Xenoflight

by Nean McKenzie

Apart from her flying pet ferret Fernando and her auntie Carla, 13-year-old Nessa Santiago is alone. Her mother died in a circus accident and she has never known her father. But when the day finally comes for Nessa to meet him, everything goes wrong. Her auntie unexpectedly leaves in a helicopter and a menacing Cryptid Hunter, who captures unusual creatures like Fernando, shows up instead. In order to keep Fernando safe, Nessa must run.
With help from Kep, a boy from her school, Nessa embarks on a wild journey through rural Australia to find her father. Nessa, Fernando and Kep are pursued by the anti-cryptid organisation HARNESS and a mysterious giant bird in the sky. Along the way, they meet weird and wonderful creatures, but with each new encounter, more questions arise. What are the visions Nessa gets every time she closes her eyes? And what are they trying to tell her about her parents?

231 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2022

About the author

Nean McKenzie is a children's writer and optometrist who lives in western Melbourne. Originally from Bendigo, Nean lived in New Zealand, Europe and North East Africa before returning to Victoria.
Nean has a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing from RMIT. In 2016 she was awarded a Maurice Saxby Mentorship for Cryptosight, which is her first published novel. In 2023 she was awarded a fellowship at the KSP writers centre in Perth.

Reviews

[Kesta Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another middle-grade adventure novel by Nean McKenzie which takes us to real locations all around Australia over which is laid the fantastical and hidden world of Cryptozoology. This second book has a different protagonist and characters from Nean’s first - Cryptosight - but is equally intriguing. If you enjoy a book with goodies, baddies, a chase, mystery and incredible creatures, this is the book for you.

[Melissa Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xenoflight is a stand alone book, but the second in a series with similar themes. It completely stands on its own merit but be warned, once you read it, you will want more!
Xenoflight will capture the hearts and minds of any reader, but particularly, the middle grade audience. Can you imagine a world where mysterious and unique creatures called Cryptids roam? Well they do and Nessa is about to discover they are all around her. Unfortunately not everyone wants to keep them safe and out of harms way like her. So begins an action packed adventure full of mystery, intrigue, twists and turns. I especially loved the initial location (along the great Ocean Road) which is just down the road from me. McKenzie uses terrific imagery from the landscapes to the creatures. She raises the stakes just enough each time for Nessa, with more danger and determination that makes you want to keep reading until the last page.

[Gisela · Rating 5 out of 5]

In landscapes you know are creatures you don’t. A fantastical MG adventure set in Australia with themes of conservation of rare species and captivity vs living in the wild. A fresh way for conservation loving kids to engage with wildlife issues.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for review and for PRC.
Writing felt disjointed. Story a bit rushed.

[Charlotte Meffert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cool