Fly Girl


Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
326 Pages
Reviewed on 05/29/2020
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Fly Girl is a work of fiction in the thriller sub-genre and was penned by author Bill Hellman with Sali Gear. Suitable and accessible for all reader types thanks to its clean content, this exciting tale of a female fighter pilot was inspired by Gear’s own experiences in the Navy. Our protagonist is Rawley West, whose own piloting career takes many twists and turns as life throws intrigue and challenges at her again and again, especially when she’s offered a new position in the CIA. As she uncovers secrets which lead her to learn more about her own family, so begins a thrilling adventure with plenty of action, high stakes thrills, and family drama.

Author team Bill Hellman and Sali Gear have crafted a really excellent slice of life that takes elements from real experience and transposes them into an ultra-high-stakes novel that truly packs a punch. I liked the realism of the characters especially, because everyone who appears in the book has their virtues and their flaws, making for a grounded cast of characters amid the exciting twists of the plot. The lexical choices are dynamic, making for a cinematic atmosphere that describes the action scenes well. When the interpersonal and dialogue-driven moments take over, we see the unfurling of a great internal mystery too when Rawley learns about her family business. Overall, I would highly recommend Fly Girl for fans of military fiction and terrorist thrillers, as well as those who enjoy well-rounded character pieces with plenty of personal drama.

Susan Sewell

After leaving the service, a Navy fighter pilot finds that danger is not only in the air over the Persian Gulf; her skills are still required to ensure national safety in the gripping adventure, Fly Girl by Bill Hellman and Sali Gear. Growing up in Montana, Rawley West has been flying airplanes through the mountains with her father since she was a girl. After college, Rawley becomes a lieutenant in the Navy. Commissioned as a fighter pilot, Rawley is stationed on an aircraft carrier in the Middle East. While refueling in Hawaii, a representative of the CIA approaches Rawley and invites her to contract out to the agency. Intrigued with the classified missions and their locations, Rawley accepts the offer and leaves the military. Her new venture reveals shocking and unexpected aspects that coincide with Rawley's past. A threat to national security pairs her with the last person she expects. Now she must set aside her differences to save the world. Will she be able to leave the past behind to complete her mission?

Charged with the presence of danger and the sense of excitement, the adventure novel Fly Girl by Bill Hellman and Sali Gear is a thrilling story with an Intelligence and Naval Armed Forces backdrop. The enigmatic storyline keeps you guessing, and the plot has an unexpected twist that comes to an explosive conclusion. Being an armchair traveler, I found the portrayals of the locations and background settings to be fascinating. It is an intriguing novel complete with action-filled scenes, interesting characters, and a compelling plot. Although there is an abundance of aviation and military terms that could be confusing to those who are unfamiliar with their vernacular, each reference is followed with definitions and explanations cleverly integrated into the storyline. Adventure fans who relish a tale chock full of aerial and military maneuvers will find it impossible to put this riveting novel down.

Rabia Tanveer

Fly Girl by Bill Hellman and Sali Gear is a high-intensity, adrenaline-inducing thriller that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Rawley always knew she was going to follow in the footsteps of her father and become a Navy pilot. She doesn’t have time for romance since her last boyfriend ghosted her so she puts all of her energy into furthering her career. When she gets the opportunity to start an exclusive contract with the CIA in Afghanistan, she jumps at it. Getting the job was easy; keeping it a secret from her family would be a challenge for her. However, when she reports for training, she realizes that she might not have to keep things secret from her family at all. Before she realizes it, some big secrets about her family are uncovered. But she doesn’t have time to think about these things. Her job demands her attention and one slip could lead to her death. Can Rawley manage to keep her personal and professional life separate?

I loved Rawley. She is feisty, intelligent, and capable. Bill Hellman and Sali Gear knew how to play up Rawley’s characteristics to draw readers in and make Fly Girl interesting. The mystery behind her father’s involvement with the CIA had me biting my nails. I wanted to know how Rawley would handle the situation, uncover everything, and still fulfill her task. The authors added plenty of action in the story to keep the plot interesting and gave Rawley ample opportunities to develop. She is a believable character and had my attention from the moment she was introduced. I liked how the authors took the reader from one country to another and didn’t let the cultures of each country blur. They kept the integrity of the story and made sure the reader would not stop until they reach the end.