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Code Black #1
Golden Dragon
Romance, Intrigue, and Airships - Code Black Book 1
Miriam Kodio Blackwell is caught between East and West. When a Code Black arises she is recruited by Lord Q, head of British intelligence and airships, who helps Miriam escape Iran only to press her into service of the Crown. Will Miriam survive when she's put aboard the airship Nonesuch—with her captain, crew, and a Hell-Cat of fearsome reputation—and the assignment to rescue the niece of a Dutch ally taken captive in the South China Sea?
Golden Dragon is a witty new steampunk adventure, set in the Romantic age of Byron and Shelley.
Miriam Kodio Blackwell is caught between East and West. When a Code Black arises she is recruited by Lord Q, head of British intelligence and airships, who helps Miriam escape Iran only to press her into service of the Crown. Will Miriam survive when she's put aboard the airship Nonesuch—with her captain, crew, and a Hell-Cat of fearsome reputation—and the assignment to rescue the niece of a Dutch ally taken captive in the South China Sea?
Golden Dragon is a witty new steampunk adventure, set in the Romantic age of Byron and Shelley.
210 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2016
About the author
V.E. Ulett
6 books165 followersV.E. Ulett is a long time resident of California, but spends most of her time in a romantic nineteenth century world of airships and adventure. When she isn't head down in a first hand account of capture by pirates, battle at sea, or experimental flight, V.E. is an ordinary Silicon Valley warrior. Rare leisure hours are spent with her own small Hell-Cats.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 29, 2020
I received an ecopy from Ryder Author Resources in exchange for an honest review.
I'm so glad I decided to give the Code Black series by V.E. Ulett a chance because it was absolutely delightfully charming. Both books could be read as standalones as they are quite self contained, but I have a feeling that your reading experience will benefit from reading them in order as a series. I enjoyed getting to know Miriam, Lord Q, Captain Thorpe, and all the rest of the crew of the airship the Nonesuch. They make quite a team and it was a lot of fun to follow their adventures.
I have to admit that I couldn't resist the author's sense adventure of historical fantasy steampunk. The witty intrigue, spies, travelling to far flung locales, danger, and a dash of romance make for a compelling combination. The world-building is pretty fascinating, but the focus is primarily on the cast of characters, all of which are well developed even those in secondary roles. In the book two we get to learn a little more about what makes everyone tick and discover a little more about their backgrounds.
My only issues with these novels overall are that I could have done without the minor romance element. I would have been just as happy if this were all sweeping adventures through the skies, to be honest. There are also a few moments where scenes were somewhat under polished in comparison to other chapters, just enough to take me out the story for a second. Overall, though, I highly recommend Golden Dragon and White Elephant of the Code Black series by V.E. Ulett. They're fairly short reads, and they go very quickly and they are a whole lot of fun. I have a feeling you'll want to try these novels if you're a fan Gail Carriger, Sherry Thomas, The Mummy (1999), and The Mummy Returns (2001). I'm going to have to try more of V.E. Ulett's work in the future - and her completed Blackwell's Adventure series looks quite promising.
Thanks again to Ryder Author Resources for this opportunity!
I'm so glad I decided to give the Code Black series by V.E. Ulett a chance because it was absolutely delightfully charming. Both books could be read as standalones as they are quite self contained, but I have a feeling that your reading experience will benefit from reading them in order as a series. I enjoyed getting to know Miriam, Lord Q, Captain Thorpe, and all the rest of the crew of the airship the Nonesuch. They make quite a team and it was a lot of fun to follow their adventures.
I have to admit that I couldn't resist the author's sense adventure of historical fantasy steampunk. The witty intrigue, spies, travelling to far flung locales, danger, and a dash of romance make for a compelling combination. The world-building is pretty fascinating, but the focus is primarily on the cast of characters, all of which are well developed even those in secondary roles. In the book two we get to learn a little more about what makes everyone tick and discover a little more about their backgrounds.
My only issues with these novels overall are that I could have done without the minor romance element. I would have been just as happy if this were all sweeping adventures through the skies, to be honest. There are also a few moments where scenes were somewhat under polished in comparison to other chapters, just enough to take me out the story for a second. Overall, though, I highly recommend Golden Dragon and White Elephant of the Code Black series by V.E. Ulett. They're fairly short reads, and they go very quickly and they are a whole lot of fun. I have a feeling you'll want to try these novels if you're a fan Gail Carriger, Sherry Thomas, The Mummy (1999), and The Mummy Returns (2001). I'm going to have to try more of V.E. Ulett's work in the future - and her completed Blackwell's Adventure series looks quite promising.
Thanks again to Ryder Author Resources for this opportunity!
November 20, 2016
"Golden Dragon" is the first in a steampunk series geared for YA readers by V.E. Ulett, an author whose previous writing has been in the historical fiction realm. This book is historical fantasy and opens a very exciting new world for readers. Miriam thinks danger has passed when she escapes Iran until she is forced into service to the British crown. Miriam has to rise above her initial fears in order to forge a new life for herself aboard the Nonesuch, a ship that has much more than meets the eye. Filled with a healthy dose of magic and adventure, this book is a promising opening to a new series.
Miriam is a great character. Due to her sex and the time in which she lives in, she at first seems a little limited in what she can do to affect what direction her life takes. She figures out quickly how to use what she has in order to make an impact. I also love that she is very much a character off of the beaten path. Her backstory is so interesting and it makes a great set-up for all that she goes through in this book. The secondary characters are also great and I loved how the author is able to weave together quite the motley crew of different characters. It adds to the interest of the book for sure!
As I mentioned before, V.E. Ulett has written historical fiction before this book. In fact, Miriam is related to some of the characters in Ulett's Captain Blackwell books. I loved that she did that! It made Miriam feel a little more real to me. I think the rich historical detail makes this book feel very grounded in fact and lends to the world building throughout the book. World building is always very important to me in fantasy books and this book definitely has a lot of good world building and detail that makes it easy to picture what Miriam's world is like.
This is the first steampunk book that I have ever read and wow, was it a good introduction to this new world! I am very excited to see what new adventures will await the characters in the next book!
This is a solid pick!
Miriam is a great character. Due to her sex and the time in which she lives in, she at first seems a little limited in what she can do to affect what direction her life takes. She figures out quickly how to use what she has in order to make an impact. I also love that she is very much a character off of the beaten path. Her backstory is so interesting and it makes a great set-up for all that she goes through in this book. The secondary characters are also great and I loved how the author is able to weave together quite the motley crew of different characters. It adds to the interest of the book for sure!
As I mentioned before, V.E. Ulett has written historical fiction before this book. In fact, Miriam is related to some of the characters in Ulett's Captain Blackwell books. I loved that she did that! It made Miriam feel a little more real to me. I think the rich historical detail makes this book feel very grounded in fact and lends to the world building throughout the book. World building is always very important to me in fantasy books and this book definitely has a lot of good world building and detail that makes it easy to picture what Miriam's world is like.
This is the first steampunk book that I have ever read and wow, was it a good introduction to this new world! I am very excited to see what new adventures will await the characters in the next book!
This is a solid pick!
December 24, 2020
A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
23rd December 2020
TITLE: Golden Dragon
AUTHOR: V E Ulett
Star Rating: 4.5
‘A fantastical steampunk adventure pack full of strong, memorable characters. Highly recommended!’ A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
REVIEW
Allow me to begin by saying I very much enjoyed this steampunk adventure from V E Ulett. The author is very talented and knows how to keep her young readers engaged from the very first page. She's created an exciting, historical-based world full of complex characters with rich ethnic diversity, and a thrilling quest for her hero, Miriam, to go on.
In terms of writing style. The author knows what she’s doing. There’s a good flow to the writing, interspersed with a well-balanced mix of speech and descriptive prose. The author seems to understand that a book of this sort (adventure) for this readership (YA) needs a lot of pace. Things needs to happen! There’s also a sprinkling of humor – the author has good comic timing – and a complexity to the characters perfectly matching the complexity of the plot.
In terms of problems, not too many. I suspect the vocabulary will prove a little difficult for younger teenagers. And it is difficult to follow in parts. So I'd recommend it for 15 to 17 year olds.
So, now to the most important bit: can I recommend this book? Totally. It's exciting, it's surprising, and the strong, charismatic characters jump off the page. I suspect most older teenagers will find this to be a thrilling book and the beginning of a trilogy they can get lost in.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
23rd December 2020
TITLE: Golden Dragon
AUTHOR: V E Ulett
Star Rating: 4.5
‘A fantastical steampunk adventure pack full of strong, memorable characters. Highly recommended!’ A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
REVIEW
Allow me to begin by saying I very much enjoyed this steampunk adventure from V E Ulett. The author is very talented and knows how to keep her young readers engaged from the very first page. She's created an exciting, historical-based world full of complex characters with rich ethnic diversity, and a thrilling quest for her hero, Miriam, to go on.
In terms of writing style. The author knows what she’s doing. There’s a good flow to the writing, interspersed with a well-balanced mix of speech and descriptive prose. The author seems to understand that a book of this sort (adventure) for this readership (YA) needs a lot of pace. Things needs to happen! There’s also a sprinkling of humor – the author has good comic timing – and a complexity to the characters perfectly matching the complexity of the plot.
In terms of problems, not too many. I suspect the vocabulary will prove a little difficult for younger teenagers. And it is difficult to follow in parts. So I'd recommend it for 15 to 17 year olds.
So, now to the most important bit: can I recommend this book? Totally. It's exciting, it's surprising, and the strong, charismatic characters jump off the page. I suspect most older teenagers will find this to be a thrilling book and the beginning of a trilogy they can get lost in.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
July 12, 2017
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"... an enjoyable book, with an absorbing vision of an alternate technology that seems credible, and characters with whom one can readily identify."
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"... an enjoyable book, with an absorbing vision of an alternate technology that seems credible, and characters with whom one can readily identify."
July 15, 2017
Golden Dragon, by V.E. Ulett, is an alternate history story, set in what in our world would be the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. Familiar characters like Sir Edward Pellew jostle alongside a steampunk setting where a handful of ships can leave the ocean's surface and set out in flight. It's a curiously compelling vision - the technical advances are handled with a light touch rather than overwhelming the story, and the end result is close enough to this world that one can easily imagine that the events are in fact real. The author has previously written naval stories set in broadly the same era, but without the steampunk additions.
The book is focused predominantly on the characters. The plot moves along at a fair pace, and there are never serious doubts about the outcome. What draws the reader in is the interplay between the small group of protagonists, in particular the central couple. A wide variety of culture and background is stirred into the mix, from both posh and not-so-posh England via the Islamic world, across to the Far East. These are appropriately loaded with opportunities for both synergy and misunderstanding: for me this was a continual source of pleasure.
Technically the book has been well produced. I would have preferred a bit more depth to the story, and felt that there was easily enough imaginative core here to warrant more exploration of the material. For example, the central crisis was over surprisingly quickly, and the story seemed to flit too rapidly from build-up to end-game. In this particular case, perhaps the section could only have been extended by including a level of cruelty and brutality which the author wished to avoid. In the book generally, however, I would have appreciated a bit more development and complexity, and I am sure that this could have been done without losing any pace.
But Golden Dragon is an enjoyable book, with an absorbing vision of an alternate technology that seems credible, and characters with whom one can readily identify. The novel ends with a half-promise of more stories to come, even though this particular investigation is neatly closed off. I for one would be very happy to read more about this world.
This review was first written for the Discovering Diamonds blog
The book is focused predominantly on the characters. The plot moves along at a fair pace, and there are never serious doubts about the outcome. What draws the reader in is the interplay between the small group of protagonists, in particular the central couple. A wide variety of culture and background is stirred into the mix, from both posh and not-so-posh England via the Islamic world, across to the Far East. These are appropriately loaded with opportunities for both synergy and misunderstanding: for me this was a continual source of pleasure.
Technically the book has been well produced. I would have preferred a bit more depth to the story, and felt that there was easily enough imaginative core here to warrant more exploration of the material. For example, the central crisis was over surprisingly quickly, and the story seemed to flit too rapidly from build-up to end-game. In this particular case, perhaps the section could only have been extended by including a level of cruelty and brutality which the author wished to avoid. In the book generally, however, I would have appreciated a bit more development and complexity, and I am sure that this could have been done without losing any pace.
But Golden Dragon is an enjoyable book, with an absorbing vision of an alternate technology that seems credible, and characters with whom one can readily identify. The novel ends with a half-promise of more stories to come, even though this particular investigation is neatly closed off. I for one would be very happy to read more about this world.
This review was first written for the Discovering Diamonds blog
December 23, 2017
A fascinating if sometimes scattered steampunk adventure alternate history with sailing on the high seas and sailing over the high seas, visiting exotic places, and battles, mysteries, danger, spies and pirates, oh my. And a little romance. Very entertaining.
November 30, 2017
Espionage and costume changes abound! An unusual setting. There were a few issues with missing hyphens and excessive comma splices, but it may simply be a style choice. I very much enjoyed how the romance was handled - it's not forced on the reader, but allowed to develop naturally. The airship design seems well thought out. A more diverse cast than you'd normally see in steampunk!
One demerit for "was this sexual assault scene /really/ necessary?"
One demerit for "was this sexual assault scene /really/ necessary?"
February 25, 2017
Think Steampunk James Bond, but without the misogyny. Thoroughly enjoyed the story. The main character is a wonderful strong role model.
Did Not Finish
December 31, 2017You can check out this review and more on my blog.
*I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review and this has in no way affected my review.*
I'm not gonna rate this because I think this book is super well written and it just wasn't for me.
Like I said, this book is super well written and there aren't really any issues with the book that don't have anything to do with my personal reading. I think the reasons I got stuck with this book lie in what I didn't understand.
This was a book that dealt with sailing and Islam (I'm not 100% sure on this, so sorry if I get it wrong), two things I don't know much about. A lot of my time reading was me checking the dictionary to try and understand the words. I highlighted many and I'll list them here: barouches, hoyden, lascar, dyak, bosun, cur, apoplexies, topgallant crosstrees, ballast, agog, missish, stunsails, amidships. With no knowledge of what these things meant, I began to struggle through the novel. Getting lost in these also got mixed in with just a general struggle of following what was going on. Was Miriam pretending to be a nursemaid to save people? And why? I never really understood why what was happening was and this made it kind of hard to follow.
The only issue I had with the book not associated with my personal opinion was that the wording seemed a bit advanced for YA (Maybe that ties in with the non-understanding I felt idk).The issues I had with this book were with how I read the book. I think this book really has a lot of potential and would be super enjoyable to historical fiction readers and those who like naval/spy adventures. It's an excellently written novel but unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.
*I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review and this has in no way affected my review.*
I'm not gonna rate this because I think this book is super well written and it just wasn't for me.
Like I said, this book is super well written and there aren't really any issues with the book that don't have anything to do with my personal reading. I think the reasons I got stuck with this book lie in what I didn't understand.
This was a book that dealt with sailing and Islam (I'm not 100% sure on this, so sorry if I get it wrong), two things I don't know much about. A lot of my time reading was me checking the dictionary to try and understand the words. I highlighted many and I'll list them here: barouches, hoyden, lascar, dyak, bosun, cur, apoplexies, topgallant crosstrees, ballast, agog, missish, stunsails, amidships. With no knowledge of what these things meant, I began to struggle through the novel. Getting lost in these also got mixed in with just a general struggle of following what was going on. Was Miriam pretending to be a nursemaid to save people? And why? I never really understood why what was happening was and this made it kind of hard to follow.
The only issue I had with the book not associated with my personal opinion was that the wording seemed a bit advanced for YA (Maybe that ties in with the non-understanding I felt idk).The issues I had with this book were with how I read the book. I think this book really has a lot of potential and would be super enjoyable to historical fiction readers and those who like naval/spy adventures. It's an excellently written novel but unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.
December 4, 2017
Review to come! I love the author's note.
-------------
Update: Since it's been so long, I don't think I can do a full proper review but do I have a couple of notes.
↝Found the begining very confusing and all over the place.
↝Took awhile to get into
↝Felt like I jumped into the second or third book of a series.
↝There is a lot going on.
↝Mirim made some disagreeable choices, and some that redeemed her as well
↝Did eventually get into and flew through the last half, though I couldn't rightly summarize or remember most of it off the top of my head now.
↝Loved the gaslamp elements with flying ships and such.
↝Unusual romance. Not instalove, not simple, and not all that bad. I was rooting for them in the end, but I do wonder, what is will all the Capt. Thorpes in fiction lately?! lol
↝my favorite part though is the Hellcat and all the kickass POC women. White women, not so much.
↝Author's note is fabulous.
Quotes:
-------------
Update: Since it's been so long, I don't think I can do a full proper review but do I have a couple of notes.
↝Found the begining very confusing and all over the place.
↝Took awhile to get into
↝Felt like I jumped into the second or third book of a series.
↝There is a lot going on.
↝Mirim made some disagreeable choices, and some that redeemed her as well
↝Did eventually get into and flew through the last half, though I couldn't rightly summarize or remember most of it off the top of my head now.
↝Loved the gaslamp elements with flying ships and such.
↝Unusual romance. Not instalove, not simple, and not all that bad. I was rooting for them in the end, but I do wonder, what is will all the Capt. Thorpes in fiction lately?! lol
↝my favorite part though is the Hellcat and all the kickass POC women. White women, not so much.
↝Author's note is fabulous.
Quotes:
The scandal and unwanted union she’d fled in Iran, the reasons Miriam became involved with these British aristocrats, were now a distant evil. Whereas the mortification of that phrase you people , was very much a present one.
----pg. 14
“I’ve had some experience in being taken for a lesser being. I always try to turn presumption and infernal ignorance to my advantage.”
----pg. 154
July 12, 2017
I was not into this book. I felt the author was all over the place with Miriam. Started out good and got you hooked and then the writing just feel through. I spent time wondering if this was supposed to be a damsel in distress or not...I still haven't figured it out. It was just weird. I just didn't like the story. I did however like the idea of the story.
December 27, 2016
It was well written period drama. It's romantic and witty, fun and exciting. Expect to be thrilled. Miriam is recruited to complete a rescue mission, does she manage to complete said mission ? you will need to read to find out.
December 18, 2016
I really loved this book - it was exciting, clever, and very inventive. Such a great mix of Patrick O'Brian and a steampunk aesthetic, with a wonderfully diverse cast.
December 2, 2016
I loved this book but in the beginning I was confused but I reread it and it was amazing. This book is about Miriam a girl who is caught between the east and west and then is helped escape Iran only to help find an ally duchess.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews