#197 Patricia Anthony: Cold Allies

[bellinghman]

Patricia Anthony: Cold Allies

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd (20 April 1995)
ISBN-10: 0340618426
ISBN-13: 978-0340618424
Category(ies): SF

This is the first novel by Patricia Anthony, who seems to have had a short novel-writing career in the '90s. It's set during the near future, when the nations of the Middle East have suffered such starvation from the results of global warming that their armies have combined and invaded Europe. It's a brutal war, a war of attrition, and Europe is being pushed back. Meanwhile, it's no better in North America, with Texas and the dustbowl having reverted to an agricultural desert. But there is something strange happening out on the battlefields - floating globes of glowing marshgas have been seen. Or are they aliens, interested in what's going on.

This novel is full of fighting and battle, but it's not a Mil SF Pournelle/Webber glorification. On the other hand, despite the suffering and death, it manages not to be gloomy and depressing either. In fact, focusing on characters, she produces something engaging and uplifting.