Queen of the Iron Sands

by Scott Lynch

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...

Genres: Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Pulp, Fantasy

ebook

First published August 30, 2009

About the author

I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 2, 1978, the first of three brothers. I've lived in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area my entire life; currently, just across the border in Wisconsin, about half an hour east of the Twin Cities.

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, and became a volunteer firefighter in June of that year.

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 2010, I lost a marriage but gained a cat, a charming ball of ego and fuzz known as Muse (Musicus Maximus Butthead Rex I).

My partner, the lovely and critically acclaimed SF/F writer Elizabeth Bear, lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am confident on an upgrade to five stars when this is finished. Of course, I may be biased.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Annie]

This 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.)

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if or when this will be finished, but I very much enjoyed what does exist -- fun and pulpy.

[Ian Chinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Vickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Jim Mason · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love what's up so far; great pulpy fun. :-) Very much looking forward to more when it arrives.

[Miramira Endevall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to more of this.

[Sherry da Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying it so far, can't wait for him to write more :)

[Just Plain Neddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mmmm. Not sure if this is not very good, or just not for me. Certainly has nothing like the brilliance of the GB series.

[Wardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.