The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher

September 30th, 2015 Kimberly Review 67 Comments

30th Sep
The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher
The Aeronaut's Windlass
by Jim Butcher
Series: The Cinder Spires #1
Genres: Fantasy, Steampunk
Source: Publisher
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Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

Jim Butcher, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Dresden Files and the Codex Alera novels, conjures up a new series set in a fantastic world of noble families, steam-powered technology, and magic-wielding warriorsโ€ฆSince time immemorial, the Spires have sheltered humanity, towering for miles over the mist-shrouded surface of the world. Within their halls, aristocratic houses have ruled for generations, developing scientific marvels, fostering trade alliances, and building fleets of airships to keep the peace. Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship, Predator. Fiercely loyal to Spire Albion, he has taken their side in the cold war with Spire Aurora, disrupting the enemyโ€™s shipping lines by attacking their cargo vessels. But when the Predator is severely damaged in combat, leaving captain and crew grounded, Grimm is offered a proposition from the Spirearch of Albionโ€”to join a team of agents on a vital mission in exchange for fully restoring Predator to its fighting glory. And even as Grimm undertakes this dangerous task, he will learn that the conflict between the Spires is merely a premonition of things to come. Humanityโ€™s ancient enemy, silent for more than ten thousand years, has begun to stir once more. And death will follow in its wake

EPIC Rocked FED-THE-NERD fantasy 2015 FAV EPIC

Are you looking for a steampunk fantasy adventure? Snag a copy of The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher the first book in the The Cinder Spires series. Have you ever read a book that you deliberately tried to savor? The Aeronaut’s Windlass was such a book for me. As soon as I slipped into the world, I knew I wanted to stay awhile. I limited myself to fifty to seventy-five pages a day. (sometimes a few more to end a chapter) At almost 600 pages, it gave me an adventure I could look forward to every evening.

The Aeronaut’s Windlass shares the story of  Cinder Spire as it enters the cusp of a war between the Spire Albion and the Spire Aurora. Filled with airships, steam powered and crystal technology Butcher paints a vivid world and introduces us to characters from all occupations within Cinder Spires. We enter the story as the war begins and Butcher allowed me to easily immerse myself in their story.

Butcher shares the story using third person limited perspectives of multiple characters. While Captain Grimm mentioned in the synopsis above is a focus, he is not the only key character. We also spend significant time with Cadets- Bridget Tagwynn, a butcherโ€™s daughter and Gwen Lancaster, a daughter of privilege who is hilarious without trying to be. Then there is Lieutenant Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster, Gwenโ€™s cousin. Two of my favorite perspectives came from Folly the Etherialist apprentice and from those of Rowl a member of the house of Nine Claws.  Rowl is a smug, hilarious, brilliant cat. Yep, you heard me, a cat. He is quite the little hero and travels with Bridget as her protector. He is also heir to his clan. They all find themselves working together as a team and I enjoyed all the different dynamics they brought to the table.

The world Butcher has built is complex, beautiful and home to many unknowns. Cinder Spires is located in the mist above a planet that is uninhabitable by humans and overrun with monsters. *shivers* I will not spoil it for you, but these monsters are sure to make you freak out. Butcher does not subject the reader to large information dumps, instead we learn through the characters. When we find out about the surface of the planet and the monsters, we are out with Bridget, Folly and Rowl. Butcher effortlessly weaved it into the conversation leaving my jaw hanging. While I am unsure of where we are, the world is vaguely familiar to Victorian London particularly with the social classes.

The Aeronaut’s Windlass with its steampunk goodness and colorful character was an excellent beginning to this new series. Things are not completely revealed to us, but Butcher drop hints about characters, the past, of darkness to come and the economy. While I still have many questions in particular what prompted the war itself I was satisfied with the world and the knowledge we are given even as I crave more. The tale ended well, but the last few lines hinted at the darkness to come!

Prologue to The Aeronaut’s Windless

โ€œGwendolyn Margaret Elizabeth Lancaster,โ€ said Mother in a firm, cross voice, โ€œyou will cease this nonsense at once.โ€

โ€œNow, Mother,โ€ Gwendolyn replied absently, โ€œwe have discussed the matter at length upon multiple occasions.โ€ She frowned down at the gauntlet upon her left hand and rotated her wrist slightly. โ€œThe number three strap is too tight, Sarah. The crystal is digging into my palm.โ€

โ€œJust a moment, miss.โ€ Sarah bent nearer the gauntletโ€™s fastenings, eyeing them over the rims of her spectacles. She made a series of quick, deft adjustments and asked, โ€œIs that better?โ€

Gwendolyn tried the motion again and smiled. โ€œExcellent. Thank you, Sarah.โ€

โ€œOf course, miss,โ€ Sarah said. She began to smile but glanced aside at Mother and schooled her expression into soberly appropriate diffidence.

โ€œThere has been no discussion,โ€ Mother said, folding her arms. โ€œDiscussion implies discourse. You have simply pretended I wasnโ€™t in the room when I broached the subject.โ€

Gwendolyn turned to smile sweetly. โ€œMother, we can have this conversation again if you wish, but I have not altered my intentions in the least. I will not attend Lady Hadshawโ€™s Finishing Academy.โ€

โ€œI would be more than pleased to see you enter the Etheric Engineering Academy along withโ€”โ€

โ€œOh!โ€ Gwendolyn said, rolling her eyes. โ€œIโ€™ve been working with those systems in the testing shop since I could walk, and Iโ€™m quite sure I will go mad if I have to endure two yearsโ€™ worth of introductory courses.โ€

Mother shook her head. โ€œGwendolyn, you cannot possibly think thatโ€”โ€

โ€œEnough,โ€ Gwendolyn said. โ€œI will enter the Spirearchโ€™s Guard. I will take the oath. I will spend a year in the Service.โ€ She turned to regard her reflection in the long mirror, adjusted her skirts marginally, and straightened the lapels of her short bolero jacket. โ€œHonestly, other daughters of the high Houses take the oath. I cannot imagine why youโ€™re making such a fuss.โ€

โ€œOther Houses are not the Lancasters,โ€ Mother said, her voice suddenly cold. โ€œOther Houses do not rule the highest habble of the Council. Other Houses are not custodians of the sternest responsibility within all of Spire Albion.โ€

โ€œMother.โ€ Gwendolyn sighed. โ€œHonestly, as if the people living in the lower levels of the Spire are less worthy somehow. And besides, those great vats and crystals all but mind themselves.โ€

โ€œYou are young,โ€ Mother said. โ€œYou have little appreciation of how much those crystals are needed, and not only by those of Habble Morning or the Fleet, or of all the planning and foresight that must go into producing a single crystal over theโ€”โ€

โ€œThe course of generations,โ€ Gwendolyn interrupted. โ€œNo, apparently I have not been enlightened to your satisfactionโ€”I would, however, submit to you that another repetition of this particular bit of pedantry seems unlikely to correct the situation, and that therefore the least frustrating course of action for all involved would be to abort the attempt.โ€

โ€œGwendolyn,โ€ Mother said, her eyes narrowing. โ€œYou will return to your chambers in the next ten seconds or I swear to God in Heaven that I shall beat you soundly.โ€

Ah. Now they came to it. Gwendolyn suppressed a flash of purely childish fear, and then one of much more reasonable anger, and forced herself to consider the situation and the room in a calm and rational manner.

Motherโ€™s outburst had been so entirely appalling as to freeze Sarah in place. The maid was perfectly aware that such a display of emotion from one of the leading ladies of Habble Morning was not something that should be witnessed by the hired help. Mother, in her anger, had been quite inconsiderate, since Sarah didnโ€™t dare simply leave the room, either. How was the poor girl supposed to react?

โ€œSarah,โ€ Gwendolyn said, โ€œI believe I heard Cook mention that her back was still giving her trouble. I would appreciate it if you ease her duties this morning. Would you mind, terribly, delivering Fatherโ€™s breakfast to him, and sparing Cook the stairs?โ€

โ€œOf course not, Lady Gwendolyn,โ€ Sarah said, bobbing in a quick curtsy. She flashed Gwendolyn a swift smile containing both gratitude and apology, and moved from the room with sedate efficiency.

Gwendolyn smiled until Sarah had left the room, then turned and frowned faintly at Mother. โ€œThat was not very thoughtful of you.โ€

โ€œDo not attempt to change the subject,โ€ Mother said. โ€œYou will take off that ridiculous gauntlet at once or face the consequences.โ€

Gwendolyn arched one eyebrow sharply. โ€œYou realize that I am armed, do you not?โ€

Motherโ€™s dark eyes blazed. โ€œYou wouldnโ€™t dare.โ€

โ€œI should think I would have no need to do such a thing,โ€ Gwendolyn replied. โ€œHowever, I care to be beaten even less than I care to live out my days in this dreary mausoleum or one precisely like it. I daresay that at least in the Service I should find something to interest me.โ€ She lifted her chin, narrowed her eyes, and said, โ€œDo not test me, Mother.โ€

โ€œImpossible child,โ€ Mother said. โ€œTake her.โ€

Gwendolyn realized at that moment that Motherโ€™s threat and outrage alike had been feigned, a pretense that had distracted Gwendolyn until a pair of the House armsmen could approach her silently from behind. She took a quick step to one side and felt strong hands seize her left arm. Had she not moved, the second man would have had her right arm in the same moment, and her options would have been far more limited.

Instead she seized the wrist of her assailant, pivoted her weight into him, robbing him of his balance, breaking the power of his grip at the same time, and continued her smooth circular motion into a throw, dumping him over one hip and onto the floor at the feet of the second armsman. The fallen man tripped the second, who struggled to push up from the floor. Gwendolyn lifted her skirts slightly and kicked the second manโ€™s arm out from beneath him. He dropped down onto the first man with a surprised grunt, and glared up at her.

โ€œIโ€™m terribly sorry,โ€ Gwendolyn said. โ€œIt isnโ€™t personal.โ€ Then she gave him a calm, sharp kick to the head. The man let out a short grunt and dropped limply, stunned.

โ€œEsterbrook!โ€ Mother said sharply.

Gwendolyn turned from the two downed men to find Esterbrook, captain of House Lancasterโ€™s armsmen, entering the room. Esterbrook was a lean, dangerous-looking man, his skin worn and leathery from years of the pitiless sunlight borne by aeronauts and marines. He wore a black suit and coat tailored in the same style as the uniform of the Fleet Marine he had once been. He bore the short, heavy, copper-clad blade of a Marine on one hip. The gauntlet on his left hand was made of worn and supple leather, though the copper cagework around his forearm and wrist was as polished and bright as Gwendolynโ€™s newer model.

Gwendolyn focused her thoughts at once, stepping away from the stunned men and lifting her left hand to present the crystal held against her palm to Esterbrook. She sighted her target, the captainโ€™s grizzled head, in the V shape made by the spread of her first and second fingers. By the time she had, her gauntletโ€™s crystal had awakened to her concentration. Cold white light blazed from it, changing all the shadows in the room and causing her mother to blink and squint against the sudden radiance.

โ€œGood morning, Captain Esterbrook,โ€ Gwendolyn said in an even tone. โ€œI am well aware that your suit is lined with silk. I feel obliged to advise you that I am aiming at your head. Please do nothing that would require me to put my training to such tragic and wasteful use.โ€

Esterbrook regarded her from behind his shaded spectacles. Then he reached up very slowly with his right hand, removed them, and blinked a few times against the etherlight of the weapon Gwendolyn held trained upon him. His eyes were an eerie shade of gold-green, and his feline pupils contracted into vertical slits against the light.

โ€œQuick,โ€ he commented.

Gwendolyn felt herself smile slightly. โ€œI had an excellent teacher, sir.โ€

Esterbrook gave her a very small portion of an ironic smile, and tipped his head to her in acknowledgment. โ€œWhere in the Spire did you find someone to teach you the Way?โ€

โ€œCousin Benedict, naturally,โ€ she replied.

โ€œHa,โ€ Esterbrook said. โ€œI kept smelling the perfume on him. Thought heโ€™d taken up with a woman.โ€

Mother made a wordless, disgusted sound held tightly within her throat, barely audible past her tight-closed lips. โ€œI have expressly forbidden your close association with him, Gwendolyn.โ€

โ€œQuite, Mother, yes,โ€ Gwendolyn agreed. โ€œCaptain, if you would be so kind as to disarm yourself, please.โ€

Esterbrook stared at her for a moment more, and then the lines at the corners of his eyes deepened. He inclined his head to her, then moved only his right hand to unbuckle his sword belt. It fell to the floor.

โ€œWhat are you doing?โ€ Mother demanded of him.

โ€œMy lady,โ€ Esterbrook said in a polite tone, โ€œMiss Gwen holds a deadly weapon, and one which she is fully capable of using.โ€

โ€œShe wonโ€™t use it,โ€ Mother said. โ€œNot upon you. And not upon her family.โ€

Gwendolyn felt a surge of frustration. Mother was quite right, of course. Such a thing would be unthinkableโ€”but she had no intention of continuing to live her life cloistered within Lancaster Manor, venturing out only for the constant, meaningless, regular, deadly dull boring routine of balls, dinners, concerts, and school. She could not allow Mother to call her bluff.

So she shifted her arm very slightly and unleashed radiant etheric energy from the crystal against her palm.

There was a howling scream of suddenly parted air and a blinding flash. It was followed an instant later by a deafening roar, like thunder, and a marble statuette sitting on a side table just behind Esterbrook exploded into dust and flying fragments. The fragments rattled and bounced around the room in the silence after the blast, and grew quiet only a few seconds later.

Mother stood staring with her mouth open, her face pale, half of her body already coated with fine marble dust. Esterbrook was coated with the dust as well, but he hadnโ€™t moved or changed his expression.

โ€œCaptain,โ€ Gwendolyn said. โ€œIf you would be so kind as to continue.โ€

โ€œMiss,โ€ he said, bobbing his head again. Moving very slowly, and keeping his left arm completely still and at his side, he unbuckled the straps of the gauntlet and let it fall to the floor.

โ€œThank you, Captain,โ€ Gwendolyn said. โ€œStep aside, please.โ€

Esterbrook looked at Mother, spread his hands in a silent, helpless gesture, and took several steps back and away from his weaponry.

โ€œNo,โ€ Mother snapped. โ€œNo.โ€ She took three quick strides to the chamberโ€™s fantastically expensive door, made from wood harvested from the deadly, mist-bound forests of the surface and bound in brass. She twisted its key until it locked, and then withdrew it. She returned to her original position with her chin lifted in outrage. โ€œYou will obey me, child.โ€

โ€œHonestly, Mother,โ€ Gwendolyn said, โ€œat the rate weโ€™re going, weโ€™ll bankrupt ourselves redecorating.โ€

Gwendolynโ€™s gauntlet howled again, and part of the door was blown to splinters and twisted brass. The rest was wrenched from its brass hinges and flew out into the hallway beyond, tumbling once before it crashed to the ground.

Gwendolyn raised her arm until the crystal at her palm was parallel with her face and walked calmly forward, toward the door. The armsmen behind her groaned and began to gather themselves together. Gwendolyn felt a flash of relief. She hadnโ€™t wanted to inflict any serious harm upon the two men. Benedict had informed her that, with blows to the head, one could never be sure.

โ€œNo,โ€ Mother breathed, as she walked by. โ€œGwendolyn, no. You canโ€™t. You donโ€™t understand the horrors you might face.โ€ She was breathing very quickly and . . .

Merciful Builders.

Mother was crying.

Gwendolyn hesitated and stopped walking.

โ€œGwendolyn,โ€ Mother whispered. โ€œPlease. You are my only child.โ€

โ€œWho else, then, will represent the honor of the Lancasters in the Service?โ€ Gwendolyn looked at her motherโ€™s face. Tears had made clean tracks through the thin layer of dust.

โ€œPlease donโ€™t go,โ€ Mother whispered.

Gwendolyn hesitated. She had her ambitions, of course, and her proper Lancaster reserve, but like Mother, she also had a heart. Tears . . . tears were unprecedented. She had never seen her mother weep except once, with laughter.

Perhaps she could have been . . . somewhat more thoughtful about how she had approached her decision to enlist. But there was no more time for discussion. Enrollment for the Guard was this morning.

She met her motherโ€™s eyes and spoke as gently as she could. And she would not cry. She simply would not. Regardless of how much she might wish to.

โ€œI love you very much,โ€ she said quietly.

Then Gwendolyn Margaret Elizabeth Lancaster walked out over the shattered door and left her home.

=====

Lady Lancaster watched her daughter go, tears in her eyes. She waited until she heard the large front doors of the manor close to turn to Esterbrook.

โ€œAre you well, Captain?โ€

โ€œA bit surprised, perhaps, but well enough,โ€ he said. โ€œLads?โ€

โ€œLady Gwen,โ€ said one of the guardsmen, touching his cheek and wincing, โ€œhurts.โ€

โ€œYou didnโ€™t show the opponent sufficient respect,โ€ Esterbrook said, amused. โ€œGo get some breakfast. Weโ€™ll work on takedowns this morning.โ€ The men shambled out, looking rather embarrassed, and Esterbrook watched them, evidently pleased. Then he paused, and blinked at Lady Lancaster. โ€œMy lady . . . are you crying?โ€

โ€œOf course I am,โ€ she replied, pride swelling in her voice. โ€œDid you see that? She stood up to all three of you.โ€

โ€œAll four of us,โ€ Esterbrook corrected her gently.

โ€œGwendolyn has never had a problem standing up to me,โ€ Lady Lancaster said in a wry tone.

Esterbrook grunted. โ€œStill donโ€™t see why you feel a need for such dramatics.โ€

โ€œBecause I know my daughter,โ€ she said. โ€œAnd I know very well that the only way to absolutely ensure that she pursues any given course of action is for me to forbid her to do so.โ€

โ€œReminds me of someone else who insisted on joining the Service, my lady,โ€ Esterbrook said. โ€œLetโ€™s see. . . .โ€

โ€œI was quite young and willful at the time, as you know very well. But when I left it was nothing like that.โ€

โ€œIndeed not,โ€ Esterbrook said. โ€œAs I recall it, my lady, you reduced three doors to splinters on your way out, not one.โ€

Lady Lancaster eyed the captain and sniffed. โ€œHonestly, Esterbrook. Iโ€™m all but certain that youโ€™re exaggerating.โ€

โ€œAnd half a dozen statues.โ€

โ€œThey were tasteless replicas.โ€

โ€œAnd a ten-foot section of stone wall.โ€

โ€œMother was standing in the door. How else was I to leave?โ€

โ€œYes, my lady,โ€ Esterbrook said gravely. โ€œThank you for correcting me. I see now that there is no comparison to be made.โ€

โ€œI thought youโ€™d see it that way,โ€ she said. โ€œYou have good sense.โ€

โ€œYes, my lady. But . . .โ€ Esterbrook frowned. โ€œI understand that you wanted to steer her toward the Service. Iโ€™m still not sure I understand why.โ€

Lady Lancaster eyed him thoughtfully for a moment. Esterbrook was a faithful soldier, an invaluable retainer, and a lifelong friend and allyโ€”but the warriorbornโ€™s feline eyes tended to focus best on their immediate surroundings. She had no doubt that Esterbrook, if she so requested, could close his eyes and tell her the exact location of any object she could name in the room. But heโ€™d have no idea where they were before the roomโ€™s most recent redecorating, or where they should go now that the centerpiece statue had been destroyed. The warriorborn dealt best with the present, whereas she, like the Lancasters before her, had to concern herself with the far pastโ€”and the near future.

โ€œEvents are in motion in the Spires,โ€ she said quietly. โ€œSigns and portents appear. No fewer than four fleet aeronauts have reported sightings of an Archangel, and swear that they were neither drunk nor sleeping. Spire Aurora has recalled her embassy from Spire Albion, and our fleets have already begun to skirmish. The lower habbles have become increasingly restive and . . .โ€

Esterbrook tilted his head. โ€œMy lady?โ€

โ€œThe crystals are . . . behaving strangely.โ€

Esterbrook arched a skeptical eyebrow.

Lady Lancaster shook her head. โ€œI donโ€™t know how else to explain it. But Iโ€™ve worked with them since I was a small child, and . . . something isnโ€™t right.โ€ She sighed and turned to regard the shattered door. โ€œThere are dark times ahead of us, old friend. Strife such as has not been seen since the breaking of the world. My child needs to see it for herself, to learn about those who will fight against it, to understand what is at stake. Sheโ€™ll do that in his service, as she cannot anywhere else.โ€

โ€œStrife,โ€ Esterbrook said. โ€œStrife seems something of a handmaiden to Lady Gwen already.โ€

Lady Lancaster looked at the shattered door and at the drifting dust, still swirling in the wake of her daughterโ€™s passage.

โ€œYes,โ€ she said quietly. โ€œGod in Heaven, Archangels, merciful Builders, please. Please go with my child.โ€

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

67 Responses to “The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher”

  1. Lorna

    Sorry I am so behind visiting blogs.. I have never read this author and to be perfectly honest, it just doesn’t seem like it would be my type of read-throw in that it’s steam punk and that keeps me away from it even more. I am just so picky sometimes. However, I am glad it was such a good read for you!

  2. Cyn

    I haven’t read any Jim Butcher yet, but my brother loves him! Might have to check out his new series, this sounds pretty awesome! I’m always up for some steampunk! Great review, Kim!

  3. Tash

    I got my copy in the mail today. I requested it after I saw you reading this book a little while back and the premise intrigued me. I read only part of your review but I can’t wait to read it now. I’m savourer like you when books are amazing so this long weekend is perfect!

  4. Melliane

    I need to try more of his books as everyone is loving them. I tied the first Dresden but was disappointed so well I need to go back to that. I didn’t know at first that it was a new serie.s Glad it was good again!

  5. Teddyree

    Giggling at your ration reading … I love it when a chunkster doesn’t read like a chunkster. I’ve been meaning to read Jim Butcher and somehow never got around to The Dresden Files

  6. Sophia Rose

    Six hundred pages would fly by if this is as good as you make it sound. ๐Ÿ™‚ I try to drag out good books, but it never works once I’m into the story. This sounds great! Thanks for putting me on to it.

  7. Melanie Simmons

    I so want to try this series, but I’m so far behind on The Dresden Files. I really don’t want to start another series. I need to get caught up. So many great books and so little time.

  8. Katherine

    I’ve only read one other Steampunk book and I liked it though it took awhile to get used to. I’ve heard great things about Jim Butcher so this looks like a great way to try another steam punk

  9. Stormi

    I have this one to review so I do hope I like it. I like his Dresden but heard this is a lot different…not finished with the other series…so behind..so thought it would be fun to get in on the first one right off the bat of a new series and hope I can keep up. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Stormi

  10. Heidi

    I have had the Dresden files on my list for so long, and now I will have to add this series. Sounds fantastic.

  11. Keionda

    This book strangely reminds me of Cinder by Merissa Meyer (I think her name is spelled that way?) And I’m sure youve already read it too. ๐Ÿ˜‰ I loved the excerpt and felt like I was right there!โ™ก thanks for sharing. ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Michelle

    I really love Butcher’s Dresden books and his writing style, and this has been on my wishlist since it was announced. I’m so glad to see you enjoyed it Kimba, I’m always a little worried when an author starts a new series but it sounds delightful .

  13. Ramona

    Hm, a book I intentionally did my best to make it last? I have to say, barring the odd exception, I’ve been somewhat disappointed with my reads lately. So, thank you for this recommendation, I’m definitely adding it.

  14. Candace

    I’m not sure if I’d have patience for this and I think I want to read the Harry books first, but there are things about this one that definitely appeal to me!

  15. kindlemom1

    I had no idea he was writing another series. Is his other series over then?
    This sounds fun and I like that the ending wasn’t quite a cliffhanger but instead left you wanting more.

  16. Jenny

    Ooooo I’ve been wanting to read Jim Butcher for a while now Kim but have been hugely intimidated by the number of books in his Dresden series, so this seems like the perfect opportunity to give him a try!

  17. Aubrey Wynne

    I’m not usually into steam punk but this one appeals to me for some reason. I don’t know if it’s the cover, the male author or both!

  18. Nick

    Is it disturbing that I want to read this book just so I can meet these creepy monsters? I need to know what freaked you out so much! I love that cover too and I haven’t ever read an adult steampunk book so I might need to change that.

  19. Maureen Beatrice

    This sounds like a very interesting book. Not one I would have picked up because of its cover, but after I read your review I must admit to being a lot more interested. I really love adventurous reads and I love getting pulled inside these kinds of stories.
    And who doesnโ€™t love a cat character?! Sounds even more interesting to me ๐Ÿ˜‰

  20. Christy

    I’m surprised you didn’t listen to the audio. I haven’t read anything by Butcher yet, but dammit, I will. I was going to read his other series first, but I’m kind of leaning towards this book now.