Vallen

by Kenton J Moore

A Young Man who dreams of the Sky. A Mentor haunted by memories of War.

Cole Vallen was a dreamer with his head lost in the clouds. The only son of a widowed potato farmer, Cole wanted nothing more than to reach his 18th birthday so he could enlist as a Cloudbreaker, those who serve the Northern Alliance aboard airships in the unending war with the south. On the eve of his birthday, Cole's dreams slipped away when peace was struck.

When a shocking event launches Cole into the world he thought he knew, he embarks on a wild adventure as a key witness, learning what it truly means to serve and what it takes to be a hero.

Unlock the sky with this " promising airship fantasy offering high drama and memorable characters. " (Booklife Reviews)

Excellent for readers looking for grounded fantasy, strong characters, and " an expertly crafted world of light-worshipping drunks, drug-addled time bombs, flawed but humble heroes, and haughty villains, all swirled together in a classic steampunk stew. " (4.5 star SPR review)

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 17, 2024

About the author

Kenton J Moore has been telling stories his whole life, from the moment he could speak. Whether that means recounting his adventures as a Veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy, or the many other anecdotes of his childhood growing up on farms in the British Columbia interior near Kamloops. His passions range from wordsmithing to archery and to the home-brewing of Meads, Wine, and beer. He currently resides near Kamloops BC where he keeps bees on the family farm, works as an Inventory Analyst, and does his best to keep up to his dog Duke. Kenton writes predominantly fiction, in a range from children's fantasy to horror. His favourite genre is science-fiction, especially the Steampunk and Dieselpunk sub-genres. He holds a certificate in Writing for Animation, and a Diploma in Video Game Design.

Reviews

[Sneha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Vallen" by Kenton J Moore is the kind of book that grabs you by the collar and throws you straight into a world where *the sky isn't the limit — it’s the battlefield*. The world-building here? Chef’s kiss. A century of war, sky-dominating airships, and a peace so thin you can see through it — yeah, I was hooked from page one.

Cole Vallen is your classic dreamer-turned-reluctant-hero, but Kenton actually makes you care. Watching Cole wrestle between chasing glory and questioning what real loyalty means was the emotional chaos I didn’t know I needed. Oh, and his mentor?
Perfectly broken and beautifully complicated.

The stakes go way beyond "will they win the war?" It’s drug rings, terrifying tech, and a slow-burn realization that maybe — just maybe — everyone’s been fighting the wrong battles. Think fast-paced action, rich lore, and enough political drama to make your head spin (in a good way).

Also, can we talk about the alchemy? Kenton doesn’t just toss magic at the story for flavor — it’s baked into the world with purpose. Every twist felt earned. Every reveal punched a little harder because you actually believed in this gritty, cloudy universe.

If you’re craving a story that soars high, hits hard, and makes you question which side you’d really fight for — "Vallen" needs to be on your radar. *Prepare for turbulence.*

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has reignited my love of reading!
The development of the diverse cast of characters throughout the story was very well thought out.
The pacing of the story was good and it was consistent. I never found myself wandering away from what I was reading.
The world had enough in common with what we know about Earth to make it familiar, but the intricacies and the differences catch your attention right away and they come with great detail so that you fully understand the construct of the world.
There are so many avenues this story will be able to expand into and I cannot wait to see what gets revealed as the series continues to grow.
I would highly recommend venturing into the Kingdom of Verdos on this entry and explore this grand adventure of the skies and what mysteries the story sets out to unravel.

[❀❣♡kristie♡❣❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another ARC review.
Not my usual genre to read but wow it was such a fascinating storyline. I loved reading this book!
I am definitely looking forward to the series progressing!

[Rounak · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vallen by Kenton J Moore had so much potential—a moody title, steampunk vibes, airships, a classic farm-boy-turned-hero premise—and yet, somehow, it manages to crash and burn like a poorly piloted dirigible.

We meet Cole Vallen, a potato farmer with big “I just wanna fly” energy. He dreams of becoming a Cloudbreaker (cool name, not-so-cool execution), but just when he’s about to turn 18 and finally live his fantasy, BAM—peace treaty. The war ends, and suddenly all that buildup means… nothing. And that’s the start of the novel’s biggest issue: it keeps promising high-stakes adventure and then yanks the rug out from under you with the most lukewarm plot choices ever.

The pacing is painfully uneven. One minute you’re slogging through pages of internal monologue about clouds and Cole’s “purpose,” the next you're thrown into some random “shocking event” that’s supposed to change everything—but it’s so poorly set up, it feels more like a plot detour than an actual twist. There’s no weight, no emotional depth. Just boom, new direction, go!

And the writing? Oof. It reads like first-draft Wattpad fanfic, full of clunky exposition and overuse of dramatic ellipses… like this… a lot. Descriptions of the world are vague and generic. We’re told things are important or dangerous or thrilling, but we’re never shown why. The Northern Alliance and the war with the south? Completely undercooked. The stakes never feel real, which makes Cole’s “journey” feel like one long scenic detour to nowhere.

Character-wise, Cole is just bland. He’s got the personality of a damp bread roll. He doesn’t grow so much as he just reacts. And the side characters? Barely sketched in. No one feels real. Dialogue is stilted, like everyone’s reading from cue cards. I kept hoping someone would show up and shake things up, but nope—just more vague political intrigue and brooding hero vibes.

Also, this book takes itself so seriously. Like, aggressively serious. It’s trying to be profound about duty and sacrifice and honor, but instead it comes off preachy and melodramatic. I mean, it’s about skyships and war and teen angst—this could’ve been fun! Or weird! Or intense! But it lands squarely in the middle of meh. It never dares to be bold with its world or story.

By the end, I was just flipping pages to be done. No payoff, no surprise, no characters I cared about. Just an overblown sky-high concept that completely forgot to tell a good story.

Final verdict? Vallen is a solid no from me. Ambitious in idea, but clumsy and forgettable in execution. A disappointing, cloudy mess.

[Jithendra Jithu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review 📚
"Vallen (Cloudbreakers)" by Kenton J Moore

Rating:5/5

Review:

👉Vallen is a powerful and gripping fantasy adventure that takes readers into the skies—literally. Set in a world where airships soar across cloud-filled battlefields, the story introduces us to Cole Vallen, a young man full of dreams, eager to serve his nation and find his purpose as a Cloudbreaker. But just as he's about to enlist, an unexpected peace treaty shatters everything he believed in.

👉From that moment on, Cole is thrown into a whirlwind of events—political intrigue, shocking conspiracies, and deeply personal revelations. What starts as a story of a boy chasing honor turns into a mature, emotionally rich tale about identity, loyalty, and the cost of war.

👉One of the standout aspects of this book is its world-building. The author creates a universe where technology, alchemy, and warfare coexist in a tense, volatile harmony. Every element—from the stunning airship battles to the grounded, personal struggles—feels fully fleshed out and meaningful.

👉Cole’s growth is both inspiring and heartbreaking. He’s not your typical hero—he doubts, he questions, he struggles. His mentor, a complex and tormented war veteran, adds even more emotional weight to the story. Their bond evolves beautifully and brings depth to the narrative.

👉Beyond the action and adventure, Vallen dives into powerful themes—the gray areas of morality, the consequences of blind loyalty, and the hidden costs of peace. It’s not just about fighting a war; it’s about understanding what’s worth fighting for in the first place.

👉The book also weaves in alchemy and science seamlessly, not just as flashy elements, but as essential parts of the plot. Every twist, every challenge feels earned and purposeful.

✨If you love fast-paced fantasy with emotional depth, rich lore, and unforgettable characters, Vallen is a must-read. It’s one of those rare books that manages to feel both epic and deeply personal.

👉A sky-high fantasy that soars with heart, hits with truth, and leaves you thinking long after the final page.

Happy reading 😁 😁

#bookreview

[Evan Parrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Airships!! But more importantly, Vallen kicks off a tremendous story of adventure and sacrifice, answering the question that plagues all dreamers: what must I give up to become who I am meant to be?
With expansive world building, witty dialogue, and believable characters, Vallen is a great story to get lost in.

[Mark Weiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although not my typical genre to read. I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters, particularly Cole, to be very relatable and well developed. The story was engaging and really resonated with me. I am looking g forward to the next book in the series.

[O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book!