Big Damn Hero by Nancy Holder
(Firefly, Book 1)
Released: November 20, 2018 | Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure
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The first original novel tying into the critically acclaimed and much-missed Firefly series from creator Joss Whedon.
The Battle of Serenity Valley was the turning point that led the Independents to their defeat at the hands of the Alliance. Yet the Browncoats had held the valley for weeks against all odds, before being ordered to lay down their arms. Command stated they refused to send in airpower because the ground war was "too hot." But the soldiers who were there insist that was not true...
While picking up a new cargo on Persephone, Captain Malcolm Reynolds is kidnapped by a bunch of embittered veteran Browncoats who suspect him of sabotaging the Independents during the war. As the rest of the crew struggle to locate him, Mal is placed on trial for his life, fighting compelling evidence that someone did indeed betray them to the Alliance all those years ago. As old comrades and old rivals crawl out of the woodwork, Mal must prove his innocence, but his captors are desperate and destitute, and will settle for nothing less than the culprit’s blood.
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Big Damn Hero takes place between “The Message” and “Heart of Gold.”
REVIEW
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆
It’s all here: the crew, the ship, the verse. 🥺😍
After so many failed attempts by other authors to capture the Firefly magic, I’m genuinely impressed by how well this book maintains the essence of the show. It never felt like a spin-off or fan fiction. Instead, it felt like Firefly itself, as if the show had never ended (a fan can dream).
This book also delivers some of the best callbacks I’ve seen in a media tie-in. Usually, callbacks are little Easter eggs for longtime fans to say, “I remember that!” But here, they’re relevant to the story, adding depth while still bringing that warm sense of nostalgia.
My only gripe is with the story itself. It’s not a bad story (in fact, it’s quite good) but it’s one I feel didn’t need to be told. I feel the same way about this as I did about the Joker movie. Part of what makes Mal so compelling is the mystery surrounding him. He rarely talks about his personal life, only dropping small hints here and there. I think that mystique should have remained intact.
That said, this book made me miss the show even more.
