Gravity Always Wins
Doug Dirickson
Independently Published (2025)
ISBN: 979-8991121071
Reviewed by Shawna Thompson for Reader Views (10/25)
Gravity Always Wins by Doug Dirickson begins like a salute to military tradition and legacy, but quickly unfolds into something deeper, darker, and far more unpredictable. What begins as a story about chasing the dream of being a pilot becomes a layered, emotional search for identity. The truth about a family history that was never what it seemed to be. Anyone who grew up listening to an older relative tell stories will connect with this book.
Gilbert “Seven” Andrews grew up in Thomasville, Georgia, raised by his grandparents after the loss of his parents. His grandfather, a decorated Vietnam pilot, fills Steven’s childhood with tales of aerial bravery and military pride. He tells him stories of flying helicopters in the war. Those stories don’t just inspire Seven; they define him. Seven is laser-focused on one goal: to follow in his grandfather’s flight path.
When Seven finally makes it to the Navy and begins his pilot career, it feels like he is finally fulfilling everything he has worked towards. When on a secret mission, he crashes, loses his leg, and his best friend. This part of the book was very emotional for me and well-written. It was not overly dramatic or overdone; it felt real and honest.
The narrative shifts from a personal journey to a high-stakes mystery. Seven uncovers that his father wasn’t a victim of an accident, but possibly a mentally unstable former government asset turned serial killer. The book’s pacing is unpredictable but honest. There’s love, loss, covert ops, and emotional reckoning. The pacing jumps around, but honestly, that made it feel true to life. One day, your life is on track, and then the next minute, you are reeling from something you never saw coming.
The characters are just trying to survive what life hands them. Seven’s relationship with his grandfather was my favorite part. When the Colonel’s health declines, the love between them and the stories they shared continued to push Seven onward. His connection with Tiffany, his physical therapist who sees more than just his injury, is a balance to the story. She is an added bonus, bringing the impact of love and friendship to the book.
By the time I reached the final chapters, the story had transformed into something much more than a military story. Gravity Always Wins by Doug Dirickson is messy, heartfelt, and full of emotion. I picked it up expecting action and adventure; I put it down thinking about my grandparents I never knew, and wishing I could hear their stories. This book feels like someone remembering life, not just telling a plot.