What do you think?
Rate this book
Night Flyer #3
Chaos in Milan
Winner of the 2020 Lesfic Bard Award for Best Historical Novel
One woman stands between chaos and order - the Night Flyer!
When chaos strikes at the heart of Milan, it is up to Florentina's alter-ego the Night Flyer to stop it. As Florentina and Madelena's love deepens, so does the well of danger surrounding them. The race is on to discover the mysterious Shadow Guild and uncover who is behind the deadly rampage, but Florentina's mission is threatened by a gang of assassins. Can the Night Flyer prevail, or will Maddie's love be ripped from her arms?
Chaos in Milan is the third book in Edale Lane's Night Flyer Trilogy, a tale of power, passion, and payback in Renaissance Italy. If you like action and suspense, rich historical background, three-dimensional characters, and a sweet romance, then you'll want to complete the Night Flyer saga.
One woman stands between chaos and order - the Night Flyer!
When chaos strikes at the heart of Milan, it is up to Florentina's alter-ego the Night Flyer to stop it. As Florentina and Madelena's love deepens, so does the well of danger surrounding them. The race is on to discover the mysterious Shadow Guild and uncover who is behind the deadly rampage, but Florentina's mission is threatened by a gang of assassins. Can the Night Flyer prevail, or will Maddie's love be ripped from her arms?
Chaos in Milan is the third book in Edale Lane's Night Flyer Trilogy, a tale of power, passion, and payback in Renaissance Italy. If you like action and suspense, rich historical background, three-dimensional characters, and a sweet romance, then you'll want to complete the Night Flyer saga.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2020
11 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Edale Lane
48 books216 followersEdale Lane is an Amazon Best-selling author and winner of Rainbow, Lesfic Bard, and Imaginarium Awards. Her sapphic historical fiction and mystery stories feature women leading the action and entice readers with likeable characters, engaging storytelling, and vivid world-creation.
Lane (whose legal name is Melodie Romeo) holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, a master’s in history, and taught school for 24 years before embarking on an adventure driving an 18-wheeler over-the-road. She is a mother of two, Grammy of three, and doggy mom to Australian Shepherds. A native of Vicksburg, MS, Lane now lives her dream of being a full-time author in beautiful Chilliwack, BC with her long-time life-partner.
Enjoy free e-books and other promotional offerings while staying up to date with what Edale Lane is writing next when you sign up for her newsletter. https://bit.ly/3qkGn95
Lane (whose legal name is Melodie Romeo) holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, a master’s in history, and taught school for 24 years before embarking on an adventure driving an 18-wheeler over-the-road. She is a mother of two, Grammy of three, and doggy mom to Australian Shepherds. A native of Vicksburg, MS, Lane now lives her dream of being a full-time author in beautiful Chilliwack, BC with her long-time life-partner.
Enjoy free e-books and other promotional offerings while staying up to date with what Edale Lane is writing next when you sign up for her newsletter. https://bit.ly/3qkGn95
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 27, 2020
An end to the Night Flyer Trilogy. Set in Renaissance Milan - a truly unique time and place for a historical book to take place. There's so much rich art, history and invention! Society itself is changing and the Italian Houses and Guilds (as well as secret societies) are all so enthralling.
More mystery, politics and power plays continue in the storyline, similar to the previous two stories. And the continuing sweet love between Maddie and Fiore is in full bloom, however it is not the focus.
I did feel it was a tiny bit anti-climatic and repetitive to the last two books. Sort of the same things are happening as did in the previous storylines. So, I couldn't help but perhaps think a trilogy wasn't necessary, and that the contents could have been condensed to just the two books with a more satisfying completion. But at the same time I enjoyed it and love how very different these stories are!
The Night Flyer is still as heroic as ever, and if anything even more infallible than ever, which again got a little cringe-worthy with how utterly impenetrable they are presented - such a super-hero! With such high skill even when they are up against trained assassins 6 to 1.
Domestically life for the family is going well, and all is happy and delightfully cosy and accepting which is nice. It was great to see everyone get their well deserved HEA.
More mystery, politics and power plays continue in the storyline, similar to the previous two stories. And the continuing sweet love between Maddie and Fiore is in full bloom, however it is not the focus.
I did feel it was a tiny bit anti-climatic and repetitive to the last two books. Sort of the same things are happening as did in the previous storylines. So, I couldn't help but perhaps think a trilogy wasn't necessary, and that the contents could have been condensed to just the two books with a more satisfying completion. But at the same time I enjoyed it and love how very different these stories are!
The Night Flyer is still as heroic as ever, and if anything even more infallible than ever, which again got a little cringe-worthy with how utterly impenetrable they are presented - such a super-hero! With such high skill even when they are up against trained assassins 6 to 1.
Domestically life for the family is going well, and all is happy and delightfully cosy and accepting which is nice. It was great to see everyone get their well deserved HEA.
December 26, 2020
This was an exciting conclusion to the trilogy. I liked the historical bits like Michelangelo’s attire and the circuses/festivals as well as just the daily life for a well to do family, like swimming lessons in a lake. We learn some history but also see how Magdalena’s family feel about Florentina. The children love her, the women are growing closer together and the extended family accepts Florentina. But even more, I liked how the series came full circle. Secrets are revealed, there are new inventions and lots of derring-do. I’d say more but to do so would spoil the ending. If you enjoyed the previous two books, you’ll really like this one. The Night Flyer’s exploits are never-ending in this book. It seems like she outdoes herself with each encounter. It was just such a fun, enjoyable read.
January 14, 2021
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
This book serves as the culmination of the main arc in the Night Flyer Trilogy. It brings various story lines together from as far back as the first book, Merchants of Milan. Still, the catchup is smoothly inserted into the action, making it possible for the new (or forgetful) reader to understand what’s going on without reading the previous two books first.
As usual, the characters were my favorite part. Madelena (Maddie) refused to be pushed to the side for her safety. Alessandro is open to changing his position based on new knowledge. Florentina (Fiore) is both restricted as a female and employee, and unrestricted thanks to her upbringing. Her choice to continue the Night Flyer’s protection of her city after fulfilling the revenge that set her on this path gives her an outlet as well. Fiore is my favorite of them, unsurprising when I consider her thirst for knowledge, penchant for puzzles, and her clever inventions. I enjoyed most of the characters, with the grand exception being the master villain, though not because he is any less well drawn. Even the assassins offered a bit of amusement at times.
Fiore’s inventor side seems in greater play with this book than the others. It might be a failing of my memory, but I loved seeing her come up with, work out, and then use different inventions in Chaos in Milan. I only remember the last step from the previous books for most cases.
I appreciated Maddie’s development in running the charity house. It isn’t all easy, but she’s making a difference while learning how slow change can be. We see more sides to her through this. Her work in the textiles house, though enough to earn her a full partnership, is more told than shown.
I have been afraid for Antonio, Alessandro’s oldest, since he left to join the French army. His development, and the portrayal of war and its effects, is powerful. He is also one catalyst for Alessandro’s growth.
Antonio and Benetto, the villain of the first book, have excellent character arcs. One finds maturity in the horrors of war and the other reclaims his humanity through humiliation.
The cast is quite large, though we already know most of the characters, but each offers something to enhance the explored themes, whether philosophy, love, or change. It’s odd in some ways how change of character is such a dominant theme in the series when change itself is a key component of the chaos philosophy they are trying to squash. Again, it offers a bigger perspective than even the characters see.
The romantic developments are also more in the forefront for this novel. Doubt no longer holds Maddie and Fiore apart, and the strength love and passion bring all the characters is shown on the page. The passion is closed door without detail, however, regardless of the couple involved. Alessandro’s love for his wife and Antonio’s determination to get home to Agnese add to the main love story. Even Benetto’s change of heart, seen in the previous book, grows as he remembers to value his loved ones over power.
Thanks to the manifesto recovered in the previous book, Chaos in Milan has more of the rival philosophies in play between those seeking order and those who want chaos to reign. I enjoyed seeing the different philosophies and how they governed these secret organizations. There’s something to be said for each position, if not for how the Shadow Guild went about it.
The main characters are not so willing to see all sides, nor can I blame them. Fiore, as the Night Flyer, has been facing direct attacks on the woman she loves after all. Still, I enjoyed the analysis of the Shadow Guild’s philosophy and how the main characters saw its flaws and contradictions.
I learned a lot of where Fiore, Maddie, and Alessandro stood from watching them puzzle out the manifesto and compare it to the Shadow Guild’s actions. Nor were the philosophies limited to the secret organizations as the characters were quick to share their opinions and reactions to the events.
Their progress through the manuscript seems a little slow, but then they haven’t been taught crypto puzzles by their older sister. I like how the steps they take, and the work to get there, appear on the page rather than behind the scenes. The seeds to support the narrative and what the main characters learn are present, allowing the reader to work the puzzles too, something I enjoy.
Gender politics are another point of fascination, showing how women of the early 1500s Italian states were active in more than just the home front and charities. The costs of beauty standards, and the belief in traditional marriage as safety and security come up in context of what women were actually doing versus expected to do. This offers a well-rounded sense of the period I appreciated.
The description is heavy for me in places, possibly even more than in the earlier books. At the same time, I already trust the author to give a good story. Also, the description became a fascinating guided art-and-style tour of the period at points. I never thought I’d consider this element part of my enjoyment, but there you have it.
Secrets have played a big part in the series, and this book is no different. Between attempting to discover the meeting place of the Shadow Guild and keeping Alessandro’s connections from Maddie, the theme behind controlling information, especially to protect loved ones, is still being explored. Some choices I appreciate, but others I understand and still think are the wrong ones. A nice way to explore a difficult concept in all its various twists.
Chaos in Milan offers a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, though with the possibility of additional books in the series. The various relationships have deepened, some characters mature while other change, and the description offers a tour of the period. Antonio brings the consequences of war to life even as the chaos manifesto praises conflict. All this without considering how they must track down the Shadow Guild to end the attempts on Maddie’s life. There is a lot of meat in this novel on many fronts whether you prefer plot, character, or philosophy. How these elements blend and support each other is well done. I have enjoyed the trilogy from start to finish.
P.S. I received this Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.
This book serves as the culmination of the main arc in the Night Flyer Trilogy. It brings various story lines together from as far back as the first book, Merchants of Milan. Still, the catchup is smoothly inserted into the action, making it possible for the new (or forgetful) reader to understand what’s going on without reading the previous two books first.
As usual, the characters were my favorite part. Madelena (Maddie) refused to be pushed to the side for her safety. Alessandro is open to changing his position based on new knowledge. Florentina (Fiore) is both restricted as a female and employee, and unrestricted thanks to her upbringing. Her choice to continue the Night Flyer’s protection of her city after fulfilling the revenge that set her on this path gives her an outlet as well. Fiore is my favorite of them, unsurprising when I consider her thirst for knowledge, penchant for puzzles, and her clever inventions. I enjoyed most of the characters, with the grand exception being the master villain, though not because he is any less well drawn. Even the assassins offered a bit of amusement at times.
Fiore’s inventor side seems in greater play with this book than the others. It might be a failing of my memory, but I loved seeing her come up with, work out, and then use different inventions in Chaos in Milan. I only remember the last step from the previous books for most cases.
I appreciated Maddie’s development in running the charity house. It isn’t all easy, but she’s making a difference while learning how slow change can be. We see more sides to her through this. Her work in the textiles house, though enough to earn her a full partnership, is more told than shown.
I have been afraid for Antonio, Alessandro’s oldest, since he left to join the French army. His development, and the portrayal of war and its effects, is powerful. He is also one catalyst for Alessandro’s growth.
Antonio and Benetto, the villain of the first book, have excellent character arcs. One finds maturity in the horrors of war and the other reclaims his humanity through humiliation.
The cast is quite large, though we already know most of the characters, but each offers something to enhance the explored themes, whether philosophy, love, or change. It’s odd in some ways how change of character is such a dominant theme in the series when change itself is a key component of the chaos philosophy they are trying to squash. Again, it offers a bigger perspective than even the characters see.
The romantic developments are also more in the forefront for this novel. Doubt no longer holds Maddie and Fiore apart, and the strength love and passion bring all the characters is shown on the page. The passion is closed door without detail, however, regardless of the couple involved. Alessandro’s love for his wife and Antonio’s determination to get home to Agnese add to the main love story. Even Benetto’s change of heart, seen in the previous book, grows as he remembers to value his loved ones over power.
Thanks to the manifesto recovered in the previous book, Chaos in Milan has more of the rival philosophies in play between those seeking order and those who want chaos to reign. I enjoyed seeing the different philosophies and how they governed these secret organizations. There’s something to be said for each position, if not for how the Shadow Guild went about it.
The main characters are not so willing to see all sides, nor can I blame them. Fiore, as the Night Flyer, has been facing direct attacks on the woman she loves after all. Still, I enjoyed the analysis of the Shadow Guild’s philosophy and how the main characters saw its flaws and contradictions.
I learned a lot of where Fiore, Maddie, and Alessandro stood from watching them puzzle out the manifesto and compare it to the Shadow Guild’s actions. Nor were the philosophies limited to the secret organizations as the characters were quick to share their opinions and reactions to the events.
