Indie-Mas is my annual recap of all the great independently-published books I read in the previous year. I like to take this time to share the love–both by helping promote great indie books and giving them away! So without further ado…
On the fifth day of Indie-Mas, my author gave to me:
A feisty woman who can raise the dead
My favorite kind of love triangle
A New Orleans-based Fantasy with a Snarky Fairy
An Elemental Epic Fantasy
And…
A Steampunk Dystopian
This one snuck up on me. It’s a blend of dystopian, magicless fantasy, steampunk, and awesome. Political intrigue features heavily here–another tyrant king to be dealt with–but I just adored the detailed technology and world building. Content warning for sex work.
Aya was a cogsmith’s daughter until said cogsmith defied the king and was put to death. Now, she’s working the rudder, the local brothel. A man comes promising to help her seek revenge against the king, and she’s swept up in the political intrigue of the “castle” (which is really a giant ship they all live in).
I was a bit bummed to find out the second book doesn’t follow Aya’s story, rather her friend Dellwyn. But I definitely recommend Cogsmith’s daughter to fans of steampunk.
I loved Metaltown which was billed as steampunk, but it really wasn’t. It was based in a fictional industrial revolution and was all about forming a union.
Thanks for highlighting my novel! If it makes you feel better, I have it on good authority that Aya will be our star protagonist once again later in the series. 😉
My favorite steampunk fantasy book I’ve read in 2016 is a toss up between three classics adapted for children: H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine and Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Around The World in 80 Days.
Looking forward to Tara Sims’ Timekeeper which was just recently released.
Dark So Deep, once again, my favorite steampunk fantasy. 🙂
This looks like a good “first” in the steampunk fantasy experience! Thanks for the chance!