Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs

Copper & Ash #1

by Adam Bassett, Veronica Rotar (Narrator), Dungeon Maestro (Composer)

For a thousand years, The Old Town has stood as humanity’s last bastion against the maalkonis, malignant black mists that reduced the rest of the world to ash. They are kept at bay by rusty machines on the town’s walls. In order to survive, the dwindling population depends on one another.

Since a young age, Justīne has embraced the harsh responsibilities that accompanied her apprenticeship on the last farm in existence. Her younger sister, Anna, is beginning her own apprenticeship as well. Learning engineering was not Anna's first choice, but the town's last mage fell to the maalkonis years prior, leaving nothing behind but confusing books and strange runes.

When food runs low during a particularly harsh winter, distrust spreads like a plague, and Justīne is blamed for it. As hunger leads to violence, she and her siblings are forced to flee The Old Town, embarking on a perilous journey into the very mists that had formed their cage. Their fight to survive in the dark develops into a hopeful mystery as they follow the breadcrumbs of a mage’s efforts to save the world. Meanwhile something pursues them through the maalkonis…

Genres: Fantasy

Audiobook

Published February 10, 2026

About the author

Author of the Copper & Ash series, the Digital Extremities series, and other short fiction. Big fan of storytelling and worldbuilding.

Reviews

[Audrie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things I loved about Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs:

The pacing was quick, but not too quick. It fit the story and make it an easy book to consume.

The main characters are easy to love and root for! Anna, Justīne, and Gustavs are distinctly and wonderfully different people, and they come together to make a fantastic team.

I particularly liked the way that blended families were portrayed as strong and organic.

The mix of magic and technology was skillfully done, and the way they are blended seamlessly into the world was very entertaining.

The horror elements SLAPPED. I love to be scared, and the few instances of horror were done through the building of suspense. They gave me the creeps in the best way, and added a sinister element to the tone of the narrative.

Old Town is isolated and has been more a few generations, I had a lot of questions surrounding how this would affect the society, but Bassett wrote it very well and addresses the big picture items and questions without getting caught in the nitty gritty. It was a very convincing setting.

—

An ARC review by Audrie Hopper

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars (rounded up)

I have now read, or rather listened to, three books by Adam C. Bassett, and Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs is the first time we’re going fully into the fantasy sphere. Honestly, I had high hopes, and I’m happy to say he delivered. This was dark, eerie, heartfelt, and still a genuinely fun adventure all at once, and I love it for that.

The premise and set-up of this world honestly had me intrigued from page one. We’re transported into Old Town, which is humanity’s last refuge in this dystopian-esque world holding back the malignant black mists called the maalkonis that destroyed the rest of the world. The threat feels constant, and I loved how much that tension shaped everyday life inside the walls. Like, give me all the eerie atmosphere and lingering sense of dread, that’s exactly what I live for.

That said, even with this strong set-up and the shorter page count that sits almost closer to novella length, the first half felt a bit meandering to me. Yes, Bassett’s engaging storytelling in combination with the wonderfully narrated and produced audiobook (loved the musical elements especially!) had me fully immersed, but I was more intrigued than fully locked in. In hindsight, though, I actually really appreciated that careful groundwork, because when things finally tip into chaos and magical mayhem, all that setup pays off in a big way.

Also, even if the plot took a while to thicken, I was instantly charmed by Justīne and her younger sister Anna, whose sisterly bond is the emotional core of Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs. They are young and impulsive, which sometimes made me want to yell at them, but it also made their choices feel honest and exciting. It was such a fun time seeing this crumbling world through their eyes, and I loved how Bassett balanced their curiosity and determination with the very real horror of the maalkonis in a way that kept me engaged the whole time.

The two-year time jump was where I became completely invested though. Bassett handles that transition impressively smoothly, and I loved how from that point on the pacing tightened and the stakes rose fast. Seeing Justīne, Anna, and their stepbrother Gustav (plus the cat, can’t forget the cat!) being forced to flee into the maalkonis genuinely had me on edge of my seat, and a few of the revelations they make in there caught me off guard in the best way.

I do have to say that my spunky girl Anna might occasionally seem a bit too clever for her age with all the wild discoveries she makes, but then her curiosity and stubborn bravery also made her such a joy to follow. And honestly, seeing her through Justīne’s eyes just made it impossible not to love her, because their sibling bond is just so powerfully and honestly written.

