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The Mechanica Wars #1
Dragonfly Warrior
The Mechanica Wars: Savage Machines Are Afoot...
At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.
Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns and somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.
At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.
Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns and somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.
337 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2013
6 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Jay Noel
18 books27 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author...Jay Noel studied to become an English teacher, but it didn't work out. Medical sales ninja by day, writer by night, Jay is determined to do it all...AND keep his sanity.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 28, 2017
The Nation of Nihon is preparing itself for war with the Iberian Empire. The Iberians have advanced weaponry that few could hope to match. In order to survive, Nihon is attempting to unify the feuding states on its continent. King Hideaki sends his son, the warrior Prince Zenjiro, on a quest to find a legendary blade that's key to uniting the remaining states in rebellion.
Dragonfly Warrior was a mixed bag. The story was solid as Zen enters the world and immediately started doing good deeds that he believed were leading him to his goal. Things went overly smoothly. Despite Zen's internal war with doubt, he seemed not to make any mistakes. All his actions are extremely virtuous for a warrior.
My biggest complaint was the casual use of point of view characters. Perhaps it's just me, but I feel as though once point of view characters are established that it's key to stick with them. Dragonfly Warrior made use of many point of view characters from the obvious like Zen to the mostly insignificant like Cheng. The strange part is that new point of view characters were added all throughout the tale. The story seemed intent on showing each point of view in detail to the point there were few surprises to be had. I would have largely preferred the story to be told by Zen, Enapay, and Neva which would have allowed things to be discovered at a natural pace. The vast use of point of view characters made the story pacing seem slow and the book seem longer than it actually was, in a bad way.
One aspect I particularly enjoyed was Zen's special ability Ishen. It seemed to be a sort of concentrated ability that made me think of Goku's Kaioken and Naruto's Sage Mode. Once Zen enters this state he becomes significantly stronger and faster. The description of it's use were particularly strong.
In the end Dragonfly Warrior was a solid story. I'm not sure I care to continue the series at this point though.
Dragonfly Warrior was a mixed bag. The story was solid as Zen enters the world and immediately started doing good deeds that he believed were leading him to his goal. Things went overly smoothly. Despite Zen's internal war with doubt, he seemed not to make any mistakes. All his actions are extremely virtuous for a warrior.
My biggest complaint was the casual use of point of view characters. Perhaps it's just me, but I feel as though once point of view characters are established that it's key to stick with them. Dragonfly Warrior made use of many point of view characters from the obvious like Zen to the mostly insignificant like Cheng. The strange part is that new point of view characters were added all throughout the tale. The story seemed intent on showing each point of view in detail to the point there were few surprises to be had. I would have largely preferred the story to be told by Zen, Enapay, and Neva which would have allowed things to be discovered at a natural pace. The vast use of point of view characters made the story pacing seem slow and the book seem longer than it actually was, in a bad way.
One aspect I particularly enjoyed was Zen's special ability Ishen. It seemed to be a sort of concentrated ability that made me think of Goku's Kaioken and Naruto's Sage Mode. Once Zen enters this state he becomes significantly stronger and faster. The description of it's use were particularly strong.
In the end Dragonfly Warrior was a solid story. I'm not sure I care to continue the series at this point though.
January 30, 2015
Hmmm... well, I'm not sure how to talk about this book. First, I suppose, is that I read this as a physical copy. Not an e-version. I think that is significant because it was a beautiful book. Yes, we've all seen the cover, but the layout of the book itself was a thing of art. This was put together with care. It made an impression on me right from the moment I opened the package and held it in my hands.
The choice of font, of the graphic that heads the chapters, the scene breaks... they all have an artistic flair to them. I know that has nothing to do with the story itself, but it does make me, the reader, immediately think that I'm going to be in for a great ride. I'm incredibly impressed.
With that out of the way, the story itself almost defies description. I've purposefully avoided any spoilers or other such things when first hearing about this novel, so there are probably answers to this that are out there that I just haven't been exposed to yet, but I'm not sure how a person could describe what genre this falls into. Yes, it feels sorta steampunk, there are dirigibles, but there is none of that Victorian era feel that most Steampunk I've been exposed to has.
I could go on for a while about how it touches on Alt History, Westerns, Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction, at times, this does touch on all those genres, and yet in ways that all feel very natural for the story being told.
A story, by the way, which is about Zen, a young prince who is sent on a quest to uncover the Sky Blade, a sword with enough mystical power to reshape the world. And it's a weapon of last resort for his Nihon kingdom, which has been part of a civil war that has reached a stalemate. While the Iberian powers from the outside threaten them with their machines of war that no one can stand against.
And it's against this backdrop, that Zen goes on his quest. It's a spiritual test as well. He goes, not as a prince, but as a commoner, knowing that only the pure in heart can wield the blade.
Look, I can recap this story for quite a bit longer, I've not gotten to the half of it. Author Jay Noel does the reader a great favor by making a pretty complicated story A) very understandable - no maps are included, no glossary of characters, but I'll be damned if I don't have all the players in this novel very clear in my head, along with where they hail from, what their allegiances are, and how they all fit together. And B) he manages to write using such a smooth voice that the words just sort of fall into my head.
Wait, that doesn't make any sense at all. Let me try that again.
Jay Noel writes some very easy to digest prose. His sentences are well written, and I gobble up page after page. It's said that the mark of anyone that is great at what they do is that they make it look easy. He makes it look easy. This is a great story, well told.
Next one, please.
The choice of font, of the graphic that heads the chapters, the scene breaks... they all have an artistic flair to them. I know that has nothing to do with the story itself, but it does make me, the reader, immediately think that I'm going to be in for a great ride. I'm incredibly impressed.
With that out of the way, the story itself almost defies description. I've purposefully avoided any spoilers or other such things when first hearing about this novel, so there are probably answers to this that are out there that I just haven't been exposed to yet, but I'm not sure how a person could describe what genre this falls into. Yes, it feels sorta steampunk, there are dirigibles, but there is none of that Victorian era feel that most Steampunk I've been exposed to has.
I could go on for a while about how it touches on Alt History, Westerns, Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction, at times, this does touch on all those genres, and yet in ways that all feel very natural for the story being told.
A story, by the way, which is about Zen, a young prince who is sent on a quest to uncover the Sky Blade, a sword with enough mystical power to reshape the world. And it's a weapon of last resort for his Nihon kingdom, which has been part of a civil war that has reached a stalemate. While the Iberian powers from the outside threaten them with their machines of war that no one can stand against.
And it's against this backdrop, that Zen goes on his quest. It's a spiritual test as well. He goes, not as a prince, but as a commoner, knowing that only the pure in heart can wield the blade.
Look, I can recap this story for quite a bit longer, I've not gotten to the half of it. Author Jay Noel does the reader a great favor by making a pretty complicated story A) very understandable - no maps are included, no glossary of characters, but I'll be damned if I don't have all the players in this novel very clear in my head, along with where they hail from, what their allegiances are, and how they all fit together. And B) he manages to write using such a smooth voice that the words just sort of fall into my head.
Wait, that doesn't make any sense at all. Let me try that again.
Jay Noel writes some very easy to digest prose. His sentences are well written, and I gobble up page after page. It's said that the mark of anyone that is great at what they do is that they make it look easy. He makes it look easy. This is a great story, well told.
Next one, please.
January 26, 2014
I'm not a fan of Steampunk. I don't get it. And the last time I read anything with a Samurai was when I read a Ninjago book to my nephews...so to say I'm the target audience would be...not correct.
However....
This book was freakin' amazing. Between the plot which was always go-go-go-go and the characters, this was an impressive first book from debut author Jay Noel. Even in the breather moments between action scenes (and boy howdy does this book have action) I was never really able to catch my breath. All of the characters, even the villains and secondary or even just...cannon fodder, were well developed. This is a unique book and if you're looking for something different this one is it.
Even I, non-steampunk, non-Samurai warrior reader, am looking forward to the second book in this series.
However....
This book was freakin' amazing. Between the plot which was always go-go-go-go and the characters, this was an impressive first book from debut author Jay Noel. Even in the breather moments between action scenes (and boy howdy does this book have action) I was never really able to catch my breath. All of the characters, even the villains and secondary or even just...cannon fodder, were well developed. This is a unique book and if you're looking for something different this one is it.
Even I, non-steampunk, non-Samurai warrior reader, am looking forward to the second book in this series.
April 12, 2014
I read the book in just two sessions.
After reading the first six chapters I thought by myself that the story was not bad but predictable. Fortunately that was not true. The introduction of new characters during Zen's travel heaved the story to another level.
Well done Jay Noel. I look forward to the next book in the Mechanica series.
After reading the first six chapters I thought by myself that the story was not bad but predictable. Fortunately that was not true. The introduction of new characters during Zen's travel heaved the story to another level.
Well done Jay Noel. I look forward to the next book in the Mechanica series.
February 17, 2014
Wow! Excellently written, character-driven, tightly woven prose with perfect plot pacing. I want to read the next book now! I'm serious. Jay Noel is an extremely accomplished writer.
November 19, 2014
I love reading novels set in different times and places which is probably why I’m such a huge fan of steampunk, science fiction and fantasy. DRAGONFLY WARRIOR, Jay Noel’s first novel from 4 Wing Press, is a solid and enjoyable story set in an alternate steampunk Asia.
Prince Kanze Zenjiro a/k/a Zen has become an exceptional warrior at a very young age. The son of Lord Hideaki, he was raised with privileges reserved for royalty yet will not hesitate to risk his own life to defend his brother soldiers in battle. Possessing a power referred to as Ishen, this ability literally makes him superhuman for short periods of time. Meanwhile, Iberia is poised to attack Xia and Zen’s country of Nihon and has the technology to do so. Fearing for the safety of his country, Lord Hideaki (soon to be King Hideaki), determines that to stop the Iberian invasion they must unite Nihon and Xia. Unfortunately, the only way to do that is to find a mythical sword called the Sky Blade. Revered by both their nations, it is thought that the mere appearance of the sword will create a formidable alliance.
Zen, being pure of heart and mind, volunteers for the mission and heads out in hopes of saving his nation. Given a bauble that will help guide him, Zen starts off on his first journey away from home. He meets and eventually teams up with Enapay, a gambler and airship captain with a somewhat dark past and Neva, a former soldier who is on a desperate mission to rescue her son from a notorious criminal. While Zen attempts to fulfill his quest, back home his father proceeds to annex the surrounding nations in a bid to takeover Xia with or without the sword.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and thought the action sequences were very well done. I especially liked the characters of Enapay and Neva. They were dynamic and flawed, which is a good thing. Neva was especially well thought out as her head strong personality was both a strength and a weakness. Enapay was a riot watching him go from lowlife street gambler to potential savior of his home town. Unfortunately, our hero Zen was the least interesting character. He could do no wrong and even though his flaw was supposed to be arrogance, it came off as self-confidence and he never paid a price for his supposed flaw like Neva did. This made him boring and predictable. The kid never lost a fight except for once and you knew he was going to get out of it. I really wanted to see him get his ass kicked for the first time in his life just to see how he would react. (If you’re used to winning, losing can have a profound impact.) There was also a continuity problem at the end where Zen talks about being stripped of his royalty by his father and sent on this quest when in fact he volunteered and his father gave him his blessing.
The quest for the Sky Blade virtually disappears when Zen decides to help Neva save her son. A noble cause, but isn’t getting the one object that can save your country of greater importance? Even if it’s a lie his father told him, Zen still believed it. It would have been nice to see Zen have some sort of angst over what to do rather than take the easy way out and do whatever the bauble directed him to do. At some point, Zen needed to remove, lose or destroy the bauble in order to take control over his own destiny and deal with the repercussions.
It’s quite possible that Mr. Noel has something like that planned in future novels about Zen and his quest since I believe that this is a series. Overall, the novel shows a lot of promise and creativity.
Originally published at Fanboy Comics.
Prince Kanze Zenjiro a/k/a Zen has become an exceptional warrior at a very young age. The son of Lord Hideaki, he was raised with privileges reserved for royalty yet will not hesitate to risk his own life to defend his brother soldiers in battle. Possessing a power referred to as Ishen, this ability literally makes him superhuman for short periods of time. Meanwhile, Iberia is poised to attack Xia and Zen’s country of Nihon and has the technology to do so. Fearing for the safety of his country, Lord Hideaki (soon to be King Hideaki), determines that to stop the Iberian invasion they must unite Nihon and Xia. Unfortunately, the only way to do that is to find a mythical sword called the Sky Blade. Revered by both their nations, it is thought that the mere appearance of the sword will create a formidable alliance.
Zen, being pure of heart and mind, volunteers for the mission and heads out in hopes of saving his nation. Given a bauble that will help guide him, Zen starts off on his first journey away from home. He meets and eventually teams up with Enapay, a gambler and airship captain with a somewhat dark past and Neva, a former soldier who is on a desperate mission to rescue her son from a notorious criminal. While Zen attempts to fulfill his quest, back home his father proceeds to annex the surrounding nations in a bid to takeover Xia with or without the sword.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and thought the action sequences were very well done. I especially liked the characters of Enapay and Neva. They were dynamic and flawed, which is a good thing. Neva was especially well thought out as her head strong personality was both a strength and a weakness. Enapay was a riot watching him go from lowlife street gambler to potential savior of his home town. Unfortunately, our hero Zen was the least interesting character. He could do no wrong and even though his flaw was supposed to be arrogance, it came off as self-confidence and he never paid a price for his supposed flaw like Neva did. This made him boring and predictable. The kid never lost a fight except for once and you knew he was going to get out of it. I really wanted to see him get his ass kicked for the first time in his life just to see how he would react. (If you’re used to winning, losing can have a profound impact.) There was also a continuity problem at the end where Zen talks about being stripped of his royalty by his father and sent on this quest when in fact he volunteered and his father gave him his blessing.
The quest for the Sky Blade virtually disappears when Zen decides to help Neva save her son. A noble cause, but isn’t getting the one object that can save your country of greater importance? Even if it’s a lie his father told him, Zen still believed it. It would have been nice to see Zen have some sort of angst over what to do rather than take the easy way out and do whatever the bauble directed him to do. At some point, Zen needed to remove, lose or destroy the bauble in order to take control over his own destiny and deal with the repercussions.
It’s quite possible that Mr. Noel has something like that planned in future novels about Zen and his quest since I believe that this is a series. Overall, the novel shows a lot of promise and creativity.
Originally published at Fanboy Comics.
January 2, 2014
This book is excellent, well-written, error free, and served as my first introduction into a fully realized world of steampunk awesomeness infused with Japanese flavor. Though most of the book is told from the perspective of the main character, Zen, we also get to know a great many other characters who are extremely important to the story: Enapay, Neva, and Neva's son Marcel "Machine Boy" Bouvier.
Marcel in many ways drives the actions of this story as he's got a supernatural ability to be able to touch any machine and instantly diagnose what's wrong with it. In a world of machines, this is the coolest thing ever. It's a little perplexing that Marcel's uncaring father cannot see the potential that lives under his roof. However, when he sells the boy to another man that knows full well how powerful Marcel's ability is, Neva (the mother) pursues him through many exotic locations and for the reader, it's a thrilling ride.
Since this is the beginning of what is most likely a series, I can't wait for the next installment. If this were published by one of the big five, I'd easily expect it to be a contender for a Nebula on the basis of its originality, character development, and world-building. But as a caveat, I'm a fan of novels with oriental themes, samurai, and action that sweeps you away.
Marcel in many ways drives the actions of this story as he's got a supernatural ability to be able to touch any machine and instantly diagnose what's wrong with it. In a world of machines, this is the coolest thing ever. It's a little perplexing that Marcel's uncaring father cannot see the potential that lives under his roof. However, when he sells the boy to another man that knows full well how powerful Marcel's ability is, Neva (the mother) pursues him through many exotic locations and for the reader, it's a thrilling ride.
Since this is the beginning of what is most likely a series, I can't wait for the next installment. If this were published by one of the big five, I'd easily expect it to be a contender for a Nebula on the basis of its originality, character development, and world-building. But as a caveat, I'm a fan of novels with oriental themes, samurai, and action that sweeps you away.
October 8, 2018
A true original a fast paced action adventure
Not what I expected at all very well done have not gotten this involved with a story in quite awhile this was a great read !
Not what I expected at all very well done have not gotten this involved with a story in quite awhile this was a great read !
July 29, 2014
I am a big steampunk fan. I really hate British-theme steampunk, which is almost everything out there, so this book rocked. The cover is amazing and the writing is nearly flawless. Noel proves his skill with this fast-paced steampunk adventure of epic proportions. A great read!
November 11, 2016
This is first steampunk novel I've read and it was great. It went way beyond my expectations. I related to the characters and the story was interesting. I will continue the series.
February 26, 2017
Fun foray into alternative universe steampunk.
April 10, 2014
A caveat here: this is the first steampunk book I've read. I'm not a fan of the genre by any stretch. I guess my main problem is it relies so much on hindsight, people taking stuff we have now and reverse engineering it to 19th Century technology. I tend to think if they could have made a giant walking spider back then someone probably would have.
My point then is I was prepared not to like this book, but I did. Since I haven't read any steampunk before what it actually reminded me of is Star Wars. Zen is like a Jedi in that he has a sword and a mystical ability that helps him fight. When he goes in search of the "Sky Sword" he meets a scoundrel who also happens to own a very fast ship--sound familiar? And then they meet a a woman who's very tough and capable--but does not turn out to be Zen's sister.
Thinking of it that way probably helped and also I don't think it took the steampunk to ridiculous extremes. Not like for instance "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" where they had a fleet of SHIELD helicarriers in the mid-30s. Say whaaaat? Although there was (briefly) a mechanical spider thing most of the technology like airships and cars were plausible in the late 19th Century as there were already hot air balloons, rudimentary cars, and even at least one crude submarine in the Civil War.
Besides Star Wars I suppose it plays out like one of those fantasy books where there's a party on a quest. It just so happens instead of fighting dragons and wizards they're after the "Machine Boy" who to use another Star Wars reference reminded me of young Anakin Skywalker, though less annoying because he didn't go around asking teenage girls if they were angels.
Anyway, it's a fast-paced, action-packed read that's written very well. There's nothing to dislike, even for someone who doesn't like steampunk. I'm looking forward to the next book.
That is all.
My point then is I was prepared not to like this book, but I did. Since I haven't read any steampunk before what it actually reminded me of is Star Wars. Zen is like a Jedi in that he has a sword and a mystical ability that helps him fight. When he goes in search of the "Sky Sword" he meets a scoundrel who also happens to own a very fast ship--sound familiar? And then they meet a a woman who's very tough and capable--but does not turn out to be Zen's sister.
Thinking of it that way probably helped and also I don't think it took the steampunk to ridiculous extremes. Not like for instance "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" where they had a fleet of SHIELD helicarriers in the mid-30s. Say whaaaat? Although there was (briefly) a mechanical spider thing most of the technology like airships and cars were plausible in the late 19th Century as there were already hot air balloons, rudimentary cars, and even at least one crude submarine in the Civil War.
Besides Star Wars I suppose it plays out like one of those fantasy books where there's a party on a quest. It just so happens instead of fighting dragons and wizards they're after the "Machine Boy" who to use another Star Wars reference reminded me of young Anakin Skywalker, though less annoying because he didn't go around asking teenage girls if they were angels.
Anyway, it's a fast-paced, action-packed read that's written very well. There's nothing to dislike, even for someone who doesn't like steampunk. I'm looking forward to the next book.
That is all.
December 5, 2015
Amazon has this wonderful way of luring in book addicts by offering free e-books...most of them being the first book in a series. I periodically browse the free books and pick up ones that look interesting, and so I picked this one up on a whim. Oh man, I am so glad I did too!
This is probably going to be listed as the best novel I have read this year, still got the rest of December, but wow, this book left an impression. The setting is steampunk, but not. Instead of the usual Victorian aesthetic you get with steampunk novels, this one is set in a weird alternate history that has more in common with the age of sail...but with everything being steampowered. No clockpunk here, this is legit coal and steam powered machines, which is something I appreciate. I love steampunk and the Victorian aesthetic, but honestly have found that it has gotten a bit stale, so I was very pleased to find a book that shakes it up a bit.
The characters are awesome, and their journeys are not only believable but quite enjoyable. Zen was unsurprisingly my favorite, but being a samurai with incredible honor and spiritual depth and having both of those tested was quite intense and well handled.
This is probably going to be listed as the best novel I have read this year, still got the rest of December, but wow, this book left an impression. The setting is steampunk, but not. Instead of the usual Victorian aesthetic you get with steampunk novels, this one is set in a weird alternate history that has more in common with the age of sail...but with everything being steampowered. No clockpunk here, this is legit coal and steam powered machines, which is something I appreciate. I love steampunk and the Victorian aesthetic, but honestly have found that it has gotten a bit stale, so I was very pleased to find a book that shakes it up a bit.
The characters are awesome, and their journeys are not only believable but quite enjoyable. Zen was unsurprisingly my favorite, but being a samurai with incredible honor and spiritual depth and having both of those tested was quite intense and well handled.
