All Astria wants is to be a dragon rider. However the dragons do not choose her and it is not until she finds Zephyr and helps him that she thinks she has a way of achieving her dream. However that is until the Council of Elders forbid their partnership.
A wonderful start to a new series. Complete with interesting characters and an engaging plot, I am looking forward tot he next in the series.

I read Zephyr’s flight as an advanced reader through NetGalley.
The story is about a teenage girl, who appears to have visions of the future. She wants to be a dragon rider but the dragons appear to not want to partner with her until she meets an injured, flightless dragon and by defying her village she helps him fly again.
They are suppositious and banish her to the Wild to survive alone until she becomes useful to them again by being able to help them through a war.
The book is the first of a series which has not yet been written.

Unfortunately, I do not see myself reading the next ones when they are released.
My main issue is that it is not clear who the audience is for this book. If it is young adults, I think the language is too stilted and it is not clear enough when there are jumps in time, when it is hallucinations/visions or reality.

The world building is very thorough, but has taken very thorough inspiration from the Norse Mythology with changing some names in a fairly lazy fashion (midgaardsworm to worm of the world, ragnarok to End Times, Asgaard to Warhome, Odin to Olim), other times just keeping the names but using them for other things (Nidhogg (Nidhug)).

But the main thing that bothered me about the book is that I do not think you can call them dragons if: 1 they do not have fire, 2 they are furry, 3 they honk. At this point they are large furry geese with fangs or large cats with wings? I’m not sure, but I don’t believe they are dragons if all they have in common with the typical dragon are size, fangs and wings

Sometimes it feels like more time has been spent on building the world than developing the actual story.

Other points:
The general story reminds me heavily of Clan of the Cave Bear.
The sexualisation of her friend’s body seemed unnecessary.
“Say little and smile often” is very reminiscent of Hamilton.


My copy contained several editing errors, missing spaces, paragraphs in the wrong sections. I was reading on kindle - this should probably be checked.
Several sentences were also incomplete or grammatical nonsense, which I hope have been fixed.

The story follows Astria as she attempts to fulfil her dream of becoming a dragon Rider and helping the dragons. Following her journey was a rollercoaster of emotional reactions, celebrating the highs of pride and joy at Astria's triumphs, and mourning the lows of her sorrows. In Zephyr's Flight, Ray Strong has woven an truly emotional tale with a strong heroine, who is unapologetically herself despite living in a world that seeks to crush her spirit. Strong developed the characters very well, allowing the reader to become invested in Astria's success. I was certainly invested in her success. The ending was also amazing, heartbreakingly bittersweet with just a dash of beautiful hope. I enjoyed reading Zephyr's Flight, and fans of well written Fantasy with dragons and strong heroines will enjoy Zephyr's Flight as well.

Ray Strong’s Zephyr's Flight is a thrilling and emotionally charged fantasy that takes readers on an exhilarating journey of defiance, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love. With its richly imagined world and compelling characters, this novel is a captivating start to a new series that promises to enchant fans of epic fantasy.

The story follows Astria, a rebellious village girl who dreams of becoming a Dragon Rider like her ancestors, who once brought peace to the warring Legions and barbarian Hordes. However, the enigmatic dragons have their own motives, and Astria is left without a partner—until she meets Zephyr, a crippled and flightless dragon. Despite his limitations, Astria forms a deep bond with Zephyr, refusing to abandon him even when the Council of Elders forbids their partnership and threatens her with exile.

As Astria defies the Council and risks everything she knows, she becomes embroiled in a war between empires. The barbarian Hordes are closing in, and Astria must navigate a treacherous landscape of political intrigue and ancient myths. Along the way, she finds an unexpected ally in a warrior from another land, who understands her desires and shares her defiance.

Strong’s world-building is nothing short of spectacular, blending the beauty and danger of a fantastical realm with the tension of an impending war. The novel’s exploration of themes like sacrifice, defiance, and the power of love is both poignant and thought-provoking. Astria is a compelling protagonist, her determination and resilience making her a heroine to root for.

The supporting cast, including the enigmatic Zephyr and the warrior from another land, adds depth and richness to the narrative. The action sequences are dynamic and thrilling, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Strong’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the grandeur and peril of Astria’s world with equal skill.

Zephyr's Flight is a story of courage and defiance, of the bonds that unite us and the sacrifices required to protect them.