The Aeronaut's Windlass

The Cinder Spires, Book 1

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: Euan Morton

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 10,000 years, has begun to stir once more. And death will follow in its wake.

©2015 Jim Butcher (P)2015 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Great action scenes, a fascinating world, and characters of a sort I've never seen before. This is everything I've come to expect from Jim Butcher, but in a delightful new flavour (Patrick Rothfuss, author of THE NAME OF THE WIND)

Wow. Just wow. Beware fellow readers, herein lies adventure that will keep you from food or rest . . . Butcher proves yet again that he is an amazing storyteller (#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs)

This is Jim Butcher at his best, drawing a fully realized, richly detailed, and downright fun literary world where fearless aeronauts ride the aether, brilliant wizards struggle with doorknobs, and a thirty-pound feline warrior keeps a pet human named Little Mouse. It's steam-punk meets magic with a dose of sci-fi for seasoning. Buy it and read it. You'll be glad you did! (New York Times bestselling author David Weber)

Reminiscent of the codex alera. Jim butches creates another fascinating fantasy universe

Steampunk, political intrigue and talking cats. This might prove to be yet another escapist venture into a steampunk inspired fantasy world.

Steampunk Butcher - another voice

Loved the narrator, had just the right tone for this style of story. Clear articulation, perfect accent and dulcet on the ear. I have had to listen twice to get the world, the characters and the story straight in my minds eye. Fresh from Harry Dresden this is different all round. The world building is great and yes, the cats are spot on.

general steampunk Harry and pirate Murphy with prince mister... yes please

general steampunk Harry and pirate Murphy with prince mister... yes please

crazy Lazer magic and flying ships in a the Fog kind of mist

Careful if you are a dresden fan...

What would have made The Aeronaut's Windlass better?

Characters I could care about.

What could Jim Butcher have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Not my job to worry about.

Did Euan Morton do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

He did a reasonable job.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Aeronaut's Windlass?

The whole book...?