Stormsworn

Steamborn #9

by Eric R. Asher

The finale of the Steamborn series is here!

An echo of war. A fractured alliance. A looming prophecy…

The attack on Ballern caught more than the Skyborn unprepared. Mordair’s sinister agenda has been revealed, leaving countless shattered lives in its wake. He seeks a pact with the Children of the Dark Fire. One that will break the foundation of the alliance.

Archibald and Lady Katherine have split their forces between Karn, Ballern, and the East, leaving them vulnerable to Mordair's ruthless strikes. Karn prepares to fight beside the Stormborn, leading Jacob and Alice to a nightmarish place known as the Dead Woods. There, the land itself is poisoned, making the air toxic to every creature who dares enter. Secrets lie hidden in an ancient control center, a glimmer of hope in the crushing darkness.

But everything comes at a price.

The forests will burn. The skies will darken. Amid it all, the Stormborn will rise.

Genres: Science Fiction

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2024

About the author

Eric R. Asher is the author of over 30 titles, including the Vesik urban fantasy series and the YA steampunk series, Steamborn. Look for his upcoming cozy fantasy, The Theme Park at the End of the World, in 2024. He is currently living in St. Louis, Missouri, where the local folklore often finds its way into his Mason Dixon: Monster Hunter rural fantasy series.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read anything by Eric R Asher before starting this series. I loved it and am looking forward to reading/listening to more of his stories.

In this final chapter of Jacob and Alice's story you see how much they have grown and matured. Their understanding of what they are doing and the impact that it makes on their lives.

The depth and detail of the stories was great.

[Susan Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series. Will be purchasing the books and reading them again. Loved the Wildhorse. If anyone knows of a place like that I’d love to visit. I recently watched Sweet Tooth on Netflix, a vile character told the “hero, Becky” that “Blood was thicker that water” Becky said my parents were smart, college professors and they taught her that the water is a reference to the water in the womb. Blood is the bonds formed in war”. So, Becky’s friends, that the vile person was trying to get Becky to turn on were her family formed by blood. The list of characters in the Steamborn series are family by blood. The relationship between Jacob and Alice is sweet. I lived that no one told them that they were too close too soon or too young. The Steampunk elements, alternate universe and fantastical are fun. This has a lot that will please many people with an open mind.

[Carrie O’Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that’s the nine books finished. Sadly I found the final battle and the end of Mordair to be a little anticlimactic, a little too easy. I would still like to know how much time has elapsed since the events of Steamborn. Not a great deal I imagine as their teacher, Miss Penny, mentions that Jacob and Alice still have another year at school. They certainly act and speak very maturely for teenagers, as do Furi and Gladys, which I think takes away a little of the believability of the story. I still love the world though. I’ve always been a fan of steampunk and Eric R Asher has built a truly interesting world, with a good variety of steam machines. I still feel it could have all been condensed into a single trilogy. As with the rest of the series, the audiobook was well narrated.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start this by saying this book is by no means a standalone. It's the 9th and final entry of an enjoyable steampunk series. Start at the beginning.
Eric Asher brings it home! While sad to see the Steamborn end, all the t's are crossed and the i's are dotted. The other cities have figured out that they need to be allied to have a chance to defeat Mordair.
Great characters, an exciting aerial battle, and more. Charles would be so proud of Jacob.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want it to end

I really hope these characters and cities are revisited in the future! Inspiring people and stories with just enough depth and detail to keep you immersed without bogging you down. So much potential for new adventures or deeper exploration of individuals. If it has to end here, it was absolutely amazing and moving from beginning to conclusion and worth the time and purchase.

[Robert Neiberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would not have listened to all 9 books if I didn’t enjoy the world building, characters, and plot. However, the final book seemed very rushed and unsatisfying. A couple characters die very quickly and one just walks away without any resolution to their story line. The earlier books end in a more satisfying way.

[Ginelle Blanch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The culmination of an amazing series did not disappoint!

Action, emotion, friendship, and family. It’s all in here. Vivid storytelling makes this a page turner. Will be hard not to miss characters I’ve come to think of as friends!

[Chuck Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Steampunk

5 stars for the series! I loved that there is so much of the mechanics and engineering covered in such detail. So many authors skim over or omit these aspects. Just including a "airship" travel and Victorian references is a cop out in my opinion. Kudos !

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sad so see this amazing series end. The world building is incredible. All the characters are, for good or bad, outstanding. Watching Jacob and Alice grow into kind, incredible young adults was such a pleasure. I hope someday we can revisit them to see how they are doing.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting World building, enjoyed the full series.