Collection
Publication
Publisher Unknown, Kindle Edition, 56 pages
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 a hand-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? Details: An 18,000-word steampunk novella set in the Klondike during the Gold Rush."--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Cathy_Keaton
This short story is awesome! I completely loved it. It's a great steampunk read, as my interests in that genre are growing more and more, lately. "Flash Gold" has such an endearing quality going for it, I couldn't help but love it. Although light on the details of the steampunk technology, it is so
The plot is perfectly paced and there is plenty of dangerous action going on. But, the best thing about this story is its amazing characters. They are so funny, unique and interesting. Kali, the main character is my favorite and she's a little spitfire. I love how stern she is at only 18-years-old. Cedar is a great contrast to her, being one to talk less and do more. They make a great team.
I couldn't help but think of True Grit as I got into this story. Kali kind of reminds me of Mattie, although Cedar is nothing like Rooster.
Yes, Lindsey, please DO write more about these great characters. I want more, since the story is left with a brand new adventure about to begin for Kali. I would like to know what's going to happen next.
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strong on story and character, you just don't really miss it.The plot is perfectly paced and there is plenty of dangerous action going on. But, the best thing about this story is its amazing characters. They are so funny, unique and interesting. Kali, the main character is my favorite and she's a little spitfire. I love how stern she is at only 18-years-old. Cedar is a great contrast to her, being one to talk less and do more. They make a great team.
I couldn't help but think of True Grit as I got into this story. Kali kind of reminds me of Mattie, although Cedar is nothing like Rooster.
Yes, Lindsey, please DO write more about these great characters. I want more, since the story is left with a brand new adventure about to begin for Kali. I would like to know what's going to happen next.
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LibraryThing member sporkdelis
I found this author through her advice about indie publishing on her blog. I now go there weekly because, though she may repeat herself, it’s very interesting and informative. She has links to the first of all her novel and novella series. Since I go there at least weekly I decided that I should
Flash Gold is short at 40,000 words, but feels closer to a full length novel. At first this was a little annoying to me, but I figured it made me feel like I was getting more bang for my buck (Literally, the e-book sells for $.99).
The story goes that Kali McAllister is trying to run a dogsled race (I assume the Iditarod) in her steam-powered “dogless sled”. She is met at her workshop by Ceder, a man who professes to be a pugilist, but no one really thinks that. Kali’s sister, Nelly, thinks that he’s a newcomer too green to the Yukon to survive; Kali thinks he’s out to get the secret to her father’s invention, Flash Gold. As the first action scene shows she has a surplus of people out for the elusive material and as she takes out one or two, Ceder rushes to her aid and takes out all of the bandits. She decides to keep him.
The story reminds me of the pilot to a tv show. Short, sweet, but enough to get you interested in the next episode. I have a feeling that just three books of any length will not really be enough for any real fan of this series. The characters were refreshingly different from each other. This I found important as I have read too many YA (and not YA) books where everyone really was pretty similar sounding. Ceder and Kali have distinct voices. I found Kali’s red-neck grammar to be a bit over the top, but I’d rather have over the top than lukewarm. I was having problems with a pair of characters I’m writing and the necessity for them to really be different from each other, and this book has gotten me back writing again.
The lack of real romantic mushiness was appealing. There were suggestions of things to come, but nothing overt. I’m one of those people who would rather read/watch/write something that doesn’t inevitably lead to the romantic. I know that stuff sells, so I forgive those who do write the “romance wins in the end” book series. This book at least didn’t have me worrying that I’m going to be looking at a constant Yearning and Longing throughout the other two books. At best I’m expecting a Firefly-esque Mac never getting the girl because he’s such a blowhard sort of thing. Except maybe Kali will get over that. Either way I’m saving my hard-earned pennies for the next book in the series.
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give her first book a try.Flash Gold is short at 40,000 words, but feels closer to a full length novel. At first this was a little annoying to me, but I figured it made me feel like I was getting more bang for my buck (Literally, the e-book sells for $.99).
The story goes that Kali McAllister is trying to run a dogsled race (I assume the Iditarod) in her steam-powered “dogless sled”. She is met at her workshop by Ceder, a man who professes to be a pugilist, but no one really thinks that. Kali’s sister, Nelly, thinks that he’s a newcomer too green to the Yukon to survive; Kali thinks he’s out to get the secret to her father’s invention, Flash Gold. As the first action scene shows she has a surplus of people out for the elusive material and as she takes out one or two, Ceder rushes to her aid and takes out all of the bandits. She decides to keep him.
The story reminds me of the pilot to a tv show. Short, sweet, but enough to get you interested in the next episode. I have a feeling that just three books of any length will not really be enough for any real fan of this series. The characters were refreshingly different from each other. This I found important as I have read too many YA (and not YA) books where everyone really was pretty similar sounding. Ceder and Kali have distinct voices. I found Kali’s red-neck grammar to be a bit over the top, but I’d rather have over the top than lukewarm. I was having problems with a pair of characters I’m writing and the necessity for them to really be different from each other, and this book has gotten me back writing again.
The lack of real romantic mushiness was appealing. There were suggestions of things to come, but nothing overt. I’m one of those people who would rather read/watch/write something that doesn’t inevitably lead to the romantic. I know that stuff sells, so I forgive those who do write the “romance wins in the end” book series. This book at least didn’t have me worrying that I’m going to be looking at a constant Yearning and Longing throughout the other two books. At best I’m expecting a Firefly-esque Mac never getting the girl because he’s such a blowhard sort of thing. Except maybe Kali will get over that. Either way I’m saving my hard-earned pennies for the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member kybunnies
This book is more of a Sci-Fi book than anything with it being based in the 1980's. It is hard to like it. This book would be more interesting if based in a different era
LibraryThing member lcrabtree
This was only my second attempt at reading steampunk and I enjoyed this more than the first. It kept me entertained throughout and I enjoyed the storyline. Will be reading more from this author
LibraryThing member pixiestyx77
I enjoyed this. It was such a quick read at 50 pages, just enough to introduce the characters and peak your interest in both them and the plot possibilities. The author notes at the end that she is trying to gauge interest with this short, and to please comment on her website if you would like to
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read more about the characters and this plot. Initially Kali makes me think of Firefly's Kaylee, however, I could see her evolving beyond this as the author grows her character. The flash gold concept is interesting, it would be great to see Kali learn more about it, her father, and how her father invented it. Her involvement with Cedar could be good too if happens on a subtle, natural level. I'd hate to see it turn into a formula romance. Show Less
LibraryThing member SunnySD
Kali McCallister intends to be somewhere else - somewhere warm - before winter hits the Yukon again. With that goal in mind she's determined to win the upcoming dogsled race and take home the prize. Of course there's the small issue of having no dogs... but no real inventor ever let that stop her.
Excellent steampunk adventure with an unusual setting.
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The bounty hunter that's showed up to be her "protection" might pose a few problems, though.Excellent steampunk adventure with an unusual setting.
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LibraryThing member nnschiller
Fun steam-pulp. Good light reading for a quick adventure story. Plucky young heroine makes her way as an engineer/inventor in the harsh Yukon territory.
LibraryThing member nnschiller
Fun steam-pulp. Good light reading for a quick adventure story. Plucky young heroine makes her way as an engineer/inventor in the harsh Yukon territory.
LibraryThing member kybunnies
This book is more of a Sci-Fi book than anything with it being based in the 1980's. It is hard to like it. This book would be more interesting if based in a different era. This would be a great book for a teenager or young adult to read.
LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
Kali's only hope of escaping the wild and frozen backwater she grew up in is to win a sled race. Her custom-made steam powered sled might just win her the race--except that bounty hunters are after her father's greatest invention, "flash gold", and they'll kill her to get it. Luckily for Kali,
One thing I particularly liked about this was that Kali and Cedar had tension and the beginnings of friendship, but it never became a romance. I'm used to stories in which plucky ladies and mysterious men immediately fall into bed together after a few scenes of antagonistic banter, so the slow build of their relationship was particularly nice.
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she's got a mysterious bodyguard and a lot of inventions of her own.One thing I particularly liked about this was that Kali and Cedar had tension and the beginnings of friendship, but it never became a romance. I'm used to stories in which plucky ladies and mysterious men immediately fall into bed together after a few scenes of antagonistic banter, so the slow build of their relationship was particularly nice.
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LibraryThing member tldegray
Steampunk set in the Yukon during the Gold Rush? Yes, please. The main character is an 18-year old half native tribe woman? Yes, please, very much. She's trying to prove herself and finish her dead father's academic and technological legacy by winning a dogsled race with her steam powered sled?
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Give me this book now! Show Less
Original publication date
2011-04-01
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Pages
56