It’s genuinely impressive to me how much world building and character depth Bassett was able to deliver in this relatively short book, and I loved how he did not soften the consequences of the characters’ actions to deliver an ending that felt brutally realistic and oh so satisfying. Oaken Skin, Copper Lungs has a level of darkness and emotional weight that I really respect, especially in a YA fantasy, and that makes me more than eager to see what is yet to come in the Copper & Ash series.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Stasia Roze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alchemy meets steam punk meets medieval. This gorgeous story will take you on a wonderful adventure of fear, loss, and perseverance. You follow the life of a young girl living on the very edge of the world. There's a dark ominous entity that controls the lives of everyone in the book.

I really enjoyed the quest element of this book. As a short story, it offers a lot of excitement and development, and you are invested in the solution to the characters' problems. This is really unique and thoroughly enjoyable.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Already Overbooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get out of here Puka!

[Leslie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I am writing this review as someone who was graciously given access to an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). Spoiler-free.

CSOL begins with a wonderful premise: a town struggling to survive with limited resources and manpower due to the maalkonis, a lurking, malicious black miasma that has seemingly consumed the rest of the world. We see these struggles through the eyes of Justine, a teenage girl with the weariness and caution of someone twice her age, and share in her incredulity as extreme circumstances force her and her two siblings into the unknown she dreads.

This intriguing premise is paired with deft attention to worldbuilding details (including some delightful Central European naming influences), and the pace moves along nicely from beginning to end. It's a shorter novel, and if anything that's my only criticism -- I often found myself wanting more of those details, to linger with certain characters or have a firmer sense of who they are, see how they interact with one another. Certain timeskips and retrospective exposition-summaries, while making sense to keep things moving, felt a little clunky at times. In some ways the story felt at the mercy of a predetermined wordcount cut-off.

This being said, I still found it an enjoyable read and the midway discovery/twist was something I didn't expect! Having reached the end and looking back on the journey, I have a greater appreciation for what was accomplished and what is still to come. The solarpunk-esque elements were delicious and not overwrought, and similarly the level of magic and horror is balanced enough for both hardcore fans and those new to the genre.

[Paul Zareith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting dark fantasy/horror mashup built around an intriguing premise.

Having enjoyed Adam’s cyberpunk thriller, Animus Paradox before, I was excited to dive into his latest book. Interestingly, this one turned out to be quite a different experience.

The story begins with us exploring the day-to-day life in old town that has, for a thousand years, been surrounded by an eerie, strange black mist that shrouds everything beyond the periphery. The residents do not know about the origins of malkonis, and suspect that their town is the last bastion of human life.

If you have enjoyed stories featuring small-town mysteries in a closely knit community, this book is written for you. With a bit of steampunk-style aesthetics and a dash of magic thrown in, it becomes quite a whimsical combo.

Being the first of the series, we don’t get answers to all our questions, but there is plenty of intrigue and action to keep you engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed the overall theme and concept. Karina’s many transformations were very nicely depicted—absolutely loved them. And the cat.

Full review on my blog

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Bassett is a really skilled writer. I have enjoyed all of his works so far. CSOL has unique world building and is such an atmospheric read. Per usual, I am impressed by Bassett’s ability to create a story with a lot of depth and quality in a small package (less than 200 pages), and loved that he worked in elements of magic, strength of family, hope, and curiosity in a world that seems quite bleak. Looking forward to reading more of Adam’s works.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Stacey Markle · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Natasha Vella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

For such a short novel (compared to what I’m usually reading), this was packed with really great character development, world building and (unexpected) adventure. The characters were so lovely. The faith and encouragement between the siblings was the sweetest. The lesson I took from this story is one that I constantly have to remind myself of when things feel like they’re taking a turn for the worse - when something incredibly disheartening happens, it is Fate making way for an opportunity that inspires hope and gives rise to growth.

[Molly Macabre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t my first Adam Bassett adventure, so I already knew I was in for a good time. When told the genre was post-apocalyptic, I was sold. I truly had no idea what a great time I was in for.

The first half of this story involves a lot of world-building, but not in the way of info-dumps. Bassett throws you into the Old Town, takes you through some day-to-day situations, all while teaching you about the characters and the setting without tedious explanation. There is a glossary at the beginning, but I found I didn’t need it, as Bassett provides incredible context.

The first half of this story I would actually consider to be quite cozy. Typically, I prefer my stories with a bit more tension and thrills. Nevertheless, I found the Old Town to be delightful, the characters to be lovable and relatable, and the events interesting, even without any conflict. Yet.

The second half of this book takes a darker turn, showing how fear and uncertainty can push people to their limits. I found it fascinating to see the different ways people respond in times of desperation. Our main characters recognize that the path forward won’t be easy, and their choices have lasting consequences.

The journey of the three siblings carries them into new territory where they uncover secrets, discover new allies, and even reveal a touch of magic. Bound together by their circumstances, they learn to rely on each other, especially during events that could alter the future of their people forever.

The setting in this story is a mix of medieval times and steampunk culture. While the Old Town is comprised of farming, smithing, and baking, the outer wall, which protects them from the vile darkness, contains atstrumeters, which are copper devices that have been found to keep the maalkonis at bay. The defenses used by the townspeople are swords and arquebuses. The town has a mayor, but overall, things seem to be decided by hearing everyone’s voice, which is easy in this small town.

One of my favorite tropes that is well-employed here is that the darkness isn’t always the evil, terrible thing it’s perceived to be. While the maalkonis is dangerous, the creatures residing in it are considered equally so. However, it’s found out that they may be something else entirely.

The magic system used in the story is very cool. It reminded me of Skyrim’s Words of Power. The characters draw runes that represent a single term or event. They can be combined to create different effects. Simple to understand, though unique, including some facets that add depth to it.

If I had to make a critique, I would say that one of my favorite characters, Uli the Ox, was not featured enough, and I would have enjoyed more to the story, though it sounds like Bassett is already working on it.

This story was one that I highly enjoyed. It drew me in, and from the first few pages, I was completely immersed in the Old Town and its culture. Then, I was barrelling through a series of unpredictable events as the characters battled their way through the maalkonis, and came to a gentle stop with an open yet satisfactory conclusion.

Strong female leads, magic, and an all-consuming world, this story has it all. It’s a steampunk, dystopian tale that stands tall in the genre, utterly fascinating and impossible to forget.

A FanFi Addict review

[Will Swardstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something just very smooth about Adam Bassett’s writing. Last year I had the privilege of reading his works Digital Extremities, and its follow-up, Animus Paradox. I’m not here to review those books (you can find my review of them here: https://fanfiaddict.com/review-digita...), but what I read in a few cyberpunk-esque short stories and novellas told me that I would like almost anything he published. With Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs, Bassett is back with a speculative fiction tale that hit a lot of great beats for me and had me hooked from the get-go.

When I was a kid, I took a field trip to see the musical Brigadoon at a local university. I was fascinated by the idea of a place completely separated from the rest of the world. Of course, Brigadoon turns out to be a story of love conquering the time-space continuum, but the crumb of that idea is here in Bassett’s Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs with Justīne, her family and friends stuck in the last bit of the world that seems to shrink more and more with each generation. The story builds with each of the four parts, culminating in Justīne and her siblings taking drastic steps to save their own lives, but steps that may lead to salvation for their entire town.

(And let me just say: the hero of the book is definitely Pūka, the cat. Bassett needs to make book 2 of the Copper & Ash series entirely focused on Pūka. More Pūka!!)

This may not sound like a compliment — but it is easy to read and follow Adam Bassett’s writing. This is by no means a cozy setting, but Bassett is able to write a story with ease. There are plenty of authors out there that make reading their books a chore, making the audience piece the narrative together with the same scraps of metal that Tony Stark used in a remote cave in the first Iron Man flick. There is a flow and pace to Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs that push the reader to the next page, then the next page, then the next.

I had a great time with Justīne and her family and look forward to the next thing Bassett gives us — even if it’s just the spectacular map he included of Old Town at the beginning of this book. I highly recommend Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs by Adam Bassett and hope the second installment in this series isn’t too far off (with more Pūka!)

[Bill Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC from the author for an honest review

This novella is brimming with an interesting concept of a dystopian city surrounded by this deadly darkness, and for all the locals know, they might be the only survivors. Keeping the darkness at bay are some instruments, but as the townfolk slowly dwindle, the darkness encroaches.

Sisters, Justine and Anna, both have roles within the city. Justine (our POV) is apprenticed to the city's only farmer while Anna works with their father as an engineer (and is a wannabe mage in secret). One day, Anna steals one of their father's portable tools, one that pushes back the darkness. She drags Justine into a tunnel under the outer wall, the darkness not touching them, but within, they encounter a humanoid creature, which chases them and injures Justine. They bury the tunnel and years pass, the city becoming more volatile until one day a riot erupts and the sisters must flee the city to find a way to fix things.

There is a ton of neat concepts in these pages. I really liked the idea of the darkness luring away people and then some shenanigans happen. But I really enjoyed the sisters, they were a great tandem, playing nicely off each other.

The book is not heavy on the action or mystery but there is a quietness of everyday life in this last bastion-esque town that I found really neat. Just the basics of survival, I really enjoyed that.

Bassett's prose is neat, the worldbuilding complete (sometimes a little exposition-y but never overbearing). The pace is strong and the scenes all fleshed out. The overall central conflict of the story was not necessarily 'save the world' type, but there was some great character reconciliations in the climax that leave future installments a possibility.

A quick read, one I recommend!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short yet thoroughly enjoyable novel, the first in what appears to be a forthcoming series, as its subtitled Copper and Ash Book 1. I do hope this is the case because this is certainly a world that I am curious to know more about.

The worldbuilding is probably the best bit about this novel. The concept of the maalkonis is quite unique and the atmosphere and sense of place is skilfully woven and immersive, both the old town where the story starts and then when Justine and her companions venture into the black mists that surround them.

There’s an interesting backstory to this world and I’d love to know more about the origins of the maalkonis and how it came to devastate the lands we find ourselves in. The technology which keeps the maalkonis at bay is also a fascinating element to this tale, especially with the danger of this ancient knowledge becoming lost. We are constantly reminded of the precarious nature of the old town’s survival which adds to the sense of peril. These are all aspects which could perhaps have been developed further had the novel been longer, and yet, as there is more to come in this series the unanswered questions compel me to read on.

Having said that this story is in itself well rounded with a satisfying conclusion and I certainly didn’t feel as if I was left hanging, which can sometimes happen at the start of a series.

So if you fancy a short but immersive read then this is one I can recommend.

[RomiReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌫️ ARC Review 🌫️

“𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔, 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑶𝒍𝒅 𝑻𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚'𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒔…” This blurb had me hooked right away! I love a good post-apocalyptic fantasy, and this one definitely delivered on atmosphere and world-building.

The writing was beautiful and immersive. I’ve read some of the author’s sci-fi short stories before, so I knew I’d love the writing style, and it didn’t disappoint. The world felt so rich and lived-in, even if I occasionally got a bit lost in the unique terms and language.

Anna ended up being my favorite character, her curiosity, determination, and hunger for knowledge really stood out. She felt like the heart of the story to me.

If I had one wish, it’d be for a little more emotional connection between the characters, the relationships took a bit of a backseat to the world-building and plot. But overall, I really enjoyed this one. It’s a dark, hopeful fantasy that pulls you in with its atmosphere and stays with you after the final page.

✨ Thank you Adam, for the opportunity to read an ARC of this story! ✨

[Steven Raaymakers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mysterious, fascinating book. Set in a village which is surrounded entirely by a magical forcefield (though that doesn't do it justice), we follow the siblings Justine and Anna over the course of a few years.

The story is unpredictable, unique, and refreshingly short. Too many fantasy books these days are massive doorstoppers, and they outlive their welcome. Not Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs. This is the perfect length.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a bit of cozy fantasy, some action, some mystery, and a touch of horror. It is a wonderful blend of many things, and yet completely stands on its own as well.

Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.

[Ashlyn Tickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the gifted audiobook!! This does not affect my honest review and all thoughts are my own.

This was a relatively short but still really good book, but don’t let that fool you. It’s packed with action, world building, character growth, and mystery. I loved the idea of this black mist called the maalkonis that’s been eating up their world. Now that the townspeople have turned on them… the siblings must go into that very mist… so eerie I LOVE IT!!

Given Anna is the resident engineer, or training to become one, I love how smart and clever she was solving all the small mysteries before and after her siblings were on the run. I also loved that her and Justine seemed to balance each other out in a “let’s not do anything too dramatic kind of way” (I’m definitely lacking a better description here).

As to not spoil anything, those are the primary things I wanted to highlight! This was a Goodreads five stars to me and I look forward to reading/listening to others of Bassett’s books!

[Betty J. Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. I was drawn into the lives of these characters right away. You could feel their tragedies as well as their triumphs! Definitely kept my attention throughout! At the end, wanting to see what’s next for them!!! Definitely recommend!!

[Joshua Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rtc 👀

[Ariana Weldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full RTC!

Huge thanks to Adam for providing an ARC for my honest review.