Renegade Skyfarer

Stones of Terrene #1

by R.J. Metcalf

The airship crew saved Ben’s life from a dragon, of all things.

When Ben wakes up, he has no memory of his family, his home, or how he got to this strange world. All he knows is what his new crew members tell him: the magical Barrier that protects their land is weakening. Unless they find the artifact that can repair it, all of Terrene will be destroyed and enslaved by the enemies beyond.

But when Ben suspects that danger may lurk closer than dragons or sky pirates, he has to decide: stay and fight with the airship crew, or focus on regaining his lost memory? If he leaves, he risks losing his newfound friends–but if he stays, he might never return home.

Welcome to Terrene–where dragons exist, the past haunts, and magic is no myth.

Welcome aboard the Sapphire.

Genres: Fantasy, Steampunk, Fiction, Adventure

455 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

During the day, RJ is a stay at home mom of two active little boys. When she has ‘free time’, she enjoys reading, writing, baking and sewing.

After many years of creative writing classes, writing fanfiction drabbles and daydreaming, it was high time to start writing her husband Mike's story. She dove into the world of Terrene and hasn’t looked back—except for when she runs out of dark chocolate.

Any free time not spent in Terrene is typically expended on hosting dinner and game nights, running amok with the two little monkeys or watching nerdy movies with Mike.

Reviews

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well.

I'm a little bit speechless after that massive number of FEELS. Seriously, HUGE feels that leaves you breathless, on edge, or crying. I'm still deciding on which one I'm feeling, but I think let's go with "all of the above."

This was an excellent debut! I enjoyed it from the beginning to end and loved how the author did a fantastic job of making each crew member unique. I was slightly afraid I wouldn't know who was who, but I didn't really have that problem.

Goodness, the plot twists were VERY good. I thought I had it all figured out, but NO I did not have it "all figured out." I was even caught off guard by the magic system and thought that…to be many things in relation to the story. (Yes, that is my non-spoiler explanation.)

Renegade Skyfarer had a very satisfying ending, though left questions open for book two, which has me excitedly nervous because I absolutely love Ben. I might know some more of his past, but there are still questions he's asking that I also want to know, so hopefully those will be answered in book two.

Overall, I definitely say that if you love fantasy and steampunk, this is a very good read! It was different and unique, mixed in with a bunch of feels (like a BUNCH of feels) and angst. Let’s not also forget those action scenes that are so real it’s like you’re watching a movie.

Can't wait for Void Born to release this fall!

*I have provided an honest review after having received an ARC from the author. All thoughts expressed are my own and was not required to write a positive review.*

[Jamie Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure Planet meets Jurassic Park for an addicting steampunk adventure.

Renegade Skyfarer mixes classic fantasy with steampunk in a unique world with awesome characters. You'll soar on airships, fight dinosaur-inspired dragons, cheer for adorable romances, and uncover political secrets and plots in this epic new series.

PROS:
- Original world that blends classic fantasy, steampunk airships, and dragons
- It's clean! I find it so nice not to be berated with cursing and unnecessary sexual scenes, and I can recommend it to teenagers without any worries.
- Dark, swoon-worthy male main character and an adorable romance
- Really cool, unique magic system based on enchanted stones
- Lovable, colorful characters who are all unique but attractive in their own way
- Plenty of humor, because who doesn't love a good laugh?
- Political intrigue, plots, and mystery
- Thrilling action and swashbuckling adventure

CONS:
- It can get pretty bloody in the fight scenes, and one scene is particularly gruesome and jarring. But it definitely serves its purpose in the story, so it's not thrown in there for no reason. The descriptions didn't bother me, but I can see how someone who's sensitive to such things might cringe. But really, if you're used to reading this genre, you probably won't even blink.

Highly recommended for fans of sci-fi and fantasy. It's clean, but recommended for ages 14+ for graphic scenes and mature situations that arise later on in the series (still clean, though!).

[Jane Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect example of 'don't judge a book by its cover' (even though I totally do that with every single book ever). It was a great read and I really enjoyed it!

The characters were interesting. The relationships were so realistically complicated and complex. Each character had a well defined, individual personality.

It was well written and engaging, though I did skim a few parts simply because I was too impatient to read it slow. I guessed the plot twists before they were revealed, and a couple of them were a little cliche, but I still enjoyed it immensely anyway.

As I was approaching the end, I realised something I should have remembered much earlier...there's a sequel. So obviously, not all the plot gets wrapped up, but I'll definitely be snagging a copy of the second book at some point to answer some of my remaining questions!

It might seem odd that a four star review doesn't seem more praise-y, but I honestly can't think of the elements of the story that made me enjoy it -- I just know that I did for some reason. 🤷‍♀️

[Sarah White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun steampunk adventure with great characters and political intrigue and an adorable, angsty slow-burn romance that gave me all the feels. I need book 2 yesterday!

[Mary Emma Sivils · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me awhile to really get into this book, but the climax of the story got me interested in seeing what happens next! My biggest issue was that I felt like I'd been dropped into the middle of a series rather than starting with book one. I needed more info about the world of Terrene, the characters' backstories, and their enemies. The plot also dragged a bit for me during the first half, although it definitely picked up near the end.
Jade stood out to me as the strongest character. I'm curious to see more of Ben's storyline in the next book, but I hope Jade will have plenty of page-time, too!

[Jenelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the cover for this book and knew I had to read it. I mean… airships AND dragons? Yes, please!

However, it took me quite a while to get into this one. The first half of the book kind of trudges along and didn’t feel like it was heading anywhere in particular. I didn’t feel like the pace really picked up or the story really grabbed me until I was almost 60% of the way through the book, what was there was enjoyable, and the characters were pleasant to hang out with, but it wasn’t really pulling me in to the story…

BUT I'm really glad I stuck around, because the final 40% of the book was a wild ride of intrigue and adventure that was totally worth waiting for. And HEARTBREAK! Oh my goodness, so much sadness at the end. I'm still a little in shock about that. I liked the story, and I look forward to seeing what happens next with these characters. Will definitely be reading the rest of this series.

I believe this is the debut novel for this author.

I'm giving it 3.5 stars for the slow start, but star ratings are so subjective, and it's worth noting that this book made it onto my "Top 15 Books I Read in 2018" list! Some books just take a little longer to get into, that's going to vary by reader. Once I got into to, the story was so incredibly fun and intriguing and I loved it to bits.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books gives me all the steampunk Firefly vibes and it’s AWESOME. 😍❤️ Magic, airships, dragons and pirates, a man with missing memories, secret identities (and a gorgeous Guardian, natch), and ALL THE EPICNESS!! I LOVE THIS BOOK GUYS! You should go read it! 😜❤️

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renegade Skyfarer by R. J. Metcalf is the first book in a new steampunk fantasy series.

There was so much going on in this book that I don't know where to start. I'll start with the dragons because this what sucked me into the story. I loved the different dragon species. It's like How to Train Your Dragon. All the special things they do.

There are multiple view point characters. Captain Slate, his daughter, Jade, the mysterious Blade, and an amnesiac named Ben. My favorite was Ben, since everyone had to explain things to him. It was a great way to introduce world building without bogging down the narrative. I also loved watching him get his memory back and learning his past.

This novel has so many secrets that even if you guess some of them there will still be twists a plenty to surprise you.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books truly capture my imagination and leave me daydreaming about the book and the characters in between reading sessions. I wanted to live in this world, have lunch with the crew and even fight dragons. This book follows amnesiac Ben as he learns about the world of Terrene, fights dragons, regains his memories, helps save the world and learns secrets kept for almost a decade and Jade, a mechanic and daughter of the airship captain as she tries to find her place in the world. I just love the characters, the beautiful, beautiful world, the sweet romance (ZADE FOREVER), the thrilling plot, and the dramatic twists and turns. Steampunk airships and dragons (invisible dinosaur-like dragons!!) are right up my alley and this book delivers in spades. I got the next book the moment I finished this novel. WOW!

[StoryStormBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars!
A must read for lovers of romance, steampunk, and magical fantasy.

If the beautiful cover and intriguing summary aren't enough, let me tell you… Renegade Skyfarer is so much more than an amnesiac on a blimp striving to salvage a ruptured barrier. This story boasts multiple layers of unique concepts piled one atop another to generate a truly novel experience. Like the stones…

In Terrene, different stones possess a variety of magical functions—from ship powering capabilities to anesthesia and even healing. In a way, though, all those little world-building details are just icing on the cake. In my opinion, what really powers this story (pun intended) is not the characters' overall goal of keeping the barrier intact, but rather the trickling of backstory and well-timed reveals. In that respect, R.J. Metcalf is master of story questions.

As someone who's spent a fair amount of time contemplating story structure and plot, I was amazed at how often the reveals alone kept me involved. Also, while there were times I had a good guess what was coming, it was never well-in-advance of the reveal. Not to mention certain story surprises that caught me completely off guard—in spite of all the little hints adding up to the shocking truth.

No real negatives to report, though I will admit I was leaning more toward a 4-star rating leading up to the first plot point. The beginning was strong, the characters in full pursuit of their main goal—until they hit a snag and had no choice but delay. In the brief calm, my story-analyzing consciousness kicked in and I realized Ben might've been more proactive in uncovering his identity. That was the only moment in the story where I might've preferred a greater momentum. BUT—the respite didn't last long, and my impressions soared toward the 5-star mark as the story went on.

Sensitive readers should be aware of a few curses. If you're not fond of violence or gore, a few of the descriptions might prove too graphic. None of those aspects were so intense as to bother me personally, but I know other readers have different tastes.

I'm sure my review fails to capture all the aspects of this story I loved—like the playful mood. However, I feel it's important for the romance lovers out there to know there's a healthy dose of romantic tension. (Yessss!) I won't say how it ends, but I'm satisfied—for now. And very much looking forward to the next adventure in the “Stones of Terrene” series.

* For more an expanded analysis, Google search “storystorming renegade skyfarer” and peruse my 07/14/2018 post.

(Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed here are my own honest thoughts.)

[Ruth Benner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world crafted by R.J. Metcalf in Renegade Skyfairer is truly fascinating, as it combines all the beloved elements of a fantasy novel (magic, sword-fighting, dragons) with the uniqueness of a steampunk world. The airship Sapphire is probably the most amazing features of this new word, fusing magical gravity stones, a gear-powered engine, and solid wood ship into a spectacular flying machine that is beloved by both the characters and the readers.

While the central plot of the book revolves around a good vs. evil fight to save the world, the heart if this story, however, is the relationships between the crew of the Sapphirre and their allies.

The story does a great job of introducing the characters quickly and absorbing the reader in their adventures so that by the 3rd or 4th chapter you are completely invested in their lives. You feel their fears, pain, frustration, love, and loss, as if you were a member of the crew yourself.

I highly recommend this book to an fantasy lover looking to explore a totally unique world.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renegade Skyfarer has the feel of a classic fantasy adventure, as we follow the crew of the airship Sapphire as they search for a way to fix the barrier that protects Terrene. There’s political intrigue as well to give it an unique flavor, and I was engaged throughout as the plot unfolded through it’s twists and turns.

The steampunk setting is vivid and I felt like I was a part of the world that RJ Metcalf has crafted in her debut novel. I love the idea of magic rocks and the way that magic is treated here, not as a cure all, but more like enhancers to make life just a bit easier. The tech is fun too, especially as newcomer Ben struggles to understand it all.

I connected to most of the characters, who brought their own personality and fun to the story. Jade was my favorite, the fiery mechanic who’s trying to prove her worth to her father. I especially felt for her in the later stages of the story. I also loved Ben, our protagonist, who’s arrived on the ship without his memories, but doesn’t feel like a blank slate like many amnesiac characters. He’s clueless about Terrene to start, but at the same time, willing to help the people who saved his life. As the story moves forward, he struggles between his new friends and his returning memories of his old life, and I really liked how it was handled. Slate is the leader of the Sapphire and while kind, compassionate and protective, is motivated deeply by past regrets, which we learn runs deeper as the plot continues. There’s five points of view total, but the story didn’t feel bogged down.

The ending is satisfying and wraps up the main storyline of the book, but there’s just enough dangling to save for future installments, which I’m looking forward to.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It always takes me a little while to get invested in a new book, so I refuse to judge books by whether or not they grab me right away. Instead, I judge a book by how long it takes me to get to the point where I'm choosing to reach for it with all of my free time in order to finish. Renegade Skyfarer was a book where I became intrigued pretty early on. An interesting cast of characters, several unique mysteries to investigate, and a handful of brewing threats made for a combination I couldn't resist. A few mysteries I guessed correctly early in the story, but I credit this to excellent foreshadowing, rather than a lack of adequate subterfuge in the storytelling. I consistently thought the plot construction was clever, and there were a few worldbuilding elements I really loved and found fascinating. I absolutely plan to continue reading this series!

[Brie Donning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Renegade Skyfarer, where do I start?

It’s an exciting, action packed story with plenty of intriguing elements. The world is fascinating. It’s got skyships, and cities as is common in steampunk, but it’s also got dinosaurs. Or dragons if you prefer to call them that. But they’re definitely dinosaurs despite having some elemental powers. A plodder is a herbivore with plates all down its back and spikes on its tail. It’s a stegosaurus, and it’s awesome. There’s also terrors that can fly, and a few others. I like dino-dragons.

Then there’s the characters. First Ben, the amnesiac. He has no idea where he’s from, and can’t even remember some major things about the world. So he wants to find out where he belongs. But he doesn’t complain about it. He’s just a straight out nice person. He manages to find a place on the Sapphire despite certain people who don’t like this new guy.

Then there’s Jade, the captain’s daughter, who wants to become an airship captain herself, but feels like she’s stifled by her father. She’s not a character I connect with hugely. I’ve got dreams that sometimes feel out of reach, but they’re such different dreams to hers. She’s also dealing with the man she likes distancing her sometimes, and being over protective at others. So someone whose position I don’t want to be in.

There’s also Captain Slate, and various other members of the crew, and people they know it the cities, royals, clansmen and nuisances. (Mostly royal nuisances.) They’re a mixture of friends, enemies, allies, and dubious people.

There are secret in this book. Lots of secrets. Revealed well, and twisting the story at just the right time. Some of the answers… Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out what Geist really is up to, where the person named Blade fits in, and what’s up with the barrier.

Yet despite the well crafted story, the excellent world building (magic and dragon hunting airships), I didn’t connect deeply with it. I liked the characters, but I couldn’t quite connect. And I didn’t feel a strong theme in it. There probably is a theme there, I just couldn’t identify it. I don’t know what the book was trying to say. And though I am curious, I’m not going to be anxiously awaiting the next book. I wouldn’t turn down a chance to read the next one, but Renegade Skyfarer didn’t make it onto the List of Books I Really Love. (But when I did read the next book, oh it was good.)

But if you like dinosaurs, steampunk, intriguing secrets and characters who can’t remember their possibly tragic past, check this out. Maybe you’ll find something I didn’t.

[M.H. Elrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic, far-reaching, steampunk story...
This book definitely kept my attention as I grew affection for the main characters: Ben, Jade, and Slate. The world building is expansive, and the author's style is one of "throw you in and you figure it out" rather than giving more description. There were definitely natural pauses of conversation where some of the world building was explained, but I sometimes felt like I was missing a prologue. Nevertheless, I was able to catch up and enjoy the steampunk/fantastical setting because of the relatable characters.
Ben, the one with amnesia, but clues that he was once a soldier. Jade, the female mechanic struggling to understand why those she loves are acting differently around her. Slate, the captain of the airship, lives with regrets that he wants to put to rights. Their struggles, and the nonstop adventure, drew me into the story. Even Blade, a POV minor character, had an interesting and unexpected point of view.
I will say that I wished there was a family tree or map at the back of the book, in addition to a crew manifest (which I really wished I had known about before!). There was a lot about the world that I wished I could understand more. But as long as you don't mind being puzzled at times and just enjoying the story, then you'll be fine.
Content Warnings:
Blood: Like sticking to their shoes, staining their blouses, trickling down their arms, etc.
Guts: Not as bad as the blood, and the camera tends to pan away from the worst of it.
Language: Although they substitute real cuss words for fake ones, they are there, with references to "Bloody Void Born" being the most common "curse."
Alcohol: Slate's guilt leads him to the bottle, but that is more implied than described in detail about what happens when you get drunk. The crew imbibes, but it's not to get drunk.
Gambling: One character struggles with it. Very little is described.
Sexual Content: There is one passionate kiss. A description of a prince getting handsy. A woman gets raped (off screen). A Lord is seen with his mistress whose "clothes left little to the imagination" kind of thing. Nothing is described that much beyond the kiss.
Religious Content: One of the oaths is "To the Author," and other oaths are to the gods of her fantasy world. The Author is the closest to what we would think of as a Christian God, but the Author is not described, nor has any influence in the story as of book one.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

With airships, dragons and the promise of high-stakes adventure, Renegade Skyfarer was an easy book to convince me to pick up.

We start out with a prologue that is a tantalizing draw into the story and from there meet Ben, who has no memories of his past and was found in a dangerous location by the crew of the airship Sapphire.

As Ben stays on, snippets of his past come to him while he befriends the rest of the crew and hopes traveling with them will help him remember who he is. Along with him, we discover the magic of Terrene, the political squabbles that still smolder and what Slate, the captain of the Sapphire, is hiding. There is a spy working against the Captain to undo his efforts to restore the magic barrier that protects Terrene—and someone long thought dead who comes back to seek revenge.

As the story’s main plot is wrapped up, we are still left with questions (and suspicions) about Ben’s identity, which adds a neatly woven mystery for us to explore in further books in the series—always a bonus for me!
The first in the series Stones of Terrene, R.J. Metcalf’s Renegade Skyfarer is a delightfully spun tale with all the elements an adventure needs; intrigue, betrayal, revenge, redemption and a touch of forbidden love. I look forward to discovering more about Ben in the next installment!

[K.C. Lannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The promise of dragons and airships drew me to this story, but the fantastic cast of characters really captured my attention and kept me reading eagerly.

Jade is a fierce female mechanic with relatable inner struggles. Ben is an easygoing sweetheart. Slate is a strong and determined captain that you empathize with. Krista and Briar are loyal friends. And Zak... ZAK!!! That broody and dedicated swordsman really captured my heart. The airship isn’t the only ship in this book, y’all, if you know what I mean! If you like angsty slow-burn ships as much as I do, you’ll love this book.

This story plot kept me interested the whole way through, but that last half of the book had me literally shouting at my Kindle in suspense! Loved the twists and turns this story took. I was just along for the ride!

I can’t wait to read the next book!

My only issue was that there were so many side characters and names that I couldn’t keep up and had to go back and read over what I had read a few times. Luckily, there is a handy guide in the book of names and people. However, I only discovered this after I was done reading. My fault! Other than my minor issues, it was a wonderful read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. **

This is a fun, fast-paced fantasy/adventure with plenty of action and well-developed characters. There were enough twists and turns in the story to keep me guessing (okay, so I did guess correctly more times than not but the twists were still fun!) and the exploration of Ben's origins was slow but slow in a way that made perfect sense. (Of course, we still don't know everything about how Ben got to Terrene and the Sapphire but I'm assuming that will be explored more in book 2.) I loved the dragons (who are very obviously based on dinosaurs, and I love that!) and loved the characters and the interplay between them. There are a number of unanswered or partially answered questions left at the end of the book but again, there is a sequel so that wasn't all that annoying. And the ending was satisfying even though it was definitely a set up for more. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy & adventure!

[Noah Litle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read! Sky ships. Magic dinosaurs. Swashbuckling adventure.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I appreciate that this is a complete story all on it's own. It's by no means a stand alone, but it didn't leave major plot threads hanging. I hate it when the first book in a series has little, to no plot and only serves as "an introduction to the world."
Very happy that this book was not that.

The love triangle was a little annoying. I still think she should have forgotten about her dark and brooding boyfriend and gone with the other guy. In any case, I was glad it was glad she got it figured out in the first half of the book.

Not sure how I feel about the rest of the series. I'm fascinated by the world, but it looks like it gets dark. I don't know. I'll probably read it anyway.

[Marianne Reese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a really hard time getting into this book and almost stopped reading it several times, but after reading the reviews I kept going. The first twenty-five chapters or so, there is a lot of focus on Jade, Zak and Ben’s relationships—it seemed to drone on and I found myself bored with it. This half of the book was longer than it needed to be. I also found it hard to visualize scenes. The characters were well enough developed, but a lot of them were introduced all at once making it a little difficult to remember who was who.
It wasn’t until chapter thirty that the book started moving at a decent pace and became action packed and enjoyable.

[Randy Harmelink]

I'm at the 21% mark and decided to give up on this one. I'm just not enjoying it. I don't think the author is doing a good job of informing the reader of what is going on. I would expect that in a book where the main character has amnesia, but then the story should be all their first person observations. If the book follows other characters, their actions need the context of the world they're interacting with. That information is just too sparse for me.

But I'm typically not a fan of steampunk, so that contributes to my lack of enthusiasm for the book.

[Lauren Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

It's a great steampunk novel with engaging characters and a plot that just kept going, twisting and turning until the very end. I honestly couldn't put it down, and kept reading far too late into the night to finish. The only problem I have with it is having to wait for the next one, and not being able to get my own airship.

If you like well-written novels that drop you into the action and don't let go until they've finished pummelling your heartstrings, this is a must read.

[Joshua Chadd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renegade Skyfarer is a solid 5 out of 5 stars and a great romp into the steampunk/fantasy genre! R.J. does a great job building a unique and awesome world full of airships, dragons, magic, and so much more. Then she takes that world inserts a cast of great characters, a pinch of mystery, and a damn good story and what you come out with is a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time and I cannot reccomend it enough! All-in-all it's a read that is sure to "crank your gears"!

[Paul Sabin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Entertaining and Engrossing Fantasy!!!

This book is a very interesting and capivating blend of steampunk and magic! It's very unique and full of characters that grab your attention. The storyline is unpredictable and suspenseful. It's a very well written and action-packed with romance as well.

If you like steampunk or magic and romance in an action-filled adventure, you must read this book!!!

[Crystal Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

This book was excellent. Kept my attention the entire way, and the characters were complex and interesting. The plot surprised me at several points and I actually teared up once or twice, which for me is saying a lot! The romance in the book was the perfect amount and well-executed. Definitely would like to read the next book!

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting adventure

Great fantasy tale that kept me reading straight through till the end. A fascinating world with a host of characters that keep the plot moving and exciting ! Good read!

[Mike Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it read it in one day could not put it down. I have a hard time reading so that said a lot

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, combining fantasy and steampunk

[Anna Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I... kind of regret putting this off for so long, because I really, really, really enjoyed this book! But the plus side of putting it off so long is... I supposed I can now just get all the other 3 (4?) books in this series and binge them at a go.

[NootNoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

These characters wormed their ways into my heart so quickly!