If your characters are living, breathing people, they will experience your story in a variety of ways. I want you to search for their hearts and their voices and their souls. You’ve already established a fine architecture for coherently sharing their experiences with your readers; now all you have to do is write the really tense and gritty and edgy truth that will be filtered through your own heart. Well, I was only kidding about preparing your ejection seat; once you begin to delve into the vast and often unexplored regions of the heart, there is really no bailing out or going back. You have to let the plane fly you where it wants to go.
–H. R. Novelton