Their progress through the manuscript seems a little slow, but then they haven’t been taught crypto puzzles by their older sister. I like how the steps they take, and the work to get there, appear on the page rather than behind the scenes. The seeds to support the narrative and what the main characters learn are present, allowing the reader to work the puzzles too, something I enjoy.
Gender politics are another point of fascination, showing how women of the early 1500s Italian states were active in more than just the home front and charities. The costs of beauty standards, and the belief in traditional marriage as safety and security come up in context of what women were actually doing versus expected to do. This offers a well-rounded sense of the period I appreciated.
The description is heavy for me in places, possibly even more than in the earlier books. At the same time, I already trust the author to give a good story. Also, the description became a fascinating guided art-and-style tour of the period at points. I never thought I’d consider this element part of my enjoyment, but there you have it.
Secrets have played a big part in the series, and this book is no different. Between attempting to discover the meeting place of the Shadow Guild and keeping Alessandro’s connections from Maddie, the theme behind controlling information, especially to protect loved ones, is still being explored. Some choices I appreciate, but others I understand and still think are the wrong ones. A nice way to explore a difficult concept in all its various twists.
Chaos in Milan offers a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, though with the possibility of additional books in the series. The various relationships have deepened, some characters mature while other change, and the description offers a tour of the period. Antonio brings the consequences of war to life even as the chaos manifesto praises conflict. All this without considering how they must track down the Shadow Guild to end the attempts on Maddie’s life. There is a lot of meat in this novel on many fronts whether you prefer plot, character, or philosophy. How these elements blend and support each other is well done. I have enjoyed the trilogy from start to finish.
P.S. I received this Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.
July 26, 2022
Stunning
These books are a complete delight to me. Love story history lesson full of delightful nuggets of information. The author who's books I love never ceases to amaze me I will read all these books again. Don't know about a night flyer more like a night owl here in Scotland at 4.30 am .lol Highly recommend.
These books are a complete delight to me. Love story history lesson full of delightful nuggets of information. The author who's books I love never ceases to amaze me I will read all these books again. Don't know about a night flyer more like a night owl here in Scotland at 4.30 am .lol Highly recommend.
February 4, 2021
The exciting and satisfying conclusion of the Night Flyer Trilogy.
As Florentina hunts down the mystery of the Shadow Guild, The guild also hunts for her. Can The Night Flyer keep those she loves safe and stop the nefarious Shadow Guild before they kill her or worse, their real target. Her love Madelena.
Lane continues to weave history and fiction flawlessly. I love the rich history brought to life throughout this entire trilogy and this installment even has a few historical events that were able to coincide with the plot to further enrich the story.
The action is thrilling as always. Florentina continues to thrive as the Night Flyer with her intellect, determination, skill, and clever inventions. The Night Flyer is essentially a 16th century Batwoman and Florentina fits the role perfectly. I loved getting to see some of her training and see how comfortably she has become in her role as protector. Her journey from vengeance to vigilante to hero is very well done across the series.
The romance continues to blossom as Madelena and Florentina continue to work together and really begin to work toward a future together. I loved the sweet progression of their relationship and it was fun to get to see them working side by side to put a stop to the guild.
I was so happy with the conclusion to this trilogy. Chaos in Milan really brought things full circle and resolved the overall arc of the series while still leaving wiggle room for future stories or even a whole new trilogy (fingers crossed) but also total satisfaction if this is the true finale for the Night Flyer.
I loved this entire series and am continuously impressed with Lane’s ability to create a fictional story full of intrigue, amazing characters, superb action, swoon worthy romance, and historical facts that are not only interesting but also perfectly flow through the story. This is an all around magnificent series and an absolute must read.
As Florentina hunts down the mystery of the Shadow Guild, The guild also hunts for her. Can The Night Flyer keep those she loves safe and stop the nefarious Shadow Guild before they kill her or worse, their real target. Her love Madelena.
Lane continues to weave history and fiction flawlessly. I love the rich history brought to life throughout this entire trilogy and this installment even has a few historical events that were able to coincide with the plot to further enrich the story.
The action is thrilling as always. Florentina continues to thrive as the Night Flyer with her intellect, determination, skill, and clever inventions. The Night Flyer is essentially a 16th century Batwoman and Florentina fits the role perfectly. I loved getting to see some of her training and see how comfortably she has become in her role as protector. Her journey from vengeance to vigilante to hero is very well done across the series.
The romance continues to blossom as Madelena and Florentina continue to work together and really begin to work toward a future together. I loved the sweet progression of their relationship and it was fun to get to see them working side by side to put a stop to the guild.
I was so happy with the conclusion to this trilogy. Chaos in Milan really brought things full circle and resolved the overall arc of the series while still leaving wiggle room for future stories or even a whole new trilogy (fingers crossed) but also total satisfaction if this is the true finale for the Night Flyer.
I loved this entire series and am continuously impressed with Lane’s ability to create a fictional story full of intrigue, amazing characters, superb action, swoon worthy romance, and historical facts that are not only interesting but also perfectly flow through the story. This is an all around magnificent series and an absolute must read.
January 29, 2021
, the last volume of The Night Flyer trilogy, is now available. I shall begin by congratulating Edale Lane for yet another splendid, suspenseful narrative: a “thriller” and a romance, rolled into one.
Lane’s premise is remarkable: a mysterious “Night Flyer” — a former student of Leonardo da Vinci — has actually succeeded in achieving flight. The young woman is also remarkably competent with various weapons and quite able to take matters into her own hands.
In this last book (or presumably the last of the set) we once again find Florentina (the formidable Night Flyer), Madelena (her lover), Alessandro (the latter’s brother), an array of assassins (all of whom hope to eliminate the Flyer), secret societies (both good and bad), plot twists, and various domestic developments. Alessandro’s son, Antonio, returns from his military adventures (rather fortunate to be alive) and becomes engaged to Agnese Viscardi, daughter of the villain of the first book, Merchants of Milan. And, of course, we see further developments in the relationship between Florentina and Madelena. Spoiler alert: Leonardo also makes a brief appearance!
Lane has paced her novel quite effectively. What emerges is a true “page-turner,” set during the late 15th and early 16th centuries (cf., the “Italian Wars”). One might express skepticism about a masked flyer and/or a relatively ill-concealed lesbian romance in Renaissance Milan, but sometimes it is far more enjoyable simply to suspend disbelief and enjoy a good tale.
Lane’s premise is remarkable: a mysterious “Night Flyer” — a former student of Leonardo da Vinci — has actually succeeded in achieving flight. The young woman is also remarkably competent with various weapons and quite able to take matters into her own hands.
In this last book (or presumably the last of the set) we once again find Florentina (the formidable Night Flyer), Madelena (her lover), Alessandro (the latter’s brother), an array of assassins (all of whom hope to eliminate the Flyer), secret societies (both good and bad), plot twists, and various domestic developments. Alessandro’s son, Antonio, returns from his military adventures (rather fortunate to be alive) and becomes engaged to Agnese Viscardi, daughter of the villain of the first book, Merchants of Milan. And, of course, we see further developments in the relationship between Florentina and Madelena. Spoiler alert: Leonardo also makes a brief appearance!
Lane has paced her novel quite effectively. What emerges is a true “page-turner,” set during the late 15th and early 16th centuries (cf., the “Italian Wars”). One might express skepticism about a masked flyer and/or a relatively ill-concealed lesbian romance in Renaissance Milan, but sometimes it is far more enjoyable simply to suspend disbelief and enjoy a good tale.
February 18, 2021
I read the first and now the final book in the trilogy but accidentally skipped the second. No matter, there is enough context as to the plot to get the gist of what occurred. And still my complaints about the first book and the construction of the characters and story continue on here--everyone is so wooden and dull. It's actually the minor character of Antonio who has the greatest character growth and interesting character journey. The Florentina character falls into the common superhero trap (trope?) of being literally perfect and unkillable. She expounds her knowledge of any/every subject (you could just hear her tone of "Well, actually, it's lev-i-OH-sa, not lev-io-SA"), she's a gymnast, is a supreme investigator, and an expert at hand to hand combat. When exactly did she learn these skills in what appears to be just a few months that the books span? The history portion of these books is interesting, but there is just something about the tone used to teach this history that rubs me the wrong way.
December 12, 2021
A great conclusion to what has been an excellent trilogy. The story is easy to read and I really wanted the main characters to succeed. By the end I wanted to give five stars, but there were several minor irritations, that although they didn’t really effect my enjoyment of the story, where just enough to make it a four star book.
A couple of times the author starts a storyline then it just seems to disappear, then there was the manifesto and the code wheel. Why would anyone hide the key to their whole secret society in a public place?
Finally I thought the author piled on the sentiment a bit too much in this book, or perhaps I am a grumpy old man?
A couple of times the author starts a storyline then it just seems to disappear, then there was the manifesto and the code wheel. Why would anyone hide the key to their whole secret society in a public place?
Finally I thought the author piled on the sentiment a bit too much in this book, or perhaps I am a grumpy old man?
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews