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Queen of the Iron Sands
In 1943, Violet DeVere and her fellow WASPs did their part to help destroy an axis of brutal dictators that threatened the future of the planet Earth.
In 1950, Violet DeVere will be kidnapped across a hundred million miles of space, to an impossible empire on the ancient planet Mars, where she will rise alone to defy an invincible tyranny that dooms fifty million souls...
In 1950, Violet DeVere will be kidnapped across a hundred million miles of space, to an impossible empire on the ancient planet Mars, where she will rise alone to defy an invincible tyranny that dooms fifty million souls...
ebook
First published August 30, 2009
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918 people want to read
About the author
Scott Lynch
63 books27.2k followersI was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 2, 1978, the first of three brothers.
The Lies of Locke Lamora, my first novel, was bought by Simon Spanton at Orion Books in August, 2004. Prior to that I had just about every job you usually see in this sort of author bio-- dishwasher, busboy, waiter, web designer, office manager, prep cook, and freelance writer. I trained in basic firefighting at Anoka Technical College in 2005; from 2005-2016 I served as a paid-on-call firefighter in the city of New Richmond, Wisconsin.
In 2007 The Lies of Locke Lamora was a World Fantasy Award finalist.
In 2008 I received the Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award from the British Fantasy Society.
In 2013, The Republic of Thieves was a New York Times and Times of London bestseller.
In 2025, The Lies of Locke Lamora burst back onto the USA Today bestseller list thanks to its selection as a monthly pick at Barnes & Noble.
In 2026, I was nominated for my first Hugo Award, in the novelette category, for my story "Kaiju Agonistes."
I live in Massachusetts with my wife, acclaimed SF/F writer Elizabeth Bear, and our four cats and two Icelandic horses.
The Lies of Locke Lamora, my first novel, was bought by Simon Spanton at Orion Books in August, 2004. Prior to that I had just about every job you usually see in this sort of author bio-- dishwasher, busboy, waiter, web designer, office manager, prep cook, and freelance writer. I trained in basic firefighting at Anoka Technical College in 2005; from 2005-2016 I served as a paid-on-call firefighter in the city of New Richmond, Wisconsin.
In 2007 The Lies of Locke Lamora was a World Fantasy Award finalist.
In 2008 I received the Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award from the British Fantasy Society.
In 2013, The Republic of Thieves was a New York Times and Times of London bestseller.
In 2025, The Lies of Locke Lamora burst back onto the USA Today bestseller list thanks to its selection as a monthly pick at Barnes & Noble.
In 2026, I was nominated for my first Hugo Award, in the novelette category, for my story "Kaiju Agonistes."
I live in Massachusetts with my wife, acclaimed SF/F writer Elizabeth Bear, and our four cats and two Icelandic horses.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 6, 2014
I am confident on an upgrade to five stars when this is finished. Of course, I may be biased.
January 25, 2014
This was a very fun read. It does accomplish the goal of mirroring the pulp magazine stories that are described in the story.
The details feel very real, the pacing is well done and I look forward to additional chapters.
The details feel very real, the pacing is well done and I look forward to additional chapters.
Read
April 21, 2015This is an online serial, by a great author who's Gentleman Bastards fantasies i have adored. (And who's third installment is killing me in its slowness to the shelf.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2011
I don't know if or when this will be finished, but I very much enjoyed what does exist -- fun and pulpy.
November 5, 2017
I have been a huge fan of Scott Lynch ever since reading the Gentleman Bastards series and I was looking for something else that he had written. So when I found out that he wrote a pulp serial about a pilot from the WW2 era ending up on Mars... I jumped in feet first.
It starts out a bit slow but really builds up to an exciting pace with the normal humor which lynch brings to bear. Staring Violet DeVere, as a spunky pilot who holds no punches despite being forcibly brought to Mars and facing one danger after another....I loved it and was sad when I realized that he hadn't written any new chapters since 2012. Containing elements of dune, buck rogers, and probably other influences I couldn't catch, its a interesting short view of a world that will probably never be completed.
It starts out a bit slow but really builds up to an exciting pace with the normal humor which lynch brings to bear. Staring Violet DeVere, as a spunky pilot who holds no punches despite being forcibly brought to Mars and facing one danger after another....I loved it and was sad when I realized that he hadn't written any new chapters since 2012. Containing elements of dune, buck rogers, and probably other influences I couldn't catch, its a interesting short view of a world that will probably never be completed.
October 14, 2017
A serialised pulp novel about a tough as nails former WASP and current commercial pilot named Violet DeVere who is captured by Mars for science. Fast paced and exciting, I am absolutely loving it. Can't wait for the next instalment. Note to self, I have read up to Chapter 8 "Across Savage Mars" and I am eagerly awaiting more!!
February 10, 2020
DNF
I couldn't finish this. I enjoy the author, but this must be his first attempt at writing, it's very rough and very tropey.
I couldn't finish this. I enjoy the author, but this must be his first attempt at writing, it's very rough and very tropey.
November 26, 2011
I love what's up so far; great pulpy fun. :-) Very much looking forward to more when it arrives.
February 1, 2012
Looking forward to more of this.
August 12, 2014
This was a free online serial but Scott Lynch didn't seem to ever finish it. I hope he does someday, it was very good.
September 19, 2012
I'm enjoying it so far, can't wait for him to write more :)
January 2, 2014
Mmmm. Not sure if this is not very good, or just not for me. Certainly has nothing like the brilliance of the GB series.
February 20, 2017
I have not read a book like this since I was a teen. Great ride, I just hope Scott continues to give us more of the story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews