Flash Gold (a steampunk novella set in the Yukon) (The Flash Gold Chronicles) [Kindle Edition]

Lindsay Buroker (Author)

Book Description

Eighteen-year-old Kali McAlister enters her steam-powered "dogless sled" in a race, intending to win the thousand-dollar prize and escape remote Moose Hollow forever. The problem? Fortune seekers and airship pirates are after her for the secret to flash gold, her late father's alchemical masterpiece.

With her modified rifle and a pocketful of home-made smoke bombs, Kali wouldn't normally hide from a confrontation, but taking on a whole airship single-handedly is a daunting task. Unfortunately, the other racers won't assist her--they're too busy scheming ways to sabotage her unorthodox sled.

When a sword-slinging stranger shows up, wanting to hire on as her protector, she's sure he has ulterior motives, but he's the only one interested in helping her. The question is...why?

An 18,000-word (80 page) novella

Product Details

• File Size: 230 KB
• Print Length: 56 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004UGMVP2
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,045 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #24 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > Historical

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars How Steampunk Should be Written September 16, 2011

By JAScribbles

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

** Spoiler Free Review **
Flash Gold was the second book I've read in the Steampunk genre. I can honestly say that I get it now. The first title I attempted was The Strange Case of Finley Jayne (The Steampunk Chronicles) by Kady Cross. Lindsay Buroker can write circles around Cross.

This novella is very well written. Ms. Buroker has a wonderful talent of blending story and action. What I liked most was the pace and the way she laid out her tale. There weren't any lagging or long dumps of back-story yet I know so much about the characters. The movement, scenery, and emotion were top notch.

The best parts of this novella were the Steampunk aspects! Ms. Buroker took the elements of this genre - mechanical devices, steam propelled vehicles, and airships and placed them smoothly into the story. There addition didn't feel like spaceship pop up pages as they did in Cross's title. They fit, they made sense.

And thank goodness Lindsay Buroker didn't concentrate on the clothes. Note to other Steampunk authors - constantly mentioning corsets and wool tights does not automatically make your story Steampunk or a good read.

Thank you Ms. Buroker for giving me a glimpse into what fun I can have by reading this genre.

I look forward to reading Hunted [The Flash Gold Chronicles], book two in this series.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little story that makes you want more. May 14, 2011

By Matthew Jackson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I downloaded the sample to check out this new author before I committed to even the 99cent book, and I am sure glad I did! I stayed up late to finish this tale set in the Yukon during a sled dog race in a slightly different world from our own.

It is the story of Kali, a strong and intelligent eight-teen year old who has aspirations to win a dog sled race with a mechanical contraption...much to the other racers' anger. Kali is not your normal girl with a normal past either. She is extremely intelligent, apparently taking after her father, some sort of scientist who uncovered the secret of Flash Gold. Of course, there are those that want the Flash Gold to themselves and will stop at nothing to get their paws on it.

The little bits of Kali's past eluded to here and there throughout the story are interesting and will provide you with a desire for a follow up novel to delve deeper into her past. The story of her and Cedar's relationship is intriguing and has enough of those awkward moments to make it genuine and never feel forced. The quirky little world the author Ms Buroker has creating is interesting and works well for the story with just enough unique elements to make you enjoy the world and want to see more.

Over all I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an adventure, especially one with a strong female lead that is realistic, intelligent and has the wit to make you chuckle as you read about her adventures. With any luck, we will see more of Kali in the future.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars flash gold July 19, 2012

By Christine Staeven

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a cute tale.

A super smart girl who enters a dog sled contest with one of her advanced inventions. On the eve of the race she encounters a mystery man who saves her from robbery (and possible kidnapping/death). He makes her an offer and they partner up. Fortunate for her as the hometurf bandit visit apparently is not a "one shot deal." She wants to win the race to gain the purse so she can leave the town (that is less than welcoming to her - for being a witch (and who knows what else)). She has some secrets related to her father and her inventions. The fellow (Cedar) has a secret or two himself. During the course of this rather predictible (but well told and amusing) race lots of bad guys and gals try to claim Kali for a bounty. Time and again Cedar (and her intellect) save the day. Along the way there are encounters purely fantasy themed (robotic dogs she created running off of special stuff) flying pirate ships, etc. While the scenes are somewhat predictible the accessories are (decidedly) not. With the genre, there is nothing so far out there that one cannot suspend belief for any of the occurances. It is fast paced, dialogue is fitting for characters presented and adds to fleshing in nice way. The text is basically error free of grammar and punctuation issues.

Many will enjoy this fantasy novelette for the novelty - the heroine who is strong (but is not overdone with tons of contrived abilities) and adds a hero who is very capable and insightful without hitting on the girl every 5 minutes. They spar and are great counterparts for each other. It is a good show of author ability and while may not be full of suspense and mystery, it contains good action scenes done believably and with dialogue that is witty.

Recommend this work and author.

Christine

More About the Author

I've been writing fantasy novels and short stories since I was seven. I've been finishing them since... well, that's a more recent development.

I'm a professional blogger for my day job, and I live in the Seattle area with two vizslas who are as spoiled as most people's kids. Occasionally they let me leave the house to play tennis, visit the coffee shop, take a yoga class, or plot with co-conspirators on how best to take over the world. (One of those items may be untrue, but I won't tell you which.)

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#31 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#39 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#66 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#31 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#39 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#66 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy