What do you think?
Rate this book
Red Rain #5
Blue Fire
I didn’t mean to kill my father.
The year is 2076. Earth is ruled by a one-world government. In order to maintain unity, all citizens must deny their national, racial, and religious identities—or suffer the consequences.
After her rash decision leaves her father cryogenically frozen, seventeen-year-old Philadelphia Smyrna races to hack the machine and thaw him before the damage is permanent. Stranded on Earth and wanted by the government, she calls on her father’s old contacts and uncovers the truth she was never meant to Dr. Smyrna was an insurrectionist. He was the mastermind behind a plot to end the government's religious intolerance, before a tragic mistake killed his wife. Now the rebellion plans to finish the job and liberate the “unassimilated” once and for all. And they want Philadelphia to take her father's place.
Blue Fire is the fifth book in the RED RAIN series, a fast-paced Christian sci-fi adventure that’s perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and LEFT BEHIND.
The year is 2076. Earth is ruled by a one-world government. In order to maintain unity, all citizens must deny their national, racial, and religious identities—or suffer the consequences.
After her rash decision leaves her father cryogenically frozen, seventeen-year-old Philadelphia Smyrna races to hack the machine and thaw him before the damage is permanent. Stranded on Earth and wanted by the government, she calls on her father’s old contacts and uncovers the truth she was never meant to Dr. Smyrna was an insurrectionist. He was the mastermind behind a plot to end the government's religious intolerance, before a tragic mistake killed his wife. Now the rebellion plans to finish the job and liberate the “unassimilated” once and for all. And they want Philadelphia to take her father's place.
Blue Fire is the fifth book in the RED RAIN series, a fast-paced Christian sci-fi adventure that’s perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and LEFT BEHIND.
152 pages, Hardcover
Published April 9, 2023
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Newhouse
41 books34 followersRachel Newhouse is an author, wife, secretary, and Sunday school teacher from Kansas City, Missouri. Her obsessions are sci-fi, dystopian, and kid lit. When she’s not writing, she’s cooking Asian food, growing chilis that are too spicy to eat, and watching wildly age-inappropriate shows like My Little Pony and Gravity Falls with her husband, Joe. She also really likes glitter. You’ve been warned.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 18, 2023
Aaand the brilliance continues!
I’m just loving this continuing arc for Philly. The accurate portrayal of CPTSD, expressions of ugly, unrepressed anger, the reaction to something you once loved being uncomfortable now… It’s all part of the journey, and this is the first time I’ve seen it shown so well in fiction. It’s really cool. I feel like I learn something about myself every time I read one of these books.
The quiet moments Philly got to build her heart back up were so beautiful and needed. Though it was awkward, I loved the inclusion of church, and Nic’s parents continue to be adorable. And a certain new sideplot has me running in circles shrieking with happiness. ;)
Since we’re on book five, a little repetitiveness is natural, but I loved how it was leveraged with self-awareness and a cool twist. I just hope we continue this trajectory for the rest of the series.
The scene near the end though. *cries in my ethnicity*
One thing’s for certain, Philly is in control now, and I can’t wait to see our girl do amazing things. 👏
Favorite quote: “Yes, yes,” I cut him off. “Ephesus is here too.” Nic swore. “Love you too,” Ephesus shouted from across the room.
I can’t wait for book six and to fall even in more love with this series. <3
I’m just loving this continuing arc for Philly. The accurate portrayal of CPTSD, expressions of ugly, unrepressed anger, the reaction to something you once loved being uncomfortable now… It’s all part of the journey, and this is the first time I’ve seen it shown so well in fiction. It’s really cool. I feel like I learn something about myself every time I read one of these books.
The quiet moments Philly got to build her heart back up were so beautiful and needed. Though it was awkward, I loved the inclusion of church, and Nic’s parents continue to be adorable. And a certain new sideplot has me running in circles shrieking with happiness. ;)
Since we’re on book five, a little repetitiveness is natural, but I loved how it was leveraged with self-awareness and a cool twist. I just hope we continue this trajectory for the rest of the series.
The scene near the end though. *cries in my ethnicity*
One thing’s for certain, Philly is in control now, and I can’t wait to see our girl do amazing things. 👏
Favorite quote: “Yes, yes,” I cut him off. “Ephesus is here too.” Nic swore. “Love you too,” Ephesus shouted from across the room.
I can’t wait for book six and to fall even in more love with this series. <3
April 11, 2023
With yet another new string in Mrs. Newhouse's bow, how many is she up to now? Yet again, the Red Rain series has a new entry that is quite unlike any previous story, yet fits in perfectly. Yet again, Mrs. Newhouse's trademark "can't put it down" narrative voice carries us along in a different kind of story.
This story is not driven by madcap (or awkward) action, nor by one bombshell revelation after another, nor by events outside the main character's control, but for once flows directly from the choices, character qualities, interaction, and growth of the complex characters that make up the ensemble cast.
This is in my opinion Mrs. Newhouse's best work yet. Don't miss it.
(More extensive review on my blog. I received an advance e-copy as a financial supporter on Patreon.)
This story is not driven by madcap (or awkward) action, nor by one bombshell revelation after another, nor by events outside the main character's control, but for once flows directly from the choices, character qualities, interaction, and growth of the complex characters that make up the ensemble cast.
This is in my opinion Mrs. Newhouse's best work yet. Don't miss it.
(More extensive review on my blog. I received an advance e-copy as a financial supporter on Patreon.)
March 7, 2024
All the twists and turns in this book are amazing! Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it back down. It beautifully connected everything that had happened in Philadelphia's life and puts them into a book that continues through her story.
The emotions that Phili felt throughout this book are communicated very well. The reader could connect with her and feel her feelings. When reading through this book, there were so many times when I physically emoted because of the things I was reading. Phili and Stanyard's development with each other was very well done as well. Each time Phili and Stanyard were in a scene together, I knew it would be a great chapter.
Asia and Lev are two side characters that I remember. These characters were well thought out, and their stories aligned perfectly with where the book went. Asia's care for Phili was a great contrast to the fear Phili felt through that scene. When Lev was seen crying at his people's grave site, my heart sank with compassion. His rough-and-tough character broke during that scene, showing a side of the United that people hadn't seen before.
Phili's development through her father's past was amazing. Every time a new secret was revealed, pieces started to fit together. When Tower was revealed to be Phili's uncle, I was so excited. Phili's father's past beautifully put together many of the characters we have seen throughout the "Red Rain" series.
Overall, this book had so many great aspects to it. Every character was well thought out and developed. Newhouse did an amazing job with this book.
(P.S. The series has been amazing! I'm so sad I have to wait for the 6th and 7th books to arrive so I can read them. You have helped me to grow my faith in Christ through Phili, and I am very thankful for that. I pray God blesses you and your family greatly.)
The emotions that Phili felt throughout this book are communicated very well. The reader could connect with her and feel her feelings. When reading through this book, there were so many times when I physically emoted because of the things I was reading. Phili and Stanyard's development with each other was very well done as well. Each time Phili and Stanyard were in a scene together, I knew it would be a great chapter.
Asia and Lev are two side characters that I remember. These characters were well thought out, and their stories aligned perfectly with where the book went. Asia's care for Phili was a great contrast to the fear Phili felt through that scene. When Lev was seen crying at his people's grave site, my heart sank with compassion. His rough-and-tough character broke during that scene, showing a side of the United that people hadn't seen before.
Phili's development through her father's past was amazing. Every time a new secret was revealed, pieces started to fit together. When Tower was revealed to be Phili's uncle, I was so excited. Phili's father's past beautifully put together many of the characters we have seen throughout the "Red Rain" series.
Overall, this book had so many great aspects to it. Every character was well thought out and developed. Newhouse did an amazing job with this book.
(P.S. The series has been amazing! I'm so sad I have to wait for the 6th and 7th books to arrive so I can read them. You have helped me to grow my faith in Christ through Phili, and I am very thankful for that. I pray God blesses you and your family greatly.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2023
Cyber and Snark in one fun, angsty package
Of all the stuff to hack, the controls for a cryopod for a girl's frozen dad is the one I least expected--which is awesome! This book is light on combat and heavy on relationship drama, but Dr. Nic's here to keep things snarky and logical. If you enjoyed all the Red Rain books leading up to this, you've got plenty of reasons to plow right on into this one, too :)
Of all the stuff to hack, the controls for a cryopod for a girl's frozen dad is the one I least expected--which is awesome! This book is light on combat and heavy on relationship drama, but Dr. Nic's here to keep things snarky and logical. If you enjoyed all the Red Rain books leading up to this, you've got plenty of reasons to plow right on into this one, too :)
October 1, 2023
Continuation of the Red Rain series...
Oh, Phil's in trouble now... And, I get it. I wouldn't know who to trust either. Or why. (And then there is Stanyard... *sigh*) And we also get a glimpse of her wilting spirit... Her struggle to hear God when the demands on her are so crushing -- seriously, who hasn't felt like that??
Oh, Phil's in trouble now... And, I get it. I wouldn't know who to trust either. Or why. (And then there is Stanyard... *sigh*) And we also get a glimpse of her wilting spirit... Her struggle to hear God when the demands on her are so crushing -- seriously, who hasn't felt like that??
April 22, 2023
I read the whole thing in 2 hours…
A great installment for the Red Rain series. This book exposes a lot of secrets, forces Phil to ask hard questions and deal with the answers, and opens up the broader world of the resistance movement. I loved seeing the developing relationships between characters we haven’t seen in a while and how the different segments of Phil’s life come crashing together.
A great installment for the Red Rain series. This book exposes a lot of secrets, forces Phil to ask hard questions and deal with the answers, and opens up the broader world of the resistance movement. I loved seeing the developing relationships between characters we haven’t seen in a while and how the different segments of Phil’s life come crashing together.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews