Cloudbreaker: Where We Began

by Lyndsie Clark, Regan Swift (Contributor), Mary Beth Waid (Cover Art)

In the storm-lashed shipyards of Ya’an, nineteen-year-old mechanic Jia Zhan dreams of only one escape. Bound by debt to a cruel airship builder and trapped in a life of endless labor, he’s resigned himself to watching adventure drift overhead aboard passing airships.

Until the Cloudbreaker falls from the sky. Her captain, a hardened Imperial veteran, sees potential in Zhan, pulling him into a world of hidden technology, dangerous missions, and freedom—with a price.

Zhan’s master has no intention of letting his most valuable asset go. As the promise of escape grows tantalizingly close, Zhan must decide whether to remain shackled to the life he knows—or risk everything for the skies beyond the horizon.

Where We Began is the thrilling first installment in a steampunk novella series filled with airships, found family, dangerous secrets, and the first sparks of a globe-spanning adventure.

166 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2026

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so absorbed in this world! The characters were great and this setting was very creative. Loved the idea of steam punk set in a different time period and the linguistics and how various cultures came into this novella. The plot was fast paced and made a great start to this series!

I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book! In the meantime, I will definitely be checking out Clark's other series.