We’ll start at the very beginning, a very good place to start! What a fantastically atmospheric start it is, the audiobook drawing you in in a swirl of well-produced mystery. I mean I had zero idea what was going on, but it was a hoot! References to dragon gods known as the great wyrms, a mysterious ‘demonic’ stranger coming to attack, it really hit the ground running.

 

Suddenly we are introduced to the story proper with an introduction to Tyreta Hawkspur, female heir of the mighty Hawkspur guild. Here we first see some of her plucky nature as she uses her magical prowess to speed the airship ahead to the city of Torwind.  It is here, at the centre of world trade, which the guilds rule in tandem with the religious Draconate ministry, and where events mainly take place. The story revolves mainly around the Hawkspur family and the world shifting events they find them spiralled into. The characters for the most part do follow familiar tropes, and that is ok because what they did was actually very surprising! Tyreta is the plucky young troublemaker, Conall the heir to the guild shouldered with responsibility, Fulren the quirky young scientist, and Rosomon the iron matriarch wh0 holds it all together. They do tend to stay within their character boundaries, although this isn’t precluding any growth within them, but not every book has to be an intense character dive. Ford knows his characters, and knows them well, letting the plot drive them forward instead of the other way around.

 

I would argue in tandem with the worldbuilding, that the plot is the true standout of this engrossing series opener. There was one single element that I *did* guess, but it certainly didn’t spoil it by any means. The story goes that the Torwind empire has long been at war with the Nirakis empire, a people whom they believe to be demonic. Unexpectedly an emissary arrives to broker a potential peace and trade deal, something that Emperor Sullivar welcomes. But conspiracy and greed runs to the heart of this empire, some grudges long held in the dark, and now is their time to break into the light. As her children all branch out into the empire on different paths, Rosomon Hawkspur is left to control the chaos left behind. But each of these characters will all be drawn into danger of their own, revolution is in the air, and with it all of Torwind will be alight.

 

I simply loved the many twists and turns in this book. I NEVER ever gasp or cheer at a book, but this had me whooping and thumping along as the story raced on. It does have a necessary slower pace whilst in Torwind, however once it gets going, this thing paces like its Usain Bolt at the Olympics! However, it never feels too fast, never skips the necessary character moments, and they all get a fitting emotional climax. Whilst this wasn’t one to make me cry, it truly engaged me like almost no other.

 

I really liked phase two of the MCU because each one felt like a supehero movie with a different flavour to it, be it conspiracy thriller or buddy movie, and each character’s tale felt like it had its own nature to it. Tyreta felt like an Avatar flavour, Rosomon a political thriller, and I won’t spoil the others to enjoy! Unexpected characters turn up and take things for a ride as well, keeping it always fresh and exciting, your mind will change on other characters in ways you could never have imagined, just a total blast.

 

The magic system is quite soft at this point in the series, there is a lot that isn’t explained, but it’s clear there are depths to plumb in later novels. It’s based around the energy within precious gems called Pyrestone, and in Nyrakis they have a sort of tatoo/runic based magic system. I won’t go into detail much here because tbh there isn’t much detail within, and I liked it that way. I usually get quite lost in a magic system as I’m not a fan of hard magic system and authors often follow a Sandersonian style of hard magic in fantasy at the moment. Here it was enough to NOT be deus ex machina, whilst not bamboozling me. If I can understand it, you dear reader can too!

 

Whilst this book was not one to pull on my emotions in the same devastating fashion as some others within the fantasy genre, this factor did not hinder it in the slightest. It was pure zany unadulterated fun, much of it enabled by a pace that needs to be experienced to be believed!

 

CONCLUSION: Overall, this was a rip-roaring yarn of the highest order. Never have I been so entranced by an audiobook, one that truly took me on a journey. It totally changed my perceptions of steampunk and truly deserves to take the fantasy world by storm. RS Ford has written an adventure for the ages and I cannot wait to read the full tapestry.