The Golden Feather by Philip Ligon, the second book in The Falconbone Series, follows twelve-year-old Jason Falconbone, who returns to Rock Castle after a training voyage on The King’s Regret. When the crew finds the wreck of The Golden Feather and uncovers a journal mentioning a dragon and the lost Kingdom of Volantia, Jason’s visions intensify. After sabotage threatens their airship, Jason joins Captain Red Bones and others on a mission to navigate dangerous territories and protect families fleeing oppression. Jason wrestles with mysterious dreams and confronts a mechanical dragon called the Guardian, which attacks their ship. Jason climbs onto the Guardian, inserts a crucial mechanical heart from the wrecked Golden Feather, and stops its assault. The Guardian then carries Jason and his companion Suzanne toward an unknown passage tied to Jason’s visions, setting the stage for the next test in their quest.

Philip Ligon’s The Golden Feather is primarily shown from Jason Falconbone’s perspective, which effectively grounds the unfolding mystery and action in the best possible point of view. I love the science fiction and the unique nod to steampunk, although Ligon goes a long way in making the setting and mechanics entirely his own. The settings are spectacular, especially the floating mountains and the storm-ridden skies, all of which embody a distinctive, wonderfully textured atmosphere, notably during the rescue of the damaged ship Black Dove as a violent, intensely felt storm rages. Character development is measured and organic with Jason’s evolving understanding of his heritage and the world around him providing a natural arc. In a testament to his skill as a writer, Ligon balances detailed descriptions and brisk pacing in even turns that keep the narrative moving forward. There's no question that adventure awaits readers who enjoy thoughtful, well-constructed, and exciting science fiction.

As The Golden Feather by Philip Ligon starts, Jason is under Red Bones. The legendary pirate captain was once an enemy of the Falconbones, but is now a friend after he had betrayed other pirates. Captain Red is helping Jason decipher his dreams, which seem to be calling to him. The dreams cause madness to those who do not heed their call. In one of their air travels, they discover a long-lost airship and retrieve Captain Hawkfist’s journal. Will the dreams lead Jason to the fabled kingdom of Volantia? Meanwhile, back at home, things are becoming volatile as King Cornelius doubles down on destroying Lord Falconbone and his supporters. People are also starting to question Lord Falconbone's leadership. How will things turn out?

Despite The Golden Feather by Philip Ligon being the second book in the Falconbone Series, it can be easily read as a standalone. With highly engaging dialogues and perfect narration, there was never a dull moment in the book. I loved the themes covered, such as doing one's duty with determination and conviction. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about the importance of fighting injustice. The characters were well-developed, and Philip also ensured all events and emotions were vividly captured, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening. The plot flowed seamlessly, leaving no room for confusion, and the reader will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language used, which makes the work accessible to all audiences. This was a good read, and I look forward to reading something else by Philip Ligon.