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Black Dragons Attack: A Nick Grant Adventure
Book IV. The Black Dragons are back! After their last run in, Nick Grant believes his nemesis, Toshio Miyazaki, is dead. Determined to leave the spy games behind, Nick starts a new life as a Naval Aviation Cadet. During training, famous aviator and movie producer, Howard Hughes, lures Midshipman Grant into a mock dogfight. Afterwards Hughes offers Nick a pilot job. Nick’s college dreams stand in the way, and he turns Hughes down. However, their paths cross again in an unexpected way.
In 1936 the Black Dragons, working for the Japanese Intelligence Service, remain active in California and have a new partner, the Third Reich! Agents from both countries team up in their most audacious plan yet—steal the Hughes H-1 racer. Their plan—use the cutting edge technology to develop the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft.
The Japanese plan goes awry when US Naval Counterintelligence becomes aware of their activities. Commander Boltz assigns Nick and Senior Chief Ellis to guard the airfield until the FBI can take over. Together, they foil the Black Dragons’ attempt to steal the H-1 plans but the Japanese regroup with an even more sinister plan. They grab a hostage and demand that Nick deliver the H-1 technical plans and the Navy’s Top Secret Pacific War Plans.
When the Black Dragons attack, it’s up to Nick and friends to turn the tables, retrieve the stolen goods and a fabled katana. Join Nick Grant, Nancy Tanaka, and Leilani Porta in their latest adventure, Black Dragons Attack!
In 1936 the Black Dragons, working for the Japanese Intelligence Service, remain active in California and have a new partner, the Third Reich! Agents from both countries team up in their most audacious plan yet—steal the Hughes H-1 racer. Their plan—use the cutting edge technology to develop the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft.
The Japanese plan goes awry when US Naval Counterintelligence becomes aware of their activities. Commander Boltz assigns Nick and Senior Chief Ellis to guard the airfield until the FBI can take over. Together, they foil the Black Dragons’ attempt to steal the H-1 plans but the Japanese regroup with an even more sinister plan. They grab a hostage and demand that Nick deliver the H-1 technical plans and the Navy’s Top Secret Pacific War Plans.
When the Black Dragons attack, it’s up to Nick and friends to turn the tables, retrieve the stolen goods and a fabled katana. Join Nick Grant, Nancy Tanaka, and Leilani Porta in their latest adventure, Black Dragons Attack!
244 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2017
1 person want to read
About the author
Jamie Dodson
13 books4 followersJamie Dodson is a career intelligence officer for the US Army and teaches aviation history as an Adjunct Faculty at the University of Alabama, at Huntsville. He is member of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), O.S.S. Foundation, Military Intelligence Corps Association, Pan Amigo, Clipper Pioneers, and Pan Am Historical Foundation. He writes non-fiction for aviation and military magazines. Jamie earned a Systems Engineering Certificate from the University of Alabama, Huntsville, a Masters in Computers and Systems Management from Webster University, and a Bachelor's in Geospatial Science from the University of Colorado.
Jamie also writes non-fiction articles for aviation magazines and is a radio and pod casts guest. He speaks at writer's conferences, air shows, aviation museums, Libraries, and schools across the nation.
Jamie also writes non-fiction articles for aviation magazines and is a radio and pod casts guest. He speaks at writer's conferences, air shows, aviation museums, Libraries, and schools across the nation.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 5, 2018
A Terrific Novel of Pre-War Heroics
Jamie Dodson’s Black Dragons Attack (A Nick Grant Adventure Novel) is a rip-roaring yarn set in 1936, just as the Japanese are positioning themselves for the impending war. The smart-alecky, incredibly gifted young Nick Grant is a very likeable hero, the best kind of risk-taker, always with a plan, constantly improving his skills. He’s back fighting his old nemesis Toshio Miyazaki. This novel centers on the Japanese (through Miyazaki) doing their darnedest to steal the H-1 aircraft – Howard Hughes’ state-of-the-art plane that may just be the key to the future of aerial superiority.
Part of the fun of this book is capturing pre-World War II America in all its optimism and glamour (hey, Katherine Hepburn gets a nice scene). The figure of the ridiculously rich, charming, and brilliant Howard Hughes gives this novel a distinct sensibility, one that combines ingenuity and a charming hint of innocence. It represents an America where the sky’s the limit. And although we never meet William Randolph Hearst, we get to get to visit his monumental castle under construction and are granted an eyeful of his zoo, featuring the legendary lion Gilmore (that cat has his own key role to play).
Beyond the historical figures, Dodson has a deft hand at incorporating lively, somewhat crotchety characters who serve as fine counterpoints to the prodigy Grant. Commander Boltz, the Navy’s West Coast Counterintelligence Chief, is both a mentor and a cranky boss (“Can it, Midshipman. You are in so much trouble that the Navy dare not let you loose on the civilian population.”). With the help of Boltz and Chief Ellis (who has a grim, humorous professionalism), Nick begins to apply his precocious skill set toward becoming a true leader. That leadership will be tested throughout Black Dragons Attack under a clever assortment of confrontations in evocative locations.
With the Black Dragons (the Japanese warrior spies) always on the hunt for the H-1, the action keeps coming. Those skirmishes become increasingly intriguing as they involve a couple of lively and resourceful heroines in Nancy and Leilani. Without giving away too much, I will just say the climax really delivers.
Black Dragons Attack has many pleasures. Boy, does Dodson know his airplanes. Plus, all of this action and storytelling is presented in a punchy style: “However, he was out of altitude, airspeed, and ideas.” I highly recommended Dodson’s terrific novel. It will transport you to another time, filled with ingenuity, commitment, and heroics.
Jamie Dodson’s Black Dragons Attack (A Nick Grant Adventure Novel) is a rip-roaring yarn set in 1936, just as the Japanese are positioning themselves for the impending war. The smart-alecky, incredibly gifted young Nick Grant is a very likeable hero, the best kind of risk-taker, always with a plan, constantly improving his skills. He’s back fighting his old nemesis Toshio Miyazaki. This novel centers on the Japanese (through Miyazaki) doing their darnedest to steal the H-1 aircraft – Howard Hughes’ state-of-the-art plane that may just be the key to the future of aerial superiority.
Part of the fun of this book is capturing pre-World War II America in all its optimism and glamour (hey, Katherine Hepburn gets a nice scene). The figure of the ridiculously rich, charming, and brilliant Howard Hughes gives this novel a distinct sensibility, one that combines ingenuity and a charming hint of innocence. It represents an America where the sky’s the limit. And although we never meet William Randolph Hearst, we get to get to visit his monumental castle under construction and are granted an eyeful of his zoo, featuring the legendary lion Gilmore (that cat has his own key role to play).
Beyond the historical figures, Dodson has a deft hand at incorporating lively, somewhat crotchety characters who serve as fine counterpoints to the prodigy Grant. Commander Boltz, the Navy’s West Coast Counterintelligence Chief, is both a mentor and a cranky boss (“Can it, Midshipman. You are in so much trouble that the Navy dare not let you loose on the civilian population.”). With the help of Boltz and Chief Ellis (who has a grim, humorous professionalism), Nick begins to apply his precocious skill set toward becoming a true leader. That leadership will be tested throughout Black Dragons Attack under a clever assortment of confrontations in evocative locations.
With the Black Dragons (the Japanese warrior spies) always on the hunt for the H-1, the action keeps coming. Those skirmishes become increasingly intriguing as they involve a couple of lively and resourceful heroines in Nancy and Leilani. Without giving away too much, I will just say the climax really delivers.
Black Dragons Attack has many pleasures. Boy, does Dodson know his airplanes. Plus, all of this action and storytelling is presented in a punchy style: “However, he was out of altitude, airspeed, and ideas.” I highly recommended Dodson’s terrific novel. It will transport you to another time, filled with ingenuity, commitment, and heroics.
May 15, 2018
The fourth book in the Nick Grant Adventure series beings during pre-World War II. The story has in it one of the most well-known aviation heroes, Howard Hughes. The reader is transported by the incredibly well-written words of Jamie Dodson to the world of Nick Grant, an aviation student.
Nick Grant, as a Naval Aviation Cadet, has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Howard Hughes that changes the course of his entire life. Nick tries to thwart the Japanese’s plot to steal Hughes’ famous H-1 racer airplane with only the help of his friends, Nancy Tanaka and Leilani Porta.
Will he be able to save the H-1, or will Miyazaki (Nick’s nemesis) finally get revenge on Nick Grant?
Opinion:
Once again, Jamie Dodson has written an incredible book! The way that he writes compels me to fly alongside Nick Grant as he flies around the world. It is amazing how he gives the characters their own personalities, as if he knew them personally. Jamie Dodson makes the characters that I read about real to me. I was hooked throughout the whole story! I’ll be keeping my eye out for more of Jamie Dodson’s books! I give this book five stars for how well-written it is and for how he described the characters.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age 14
Nick Grant, as a Naval Aviation Cadet, has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Howard Hughes that changes the course of his entire life. Nick tries to thwart the Japanese’s plot to steal Hughes’ famous H-1 racer airplane with only the help of his friends, Nancy Tanaka and Leilani Porta.
Will he be able to save the H-1, or will Miyazaki (Nick’s nemesis) finally get revenge on Nick Grant?
Opinion:
Once again, Jamie Dodson has written an incredible book! The way that he writes compels me to fly alongside Nick Grant as he flies around the world. It is amazing how he gives the characters their own personalities, as if he knew them personally. Jamie Dodson makes the characters that I read about real to me. I was hooked throughout the whole story! I’ll be keeping my eye out for more of Jamie Dodson’s books! I give this book five stars for how well-written it is and for how he described the characters.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age 14
December 17, 2017
The 4th book in the Nick Grant continues the series with the same great 3 dimensional characters, exciting plot, good pacing, and skilled writing. One of the things that sets this book and this series apart is the intense research that went into getting the period details right. All the details about the planes, cars, trains, architecture, social mores, dress, etc., are a technically accurate rendition of 1930's America. Readers, especially YA, can enjoy a thoroughly entertaining read and learn a lot about pre-war history.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews