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Bedlam #1
Windwalker
I thought I was used to bad things happening. Until I ended up dead.
I wish I had left the dark alone.
When Red, the infamous cat burglar of Bedlam, steals a pair of carpet slippers she gets more than she bargained for—a pirate falls from the sky and pulls her into a war raging in the Above. But more is as stake than she knows. The children of Bedlam are disappearing. Searching for answers, she delves into the underbelly of Bedlam to uncover her own dark past.
A genre-bending steampunk fantasy set in the realm of imagination itself.
I wish I had left the dark alone.
When Red, the infamous cat burglar of Bedlam, steals a pair of carpet slippers she gets more than she bargained for—a pirate falls from the sky and pulls her into a war raging in the Above. But more is as stake than she knows. The children of Bedlam are disappearing. Searching for answers, she delves into the underbelly of Bedlam to uncover her own dark past.
A genre-bending steampunk fantasy set in the realm of imagination itself.
302 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2020
50 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Flynn
22 books260 followersSabrina lives in perpetual fog and sunshine with a rock troll and two crazy imps. She spent her youth trailing after insanity, jumping off bridges, climbing towers, and riding down waterfalls in barrels. After spending fifteen years wrestling giant hounds and battling pint-sized tigers, she now travels everywhere via watery portals leading to anywhere.
She is the award-winning author of the epic fantasy series Legends of Fyrsta and the historical mystery series Ravenwood Mysteries.
She is the award-winning author of the epic fantasy series Legends of Fyrsta and the historical mystery series Ravenwood Mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 21, 2020
Creative, imaginative, and spectacular!
I am once again blown away by Sabrina’s storytelling ability. I was immediately drawn into the “pea soup” fog where I followed a feisty, sarcastic, fearless character who I was constantly cheering for! I can’t wait for her next adventure!!!
I am once again blown away by Sabrina’s storytelling ability. I was immediately drawn into the “pea soup” fog where I followed a feisty, sarcastic, fearless character who I was constantly cheering for! I can’t wait for her next adventure!!!
April 29, 2022
Windwalker by Sabrina Flynn is the first book set in the Bedlam Universe. Full on Steampunk fantasy of the dark kind, almost Gothic. I’m familiar with Flynn’s Ravenwood Mystery series set in Victorian times – currently working my way through the audio books on Scribd - and love her way of storytelling. Windwalker is a total departure from her historical murder mysteries but she proves to be able to do a mean science fantasy as well.
The world building is superb and very imaginative. Sun touched rat and cat burglar extraordinaire Evie (Red) is a an unpolished diamond with a lot of sass. You will enjoy her company. Magic, muck and mayhem. Looking forward for her next adventure!
Sexuality is very fluent in this Universe and even though it isn’t advertised there was plenty of gay.
Themes: muck!
5 Stars
The world building is superb and very imaginative. Sun touched rat and cat burglar extraordinaire Evie (Red) is a an unpolished diamond with a lot of sass. You will enjoy her company. Magic, muck and mayhem. Looking forward for her next adventure!
Sexuality is very fluent in this Universe and even though it isn’t advertised there was plenty of gay.
Themes: muck!
5 Stars
August 20, 2020
Great story
What an unusual world this story allows a person to visit, bright skies above and deep fogs below. Throw in characters with talents called “knacks”;flying ships, air and land battles, and you have a book hard to put down.
What an unusual world this story allows a person to visit, bright skies above and deep fogs below. Throw in characters with talents called “knacks”;flying ships, air and land battles, and you have a book hard to put down.
August 19, 2020
Gothic Science Fiction
I've read all the "Ravenwood " books and have enjoyed them immensely! All 5 star books!
But it I'm pretty sure the brilliant Sabrina Flynn has created a new genre with this book!
OUTSTANDING!
Everything to immerse and engage your mind!
Thank You!
I've read all the "Ravenwood " books and have enjoyed them immensely! All 5 star books!
But it I'm pretty sure the brilliant Sabrina Flynn has created a new genre with this book!
OUTSTANDING!
Everything to immerse and engage your mind!
Thank You!
September 21, 2020
Steampunk meets high fantasy as Sabrina Flynn turns her magnificent storytelling chops in a new direction! I don’t have to worry about being spoilerish here because this is a book that has to be read, and not distilled. I will say that I am reeaally looking forward to the further adventures of Evie, Mord, Gan, Wil, Bran, et al. Nicely done, once again, Sabrina! I will read anything you write!
August 18, 2020
This was an absolutely wonderful character-driven escapist fantasy adventure! Which is exactly what my brain needed right now.
I haven't read very much gaslamp fantasy, so I don't have a lot to compare to, but I loved the old-timey steam engine vibe juxtaposed with hints of more complex tech and magic. A fun change of pace from the kind of cookie-cutter fantasy worlds I've been seeing lately. It reminded me a bit of Jim Butcher's Cinder Spires.
And I loved the characters. Gan and Mord are adorable grumps. Red has the exact combo of cheeky braggadocio that you expect of a cat-burglar, but secretly cares about everyone a little too much, which made me like her more. And all the side characters were great fun as well.
I found myself with so many questions at the end of the book about all the little loose ends that were left hanging, but that's exactly where I want to be at the start of a new series. I love the slow-burn relationship development and having the world-building grow along with the plot. I can't wait to read more in this fantasy world about these characters!
I haven't read very much gaslamp fantasy, so I don't have a lot to compare to, but I loved the old-timey steam engine vibe juxtaposed with hints of more complex tech and magic. A fun change of pace from the kind of cookie-cutter fantasy worlds I've been seeing lately. It reminded me a bit of Jim Butcher's Cinder Spires.
And I loved the characters. Gan and Mord are adorable grumps. Red has the exact combo of cheeky braggadocio that you expect of a cat-burglar, but secretly cares about everyone a little too much, which made me like her more. And all the side characters were great fun as well.
I found myself with so many questions at the end of the book about all the little loose ends that were left hanging, but that's exactly where I want to be at the start of a new series. I love the slow-burn relationship development and having the world-building grow along with the plot. I can't wait to read more in this fantasy world about these characters!
August 18, 2020
I love character-driven stories and this one delivers from page one. I couldn't put it down. Red is a mystery that the reader wants to solve.. Life at the bottom of the heap is hard and most don't survive but Red isn't just anyone. Falling into the hands of two gentlemen may be both a blessing or a curse but it is never dull. An exciting, appealing pageturner. This is Bedlam Book 1, and I can't wait for book 2.
August 16, 2020
I really enjoyed the imaginative world the author has created, with a cast of very unique characters. You get a feeling of both a Victorian and an apocalyptic era; magic mixed in with the gritty reality of life in a place where the caste system literally elevates the rich to a higher stratosphere, and the poor into a life of mud and endless struggle. Very well crafted, without the overuse of new made-up words and terms as is so often the case with fantasy writings, which can make them a bit hard to follow. I had no problem keeping up with the characters and storyline here. I would love to read more, looking forward to this becoming a series!
September 1, 2020
High adventure packed with atmosphere
I found the intentional murkiness of the first few pages off putting, but then it quickly opened up into an exciting adventure of criminality, intrigue, pirates, steampunk, and magic. There were some familiar elements, but carried off with style, character, and terrific pacing.
I found the intentional murkiness of the first few pages off putting, but then it quickly opened up into an exciting adventure of criminality, intrigue, pirates, steampunk, and magic. There were some familiar elements, but carried off with style, character, and terrific pacing.
August 31, 2020
Knacks
This was a quirky, dark thriller. Steampunk flying ships, floating chunks of islands in the sky. Finely crafted characters, and magic. Great female badass protagonist.
This was a quirky, dark thriller. Steampunk flying ships, floating chunks of islands in the sky. Finely crafted characters, and magic. Great female badass protagonist.
August 31, 2020
Excellent world crafting!
Raced through this book in a day. Excellent protagonist and world creation. Looking forward to the next installment! Enjoyed it!
Raced through this book in a day. Excellent protagonist and world creation. Looking forward to the next installment! Enjoyed it!
August 23, 2020
Another good one
Great story, good characters. Depressing how the children are treated but helps explains Evie's motivation. Looking forward to the next book. Highly Recommend
Great story, good characters. Depressing how the children are treated but helps explains Evie's motivation. Looking forward to the next book. Highly Recommend
February 21, 2025
The lackluster steampunk setting, coupled with erratic scenes and the ever popular use of broken, Street urchin slang, made this somewhat forgettable.
September 16, 2020
This story grabbed me and didn’t let go. I’m hoping to hear more about Evie, Gan and Mordecai. I’d like to see what happens now that the muck/fog has cleared!
July 20, 2022
2.5 stars.
Where to start with this one? The world is bleak and atmospheric, but very shallow. Descriptions and information range from poor to vague, making it very hard to visualize anything. One of the major draws of steam punk is the aesthetic, so being unable to picture the city and its denizens is a real bummer. I'm usually the first to point out that a books these days are unnecessarily long, but Windwalker is one of the rare examples where the story would have benefitted greatly from some 50-100 more pages.
The magic system makes no sense in the context of this world. And is not only poorly explained, like everything else, but also poorly utilized. Hell, for more than half of the book I wasn't even aware that there was supposed to be magic in this world. It's introduced, out of nowhere, in the latter half of the story, with an unacceptable amount of info dumping that felt awkward and out of place.
The plot feels like a bunch of random threads thrown together haphazardly. I mean, seriously, Evie gets magic powers that wink in and out of existence for two out of the last 4-5 chapters, with no build up, no reason, and no satisfying explanation before or after beyond the fact that the author needed her to win the final confrontation somehow.
But, it's not all bad. I found myself enjoying the action. Evie is a good protagonist, and the surrounding cast is serviceable. There are a couple of exceptions, however, the most notable being Wil, who, while attractive, has the personality of a rock with frowns face drawn on it. There's a good amount of queer representation, with Evie having two dads and she herself being bisexual. Disability representation, as always, is a plus and I think it was handled well here.
The ending is grossly unsatisfactory. Antagonist, what antagonist? Oh, this random dude that was never mentioned or eluded to before? Well, he's gone in ten pages flat, without leaving any impression one way or the other, so who cares anyway? I get trying to set up a sequel, not that there appears to be one coming any time soon, but each installment in a series needs to be able to stand on its own.
I feel very let down by this. I don't know if I would be willing to pick up something by Sabrina Flynn in future.
Where to start with this one? The world is bleak and atmospheric, but very shallow. Descriptions and information range from poor to vague, making it very hard to visualize anything. One of the major draws of steam punk is the aesthetic, so being unable to picture the city and its denizens is a real bummer. I'm usually the first to point out that a books these days are unnecessarily long, but Windwalker is one of the rare examples where the story would have benefitted greatly from some 50-100 more pages.
The magic system makes no sense in the context of this world. And is not only poorly explained, like everything else, but also poorly utilized. Hell, for more than half of the book I wasn't even aware that there was supposed to be magic in this world. It's introduced, out of nowhere, in the latter half of the story, with an unacceptable amount of info dumping that felt awkward and out of place.
The plot feels like a bunch of random threads thrown together haphazardly. I mean, seriously, Evie gets magic powers that wink in and out of existence for two out of the last 4-5 chapters, with no build up, no reason, and no satisfying explanation before or after beyond the fact that the author needed her to win the final confrontation somehow.
But, it's not all bad. I found myself enjoying the action. Evie is a good protagonist, and the surrounding cast is serviceable. There are a couple of exceptions, however, the most notable being Wil, who, while attractive, has the personality of a rock with frowns face drawn on it. There's a good amount of queer representation, with Evie having two dads and she herself being bisexual. Disability representation, as always, is a plus and I think it was handled well here.
The ending is grossly unsatisfactory. Antagonist, what antagonist? Oh, this random dude that was never mentioned or eluded to before? Well, he's gone in ten pages flat, without leaving any impression one way or the other, so who cares anyway? I get trying to set up a sequel, not that there appears to be one coming any time soon, but each installment in a series needs to be able to stand on its own.
I feel very let down by this. I don't know if I would be willing to pick up something by Sabrina Flynn in future.
April 2, 2021
A new favourite on my shelves!
Sabrina Flynn weaves between the genres masterfully. I Ravenwood Mysteries (Victorian San Francisco/Crime Mystery) quickly has become one of those series I return to for re-reads and re-listens.
Then she created Bedlam and oh my! Steampunk, Mystery, and a while new world to boot!
Fantastic world building, really great concepts and interesting conflicts. Full of secrets and a hint of friendship and love like it isn’t found in droves.
(Mild Spoilers ahead!)
I want to learn more about the world. About the big bad at the end (surely we haven’t seen the last of That one), the children, the conflict between the Above and the Below, Wil’s past, tribulations and hopefully happiness, Mordecai’s story,...
So many questions left unanswered, but a great promise to more coming out of this world! I hope it’s not going to be a mucking long wait ;)
Sabrina Flynn weaves between the genres masterfully. I Ravenwood Mysteries (Victorian San Francisco/Crime Mystery) quickly has become one of those series I return to for re-reads and re-listens.
Then she created Bedlam and oh my! Steampunk, Mystery, and a while new world to boot!
Fantastic world building, really great concepts and interesting conflicts. Full of secrets and a hint of friendship and love like it isn’t found in droves.
(Mild Spoilers ahead!)
I want to learn more about the world. About the big bad at the end (surely we haven’t seen the last of That one), the children, the conflict between the Above and the Below, Wil’s past, tribulations and hopefully happiness, Mordecai’s story,...
So many questions left unanswered, but a great promise to more coming out of this world! I hope it’s not going to be a mucking long wait ;)
March 26, 2021
FANTASTIC BOOK!!
This was an Excellent, Excellent book! Stream punk at it's best. This author has a vivid imagination and knows how to tell a story. From page one to the last page it's action packed, on the edge of your seat with every page.
I hope this author will continue this story because I am ready for book two!!
This was an Excellent, Excellent book! Stream punk at it's best. This author has a vivid imagination and knows how to tell a story. From page one to the last page it's action packed, on the edge of your seat with every page.
I hope this author will continue this story because I am ready for book two!!
January 3, 2022
More like 2.5 stars. Clearly I'm in the minority here, and honestly, I'd pick up the sequel if it ever comes and it's free, but this was a bit of a mash-up of genres that didn't quite sort itself out.
January 11, 2022
Utterly charming, Evie is a wonderful character! Great story, highly original and with Ms. Flynn's usual writing flair this book is highly recommended. Looking forward to much more of this strange and compelling story.
May 18, 2022
OK I need the next instalment!!!!
As a serial reader Ingot to the end of this book and had one word NNNNOOOOO! Sabrina Flynn stopped there!
The characters are vibrant and the story a cross between nightmare and comedy. To imagine such a world.
As a serial reader Ingot to the end of this book and had one word NNNNOOOOO! Sabrina Flynn stopped there!
The characters are vibrant and the story a cross between nightmare and comedy. To imagine such a world.
April 11, 2021
Mythology meets steampunk
Fun read! Graphically brings the underworld above ground in a pg rated way. A lost child destined to save the world and does it!
Fun read! Graphically brings the underworld above ground in a pg rated way. A lost child destined to save the world and does it!
January 3, 2024
Amazingly detailed dystopian world, all too real and relevant to our own despite the fantastic elements, along with wonderful diverse characters. I am looking for Bedlam #2!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews