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World of Solace #1
The Mark of the Dragonfly
For fans of Wrinkle in Time and The School of Good and Evil, the New York Times bestseller The Mark of the Dragonfly is a fast-paced adventure story about a mysterious girl and a fearless boy, set in a magical world that is both exciting and dangerous.
Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.
The girl doesn’t remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she’s from the Dragonfly Territories and that she’s protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home.
The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect—everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible.
Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey.
Praise for The Mark of the Dragonfly :
★ “This magnetic middle-grade debut …[is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal.”— Publishers Weekly , Starred
★ “ Heart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum.”-- Kirkus Reviews , Starred
★ “ A fantastic and original tale of adventure and magic ...Piper is a heroine to fall in love smart, brave, kind, and mechanically inclined to boot.”— School Library Journal , Starred
“ A complex and impeccably developed plot —there is plenty to recommend in this novel.”— The Bulletin
“Appealing characters and lots of action make it a good choice for young adventure readers. ”— Booklist
Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.
The girl doesn’t remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she’s from the Dragonfly Territories and that she’s protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home.
The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect—everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible.
Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey.
Praise for The Mark of the Dragonfly :
★ “This magnetic middle-grade debut …[is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal.”— Publishers Weekly , Starred
★ “ Heart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum.”-- Kirkus Reviews , Starred
★ “ A fantastic and original tale of adventure and magic ...Piper is a heroine to fall in love smart, brave, kind, and mechanically inclined to boot.”— School Library Journal , Starred
“ A complex and impeccably developed plot —there is plenty to recommend in this novel.”— The Bulletin
“Appealing characters and lots of action make it a good choice for young adventure readers. ”— Booklist
400 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2014
232 people are currently reading
5562 people want to read
About the author
Jaleigh Johnson
34 books315 followersJaleigh Johnson lives and writes in the wilds of the Midwest. Her middle grade debut novel The Mark of the Dragonfly is a New York Times bestseller. Her other books from Delacorte Press include The Secrets of Solace, The Quest to the Uncharted Lands, and The Door to the Lost. She has also written fiction for Dungeons and Dragons, Marvel, and Assassin's Creed. Johnson is an avid gamer and lifelong geek.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,025 reviews
April 1, 2014
** A 4.8 Review as posted on KindleObsessed blog **
Over the past 5 years I have become very close friends with the secretary at my children’s school. Not because of my children exactly (though she adores both and spoils them rotten) but because we both love to read. Last June (on the last day of school) I brought her a bag full of some of my favorite books. “Here you go,” I said. “Some goodies to keep you company this summer.” She of course flipped out, grabbing the bag and squealing for joy. (Because that’s what crazy book nerds do.) When school came back into session in August there she was, waiting for me with my bag full of books. All read, and all appreciated. But when I got home, books scattered around me in a circle, ready to be returned to their proper place on my shelves, I noticed an addition. A REALLY old fantasy novel, held together with tape and one perfectly positioned rubber-band. I KNEW this was not my book. But I was instantly taken aback by it’s amazing cover art. So I removed the rubber-band and took a peek at the first page. Instead of seeing a title, I saw a note.
Dear Misty,
This is my favorite book. It is well loved (as you can see) so I rarely loan it out. But after reading the wonderful books you loaned me this summer, I wanted to repay the kindness. You asked me once why I love to read fantasy novels. I told you it was because they help me escape. When I’m reading a book that is filled with pixies, ogres and epic quests, I feel like I am a part of them. So I want you to read this book. And escape to the same world I live in…once or twice a year. Go on an adventure Misty. I’ll see you when you get back. -C
Long story short, I read the book…and loved it. But since then I have yet to find a book to teleport me to another land in quite the same dramatic way.
Yes, I’ve loved books.
And yes, I have read several more fantasy since then.
But it wasn’t until I read Jaleigh Johnson’s “The Mark of the Dragonfly” that I felt truly taken away. To another land, where green-eyed boys can have wings. Where machines can explode with just a thought. Fire can be molded into rocks. Where a group of young people, who have been forced to grow up alone AND much quicker than most…set out to find freedom. And family. It’s books like this one that I want my child to grow up reading. It’s books like this one, that can create an imagination with no limits.
THIS is what middle-grade literature should be.
THIS is the story of a girl, who has no idea who she really is.
"Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.
The girl doesn’t remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she’s from the Dragonfly Territories and that she’s protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home.
The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect–everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible.
Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey."
It’s important to note, that if you aren’t a religious reader of fantasy, “The Mark of the Dragonfly” (or any fantasy novel for that matter) might take you a tad longer to become invested in. TMOTD is not based on a world we know OR understand. It’s a world created specially for the telling of THIS story. Some words will not make sense. Other will feel familiar but will hold abstract meanings. Structures, laws, even the way the land is laid out will all need to be established. (AKA: World building.) And though it may take some time (and a few extra pages) to let it all sink in, I promise you…it will. (And, subsequently, it will all make perfect sense.) Just give it a little time.
As for the world inside of TMOTD, it’s one of desolation. Piper lives in a land ruined by greedy rulers. Farming is non-existent and food is scarce. To maintain any semblance of life, you must make your own luck. And by luck I mean you must scavenge for collectables amongst mounds of wreckage and hope you find something of value. EVERYTHING is dirty, and EVERYONE is jaded. The only thing Piper has going for her? An uncanny ability to fix mechanical objects. If it has gears…she’s your girl.
Unfortunately all of that is just background noise. The story actually takes place when Piper stumbles upon a GIRL in the wreckage that surrounds her house. A girl that has ZERO idea who she is, but is wanted by people of great importance. (And power.) So the quest begins…to find out who the girl is, and what the fuss is all about. But Piper finds herself in an odd situation. Caring for someone other than herself. Which makes the entire journey much harder than it should have been.
I don’t want to give the story away, so I’ll stop there, but I do want to point out a few things. First…Johnson’s wonderful attention to detail.
The best thing about fantasy is the ability to read it, and then instantly picture it in your mind. If you can’t, then the writer has missed the mark. Thankfully that is NOT the case with this novel. Here is an example:
“Inked on the girl’s forearm was a tattoo roughly the size of a matchbook. The design was a dragonfly, but instead of normal insect, this one was made of mechanical parts. Transparent wings veined with iridescent wires and minuscule springs curled around the girl’s arm. Gears and cogs composed its multifaceted eyes, and the dragonfly’s metallic green body was a piston that tapered toward the bend of her elbow. A skilled artist had painted the dark-haired woman on Micha’s music box, but whoever had done the dragonfly design was a true master. The inks alone had to have cost a fortune.”
TMOTD is full of wonderfully intricate examples, just like this one. Which is probably why I found it so easy to live inside of it. The more details on the page, the more inside my head.
But don’t worry. Details, doesn’t mean a lack of forward movement or dialogue. As a matter of fact (despite it’s 400 pages) Dragonfly was incredibly fast paced. Never slowing down in an attempt to build suspense. It was just there, ready and waiting for you to find it on the next page. It was also (surprisingly) jamb-packed with dialogue. (Which is LESS common in fantasy novels.) There was always someone talking. Be it Anna (who spoke to establish the situation/world) Piper (to establish the story) or Gee (to establish the emotions and gravity of the situation.) Each character was built with a purpose, and they executed it perfectly.
To top it all of, it integrated lessons. Which is always a bonus when you are looking for books for younger audiences.
It was clean (metaphorically speaking) solid, and just what I needed. And now, I’m off to share it with my 9 year old son. (And his secretary.)
Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: “The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege.” - Charles Kuralt
Over the past 5 years I have become very close friends with the secretary at my children’s school. Not because of my children exactly (though she adores both and spoils them rotten) but because we both love to read. Last June (on the last day of school) I brought her a bag full of some of my favorite books. “Here you go,” I said. “Some goodies to keep you company this summer.” She of course flipped out, grabbing the bag and squealing for joy. (Because that’s what crazy book nerds do.) When school came back into session in August there she was, waiting for me with my bag full of books. All read, and all appreciated. But when I got home, books scattered around me in a circle, ready to be returned to their proper place on my shelves, I noticed an addition. A REALLY old fantasy novel, held together with tape and one perfectly positioned rubber-band. I KNEW this was not my book. But I was instantly taken aback by it’s amazing cover art. So I removed the rubber-band and took a peek at the first page. Instead of seeing a title, I saw a note.
Dear Misty,
This is my favorite book. It is well loved (as you can see) so I rarely loan it out. But after reading the wonderful books you loaned me this summer, I wanted to repay the kindness. You asked me once why I love to read fantasy novels. I told you it was because they help me escape. When I’m reading a book that is filled with pixies, ogres and epic quests, I feel like I am a part of them. So I want you to read this book. And escape to the same world I live in…once or twice a year. Go on an adventure Misty. I’ll see you when you get back. -C
Long story short, I read the book…and loved it. But since then I have yet to find a book to teleport me to another land in quite the same dramatic way.
Yes, I’ve loved books.
And yes, I have read several more fantasy since then.
But it wasn’t until I read Jaleigh Johnson’s “The Mark of the Dragonfly” that I felt truly taken away. To another land, where green-eyed boys can have wings. Where machines can explode with just a thought. Fire can be molded into rocks. Where a group of young people, who have been forced to grow up alone AND much quicker than most…set out to find freedom. And family. It’s books like this one that I want my child to grow up reading. It’s books like this one, that can create an imagination with no limits.
THIS is what middle-grade literature should be.
THIS is the story of a girl, who has no idea who she really is.
"Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.
The girl doesn’t remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she’s from the Dragonfly Territories and that she’s protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home.
The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect–everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible.
Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey."
It’s important to note, that if you aren’t a religious reader of fantasy, “The Mark of the Dragonfly” (or any fantasy novel for that matter) might take you a tad longer to become invested in. TMOTD is not based on a world we know OR understand. It’s a world created specially for the telling of THIS story. Some words will not make sense. Other will feel familiar but will hold abstract meanings. Structures, laws, even the way the land is laid out will all need to be established. (AKA: World building.) And though it may take some time (and a few extra pages) to let it all sink in, I promise you…it will. (And, subsequently, it will all make perfect sense.) Just give it a little time.
As for the world inside of TMOTD, it’s one of desolation. Piper lives in a land ruined by greedy rulers. Farming is non-existent and food is scarce. To maintain any semblance of life, you must make your own luck. And by luck I mean you must scavenge for collectables amongst mounds of wreckage and hope you find something of value. EVERYTHING is dirty, and EVERYONE is jaded. The only thing Piper has going for her? An uncanny ability to fix mechanical objects. If it has gears…she’s your girl.
Unfortunately all of that is just background noise. The story actually takes place when Piper stumbles upon a GIRL in the wreckage that surrounds her house. A girl that has ZERO idea who she is, but is wanted by people of great importance. (And power.) So the quest begins…to find out who the girl is, and what the fuss is all about. But Piper finds herself in an odd situation. Caring for someone other than herself. Which makes the entire journey much harder than it should have been.
I don’t want to give the story away, so I’ll stop there, but I do want to point out a few things. First…Johnson’s wonderful attention to detail.
The best thing about fantasy is the ability to read it, and then instantly picture it in your mind. If you can’t, then the writer has missed the mark. Thankfully that is NOT the case with this novel. Here is an example:
“Inked on the girl’s forearm was a tattoo roughly the size of a matchbook. The design was a dragonfly, but instead of normal insect, this one was made of mechanical parts. Transparent wings veined with iridescent wires and minuscule springs curled around the girl’s arm. Gears and cogs composed its multifaceted eyes, and the dragonfly’s metallic green body was a piston that tapered toward the bend of her elbow. A skilled artist had painted the dark-haired woman on Micha’s music box, but whoever had done the dragonfly design was a true master. The inks alone had to have cost a fortune.”
TMOTD is full of wonderfully intricate examples, just like this one. Which is probably why I found it so easy to live inside of it. The more details on the page, the more inside my head.
But don’t worry. Details, doesn’t mean a lack of forward movement or dialogue. As a matter of fact (despite it’s 400 pages) Dragonfly was incredibly fast paced. Never slowing down in an attempt to build suspense. It was just there, ready and waiting for you to find it on the next page. It was also (surprisingly) jamb-packed with dialogue. (Which is LESS common in fantasy novels.) There was always someone talking. Be it Anna (who spoke to establish the situation/world) Piper (to establish the story) or Gee (to establish the emotions and gravity of the situation.) Each character was built with a purpose, and they executed it perfectly.
To top it all of, it integrated lessons. Which is always a bonus when you are looking for books for younger audiences.
It was clean (metaphorically speaking) solid, and just what I needed. And now, I’m off to share it with my 9 year old son. (And his secretary.)
Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: “The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege.” - Charles Kuralt
November 23, 2021
Steampunk fantasy for middle schoolers. Awesome and amazing. Jaleigh Johnson has written a wonderful adventure about a young female orphan named Piper, whose world consists of scavenging (a scrapper) and fixing broken machines, a special gift. Piper rescues a strange, young girl from a strange caravan during a meteor storm. Anna has a dragonfly tattoo denoting protection of the southern King intent on hegemony. Piper and Anna flee someone supposedly trying to "help" Anna, jumping on an archaic supply train (the 417.) Piper and Anna form a deep sisterlike bond, which revelations about who and what they are cannot break. With the help of a magical boy (Gee), a chameleon who can shape shift, they battle marauders and Anna's benefactor. Great characters, despite their human flaws, true fellowship and camaraderie. As the old ad slogan said: "Try it, you'll like it."
February 25, 2014
Wow! Is it steampunk for kids? Sort of, but there is so much more, adventure, danger, learning to trust others and appreciate them as individuals. Most of all, The Mark of the Dragonfly is a fantastic journey into reading that will make even the most reluctant young reader unable to put this one down! The pace is fast, the details are not overbearing, slowing down the story. A younger reader has the chance to turn their own imagination loose and fall into the world of The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson!
Young Piper is a scrapper, orphaned and alone in a world where survival is a harsh reality and watching your back is a way of life. Loyalty and friendships are rare, so when a young friend of Piper’s is caught in a meteor field during a storm, she ignores her own safety to find and save him. Hidden from the falling debris, Piper watches in fear as a strange caravan is destroyed in the Meteor Field. As the storm abates, she finds a young survivor, rescues both the young girl and her young friend. The girl is a bit odd, but she carries an important tattoo that denotes she is protected by the King of a powerful and wealthy land. Seeing a chance to make money, Piper sets out to return the girl to her home. Danger and deceit follow them on a journey that, if Piper survives, will change her life forever. With the help of a magical boy who can shape shift and a journey on a classic train to a new world, Piper finds she has much to learn. But with her quick wit, her new found friends and evil nipping at her heels, this is an adventure to enjoy to its fullest!
Jaleigh Johnson has built a world that one can see, feel and become part of. Her writing is clean, quick and full of the wonder that fuels a child’s imagination, no matter how old that child is! Her characters come alive under her pen, sometimes quirky, sometimes snarky, but always feeling genuine, like the real deal! Sometimes as adults, we forget the power of a child's mind to fill in the blanks, thankfully, Jaleigh Johnson remembered! Wonderful reading and highly recommended for middle grade readers!
I received this ARC edition from Random House Children's Delacorte BFYR in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: March 25, 2014.
Publication Date: March 25, 2014
Publisher: Random House Children's Delacorte BFYR
ISBN: 9780385376150
Genre: Children's Fiction, Teens & YA
Number of Pages: 400
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Young Piper is a scrapper, orphaned and alone in a world where survival is a harsh reality and watching your back is a way of life. Loyalty and friendships are rare, so when a young friend of Piper’s is caught in a meteor field during a storm, she ignores her own safety to find and save him. Hidden from the falling debris, Piper watches in fear as a strange caravan is destroyed in the Meteor Field. As the storm abates, she finds a young survivor, rescues both the young girl and her young friend. The girl is a bit odd, but she carries an important tattoo that denotes she is protected by the King of a powerful and wealthy land. Seeing a chance to make money, Piper sets out to return the girl to her home. Danger and deceit follow them on a journey that, if Piper survives, will change her life forever. With the help of a magical boy who can shape shift and a journey on a classic train to a new world, Piper finds she has much to learn. But with her quick wit, her new found friends and evil nipping at her heels, this is an adventure to enjoy to its fullest!
Jaleigh Johnson has built a world that one can see, feel and become part of. Her writing is clean, quick and full of the wonder that fuels a child’s imagination, no matter how old that child is! Her characters come alive under her pen, sometimes quirky, sometimes snarky, but always feeling genuine, like the real deal! Sometimes as adults, we forget the power of a child's mind to fill in the blanks, thankfully, Jaleigh Johnson remembered! Wonderful reading and highly recommended for middle grade readers!
I received this ARC edition from Random House Children's Delacorte BFYR in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: March 25, 2014.
Publication Date: March 25, 2014
Publisher: Random House Children's Delacorte BFYR
ISBN: 9780385376150
Genre: Children's Fiction, Teens & YA
Number of Pages: 400
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
May 30, 2015
The Mark of the Dragonfly is a middle-grade, steampunk/fantasy novel written by Jaleigh Johnson. I have seen
very
few steampunk-type books targeted to this age group so this is an exciting addition. I should note that when I began The Mark of the Dragonfly, I assumed it was a young adult publication (the goodreads app doesn't show the genres), so once I looked at the details on my PC, it made sense. This book felt very young, even younger than your typical young adult. Had I known it was middle grade, I probably wouldn't have read it (at least not without the incentive of reading along with my son). However, even after meeting the thirteen-year-old and younger characters, I remained interested. It offers readers a fast-paced, fun and unique fantasy plot and I think kids and most young adults would totally eat this book up! Even some adults would likely be glued to the storyline. For me personally, it was much too young for my personal taste, but I appreciate the originality and am always intrigued by anything steampunk. If you think this book might appeal to you, give it a try!
My favorite quote:
“‘Machines are easier to fix than people’, Piper said, trying to shrug it off. ‘A lot louder and dirtier too. Well, sometimes at least.’”
My favorite quote:
“‘Machines are easier to fix than people’, Piper said, trying to shrug it off. ‘A lot louder and dirtier too. Well, sometimes at least.’”
Read
March 24, 2016I love the description of the dragonfly tattoo and the power of being able to command and fix machines. That's an awesome ability and I wish I had it too. So curious about these other cultures and beings that came into play. Also about the mystery of the meteor showers that rain down cool stuff upon the land.
March 26, 2014
Piper is a scrapper. Where she lives, you survive by mining debris fields right after a meteor shower and selling what you find. She makes a better living than most since she's skilled at repairing machines, a skill that is in high demand.
Then, she comes across a girl, the sole survivor of a group stuck in the middle of a meteor shower. Piper takes her home to recuperate, at which point she's already gotten herself involved in something more complicated than she could ever guess. Piper and Anna set off for the capital, because Anna bears the mark of the dragonfly - and that means the king has some interest in her fate.
THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY is a terrific introduction to a new middle grade series and author. (Jaleigh Johnson has written some tie-in novels for Wizards of the Coast.) You might not guess it from the cover, but this novel is steampunk and features an awesome train guarded by a dragon. I don't even know why that's not on the cover, because it is the best and the people on the train are the best. And Johnson knows how to make a train journey exciting and dangerous.
Some of the adventures in THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY felt like setup for future books rather than part of the current story. For instance, there's a group of raiders just determined to get their hands on the train's young head of security. But for the most part, the story is self-contained and completely satisfied. I'm excited that this is a series, since I like the characters, but I wasn't left disappointed by a half-hearted ending.
There is plenty of the world left to explore. There's tensions between the world powers and the upper and lower classes, for instance. Certain species of people are discriminated against. There's slavery, which is obviously bad. There's Piper and Anna's growing friendship, a true sisterly bond. There's Piper's potential romance, which is kept low-key for the intended audience.
I think that THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY will appeal to fans of fantasy and adventure stories, particularly ones with great girl heroes.
Then, she comes across a girl, the sole survivor of a group stuck in the middle of a meteor shower. Piper takes her home to recuperate, at which point she's already gotten herself involved in something more complicated than she could ever guess. Piper and Anna set off for the capital, because Anna bears the mark of the dragonfly - and that means the king has some interest in her fate.
THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY is a terrific introduction to a new middle grade series and author. (Jaleigh Johnson has written some tie-in novels for Wizards of the Coast.) You might not guess it from the cover, but this novel is steampunk and features an awesome train guarded by a dragon. I don't even know why that's not on the cover, because it is the best and the people on the train are the best. And Johnson knows how to make a train journey exciting and dangerous.
Some of the adventures in THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY felt like setup for future books rather than part of the current story. For instance, there's a group of raiders just determined to get their hands on the train's young head of security. But for the most part, the story is self-contained and completely satisfied. I'm excited that this is a series, since I like the characters, but I wasn't left disappointed by a half-hearted ending.
There is plenty of the world left to explore. There's tensions between the world powers and the upper and lower classes, for instance. Certain species of people are discriminated against. There's slavery, which is obviously bad. There's Piper and Anna's growing friendship, a true sisterly bond. There's Piper's potential romance, which is kept low-key for the intended audience.
I think that THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY will appeal to fans of fantasy and adventure stories, particularly ones with great girl heroes.
January 10, 2014
Lately it seems like if I ever get a book that I don't know anything about, from an author I know nothing about (unless it's Christian Fiction) I find stuff in the book that I don't appreciate, such as swearing or more passion than I think is appropriate. So when I saw The Mark of the Dragonfly on NetGalley I almost didn't read it, but I figured middle grade fiction should be okay. I'm so glad I decided to read it. The Mark of the Dragonfly is a mix between Cinder and Polar Express and some mythological thrown in. Okay, that maybe a poor description, but I don't know how else to describe it. As far as content is concerned it's clean. There is no language, lust, and while there is fighting and blood, it's not anything that I wouldn't mind a fifth grader and older reading. Don't think that it's just written for kids though. I convinced my husband to give it a try, and he told me he really likes it so far. It's well written and entertaining. The characters are strong, and the plot isn't completely predicable. In fact it went places I wasn't expecting at all. My only complaints are that sometimes it moved along a little quickly and all of a sudden some conflict was resolved and I was, "Oh..that was easy". Also, the ending didn't quite do it for me. I loved that it did end though. No cliff hanger, no obvious "this will have a sequel (although if it did I would love to read it)". It was just kind of...sweetness wrapped up in a little bow. I love happy endings, this one was just...I don't know. It came out of no where I guess. Those little things weren't enough to keep me from reading it again, or recommending it though.
December 11, 2014
This was one of the most unique and exciting books of the year for me, and I'm happy to have a chance to recommend it to you. It's listed as a middle grade book, and I think anyone from about 8 on upwards could enjoy it. The main protagonist, Piper, is 13 and other young characters range from 11 to 13, but here I would draw a strong parallel to the characterization in Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy. These characters are intelligent, capable, adventurous, and important. They bear tremendous responsibilities, and their ability to reason and act is not remotely childlike. But even though the characters are mature far beyond their years, there isn't anything about the book that would make it unsuitable for younger readers -- there's a gently romantic plot that never goes beyond holding hands, there's no terrifying violence, no details about psychological brutality, and no content that would simply bore young or casual readers who prefer their books to be fast paced and exciting as opposed to slowly meandering through lush gardens of florid prose, stopping frequently to smell the metaphorical roses.
I love the plot of this book. I feel like I haven't read it before and it moves from one imaginative idea into another very smoothly. There are some "unnecessary" detours, the equivalent of optional side quests (parlance I employ because the author, Jaleigh Johnson boasts a background in gaming and writing novels for a popular sword and sorcery franchise), but they do serve the story in some way. For example, I don't think that Piper and Anna necessarily had to get off the train around the halfway point to try to visit a seer, which then led to them getting nabbed by slavers and having to escape just to get back on the train which it was unnecessary for them to leave in the first place (since the story could have worked without the prophecy ever taking place)... but between the excitement and action and the bits of character development and word building we get during this section, I wouldn't call it wasted time. I think it's material like this that Johnson is able to use to make the story more thoroughly her own creation.
This novel also finds a nice balance of incorporating the steampunk trend without being cliche or ridiculous about it. Piper's work with machines is essential to her entire life and obviously to this story, and there's no sense that the author is just [Inserting Dirigible Here] and [Dressing Girl in Corset Here]. Readers who want a touch of steampunk will appreciate Johnson's take on it, while readers who roll their eyes at paint-by-numbers steampunk will find this refreshingly delightful, with the young machinist who may have not only talent and knowledge, but magic, too. Overall, Johnson's descriptions of all things aesthetic and her styling of the world are very strong points, and I really like her dragonfly motifs throughout. (The hardcover edition of the book, sans jacket, is quite lovely, too.)
I could keep going about things that are likeable and unique in this book, but I don't want to spoil it for you, and I feel like it would be meaningless for you if I said things like, "And Gee is great," or "It's so cute when Anna takes things out of cupboards," since you have no idea what I'm talking about yet.
So I'll hush up and you need to hustle to your website or bookstore of choice and get this book now. (I'm writing this review 2 weeks before Christmas -- ask someone for it or give it to someone you love!) There are half a dozen great ideas in it and a full complement of good ones, it's paced brilliantly, the characters are all fantastic, and there's nothing boring, stupid, or lame about it. Enjoy, and tell me what you think if you read it!
I love the plot of this book. I feel like I haven't read it before and it moves from one imaginative idea into another very smoothly. There are some "unnecessary" detours, the equivalent of optional side quests (parlance I employ because the author, Jaleigh Johnson boasts a background in gaming and writing novels for a popular sword and sorcery franchise), but they do serve the story in some way. For example, I don't think that Piper and Anna necessarily had to get off the train around the halfway point to try to visit a seer, which then led to them getting nabbed by slavers and having to escape just to get back on the train which it was unnecessary for them to leave in the first place (since the story could have worked without the prophecy ever taking place)... but between the excitement and action and the bits of character development and word building we get during this section, I wouldn't call it wasted time. I think it's material like this that Johnson is able to use to make the story more thoroughly her own creation.
This novel also finds a nice balance of incorporating the steampunk trend without being cliche or ridiculous about it. Piper's work with machines is essential to her entire life and obviously to this story, and there's no sense that the author is just [Inserting Dirigible Here] and [Dressing Girl in Corset Here]. Readers who want a touch of steampunk will appreciate Johnson's take on it, while readers who roll their eyes at paint-by-numbers steampunk will find this refreshingly delightful, with the young machinist who may have not only talent and knowledge, but magic, too. Overall, Johnson's descriptions of all things aesthetic and her styling of the world are very strong points, and I really like her dragonfly motifs throughout. (The hardcover edition of the book, sans jacket, is quite lovely, too.)
I could keep going about things that are likeable and unique in this book, but I don't want to spoil it for you, and I feel like it would be meaningless for you if I said things like, "And Gee is great," or "It's so cute when Anna takes things out of cupboards," since you have no idea what I'm talking about yet.
So I'll hush up and you need to hustle to your website or bookstore of choice and get this book now. (I'm writing this review 2 weeks before Christmas -- ask someone for it or give it to someone you love!) There are half a dozen great ideas in it and a full complement of good ones, it's paced brilliantly, the characters are all fantastic, and there's nothing boring, stupid, or lame about it. Enjoy, and tell me what you think if you read it!
October 19, 2017
Figured out the surprise way early. Would make a good movie (which imo is not a good thing, as books should offer something more, or at least different). Want to know more about the premise of the world. Names are confusing: had to study to keep track of Arno vs. Aron, and how do you pronounce Gee, and why are some names familiar to real-life and others invented? Back cover page not right (among other things, Piper's hair has "spirals.") Some repetitions which, if caught, could be eliminated to streamline the book to make it more engaging.
Bottom line, annoying and flawed, but still interesting. I would consider reading more if the subjects were interesting.
Bottom line, annoying and flawed, but still interesting. I would consider reading more if the subjects were interesting.
June 30, 2015
it's like a teenage Kaylee Frye and a preteen River Tam on the lam in a steam punk world.
October 7, 2014
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a fascinating introduction into steampunk fantasy for any age! The Mark of the Dragonfly is a compelling story that will capture your attention from the very first page.
After her father's death, Piper is now alone in a very harsh world. It will take all the skills Piper has learned from her father, and a few she has developed herself, to survive. In the meteor fields, Piper discovers an unconscious girl. How can Piper help her when she can barely take care of herself? The girl, Anna, has no memories of where she is from or of her family. A mysterious man knocks at Piper's door looking for Anna. At first, Piper is relieved, but seeing the fear in Anna's eyes at the sight of him changes her mind. Piper knows they will have to run for their lives. The 401 train is their only hope to escape. Will Piper and Anna make it on the train? What other obstacles await them?
This is a well written story with interesting and diverse characters. It is an action-packed adventure that is not just a story of good and evil, but of acceptance, love and helping others. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
What a fascinating introduction into steampunk fantasy for any age! The Mark of the Dragonfly is a compelling story that will capture your attention from the very first page.
After her father's death, Piper is now alone in a very harsh world. It will take all the skills Piper has learned from her father, and a few she has developed herself, to survive. In the meteor fields, Piper discovers an unconscious girl. How can Piper help her when she can barely take care of herself? The girl, Anna, has no memories of where she is from or of her family. A mysterious man knocks at Piper's door looking for Anna. At first, Piper is relieved, but seeing the fear in Anna's eyes at the sight of him changes her mind. Piper knows they will have to run for their lives. The 401 train is their only hope to escape. Will Piper and Anna make it on the train? What other obstacles await them?
This is a well written story with interesting and diverse characters. It is an action-packed adventure that is not just a story of good and evil, but of acceptance, love and helping others. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
January 7, 2018
Piper, a young girl with a talent for fixing mechanical things, finds Anna (a young girl with amnesia who needs her help) and together they take the 401 train trying to escape the man pursuing them. There they meet Gee, a boy who can transform into a dragon and who might be able to help them.
Piper is smart, brave and mechanically inclined, who could ask for a better heroine. She is alone and barely scraping by until she finds Anna in the meteor field (each meteor shower brings items from other worlds that the scrappers find and fix or sell). Anna doesn't know who she is but she has the mark of the dragonfly which means she is someone important to the king. Piper sees her chance to help Anna and maybe get a reward that could change her life at the same time.
This story is filled with magic, adventure, steampunk, humor, and a smidge of romance. I highly recommend it to readers in grades 4 through 8 (and adults who enjoy strong female characters and a bit of western/sci-fi; sort of like Firefly for the younger set). A promising series which I plan to continue.
Piper is smart, brave and mechanically inclined, who could ask for a better heroine. She is alone and barely scraping by until she finds Anna in the meteor field (each meteor shower brings items from other worlds that the scrappers find and fix or sell). Anna doesn't know who she is but she has the mark of the dragonfly which means she is someone important to the king. Piper sees her chance to help Anna and maybe get a reward that could change her life at the same time.
This story is filled with magic, adventure, steampunk, humor, and a smidge of romance. I highly recommend it to readers in grades 4 through 8 (and adults who enjoy strong female characters and a bit of western/sci-fi; sort of like Firefly for the younger set). A promising series which I plan to continue.
Want to read
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R͎a͎t͎i͎n͎g͎:͎
O͎w͎n͎e͎d͎ ͎s͎i͎n͎c͎e͎: June 23rd 2023
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P͎r͎i͎c͎e͎:͎ 69¢
R͎a͎t͎i͎n͎g͎:͎
O͎w͎n͎e͎d͎ ͎s͎i͎n͎c͎e͎: June 23rd 2023
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P͎r͎i͎c͎e͎:͎ 69¢
September 14, 2023
"The Mark of the Dragonfly" - written by Jaleigh Johnson and published in 2014 by Delacorte Press, Penguin Random House. This steampunk middle grade novel arrived in my hands with really strong character development and world building, and an engaging story. Piper, who gathers and has a skill for fixing items found after meteor showers, encounters an injured girl who bears the Mark of the Dragonfly. The two embark on adventure aboard a cool weaponized train and meet some allies, one of them a chamelin (yes, he transforms!). I know it won't appeal to everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it - maybe I should look into more steampunk stories!
July 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I read a lot of YA fantasies and many of them are duds, but this one feels like a discovery.
I was worried that it would end on a cliffhanger and am happy to report that it does not, however, the story doesn't feel quite finished and I will definitely read the two sequels. I'm glad my library has them and have already ordered one.
Very clean and wholesome, fine for as young as eight if not too distressed by peril.
I was worried that it would end on a cliffhanger and am happy to report that it does not, however, the story doesn't feel quite finished and I will definitely read the two sequels. I'm glad my library has them and have already ordered one.
Very clean and wholesome, fine for as young as eight if not too distressed by peril.
March 24, 2014
This book was GREAT. I loved the steampunk side to it. READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 25, 2017
Such a fun read.
Loved the idea of a place where other worlds lost items come to the Merrow, and a lot of creative ideas. Exciting for any of the targeted age range.
Loved the idea of a place where other worlds lost items come to the Merrow, and a lot of creative ideas. Exciting for any of the targeted age range.
March 10, 2017
I picked up this book because of that cover! That dragonfly! I kept reading because I found a great, spunky main character in an unusual story world (a bit dystopian, a bit steampunk). Piper is an orphan, and a scrapper--someone who picks up scrap from this spot outside town where meteors from other worlds land and drop all sorts of items. She's also got a knack for fixing machines. One day, she finds a girl near the meteor site, a girl who is in big trouble, and Piper steps up and helps her. In their adventures running from the man who comes after them, they meet some really interesting characters and learn some even more interesting things about themselves.
Adventure, fun, danger, friendship, magic, steampunk, awesome trains, mythical creatures--this book has all of those and more. I really enjoyed it! Definitely something I'd recommend for upper elementary grade, middle grade, and early teens. (And adults!)
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My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
book 3
Adventure, fun, danger, friendship, magic, steampunk, awesome trains, mythical creatures--this book has all of those and more. I really enjoyed it! Definitely something I'd recommend for upper elementary grade, middle grade, and early teens. (And adults!)
My Website
Find me on Facebook
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
book 3
May 27, 2021
This book wasn't quite what I expected from reading the summary, but it was what I expected in terms of characters and world-building: unique, fascinating, and yet fairly predictable.
It reminded me of "Hugo" and "The Lunar Chronicles" mashed together with a bit of something I can't quite place... Overall, a beautiful read.
9/10 recommend
It reminded me of "Hugo" and "The Lunar Chronicles" mashed together with a bit of something I can't quite place... Overall, a beautiful read.
9/10 recommend
September 22, 2021
An incredible book. I was a bit disappointed when I found out that the second book wasn't about Gee and Piper as well, but all the same I can't wait to read it.
Read
November 6, 2022I did not really enjoy this. It was mostly prose level stuff, but I got a bit irritated a few times and might have stopped had I not been reading it to my kids. None of us feel the need to buy the other books in the trilogy.
December 9, 2021
Not my usual genre, but enjoyed this adventure story. Set on another world (or a future world), Piper (14) is a machinist who has a magic touch with mechanical devices. She is out in a meteor storm when she finds an unconscious girl, Anna (11) and they set out to return Anna to the big city where they believe she lived. They end up on a steam train where they find a few people with other surprising skills and the whole gang is able to work together to evade the baddies. Enough open ended story lines to set me off to find the next one.
August 3, 2016
As usual I received this book through NetGallery in exchange for my honest opinion.
Nervously optimistic is an odd way to start any book and yet that is the best way to describe my feelings as I dove into Jaleigh Johnson's The Mark of the Dragonfly.
Johnson's novel follows a young, orphaned scrapper by the name of Piper who's fighting to survive on the edge of the meteor field. One day, Piper learns that meteors may not be the most dangerous thing in her hometown as a mysterious girl lands at her feet bringing foreign kings, dangerous hunters, and a whirlwind of adventure to her door that she never dreamed was possible.
I really enjoyed the concept of the meteor fields and object falling through from other realms/worlds/dimensions. It was hard not to smile as I recognized the foreign items Piper encountered. However, it was hard, perhaps due to being above the intended age bracket or because of my own expectations in this genre to swallow the whole premise.
Johnson's world shows incredible promise, the races are interesting as is the technology in what I best felt was an almost weird blend of dystopian/steampunk, sci-fi. Major plot drivers such as the 401's presence, Piper's gutsy attitude, and Anna's incredible blend of intelligence and naivete drove the story at a focused pace that kept me going once I connected to the story.
My own issue were the story lines that didn't get completed. Gee's backstory seemed an anomaly in comparison to what we were told about what his family life should have been. The meteors, while incredibly fun and, in my thoughts, a fun plot point were never fully explained and therefore never lived up to their full potential (though could make an enjoyable sequel). Even the ending, though hitting many major story arches, felt a tad too rushed and fell somewhat flat compared to the build up of the other chapters.
That said the relationships of the 401 family, Anna and Piper's developing relationship, Anna in general - side note Anna well, at first, the most annoying character I could imagine, quickly became my absolute favourite in the entire book. She reminded me a little of a more innocent less combat ready River Tam from Firefly who, if you aren't familiar with just go find Joss Whedon's Firefly and remedy that, it's a sci-fi must :)
It's the mark of a good author, in my opinion, who can take an aggravating character and make them beloved.
Anyway, the relationships are what make the story along with the growth of the two central girls as they journey towards maturity. I believe the majority of my issues probably would not be an issue to the intended audience and even still this remains a highly enjoyable read.
4 out 5 stars
Nervously optimistic is an odd way to start any book and yet that is the best way to describe my feelings as I dove into Jaleigh Johnson's The Mark of the Dragonfly.
Johnson's novel follows a young, orphaned scrapper by the name of Piper who's fighting to survive on the edge of the meteor field. One day, Piper learns that meteors may not be the most dangerous thing in her hometown as a mysterious girl lands at her feet bringing foreign kings, dangerous hunters, and a whirlwind of adventure to her door that she never dreamed was possible.
I really enjoyed the concept of the meteor fields and object falling through from other realms/worlds/dimensions. It was hard not to smile as I recognized the foreign items Piper encountered. However, it was hard, perhaps due to being above the intended age bracket or because of my own expectations in this genre to swallow the whole premise.
Johnson's world shows incredible promise, the races are interesting as is the technology in what I best felt was an almost weird blend of dystopian/steampunk, sci-fi. Major plot drivers such as the 401's presence, Piper's gutsy attitude, and Anna's incredible blend of intelligence and naivete drove the story at a focused pace that kept me going once I connected to the story.
My own issue were the story lines that didn't get completed. Gee's backstory seemed an anomaly in comparison to what we were told about what his family life should have been. The meteors, while incredibly fun and, in my thoughts, a fun plot point were never fully explained and therefore never lived up to their full potential (though could make an enjoyable sequel). Even the ending, though hitting many major story arches, felt a tad too rushed and fell somewhat flat compared to the build up of the other chapters.
That said the relationships of the 401 family, Anna and Piper's developing relationship, Anna in general - side note Anna well, at first, the most annoying character I could imagine, quickly became my absolute favourite in the entire book. She reminded me a little of a more innocent less combat ready River Tam from Firefly who, if you aren't familiar with just go find Joss Whedon's Firefly and remedy that, it's a sci-fi must :)
It's the mark of a good author, in my opinion, who can take an aggravating character and make them beloved.
Anyway, the relationships are what make the story along with the growth of the two central girls as they journey towards maturity. I believe the majority of my issues probably would not be an issue to the intended audience and even still this remains a highly enjoyable read.
4 out 5 stars
December 19, 2013
3.5 stars
arc provided by Delacorte Books for Young Readers through Netgalley
Piper lives in Scrap Town number 16, one of the many Scrap Towns littered across the Merrow Kingdom, where scrappers gather to wait for dangerous meteor storms. These storms, in flurries of deadly dust, rain down marvellous objects - objects from other worlds - and there is money to be made trading these artifacts, machines and trinkets.
Piper's father died in a factory in Noveen, the capital city, while trying to make enough money to buy them a house so they could leave the Scrap Towns behind. So now Piper fends for herself. Luckily she has a gift for anything mechanic: as if by magic, broken machines come back to life under her hands.
During a particularly violent meteor storm, instead of a broken watch or a music box, Piper finds Anna, a girl with a dragonfly tattoo on her arm, a tattoo that marks her as being under the King's protection. And Anna seems to need it, for a shady man is intent on capturing her.
Piper and Anna's journey into the capital turns into a perilous adventure.
I really liked the concept of this book: meteor storms raining down objects from other worlds, and while it was explained and explored, I wish we'd seen more of it.
Piper was a very well written character: brave, practical, believable. She was not some Mary Sue who magically manages to fight or charm her way out of everything. Piper fought and, more often than not, she lost and had to flee. Piper didn't get things handed to her, she haggled, she was cunning, she used her brains. It's always delightful to find characters like these!
Anna seemed a bit more stilted, but still likeable and believable - and there is a reason for the way she acts...
I really, really liked the relationship between the two girls. They seem complete opposites, but they grow to care and love each other as sisters. Hurray for positive portrayals of friendship between girls!
The only thing I didn't enjoy about this book was the fact the author took a bit too much artistic license when it came to science. Yes, this is fantasy, but still somewhat grounded in reality. More often than not the trope Science at the Speed of Plot was used.
Fans of Frances Hardinge are sure to like this book, as are all fantasy lovers.
May 3, 2016
This review is also posted on my blog, Anatea's Bookshelf.
I don't usually read Middle-Grade books, in fact, I have only read a few of them, but The Mark of the Dragonfly sounded really interesting, so I decided to read it, or more so, read something that I don't normally read. Now, I'm glad I did, because this book is quite good, and I was surprised to see that MG is not that bad, even though there is no romance in it. Maybe it was even refreshing not having romance as a focus, and let alone worrying if there is going to be an insta-romance or not. The Mark of the Dragonfly is a book full of adventure, with a dash of steampunk! It even sounds great, right?
Piper is an orphan. To survive she scrappers the fields after meteor showers and fixes machines. In one meteor shower, her friend goes out before he is allowed to, and Piper goes out to find him. Since the shower didn't stop yet, Micah gets hit in the head and Piper is determined to help him, but she also notices a little girl Anna and she helps her too. After she makes sure Anna is fine, she notices a tattoo of a dragonfly, which means that Anna is from Dragonfly Territories and that she's under King's protection. If she brings her safely back to the King, Piper could be awarded with a big prize, but the journey there is dangerous, and the safest way is with a train 401.
Right from the start you get the feel of the world Johnson created. The world is set up nicely, and I really enjoyed the steampunk aspect of the book. For a 400 pages book, The Mark of the Dragonfly surprisingly kept its fast pace until the end. Jaleigh Johnson surely does know how to keep the reader interested. Also, the characters became very dear to me. I loved how courageous Piper was, Anna was really hilarious at times and Gee is just the cutest boy ever!
I would definitely recommend it to middle graders, even to some older audience, since I like The Mark of the Dragonfly so much!
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I don't usually read Middle-Grade books, in fact, I have only read a few of them, but The Mark of the Dragonfly sounded really interesting, so I decided to read it, or more so, read something that I don't normally read. Now, I'm glad I did, because this book is quite good, and I was surprised to see that MG is not that bad, even though there is no romance in it. Maybe it was even refreshing not having romance as a focus, and let alone worrying if there is going to be an insta-romance or not. The Mark of the Dragonfly is a book full of adventure, with a dash of steampunk! It even sounds great, right?
Piper is an orphan. To survive she scrappers the fields after meteor showers and fixes machines. In one meteor shower, her friend goes out before he is allowed to, and Piper goes out to find him. Since the shower didn't stop yet, Micah gets hit in the head and Piper is determined to help him, but she also notices a little girl Anna and she helps her too. After she makes sure Anna is fine, she notices a tattoo of a dragonfly, which means that Anna is from Dragonfly Territories and that she's under King's protection. If she brings her safely back to the King, Piper could be awarded with a big prize, but the journey there is dangerous, and the safest way is with a train 401.
Right from the start you get the feel of the world Johnson created. The world is set up nicely, and I really enjoyed the steampunk aspect of the book. For a 400 pages book, The Mark of the Dragonfly surprisingly kept its fast pace until the end. Jaleigh Johnson surely does know how to keep the reader interested. Also, the characters became very dear to me. I loved how courageous Piper was, Anna was really hilarious at times and Gee is just the cutest boy ever!
I would definitely recommend it to middle graders, even to some older audience, since I like The Mark of the Dragonfly so much!
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January 6, 2015
This review was posted on granitemedia.org: http://www.granitemedia.org/2014/11/t...
Piper is an orphaned but resourceful scrapper in the toxic meteor fields of the territories, where remains of treasures from another world crash to earth. She has a knack for finding things and fixing them. When Piper finds an injured, mysterious girl in the meteor fields, with no memory but tattooed with the mark of the royal family, they hop a mighty steam train and set off on a cross-country adventure to escape the marked girl’s mysterious pursuers and hopefully find safety and reward from the King. But nothing is that simple, and no person is as straightforward as they appear.
This book is notable because of its extremely unique and imaginative world-building, its one-of-a-kind plucky, internally divided, and engineering heroine (both engineering with mechanical devices and schemes), and its story full of adventure, action, and intrigue. It has one of the most mysterious and original fantasy worlds I’ve encountered in a middle grade novel, and although the story is basically resolved by the end of the book, I’m still left with questions both about what these characters will do next, and what will happen in this world as a whole. Perfect for starting a series; I hope it actually becomes one.
Try it if you like: Harry Potter, The Boundless, The Lost Kingdom, Gathering Blue/The Giver Quartet.
Piper is an orphaned but resourceful scrapper in the toxic meteor fields of the territories, where remains of treasures from another world crash to earth. She has a knack for finding things and fixing them. When Piper finds an injured, mysterious girl in the meteor fields, with no memory but tattooed with the mark of the royal family, they hop a mighty steam train and set off on a cross-country adventure to escape the marked girl’s mysterious pursuers and hopefully find safety and reward from the King. But nothing is that simple, and no person is as straightforward as they appear.
This book is notable because of its extremely unique and imaginative world-building, its one-of-a-kind plucky, internally divided, and engineering heroine (both engineering with mechanical devices and schemes), and its story full of adventure, action, and intrigue. It has one of the most mysterious and original fantasy worlds I’ve encountered in a middle grade novel, and although the story is basically resolved by the end of the book, I’m still left with questions both about what these characters will do next, and what will happen in this world as a whole. Perfect for starting a series; I hope it actually becomes one.
Try it if you like: Harry Potter, The Boundless, The Lost Kingdom, Gathering Blue/The Giver Quartet.
January 18, 2016
The Mark of the Dragonfly is a great book, full of adventure, fantasy, and friendship. The world of Solace, created by Jaleigh Johnson, is fascinating – there is so much going on that I really want to explore it in many future books to come. This book follows Piper and Anna as they flee a man on the 401 train, where they befriend the crew and discover secrets about themselves. I loved the quirky friendship between the two girls, and how they grew to care for each other – it was really sweet. And Johnson has a gift for writing exciting action sequences – the battles on top of the train were far more exciting here than in The Wolverine.
Admittedly, Johnson can sometimes be a tad obvious in her foreshadowing. “Beware the slavers!” “The slavers could kidnap you!” “Wouldn’t it be awful to run into slavers?!” Gee, do you think they’re going to be kidnapped by slavers at some point? But even though I knew what was coming, it didn’t mar my enjoyment of this book. Now, more of Solace please!
Admittedly, Johnson can sometimes be a tad obvious in her foreshadowing. “Beware the slavers!” “The slavers could kidnap you!” “Wouldn’t it be awful to run into slavers?!” Gee, do you think they’re going to be kidnapped by slavers at some point? But even though I knew what was coming, it didn’t mar my enjoyment of this book. Now, more of Solace please!
March 31, 2014
3.5 stars
I was torn between giving this 3 stars and 4, so I split the difference. (If only Goodreads offered a half-star option!)
This was a great fantasy, steampunk-lite book. My biggest complaint is that I felt like the characters were MUCH older than their designated ages (13). They acted, spoke and behaved like older teens (except for Anna, who was fine as is). I would have definitely preferred if they had been presented as 16-17 instead of 13. I know...it's a weird thing to nitpick, but it bugged me!
The book contains some common YA tropes - orphaned children, special people with special, one-of-a-kind abilities, kid/teen stops horrible event from happening, etc., but it's done well and I don't mind that it covers well-worn ground.
The story is fun, unique and engaging. I love that the female protagonist is strong, and even when she's being rescued by the male love interest, she turns around and rescues him right back.
I was torn between giving this 3 stars and 4, so I split the difference. (If only Goodreads offered a half-star option!)
This was a great fantasy, steampunk-lite book. My biggest complaint is that I felt like the characters were MUCH older than their designated ages (13). They acted, spoke and behaved like older teens (except for Anna, who was fine as is). I would have definitely preferred if they had been presented as 16-17 instead of 13. I know...it's a weird thing to nitpick, but it bugged me!
The book contains some common YA tropes - orphaned children, special people with special, one-of-a-kind abilities, kid/teen stops horrible event from happening, etc., but it's done well and I don't mind that it covers well-worn ground.
The story is fun, unique and engaging. I love that the female protagonist is strong, and even when she's being rescued by the male love interest, she turns around and rescues him right back.
March 25, 2023
I think this is the most innocent, sweet book I’ve ever read in my life.
So, we have Piper, a poor scrapper from a desolate village in the north, who’s actually one of the coolest characters I’ve ever read about. Anyway, she meets a mystery girl who was in a caravan accident and lost her memory, and the two get whisked off into an adventure aboard the lovely steam train, the 401.
The story is amazing, cute, and very original. I also really enjoyed the pacing of it; not too slow, not too fast. It wasn’t dramatic, but it keeps you on your toes and the twists will take you by surprise. I also loved how very innocent everything in this story is.
The steampunk aspects were really cool, and I really enjoyed hearing about all the nooks and crannies of how everything worked. Some of it even took me by surprise.
It’s middle grade, so it’s not very deep and it’s *not* one of those YA’s disguised as a middle grade, so don’t worry.
Happy reading!!
So, we have Piper, a poor scrapper from a desolate village in the north, who’s actually one of the coolest characters I’ve ever read about. Anyway, she meets a mystery girl who was in a caravan accident and lost her memory, and the two get whisked off into an adventure aboard the lovely steam train, the 401.
The story is amazing, cute, and very original. I also really enjoyed the pacing of it; not too slow, not too fast. It wasn’t dramatic, but it keeps you on your toes and the twists will take you by surprise. I also loved how very innocent everything in this story is.
The steampunk aspects were really cool, and I really enjoyed hearing about all the nooks and crannies of how everything worked. Some of it even took me by surprise.
It’s middle grade, so it’s not very deep and it’s *not* one of those YA’s disguised as a middle grade, so don’t worry.
Happy reading!!
January 4, 2015
I was swept up in this adventure fantasy and didn't want it to stop. In this futuristic society, Piper is a scrapper with a talent for fixing machines in Scrap Town Number Sixteen in the Merrow Kingdom. She watches for whatever storms bring from other worlds that would be worth selling at the trade markets. What she doesn't expect to find is a girl. A girl with the dragonfly tattoo, which means she's from the Dragonfly Territory, and she's protected by the king. Unfortunately, she doesn't remember who she is, so Piper takes her under her wing. There is only one way to get to the Dragonfly Territory, and that is the 401, a train that is impossible to board. That doesn't stop Piper, though. The adventure doesn't slow down after that, and not only does Piper learn who Anna is, she learns a lot about herself, too. I think this book is going to be a huge hit in my classroom!
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