Windmills

by Lyndi Alexander

Bio-terrorists release a plague in the United States that spreads to kill most of the world’s Caucasian population. As the deadly virus mutates, Tzu Shin, a renowned medical doctor and biologist, defects from China to help develop a cure. His only daughter, Lin Kwan, is left behind in Hong Kong with her aunt.

Then Kwan’s father summons her from across the sea to bring him Chinese medicinal herbs he needs to develop a cure. Lonely and missing her parents, she accepts the challenge, traveling with her sensei Li Zhong to the New World.

But a Chinese assassin is on her trail, determined to kill her and Li Zhong, and when Kwan discovers her father has disappeared, she sets out on a journey to find him and deliver her precious cargo, a quest that she may not survive.

193 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

Lyndi Alexander always dreamed of being able to handle the drama and intrigue in everyday life.
She lives as a post-modern hippie in Asheville, North Carolina, a single mother of her last child of seven, a young adult daughter on the autism spectrum, finding that every day feels a lot like first contact with a new species.

Reviews

[Masquerade Crew · Rating 4 out of 5]

WALKI'S REVIEW

Windmills' is a dystopian novel. The Second Holocaust was unleashed by terrorists in California, most white people died in North America and the virus mutated. The main character is the seventeen-year-old Lin Kwan from the cramped quarters of Hong Kong.

This is the gripping telling of Lin Kwan's odyssey from Hong Kong to her scientist father, or at least part of the way, as 'Windmills' is only the beginning of her adventures. As expected she meets good and bad people on the way, each with something to teach her.

Lyndi Alexander brings us a wonderful supporting cast and a heroin whose physical skills equals her strength of character, on a background of Chinese philosophy.

Review Disclaimer: Book provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Jane White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just had the rare privilege of reading Lyndi Alexander's soon to be released YA novel, "Windmills: The Color of Fear 1." I was utterly blown away by what I would describe as the best example of a followup to the very successful "Hunger Games." Though in this new series by Alexander, instead of children killing children for no truly good purpose, in this book, children are forced to kill for the most important reason of all, their own survival, as well as the survival of all mankind.

In this new, imaginative sci-fi/futuristic novel, the whole world has been attacked by terrorists who unleashed a terrible killing virus on a much larger section of humanity than they had intended, by an accidental unleashing at the wrong time and place, in San Diego, USA. The killer virus is engineered to target Caucasians, and has crippled most of the United States, and from later exposure, Europe. The spread of the disease becomes a world-wide pandemic.

A brilliant biochemist in Hong Kong has been brought to the US to develop a cure, but he has discovered that only natural Chinese herbs can attack the virus. He runs out of the herbs, and has to contact his sixteen year old daughter Lin Kwan, still in Hong Kong, with a request to bring him more. She undertakes an incredibly dangerous journey in the stinking hold of a ship, which lands in a greatly changed US, her father not where she expected him to be waiting for her, and dangerous gangs roaming the streets. What should she do now? Read this book to find out what happens to this young girl as she searches for her father.
By Jane Nixon White, Florida Author
http://janenixonwhite.com

[Hayley Guertin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Windmills by Lyndi Alexander was a great read! The story was very interesting. I love that the main character wasn't typical, like most novels. She was of asian descent, she wasn't knowledgeable about everything, and she made mistakes. She was a real girl, and I loved that.

The book gave me a "Karate Kid" vibe, which was interesting. I love that we got to go on this adventure with Kwan and Li Zhong. The book was in 3rd person, which I enjoyed because it felt like someone was telling me the story. The point of view was always 3rd person, but it focused on the different characters to show what they thought of what was going on.

The book itself was well written. Lyndi did a great job with the language and the culture of the people in the book. I feel like she really did her research and a great job at putting all of her information and her settings as well as all of her information on her characters in her book. I also liked that there were plenty of twists and turns to enjoy with this book.

I really enjoyed the stories. They were just really well written and very interesting. The ending to the book made me want to read the next book! It was really great, and Lyndi did a great job with this book. I can't wait to read the next one. I am definitely giving this book 5 out of 5 stars!

[T.P. Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an interesting and unique story. Very well-written and brilliantly plotted. The main character is someone you find yourself rooting for and feeling admiration and sympathy. The author did an excellent job with the setting and the tension. You can’t go wrong by picking up this book!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kwan is a young girl living in China during a time when world is going through a terrible plague. China seems to be at the farthest reaches of the plague and she has been safe living with her Aunt and her cousin. Her father and mother have gone to America where the plague began and they hope to help find a cure. Six months after her parents left Kwan gets a letter from her father asking for specific herbs and for Kwan to travel to America to deliver the herbs. Kwan wants to desperately help her parents and seeks the help of her sensei. Soon they are on their way via a cargo ship. But, unbeknownst to Kwan, she and her sensei are being stalked by an assassin. The dangers of a lawless and desperate society pose many threats. Kwan’s adventure leads her to find out how tough and determined she is.

This book was a refreshing young adult read. It had a lot of adventure elements along with the dangers of an apocalyptic society. I enjoyed characters of Kwan and her sensei Li Zhong. I thought it was quite interesting that even in a deevolutionized society the idea that the Chinese will still try to cling to the values and societal structures that have endured centuries. It was interesting to see Lyndi Alexander try to balance the new world deconstruction while trying to mesh the values of a society that values structure. Much of this book is looking at how Kwan will over come one’s engrained nature and find the courage to do what is necessary. What is necessary isn’t always right. I was a bit disappointed in the end though. The book abruptly ends with no definitive answers for any of the storylines or characters that you follow through the book. This may be the first book in a series but in anything I have read I do not see any indication that there will be a follow-up. I do hope there is because I feel resolution needs to be given to these characters. All in all, this was a good book with a lot of potential for more.

[Romina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A contagion designed only to kill the Caucasian population has been released into the US. Soon things begin to take a different turn as the contagion begins to mutate, also affecting other ethnic groups.
Tzu Shin, an accomplished doctor and biologist travels with his wife to America hoping to develop the cure.
Leaving behind his only daughter in Hong Kong he believes she will be safer staying with his sister.
When supplies begin to run out he sends for Lin Kwan asking for her help in bringing the necessary supplies to carry out his work.
Lin Kwan must set out on a dangerous voyage with only her sensei to keep her safe.
This is an intriguing story. It brings forth a realisation of bio warfare and how something so horrific could indeed happen.
In the absence of a Caucasian population our heroine is a young Chinese girl and with that comes a new perspective of the western world which I find refreshing.
The characters in this book are developed incredibly well and I found Lin Kwan’s sensei endearing. I wish there could have been more from him in the story.
Every character, although linked to one particular goal all have their own stories to tell. This is something I particularly enjoy in books, it gives the characters greater depth.
The journey the reader takes in this story is full of emotion and has some fight scenes described so well that make the reader can envision every move.
I really enjoyed this unique story and I would definitely recommend it for readers looking for an adventure with a new type of teenage heroine.

[Jared Bundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

With so many novels tackling the apocalypse and dystopian societies, Lyndi Alexander's Windmills is a refreshing look at the genre without the tired tropes.

I like to think of Windmills as an accessible Armageddon; the problem is believable and I can easily relate to the people trying to deal with it. Although the strong young heroine has been done before, Kwan's Chinese morality and excellent fighting skills make her a unique standout from the Katnisses and Beatrices.

I recommend this novel for anyone looking for a fast-paced adventure with a unique narrative and excellent characters, and can't wait for the second novel in the trilogy.

[Heather Kirchhoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked reading Windmills. It was an interesting story. I really liked Kwan; she's brave and I applaud that. There's been a couple times where I almost gave up on reading this book, but I was curious about what's going to happen next. One thing I don't understand is why the title is Windmills. As far as I can tell it has nothing to do with the storyline. I wasn't ready for the book to end, honestly. I was surprised when I finished it. I look forward to reading the next book.

[Pamela Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner by Lyndi Alexander! Windmills is one of those books that keeps you up at night as you read just one more chapter… Kwan’s journey is exciting and scary with many interesting characters, some of them I certainly wouldn’t want to meet in an alley! My favorite part of the book was a scene where Kwan’s friend, Valery, helped them avoid a dangerous situation that illustrates to never underestimate a woman!

[Erica Palfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book of Lyndi Alexander and I absolutely loved it! Suspense, drama, laughter, sadness, etc.... all rolled up into one book! If you are looking for a good read look no further. I can't wait to read the next book!

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! This book has kept me on my toes the whole time! I just couldn’t put it down. I received my copy from voracious readers for my review

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world has entered what is called the Second Holocaust when terrorists released a bioweapon in the United States that attacked mostly Caucasian people. It is believed that the substance was supposed to be use on global business and political centers. No antidote has been found and China has its eye on taking over America while it’s weak. What many don’t seem to realize is that the plague could come across the sea and affect them as it continues to mutate. What really happened is a mystery, but it seemed that the ship had crashed into its berth, which caused the substance to be released into the bay and a cloud of poisonous gas into the air. The horror was that half of the population of San Francisco was killed in 5 minutes. Eventually the gas mutated other ethnic groups became affected and as people tried to escape to other countries, they brought the disease with them.

The plot is interesting, and I liked the way the author took a different view of the normal apocalypse. Instead of everyone dying out at the same time it’s interesting that only Caucasians were affected at first then the mutation that started affecting other races. Plus, the world hasn’t gone completely lawless and there are still supplies and some form of government around. We get to see three different characters and their journey’s that have different goals but may end up in the same place. Each journey has its own perils and agendas.

The characters are well developed, and we learn a little of Chinese custom and how men and women interreact. We get to see their customs that have been kept alive even during the hard times. Each character that we meet has extreme bravery and a strong will to complete the tasks that have been set out for them.

The characters give us a view of just how much their culture is being held onto besides the horrors and difficulties. We could all learn a lesson watching this family take on two people without demanding recompense. If something like this ever happened, I believe there would be very few people that would keep their hearts open. I adore Mr. Shu because of just how much she cares for Lin and how strong and resourceful she is, especially by taking care of her husband. They are no longer young, and her husband is ailing from asthma. It so sweet watching Lin take the risks that come with walking the streets at night with the roaming gangs to get the medicine he desperately needs along with food. On one of her forays’, she meets the Enforcer, Xi San who does his best to keep the streets safe He is also facing the same issue as Kwan to leave San Francisco as he is becoming run down. He also receives a letter that changes his life and gives him hope for a better future.

This is a wonderful book with a complex plot, wonderful characters especially a strong woman who will do anything to help her father save the world. It will be interesting to see how both the Enforcer and Kwan’s journey goes, and I hope that they somehow meet together on the road. That is the one thing I wish was different, I hoped that we would get to see the end of the journey and what happens. However, like everyone else in the story we must have faith.