October 14, 2015
Once the main character, Prince Kanze Zenjiro utters, “I accept this Sacred Quest,” the reader travels on an amazing voyage traversing across continents into heavily guarded cities by airship, locomobile or submersible. Drawn deep into pirated oceans and dusty deserts you’ll be mesmerized as you follow Zen in his quest for The Sky Blade that will unite his nation with other nations against the threat of the Iberian Empire. Fortunately, he has purity, a belief in fate and a magical talisman called Ishen hanging around his neck. Best of all, he has made some friends along the way to help him with his journey.
You’ll love Noel’s clear and vivid descriptions and the colorful characters will remind you of Jules Verne without any of the old-fashioned writing or ruffled shirts. The fantasy plot describes every detail without being boring and culminates in a gigantic battle at the home of an evil arms dealer. The prince faces challenge after challenge and finds disappointment where he had hoped to find honor. Who will break the samurai code and what happens with the ‘Sacred Quest’? Put on your leather wrapped goggles and get set for an adventure that will leave you steaming ahead for more!
With big-screen style settings, fast-paced action and brilliant dialogue, the mere act of reading Dragonfly Warrior, will make you feel like you’re at the movies!
You’ll love Noel’s clear and vivid descriptions and the colorful characters will remind you of Jules Verne without any of the old-fashioned writing or ruffled shirts. The fantasy plot describes every detail without being boring and culminates in a gigantic battle at the home of an evil arms dealer. The prince faces challenge after challenge and finds disappointment where he had hoped to find honor. Who will break the samurai code and what happens with the ‘Sacred Quest’? Put on your leather wrapped goggles and get set for an adventure that will leave you steaming ahead for more!
With big-screen style settings, fast-paced action and brilliant dialogue, the mere act of reading Dragonfly Warrior, will make you feel like you’re at the movies!
April 5, 2014
The Iberian Empire is slowly making its way across the land, mercilessly defeating one country after another, and Zen's beloved home is in their path. Kanze Zenjiro is the Dragonfly Warrior, his people's best Samurai and prince to the throne. To help win his kingdom allies, Zen goes on a quest to find the mystical Sky Blade. His journey takes him to a wild land that could destroy this young and honorable warrior. Zen believes Fate will direct him to the right path, but does he have enough faith to follow it?
This is the incredible debut novel by Jay Noel. It's a mix of steampunk, western, and adventure with the addition of Samurais. The world building is fantastic. A place of great diversity, history, and mystery. I love how the old traditions are so seamlessly woven in with new technology. Even the machines seem a bit magical.
Zen is an admirable character, like a paladin of compassion and honor. He was amazing to watch on this adventure, but I know a harder time is ahead of him. I'm eager to see how he handles what Fate has in store for him. The whole cast of characters is amazing. Enapay and Neva are two of my favorites. And the Machine Boy is fascinating.
Not only is it an amazing story, but the writing is clean and well edited. It was wonderfully formatted too. I can't wait for the next book in Noel's series!
This is the incredible debut novel by Jay Noel. It's a mix of steampunk, western, and adventure with the addition of Samurais. The world building is fantastic. A place of great diversity, history, and mystery. I love how the old traditions are so seamlessly woven in with new technology. Even the machines seem a bit magical.
Zen is an admirable character, like a paladin of compassion and honor. He was amazing to watch on this adventure, but I know a harder time is ahead of him. I'm eager to see how he handles what Fate has in store for him. The whole cast of characters is amazing. Enapay and Neva are two of my favorites. And the Machine Boy is fascinating.
Not only is it an amazing story, but the writing is clean and well edited. It was wonderfully formatted too. I can't wait for the next book in Noel's series!
August 22, 2016
The Dragonfly Warrior combines ancient ninja warriors and steampunk inventions in a creative, distinct, epic fantasy adventure that was hard to put down. This well-written historic-type fantasy transported me back to the honorable China dynasty ages, where deceit can creep in and seemingly normal objects can guide to hidden magical relics. The characters have heart and determination, good or bad, they fight for what they want. And Zen, the brave and often underestimated Prince will wrap you around his powerful little finger, as he does with everyone he encounters. A wonderful action-packed story for all ages!
March 23, 2015
Dragonfly Warrior is now only 99 CENTS for a limited time. Now is the time to get my steampunk adventure at this low price.
Amazon
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Amazon
Barnes & Noble
January 5, 2016
Was a good book ideal for kids or young teens, but not a bad read for an adult.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews