Dragonfly Girl

by Marti Leimbach

Kira Adams has discovered a cure for death — and it may just cost her life.

Things aren’t going well for Kira. At home, she cares for her mother and fends off debt collectors. At school, she’s awkward and shy. Plus, she may flunk out if she doesn’t stop obsessing about science, her passion and the one thing she’s good at . . . very good at.

When she wins a prestigious science contest she draws the attention of the celebrated professor Dr. Gregory Munn (as well as his handsome assistant), leading to a part-time job in a top-secret laboratory. The job is mostly cleaning floors and equipment, but one night, while running her own experiment, she revives a lab rat that has died in her care. 

One minute it is dead, the next it is not.

Suddenly she’s the remarkable wunderkind, the girl who can bring back the dead. Everything is going her way. But it turns out that science can be a dangerous business, and Kira is swept up into a world of international rivalry with dark forces that threaten her life. 

Genres: Young Adult, Thriller, Science Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

384 pages, Hardcover

First published February 23, 2021

About the author

I write contemporary fiction for young adults and adults, though right now I'm concentrating on my YA thriller series, kicking off with Dragonfly Girl published by Harper Collins Feb '21.

I'm on Goodreads, but if you have questions you can also find me on Twitter https://twitter.com/MartiLeimbach
or on Instagram: marti.leimbach

In addition to all things literary, I'm interested in neurodiversity, young inventors, and science.

I teach on the Masters Programme in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford as a fiction tutor. My students are amazing!

When I'm not writing or teaching or reading, I'm looking after a small flock of Ryleand sheep, walking may Shetland sheepdog or hanging out with the fancy rats I breed as part of the National Fancy Rat Society, UK. You can find me at www.martileimbach.com and I LOVE to hear from readers!

Reviews

[Jesse Sutanto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragonfly Girl is unlike any other book I have read. The plot is taut and devilishly cunning, the science behind the story is brilliantly researched, and the writing pulls you in and doesn't let go until the very last page. You'll find yourself aching for the heroine's hardships at first, before suddenly being whisked off into a heart-thumping adventure that will leave you breathless. THIS BOOK SLAPS.

[Lori Kaufmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kira, a social outcast at her high-school, works as many part-time jobs as she can to pay the family’s bills and help her cancer-stricken mother. But she’s also a brilliant scientist more interested in unlocking the mystery of life and death than the social code to popularity.

Her life changes overnight when she wins a prestigious science contest and is swept up into an international intrigue (sorry, can’t reveal more, don’t want to spoil the fun!) And it is fun as Leimbach takes us on a wild ride to European capitals, underground labs, elegant ballrooms and even to the Hall of Mirrors where the first Nobel Prize was awarded. It’s clear that Leimbach has done her homework as the descriptions are so vivid that you feel like you’re there.

Kira is a complex and compelling character (she reminded me of Beth, the chess prodigy in The Queen’s Gambit). You can’t help but fall in love with her as she desperately tries to do the right thing but is thwarted at every turn. I felt like shouting at her as I read the pages, “No! Don’t trust him! He’s lying!!” You root for her, you cry with her and you hold your breath as she runs from danger. If you don’t want to get emotionally involved, don’t pick this one up.

There was so much I loved about the book. The wonderful characters (in addition to Kira, there’s a cast of well-developed secondary figures) and the propulsive plot. But what really sets this YA thriller apart is Leimbach’s skillful integration of real science into the story world. Leimbach’s explanations of lab protocols, animal experimentation, brain research, etc. were fascinating and were seamlessly woven into the action.

Leimbach is an established adult author so no surprise that she nailed this one, her first foray into YA fiction. A previous book was made into a movie. No doubt this one will too. Definitely 5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this advanced reader's copy.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨; 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘰, 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵”

YA books are on of my favorite genres but add in a thrilling plot, international intrigue, edge of your seat action and a main character who could literally be my soul sister – Well, I’ll just eat that up and lick the spoon!

Kira is still in high school and she excels at science, like scientific genius excel. She has a fairly tough home life; her mother is gravely ill and borrows money from the local loan shark, Biba, who thinks nothing of threatening Kira on the daily until he gets paid back. Kira wins a highly esteemed Science for Our Future award based on her Dragonfly research and it comes with a trip to Stockholm along with a hefty cash prize; enough to get Biba off their back. After a few ‘minor’ problems at the conference, doors open up for Kira; she’s offered a job in the acclaimed Mellen Institute by the brilliant Dr. Munn, where she makes a discovery that will change her life drastically because along with the good comes a hella bunch of bad. Things have gone from dreamy to scheme-y in the deadly high-stake game that comes with scientific discovery.

There’s a lot of things to love about this book but the MC, Kira, is one of the biggest. She’s naïve yet has complexity, she is intelligent and driven but most of all, she is trying her absolute best to do what she thinks is the right thing even at great personal cost. The science is fascinating and enthralling, I highly recommend reading the authors note at the back. Truly mind-blowing! There’s no lack of action and intrigue all skillfully woven into a richly described world. This is a must read for any fan of badass smart girls in STEM, thrilling plots, nail-biting action and intrigue!

[Muffinsandbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️ c’était hyper original, hyper interessant et addictif. J’ai peut être eu un peu de mal avec le côté un peu détaché de la narration ou des passages descriptifs un peu trop long, un rythme un peu saccadé, mais ça reste un vrai page turner qui a su me happer alors que, de base, je ne suis pas une grande fan du genre policier / thriller (c’est pas tout à fait un thriller, mais c’est assez dur de le catégoriser alors je vais dire que c’est le genre avec lequel il flirte le plus, autant pour l’intrigue que pour le rythme).

[Haadiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me, but I need to know what happens next! I really enjoyed Kira's story and reading about her indecision when it came to the THREE love interests in this book 😂. This book is spellbinding and extremely thrilling! I went through it so fast without wanting to stop once!

The plot twists are unpredictable and amazingly so! This story about a hardworking and weary science nerd named Kira Adams. She's a nail-biter and is up to her neck in debt but she pushes through.

Kira enters an essay competition where she submits a piece about dragonflies and wins! Nobody knows she's a high school student so she tries her best with some help from her best friend Lauren to look older so she can collect the cash prize and pay off all her mother's debts.

What happens when a young doctor from the conference becomes suspicious of Kira and threatens to rat her out to the authorities?

Read #dragonflygirl by @marti.leimbach to find out and keep an eye on this space for my exclusive interview with the author!

BONUS: The cover is GORGEOUS!

[Natasha Lefler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Please tell me this is going to be a series, I want more!

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kira Adams is a High School Junior and a scientific genius. She is also the main caretaker for her mother who has cancer. They are deeply in debt to the local loan shark. But Kira has taken to entering scientific contests which offer cash prizes to supplement the family income.

Things change a lot when she wins a very prestigious contest which requires her to travel from her home in California to Stockholm, Sweden, to pick up her prize. The only problem is that she has entered the contest fraudulently. One of the requirements is that she bas a Ph.D. that she earned no more than a year earlier. She didn't lie; she left the line indicating when and where she got her Ph.D. blank. But another of the award winners is suspicious and really causes her trouble.

However, she has done her own research and has written a brilliant paper which draws the attention of Dr. Gregory Munn who runs a prestigious lab in Oakland which is near her home. He offers her a job working in his lab. Unfortunately, her supervisor is the same jerk who caused her problems in Stockholm and who seems determined to teach her nothing and force her to quit. Luckily, she does make friends with some of the other scientists and she also finds a home that fits her much better than trying to fit in at her High School.

When she discovers a procedure that brings a rat back to life, she quickly learns that science can be a cutthroat sort of game. Everyone wants her discovery. She's kidnapped along with her nemesis Will and taken to Russia where she is forced to share her procedure and pressured to join a rich man's stable of young scientific geniuses. Until she manages to escape...

This was an exciting thriller. filled with all kinds of action and lots of tension. I really liked Kira in all her brilliance and social awkwardness. The story had a nice group of supporting characters including her best-and-only friend Lauren and the many young scientists at Dr. Munn's lab.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nitty-gritty: A unique blend of YA and adult, sci-fi and spy thriller, I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like Dragonfly Girl.

I had a lot of fun with Dragonfly Girl, Marti Leimbach’s well-written YA debut (she has written a bunch of adult titles as well). For readers who are dying to see a female main character who is interested in STEM, this book is a must read. Leimbach goes beyond that though, and infuses her tale with some unexpected international intrigue, a little romance, and some edgy sci-fi elements. But while I enjoyed many aspects of this story, I also have some reservations about the overall story arc and the sheer number of things going on with these characters. With an unusual blend of both YA and adult elements, it’s almost as if the book wasn’t sure what it wanted to be. Still, there was never a dull moment, and I had an absolute blast reading it.

Kira Adams is a seventeen-year-old high school senior who is brilliant when it comes to math and science, but an utter failure at her other classes. She struggles with fitting in at school, where the other kids tease her for being so smart, but her love of science keeps things bearable. At home, Kira’s mother is dying of cancer, and so her time away from school is filled with caring for and helping her mom with the household bills and chores. Because of the expensive cancer treatments, they are on the brink of financial disaster, and so Kira’s mom has been borrowing money from a shady criminal named Biba in order to pay the bills.

But Kira has a secret. She’s written a scientific paper on how dragonflies track their prey and entered it in a prestigious competition. So she fudged the information on the entry form a little—she doesn’t actually have the required PhD, but does anyone really need to know the truth? When Kira wins the prize in her category, she’s invited to Stockholm, Sweden to attend a conference and accept the cash prize. She knows without the prize money, she and her mother will be in trouble, and so she figures out a way to attend. But once she arrives, Kira realizes how tough it’s going to be to fool the other attendees. Even wearing her friend’s borrowed clothes, Kira knows she doesn’t fit in with the other, older, prize winners. And a fellow winner, an unpleasant man named Will, knows something is up and won’t leave Kira alone until he figures out the truth.

And that’s where I’ll stop with the story recap, as this is a tough one to sum up in only a couple of paragraphs. Also I want to avoid spoilers as much as possible! I’m going to start this review off with the things I loved about Dragonfly Girl. First, bravo to Marti Leimbach for creating a female STEM character. We definitely need to see more YA stories dealing with STEM, especially those that focus on girls. There are a fair number of well researched science elements in this story, and I was fascinated by the descriptions of the lab work that Kira gets involved in, especially the science behind bringing a dead rat back to life. 

And speaking of Kira, I absolutely loved her character. She has a lot to deal with: a sick mother, bad grades in school, and bullying, and yet she follows her passion for science and makes things happen. And despite her age (which I have some opinions about, see below), Kira has a pretty good head on her shoulders and manages to make good decisions, even when things do not go well. But she also lacks self-confidence and has an air of innocence about her, qualities that made her character more believable.

I also loved the exotic setting of Stockholm: the crisp, cold snowy landscape, the elegant Grand Hôtel where the conference takes place, and especially Kira’s delight in being in a foreign city for the first time. Leimbach’s descriptions made me want to visit Stockholm myself!

The story is divided into three sections, and to be honest, these sections feel completely different from each other. I think this was the book's main weakness, the way the story changes gears so abruptly, which left me with a bit of reader’s whiplash. The first section takes place in Stockholm and follows Kira as she attends the Science of Our Future award banquet and conference. This section goes on for a third of the book, and nothing much happens, except that Kira meets a bunch of other award winners who are all older than her and resent the fact that she’s won such a prestigious award. This section was more of a madcap comedy, as Kira tries desperately to hide her secret. The author does set the stage for the next two sections, when Kira meets a man named Dr. Munn at the conference and ends up working for him when she returns to California. 

Which brings us to the second section. Kira is back in school but now works for the Mellin Institute at the same time, learning how to do lab work and struggling under the tutelage of her nemesis Will, who also works there. It is during this section that Kira finally reanimates a lab rat—this is the hook in the blurb that made me want to read this book—and this section was much more serious and has a bit of a sci-fi/Frankenstein vibe to it. 

Finally in the third section, we find Kira and Will in yet another country, and due to spoilers I won’t be able to go into details. But this section reads almost like a spy thriller and turns very, very dark. It’s this section in particular that felt out of place with the rest of the book, and although I enjoyed it very much—it’s quite fast-paced and exciting!—I had a hard time believing that any of the events in this section could actually happen to a seventeen-year-old girl from the United States.

The other issue I wanted to address is Kira’s age. I’m honestly not sure why the decision was made to make Kira underage. She’s a senior in high school, so the author could have easily made her eighteen, which would have solved a lot of the issues I had. Unfortunately, she’s a minor in the eyes of the law, and yet she jets off to Stockholm on her own (in the middle of the school year), tries to conceal the fact that she’s only seventeen by dressing up in uncomfortable clothes to hide her age, and worst of all, falls for no less than two men in their twenties who don’t realize (at first) that she is only seventeen. The whole thing made me cringe, to be honest. I suppose it could be that the author and publisher felt that a seventeen-year-old character was more marketable as YA. Luckily, the romance is pretty light and definitely isn’t the focus here, but still.

But despite these issues, Dragonfly Girl was one of the most unique YA books I’ve ever read and had some truly thrilling moments. The story ends rather abruptly, but I'm hoping there will be more books in this series.

Big thanks to the author and publisher for supplying a review copy.

[Isabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

It shocks me how many people are completely disregarding the appalling inappropriate relationships that this book so casually displays. Within this book, a seventeen year old girl ends up caught in a love triangle between two twenty+ year old men.

I repeat.

A seventeen year old high schooler is in love with twenty year old men.

I don't care how good a book is. This was an instant one-star. I mean, even without taking into account the atrocious age gaps, the romance doesn't even have the decency to be good. It's a clear page filler, and is lazily written while laced with every cliche a standard YA book has to offer. None of it is necessary to the plot or character development and is simply there because heaven forbid a teenage girl doesn't fall madly in love when surrounded by men with such chiseled jawlines.

If the book at least had a part where the problematic underage romance was properly acknowledged, I guess that would make it better, but it doesn't. This behavior from Kira is even frequently encouraged, by her mother and especially her friend Lauren, who is constantly making remarks about how perfect Rik (one of the love interests) is and how he and Kira should go out. She even talks about how she thinks another character, Will, secretly loves Kira WHEN WILL IS TWENTY-THREE YEARS OLD.

But not only is Kira pining after Rik, who I'm convinced has no other character traits than his "long eyelashes" that were mentioned literally every single time he appeared, but there's ANOTHER twenty or more year old guy who is hopelessly in love with her. I'm not going to mention his name because of spoilers, but come on. This is absurd. I cannot believe that this was approved to be published and advertised to teenagers, who might now think that dating a guy who may have literally graduated from college is acceptable.

To quote my friend when I told them about this love triangle; "That triangle better straighten to bars." I couldn't put it better myself. Age may be just a number, folks, but then again, jail is just a room.


Anyways, I feel obligated to review the rest of the novel now that I'm putting the time to rant about the underage atrocities. It's not that great. For starters, it literally took until PAGE 192 UNTIL THE REASON I PICKED UP THE BOOK IN THE FIRST PLACE ACTUALLY HAPPENED. By which I mean, (and this isn't even a spoiler because it's literally in the synopsis) Kira FINALLY forms the cure for death WHEN THE BOOK IS OVER HALFWAY OVER. The pacing is just horrific. The entire first half of the book is attempted buildup to Kira's big discovery, but since I already knew what the discovery was before I even opened the book, there was simply no point in the intro being so gosh darn long. And then from there, the book goes 0 to 100 so fast it just felt jarring. All of this, combined with the previously mentioned sprinkles of insanely creepy romance made for what I consider a highly unpleasant reading.

However, credit were credit is due, some things in the book weren't all that bad. Minus the romantic sideplot with Kira, I actually didn't mind her as a character. I thought she had a strong and likable personality, and it's nice to read about girls in STEM for a change. I also thought her backstory and life outside of science with her sick mother and lack of money was also well-written and believable. When she was bullied at school, I felt sorry for her.

Honestly, if it weren't for the romance, I probably would've given this book at least two stars, maybe even three. But no matter the positives of the book, I simply cannot get over the fact that they felt that a seventeen year old lusting after twenty year olds was considered acceptable. Even the 5 star reviews mention their discomfort at the relationships, one even mentioning physically cringing when it was brought up over and over again, and I don't blame them, as I had the urge to gorge out my eyeballs every time Rik's stupid long eyelashes were mentioned. Needless to say, this book gets a no from me.

[Jessica Vitalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well outside my normal wheelhouse, but I have to admit that it pulled me in immediately. The main character, Kira, is a high school genius, who longs to attend college but knows that with a sick mother and bills piling up, those dreams are out of reach. When she's recognized internationally for a scientific discovery, she's invited to work at a prestigious lab. She jumps at the chance and finds herself navigating an adult world while simultaneously trying to deal with the very real emotions of a teenage girl on the verge of adulthood (including complicated relationships with three young men she works with at the lab). But then she discovers the "cure" for death, is kidnapped, and ... well, I don't want to give any spoilers, but suffice to say she ends up in the very last place on earth she ever expected and must rely on her smarts to keep herself alive. This book is fast-paced, full of STEM, and a great read!

[Bridget Arsenault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragonfly Girl is brilliant. This is exactly what the YA genre needs - it's smart, beautifully written, funny and engaging. The protagonist is such a readable character. It reminds me a bit of the Queen's Gambit. Every teenage girl and guy should read this book.

[Grace Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

I-

I literally cannot express my hatred toward this book enough. There were many times I was completely fine with stopping where I was and not going to continue, or that I wanted to through the book across the room(not in a good way). [I will not mark this as a spoiler because I want people to read it, but if you don't wanna see the spoilers please don't continue ahead. Thank you].

My first reason, is the amount of grammar errors and dialogue errors I spotted while reading. Like, how do you forget QUOTATION MARKS when a character is SPEAKING. How? I don't know how many looked over/edited this book, but it wasn't enough to catch all the errors that distracted me from the story(not that there really was one for 60% of the book).

The only time I was genuinely engaged and wanted to read on to see what happens next, was when Kira first brought Cornelius(the rat) back to life after suffering a heart attack. This is actually when the story GOES somewhere. But even then, the storyline afterwards... as much as it makes sense... it feels weak.

Plus not only is the story trying to make Kira hated by America once she is kidnapped by Russia for "betraying" her home country, but the book portrays Russia as a villainous country. Something I felt was glorified and overdramatic on.

The concept of bringing people back from the dead is great, and I feel that part of the story was amazing. The execution of the plot, the characters, and everything else attached to it? Not so great.

Characters felt very one-dimensional, the first half of the book was so unnecessary. Especially with the SFOF awards, going to Sweeten for said award, just to introduce Kira her position working at Mellen with Munn to finally have something to go off of within the story.

The book would have been way more interesting if she was 18, just starting college at Munn's university. Her mom still ill to give the motivation, maybe get rid of Biba because his character kinda feels irrelevant by the end(low-key forget he existed in the story when his name was brought up). Sure, we can keep the hatred rivalry between Will and Kira. The friendships and potential love interests. They can stay. But everything up to her finally working under Munn and Will to learn from them, could've been completely cut out and the story would be SO much better.

It would also make the novel shorter and faster to read. Part 1 was unnecessary, but part 2 & 3 could've thrive with just each other for the benefit of the story.

Remember, this is all my opinion of the book and my experience reading it(let's just say if I ever lose my copy of it, I definitely will not miss it from my bookshelves).

[Brianna Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED being immersed in this high-stakes science world with main character Kira Adams - a brilliant teenage scientist (Girls in STEM yesss!) and struggling social outcast.

Kira moves amongst science's elite at a fancy awards ceremony in Scandinavia, joins other brilliant minds at work in an incredibly cool underground lab, and some other mind-blowing locations that I can't say because of spoilers! Supporting characters and fellow scientists were well-rendered and loveable - I even found myself wanting to hang out with the lab rats!

What starts as a well-researched, absorbing introduction into the world of science soon turns into a heart-pounding, global action adventure with a few incredible twists that knocked me for six. The ending ends on a perfect, not-too-cliffy note, opening a wide path for an awesome sequel. Leimbach is an enormously talented writer - I'll be snapping Book 2 up as soon as it is available!

[Alastair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kira Adams, the heroine of Dragonfly Girl, is a 17-year old science genius, bullied at school and having to work a job to help pay for her mother's medical treatment and keep the loan sharks at bay. A lucky break wins her acclaim and a chance to work in a prestigious lab that does secret government research. She makes a major discovery and becomes feted, but then things go quickly downhill. I don't want to spoil the story, but the unexpected twists and turns will keep you riveted.

Beautifully judged characters, excellent dialog, and a great story with plenty of suspense which leaves you desperate for the sequel. For all those trying to encourage more girls into STEM subjects, here's a role model!

[Jennie Wexler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kira’s life changes overnight when she wins a prestigious science contest. Marti Leimbach seamlessly integrates science into a well thought out and propulsive story. This book is very well researched and a fascinating read. Kira’s initial goal is to help her struggling family, but she gets much more than she bargained for. I’m not going to go too much into the plot, as I don’t want to give anything away! I absolutely loved seeing a female STEM protagonist in YA, especially one you can’t help but root for. This book is a breath of fresh air in the YA space and I can’t wait to see what Leimbach writes next!

[Kalpashri☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars cause I wanted more of this.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Casie Bazay · Rating 5 out of 5]

FYI: some spoilers included!

Dragonfly Girl was not what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed this thriller-esque YA. The story begins with the teenage MC, Kira, headed to a high-level science competition overseas, so we know right away that Kira isn't your run-of-the-mill smart teen girl. She's a genius when it comes to science, but she struggles to connect with her peers and feels completely out of place, no matter where she is. At the competition, Kira catches the eye of several top level scientists, including Dr. Munn, who eventually asks her to come work for him. When Kira discovers a way to bring rats back from the dead, her knowledge is coveted by both the U.S. and Russian governments, and she is kidnapped by the Russians. I won't give any more of the plot away, but I will say that last third of the book had me on pins and needles, waiting to see what would happen to Kira. The ending was quite interesting! I really enjoyed seeing a female YA character portrayed in this way and would recommend this to book to anyone who likes science, thrillers, or just a good book, in general!

[Nicole Lesperance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was a wild ride from start to finish! It kept twisting and turning and making me question everything I thought was true, and I could not put it down. I hope somebody makes this into a movie or a Netflix-type series because it's just so perfect for that kind of format. I loved how it takes STEM themes and stretches them juuuuust outside of the realm of possibility in a way that keeps the story intriguing. Kira is a great protagonist, a super genius with endearing flaws and a wry sense of humor, and the side characters are multidimensional and often not quite who you think they are. And that ending!!!! Please tell me there's going to be a sequel! I can see teens (and adults too!) really loving this, and I think it would make the perfect beach or travel book because of how exhilarating it is.

[G.F. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever I thought Dragonfly Girl would be, I was way off. It's about a high school girl who struggles to fit in, a genius scientist on the cusp of a world-changing medical discovery, and a girl trapped in the terrifying underworld of Russian organized crime... and those are ALL THE SAME GIRL. I *hope* this is the first of a duology because, although it wraps up well, it feels like there's more story to tell. I recommend this book if you like smart protagonists, science, nerdy love interests, and a little mystery and peril.

[Eden (Pages of Eden) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. So much happens but it doesn’t feel rushed, instead each of the three sections are well-considered and allow for the introduction of a range of locations and characters. Whilst some may find the three sections of the book too disconnected, I felt they allowed the plot to move forward in a way that makes this story feel very unique.

I found Kira to be a highly compelling main character. The first-person narration means that you become so invested in her story and it was refreshing to see a strong female STEM protagonist who, despite being a social outcast, is unapologetically herself.

Unlike many YA books, this did not rely on stereotypes (yay!). The hint of romance felt genuine and was a welcome addition rather than an unnecessary plot point. In some ways I even feel that calling this book YA does it a disservice because it is so much more than that. Although it is about a teenager, it not the ‘typical’ story about teen angst and a lot of the plot feels much more mature than would be expected in a YA novel. Instead, it is the sci-fi aspect of this book that makes it really stand out. There was enough science talk for it to sound believable, and a little over my head! But not so much that it became boring or too difficult to read.

I would love to read more about Kira’s story and desperately hope that there is a sequel to this fantastic book.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Thriller
*Rating* 3.5

*Thoughts*

Dragonfly, by author Marti Leimbach, is not a standalone. From what the author has posted, it is the first installment in a trilogy. This story follows Kira Adams. While Kira may be a scientific genius, she’s awkward and shy and a social outcast at school. She's only good in two subjects: math and science and has only one real friend in Lauren. Kira works as many part-time jobs as she can to help her cancer-stricken mother. But things are about to change. After entering into a science essay contest, Kira shockingly wins. Winning means that Kira can pay off the loan shark that has been hounding her and her mother.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

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[Anya Josephs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous YA debut, and in a genre I don't see often! It's hard sci-fi, which isn't necessarily always to my taste (I read mostly soft sci-fi or fantasy), but the science focus is "softened" by richly human and believable characters.

The characterization was my favorite part of this book. I particularly loved Kira, who I found enormously likable and relatable in spite of the very unusual circumstances she finds herself in. The author does a masterful job of depicting Kira's teen angst alongside the serious issues she faces.

I was also very compelled by the plot! I've never encountered a concept quite like this one, and it was a real page-turner. I read the whole thing in one sititng.

I very much hope there will be more in this series!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling and surprising. Science really shines in this story - you can tell how much research has gone into the story to make it believable (which it definitely is).

I wished for a little more romance (but I always wish that), and some slightly more upbeat moments. Kira’s life is sparse, and her connections thin. The book has an intensity to it that never lets up, so a few more light moments would have been nice.

But, the pacing and revelations were timed just right.

I’m hoping for a second book because there’s still so much for Kira to do!!

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read, I have never read a book like this before, and wow is it good. The detailed scientific explanations feel deeply researched and explained and just by reading this book, I feel like I've learned a lot. The plot of this book is really exciting and for some reason, I always felt like someone was going to betray someone or something bad was going to happen because of the amazing twists and turns in the plot.

[Inkslinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by Katherine Tegen Books and Marti Leimbach via Random Things Tours. All opinions are mine and freely given.

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"Science is about finding better ways of being wrong."

03-04: ​'Dragonfly Girl' is the YA debut from Marti Leimbach, the bestselling author of titles such as 'The Man from Saigon,' 'Daniel Isn't Talking,' and 'Dying Young,' the latter of which was her first book.. made into a film starring Julia Roberts. What a way to start a career in writing!

While 'Dragonfly Girl' is her first YA novel, due to her experienced hand in the industry, it's absolutely fluid. A science-based thriller, the story focuses on a brilliant teen named Kira Adams. Though she struggles with some school subjects, her mind works like a well-oiled machine when she has equations in front of her.

At home, her widowed mom is very ill.. and that leaves Kira trying to manage the household and their ever-crushing debts. At school, she's awkward and shy, bullied by other students, and just trying to keep her head down as much as possible.

When she wins an international science award, she draws the attention of a number of powerful people both in and out of the science community. But some of those people are incredibly dangerous and caught up in the spotlight of acclaim, Kira may discover too slowly which she can trust.

Admittedly, in the first two-thirds of the novel, I have never been so engaged in a story. This was a girl I could relate to in a unique way. She's able to rise through the ranks of her chosen profession with ease, despite lacking certain things that are expected. Those around her are baffled, even jealous.. at how easily she succeeds without the experience they have worked for years to gain.

Actually, that's my favorite part of this story. Leimbach somehow manages to capture and convey a meteoric rise that society says shouldn't be possible. Kira thinks little of what she lacks at first, she just gives it a try. Only after winning the contest, does that doubt begin to creep in.. and even then, it's not about her abilities.. it's about the reactions those around her may have upon realizing.

In truth, I wish the story had continued along this trajectory for my personal taste, but I recognize that such a move would have limited the scope far too much. While I felt like the turns taken were unnecessary and even a bit over the top for me, not because they're unreasonable possibilities.. but rather because everything combined together felt extremely unlikely, the plot twists did take it to new dimensions.

As for the characters, Kira is kind of adorable and Lauren is a really good, loyal friend. Again, tying together everything about Lauren makes her seem a bit out of this world, but suspension of disbelief engaged.. she's amazing. Dmitry was probably my favorite. Quite quickly his voice and his mannerisms developed in my mind as I read him. He was the most visceral for me and as such, I couldn't get enough of his appearances.. disheveled as they may be.

Plenty of intrigue and surprises make the book a page-turner. Overall, though Kira swings through a somewhat unlikely social learning curve very quickly toward the end, I still deeply enjoyed the journey and couldn't recommend the book highly enough.


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[Alana (semi ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bounced back from some disappointing reads to this gem of a book. The characters are amazing, the plot is dynamic and exciting, and though I'm not the most scientific minded gal out there, I can tell just how much research Leimbach put into making sure things were done right and properly executed. Kira is a great and fleshed-out protagonist, quirks and all, which made me feel connected to her throughout the course of her journey and even more worried for her if I felt like she was making a faulty choice. Great, great book of which the due time has clearly been put in. Applauds all around!!

[Savannah Knedgen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this in a book subscription box years ago. Most of this was just a teenage girl pretending to have a PhD, and an adult man who actually had a PhD childishly taunting her about her being a fraud instead of just talking to someone in charge about there being a literal child at an awards ceremony for doctors. Also there's a weird, age inappropriate romance subplot with zero chemistry. I wish I had DNFd this after the first chapter.

[SoNathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a completely must read, everything you hoped for and much much more.

There's no female lead as Kira, her development and intelligence are from a whole other world. Loved her.

And Oh, Dmitry!

[Stephanie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in just a few sittings, and I didn't want it to end. Martin Leimbach's debut YA thriller novel is everything I hoped for and more. I was drawn in the minute I opened the book.

Kira Adams is a high school science prodigy and she is as unique as they come. A social outcast at school who wants nothing more then to get away but she and her mother are constantly struggling to make ends meet. Her mother resorts to a loan shark for everything and the debt is adding up and the loan shark is looking for his money. All Kira wants is to pay off their debt and forget about the man. She works part time but to get ahead Kira enters a prestigious international science contest and finds out she is a winner with a cash prize. A whirlwind trip to Sweden for the conference and claim her prize changes everything.

Kira the main character is very complex. You can't help but fall in love with her. There were several parts of the book that transported me back to high school and the moments that teenagers could be so cruel I actually teared up making me think about my own experiences growing up and being teased and bullied in school. The book is beautifully researched, there is a seamless transition between the books fiction and the science research that plays such a huge part including lab equipment and protocols. Major plus for women in science with this story as well! Who doesn't love a young female heroine who dominates in science?!

I am so glad there will be a sequel.