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The Reluctant Captain
When a mysterious explosion destroys the bridge of His Majesty's Airship Daedalus, Lt. Commander Malcolm Robertson, Chief Engineer, finds himself thrust into the role of Captain on a secretive mission to Russia.
With an Airship full of British and Russian scientists whose intelligence is matched only by their egos, spies watching his every move, and a real saboteur on board, Malcolm must find a way to complete his mission and bring his crew home safely.
With an Airship full of British and Russian scientists whose intelligence is matched only by their egos, spies watching his every move, and a real saboteur on board, Malcolm must find a way to complete his mission and bring his crew home safely.
- GenresSteampunk
Paperback
First published March 7, 2015
3 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Michael Tefft
4 books5 followersMichael Tefft is a multi-talented creative force, seamlessly merging his passion for technology, music, and storytelling into the enchanting world of steampunk novels. With a background as a skilled software engineer, his affinity for problem-solving and attention to detail shines through in the intricately crafted worlds he builds.
Born with a natural curiosity and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Michael embarked on a journey through the realms of literature and music from a young age. Immersed in the grand tales of adventure and science fiction, he found himself drawn to the subgenre of steampunk, where imagination meets the elegant machinery of the past.
Throughout his career, Michael Tefft has mastered the art of blending the mechanical wonders of steampunk technology with the depth of human emotions and motivations. His novels transport readers to a bygone era, where airships roam the skies and the boundaries between science and magic blur.
Beyond the world of literature, Michael's musical prowess adds a melodic dimension to his storytelling. As a talented musician, he infuses his steampunk novels with a symphony of sounds that breathe life into the narrative, captivating readers with an experience that transcends the written word.
Michael's dedication to research is evident in the historical accuracy and attention to detail found in his steampunk worlds. From the cogs and gears of the mechanical marvels to the rich tapestry of cultures and societies, his novels are as authentic as they are imaginative.
With each new creation, Michael Tefft takes readers on a thrilling expedition, uncovering mysteries, confronting adversaries, and exploring the very essence of what it means to be human. His unique blend of adventure, romance, and steampunk aesthetics have garnered him a devoted following, eager to embark on every literary journey he crafts.
As a software engineer, musician, and author, Michael Tefft's diverse talents come together in harmony to create unforgettable tales of wonder and excitement. With the turn of every page, readers are transported to worlds of mechanical wonders, where imagination knows no bounds. Whether he's performing in numerous bands or weaving stories of adventure, Michael's creative spirit knows no limits, and his steampunk novels are a testament to the power of artistry and innovation combined.
Born with a natural curiosity and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Michael embarked on a journey through the realms of literature and music from a young age. Immersed in the grand tales of adventure and science fiction, he found himself drawn to the subgenre of steampunk, where imagination meets the elegant machinery of the past.
Throughout his career, Michael Tefft has mastered the art of blending the mechanical wonders of steampunk technology with the depth of human emotions and motivations. His novels transport readers to a bygone era, where airships roam the skies and the boundaries between science and magic blur.
Beyond the world of literature, Michael's musical prowess adds a melodic dimension to his storytelling. As a talented musician, he infuses his steampunk novels with a symphony of sounds that breathe life into the narrative, captivating readers with an experience that transcends the written word.
Michael's dedication to research is evident in the historical accuracy and attention to detail found in his steampunk worlds. From the cogs and gears of the mechanical marvels to the rich tapestry of cultures and societies, his novels are as authentic as they are imaginative.
With each new creation, Michael Tefft takes readers on a thrilling expedition, uncovering mysteries, confronting adversaries, and exploring the very essence of what it means to be human. His unique blend of adventure, romance, and steampunk aesthetics have garnered him a devoted following, eager to embark on every literary journey he crafts.
As a software engineer, musician, and author, Michael Tefft's diverse talents come together in harmony to create unforgettable tales of wonder and excitement. With the turn of every page, readers are transported to worlds of mechanical wonders, where imagination knows no bounds. Whether he's performing in numerous bands or weaving stories of adventure, Michael's creative spirit knows no limits, and his steampunk novels are a testament to the power of artistry and innovation combined.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 23, 2026
A good dieselpunk story that borrows from Wells and Doyle.
August 24, 2015
I liked the Reluctant Captain. I received this book in a Goodreads drawing and was very excited to read it. A steam punk zeppelin engineer is suddenly cast in the role of Captain of the Daedalus only to discover he is leading a top secret mission to recover what could be crash landed alien technology. What is worse, there's a saboteur on board. He can trust no one as he races to obtain the Empire's prize and its enemies are quickly closing in.
It has a good plot, and the excitement moves along at a fast pace to hold my interest. Still, I felt like something was missing. I would have liked to learn more about this steam punk world...what was the political climate driving our reluctant hero and his enemies? I wanted to be more immersed in the quirky intricate designs that make this world so unique, and I would have loved a subplot regarding the frozen cargo that was recovered. (Trying not to give away too much. )
Finally, I know this is a bit picky, but a bit of editing is still needed. A few spelling fixes and formatting work...A blank space between every paragraph is really distracting. I thought those spaces were for a scene change, a character aside or a paradigm shift within a chapter, and it made reading dialog seem choppy and stunted.
I hope to read more from Michael Tefft. Keep writing, and thank you for such a fun story!
It has a good plot, and the excitement moves along at a fast pace to hold my interest. Still, I felt like something was missing. I would have liked to learn more about this steam punk world...what was the political climate driving our reluctant hero and his enemies? I wanted to be more immersed in the quirky intricate designs that make this world so unique, and I would have loved a subplot regarding the frozen cargo that was recovered. (Trying not to give away too much. )
Finally, I know this is a bit picky, but a bit of editing is still needed. A few spelling fixes and formatting work...A blank space between every paragraph is really distracting. I thought those spaces were for a scene change, a character aside or a paradigm shift within a chapter, and it made reading dialog seem choppy and stunted.
I hope to read more from Michael Tefft. Keep writing, and thank you for such a fun story!
January 1, 2016
I loved the book. It made me cry and kept me up past mid night reading! Great story! It made me want to try the food described in the book. I could see this as a movie! I would highly recommend buying this book and reading it. My son finished the book in a short time too... so I know he enjoyed it as well!
August 15, 2015
Won this book, The Reluctant Captain by Michael Tefft in a Goodreads First-reads giveaway. The book is entertaining and I would recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews