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Free-Wrench #5
Cipher Hill
Cipher Hill is the fifth book in the popular Free-Wrench series of steampunk adventures.
Ferris Tusk has lurked in the shadows of his society since it began. His name is spoken with hushed reverence by the fug folk, and the balance of power of the whole continent is a meticulously maintained mechanism of his own design. But even the finest machine can be broken with a well-placed wrench.
Until now, Cap’n Mack and the Wind Breaker crew have weathered scheme after scheme. They’ve fought for their lives, perpetually on the defensive. Such is the life of a hero. Lucky for Mack, his crew aren’t your average heroes. They’ll call in every favor, play every trick, and take every risk to turn the hunters into the hunted.
Tusk wanted a war. Now he’s got one.
Ferris Tusk has lurked in the shadows of his society since it began. His name is spoken with hushed reverence by the fug folk, and the balance of power of the whole continent is a meticulously maintained mechanism of his own design. But even the finest machine can be broken with a well-placed wrench.
Until now, Cap’n Mack and the Wind Breaker crew have weathered scheme after scheme. They’ve fought for their lives, perpetually on the defensive. Such is the life of a hero. Lucky for Mack, his crew aren’t your average heroes. They’ll call in every favor, play every trick, and take every risk to turn the hunters into the hunted.
Tusk wanted a war. Now he’s got one.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2018
42 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 16, 2018
Another great adventure with this hilarious crew. Joseph Lallo is one of my top favourite active writers.
October 24, 2018
Incredible doesn't cover this book.
they truly saved the best to last. I have been listening / reading to these books in order and this one truly blows the roof off the place.
It is wonderfully rewarding to see a cast of characters that I have grown so fond of grow and develop and be rewarded with a constant supply of surprises and new situations.
My only minus is that this book feels like it is rounding off the series (but it does leave the door open for a sequel).
I really hope they can fit in one last adventure but I genuinely can't think how they can top the epic heights that this book reaches.
they truly saved the best to last. I have been listening / reading to these books in order and this one truly blows the roof off the place.
It is wonderfully rewarding to see a cast of characters that I have grown so fond of grow and develop and be rewarded with a constant supply of surprises and new situations.
My only minus is that this book feels like it is rounding off the series (but it does leave the door open for a sequel).
I really hope they can fit in one last adventure but I genuinely can't think how they can top the epic heights that this book reaches.
June 3, 2019
Best fantasy/steam punk/adventure
If you took one of the most exciting pirate stories you've ever heard, add some elements of WWI airplane dog-fights, add sea battles, mix in a little Star Wars and flavor it with Marvel hero's and ANYONE could write this story - LOL What great fun. It's actually genius. Why some movie producer has not contacted Lallo for movie rights to this whole series escapes me. This is one of the best fantasy/steam punk/adventure stories EVER. I forgot to mention it also has love, hate, good vs. evil, romance, aging, death.... I loved it. Thank Mr. Gallo for a great time.
If you took one of the most exciting pirate stories you've ever heard, add some elements of WWI airplane dog-fights, add sea battles, mix in a little Star Wars and flavor it with Marvel hero's and ANYONE could write this story - LOL What great fun. It's actually genius. Why some movie producer has not contacted Lallo for movie rights to this whole series escapes me. This is one of the best fantasy/steam punk/adventure stories EVER. I forgot to mention it also has love, hate, good vs. evil, romance, aging, death.... I loved it. Thank Mr. Gallo for a great time.
September 6, 2018
This is the latest in a rollicking steampunk adventure series. All of the Wind Breaker's crew get plenty of attention as well as the main villain and several of the supporting characters get more attention.
The book is up to the high standards set by the previous books in the series. The characters are mostly complex and the story is complex with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.
There are just enough loose ends at the end to allow the author to continue the series. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
The book is up to the high standards set by the previous books in the series. The characters are mostly complex and the story is complex with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.
There are just enough loose ends at the end to allow the author to continue the series. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
January 16, 2019
Follows a familiar theme but still enjoyable
If you have read the other free-wrench series and enjoyed them, then you will not be disappointed with this latest outing from the Windbreaker crew. Ferris Tusk makes an excellent adversary for our heroes as we see them plunged into a vendetta. I thought more development could have been made with one character who came in and out of the story without really affecting the plot, but apart from that it was a good adventure. As always I shall be looking for the next book of the Windbreaker crew.
If you have read the other free-wrench series and enjoyed them, then you will not be disappointed with this latest outing from the Windbreaker crew. Ferris Tusk makes an excellent adversary for our heroes as we see them plunged into a vendetta. I thought more development could have been made with one character who came in and out of the story without really affecting the plot, but apart from that it was a good adventure. As always I shall be looking for the next book of the Windbreaker crew.
