Zephyr’s Flight by Ray Strong is perfect for readers who love a fantasy series that masterfully weaves together themes of sacrifice, defiance, and survival. With richly drawn characters and high-stakes conflict, it explores the harrowing choices made in the face of destiny—where even love becomes a perilous gamble. A gripping saga that promises both emotional depth and thrilling adventure.
Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
Astria realizes that Fynn cares for no one but himself, and certainly not her, when she says “ Was it too hard to visit me when you knew I was struggling to survive?”
General Summary for Context:
Embark on a journey into a magical land that is both fraught with perils at every turn, yet flourishing with status and power.
Astria longs to become a Rider, the highest order of the Council. She can then continue in the search for her father, who disappeared years ago, never to be seen again. She feels strongly (and perhaps irrationally) that he is alive and well out there, but she needs a dragon to ride on and accompany her on the search. Enter Zephyr, an adorable, loyal and devoted dragon who stays by Astria’s side through thick and thin. However, there is one major problem with the cute little dragon. He is unable to fly, and without possessing that particular skill, Astria cannot use him to become a Rider. She also requires permission from the Council, which she has not yet obtained (and may never, as they consider her to be a Rogue).
In plain English, she is a problem to them, and they don’t want to afford her any privileges or advantages that may make her more valuable and important to others. But she is persistent, strong, and clever, and she works on a concoction to give her dragon that will enable him to grow strong and fly. She embarks on her voyage to protect her land from their enemies, and ends up falling in love with Lance, a gentleman of the highest order. He reciprocates her feelings but tells her he has to join the battle to do his duty, and she, although fearful for his safety, understands his responsibility to serve.
Concise Review:
It’s a real page turner. What’s enticing is, weaved into the fantasy of dragons and villains and supernatural powers, the sweet and enduring romance that blossoms between Astria and Lance. Like a love from a gothic novel, he protects her from the clutches of someone evil, and she falls hard for him (as he does for her). So you have, in the midst of all the gore and fighting and unendurable actions within the environment, a love that is pure and true. The lovers’ fate as well as the bond between dragon and Rider shapes this novel well.
General Thoughts on the Novel:
Combining both fantasyland, evil, and romance, the novel takes off and never stops. You will chuckle at Zephyr’s antics but also be astounded at his strength and bravery as he protects his mistress. You will feel anger and frustration at the unfairness with which Astria is judged, and sigh when she meets her true love. It’s a compelling story that merges all the above elements into one comprehensive novel, and if you are one who enjoys plots that go off in a myriad of different directions that add greatly to the original storyline, then this is a book you will not want to miss out on.
