The Aeronaut’s Windlass
by Jim Butcher

An enthralling fantasy adventure of noble families, magic-wielding warriors, and airship battles begins, in the first book in the New York Times bestselling Cinder Spires series.

Since time immemorial, the Spires have sheltered humanity, towering for miles over the mist-shrouded surface of the world. Within their halls, aristocratic houses have ruled for generations, developing scientific marvels, fostering trade alliances, and building fleets of airships to keep the peace.

Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship Predator. Fiercely loyal to Spire Albion, he has taken their side in the cold war with Spire Aurora, disrupting the enemy’s shipping lines by attacking their cargo vessels. But when Predator is severely damaged in combat, leaving captain and crew grounded, Grimm is offered a proposition from the Spirearch of Albion–to join a team of agents on a vital mission, in exchange for fully restoring Predator to its fighting glory.

And even as Grimm undertakes this dangerous task, he will learn that the conflict between the Spires is merely a portent of things to come. Humanity’s ancient enemy, silent for more than ten thousand years, has begun to stir once more. And death will follow in its wake. . . .

Story Locale:Fantasy world

Series Overview: Captain Grimm commands the airship Predator through a fantastic world of noble families, steam-powered technology, intelligent cats, and magic-wielding warriors.