The Rising Flame Series

Starship pilot Terry Radnor is elated to be among those chosen to defend the secret colony Maclairn against enemies who pose a threat to the spread of paranormal human mind powers. He commits himself wholly to the goal of that world, not guessing how far his effort to protect it will take him from everything else he cares about--his promising career as a Fleet officer, contact with people who share his newly-discovered psi capability, his wife and unborn child. Torn away against his will after learning a secret too deep for its disclosure to be risked, he is forced into exile from all that has previously mattered to him, and must build a perilous new life far from Maclairn, grounded without hope of fulfilling his earlier pledge. Yet a mysterious and extraordinary destiny has been predicted for Terry, and against all odds fate puts him in place to confront the colony’s greatest peril. This is the first book in the Captain of Estel trilogy, but is complete in itself and can be read alone. Set two centuries later in time than the Founders of Maclairn duology--consisting of Stewards of the Flame and Promise of the Flame, which tell of the founding of Maclairn--it is an independent and quite different story that in no way depends on having read them. Please note that unlike Engdahl's YA novels, all five of these are adult science fiction and contain some material inappropriate for readers below high school age. From the reviews: “This book reaches back to the brio and speculation of Engdahl’s classic books of the Seventies. . . The reader will be taken on an exciting and suspenseful ride. . With an admirable protagonist and many interesting and well-drawn characters major and minor, Defender is satisfying on multiple levels. . . I expected to like this book; I was startled that I loved it. A must read.” —Literary critic Nicholas Birns “These novels [this book and its sequel] are not so much genre ‘Romance’ or even just ‘Science Fiction’ as they are Literature. These are novels about life.” --Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Alien Romances Reviews 14

As captain of his own starship Estel, Terry Steward, born Terry Radnor, is committed to spreading acceptance of psi powers and other advanced mind capabilities throughout the colonies of humankind. Barred from contact with his beloved planet Maclairn, he now journeys from world to world, heralding the hopeful future about which he alone knows the full truth. But the opponents of mind-powers are gaining strength, and on Earth the persecution of people who develop such abilities is increasing. Soon targeted by bounty hunters, Terry risks everything that matters to him in a desperate attempt to defeat Maclairn's enemies, not guessing that if he lives long enough, he is destined for an even greater role in human history than he has played as a defender of its cause. This is the second book in the Captain of Estel trilogy. Though it is complete in itself and can be read alone, the first, Defender of the Flame, should be read before this one for fuller understanding of the hero’s past experiences. Set two centuries later in tme than the Founders of Maclairn duology--consisting of Stewards of the Flame and Promise of the Flame, which tell of the founding of Maclairn--it is an independent and quite different story that in no way depends on having read them. Please note that unlike Engdahl's YA novels, all five of these are adult science fiction and contain some material inappropriate for readers below high school age. From the reviews: “A futuristic ride that has many parallels in today’s society. This is a ‘thinking man’s’ science fiction book—the type we need more of today!” —The Feathered Quill “These novels [this book and its sequel] are not so much genre ‘Romance’ or even just ‘Science Fiction’ as they are Literature. These are novels about life.” --Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Alien Romances Reviews 14

Ardith Moran is elated by the prospect of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, elated enough to stake her life on her conviction that they exist after the exploratory expedition's leaders turn back. The last thing she expects is to fall in love with an alien, much less for their love to play a key role in saving Earth from tyranny and eventual ruin. As a member of the Anthropological Service, he is willing to make sacrifices and expects her to do the same. Can she, influenced by the legacy of the now-legendary Captain of Estel, convince Earthborn people that they can't retreat from the universe? Or will Earth's authorities succeed in killing her to suppress the evidence only she and her fellow envoys can provide? Please note: The original edition of this book published in June 2021, which has a woman's face on the cover, has been withdrawn. This is a revised edition published in September 2022. The first two bools in this trilogy, Defender of the Flame and Herald of the Flame, need not be read before this one, as it is complete in itself. However, the backstory it contains includes major spoilers for them. Please note that unlike Engdahl's YA novels, these are adult science fiction and contain some material inappropriate for readers below high school age.

The books in this trilogy have been retitled to make plain that they are a separate and quite different story from Sylvia Engdahl's other novels with "Flame" in their titles, set centuries later, which can be read independently. Book One: PASSAGE TO DESTINY (Originally published as Defender of the Flame) Starship pilot Terry Radnor is elated to be among those chosen to defend the secret colony Maclairn against enemies who pose a threat to the spread of paranormal human mind powers. He commits himself wholly to the goal of that world, not guessing how far his effort to protect it will take him from everything else he cares about. Torn away from his family and career against his will after learning a secret too deep for its disclosure to be risked, he is forced to build a new life far from Maclairn. Yet a mysterious and extraordinary destiny has been predicted for Terry, and fate puts him in place to confront the colony's greatest peril. Book Two: A SHIP NAMED HOPE (Originally published as Herald of the Flame) As captain of his own starship Estel, Terry is committed to spreading acceptance of paranormal mind powers throughout the colonies of humankind. Barred from contact with his beloved planet Maclairn, he now journeys from world to world, heralding the hopeful future about which he alone knows the full truth. But the opponents of such powers are gaining strength, and on Earth the persecution of people who develop them is increasing. Soon targeted by bounty hunters, Terry risks everything that matters to him in a desperate attempt to defeat Maclairn's enemies, not guessing that if he lives long enough, he is destined for an even greater role in human history than he has played as a defender of its cause. Book Three: MISSION TO EARTH (Originally published as Envoy of the Flame) Ardith Moran is elated by the prospect of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, elated enough to stake her life on her conviction that they exist after the exploratory expedition's leaders turn back. The last thing she expects is to fall in love with an alien, much less for their love to play a key role in saving Earth from tyranny and eventual ruin. Can she, influenced by the legacy of the now-legendary Captain of Estel, convince Earthborn people who don't want to meet aliens that they can't retreat from the universe? Or will Earth's authorities succeed in killing her to suppress the evidence only she and her fellow envoys can provide? FROM THE REVIEWS OF BOOKS IN THE TRILOGY “This book reaches back to the brio and speculation of Engdahl’s classic books of the Seventies. . . Defender [of he Flame] is satisfying on multiple levels. . . I expected to like this book; I was startled that I loved it. A must read.” —Literary critic Nicholas Birns “A futuristic ride that has many parallels in today’s society. This is a ‘thinking man’s’ science fiction book—the type we need more of today!” —The Feathered Quill “These novels are not so much genre . . . Science Fiction as they are Literature. These are novels about life.” —Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Alien Romances: Reviews 14