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Free-Wrench #2
Skykeep
It has taken some adjustment, but Nita Graus has made quite a home for herself among the crew of the Wind Breaker. Under her skillful care it has become one of the only airships to stay aloft without the continuous repair and oversight of the vile and manipulative fug folk. Word of her adventures with Captain Mack, Gunner, Lil, Cooper, and Wink has made the whole crew into living legends among the residents of the mountain towns of Rim, but in doing so it has also made finding safe harbor virtually impossible. Agents of the fug folk and those working on their behalf hide in every cloud and skulk in every shadow. Only one town, a place called Lock, is willing to welcome the Wind Breaker into port. Most of the townspeople have already been shunned by the Fug Folk, and as such have little to lose in aiding and abetting the crew. Captain Mack, mindful of his advancing age and the risks he's had to request of his crew time and time again, has begun to plan for his retirement. Plans are swiftly derailed when the fug folk hatch a plan of their own, splitting the crew and locking Nita away in the floating prison known as Skykeep. Skykeep is the second book in the Free-Wrench saga and continues to chronicle the adventures of Nita and her new crew as they continue to clash with the twisted figures who control the destiny of a continent.
184 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2015
63 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 4, 2018
This series is completely grand! I am fascinated by the steampunk genre, and this little series really satisfys my love for it. The main protagonist is called Nita and she's a total badass in every way possible. She is highly independent and seems to have little fear of just about anything. She is loyal, and in this particular story, she shows in true "Nita" style, just how much she cares for the Windbreaker crew.
I would say I enjoyed the first book more than this one, and, the plot didn't feel as strong either. However, I still love the entire concept of it all.
The author has created an exciting and different world, and a vast array of interesting and compelling characters. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment!
I would say I enjoyed the first book more than this one, and, the plot didn't feel as strong either. However, I still love the entire concept of it all.
The author has created an exciting and different world, and a vast array of interesting and compelling characters. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment!
August 22, 2016
Good book! I liked this one a bit better than the first one. The characters felt more fleshed out and real. The story also clipped along at a better pace. I especially liked the interaction between Nita and the Warden and their weird, polite conflict. Nice job! I'll definitely pick up the third book once it comes out.
May 27, 2017
Quite good.
April 26, 2016
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
Skykeep is a sequel to Free Wrench in many ways, with the same cast and set in the same world, but it’s also an independent story. Rather than maintaining the same narrator, all the crew of the Wind Breaker are given a chance to hold the point of view, allowing us to get to know them a lot better. I’d expected from the blurb I read to find Nita driving the rescue, but that’s not the case. Without spoiling anything, I can say that each member of the crew, including Nita, had a part to play, even Wink and the newest addition, Nikita (another aye-aye), while despite being one of the captured, Nita doesn’t let a simple thing like being held in a secret, impregnable prison stand in her way.
The reasons I enjoyed the Wind Breaker and its crew in Free Wrench are very evident here. The crew is full of ingenuity, strong in the face of any odds, and even if they have momentary lapses, no matter what, they have faith it will all work out–somehow. The crew isn’t a collection of geniuses, nor do they have unique skills absent from any other crew. What they have is persistence, creative thinking, and the willingness to work hard and be flexible.
These characteristics are part of the reason they make friends wherever they go. The other reason being how they respect the strengths in others and do not dismiss any out of hand even when, for example, they know there are no good fuggers. Ultimately, it’s the last that makes them good people. The same actions could have made them villains but their motivations, and how they go about things, are always solid and understandable. Even better, they’re capable of seeing the motivations driving others, something that leads to forgiveness when hatred would not be out of place.
There are half a dozen places where a line made me laugh, where a turn of phrase captured a situation beautifully, or where a comment speaks to a much deeper understanding of how things work than might be expecting in what is a romp and adventure. I’m avoiding specifics because they come within context that would give things away, but there are more levels to this story than the overt ones, something I always appreciate.
I can give one example of their unconventional thinking from the very beginning though.
The Wind Breaker is one of the few ships able to do their own repairs, thanks to Nita. She’s training the rest of the crew, a rather difficult task when the only one with technical expertise is focused on blowing things up rather than stopping them from doing so. It’s with this background that they arrive at the only port willing to do business with them because it has no fear of offending the Fug people because everyone there has already been ostracized. Nita’s skill in repairs is one of the things the Wind Breaker has to offer, and Lil volunteers to assist. None of that made me laugh though. Rather, it was Lil’s logic as she states if she has to learn this fixing stuff, much better to do so on someone else’s equipment. It’s not a mean statement to her. It’s pure logic and a perfect demonstration of her character, something a far sight from heroic but more pragmatic than villainous.
Though I’d been looking forward to a continuation of Nita’s adventures, the broader focus on the whole crew was lovely and led to a strong novel without any risk of repetition. I am most definitely joining the chorus of those asking for more.
Skykeep is a sequel to Free Wrench in many ways, with the same cast and set in the same world, but it’s also an independent story. Rather than maintaining the same narrator, all the crew of the Wind Breaker are given a chance to hold the point of view, allowing us to get to know them a lot better. I’d expected from the blurb I read to find Nita driving the rescue, but that’s not the case. Without spoiling anything, I can say that each member of the crew, including Nita, had a part to play, even Wink and the newest addition, Nikita (another aye-aye), while despite being one of the captured, Nita doesn’t let a simple thing like being held in a secret, impregnable prison stand in her way.
The reasons I enjoyed the Wind Breaker and its crew in Free Wrench are very evident here. The crew is full of ingenuity, strong in the face of any odds, and even if they have momentary lapses, no matter what, they have faith it will all work out–somehow. The crew isn’t a collection of geniuses, nor do they have unique skills absent from any other crew. What they have is persistence, creative thinking, and the willingness to work hard and be flexible.
These characteristics are part of the reason they make friends wherever they go. The other reason being how they respect the strengths in others and do not dismiss any out of hand even when, for example, they know there are no good fuggers. Ultimately, it’s the last that makes them good people. The same actions could have made them villains but their motivations, and how they go about things, are always solid and understandable. Even better, they’re capable of seeing the motivations driving others, something that leads to forgiveness when hatred would not be out of place.
There are half a dozen places where a line made me laugh, where a turn of phrase captured a situation beautifully, or where a comment speaks to a much deeper understanding of how things work than might be expecting in what is a romp and adventure. I’m avoiding specifics because they come within context that would give things away, but there are more levels to this story than the overt ones, something I always appreciate.
I can give one example of their unconventional thinking from the very beginning though.
The Wind Breaker is one of the few ships able to do their own repairs, thanks to Nita. She’s training the rest of the crew, a rather difficult task when the only one with technical expertise is focused on blowing things up rather than stopping them from doing so. It’s with this background that they arrive at the only port willing to do business with them because it has no fear of offending the Fug people because everyone there has already been ostracized. Nita’s skill in repairs is one of the things the Wind Breaker has to offer, and Lil volunteers to assist. None of that made me laugh though. Rather, it was Lil’s logic as she states if she has to learn this fixing stuff, much better to do so on someone else’s equipment. It’s not a mean statement to her. It’s pure logic and a perfect demonstration of her character, something a far sight from heroic but more pragmatic than villainous.
Though I’d been looking forward to a continuation of Nita’s adventures, the broader focus on the whole crew was lovely and led to a strong novel without any risk of repetition. I am most definitely joining the chorus of those asking for more.
August 23, 2015
As.Give me more
I sure hope there will be more of this series coming. I have read the first two and they were very entertaining, from the plots to the characters. I had to laugh out loud in some parts. These are very different science fiction books,
I sure hope there will be more of this series coming. I have read the first two and they were very entertaining, from the plots to the characters. I had to laugh out loud in some parts. These are very different science fiction books,
July 26, 2021
Awsome
A brilliant continuation of this series, wonderful storyline and amazing characters with worldbuilding to the highest level, a mix of action and adventure skillfully blended with believable steampunk, highly recommend a must read, Baz.
A brilliant continuation of this series, wonderful storyline and amazing characters with worldbuilding to the highest level, a mix of action and adventure skillfully blended with believable steampunk, highly recommend a must read, Baz.
September 2, 2015
I loved this book as much as the first. It was such a fun read that I'm genuinely sorry there isn't already another one out to devour! I truly hope that he's working on another installment already.
April 21, 2020
Note: The review refers to the edition included in Free-Wrench Collection: Volume 1.
Must say that, after what was in fact just a NaNoWriMo project laid an interesting foundation, I expected more from what should have been a proper sequel. Yes, the world remains interesting and a few more details are presented, but Skykeep is just as short as Free-Wrench and more focused on action, leaving little room for worldbuilding, character development or making those points about some of the things that are wrong in our world. The call to fight against them still exists, however, being a part of the action. Still, there are some good things to be said about the development of Lil, perhaps to a small extent even Coop, and quite clearly about the inspectors. And the action is sufficiently gripping, the final chapter delivering on what was building up until then.
Taken like that, as just a story, and if you leave aside the few spots requiring better editing, including one where Coop apparently takes Gunner’s place as well even though he’s also in that scene at the same time, it’s good enough, reads quickly and keeps you interested to the end. It does seem more of a simple adventure, however, just a story taking place in a certain setting instead of the “proper” next book in a series. Then again, the Collection including the first three books in the series is probably the only one that should really count as a “proper” book…
Must say that, after what was in fact just a NaNoWriMo project laid an interesting foundation, I expected more from what should have been a proper sequel. Yes, the world remains interesting and a few more details are presented, but Skykeep is just as short as Free-Wrench and more focused on action, leaving little room for worldbuilding, character development or making those points about some of the things that are wrong in our world. The call to fight against them still exists, however, being a part of the action. Still, there are some good things to be said about the development of Lil, perhaps to a small extent even Coop, and quite clearly about the inspectors. And the action is sufficiently gripping, the final chapter delivering on what was building up until then.
Taken like that, as just a story, and if you leave aside the few spots requiring better editing, including one where Coop apparently takes Gunner’s place as well even though he’s also in that scene at the same time, it’s good enough, reads quickly and keeps you interested to the end. It does seem more of a simple adventure, however, just a story taking place in a certain setting instead of the “proper” next book in a series. Then again, the Collection including the first three books in the series is probably the only one that should really count as a “proper” book…
August 1, 2024
This book did not dissapoint. I heavily enjoyed the first book in the series "Free Wrench" so I had high hopes for this one.
This book continues the story of the crew of the Windbreaker. They start off struggling with the lack/ban of trade and services by the fug folk based on the events from the first book. Pretty soon in Nita and Lil get captured and are held inside of a fug prison that is virtually impossible to break out of. It's up to the rest of the remaining crew to find and save the two members. Most of the story focuses on only Nita and Lil who are held in the prison. The ONLY reason why this book is not a 5/5 is because I thought that there was a bit too much time focused on them and not on the other members of the crew and their journey to find the prison and save the two. This wasn't a bad thing but maybe extending the book by a few chapters would have helped flesh it out a little bit more.
Overall a great read! I'm excited to journey back into this series to the third book sometime. Check out this series if you have not!
This book continues the story of the crew of the Windbreaker. They start off struggling with the lack/ban of trade and services by the fug folk based on the events from the first book. Pretty soon in Nita and Lil get captured and are held inside of a fug prison that is virtually impossible to break out of. It's up to the rest of the remaining crew to find and save the two members. Most of the story focuses on only Nita and Lil who are held in the prison. The ONLY reason why this book is not a 5/5 is because I thought that there was a bit too much time focused on them and not on the other members of the crew and their journey to find the prison and save the two. This wasn't a bad thing but maybe extending the book by a few chapters would have helped flesh it out a little bit more.
Overall a great read! I'm excited to journey back into this series to the third book sometime. Check out this series if you have not!
September 10, 2019
A great follow up by Joseph R Lallo. In this installment we get more view points and thus a deeper understanding of the characters. The pace to this novel is really good and everytime you say just one more page/chapter you blow right past it reading more. Nita is a a true bad-ass and the crew come together showing what it means to be a member of the Wind breaker Crew. I hope we can meet the Warden again in the future what a rare take on the position of warden of a prison. Another fun read can't wait for more.
October 2, 2018
simply incredible barely covers it
is loved the book Free Wrench and this book follows smoothly on and promptly kicks it up a notch or three.
the top notch rag tag bunch of scoundrels that crew the Windbreaker are all here and facing adversity in their own inimitable style.
A joy from start to finish. at several points I was cheering inside my head.
read it now (but read free wrench first)
is loved the book Free Wrench and this book follows smoothly on and promptly kicks it up a notch or three.
the top notch rag tag bunch of scoundrels that crew the Windbreaker are all here and facing adversity in their own inimitable style.
A joy from start to finish. at several points I was cheering inside my head.
read it now (but read free wrench first)
June 16, 2020
I was surprised to discover that this series is published by Smashwords. Usually, I can’t rate Smashwords books higher than a “meh, it was ok”, but this is one of the rare series where I finish one book and immediately go searching for the next. They are well written and edited for what they are which is a quick, action-packed, steam punk romp. This is another story about the Windbreaker ending up in dire straits with minimal fluff.
May 18, 2017
Exciting second entry in this steam-punk like alternate world. While responding to a disaster, Nita & Lil, two of WindBreaker's crew are kidnapped by the Fug folk and transported to their sky prison. With tons of derring-do and ingenuity, the remaining crew come to the rescue with inside help from the resourceful girls.
September 18, 2019
The 2nd instalment of the Free Wrench saga. Much like the first book, it keeps you engaged and you feel involved in the lives of the characters, although some of the situations can be a little far fetched. Still worth reading.
January 1, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! As my second steampunk adventure I thought it would be difficult to understand and appreciate, but it was fun with very few "filler bits" of the story and the characters are likeable. I will be reading the next books in this series for sure!
April 4, 2021
It took me rather a long time to get around to this second book in the Free-Wrench series; I suspect I'll get around to book 3 a fair bit quicker, as this is a fine, rollicking steampunk adventure yarn.
June 3, 2021
Steampunk novels ROCK! Science Fiction has been my forte, but these are exceptionally well written! Action-packed and exciting comes in different packages! I WILL finish reading this series! I’M HOOKED!
June 16, 2023
I'm really growing to like this bunch of characters, especially Lil and the aye-ayes.
Great fun. A few elements of the prose and worldbuilding drift a little towards sounding a bit contrived and amateurish at times but mostly it's just fun fast paced action with loveable characters
Great fun. A few elements of the prose and worldbuilding drift a little towards sounding a bit contrived and amateurish at times but mostly it's just fun fast paced action with loveable characters
June 3, 2017
The book is a great read. I enjoyed it. Without wanting to give too much away, Skykeep is about a couple of the Wind Breaker crew being kidnapped and thrown in prison and their plot to escape.
October 20, 2018
4,5/5
January 31, 2019
Good book hard to put down.
May 24, 2019
Good story, Mr. Lallo
Hey, that was fun. Where do you come up with this stuff? FUG...really? All mixed in with RPGs and lasers. Keep it up!
Hey, that was fun. Where do you come up with this stuff? FUG...really? All mixed in with RPGs and lasers. Keep it up!
July 4, 2019
if you like prison break and heist stories.. this is going to be a favorite
July 28, 2019
Prison break!
July 2, 2020
Fantastic series!
July 19, 2021
Great sequel!
Loved the first and loved the second book in the series!
Conf wait to get to the next one!
This is a series well written and fun to read.
Loved the first and loved the second book in the series!
Conf wait to get to the next one!
This is a series well written and fun to read.
August 2, 2021
Excellent. I am enjoying getting to know this crew.
March 21, 2022
Iwow this Elsa's fast paised. I think i liked the building and pasing in the first book. I almost feel these stories are too short but i think I've just been spoiled/currupted by wheel of time. Lol
May 17, 2025
I really liked it.
October 16, 2025
A lot of fun. I love learning about the world and steampunk technology.
I love the inspector characters.
I love the inspector characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews