Flight from Death: A Fly by Night Novel Book 1

by Yasmine Galenorn

[EBookObsessed]

After beginning this story, I picked up an audiobook copy of Witchling which is the first of author Yasmine Galenorn's Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon series. Flight from Death is a spin-off of her Otherworld series. Flight from Hell is the prequel book which blends both storylines. I have picked up a copy but I haven't started it yet.

In Flight from Death, Dragon-shifter Shimmer is an orphaned dragon. The dragons still work on a class system and with no family name, Shimmer is considered the lowest of the low with no social standing and pretty much no rights. Shimmer has was caught stealing from one of her betters and one of the leaders chose to ban her Earthside rather than kill her. She has had most of her magic bound, which leaves her at a significant disadvantage, and as a water dragon, she can only shape change in the ocean.

Shimmer was sent to work for a vampire named Alex Radcliffe and his Fly By Night Magical Investigation for her five year banishment.

On her first official assignment, Shimmer goes with Alex and techno-geek, werewolf Ralph to investigate a rather nasty poltergeist at the Bed and Breakfast owned an old friend of Alex.

With the help of Shimmer's Djinn friend, Chai, and local witch, Tonya, they find out that there is more than just angry poltergeists causing havoc. A lot of malicious entities are lurking in the dark forest surrounding the town and there is something else entirely trapping the spirits to the house. Something doesn't want the B&B to open its doors ever.

When things start to get deadly, Shimmer and Alex may need to decide whether saving the B&B is worth risking their lives.

THOUGHTS:
This was an interesting new Urban Fantasy series. It could use more character development, but I didn't yet read the spin-off story from the Otherworld series. We might have learned more about Alex and Ralph and the Fly By Night Investigation in Flight from Hell. Overall, it was an easy read and kept me entertained.

One issue I had is that there was not only a malicious entity in the house, there was some history about a gypsy curse on the prior owner which was also tainting the house. The gypsy curse seemed to be overkill and unnecessary and should have been taken out.

As far as characters, Shimmer has her powers bound and although she is stronger than a human, her lack of powers makes her a little less interesting. It is possible that her dragon powers would have made her too powerful a character, thereby making the dangers they face in their investigation less exciting overall because who can mess with a powerful dragon.

Her life in the dragon lands in Otherworld was pretty messed up and orphaned dragons are treated like crap. I can't imagine why she would want to ever go back after her five years in exile. I don't understand how you get an orphan dragon baby with no knowledge of their parents. It seems to be a small enough population that everyone should know each other and who is pregnant, etc. Orphaned is understandable, but no knowledge of her parents seems a little odd. I am certain there will be some big scandal/cover up in some later book about Shimmer's family.

I will definitely give this series another story to see if the author builds on the character development. I am currently listening to her Otherworld series, and I am enjoying that one as well.

Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.