What do you think?
Rate this book
Fireheart #1
Wynde
Winner of Gold Medal for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Ebook in 2014 Independent Publisher Awards.
WYNDE is an epic tale that captures the political and visceral dangers of intergalactic war, while relating a young woman’s personal struggle to stay true to her family and fulfill her destiny. A bold flying maneuver won Vespa’s team the Airspar Championships during her first year at Kedu Academy. Two years later some, like her father, still say her choice was rash and reckless. Celebrating her graduation, Vespa awakens amid an alien terrorist attack on the Kavil moon. With the entire human fleet pinned in the port by their own damaged warship, annihilation seems certain until Vespa aims her airblade at the doomed vessel. She intends to retrieve WISPER—a pilot assistance artificial intelligence she created—but its safety protocols, designed by Vespa’s father, eject her from the cockpit before she has the chance. While her impulsive decision helps thwart the Orkan assault and saves numerous lives, WISPER’s destruction strains the previously deep bond with her father. Vespa must bear the consequences of her actions while the government of her home planet, Prime, struggles to comprehend the implications of the strike. Relations with their longtime trade partners are further challenged by the arrival of a military task force from the Protectorate, human colonists who had left Prime centuries ago and who bring a far different perspective on the Orkan’s intentions. As the prospect of war grows, Vespa enlists into an elite military unit relying on Protectorate expertise to train spaceblade pilots. But she can’t defeat the invaders alone—success will take teamwork. With Vespa uncertain who she can trust and the lives of her family and friends at stake, she must sort allies from enemies and repair her relationship with her father before it is too late. When the Orkans launch an even more vicious attack to seize the Kavil moon, another fateful choice may be inevitable. WYNDE blends contemporary themes, military science fiction, and romance into a sweeping saga that is sure to please broad audiences who enjoy the fantastical universes of Harry Potter , The Hunger Games , and Star Wars . Its diverse cast, filled with strong female characters, will challenge readers’ expectations and biases, while taking them through a rich, moving, and entertaining experience.
WYNDE is an epic tale that captures the political and visceral dangers of intergalactic war, while relating a young woman’s personal struggle to stay true to her family and fulfill her destiny. A bold flying maneuver won Vespa’s team the Airspar Championships during her first year at Kedu Academy. Two years later some, like her father, still say her choice was rash and reckless. Celebrating her graduation, Vespa awakens amid an alien terrorist attack on the Kavil moon. With the entire human fleet pinned in the port by their own damaged warship, annihilation seems certain until Vespa aims her airblade at the doomed vessel. She intends to retrieve WISPER—a pilot assistance artificial intelligence she created—but its safety protocols, designed by Vespa’s father, eject her from the cockpit before she has the chance. While her impulsive decision helps thwart the Orkan assault and saves numerous lives, WISPER’s destruction strains the previously deep bond with her father. Vespa must bear the consequences of her actions while the government of her home planet, Prime, struggles to comprehend the implications of the strike. Relations with their longtime trade partners are further challenged by the arrival of a military task force from the Protectorate, human colonists who had left Prime centuries ago and who bring a far different perspective on the Orkan’s intentions. As the prospect of war grows, Vespa enlists into an elite military unit relying on Protectorate expertise to train spaceblade pilots. But she can’t defeat the invaders alone—success will take teamwork. With Vespa uncertain who she can trust and the lives of her family and friends at stake, she must sort allies from enemies and repair her relationship with her father before it is too late. When the Orkans launch an even more vicious attack to seize the Kavil moon, another fateful choice may be inevitable. WYNDE blends contemporary themes, military science fiction, and romance into a sweeping saga that is sure to please broad audiences who enjoy the fantastical universes of Harry Potter , The Hunger Games , and Star Wars . Its diverse cast, filled with strong female characters, will challenge readers’ expectations and biases, while taking them through a rich, moving, and entertaining experience.
- GenresScience Fiction
780 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2013
9 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Tricia Barr
7 books28 followersTricia Barr is a writer and professional fan of science fiction. Her FANgirl Blog is a prominent genre-focused website with an emphasis on analyzing strong female characters and the heroine's journey. She contributes to numerous geek websites, including Lucasfilm's Star Wars Blog and Random House's science fiction and fantasy blog Suvudu, and co-hosts the podcast Fangirls Going Rogue for RebelForce Radio. Barr also has conducted interviews and written articles for the print magazine Star Wars Insider, including two cover features on Padmé Amidala (Issue #142) and Princess Leia (Issue #144), and she provided editorial services on Del Rey's Star Wars: The Essential Reader's Companion.
For updates on all things FANgirl follow @FANgirlcantina on Twitter or like Fireheart Series on Facebook. At times she tries the Tumblr.
For updates on all things FANgirl follow @FANgirlcantina on Twitter or like Fireheart Series on Facebook. At times she tries the Tumblr.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 24, 2014
Classic yet fresh space opera with lots of good characters and a well developed story. Beautiful descriptions, fun humor and lots of memorable lines. A happy ending with heroes you can cheer for.
April 2, 2021
Tricia is one of the smartest people I know and it turns out she's one of the best storytellers too! Absolutely loved this book and I'm finally getting around to reading Zanita as well. Looking forward to more of this series.
September 19, 2021
Reach for the stars
The author drops you straight into the action but you have no trouble keeping up and no choice but to love Vespa. As she grows with her choices in a burgeoning war you root for her and all of her friends.
The author drops you straight into the action but you have no trouble keeping up and no choice but to love Vespa. As she grows with her choices in a burgeoning war you root for her and all of her friends.
December 30, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. A solid balance of universe building and character interaction. A rollicking space opera action film of a novel. It contains ideas I didn't expect. Recommended.
March 6, 2014
We all know we have a lot of options when it comes to what we read. So picking up a first novel of a new author may require some convincing.
But I am going to try.
Wynde is a symphony. The first in a series Tricia Barr has layered her novel with history (I am a sucker for good world building), people, and emotion. There are intense action sequences that fly off the page starting with an unfathomable act of courage (though it could also be described as an element of insanity) following an unexpected attack.
In broad strokes the story centers around a girl/young woman named Vespa, her family and her friends. It's about a planet, Prime poised at moment of change -- how outside forces push them into a broader galaxy.
Her characters require a smidgen more space to breathe (and why I gave the book a four) but once you push past the set up they are distinct and relatable. I loved some more than others. Gemini and the Artificial Intelligence WISPR are at the top, but can see potential in Vespa and the rest of the Fireheart/Wynde clan.
Wynde is a tale reminiscent of the X-Wing series by Mike Stackpole and the late Aaron Allston in that while there are main characters it is the way the ensemble works together -- each an instrument of their own future, coming together in a measure of synchronicity--that is both entertaining and enjoyable.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
But I am going to try.
Wynde is a symphony. The first in a series Tricia Barr has layered her novel with history (I am a sucker for good world building), people, and emotion. There are intense action sequences that fly off the page starting with an unfathomable act of courage (though it could also be described as an element of insanity) following an unexpected attack.
In broad strokes the story centers around a girl/young woman named Vespa, her family and her friends. It's about a planet, Prime poised at moment of change -- how outside forces push them into a broader galaxy.
Her characters require a smidgen more space to breathe (and why I gave the book a four) but once you push past the set up they are distinct and relatable. I loved some more than others. Gemini and the Artificial Intelligence WISPR are at the top, but can see potential in Vespa and the rest of the Fireheart/Wynde clan.
Wynde is a tale reminiscent of the X-Wing series by Mike Stackpole and the late Aaron Allston in that while there are main characters it is the way the ensemble works together -- each an instrument of their own future, coming together in a measure of synchronicity--that is both entertaining and enjoyable.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
August 3, 2015
Overall, this was a book that I enjoyed. The characters were fun and it's definitely an interesting world that Tricia's built even if it occasionally felt like it had a few too many elements. The biggest issue I had is that it felt like not enough happened for a 700+ page book. The first 100 or so pages were action packed and the last 200 or so were action filled too but the middle was much slower. The last part is what really caught my attention and I look forward to seeing more of where all those reveals lead to and the mythology behind them. Fun read overall though! I'd also like to thank this book for making me realize I'm a sucker for a good dance scene.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author but that did not influence my opinion of it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author but that did not influence my opinion of it.
November 30, 2014
A solid start to a sci-fi series, but I just couldn't get into it. Maybe it's was because of all the things going on in my life lately, but while I was able to appreciate the world the author created, I kept wondering "where is this going?" through most of it and found myself confused as to some of the concepts in the story. I kept thinking I must have missed a book before it in the series, but nope, this was the first one. Also, I tend to gravitate more towards fantasy than sci-fi, but if you're a fan of the more space/tech centered stories, you should definitely give this one a try.
July 26, 2015
A welcome departure from modern, dystopian sci-fi. I enjoyed the characters. The main character, Vespa, has a nice arc. It was nice to watch her grow. I'm looking forward to #2!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews