#ReadIndie Review: Flash Gold by Lindsay Buroker

Eighteen-year-old Kali McAlister enters her steam-powered “dogless sled” in a race, intending to win the thousand-dollar prize and escape remote Moose Hollow forever. The problem? Fortune seekers and airship pirates are after her for the secret to flash gold, her late father’s alchemical masterpiece.

With her modified rifle and a pocketful of home-made smoke bombs, Kali wouldn’t normally hide from a confrontation, but taking on a whole airship single-handedly is a daunting task. Unfortunately, the other racers won’t assist her–they’re too busy scheming ways to sabotage her unorthodox sled.

When a sword-slinging stranger shows up, wanting to hire on as her protector, she’s sure he has ulterior motives, but he’s the only one interested in helping her. The question is…why?

Details: an 18,000-word (75 page) steampunk novella set in the Yukon during the gold rush era.

Flash Gold by Lindsay Buroker definitely wasn’t a bad story. I liked the steampunk elements a lot—that was probably my favorite thing in this story. I also liked the airship pirates because let’s face it, that’s just cool. Kali was a great character. She was witty and pretty badass. I loved the mysterious Cedar as well. And I loved the setting too.


I just didn’t totally love this book. I felt like it lacked some sort of world-building with how short it was. At times I felt confused like I should know more about this world but there wasn’t enough time and detail explained. I know it’s a novella but still… I wanted a little more.


I am curious, though, where the story is going next for Kali and Cedar. I’d love to learn more about them, especially Cedar. And also, the writing was pretty good so that’s always a bonus for me. 

Lindsay is a full-time independent fantasy author who loves travel, hiking, tennis, and vizslas. She grew up in the Seattle area but moved to Arizona when she realized she was solar-powered.