What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales of the Iron Rose #1
Echoes of the Imperium
Nicholas and Olivia Atwater combine ghosts, goblins, and dreadful faeries in a “swashbuckling steampunk adventure that delivers” (Caitlin Rozakis). Pick up Echoes of the Imperium and dive into a daring, madcap adventure that dashes from start to finish.
A fallen empire. A goblin airship captain. One big, blasphemous problem.
Captain William Blair has taken shady jobs before—what goblin hasn’t? But this shady job has pirates off the port bow and legendary aethermancers knocking at his cabin door. Unfortunately, Wil has sworn an Oath to escort his newest dubious passenger wherever she wants to go… and a goblin must be worth his word.
The ragtag crew of the Iron Rose once survived the fall of an empire—but none of them are interested in revisiting the experience. As the dregs of the Imperium rise again to claw at their heels, Wil and his crew must face the literal ghosts of their past… or else history may well repeat itself.
Praise for Echoes of the Imperium"Swashbuckling steampunk adventure with a healthy dose of self-awareness, Echoes of the Imperium keeps sight of the social and ecological impacts of a steam-driven empire while delivering what we're here for--airship dogfighting, aether-driven explosions, goggles that do something, and tragically shattered tea sets. And found family. And goblins." —Caitlin Rozakis, NYT-bestselling author of Dreadful
"Whether you're here for madcap airship battles and swashbuckling steampunk knights, or the hard and beautiful truths about redemption and second chances, this is a rollicking adventure that satisfies on every level!" —Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer
"A subversive, heartfelt and heart-soaring adventure of found family, redemption in the wake of war, broken tea sets and one singularly wonderful goblin captain. This is unmissable swashbuckling fantasy." —Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne
"My favourite kind of adventure--smart, swashbuckling, wildly inventive, with lovable characters at its heart and questions of redemption, family, faith, and how to live in a world haunted by past atrocities at its soul. An absolute blast from start to finish." —H.G. Parry, author of The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door
"The Atwaters deliver a punchy, riotous ride through tumultuous skies, with a cast of gold-hearted rogues. Fans of Firefly and Leverage will want to join this motley crew!" —Charlotte E. English, author of Wyrde and Wayward and Modern Magick
"Echoes of the Imperium resounds with wit, adventure, and heart, in a story that weaves irresistible roguish charm with powerful themes of regret and redemption. This is a world and a crew you'll never want to leave." —Jacquelyn Benson, author of Empire of Shadows
A fallen empire. A goblin airship captain. One big, blasphemous problem.
Captain William Blair has taken shady jobs before—what goblin hasn’t? But this shady job has pirates off the port bow and legendary aethermancers knocking at his cabin door. Unfortunately, Wil has sworn an Oath to escort his newest dubious passenger wherever she wants to go… and a goblin must be worth his word.
The ragtag crew of the Iron Rose once survived the fall of an empire—but none of them are interested in revisiting the experience. As the dregs of the Imperium rise again to claw at their heels, Wil and his crew must face the literal ghosts of their past… or else history may well repeat itself.
Praise for Echoes of the Imperium"Swashbuckling steampunk adventure with a healthy dose of self-awareness, Echoes of the Imperium keeps sight of the social and ecological impacts of a steam-driven empire while delivering what we're here for--airship dogfighting, aether-driven explosions, goggles that do something, and tragically shattered tea sets. And found family. And goblins." —Caitlin Rozakis, NYT-bestselling author of Dreadful
"Whether you're here for madcap airship battles and swashbuckling steampunk knights, or the hard and beautiful truths about redemption and second chances, this is a rollicking adventure that satisfies on every level!" —Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer
"A subversive, heartfelt and heart-soaring adventure of found family, redemption in the wake of war, broken tea sets and one singularly wonderful goblin captain. This is unmissable swashbuckling fantasy." —Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne
"My favourite kind of adventure--smart, swashbuckling, wildly inventive, with lovable characters at its heart and questions of redemption, family, faith, and how to live in a world haunted by past atrocities at its soul. An absolute blast from start to finish." —H.G. Parry, author of The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door
"The Atwaters deliver a punchy, riotous ride through tumultuous skies, with a cast of gold-hearted rogues. Fans of Firefly and Leverage will want to join this motley crew!" —Charlotte E. English, author of Wyrde and Wayward and Modern Magick
"Echoes of the Imperium resounds with wit, adventure, and heart, in a story that weaves irresistible roguish charm with powerful themes of regret and redemption. This is a world and a crew you'll never want to leave." —Jacquelyn Benson, author of Empire of Shadows
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2024
33 people are currently reading
1397 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Atwater
2 books75 followersNicholas Atwater writes swashbuckling steampunk fantasy. He resides in Montreal, Quebec with his incredible, brilliant wife and two cats. As an ex-thespian, he certainly does not practice funny accents in the shower, and no one can prove otherwise. He is a veteran Dungeons & Dragons gamemaster, famously feared for both his villains and his puns.
In the mood for more swashbuckling adventures? Sign up for the Atwater Adventure Column at nicholasatwater.com and get ongoing updates, along with the exclusive short story The Good, the Bad, and the Goblin.
In the mood for more swashbuckling adventures? Sign up for the Atwater Adventure Column at nicholasatwater.com and get ongoing updates, along with the exclusive short story The Good, the Bad, and the Goblin.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
October 23, 2024
3.85✨ rounded up
This book completely snuck up on me.
You can tell that the authors spent a lot of time building their characters - they are all so unique, in the absolute best way. The found family is extremely heartwarming.
I would say that this book is action packed. I cried at 14% and I kept thinking : I can’t believe I’m crying right now! 14% is so early to be so attached to characters.
I’ve rarely read a pirate based High Fantasy - so this was a nice change. IMO - this is also Epic Fantasy. The stakes are incredibly high.
The world building is well done, though I will say that the strong suits of this book are 1) the characters and 2) the unique plot and storyline.
From 1-50% something is always happening - then it slows down a bit between 50-80%. It was mostly well balanced but sometimes it was a bit overwhelming, to be quite honest.
I loved the ending a lot. It wrapped up the story beautifully and I’m excited for book 2.
This book completely snuck up on me.
You can tell that the authors spent a lot of time building their characters - they are all so unique, in the absolute best way. The found family is extremely heartwarming.
I would say that this book is action packed. I cried at 14% and I kept thinking : I can’t believe I’m crying right now! 14% is so early to be so attached to characters.
I’ve rarely read a pirate based High Fantasy - so this was a nice change. IMO - this is also Epic Fantasy. The stakes are incredibly high.
The world building is well done, though I will say that the strong suits of this book are 1) the characters and 2) the unique plot and storyline.
From 1-50% something is always happening - then it slows down a bit between 50-80%. It was mostly well balanced but sometimes it was a bit overwhelming, to be quite honest.
I loved the ending a lot. It wrapped up the story beautifully and I’m excited for book 2.
November 10, 2024
It has taken me far too long to write this review, and the only thing holding me back has been that I don't really know how to say how much I loved it.
Wil Blair, goblin captain extraordinaire, has my whole heart (which was to be expected, considering how much I loved his character in the prequel novella, A Matter of Execution). Blair is thoughtful, compassionate, and has that edge of daring that has nothing to do with recklessness and everything to do with realizing you have to stand by your morals, however messy and uncertain and dangerous that might be. And things do get messy and uncertain and dangerous, but luckily for Blair, he has a brilliant, sharp-edged, and yet soft-at-heart crew at his side, from his bosun (who is packing a helluva secret) to the gunnery ladies and their knitting circle, to the ship's physicker, to everyone in between.
As for what actually happens? Well, we have a smuggling agreement gone wrong, airship battles, hidden identities, unholy aether, betrayal, goblin Underlords, not-quite-necromancy, truly otherworldly Fae... this book has it all. But it is also so much more than the sum of its parts. At it's heart, this book reflects on the terrible cost of imperialism, it mourns the lives destroyed for the sake of such power, and it takes us along on a wild ride to protect the survivors from the rise of a new imperial power... even as much darker powers home in on the known world. But with Blair at the helm of the Iron Rose, and his rag-tag crew beside him--as well as a couple of new members including an aethermancer of unknown provenance, and an outflyer pilot with an attitude--not even the greatest remaining heroes of the fallen empire stand a chance.
Highly recommend for those who love steampunk, are done with imperialism, or just want a fast-paced airship adventure with a diverse crew and fantastic found family vibes.
I received this book as an ARC. That has in no way influenced this review, which was written in a goblin-induced fugue state of anti-imperialist rage.
Wil Blair, goblin captain extraordinaire, has my whole heart (which was to be expected, considering how much I loved his character in the prequel novella, A Matter of Execution). Blair is thoughtful, compassionate, and has that edge of daring that has nothing to do with recklessness and everything to do with realizing you have to stand by your morals, however messy and uncertain and dangerous that might be. And things do get messy and uncertain and dangerous, but luckily for Blair, he has a brilliant, sharp-edged, and yet soft-at-heart crew at his side, from his bosun (who is packing a helluva secret) to the gunnery ladies and their knitting circle, to the ship's physicker, to everyone in between.
As for what actually happens? Well, we have a smuggling agreement gone wrong, airship battles, hidden identities, unholy aether, betrayal, goblin Underlords, not-quite-necromancy, truly otherworldly Fae... this book has it all. But it is also so much more than the sum of its parts. At it's heart, this book reflects on the terrible cost of imperialism, it mourns the lives destroyed for the sake of such power, and it takes us along on a wild ride to protect the survivors from the rise of a new imperial power... even as much darker powers home in on the known world. But with Blair at the helm of the Iron Rose, and his rag-tag crew beside him--as well as a couple of new members including an aethermancer of unknown provenance, and an outflyer pilot with an attitude--not even the greatest remaining heroes of the fallen empire stand a chance.
Highly recommend for those who love steampunk, are done with imperialism, or just want a fast-paced airship adventure with a diverse crew and fantastic found family vibes.
I received this book as an ARC. That has in no way influenced this review, which was written in a goblin-induced fugue state of anti-imperialist rage.
Read
October 29, 2024We don't review our own books, of course—but here are some facts you might not have known about Echoes of the Imperium!
FUN FACTS ABOUT ECHOES OF THE IMPERIUM
- Nicholas wrote the first few chapters over his work lunches as an exercise in subverting tired tropes.
- Nicholas and Olivia set themselves a rule with this series, in order to explore less common fantasy creatures: No elves, no dwarves, and no orcs. As a result, none of those races will ever appear in the series—though you’ll see plenty of goblins, hobgoblins, gorgons, centaurs, cervitaurs, and more.
- The first scene Nicholas wrote was the one where Captain Blair and the crew sail through the Ironspine Pass.
- Nicholas’ grandfather passed away during drafting. As a result, a named character dies near the beginning of the book, and a major subplot involving grief was introduced into the novel.
- Echoes of the Imperium draws inspiration from the authors’ favourite media, including Star Wars, Escaflowne, Treasure Planet, Dungeons & Dragons, Changeling: The Dreaming, and more. There are shameless, sometimes nonsensical homages littered throughout the book. We apologise for nothing.
- The original draft of the book was much lighter in tone, before the authors had tea and Olivia was like ‘okay, but that’s a war crime, seems like it deserves a little more breathing room’. It got a lot more breathing room.
AMUSING FACTS ABOUT THE CREW
- Captain William Blair is canonically asexual, though he appreciates aesthetic beauty. His one true love is the open sky. He is, therefore, an ace captain (pun fully intended).
- Olivia set a rule that Captain William Blair is never allowed to win anything through brute force. Nicholas set a rule that Captain William Blair is never allowed to engage in uncritical macho man behaviour. Between these two rules, a fantastic disaster goblin was created.
- Evie and Little were partially inspired by the romance-that-should-have-been between Poe and Finn from the Star Wars sequels.
- “Lady” Navi is inspired by Shohreh Aghdashloo’s depiction of Chrisjen Avasarala in the television series The Expanse.
- Nicholas and Olivia are both obsessive, habitual tea-drinkers. Mr Finch’s love of tea is drawn from their deep affection for hot leaf juice.
- The gunnery ladies were aesthetically inspired by the women who worked industrial jobs during the Second World War.
- If we’re being brutally honest, Miss Hawkins and her mentor, Jonathan Silver, are more of an homage to Treasure Planet than they are to Treasure Island.
- Aesir MacLeod is loosely based on one of Nicholas’ old tabletop roleplaying characters.
- Both Strahl and Miss Hawkins are classical heroes on their own doomed hero’s journeys. Failing outside intervention, they would both die noble, pointless deaths. Wil and his crew have bumbled into both of their stories and press-ganged them into heroine’s journeys instead, where everyone works together to survive. Strahl and Miss Hawkins are not always strictly grateful for this change in direction.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE SETTING
- The four Seelie gods who created Avalon each contributed one virtue to the sentient mortals of the world. The Benefactor contributed Mercy; the Lady of Fools contributed Courage; Noble Gallant contributed Honour; and Death Victorious contributed Glory.
- Certain characters in the series have an overabundance of one virtue or another. We know who they are.
- The Lady of Fools is canonically in love with the Benefactor, because “Mercy is always at least a little bit Foolish”. The mortals of Avalon have no idea. It is never mentioned in any of their holy texts. In fact, the Benefactor may also be oblivious to it.
- There are four Unseelie gods who stand in general opposition to the Seelie. While they may technically be capable of creating their own creatures, the Unseelie hoard their power too much to do so; instead, they twist and destroy existing creations.
- Seelie aether and have no inherent morality, but one is naturally more dangerous and destabilising to Avalon. Both are dangerous in their own way, and either can be used for good ends, under the correct circumstances.
- Each silver sword was created as an intersection of two virtues. is a sword of Mercy and Courage; its misuse is an allusion to the Arthurian sword’s misuse. is a sword of Mercy and Honour; its story is one of hard-won wisdom learned through initial weakness and shame, as in .
- Sweet Laurel, briefly mentioned in Echoes of the Imperium, was the only known female Silver Legionnaire at the time of the Sundering War. Both a diplomat and an assassin, her appearance at a meeting generally signified a last ultimatum. Sweet Laurel is not dead. We know exactly where she is right now.
- The nissar are based on Scandinavian house spirits, known for being helpful, efficient, and deeply vengeful when insulted. Do not anger the nissar.
- Olivia calls the Underlords of Morgause ‘the goblin mafia’. They are very bad people. She loves them endlessly for it.
FUN FACTS ABOUT ECHOES OF THE IMPERIUM
- Nicholas wrote the first few chapters over his work lunches as an exercise in subverting tired tropes.
- Nicholas and Olivia set themselves a rule with this series, in order to explore less common fantasy creatures: No elves, no dwarves, and no orcs. As a result, none of those races will ever appear in the series—though you’ll see plenty of goblins, hobgoblins, gorgons, centaurs, cervitaurs, and more.
- The first scene Nicholas wrote was the one where Captain Blair and the crew sail through the Ironspine Pass.
- Nicholas’ grandfather passed away during drafting. As a result, a named character dies near the beginning of the book, and a major subplot involving grief was introduced into the novel.
- Echoes of the Imperium draws inspiration from the authors’ favourite media, including Star Wars, Escaflowne, Treasure Planet, Dungeons & Dragons, Changeling: The Dreaming, and more. There are shameless, sometimes nonsensical homages littered throughout the book. We apologise for nothing.
- The original draft of the book was much lighter in tone, before the authors had tea and Olivia was like ‘okay, but that’s a war crime, seems like it deserves a little more breathing room’. It got a lot more breathing room.
AMUSING FACTS ABOUT THE CREW
- Captain William Blair is canonically asexual, though he appreciates aesthetic beauty. His one true love is the open sky. He is, therefore, an ace captain (pun fully intended).
- Olivia set a rule that Captain William Blair is never allowed to win anything through brute force. Nicholas set a rule that Captain William Blair is never allowed to engage in uncritical macho man behaviour. Between these two rules, a fantastic disaster goblin was created.
- Evie and Little were partially inspired by the romance-that-should-have-been between Poe and Finn from the Star Wars sequels.
- “Lady” Navi is inspired by Shohreh Aghdashloo’s depiction of Chrisjen Avasarala in the television series The Expanse.
- Nicholas and Olivia are both obsessive, habitual tea-drinkers. Mr Finch’s love of tea is drawn from their deep affection for hot leaf juice.
- The gunnery ladies were aesthetically inspired by the women who worked industrial jobs during the Second World War.
- If we’re being brutally honest, Miss Hawkins and her mentor, Jonathan Silver, are more of an homage to Treasure Planet than they are to Treasure Island.
- Aesir MacLeod is loosely based on one of Nicholas’ old tabletop roleplaying characters.
- Both Strahl and Miss Hawkins are classical heroes on their own doomed hero’s journeys. Failing outside intervention, they would both die noble, pointless deaths. Wil and his crew have bumbled into both of their stories and press-ganged them into heroine’s journeys instead, where everyone works together to survive. Strahl and Miss Hawkins are not always strictly grateful for this change in direction.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE SETTING
- The four Seelie gods who created Avalon each contributed one virtue to the sentient mortals of the world. The Benefactor contributed Mercy; the Lady of Fools contributed Courage; Noble Gallant contributed Honour; and Death Victorious contributed Glory.
- Certain characters in the series have an overabundance of one virtue or another. We know who they are.
- The Lady of Fools is canonically in love with the Benefactor, because “Mercy is always at least a little bit Foolish”. The mortals of Avalon have no idea. It is never mentioned in any of their holy texts. In fact, the Benefactor may also be oblivious to it.
- There are four Unseelie gods who stand in general opposition to the Seelie. While they may technically be capable of creating their own creatures, the Unseelie hoard their power too much to do so; instead, they twist and destroy existing creations.
- Seelie aether and have no inherent morality, but one is naturally more dangerous and destabilising to Avalon. Both are dangerous in their own way, and either can be used for good ends, under the correct circumstances.
- Each silver sword was created as an intersection of two virtues. is a sword of Mercy and Courage; its misuse is an allusion to the Arthurian sword’s misuse. is a sword of Mercy and Honour; its story is one of hard-won wisdom learned through initial weakness and shame, as in .
- Sweet Laurel, briefly mentioned in Echoes of the Imperium, was the only known female Silver Legionnaire at the time of the Sundering War. Both a diplomat and an assassin, her appearance at a meeting generally signified a last ultimatum. Sweet Laurel is not dead. We know exactly where she is right now.
- The nissar are based on Scandinavian house spirits, known for being helpful, efficient, and deeply vengeful when insulted. Do not anger the nissar.
- Olivia calls the Underlords of Morgause ‘the goblin mafia’. They are very bad people. She loves them endlessly for it.
November 26, 2024
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
Echoes of the Imperium is the first full length novel of the Tales of the Iron Rose. I read the prequel to this series when it was free on the author's website and loved the idea of a series that went out of its way to break some of the common classic fantasy tropes. For instance the Captain of the Iron Rose, might be swash buckling but he is a green goblin and only a swamy five foot tall. While I do highly recommend reading A Matter of Execution, it isn't necessary to join our goblin captain and crew on this adventure.
William Blair now is a beloved captain of the Iron Rose and her eclectic crew. All of them have a past of some kind, but when you come onboard the Iron Rose, you leave that life behind and you have a chance at a new found family and possibly redemption of a sort. Sailing the skies in a privateering ship Captain Blair and his crew take questionable jobs to make ends meet. Think a little bit Firefly, if it was all on one planet and the crew consisted of a Faery navigator, a granny type that is a hell of a shot, an engineer obsessed with keeping a tea set in one piece and a sixteen year old brought up on mystery novels ready to run cons and outmaneuver the adults. They sail the skies from port to port but this new job might just get everyone on the Iron Rose killed and Captain Blair could be in over his head.
This is a world where the mortals were used to fight a war for the Seelie against the Unseelie breaching through into this world. Twenty years ago that war was brought to a halt when a rebellion broke out and the Imperium was destroyed. The members aboard Captain Blair's ship are from all sides of that conflict and have found a peace and a way to coexist. The story is told mostly from Captain Blair's PoV in present and past as we learn how that fateful day 20 years ago ruined the Imperium. Years later and there is evidence the Unseelie have breached into this world. Captain Blair will revisit some of the atrocities the Imperium committed and find a way to keep the Imperium from returning from the ashes to conscript the unwilling into a new war.
I had a great time with this story. I like that all the characters in the ship are different and have interesting character development to make them three dimensional. Syrene is Fae and I think the author did a fantastic job of showing us how 'other' she is; in her demeaner, her emotions, the way she moved and her appearance. I enjoyed the worldbuilding as well and how aether powers ships and can be harnessed as a weapon too. The fights and flights were entertaining and nail biting at times, without going on so long that I lost focus.
Overall I am enjoying this series and how much fun the authors seem to be having with it. I recommend it to people who enjoyed Firefly, Treasure planet and the new Star Wars movies.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
Echoes of the Imperium is the first full length novel of the Tales of the Iron Rose. I read the prequel to this series when it was free on the author's website and loved the idea of a series that went out of its way to break some of the common classic fantasy tropes. For instance the Captain of the Iron Rose, might be swash buckling but he is a green goblin and only a swamy five foot tall. While I do highly recommend reading A Matter of Execution, it isn't necessary to join our goblin captain and crew on this adventure.
William Blair now is a beloved captain of the Iron Rose and her eclectic crew. All of them have a past of some kind, but when you come onboard the Iron Rose, you leave that life behind and you have a chance at a new found family and possibly redemption of a sort. Sailing the skies in a privateering ship Captain Blair and his crew take questionable jobs to make ends meet. Think a little bit Firefly, if it was all on one planet and the crew consisted of a Faery navigator, a granny type that is a hell of a shot, an engineer obsessed with keeping a tea set in one piece and a sixteen year old brought up on mystery novels ready to run cons and outmaneuver the adults. They sail the skies from port to port but this new job might just get everyone on the Iron Rose killed and Captain Blair could be in over his head.
“Miss Hawkins,” I said, “I am used to being the biggest troublemaker in town. I’m not certain I like the suggestion that you’re about to outdo me.”
This is a world where the mortals were used to fight a war for the Seelie against the Unseelie breaching through into this world. Twenty years ago that war was brought to a halt when a rebellion broke out and the Imperium was destroyed. The members aboard Captain Blair's ship are from all sides of that conflict and have found a peace and a way to coexist. The story is told mostly from Captain Blair's PoV in present and past as we learn how that fateful day 20 years ago ruined the Imperium. Years later and there is evidence the Unseelie have breached into this world. Captain Blair will revisit some of the atrocities the Imperium committed and find a way to keep the Imperium from returning from the ashes to conscript the unwilling into a new war.
I had a great time with this story. I like that all the characters in the ship are different and have interesting character development to make them three dimensional. Syrene is Fae and I think the author did a fantastic job of showing us how 'other' she is; in her demeaner, her emotions, the way she moved and her appearance. I enjoyed the worldbuilding as well and how aether powers ships and can be harnessed as a weapon too. The fights and flights were entertaining and nail biting at times, without going on so long that I lost focus.
Overall I am enjoying this series and how much fun the authors seem to be having with it. I recommend it to people who enjoyed Firefly, Treasure planet and the new Star Wars movies.
“Everything matters, Wil,” Evie told me. “But I don’t think penance is about fixing things. I think… it’s about…” There was a strange conviction in his dark eyes now, though he struggled to find the words to convey what he was thinking. “It’s about becoming the sort of person who would never make that mistake again. It’s about caring so much that you have to fix all of the little cruelties that you can. Until it’s the most natural thing in the world to you.”
March 27, 2025
Echoes of the Imperium by Nicholas and Olivia Atwater is darker than I expected.
After loving the prequel novella, I was anticipating more of a fun, cozy adventure. While Echoes does feature a found family dynamic (the crew has truly become a family, and no one is left behind), plenty of banter, and humor, it also includes some surprisingly grim moments. If you prefer to know what you’re getting into, be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.
For me, the blend of swashbuckling action, sharp dialogue, and the harsh realities of war and conflict created a nice balance. It never tipped into grimdark territory with a relentlessly melancholy tone, but it also didn’t feel like a lighthearted romp with no consequences.
To give you a sense of the tone: at the start of the book, soldiers who’ve just lost a battle commit mass suicide, and the "souls" of those killed long ago are still wailing every night. This isn’t the cheerful adventure I expected from the novella.
That said, the book still manages to make you laugh out loud (I caught myself snorting and laughing out loud, weirding out my husband, who was sitting next to me). The banter, paired with the crew’s audacity in the face of authority and "big bad villains," was an absolute joy.
Nicholas Atwater’s narration is fantastic, with the characters' personalities coming through strongly in the performance. I felt like I was right at home with this motley crew of lovable weirdos. Each character has a distinct backstory and depth, making them feel real and engaging.
The crew is wonderfully diverse: a goblin captain, a teen girl with nimble fingers, a deaf sailor, a crew of gunnery ladies, a fairy, a priest of sorts, a tea-obsessed genius, and more. If you’re against the Imperium, you’re welcome.
Another highlight is the unexpected twists and turns. You might think you know where things are headed, only to be surprised along the way. The story strikes a great balance, often satisfying your expectations, while still managing to surprise you when you least expect it.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, something that isn’t too fluffy but still a lot of fun, with a crew you’ll grow to love, Echoes of the Imperium is a fantastic choice!
After loving the prequel novella, I was anticipating more of a fun, cozy adventure. While Echoes does feature a found family dynamic (the crew has truly become a family, and no one is left behind), plenty of banter, and humor, it also includes some surprisingly grim moments. If you prefer to know what you’re getting into, be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.
For me, the blend of swashbuckling action, sharp dialogue, and the harsh realities of war and conflict created a nice balance. It never tipped into grimdark territory with a relentlessly melancholy tone, but it also didn’t feel like a lighthearted romp with no consequences.
To give you a sense of the tone: at the start of the book, soldiers who’ve just lost a battle commit mass suicide, and the "souls" of those killed long ago are still wailing every night. This isn’t the cheerful adventure I expected from the novella.
That said, the book still manages to make you laugh out loud (I caught myself snorting and laughing out loud, weirding out my husband, who was sitting next to me). The banter, paired with the crew’s audacity in the face of authority and "big bad villains," was an absolute joy.
Nicholas Atwater’s narration is fantastic, with the characters' personalities coming through strongly in the performance. I felt like I was right at home with this motley crew of lovable weirdos. Each character has a distinct backstory and depth, making them feel real and engaging.
The crew is wonderfully diverse: a goblin captain, a teen girl with nimble fingers, a deaf sailor, a crew of gunnery ladies, a fairy, a priest of sorts, a tea-obsessed genius, and more. If you’re against the Imperium, you’re welcome.
Another highlight is the unexpected twists and turns. You might think you know where things are headed, only to be surprised along the way. The story strikes a great balance, often satisfying your expectations, while still managing to surprise you when you least expect it.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, something that isn’t too fluffy but still a lot of fun, with a crew you’ll grow to love, Echoes of the Imperium is a fantastic choice!
October 23, 2024
Generally speaking, I am loath to find meaning in books. I’m not here for theme and deeper understanding. I want entertainment. That said, even I could see very early on that in its heart, this book is about redemption–about being true to yourself and your understanding of right even when that understanding comes later than you might like to admit, and more especially even with it’s soul-rendingly difficult.
That said, this book is also an absolute romp. Adventure, action, humor (just saying but the scene where Blair almost loses his hat might be my favorite). The characters within these pages will become so real you forget that they’re just words on paper (or a screen, thank you technology). I’ve been a huge fan of Captain Blair and his crew since Nicholas introduced me to A Matter of Execution and, let me tell you, I had high expectations for this book. Each and every one was not just met but surpassed.
I’m not one to highlight passages in books, but if I were, this book would be a rainbow of witty banter and spectacularly worded lines. The talent and imagination of the authors is clear in every beautifully polished sentence.
Before going into this I was warned that Echoes of the Imperium was a chonky book. Despite that, plot tension and genuine curiosity kept me turning pages until the very end. If you enjoy expertly crafted worlds, intricate plots, and characters you want to invite over for tea and cocktails, this book is for you.
As one might expect in a story that involves what amounts to sky pirates living in the aftermath of a devastating war, there is violence. It’s graphic without being overdone. Be forewarned that there is a scene early on that deal with suicide–again, not horrifically graphic, but could be a problem for some readers.
That said, this book is also an absolute romp. Adventure, action, humor (just saying but the scene where Blair almost loses his hat might be my favorite). The characters within these pages will become so real you forget that they’re just words on paper (or a screen, thank you technology). I’ve been a huge fan of Captain Blair and his crew since Nicholas introduced me to A Matter of Execution and, let me tell you, I had high expectations for this book. Each and every one was not just met but surpassed.
I’m not one to highlight passages in books, but if I were, this book would be a rainbow of witty banter and spectacularly worded lines. The talent and imagination of the authors is clear in every beautifully polished sentence.
Before going into this I was warned that Echoes of the Imperium was a chonky book. Despite that, plot tension and genuine curiosity kept me turning pages until the very end. If you enjoy expertly crafted worlds, intricate plots, and characters you want to invite over for tea and cocktails, this book is for you.
As one might expect in a story that involves what amounts to sky pirates living in the aftermath of a devastating war, there is violence. It’s graphic without being overdone. Be forewarned that there is a scene early on that deal with suicide–again, not horrifically graphic, but could be a problem for some readers.
October 29, 2024
I confess I asked for the ARC because while I had the book,on preorder for myself I didn’t want to wait to read it another day! I read the prequel A Matter of Execution because I really like Olivia Atwater’s books and I was seeing what else she has. Her husband’s novella sounded like fun and I figured he had a good beta reader at home so I tried it. It was a fun read of of plucky adventures and scallawags with a sky ship having a proper heist in a world with a bunch of different species of people. I wanted more! The start of this one does introduce the characters and world with a bit of a back story and brings in some darkness! I shed a tear, I gasped at the level of trauma they were tossing on the characters at a tender age. I kept turning pages…. Very different tone from her writing (which I also recommend if you want something light!) but a great deal of fun if you enjoy character driven adventures.
November 15, 2024
Great steampunk fantasy!
I devoured the prequel to Echoes of the Imperium, and fell in love with characters aboard the Iron Rose. This book is a swashbuckling, irreverent, and great hearted continuation of their story, and I can’t wait for the next book.
I devoured the prequel to Echoes of the Imperium, and fell in love with characters aboard the Iron Rose. This book is a swashbuckling, irreverent, and great hearted continuation of their story, and I can’t wait for the next book.
March 31, 2025
When the protagonist is a ship's captain and a goblin, and the book opens with him waking up with the mother of all hangovers and his own crew mercilessly trolling him, you've officially won me over, lol.
November 1, 2025
"Echoes of the Imperium" is one of those rare epic fantasies that dares to dream of crossing genre and reader types. It's a fae infused steampunk pirate adventure featuring war, politics, faith, and friendships that feels distinctly grown up despite it's quirky cast and sense of humor. There's a hint of darkness about it too. It's one long, slow moving tome, but if you're up for that, it's well worth your time.
First things first: Go and read the prequel A Matter of Execution. Why?
1: It's really good.
2: Events from it are referenced in "Echoes of the Imperium". Honestly having that grounding in the crew dynamic and Strahl's origins aboard the Iron Rose made a big impact to how involved I felt with the characters and their story.
(There's also a short prequel story "The Good, The Bad and The Goblin" which gets referenced. It's not necessary unless you want some foreknowledge about a certain side character. I didn't read it beforehand, but with all those hints I wish I had!)
You back? Good. Our story revolves around unlikely goblin sky-ship captain Wil Blair and his extreme misadventures. While dealing with the demons of his past during the war between rebels and the fae-backed Imperium, he leads an eclectic crew of misfits as they take on work of whatever kind pays enough to keep them stocked with fuel (and maybe some tea). Wil's next commission sounds easy enough: transport illicit cargo from A to B, no questions asked and much money changing hands. Of course, it turns out to be anything but simple. Hunted by pirates, sworn to aid a dubious ally, and on the run from all kinds of nastiness, the crew of the Iron Rose find themselves getting pulled into the bigger political picture as the Imperium threatens to rise once again.
The world building is divine. There's so much to get into with it, all dropped in by our narrating Wil whenever the need arises. Their world, Avalon, was created by fae and populated with the usual assortment of fantasy races like goblins and "nissar" (just don't call them halflings!) alongside humans. This makes the fae into deities, and there's a lot about the four different branches of faith that comes into our story. There's a lot of history too, what with the recent war and its aftermath that Wil dips in and out of remembering. There's a lot in general, but if you want a good, chonky book with a developed setting, look no further.
One difficulty I had was getting invested in the characters. Cap'n Wil, being the narrator, obviously gets the most development and is perhaps the most engaging character because of it. However, his crew has a great many named characters that I found it hard to keep up with. A few have very distinct traits (like Mr Finch the prim and proper engineer) but others seemed more to fill a genre role and didn't feel quite so easy to put a personality to the name. If you read the prequel then you do get to know a small number of people better, though they weren't as prominent in the main book as I'd thought they might be.
Now I have to warn you again, this is one slow burn and steady build plot. The story snowballs from humble roots to high stakes, but it's takes time. I'm not a big fan of long fight sequences, so I did sometimes wish the plot moved a little faster or had some more character focussed moments even if it did bring the drama in spades. I couldn't help but be intrigued by the way the story unfolded. This is steampunk on an epic scale; you don't expect instant results from a LOTR-like saga, do you?
Naturally the plot here is only a tiny piece of a bigger, scarier picture. It wraps up this chapter of our intrepid(ish) heroes' adventure only to leave many a door open for what could happen next. If you needed any more incentive, an epilogue with a difference lets us know there's a lot more going on that even the all-seeing Fae could be sure of. It looks to be a bumpy ride, but I'm here for the plot so I'd certainly want to pick up book 2.
~I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley. Many thanks to the authors. This does not influence just how taken I was with this book~
First things first: Go and read the prequel A Matter of Execution. Why?
1: It's really good.
2: Events from it are referenced in "Echoes of the Imperium". Honestly having that grounding in the crew dynamic and Strahl's origins aboard the Iron Rose made a big impact to how involved I felt with the characters and their story.
(There's also a short prequel story "The Good, The Bad and The Goblin" which gets referenced. It's not necessary unless you want some foreknowledge about a certain side character. I didn't read it beforehand, but with all those hints I wish I had!)
You back? Good. Our story revolves around unlikely goblin sky-ship captain Wil Blair and his extreme misadventures. While dealing with the demons of his past during the war between rebels and the fae-backed Imperium, he leads an eclectic crew of misfits as they take on work of whatever kind pays enough to keep them stocked with fuel (and maybe some tea). Wil's next commission sounds easy enough: transport illicit cargo from A to B, no questions asked and much money changing hands. Of course, it turns out to be anything but simple. Hunted by pirates, sworn to aid a dubious ally, and on the run from all kinds of nastiness, the crew of the Iron Rose find themselves getting pulled into the bigger political picture as the Imperium threatens to rise once again.
The world building is divine. There's so much to get into with it, all dropped in by our narrating Wil whenever the need arises. Their world, Avalon, was created by fae and populated with the usual assortment of fantasy races like goblins and "nissar" (just don't call them halflings!) alongside humans. This makes the fae into deities, and there's a lot about the four different branches of faith that comes into our story. There's a lot of history too, what with the recent war and its aftermath that Wil dips in and out of remembering. There's a lot in general, but if you want a good, chonky book with a developed setting, look no further.
One difficulty I had was getting invested in the characters. Cap'n Wil, being the narrator, obviously gets the most development and is perhaps the most engaging character because of it. However, his crew has a great many named characters that I found it hard to keep up with. A few have very distinct traits (like Mr Finch the prim and proper engineer) but others seemed more to fill a genre role and didn't feel quite so easy to put a personality to the name. If you read the prequel then you do get to know a small number of people better, though they weren't as prominent in the main book as I'd thought they might be.
Now I have to warn you again, this is one slow burn and steady build plot. The story snowballs from humble roots to high stakes, but it's takes time. I'm not a big fan of long fight sequences, so I did sometimes wish the plot moved a little faster or had some more character focussed moments even if it did bring the drama in spades. I couldn't help but be intrigued by the way the story unfolded. This is steampunk on an epic scale; you don't expect instant results from a LOTR-like saga, do you?
Naturally the plot here is only a tiny piece of a bigger, scarier picture. It wraps up this chapter of our intrepid(ish) heroes' adventure only to leave many a door open for what could happen next. If you needed any more incentive, an epilogue with a difference lets us know there's a lot more going on that even the all-seeing Fae could be sure of. It looks to be a bumpy ride, but I'm here for the plot so I'd certainly want to pick up book 2.
~I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley. Many thanks to the authors. This does not influence just how taken I was with this book~
gave-up-on
October 23, 2024I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a chance at reading this.
I enjoy my fantasy / airpunk stories. I liked the combination of flying warships and humans / fantasy creatures. Reminded me of Treasure Planet.
However, I only made it 20% into this book before dropping it. There was... a lot of nothing going on. One hand you got a lot of character information, but the characters weren't really grabbing me. They didn't really scream interesting or the plot itself didn't seem interesting. I also felt that outside the military aspect, you really don't understand the world they live in, its people. Everything is confined mostly to the airship.
I somewhat dislike books where all the action is confined to one spot, because you rely on the characters to make you forget that they can't move anywhere. However, when the characters themselves are boring what can you do?
Out of respect for the authors I will not be rating this due to not finishing it.
I enjoy my fantasy / airpunk stories. I liked the combination of flying warships and humans / fantasy creatures. Reminded me of Treasure Planet.
However, I only made it 20% into this book before dropping it. There was... a lot of nothing going on. One hand you got a lot of character information, but the characters weren't really grabbing me. They didn't really scream interesting or the plot itself didn't seem interesting. I also felt that outside the military aspect, you really don't understand the world they live in, its people. Everything is confined mostly to the airship.
I somewhat dislike books where all the action is confined to one spot, because you rely on the characters to make you forget that they can't move anywhere. However, when the characters themselves are boring what can you do?
Out of respect for the authors I will not be rating this due to not finishing it.
November 25, 2024
I recieved an advanced copy from Net Galley, the reviews are my own.
What a swashbuckling tale of pirates, magic and things not going to plan! The Iron Rose is manned (by men, women and others) and is captained by William Blair, a goblin. This is the first book I've read with a goblin in any other role than a subserviant one. William Blair makes some decisions in the book which endanger, not only him, but his crew as well. However, they all stand by him.
William takes a consignment of dubious quality as well as a passenger, who isn't all she seems. This is only the start of his troubles, which get progressively worse!
I found the characters believable. The plot was good and kept me reading. I'm waiting for the next in the series as I want to find out more about William Blair and his ecclectic crew, as well as the world they inhabit.
If you like magic, mystery, mayhem and especially pirates, this is the book for you.
What a swashbuckling tale of pirates, magic and things not going to plan! The Iron Rose is manned (by men, women and others) and is captained by William Blair, a goblin. This is the first book I've read with a goblin in any other role than a subserviant one. William Blair makes some decisions in the book which endanger, not only him, but his crew as well. However, they all stand by him.
William takes a consignment of dubious quality as well as a passenger, who isn't all she seems. This is only the start of his troubles, which get progressively worse!
I found the characters believable. The plot was good and kept me reading. I'm waiting for the next in the series as I want to find out more about William Blair and his ecclectic crew, as well as the world they inhabit.
If you like magic, mystery, mayhem and especially pirates, this is the book for you.
November 25, 2024
I received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this swashbuckling adventure!
I would recommend that before you read this book, you read the prequel novella, A Matter of Execution. It’s not necessary to understand Echoes of the Imperium, but it does set you up mentally for it.
The authors did such a great job developing these characters and giving them so much depth, I really enjoyed how unique each of their personalities are. This eclectic cast is a crew on a pirate ship and their adventures give off major Firefly/Treasure Planet/Atlantis: The Lose Empire vibes. This is very much found family in action.
This book was quite fast paced (until around 75% where it does slow down, but it picks back up again at the end) we have a smuggling agreement gone terribly awry, airship battles, hidden identities, unholy aether, betrayal, goblin overlords (underlords?), not-quite-necromancy, otherworldly Fae... this book had so much going on (in a good way)!
I recommend this book to those who enjoy steampunk fantasy, pirates, fae, and serious socio-political topics like imperialism and the consequences caused by it. The found family trope is prevalent.
I would recommend that before you read this book, you read the prequel novella, A Matter of Execution. It’s not necessary to understand Echoes of the Imperium, but it does set you up mentally for it.
The authors did such a great job developing these characters and giving them so much depth, I really enjoyed how unique each of their personalities are. This eclectic cast is a crew on a pirate ship and their adventures give off major Firefly/Treasure Planet/Atlantis: The Lose Empire vibes. This is very much found family in action.
This book was quite fast paced (until around 75% where it does slow down, but it picks back up again at the end) we have a smuggling agreement gone terribly awry, airship battles, hidden identities, unholy aether, betrayal, goblin overlords (underlords?), not-quite-necromancy, otherworldly Fae... this book had so much going on (in a good way)!
I recommend this book to those who enjoy steampunk fantasy, pirates, fae, and serious socio-political topics like imperialism and the consequences caused by it. The found family trope is prevalent.
December 30, 2024
I've been trying to figure out to review this book. I liked the characters and the writing style. The worldbuilding is fun and well laid out. But I seriously struggled to care about the plot of this book. At every turn, I was uninvested.
Tho technically this is marketed as a book 1, it did feel like it was relying on the "prequel" first book too much for it to be a good entry point to the series. I would recommend going back to read "book 0" first. The biggest thing I felt like I was missing here was reasons to care about the character relationships and pasts.
Thanks to Netgalley and Starwatch Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Tho technically this is marketed as a book 1, it did feel like it was relying on the "prequel" first book too much for it to be a good entry point to the series. I would recommend going back to read "book 0" first. The biggest thing I felt like I was missing here was reasons to care about the character relationships and pasts.
Thanks to Netgalley and Starwatch Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 27, 2024
In a word, awesome. Full of adventure and reckoning with the past, honor, and an unlooked-for measure of hope, Echoes of the Imperium was an absolute blast. A magic laced pirate fantasy in a world after an empire has collapsed, this was a great ride. And yes, I teared up at the end. Highly recommend reading the novella that precedes it before you dive in.
January 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this book!
I found this to be a wonderfully fun read, deeply atmospheric steampunk vibes that enhanced my enjoyment. I loved the characters and the found family trope was done really well here.
I admit I was more invested in the characters than the plot at times, but that by no means the plot was bad, just that the character's are what I felt drove the story forward.
Overall, I thought this was well written, enjoyable and just a very fun read. I am looking forward to more from these authors.
4.5/5 rounded off to 5 stars.
Thank you to Victory Editing and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am posting voluntarily.
I found this to be a wonderfully fun read, deeply atmospheric steampunk vibes that enhanced my enjoyment. I loved the characters and the found family trope was done really well here.
I admit I was more invested in the characters than the plot at times, but that by no means the plot was bad, just that the character's are what I felt drove the story forward.
Overall, I thought this was well written, enjoyable and just a very fun read. I am looking forward to more from these authors.
4.5/5 rounded off to 5 stars.
Thank you to Victory Editing and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am posting voluntarily.
December 17, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has a really refreshing and cool setting with some very intricate political inner workings (which I'm still not exactly sure if I fully understand it).
I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters aboard the Iron Rose however I feel like we were working with a really big cast and some of them were just quite superficial. Still I think the authors did a really good job fleshing out the main character and his closest companions, specially with the flashbacks. I really enjoyed those.
My main problem with this book is how action packed it was. There was soooo much action and the scenes on itself were incredibly long, which made them feel very drawn out and I would catch myself logging off sometimes. I wish there was more quiet and introspective moments.
The ending was quite satisfying so I will have to ponder if I want to continue the series.
This book has a really refreshing and cool setting with some very intricate political inner workings (which I'm still not exactly sure if I fully understand it).
I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters aboard the Iron Rose however I feel like we were working with a really big cast and some of them were just quite superficial. Still I think the authors did a really good job fleshing out the main character and his closest companions, specially with the flashbacks. I really enjoyed those.
My main problem with this book is how action packed it was. There was soooo much action and the scenes on itself were incredibly long, which made them feel very drawn out and I would catch myself logging off sometimes. I wish there was more quiet and introspective moments.
The ending was quite satisfying so I will have to ponder if I want to continue the series.
October 9, 2024
This was a great airships-and-aether-and-faeries-oh-my time. Blair is a crunchy, gold-hearted captain-rogue, and his crew of misfits are all faceted and intriguing. The blend of faerie and steampunk is equally full of familiar delights and surprising new twists. And amidst all the derring-do and big explosions, there's also a lot of rumination on empire, religion, and what we're responsible for.
Whether you're here for madcap airship battles and swashbuckling steampunk knights, or the hard and beautiful truths about redemption and second chances, this is a rollicking adventure that satisfies on every level!
Whether you're here for madcap airship battles and swashbuckling steampunk knights, or the hard and beautiful truths about redemption and second chances, this is a rollicking adventure that satisfies on every level!
March 10, 2025
I’d previously flown with goblin captain Wil Blair and his airship crew in A Matter of Execution, a prequel novel to this very book. You don’t need to begin there, though it’s a highly recommended introduction to the world and adventures of the Iron Rose, but I digress. This is the story of a job that not only goes wrong, but naturally blows up to be bigger than our good captain could have ever expected. What begins as a simple smuggling operation of some aether-based goods leads into a haunting exploration of the past and the looming shadow of a dead empire that’ll force Wil and his crew to make some tough choices.
As you’d expect from a swashbuckling steampunk adventure, there’s plenty of action, sky pirate battles, and banter ahoy that will surely delight fans of Treasure Planet. The Iron Rose boasts a lovable and diverse crew, each with their own ghosts from the past and reasons for being aboard. Each also get their moment to shine, from the gunnery ladies who go from manning the guns to forming a knitting circle, to the mysterious Miss Hawkins and her talent for athermancy, and to the gruff bosun with his Fae friend who may be more than they seem. Our captain, being the wonderful disaster he is, depends on his crew as much as they depend on his leadership, and it’s a wonderful found family dynamic that made me feel at home in the Iron Rose.
What I didn’t expect was the thoughtful exploration of Wil and his crew’s past with imperialism, and the scars left by the empire, both physical and emotional, to these characters and the larger world itself. It’s an emotionally fraught journey at times, and I’m glad that the story decided to face the realities of the empire’s war crimes rather than brush them aside with a quip. This isn’t just a story about pirate shenanigans, but also about confronting the past and standing by one’s morals, no matter the danger.
This is a story full of charm and heart, as well as magic and mayhem. I honestly can’t wait join to the Iron Rose for more adventures in the skies!
Final Words: A swashbuckling steampunk adventure with hidden depths and plenty of heart.
As you’d expect from a swashbuckling steampunk adventure, there’s plenty of action, sky pirate battles, and banter ahoy that will surely delight fans of Treasure Planet. The Iron Rose boasts a lovable and diverse crew, each with their own ghosts from the past and reasons for being aboard. Each also get their moment to shine, from the gunnery ladies who go from manning the guns to forming a knitting circle, to the mysterious Miss Hawkins and her talent for athermancy, and to the gruff bosun with his Fae friend who may be more than they seem. Our captain, being the wonderful disaster he is, depends on his crew as much as they depend on his leadership, and it’s a wonderful found family dynamic that made me feel at home in the Iron Rose.
What I didn’t expect was the thoughtful exploration of Wil and his crew’s past with imperialism, and the scars left by the empire, both physical and emotional, to these characters and the larger world itself. It’s an emotionally fraught journey at times, and I’m glad that the story decided to face the realities of the empire’s war crimes rather than brush them aside with a quip. This isn’t just a story about pirate shenanigans, but also about confronting the past and standing by one’s morals, no matter the danger.
This is a story full of charm and heart, as well as magic and mayhem. I honestly can’t wait join to the Iron Rose for more adventures in the skies!
Final Words: A swashbuckling steampunk adventure with hidden depths and plenty of heart.
December 10, 2024
This story has been a long time coming and it is every bit worth the wait! The continuing adventures of Captain William Blair (a Goblin) and his crew aboard the Iron Rose. Lots of action and adventure with fun and mystery. I loved that we got more background on the characters this time around and I can’t wait to learn more about them and how they all fare next time 🙂 This is another book on my highly recommend list!
March 26, 2025
A ragtag crew of steam punk pirates travels through post war territories while smuggling contraband cargo in their airship - battling aether-ghosts and those who are trying to bend that aether to their whims.
Captain William Blair, a goblin and past oathbreaker of the Imperium, agrees to a job exporting a highly caustic cargo into rough terrain. Little does he know that he’s carrying the very fuel source that could be used to bring back the Imperium-the last thing that Blair and his crew would ever want. Blair and crew must battle to save each other and their beliefs from a rebuilding empire.
This is the most fun I’ve had reading a book in so long. The story is fast paced and the characters are well developed, complex, and likable. The book speaks of redemption, friendship, forgiveness, and faith while somehow being filled with explosions, airship gun battles, and quirky characters. I loved every minute of this book and cannot wait for book two, Winds of Fortune.
Thank you to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for the opportunity to read this book!
Captain William Blair, a goblin and past oathbreaker of the Imperium, agrees to a job exporting a highly caustic cargo into rough terrain. Little does he know that he’s carrying the very fuel source that could be used to bring back the Imperium-the last thing that Blair and his crew would ever want. Blair and crew must battle to save each other and their beliefs from a rebuilding empire.
This is the most fun I’ve had reading a book in so long. The story is fast paced and the characters are well developed, complex, and likable. The book speaks of redemption, friendship, forgiveness, and faith while somehow being filled with explosions, airship gun battles, and quirky characters. I loved every minute of this book and cannot wait for book two, Winds of Fortune.
Thank you to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for the opportunity to read this book!
November 18, 2024
I knew after reading the prequel novella A Matter of Execution that this was a series that had my preferences written all over it and it's nice to be absolutely correct. I had never seen a swashbuckling steampunk that so effectively combined airships and a bit of magic with traditional fae elements. Echoes of the Imperium takes the delightful goblin captain, William Blair, who is introduced in the novella and sets him and his ragtag crew into the path of some very dangerous people who are doing their best to bring back the oppressive empire that Blair and his crew are sworn against.
First off, I'll say that this is the kind of high action swashbuckling adventure that I grew up absolutely loving and I think folks who love a lot of action with loveable characters will get along best with it. The authors certainly don't give the crew a lot of downtime to breathe as they get dragged from one scrape into the next, which made it very difficult to put this book down once I started it.
It also strongly wears its influences on its sleeve and I loved that about it. Echoes gave me the anti-imperial notes I love about the Stars Wars' New Republic era where the oppressive empire has been defeated but certainly hasn't disappeared as various factions fight for control of areas, leaving room for smugglers, pirates and those just trying to get by. Several of the crew (including Blair) are in fact former Imperials trying to make up for their past and seeing them really struggle with that guilt and the strong thematic tones about grief and governance was so deeply compelling to me. You also get a bit of a Firefly vibe, particularly with the humor and Wil being a flawed but heroic captain who is frequently underestimated outside of his crew but never within it.
And the fae element was so well done! It's very much the older style of capricious, heartless fae that don't care about individual mortal lives but only about their own conflicts and interests. And the magic is deeply connected to them and the weapons that they have granted to various mortals. I haven't seen other steampunk weave in this type of worldbuilding and it was so fascinating to see it unveiled.
This may lean a little tropey for some folks but it's so strong on the characters, themes and the social commentary that I found myself alternating between nodding along and laughing out loud at the loving bickering between crew members. The authors mention in the afterword that they wanted to turn some fantasy stereotypes on their heads and they did a spectacular job of it. If you want a high action adventure with loveable characters reckoning with their actions and some great social commentary, I really cannot recommend this highly enough. It's absolutely a new favorite for me!
Thanks to the authors and NetGalley for early access to the book in return for an honest review!
First off, I'll say that this is the kind of high action swashbuckling adventure that I grew up absolutely loving and I think folks who love a lot of action with loveable characters will get along best with it. The authors certainly don't give the crew a lot of downtime to breathe as they get dragged from one scrape into the next, which made it very difficult to put this book down once I started it.
It also strongly wears its influences on its sleeve and I loved that about it. Echoes gave me the anti-imperial notes I love about the Stars Wars' New Republic era where the oppressive empire has been defeated but certainly hasn't disappeared as various factions fight for control of areas, leaving room for smugglers, pirates and those just trying to get by. Several of the crew (including Blair) are in fact former Imperials trying to make up for their past and seeing them really struggle with that guilt and the strong thematic tones about grief and governance was so deeply compelling to me. You also get a bit of a Firefly vibe, particularly with the humor and Wil being a flawed but heroic captain who is frequently underestimated outside of his crew but never within it.
And the fae element was so well done! It's very much the older style of capricious, heartless fae that don't care about individual mortal lives but only about their own conflicts and interests. And the magic is deeply connected to them and the weapons that they have granted to various mortals. I haven't seen other steampunk weave in this type of worldbuilding and it was so fascinating to see it unveiled.
This may lean a little tropey for some folks but it's so strong on the characters, themes and the social commentary that I found myself alternating between nodding along and laughing out loud at the loving bickering between crew members. The authors mention in the afterword that they wanted to turn some fantasy stereotypes on their heads and they did a spectacular job of it. If you want a high action adventure with loveable characters reckoning with their actions and some great social commentary, I really cannot recommend this highly enough. It's absolutely a new favorite for me!
Thanks to the authors and NetGalley for early access to the book in return for an honest review!
October 28, 2024
ECHOES OF THE IMPERIUM - NICHOLAS & OLIVIA ATWATER
This book blew me away. The writing, the worldbuilding, the characters - it's honestly one of the best high fantasy books I've ever read. Here's a quick synopsis:
A fallen empire. A goblin airship captain. One big, blasphemous problem. Captain William Blair has taken shady jobs before - what goblin hasn’t? But this shady job has pirates off the port bow and legendary aethermancers knocking at his cabin door. Unfortunately, Wil has sworn an Oath to escort his newest dubious passenger wherever she wants to go… and a goblin must be worth his word.
This barely touches the surface of how wonderful Echoes of the Imperium is. Wil and his ragtag crew survived the fall of an empire and, having fought for different sides during the war, have come together as a crew to survive in their new world and to somehow come to terms with the past.
The storytelling is impeccable, where each chapter brings more knowledge about the past but also about the characters' current whereabouts and activities. The characters are complex and endearing, and I loved being taken to the different destinations within Wil's world.
The steampunk vibes and airships are two of the best elements, but this book also happens to be really witty, with great banter and unexpected moments that I don't think I'll ever forget, like a scene straight out of Dragon's Den and a comical moment with Wil's hat.
Yes, this book is on the long side as all high fantasies tend to be, but if you love this subgenre, you have to read Echoes of the Imperium. In Wil's world, 'echoes' also refers to ghosts, and - at its core - this is a heartfelt story about learning to accept yourself for who you are in the present, and choosing to relegate ghosts back to the past.
Release date: 29 October 2024
Review score: 5/5
TWs: Violence, injury detail, d*ath
This book blew me away. The writing, the worldbuilding, the characters - it's honestly one of the best high fantasy books I've ever read. Here's a quick synopsis:
A fallen empire. A goblin airship captain. One big, blasphemous problem. Captain William Blair has taken shady jobs before - what goblin hasn’t? But this shady job has pirates off the port bow and legendary aethermancers knocking at his cabin door. Unfortunately, Wil has sworn an Oath to escort his newest dubious passenger wherever she wants to go… and a goblin must be worth his word.
This barely touches the surface of how wonderful Echoes of the Imperium is. Wil and his ragtag crew survived the fall of an empire and, having fought for different sides during the war, have come together as a crew to survive in their new world and to somehow come to terms with the past.
The storytelling is impeccable, where each chapter brings more knowledge about the past but also about the characters' current whereabouts and activities. The characters are complex and endearing, and I loved being taken to the different destinations within Wil's world.
The steampunk vibes and airships are two of the best elements, but this book also happens to be really witty, with great banter and unexpected moments that I don't think I'll ever forget, like a scene straight out of Dragon's Den and a comical moment with Wil's hat.
Yes, this book is on the long side as all high fantasies tend to be, but if you love this subgenre, you have to read Echoes of the Imperium. In Wil's world, 'echoes' also refers to ghosts, and - at its core - this is a heartfelt story about learning to accept yourself for who you are in the present, and choosing to relegate ghosts back to the past.
Release date: 29 October 2024
Review score: 5/5
TWs: Violence, injury detail, d*ath
November 29, 2024
A goblin pirate and his ragtag crew-turned-family take a shady smuggling job and instead find themselves trying to prevent the resurrection of an empire (and confronting their past choices to fight for or against it) in this steampunk epic fantasy adventure.
My favorite aspect of this book was the meditation on empire. Instead of chronicling the chosen one's epic quest to take down THE MAN, the Atwaters begin 20 years after the rebellion is won (with several flashbacks to the direct aftermath). Each member of the Iron Rose crew has a complicated relationship with the former empire and the war that ended it: some were child soldiers, others high-ranking imperials, rebels, or the families left behind. And each continues to strive toward inner peace and communal healing in a variety of ways.
What results is a nuanced exploration of [1] the range of everyday evils to grand atrocities perpetrated by empire; [2] why people get caught up as victims, bystanders, and/or perpetrators; and [3] the choices they can make (epic heroism often not required, thankfully) to resist this status quo. But it's also an ultimately heartwarming story of redemption and found family.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the snarky social commentary of the Murderbot Diaries or the shades-of-grey perspective on empire / rebellion in The Burning Kingdoms.
Thanks to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My favorite aspect of this book was the meditation on empire. Instead of chronicling the chosen one's epic quest to take down THE MAN, the Atwaters begin 20 years after the rebellion is won (with several flashbacks to the direct aftermath). Each member of the Iron Rose crew has a complicated relationship with the former empire and the war that ended it: some were child soldiers, others high-ranking imperials, rebels, or the families left behind. And each continues to strive toward inner peace and communal healing in a variety of ways.
What results is a nuanced exploration of [1] the range of everyday evils to grand atrocities perpetrated by empire; [2] why people get caught up as victims, bystanders, and/or perpetrators; and [3] the choices they can make (epic heroism often not required, thankfully) to resist this status quo. But it's also an ultimately heartwarming story of redemption and found family.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the snarky social commentary of the Murderbot Diaries or the shades-of-grey perspective on empire / rebellion in The Burning Kingdoms.
Thanks to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2025
Thansk to NetGalley and to the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
It took me longer than usual to read this one, but it is by no means, the book’s fault. It’s just that I started it and then remembered that I had two buddy reads planned. So I had to put this one on hold for a bit before going back to it. And I loved every moment I spent with this!
(also, be warned that some of the points in this review are the same as I made in the review for one of the shorter stories, because they really are the strength of this series!!)
1)A Goblin Captain. William is an amazing character, goblin or not goblin. But still, the fact that we have a goblin captain is just soooo cool!
2)Flying Ships. Because as cool things went, flying ships are pretty high on the list, too.
3)Amazing characters. You need to meet the crew. They are all unique and they feel so real! And I can’t choose a favorite, I simply cannot. I love them all. For example, the head gunner is an older lady, a former teacher. And she is not the only “old” lady on board. We have also older men, asidethe younger ones. And I love to see some age diversity in my books!!
4)Adventures! Fights! Heist! Shawbuckling! Daring Escapades! Even more daring Plans! Oh my! There is so much happening between these pages! And you will find yourself on the edge of your sit, because you need to know how they would come out of a certain situation, or how they would do a certain things because the odds are all against them. Time and again. And William and his crew are there, with a new, mad plan. It is so fun! And so unbelievable, but in the best possible way! And the gal of them all! It reminded me a bit of Locke Lamora. And I loved it!
5)The Humor. This book made me laugh (and cry, a bit. Do not trust the authors they are bad and they will make you suffer!!!). It is full of action, it has a lot going on, and there are some really deep themes in there, but it has a levity to it, too, a sense of humor that is so pervasive and so good!
6)The Deeper Themes. As if all the things above weren’t enough. This book starts pretty small, but slowly you will find yourself knee-deep in some really heavy themes, because this book is not only about the best found family ever, or mad adventures, but it is also about personal growth, it is about taking responsibility for the choices we made in the past, it is about carrying the weight of something that it is way bigger than us, and it is about making the right choices. It is so deep, too, and the authors did an amazing job with all of these, they treat all these heavy topics with deep care and tact.
7)Found Family. It is one of my favorite tropes and here we have one of the best.
It is really hard to write a review for this book and to make it justice, because really, it is just good. So… yeah, I’ve tried, and I am really happy that this is the first review I share with you all, because this book was a great way to end the year, and talking about it is a great way to start the new one!
It took me longer than usual to read this one, but it is by no means, the book’s fault. It’s just that I started it and then remembered that I had two buddy reads planned. So I had to put this one on hold for a bit before going back to it. And I loved every moment I spent with this!
(also, be warned that some of the points in this review are the same as I made in the review for one of the shorter stories, because they really are the strength of this series!!)
1)A Goblin Captain. William is an amazing character, goblin or not goblin. But still, the fact that we have a goblin captain is just soooo cool!
2)Flying Ships. Because as cool things went, flying ships are pretty high on the list, too.
3)Amazing characters. You need to meet the crew. They are all unique and they feel so real! And I can’t choose a favorite, I simply cannot. I love them all. For example, the head gunner is an older lady, a former teacher. And she is not the only “old” lady on board. We have also older men, asidethe younger ones. And I love to see some age diversity in my books!!
4)Adventures! Fights! Heist! Shawbuckling! Daring Escapades! Even more daring Plans! Oh my! There is so much happening between these pages! And you will find yourself on the edge of your sit, because you need to know how they would come out of a certain situation, or how they would do a certain things because the odds are all against them. Time and again. And William and his crew are there, with a new, mad plan. It is so fun! And so unbelievable, but in the best possible way! And the gal of them all! It reminded me a bit of Locke Lamora. And I loved it!
5)The Humor. This book made me laugh (and cry, a bit. Do not trust the authors they are bad and they will make you suffer!!!). It is full of action, it has a lot going on, and there are some really deep themes in there, but it has a levity to it, too, a sense of humor that is so pervasive and so good!
6)The Deeper Themes. As if all the things above weren’t enough. This book starts pretty small, but slowly you will find yourself knee-deep in some really heavy themes, because this book is not only about the best found family ever, or mad adventures, but it is also about personal growth, it is about taking responsibility for the choices we made in the past, it is about carrying the weight of something that it is way bigger than us, and it is about making the right choices. It is so deep, too, and the authors did an amazing job with all of these, they treat all these heavy topics with deep care and tact.
7)Found Family. It is one of my favorite tropes and here we have one of the best.
It is really hard to write a review for this book and to make it justice, because really, it is just good. So… yeah, I’ve tried, and I am really happy that this is the first review I share with you all, because this book was a great way to end the year, and talking about it is a great way to start the new one!
October 26, 2024
A fabulous steampunk pirate adventure!
I loved the main character/narrator of the story - Captain William Blair, goblin airship pirate with a difficult past trying to do better. He and his found family and ragtag crew take on a perilous job that leads them towards ever increasing danger. The current day story is interwoven with the story of a younger Blair and how the Imperium he served was destroyed.
With fabulous airship fighting, a mysterious Fae helmsman, screaming shades of the dead, and hidden identities, this is a wild ride of a story!
But in addition to the swashbuckling fun there are also some deep themes - grief, guilt, remorse and ultimately redemption as the captain and his crew deal with the aftermath of a war they lost.
If you enjoyed Jim Butcher's Cinder Spires, you’ll love this first book in the Tales of the Iron Rose!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy.
I loved the main character/narrator of the story - Captain William Blair, goblin airship pirate with a difficult past trying to do better. He and his found family and ragtag crew take on a perilous job that leads them towards ever increasing danger. The current day story is interwoven with the story of a younger Blair and how the Imperium he served was destroyed.
With fabulous airship fighting, a mysterious Fae helmsman, screaming shades of the dead, and hidden identities, this is a wild ride of a story!
But in addition to the swashbuckling fun there are also some deep themes - grief, guilt, remorse and ultimately redemption as the captain and his crew deal with the aftermath of a war they lost.
If you enjoyed Jim Butcher's Cinder Spires, you’ll love this first book in the Tales of the Iron Rose!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy.
Read
November 11, 2024It’s hard for me to be objective about this book. Nicholas and Olivia are dear friends of mine, and I was present for the very inception of this book, when it was a fun lunchtime writing project for Nicholas on the days he was bored at work. I spent many afternoons having tea with him as we brainstormed upcoming chapters. I alpha read and even edited several of the early drafts, though I stepped away from the project a few years ago. I am beyond thrilled that they’ve finally brought the book to the hands of so many new readers – it’s very well deserved! Given all of that, though, it’s very hard for me to judge this book on its own merits, based only on the final version and not the earlier drafts I also read. Here’s my best stab at it: I adore all the characters on the Rose. I couldn’t even pick my favourite. Nicholas does a great job of presenting flawed, lovable characters that you desperately want to root for. The worldbuilding is also great, full of hinted-at places that make you wish for more. (Fun fact: I actually wrote some Iron Rose fanfiction based on earlier drafts of the book, which will no longer work given the final version, but that I was tickled to write anyway.) I love the banter, and Nicholas is particularly good at it. While there is plenty of swashbuckling adventure, you do need to go into this book prepared to face some fairly heavy themes and emotional conflict, and some deeper questions about whether ends justify means. I’m so very pleased with the final version, and wish Nicholas and Olivia the best of luck with book 2!
partly-read
November 4, 2024Too dark for my taste, but as far as I read (not very far), well done.
Opens with a bloody and destructive battle at the fall of the Imperium; in the next chapter, 20 years later, the narrator is an airship captain with a serious drinking problem. The words "dark," "gritty" or "brutal" are not in the blurb, but ought to be, because they warn people like me off books like this that we won't enjoy. I've enjoyed the much, much gentler books of Olivia Atwater before, so massive death and destruction in the first chapter blindsided me.
Opens with a bloody and destructive battle at the fall of the Imperium; in the next chapter, 20 years later, the narrator is an airship captain with a serious drinking problem. The words "dark," "gritty" or "brutal" are not in the blurb, but ought to be, because they warn people like me off books like this that we won't enjoy. I've enjoyed the much, much gentler books of Olivia Atwater before, so massive death and destruction in the first chapter blindsided me.
November 6, 2024
Steampunk pirate adventure? Yes please, count me in! I loved the characters in this story instantly, and the fast pace was so action packed that it made this hard to put down in parts. Things do slow down about halfway through, but the overall story is really good and interesting. Just a note - this a darker tale than some readers may be used when you see Olivia Atwater’s name. It’s great but it’s not light or a romance.
Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2024
This book took me by surprise and blew me away. I absolutely adored all the characters, with all their flaws and complexities. Each one felt distinct and individual, and their relationships with each other were built on solid and believable foundations. The action scenes were awesome, and the world building really painted a clear picture in my head. The steampunk pirate vibes were immaculate, and I think fans of the show Arcane would really love this book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews