Landbringer

by Karen H. Lucia

Sade has always lived in the shadows of the Society, surviving only by risking her life in dangerous dives over the abyss during airship heists. But her time among the street gangs of Vale is coming to an end and she must get hers and get out before it's too late. Seeking an escape, Sade agrees to one last airship heist. When the job goes sideways, Sade finds herself in the refuge of an unlikely a spiraling heiress and the ghost of her violently murdered sister.

As Sade is hauled into the underworld of magic, she is thrust into the middle of a conspiracy that runs ages deep and Society wide. Forced to confront the reality of her repressed past and the complexities of her own abilities, she discovers the truth of the gods, and the lengths they will go to maintain a controllable populace. To free the world, Sade must risk all life.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Queer, Adult

395 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2022

About the author

Karen is a Minneapolis author. The long Minnesota winters taught her the value of a good story. Growing up on authors like Piers Anthony and Ursula K LeGuin she developed an interest in Science Fiction and Fantasy that has shaped her writing today. Throughout her life, Karen has had a small handful of adventures that help her craft the stories she writes, ranging from her time abroad, to becoming a mother, or her years spent as an Army Officer, working on a mass casualty response force, and her time in cybersecurity. Always on the hunt for strong female leads, Karen decided to write some of her own leading to the Warriors of Helsvern series. THE GOLDEN VALIA is her debut novel and the first book in the Warriors of Helsvern.

For updates on Karen's writing, visit her website (KarenLuciaAuthor.com), or follow her on Blue Sky (Karenlucia.bsky.social) or Twitter (@Karen_HL)

Reviews

[Bronwyn Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure how someone can fit SO MUCH story in 400 pages. This is the most complex story line I’ve ever read that was still easy to follow and captivating

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really unique story, with very lovable characters. The first half is fairly slow in pacing, but when the overarching plot starts to reveal itself... it's ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥.

[Julieta C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you DIVE IN to this book, you won't be able to put it down! The book starts with immediate action, has incredible world building, and has interesting characters. I read this book in one sitting and have recommended this to as many people as I can! I cannot wait for another book from this indie author.

[Kalli Caturia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Landbringer! I’ve read stand alone books that cram too much into the pages and end up being hard to follow. Landbringer was not that! It was engaging and the world and characters were beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down from the very beginning and am honestly disappointed it is over!

[Jessie Lundin · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this book, Lucia proves that her excellent world building extends to new and varied places beyond that of her Helsvern series. Filled with action, intrigue, and interesting characters, Landbringer is a book you won’t want to put down.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have Sade, a vagabond who makes her living hijacking airships. We have ghosts, and the people who can see them. We have some other magic powers (future sight, present sight, emotional manipulation, et cetera). We have the people who control those who have magic. We have floating islands above deadly gas. And a lot more.

Honestly, this book has so much, but it's not a super long book. It's broken up in three sections with each having a fairly distinct arc, but it's all told from Sade's POV. Both the world and the characters are interesting. There's also a sweet sapphic relationship.

I would recommend this to people who like gaslamp fantasy and stories that feature underdogs.

[Tyrannosaurus regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some super interesting worldbuilding in this one, but it felt REALLY long even though it wasn’t a challenging read. There ended up being some pacing issues and honestly, I wonder if this would have done better as a trilogy or duology because there are some very distinct divisions between parts of the story and they don’t really transition effortlessly. There are some characters that don’t feel like they have consistent characterisation or we don’t get to see their growth, and then there’s the gods which undergo a seismic shift into the last part. (Not necessarily in personality, but I never really got enough of a sense of their importance before that, or indeed their literal existence.)

3.5*

[Jordan McGarry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the magic system and world-building in this story, as well as the cast of strong female characters. The idea of the overarching story was good, but certain parts felt too slow paced and other parts felt rushed or lacking in detail, so pieces didn’t always come together seamlessly. Still, I’d give this author another try.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at about 70%

[j · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

[Cheryl Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Well written, interesting characters, not a cookie cutter story. I got to the end and was immediately wanting more! Will seek out other Karen Lucia books for sure!

[A.L. L. Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

(This review has been a while after finishing the book)

I enjoyed the idea and the theme of the abilities a lot (I like spooky things). The ending had me scratching my head a little, but the wrap-up left me feeling pretty good about it.

[Zom Crothen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible gas lamp fantasy novel with unique magic system and great story