The Aeronaut's Windlass

As a big Dresden Files fan, I'm a bit shocked that it took me so long to give Jim Butcher's The Cinder Spires series a shot. And yet, given the fact that it took the author eight years to release the sequel, perhaps it was for the best. But when the folks at Ace sent me an ARC of the second volume, I knew the time had come to finally read The Aeronaut's Windlass.

Given the steampunk setting and the Victorian era dialogue, this series is a totally different beast than the Dresden books. Hence, if you weren't able to get into the Dresden Files, perhaps The Cinder Spires will be more to your liking. The Aeronaut's Windlass is more a swashbuckling fantasy adventure than steampunk science fiction, and it also features talking cats. Just saying!

Here's the blurb:

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 warriors…

Since 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 enemy’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 Albion—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. Humanity’s ancient enemy, silent for more than ten thousand years, has begun to stir once more. And death will follow in its wake…

À la Mark Lawrence, Jim Butcher keeps his cards rather close to his chest as far as the worldbuilding is concerned. Though the author provides a ton of information regarding the ships that fly through the etherical currents and the technology that powers them, very little is disclosed about the Spires and their history. All we know is that ten thousand years before, the Merciful Builders created them to shelter mankind from the dangers of the surface and then disappeared. There are mentions of a God in Heaven, Archangels, and an ancient enemy, but that's about it. It's unclear whether or not this is an alien world or a post-apocalyptic Earth. The second installment provides more information in that regard, but The Aeronaut's Windlass is more of a self-contained adventure that deliver very little details about the greater scheme of things.

Unlike the Dresden Files, two of the lead protagonists are female characters. Indeed, the bulk of the tale unfolds through the eyes of Gwendolyn Lancaster, heir to one of the most powerful Houses of Spire Albion, and Bridget Tagwynn, a young woman forced to fulfill her family obligation and join the Spirearch's Guard. The other main character is Francis Madison Grimm, captain of Predator. The three of them are thrown together when agents of Spire Aurora attempt to cripple Spire Albion. The supporting cast is made up of a bunch of colorful men and women, chief among them Journeyman, Kettle, and the rest of Grimm's crew, as well as the etherealists Master Ferus and his apprentice Folly. Once again, Butcher sure came up with a great cast. Add to that talking cats and making them an important part of the plot and you're in for a fun and entertaining read.

The best and worse aspects of The Aeronaut's Windlass just might be the fact that it's too self-contained for its own good. Although it's evidently the first chapter in a much larger tale, the book does provide a few tidbits that promise bigger and better things to come, and its ending leaves the door open for a major conflict between Spires Albion and Aurora. Still, I would have loved to discover more about the world's more ancient history, the Spires themselves, the dangers lurking on the surface, and the etherealists, these mad wizard-like figures, and their powers. To fully enjoy this first volume, you simply need to buckle up, enjoy the show, and not ask too many questions. If you can do that, chances are you'll love this novel. If you can't, then your mileage may vary.

Butcher keeps the plot moving at a good clip and there's never a dull moment from start to finish. The Aeronaut's Windlass is definitely a fun romp. Even if I would have preferred more depth up front, there's no denying that this is a fun-filled adventure that will keep you turning those pages. With a thrilling endgame and a rousing finale, this novel sets the stage for what could be another exciting series. Time will tell if Jim Butcher can up his game and deliver more ambitious sequels and not just rely on the same recipe for what comes next.

The Aeronaut's Windlass is a swashbuckling steampunk fantasy adventure featuring a cast of memorable characters. If you haven't read it yet, with the second volume coming out this fall, the timing is perfect for you to give it a go!

The final verdict: 7.75/10

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