SUPERIA: Dawn of the Spirits

by Graham McNeill, John Chambers (Editor), Jason Van De Velde (Editor)

In the steam-driven city of Bridan, five broken strangers are drawn together when a mysterious figure from a long-lost age twists the threads that unknowingly bind them.

A mercenary, a thief, an academic, a watchman, and an aristocrat’s daughter, they have lived worlds apart until now.

As forgotten secrets of magic are unveiled, they find themselves at the heart of a conspiracy to return ancient spirits to the world.

And the war to control them may cost everything they hold dear…

Welcome to Superia, a world where elemental spirits, steampunk technology, and lost artifacts shape the fragile balance of power across the five regions of Lur, where spirits do not return without a price.

422 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2026

About the author

Hailing from Scotland, Graham McNeill narrowly escaped a career in surveying to work for Games Workshop as a games designer. He has a strong following with his novels Nightbringer, Warriors of Ultramar, Dead Sky, Black Sun and Storm of Iron.

Reviews

[Tanner Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Superia: Dawn of The Spirits is an excellent novel that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout almost every page. A particularly interesting factor was the unique setting that the plot takes place in, it’s quasi-steampunk landscapes feel very unique, but still grounded it reality enough to make it immersive and believable. I really enjoyed the different perspectives that we see throughout the unfolding of the plot, and it made each chapter feel fresh. Now, don’t get me wrong, it is not a perfect book, I would rate it 5 stars if not for the persistence of stilted sentences, small punctuation errors, and the like.

Overall:

I can tell this book has had many dedicated hours poured into it and I actually really enjoyed it. The errors were small enough to not completely take me out of the story, but were still enough to make an impression.

WOULD RECOMMEND!

[MzHyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was such a great book, it felt like a video game. The different POVs really helped to get to know the characters and seeing their growth as it progressed was top notch. I loved the mix of steampunk and magic and how flawlessly they fit together in the story. I can say I was upset that all the action was towards the end and that it was left on a cliffhanger. The fighting scenes I loved so much and like I said it felt like a video game and I adored it. I wanted more action to happen especially with the team as they got to know each other and got stronger but I'll sadly have to wait until the next one which I will read.

[Tural Hesenov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did feel like the pacing dipped in the middle. There are moments where the politics and lore take over, and I wanted a bit more focus on character interaction instead of setup. I also wish a few emotional beats had been pushed just a little further some scenes felt like they could’ve hit harder.
Still, the foundation is strong, the magic system is compelling, and I’m curious enough about where the story is heading to pick up the next book. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy layered fantasy with clan tension and slow-burn stakes.

[Rodry · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Superia, the blend of Victorian and steampunk aesthetics really works.
Some side-character arcs feel a bit messy, but the main storyline stays focused and consistent.
After finishing the book, I still felt like Orin should have revealed more to the heroes.

The central conflict is slightly rushed, but overall the idea of tying the whole world and story to clans of water magic is genuinely cool and refreshing. Waiting for the second book.

[John Wilsher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did.
Bridan feels real, and the tension between the clans is always there in the background, which makes everything feel heavier in a good way. Tadel ended up being my favorite, he’s messy and human. Sophie is strong but not overdone, and Orin’s presence kind of lingers over the whole story in an interesting way.