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June 12, 2021Just when I think the action has escalated to its max, it escalates some more! How long can this story line continue? The human spirit soars, and some can get so low! Joseph R. Lallo continues to shine!
July 20, 2018
Cipher Hill continues the adventures of the Free Wrench gang with some new twists, of course. Read the whole series, they are all great. It will hook you in.
December 2, 2018
Very good story in this series. The best part, more to come!
February 19, 2019
Great series
Latest installment in a great series I have been enjoying very much. Always nice to find a storyline that does not go flat or get boring.
Latest installment in a great series I have been enjoying very much. Always nice to find a storyline that does not go flat or get boring.
March 8, 2020
What a fun read. It was well structured and had a satisfying ending.
July 17, 2020
nice conclusion.. is it a conclusion? I hope not.
August 29, 2020
Good
I enjoyed this book. It was well written and engaging, as are the preceding novels in the series. Worth the read.
I enjoyed this book. It was well written and engaging, as are the preceding novels in the series. Worth the read.
August 10, 2021
Excellent.
April 12, 2023
Rousing good finally to the Free Wrench series.
Great finish to the Free Wrench series. Hoping that Mr. hallo can fin the inspiration to add to it. It begs for more books!!
Great finish to the Free Wrench series. Hoping that Mr. hallo can fin the inspiration to add to it. It begs for more books!!
July 16, 2024
An excellent followup to The Calderan Problem. It fixed every issue I had with that book for an exceptional story. I had a great time.
July 14, 2025
It starts with a shock. Surely that horrible, irritating, self-aggrandising villain hasn’t escaped? No, we’re quite safe. The villain of this piece is a mere name, whispered, with a look over your shoulder to make sure nobody heard. But surely he’s dead? So the fug-folk think. Everything’s gone quiet, so Tusk (check over the shoulder) must be dead. Naturally Cap’n Mack and the crew know otherwise, and set out to smoke him out.
Doing that in fug is difficult. I mean the fundamental properties of fug suggest that smoke is not easily seen. And that is the wonder of Joseph Lallo’s scientific invention; the properties of fug that can be used, twisted, heated, pressurised or otherwise manipulated to make it exactly what the plot needs it to be.
The plot is brilliant as usual. The twists are as twisty as you’d expect. The heroes as heroic as hoped-for. And the disasters pile on top of each other so that you know, without doubt, that the heroes are not going to survive. Not this time.
With all the author’s brilliant action writing and perfect world-building, you’ll have to read it to find out if book 6 is really a myth.
Doing that in fug is difficult. I mean the fundamental properties of fug suggest that smoke is not easily seen. And that is the wonder of Joseph Lallo’s scientific invention; the properties of fug that can be used, twisted, heated, pressurised or otherwise manipulated to make it exactly what the plot needs it to be.
The plot is brilliant as usual. The twists are as twisty as you’d expect. The heroes as heroic as hoped-for. And the disasters pile on top of each other so that you know, without doubt, that the heroes are not going to survive. Not this time.
With all the author’s brilliant action writing and perfect world-building, you’ll have to read it to find out if book 6 is really a myth.
September 22, 2018
More wonderful, shenaniganic fun aboard 'Wind Breaker'.
Sadly, for now, this is the last book in Joseph's 'Free Wrench' series, but i certainly hope he'll be adding some more at some point. Captain Mack and the crew are just too much fun to leave them here forever.
I really can't say enough about Joseph's writing, it's perfect in every way. His 'Book of Deacon' series is just the same quality of writing and so far he has never left me disappointed at buying any of his books.
If you enjoyed watching 'Firefly' then i would totally recommend a look at this series of books - i really can't see you being disappointed.
Once i've cleared my Kindle backlog a little more i'll definitely be diving in Joseph's 'Big Sigma' series next before coming back to re-read the whole of 'Book of Deacon' adding in the new stories that Joseph has added since i last read it all. Writers like Joseph is why i love books.
Sadly, for now, this is the last book in Joseph's 'Free Wrench' series, but i certainly hope he'll be adding some more at some point. Captain Mack and the crew are just too much fun to leave them here forever.
I really can't say enough about Joseph's writing, it's perfect in every way. His 'Book of Deacon' series is just the same quality of writing and so far he has never left me disappointed at buying any of his books.
If you enjoyed watching 'Firefly' then i would totally recommend a look at this series of books - i really can't see you being disappointed.
Once i've cleared my Kindle backlog a little more i'll definitely be diving in Joseph's 'Big Sigma' series next before coming back to re-read the whole of 'Book of Deacon' adding in the new stories that Joseph has added since i last read it all. Writers like Joseph is why i love books.
July 16, 2024
I didn't think I would be interested in steampunk books. I was wrong. Totally enjoyed this series.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews