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The Aeronaut's Windlass

The Cinder Spires, Book 1

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The Aeronaut's Windlass

By: Jim Butcher
Narrated by: Euan Morton
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About this listen

 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. Within their halls, the ruling aristocratic houses develop scientific marvels, foster trade alliances, and maintain fleets of airships to keep the peace.
 
Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship Predator. 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 damaged in combat, Grimm joins a team of Albion agents on a vital mission in exchange for fully restoring his ship. 
 
And as Grimm undertakes this task, he learns 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. . . . Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction Steampunk Cats

Critic reviews

“So Jim Butcher is writing futuristic dystopian steampunk? You had me at Jim Butcher, actually. But the rest is cool too....Great action scenes, a fascinating world, and characters of a sort I've never seen before. Yup. This is everything I’ve come to expect from Jim Butcher, but in a delightful new flavor.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss

“Wow. Just wow. Beware fellow readers, herein lies adventure that will keep you from food or rest…It is as if Jules Verne, H. Rider Haggard, Patrick O’Brien and...well, Jim Butcher all got together and wrote a book. Steampunk done very, very right. 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 steampunk 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

“Butcher opens the imaginative Cinder Spires series with this sweeping fantastical epic...[It's] a fascinating, adventurous, and intricate story. Butcher brings a fresh and exciting perspective to secondary-world steampunk, giving the reader a thrilling ride.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Butcher, the bestselling author of the Dresden Files, now launches the Cinder Spires, a new epic fantasy, steampunk hybrid series that has shades of both Naomi Novik and Cherie Priest...With shifting points of view, short chapters, fast-paced action, and awesome battle scenes, the large cast of characters, elaborate world building, and intricate plot are revealed quickly and realized fully. It all reminds readers of when they first fell for Harry Dresden.”—Booklist (starred review)

“[Butcher] blends familiar steampunk and fantasy elements (airships, wizardry, and heroes from a monarch’s guard) in a fresh and wonderful way that results in a fantastic ride. This should well satisfy fans of fantasy, sf, or their stepchild steampunk.”—Library Journal (starred review)
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Most relevant
Enjoyed it a lot. love the world and characters that he has created. Also the narrator was great too.

Very enjoyable.

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Would you listen to The Aeronaut's Windlass again? Why?

Yes!

It's one of those books that really draws you in and makes you connect with each and every character, no matter how minor their roles are. The main characters are believable and endearing, especially Rowl (loved his moments and I'm not even a cat person!).

It's serious at times yet it takes you on such a fun ride!

What other book might you compare The Aeronaut's Windlass to, and why?

Although very different, I will rate it as highly as The Name of the Wind. A very good and enjoyable book!

What does Euan Morton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I believe he is an excellent narrator! Never underestimate the value of a good narrator, seriously he is one of the best!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! I really struggled to put it down to go to work, especially since my employer wasn't Captain Grimm!

Any additional comments?

Please please please release the next book soon!

A Hidden Crystal!

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Lots of great characters, and cats too! Filled with adventure. However it does not reach a conclusion and leaves a lot of unanswered questions. So let's have the next book..... It's too hard to wait.

Great story

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loved it, was rooting for all of them. especially Bri and Ben. really enjoyed it hopefully there is many more to come

needs a sequel

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Great narration, a swashbuckling setting, and interesting characters. Could have gone with a little more grit, and been a little less predictable at times. Clearly it's YA material not dissimilar to Reynolds's Revenger series.

A tad too YA for me, but still fun

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