Fly Girl’s Review:
2 out of 4 Propellers
This is the second in “A Flynn Nightsider Tale” series by Mary Fan. I have not read the first book and found this one easy to get caught up on the full story. She does a good job of filling in the blanks in the first 50 pages or so. It was an easy read, maybe 3 to 3.5 hours. This is a young adult novel about a young girl who has her eyes opened to the opression of her civiliazation and decides she wants to be able to make choices for herself, whether good or bad.
I love the idea of a kid who just discovers the world isn’t as great as they’ve been told, and then wants to change it however this book was a little too much on the anger and angst she feels towards her government and not enough on the story or the action. I guess for what is happening in polictics today, this is a good tale, but for just a good read, I’d wait until book three comes out. If I were going to let my teenager read this I’d talk to them about good and bad ways of internalizing anger. It does give parents a good opening to discuss anger and how it can be used to make changes in your life, or it can be used for evil when it consumes you and tears your life apart.
It think book three will be much better and if you like Flynn Nightsider Tale series, you probably want to quickly read this one as it does introduce some pretty significant characters that I’m sure (here I am forshadowing) will make an appearance in another book.
2 out of 4 Propellers
Enter Mary’s Giveaway:
Firedragon Rising Synopsis:
Before she fought the Triumvirate with Flynn, Aurelia “the Firedragon” Sun the star Cadet at the Academy of Supernatural Defense. This is the second installment of her story.
Sinister plots. An underground rebellion. And a treacherous road filled with monsters and enemies unknown. It’s been three months since Aurelia survived the International Challenge—an elite monster-fighting competition. And the Triumvirate has been keeping a close eye on her ever since … as if they expect her to cause them more trouble. They’re right. Now that she knows about the underground revolution—and the dark secrets of her own past—Aurelia is hell-bent on escaping the government’s watchful gaze and joining the rebels. Finally, she’s found a cause worth fighting for. A way for her kind, the Norms, to take back their freedom. Then, when she overhears a Triumvirate official’s conversation, she learns that it’s even worse than she realized. The government knows about the rebels, and the rebellion. They’re searching for people who sympathize with the cause. And they’re coming after her next. Suddenly the time for dreaming about the rebellion is over. Aurelia must make contact with the rebels and plot a quick escape … before the Triumvirate has a chance to capture her. But government forces and miles of monster-filled wilderness stand between her and the rebel headquarters, and dangers she never imagined lurk in the shadows. Before she can fight for the freedom of her people, she must achieve her own—or die trying.
Get your copy today on Amazon: Firedragon Rising
Firedragon:
Before she fought the Triumvirate with Flynn, Aurelia “the Firedragon” Sun the star Cadet at the Academy of Supernatural Defense. This is the first installment of her story.
Almost a hundred years ago, the Enchanters defeated the Lord of the Underworld in one of the most fearsome wars the world had ever seen. The public thinks that this victory means the people are safe. But they’re wrong. The supernatural beasts the Lord unleashed remain on the earth, multiplying and ravaging what’s left of civilization. As long as these monsters exist, mankind will be in danger. And though the government, ruled by the magic-wielding Enchanters, seeks to protect their people, they are too few in number. They need the Defenders – a special class of non-magical humans – to fight the monsters. The Defenders are an elite force, and mankind’s only hope against the horrors that live beyond their gates. Fourteen-year-old Aurelia “the Firedragon” Sun has been training since she could walk to become a Defender, and her extraordinary combat skills have earned the attention of the powerful government. In fact, she’s been tapped to represent her nation in an international monster-fighting competition, which pits champions from across the globe against creatures of the Underworld in a violent spectacle. If she wins, she will become a full-fledged member of the Defender force. But as Aurelia moves deeper into the competition, she realizes that all is not as it appears. There’s something sinister behind the competition, something that could change the way she sees everything … and the Enchanters, it seems, are not the heroes she thought. Aurelia begins to ask questions. But before she can discover the truth, she is pitted against the most dangerous monster in the competition – one that will take her life if it can .
Get your copy today on Amazon: Firedragon
Mary Fan Bio:
Mary Fan is a sci-fi/fantasy writer hailing from Jersey City, NJ. She is the author of the Jane Colt sci-fi series, published by Red Adept Publishing. Her young adult dystopian fantasy series, Flynn Nightsider, is currently under contract with Glass House Press. And her young adult fairytale series, Fated Stars, is also under contract with Glass House Press.
In addition, Mary is the co-editor (along with fellow sci-fi author Paige Daniels) of Brave New Girls: Tales of Girls and Gadgets, a young adult sci-fi anthology about brainy heroines. All revenues will be donated to a scholarship fund through the Society of Women Engineers.
Mary has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember and especially enjoys the infinite possibilities and out-of-this-world experiences of science fiction and fantasy. In her spare time (when she has any), she enjoys kickboxing, opera singing, and exploring new things—she’ll try almost anything once.
Mary graduated Magna cum Laude from Princeton University in 2010 with a Bachelor of the Arts in Music, specializing in composition. Although she is currently focusing on writing, music is still her first love, and so in her spare time she composes songs and soundtracks.
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This sounds like an intriguing series – one I am going to have to check out.