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The Extraordinaries #7
Soaring Flight
Home after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, Clemency, Countess of Ashford, looks forward to resuming a quiet life. But her past refuses to stay in the past. Fighting memories, the Extraordinary Mover takes to the skies by night, secretly bringing criminals to justice.
When a rash of bombings strikes London, the crisis entangles Clemency in the intrigue centered on the bomber’s terrible demands: remove all Extraordinaries from their positions of power, or the city will burn. As Clemency pursues this most dangerous criminal, her past and present collide, forcing her not only to save London, but also to save herself.
When a rash of bombings strikes London, the crisis entangles Clemency in the intrigue centered on the bomber’s terrible demands: remove all Extraordinaries from their positions of power, or the city will burn. As Clemency pursues this most dangerous criminal, her past and present collide, forcing her not only to save London, but also to save herself.
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2022
25 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Melissa McShane
94 books859 followersMelissa grew up a nomad, following her family all over the United States, and ended up living in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains with her husband, four kids, and three very needy cats. Her love of reading was always a constant during those uncertain years, and her love of writing grew out of that. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, and was surprised at how much she liked it. She loves the fantasy genre and how it stretches the imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 30, 2022
This is seventh in a series that is mostly stand-alone, though with each book presenting the next heroine, at least in part. We met Clemency in Beguiling Birthright and saw her go through an emotional crisis. The events, and stakes, are fully described here, so you don't have to read that one first. But I recommend doing so anyway.
So. My non-standard standard disclaimer applies, as with all of Melissa's books. I've loved her most of my life and, as the dedication states, I even helped a little with this book in its genesis (I got a dedication!). So however much I strive for complete honesty in my reviews, feel free to doubt, spindle, fold, or mutilate that claim as you see fit.
This one dropped in the beginning of my business trip to India. So I had lots of work to do and not a lot of free time. Add that my kindle decided that the kindle app wasn't going to run longer than a second at a time and you have a disjointed and frustrating reading experience, mostly on my phone, which seems plenty large enough until you have a story you want to gulp down wholesale.
This served to amplify my impatience in the first of the book as Clemency is avoiding the pain and shame of being coerced into loving one of Napoleon's generals—including naked times they shouldn't have indulged unmarried. It's a particularly insidious form of rape because she can remember feeling in love at the same time she can remember breaking out of that coerced emotion and the pain and betrayal of it. It's no wonder that she's in avoidance mode. And I can't tell you how glad I am that Melissa is writer enough to make that only the start of Clemency's conflict and not its entirety.
Lightening things from that heavy tone is the Wescott siblings. I loved Colin right from the start, likely because he's exactly my type. He's big and stolid and capable and one of nature's true caretakers, doing his best for his sensitive sister and managing the curiosities he has inherited from a mentor. All those clockwork devices were so cool and I highly recommend sticking around for the Afterword that gives the historicity of the items described. But while the history is cool, I really like how important they were with Colin and how this big guy found joy in making life easier for others, even if only through creating beauty.
The plot pulled Mr. Rutledge in more than he has been in the past, I think, at least since his introduction in Wondering Sight. It was interesting to see his organization as antagonist as Clemency and Colin find themselves suspect and interferers in his investigation of the bombings at the heart of the plot. It was particularly interesting seeing him flummoxed with Lydia, Colin's Extraordinary Discerner sister (who will be the star of the next book).
I think I'll leave it there. I loved seeing Clemency regain her self-assurance and come to a stronger place. And I loved seeing the world of Movers and their love of competition that lets them advance equality in interesting ways. And Colin and Clemency are such a great couple that I'm going with all five stars for this one.
A note about Chaste: While there are some great kisses, and Colin and Clemency fall in love relatively early, they have a lot to work through to get to that kind of intimacy. So this is very chaste, I think.
So. My non-standard standard disclaimer applies, as with all of Melissa's books. I've loved her most of my life and, as the dedication states, I even helped a little with this book in its genesis (I got a dedication!). So however much I strive for complete honesty in my reviews, feel free to doubt, spindle, fold, or mutilate that claim as you see fit.
This one dropped in the beginning of my business trip to India. So I had lots of work to do and not a lot of free time. Add that my kindle decided that the kindle app wasn't going to run longer than a second at a time and you have a disjointed and frustrating reading experience, mostly on my phone, which seems plenty large enough until you have a story you want to gulp down wholesale.
This served to amplify my impatience in the first of the book as Clemency is avoiding the pain and shame of being coerced into loving one of Napoleon's generals—including naked times they shouldn't have indulged unmarried. It's a particularly insidious form of rape because she can remember feeling in love at the same time she can remember breaking out of that coerced emotion and the pain and betrayal of it. It's no wonder that she's in avoidance mode. And I can't tell you how glad I am that Melissa is writer enough to make that only the start of Clemency's conflict and not its entirety.
Lightening things from that heavy tone is the Wescott siblings. I loved Colin right from the start, likely because he's exactly my type. He's big and stolid and capable and one of nature's true caretakers, doing his best for his sensitive sister and managing the curiosities he has inherited from a mentor. All those clockwork devices were so cool and I highly recommend sticking around for the Afterword that gives the historicity of the items described. But while the history is cool, I really like how important they were with Colin and how this big guy found joy in making life easier for others, even if only through creating beauty.
The plot pulled Mr. Rutledge in more than he has been in the past, I think, at least since his introduction in Wondering Sight. It was interesting to see his organization as antagonist as Clemency and Colin find themselves suspect and interferers in his investigation of the bombings at the heart of the plot. It was particularly interesting seeing him flummoxed with Lydia, Colin's Extraordinary Discerner sister (who will be the star of the next book).
I think I'll leave it there. I loved seeing Clemency regain her self-assurance and come to a stronger place. And I loved seeing the world of Movers and their love of competition that lets them advance equality in interesting ways. And Colin and Clemency are such a great couple that I'm going with all five stars for this one.
A note about Chaste: While there are some great kisses, and Colin and Clemency fall in love relatively early, they have a lot to work through to get to that kind of intimacy. So this is very chaste, I think.
Read
February 24, 2024Re-read 2/13/24: As part of my new job, I've been reading novels to use in the writing project. When I received the specifics of what elements the next novel had to have, I started casting about for books in which memory both good and bad plays a part. And it slowly dawned on me that I had the perfect book. Except it was one I'd written.
I felt very awkward suggesting it, because it felt so self-aggrandizing. But the more I thought about it as I read other books, the harder it was to deny that Soaring Flight had all the right elements. Specifically, Clemency becomes the woman she is because of the memories she cherishes and the ones she would rather forget. So I broke down and read it, thinking that would disprove my own memory. When it didn't, I discussed it with my boss, who saw no problem with me using it if it was really as appropriate as I thought.
And I still love it. The odd-numbered Extraordinaries books were all very easy to write and I never made any major missteps in plotting or background or character. That they all involve the so-called physical talents might have something to do with it. I don't know. I think the story worked out well. I love creating characters, and this one has so many, and they all developed in ways I didn't expect. Francis Daubney was meant to be more of a rival than a friend, for example, and try as I might I could not get Clemency's sister Mercy to have a different name (on the grounds that why would their father name two daughters names that have very similar meanings?). I try not to re-read my own books too often, as I believe that can stifle creativity, but it was fun to come back to this book.
Read 5/17/22: Since I started introducing the main character of one Extraordinaries book in the book before, I've begun the writing process of a new Extraordinaries book with a more or less fully developed protagonist. In this case, Clemency Northrup, Countess of Ashford, had experiences in Beguiling Birthright that gave her things she would have to confront in this book. Immediate character arc.
An Extraordinaries book always has at least three plots: the story, the character arc, and the romance. A podcast about John Joseph Merlin, eccentric inventor of the late Georgian era, provided me with a romantic arc centered on one of Merlin's followers who happens to be a Bounder as well. He also has a seemingly fragile sister, an Extraordinary Discerner--you can guess what will happen with her if you've read the other books.
But I was stuck for a plot. This is generally a bad thing unless you are writing certain kinds of experimental fiction. I had a couple of loose ideas, namely that I wanted to push forward with Mr. Rutledge's intelligence organization as cited in Whispering Twilight and Liberating Fight, and it was going to be set in London, but nothing more. I presented this problem to my husband while we were in the drive-through line at Arby's. He stared into the middle distance for a few seconds, and then he said:
"Make her be Batman."
And I was so mad. I thought he was joking and throwing out something ridiculous the way he sometimes does when I'm trying to come up with a title. Because Batman is a product of the modern era, and while I sometimes describe this series as X-Men fighting the Napoleonic Wars, it's never in the sense of superheroes as we understand them. That's too modern for a series set in a (barely) pre-modern time, and I have done everything I can to keep the sensibilities of the series feeling timely.
But he wasn't kidding, and in the course of discussing things, I looked at Batman the character in a more general way. Someone hungry to see justice done. Someone with tragedy in his past. Someone who has skills he can't exercise publicly. And all of those things did suit Clemency very well. So she became a vigilante, Flying through London by night to stop criminals from preying on the innocent, desperate to forget what happened to her in France thanks to Napoleon's Coercion.
There was some fumbling about with the early chapters while I figured out who the villain was and what his motivation was. I wanted to deal with the repercussions of all those men coming home from the war, and I wanted to bring up something that's been in the background--that Extraordinaries in England have great social and political power, and there are people who resent that. I think it ended up coming together well, or at least coherently.
Movers and Extraordinary Movers are much freer and less constrained in their behavior among themselves than is typical in Regency society. I'd established that all the way back in Burning Bright (I think) and that Movers are all highly competitive, but there's never been a place to show their society until now. I enjoyed coming up with things Movers might compete in, and that led to poring over maps of London drawing out Flying race courses and imagining all these people streaking across the sky.
This is the longest of the books in the series. I get nervous when these go long, because I once wrote an entire book that was padding and I didn't realize it until it was finished. So I don't trust my instincts. In re-reading, it didn't feel long, and I hope readers agree.
The next book, Discerning Insight, is the final book of the series as originally conceived. However, developments in the final two books means there's potential for a follow-up series, one that does bring the society of the Extraordinaries into the modern era. For once, I have so many things to write this will probably not happen for a few years...but it is nice to know I have options.
I felt very awkward suggesting it, because it felt so self-aggrandizing. But the more I thought about it as I read other books, the harder it was to deny that Soaring Flight had all the right elements. Specifically, Clemency becomes the woman she is because of the memories she cherishes and the ones she would rather forget. So I broke down and read it, thinking that would disprove my own memory. When it didn't, I discussed it with my boss, who saw no problem with me using it if it was really as appropriate as I thought.
And I still love it. The odd-numbered Extraordinaries books were all very easy to write and I never made any major missteps in plotting or background or character. That they all involve the so-called physical talents might have something to do with it. I don't know. I think the story worked out well. I love creating characters, and this one has so many, and they all developed in ways I didn't expect. Francis Daubney was meant to be more of a rival than a friend, for example, and try as I might I could not get Clemency's sister Mercy to have a different name (on the grounds that why would their father name two daughters names that have very similar meanings?). I try not to re-read my own books too often, as I believe that can stifle creativity, but it was fun to come back to this book.
Read 5/17/22: Since I started introducing the main character of one Extraordinaries book in the book before, I've begun the writing process of a new Extraordinaries book with a more or less fully developed protagonist. In this case, Clemency Northrup, Countess of Ashford, had experiences in Beguiling Birthright that gave her things she would have to confront in this book. Immediate character arc.
An Extraordinaries book always has at least three plots: the story, the character arc, and the romance. A podcast about John Joseph Merlin, eccentric inventor of the late Georgian era, provided me with a romantic arc centered on one of Merlin's followers who happens to be a Bounder as well. He also has a seemingly fragile sister, an Extraordinary Discerner--you can guess what will happen with her if you've read the other books.
But I was stuck for a plot. This is generally a bad thing unless you are writing certain kinds of experimental fiction. I had a couple of loose ideas, namely that I wanted to push forward with Mr. Rutledge's intelligence organization as cited in Whispering Twilight and Liberating Fight, and it was going to be set in London, but nothing more. I presented this problem to my husband while we were in the drive-through line at Arby's. He stared into the middle distance for a few seconds, and then he said:
"Make her be Batman."
And I was so mad. I thought he was joking and throwing out something ridiculous the way he sometimes does when I'm trying to come up with a title. Because Batman is a product of the modern era, and while I sometimes describe this series as X-Men fighting the Napoleonic Wars, it's never in the sense of superheroes as we understand them. That's too modern for a series set in a (barely) pre-modern time, and I have done everything I can to keep the sensibilities of the series feeling timely.
But he wasn't kidding, and in the course of discussing things, I looked at Batman the character in a more general way. Someone hungry to see justice done. Someone with tragedy in his past. Someone who has skills he can't exercise publicly. And all of those things did suit Clemency very well. So she became a vigilante, Flying through London by night to stop criminals from preying on the innocent, desperate to forget what happened to her in France thanks to Napoleon's Coercion.
There was some fumbling about with the early chapters while I figured out who the villain was and what his motivation was. I wanted to deal with the repercussions of all those men coming home from the war, and I wanted to bring up something that's been in the background--that Extraordinaries in England have great social and political power, and there are people who resent that. I think it ended up coming together well, or at least coherently.
Movers and Extraordinary Movers are much freer and less constrained in their behavior among themselves than is typical in Regency society. I'd established that all the way back in Burning Bright (I think) and that Movers are all highly competitive, but there's never been a place to show their society until now. I enjoyed coming up with things Movers might compete in, and that led to poring over maps of London drawing out Flying race courses and imagining all these people streaking across the sky.
This is the longest of the books in the series. I get nervous when these go long, because I once wrote an entire book that was padding and I didn't realize it until it was finished. So I don't trust my instincts. In re-reading, it didn't feel long, and I hope readers agree.
The next book, Discerning Insight, is the final book of the series as originally conceived. However, developments in the final two books means there's potential for a follow-up series, one that does bring the society of the Extraordinaries into the modern era. For once, I have so many things to write this will probably not happen for a few years...but it is nice to know I have options.
March 17, 2024
Finally got to the Flying book! Every time I've ever been asked to pick which super power I'd wish to have, flight has always been on the top of my list. So, of course, I found this particular book delightful. She can Fly AND she uses it to do a little vigilante crime fighting. Win win!
As fun as the flying part was, this book also had some serious themes (terrorism, inheritance laws, class disparities, etc). At the forefront, Clemency was dealing with a lot of PTSD after some sexual trauma that had happened in the previous book. I thought this component was handled well, and I could feel her fight/flight/freeze panic when confronted with her abuser. Clemency was really on the defensive for a lot of the story, which was a little exhausting for both her and the reader.
Speaking of exhausting...there was a teensy bit of repetitive feeling in the story with the bombing subplot. Like, how many times can Clemency discover a bomb, fly off with the bomb, get blasted by the bomb (or Scorcher fire), and then get accused of being involved in the bombing plot? This happened multiple times in the book, which (while it made sense) kind of made it seem like the perilous scenes were more or less the same. It's only a slight quibble, but still.
Thank goodness for the gentle romance aspect to lighten things up. It's no secret that I'm bored with romantic fantasy, so part of the reason I like this series is that while there is a romance plot in each book, it's very much a SUBplot. Like, it's clear pretty early on who the romantic interest will be (and in fact, they confirm their mutual feelings fairly early on in this story), and while there may be misunderstandings or miscommunications along the way, it doesn't bog down the plot and things wrap up neatly in the romantic department by the end. It's predictable, but sweet. Definitely Regency-era chasteness, which I appreciate. I'm not a prude, but I definitely find it jarring when a fantasy novel suddenly has a sex scene. Like, if I want to read smut, I'll read smut. The flavor of romance here feels very appropriate for the overall style of the books.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It wasn't my FAVorite of the series, but it wasn't at the bottom of the pack either.
As fun as the flying part was, this book also had some serious themes (terrorism, inheritance laws, class disparities, etc). At the forefront, Clemency was dealing with a lot of PTSD after some sexual trauma that had happened in the previous book. I thought this component was handled well, and I could feel her fight/flight/freeze panic when confronted with her abuser. Clemency was really on the defensive for a lot of the story, which was a little exhausting for both her and the reader.
Speaking of exhausting...there was a teensy bit of repetitive feeling in the story with the bombing subplot. Like, how many times can Clemency discover a bomb, fly off with the bomb, get blasted by the bomb (or Scorcher fire), and then get accused of being involved in the bombing plot? This happened multiple times in the book, which (while it made sense) kind of made it seem like the perilous scenes were more or less the same. It's only a slight quibble, but still.
Thank goodness for the gentle romance aspect to lighten things up. It's no secret that I'm bored with romantic fantasy, so part of the reason I like this series is that while there is a romance plot in each book, it's very much a SUBplot. Like, it's clear pretty early on who the romantic interest will be (and in fact, they confirm their mutual feelings fairly early on in this story), and while there may be misunderstandings or miscommunications along the way, it doesn't bog down the plot and things wrap up neatly in the romantic department by the end. It's predictable, but sweet. Definitely Regency-era chasteness, which I appreciate. I'm not a prude, but I definitely find it jarring when a fantasy novel suddenly has a sex scene. Like, if I want to read smut, I'll read smut. The flavor of romance here feels very appropriate for the overall style of the books.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It wasn't my FAVorite of the series, but it wasn't at the bottom of the pack either.
July 21, 2023
I loved it.
Talk about a strong female heroine. She just keeps bouncing back from everything that gets thrown at her. I love all the little quotes from her father and the deep sense of self worth he instilled in her and that she maintains as a foundation of who she is.
The male main character was great and I would have liked to see more interactions between the two of them but the connection was adorable and believable.
The cover of the book doesn’t really fit the story. Where did the bird come from? With all the details about the clothing and why the outfits were important to the story the woman in a white dress is out of place.
Dialogue and action were great. Pace kept up. Mustached villain et al were well done.
Ending was satisfying with a bit of an opening for something more.
Violence. No sex scenes but it’s frequently mentioned in a sort of vague way as the woman was forced into a relationship that happened prior to this story and is still dealing with trauma. Also, the trauma of some people not believing she was forced into the relationship and betraying her trust. Some language. Themes around trauma from war and relationship trauma, mental health issues, family drama, grief, bullying, sexism
Talk about a strong female heroine. She just keeps bouncing back from everything that gets thrown at her. I love all the little quotes from her father and the deep sense of self worth he instilled in her and that she maintains as a foundation of who she is.
The male main character was great and I would have liked to see more interactions between the two of them but the connection was adorable and believable.
The cover of the book doesn’t really fit the story. Where did the bird come from? With all the details about the clothing and why the outfits were important to the story the woman in a white dress is out of place.
Dialogue and action were great. Pace kept up. Mustached villain et al were well done.
Ending was satisfying with a bit of an opening for something more.
Violence. No sex scenes but it’s frequently mentioned in a sort of vague way as the woman was forced into a relationship that happened prior to this story and is still dealing with trauma. Also, the trauma of some people not believing she was forced into the relationship and betraying her trust. Some language. Themes around trauma from war and relationship trauma, mental health issues, family drama, grief, bullying, sexism
December 17, 2023
I’ll keep this simple. Go read all the books in the series. You’ll be happy you did.
On to the series concluding Book 8, Discerning Insight.
On to the series concluding Book 8, Discerning Insight.
September 15, 2022
I have a sort of love-hate for this series. And for this book as well. I like MM writing as always but I still think the editing should have been better? Because it was too long, and so many things were happening and most of them kind of unnecessary and didn't provide the MC to grow as a character.
For the positive, as always, is the world-building. Movers maybe the best Extraordinaries, the joy and freedom of flying! Next to Scorchers, their talent is enviable (to me). The thing about Movers is that they can attack and defend. And I wish Clemency, the lead, was more of a "Batman" as the author said, but unfortunately it was a very minor role in the whole book.
For the negative, oh boy. Lots of things. First, I didn't warm up to the lead except at first because of her past. What a terrible thing, to have been Coerced to sleep with a guy she didn't love. Like having being raped after being drugged. I wish she could confront Armand the way he deserved, but nah, she didn't. She was always so on the defensive (for her Lady title, her Coercion) she didn't win any argument. It was terrible how most people blame her, even friends! But that is the reality of many women...
Second, the many things happening to her but she didn't fix any of them on her own. Her family being so grrrr, Prudence being part of the conspiracy, her brother attempting to take her title (if Jennet hadn't come to save her...); Armand, Mr Jinks, all the bombs, etc, etc. Even the Races were too long. I thought I would have liked them more at least, but it was too long and even with that woman not wanting to change the ladies' attire was too much. Like, I understand the author wanted to add more about woman's rights, but with so many things happening, it just made it tedious.
Third, the romance was so meh. I wish I have liked Mr Wescott more, he is Bounder! But there is so little of him, except that he is sort of a steampunk inventor and has a Extraordinary Discerner sister. Their moments together were so lackluster. Too bad MM didn't focus more on the progress of their relationship and leave aside, I don't know, the problem of her brother for example.
I am not sure I will read Lydia's story. Her talent seems more problematic, like Seer (and that is a book I didn't like). But I still want the author to continue with this series!
For the positive, as always, is the world-building. Movers maybe the best Extraordinaries, the joy and freedom of flying! Next to Scorchers, their talent is enviable (to me). The thing about Movers is that they can attack and defend. And I wish Clemency, the lead, was more of a "Batman" as the author said, but unfortunately it was a very minor role in the whole book.
For the negative, oh boy. Lots of things. First, I didn't warm up to the lead except at first because of her past. What a terrible thing, to have been Coerced to sleep with a guy she didn't love. Like having being raped after being drugged. I wish she could confront Armand the way he deserved, but nah, she didn't. She was always so on the defensive (for her Lady title, her Coercion) she didn't win any argument. It was terrible how most people blame her, even friends! But that is the reality of many women...
Second, the many things happening to her but she didn't fix any of them on her own. Her family being so grrrr, Prudence being part of the conspiracy, her brother attempting to take her title (if Jennet hadn't come to save her...); Armand, Mr Jinks, all the bombs, etc, etc. Even the Races were too long. I thought I would have liked them more at least, but it was too long and even with that woman not wanting to change the ladies' attire was too much. Like, I understand the author wanted to add more about woman's rights, but with so many things happening, it just made it tedious.
Third, the romance was so meh. I wish I have liked Mr Wescott more, he is Bounder! But there is so little of him, except that he is sort of a steampunk inventor and has a Extraordinary Discerner sister. Their moments together were so lackluster. Too bad MM didn't focus more on the progress of their relationship and leave aside, I don't know, the problem of her brother for example.
I am not sure I will read Lydia's story. Her talent seems more problematic, like Seer (and that is a book I didn't like). But I still want the author to continue with this series!
December 12, 2022
I did not love this as much as I have the others in the series which is part of why it took me so much longer to get around to finishing. There are overly many problems all being thrown at Clemency at once, Clemency herself is overly hot-headed leading to some bizarre misunderstandings and it seemed through most of the book that Mr Rutledge's character had changed for the worse. The world is still fascinating and I quite liked the conclusion, but it was exhausting to get there.
February 6, 2023
I particularly enjoyed this one. I wasn't sure if I would as Clemency while had suffered in Beguiling Birthright, I wasn't sure where McShane would take it. Furthermore, we are back in London. In truth, I was waiting for it after the last three books were set in locations such as Peru (partly), Spain, and France, but when I finally came to this one...I was thinking, well, this is kind of a downer feeling in comparison. But, I took my thoughts back immediately!
Soaring Flight takes off beautifully (hah, yes, pun intended). We're introduced to Clemency's family and the disconnect between her and them, we learn about how she is the head of the family, over her brother, and we learn how Clemency is coping with the events she experienced in Beguiling Birthright. We also meet the fascinating Mr Wescott!
What I enjoyed about Soaring Flight:
- Clemency's character development and progression
- Clemency's portrayal and emotional storyline (how she reacted was understandable, and those who stood by her were wonderful)
- The action plot
- Mr Wescott and Miss Wescott!
- And the reappearance of character or mentions of them from the previous books, which I loved! (It was so good to see briefly Mrs Rutledge, Lady Enderleigh, and mentioned - Lord Ravenscroft! Mr Rutledge had more than a brief mention, he's as exasperating as I remembered, but he and Sophia are great together!) I feel as though I'm missing one more name...
What I didn't enjoy? There wasn't much. Perhaps Clemency's foolishness a little or sternness in the beginning, but I would say it doesn't last long because when we understand Clemency's current emotion state, she can't be faulted. It's not easy to be coerced.
Overall, I enjoyed this very much, and I'm looking forward to the next one immensely.
Soaring Flight takes off beautifully (hah, yes, pun intended). We're introduced to Clemency's family and the disconnect between her and them, we learn about how she is the head of the family, over her brother, and we learn how Clemency is coping with the events she experienced in Beguiling Birthright. We also meet the fascinating Mr Wescott!
What I enjoyed about Soaring Flight:
- Clemency's character development and progression
- Clemency's portrayal and emotional storyline (how she reacted was understandable, and those who stood by her were wonderful)
- The action plot
- Mr Wescott and Miss Wescott!
- And the reappearance of character or mentions of them from the previous books, which I loved! (It was so good to see briefly Mrs Rutledge, Lady Enderleigh, and mentioned - Lord Ravenscroft! Mr Rutledge had more than a brief mention, he's as exasperating as I remembered, but he and Sophia are great together!) I feel as though I'm missing one more name...
What I didn't enjoy? There wasn't much. Perhaps Clemency's foolishness a little or sternness in the beginning, but I would say it doesn't last long because when we understand Clemency's current emotion state, she can't be faulted. It's not easy to be coerced.
Overall, I enjoyed this very much, and I'm looking forward to the next one immensely.
May 27, 2022
Each book in this series keeps getting better, and I'm already so sad we only have one left!
I loved getting more insight into the aftermath of Napoleon's defeat in England, especially as it relates to women and Extraordinaries, and appreciated the mentions and nods to Merlin's adventures. His work was fascinating, and it's rare to find it pop up in fiction. One of my favorite aspects of each book is learning how each talent works, and the community of extraordinary movers was delightful.
I always enjoy it when characters from previous books show up, and I'm looking forward to Lydia's book!
I loved getting more insight into the aftermath of Napoleon's defeat in England, especially as it relates to women and Extraordinaries, and appreciated the mentions and nods to Merlin's adventures. His work was fascinating, and it's rare to find it pop up in fiction. One of my favorite aspects of each book is learning how each talent works, and the community of extraordinary movers was delightful.
I always enjoy it when characters from previous books show up, and I'm looking forward to Lydia's book!
June 11, 2022
Soaring Flight is the seventh installment from The Extraordinaries series by Melissa McShane. I have had the pleasure of reading the previous books in this series and was excited to have the opportunity to read the latest addition. Even though each one is part of a series, I believe they can be read as a stand alone. This one is probably my favorite of the currently seven released book. I admired Clemency right from the start. Her bravery and courage was admirable. Her story was fun, adventurous and action packed. I had to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.
Soaring Flight will be getting five stars from me. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction and fantasy, as well. As always, I will be looking forward to reading more by Melissa McShane in the future.
I received a digital copy of Soaring Flight from the author but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Soaring Flight will be getting five stars from me. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction and fantasy, as well. As always, I will be looking forward to reading more by Melissa McShane in the future.
I received a digital copy of Soaring Flight from the author but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
May 24, 2022
This was one of those books where I got annoyed when my reading was interrupted…by sleep, eating, work, and definitely by my family! It’s rare to find a series that keeps improving, especially by the 7th book, but I’m honestly enjoying each book more and more. I think it’s because, although there is a love story at the core of each of the books, in these later books we are also getting a deeper look at the wider society in which the characters live, and how they are helping to make positive changes. It was also fun to meet again some of the characters from previous books in the series, although as always, this book could be read as a stand-alone. I greatly anticipate the final book in this series: I expect great things!
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC, but my opinions and the choice to leave a review are my own.
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC, but my opinions and the choice to leave a review are my own.
May 25, 2022
It took me a while to warm to Clemency, who is an Extraordinary Mover (think telekinesis) whom we last saw working for the War Office in France, but I loved her and her family by the end. And I really like the idea of exploring what life was /might have been like when combatants from the Napoleonic Wars started to return home, particularly when equal numbers of the Talented are women. I’m so glad McShane changed her initial plan of stopping with the victory. There’s also an interesting discussion about morals, morality and gender attitudes, and Clemency is also dealing with some trauma as someone who was coerced into an affair.
Another strong instalment in this imaginative fantasy take on Regency England. 4.5 stars.
Another strong instalment in this imaginative fantasy take on Regency England. 4.5 stars.
May 29, 2022
good but trigger warnings
This is a difficult book to rate. It is well written and sustains the world as all the others books. However the horrific crime of coercion, in this world equals rape. The terrible reality of a woman not being believed that it was rape, her honour being attacked and society turning in her is hard to stomach. I personally read to escape our world and these triggers are ones I studiously avoid. It was well written and was believable but that only made it more terrible.
This is a difficult book to rate. It is well written and sustains the world as all the others books. However the horrific crime of coercion, in this world equals rape. The terrible reality of a woman not being believed that it was rape, her honour being attacked and society turning in her is hard to stomach. I personally read to escape our world and these triggers are ones I studiously avoid. It was well written and was believable but that only made it more terrible.
June 5, 2022
This is an extraordinary read that sucked me in from the very start. Clementine is such a fantastic character that you can’t help but love her especially as she goes vigilante around the big bad city at night. It’s an exciting and intriguing read that grabs you and holds you tight as we follow and amazing woman as she battles not only the baddies at night it also the baddies in every day life despite leaving the war behind on the battlefield. I’m off to catch up with the other books and their heroines.
October 21, 2022
I love this series so much and this was a worthy addition to it. I couldn't put it down and the main characters--particularly Clemency and her sisters, Colin and Lydia, and Francis--were brilliant. And the villains were believably dastardly. The plot was tight and beautifully written, the dialogue appropriate. I was both satisfied and sad to reach the end of the book and I look forward to the next volume.
September 13, 2022
This storyline was a little more painful to read than others in this series, as Lady Ashford had some real trauma in her life, and some family members seemed pretty uncaring. There is still the focus on women's freedoms and abilities that I enjoyed, as well as the relationship developing between her and Colin.
April 21, 2023
I started this series a long time ago and want to finish. This was a nice, easy story. I appreciate how different each of the women in the series have been. This had my favorite lead-in to the next Extraordinary woman and have been excited to see the Extraordinary Discerner experience.
June 4, 2022
Another exciting adventure!
Melissa McShane writes masterfully. I could almost believe these are real people who are experiencing real things. Well done yet again! I hope for more!
Melissa McShane writes masterfully. I could almost believe these are real people who are experiencing real things. Well done yet again! I hope for more!
June 17, 2024
4.5 stars
CW: PTSD, flashbacks to sexual assault and mind control, misogyny, slut-shaming, period antisemitism (challenged)
CW: PTSD, flashbacks to sexual assault and mind control, misogyny, slut-shaming, period antisemitism (challenged)
August 31, 2023
It was okay. Feeling more generous with the stars as I like this series and I'm just happy the author finished it. This is the 2nd last book and I am looking forward to the final one.
I didn't love the main character; she's brash and just does whatever she feels like, and I don't feel she changed much. I also felt her backstory was too tragic. Even though the author portrayed her feelings well, it bogged the book down a little.
The romance was uninteresting and the male lead was flat. He seemed to only exist as a foil to the bad guy and was otherwise boring. I couldn't picture what he looked like and he didn't get enough screen time. Although his mechanical inventions and that part of the storyline was cool. A little more attention to character development would have been nice.
The plot was good enough that it kept me reading, and I enjoyed seeing some old characters from the other books in this one. However, people die and it's forgotten after a few pages. Although there are sad things that happen, the other characters don't seem that affected. Almost all of the characters just felt boring to me.
And the front cover pained me every time I looked at it.
I didn't love the main character; she's brash and just does whatever she feels like, and I don't feel she changed much. I also felt her backstory was too tragic. Even though the author portrayed her feelings well, it bogged the book down a little.
The romance was uninteresting and the male lead was flat. He seemed to only exist as a foil to the bad guy and was otherwise boring. I couldn't picture what he looked like and he didn't get enough screen time. Although his mechanical inventions and that part of the storyline was cool. A little more attention to character development would have been nice.
The plot was good enough that it kept me reading, and I enjoyed seeing some old characters from the other books in this one. However, people die and it's forgotten after a few pages. Although there are sad things that happen, the other characters don't seem that affected. Almost all of the characters just felt boring to me.
And the front cover pained me every time I looked at it.
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