When you hear the name Jim Butcher, your first instinct is to immediately think of The Dresden Files. The success of supernatural investigator Harry Dresden has thrust Butcher into the larger mainstream conversation in the fantasy genre. Others follow him primarily for his more mainstream fantasy series, The Codex Alera. Whichever your preference --- and some will take both --- the Hugo Award-nominated author is certainly one of the bigger names. Now, he tackles one of the more grandiose and steadily growing segments of the genre: steampunk.

With THE AERONAUT'S WINDLASS, the opening salvo in the Cinder Spires series, Butcher introduces us to Gwendolyn Lancaster, a trainee in the Spirearch Guard who also happens to come from a noble House of some high standing in Spire Albion. Along with her cousin, Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster, Gwendolyn aims to complete her required one year of service aboard the great airships that make up most of the transportation in this world.

"...a grand novel of intrigue and action, and more than deserving of the attention of both Butcher long-timers and those who are looking for something new."

A private merchant ship known as the AMS Predator is attacked with a stronger and more capable battle cruiser from Spire Aurora. Forced to return to Albion, Captain Francis Grimm finds that the ground troops have been populated with enemies and spies. This kicks the trainees into action ahead of schedule. Grimm, an air fleet officer dishonorably discharged from the navy, is told that his ship will be fully restored if he agrees to one proposition: he is tasked with manning an airship teeming with new recruits and completing one essential mission --- the etherialist, Ferus, must be safely protected and delivered to a secret destination, or Albion will lose all they have gained in their war with Aurora. Grimm, in the course of his struggles, comes to learn that this bloody war between the Spires is an ill omen. An ancient enemy stirs and may soon unleash havoc on an unsuspecting people.

THE AERONAUT'S WINDLASS, like many first novels in a series, has an extraordinary amount of worldbuilding. Butcher, however, remains a master of his craft, and although you are seemingly weathering a barrage of new information of descriptions, he has a way of keeping the pages turning. The work does not become tedious or a chore, but there is a lot of worldbuilding.

To its great plus, there are a handful of exceptional viewpoints. Headstrong Gwendolyn perfectly balances awkward and shy Bridget, and between the two of them is an ages-old clash of privilege --- Gwen and her highborn House of strong standing, and Bridget, who, along with her father, account for the last to bear the names of a House nearly erased from existence. Grimm is the rough but charming leader, and Benedict is the human-feline hybrid of quick reflex and wit. All of these characters are great pieces of the larger puzzle, and Butcher makes them fit so well together.

One way in which Butcher has freshened up the steampunk mold is the removal of the steam. Say what? That's right. In all ways and forms, THE AERONAUT'S WINDLASS screams steampunk, but the source for all of the power --- from the lights of the Spire to the weaponry --- is not steam at all, but crystals. Butcher does such a tremendous job in his storytelling that the loss of the steam element is not ultimately a cause for great concern. His use of the crystals, and of the etherialists who can bend the currents of ether found around all things, is a nice shift in style and is welcome. The etherialists are incredible people but terrifying. They hold such tremendous power, but the bending and manipulating of the ether does considerable damage, and sanity becomes a bit strained in those who take up the calling.

The world of THE AERONAUT'S WINDLASS is also quite fascinating. Mankind has fled the ground, seeking safety above the clouds after a dangerous mist enshrouded all the world. These great stone buildings have stood longer than history can recall, crafted by those only remembered as The Builders. And if you like cats, you'll love Rowl.

Butcher has described THE AERONAUT'S WINDLASS as "Steam Opera," and it is a fitting descriptor. It juxtaposes the elements of steampunk with the overarching drama and adventure of space operas very well. It is a grand novel of intrigue and action, and more than deserving of the attention of both Butcher long-timers and those who are looking for something new.