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Ship of Smoke and Steel

Book 1 in the series:The Wells of Sorcery

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Ship of Smoke and Steel by Django Wexler follows Isoka, a powerful and confident protagonist who is caught by the Empire for being a mage adept and is tasked with stealing a ghost ship named the Soliton to save herself and her sister. The story is set on the mysterious Soliton, an enormous haunted ship full of ancient technology and dangerous creatures, where Isoka navigates through political intrigue, mystery, and danger to unravel the goals and methods of the ship's creators. The writing style is fast-paced, engaging, and features a unique magic system called Wells, with a focus on strong female characters, LGBTQ representation, and intricate world-building.

Characters:

The characters are diverse and well-developed, featuring a strong female lead and inclusive LGBTQ representation.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is well-crafted and fast-paced, with vivid descriptions and subtle explanations, making for an engaging read.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a unique magic system and revolves around a ghost ship heist filled with mystery and character development.

Setting:

The setting is an enormous haunted ship in a mysterious world filled with danger and intrigue.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast, filled with constant action that keeps the reader engaged throughout.
I move quickly, losing myself among the crumbling tenement blocks of the Sixteenth Ward. The streets smell of salt water and rotting fish, piss and misery. Huddled shapes crowd against the pitted bric...

Notes:

The magic system in the book is based on 'Wells' instead of typical elemental magic.
There are various types of Wells, such as Combat, Force, Perception, and Shadows.
It's rare for characters to access more than one Well, adding depth to the magic system.
The story features a unique haunted ship called the Soliton.
The main character (MC) is a bisexual female assassin named Isoka, who is the protector of her sister.
There is a strong female-female romance subplot in the story.
The book includes a colorful cast of characters, all with distinct personalities and agency.
The worldbuilding is set on a massive ship full of mystery, crabs, and deadly monsters.
Django Wexler's writing has been noted for its action and well-thought-out character development.
The story features high stakes involving a ghost ship heist.
The series tackles mature themes, including sexuality, but not in an overly explicit manner.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include references to violence, sexual activities, and themes that may not be suitable for younger audiences.

Has Romance?

The book includes a significant but not overly dominant romantic subplot, focusing on a relationship between two female characters.

From The Publisher:

Ship of Smoke and Steel is the launch of Django Wexler's cinematic, action-packed epic fantasy Wells of Sorcery trilogy.

A FIERCE WARRIOR. HER DEADLY MAGIC.

AN EPIC MISSION TO STEAL A GHOST SHIP.

In the lower wards of Kahnzoka, the great port city of the Blessed Empire, eighteen-year-old ward boss Isoka enforces the will of her criminal masters with the power of Melos, the Well of Combat. The money she collects goes to keep her little sister living in comfort, far from the bloody streets they grew up on.

When Isoka's magic is discovered by the government, she's arrested and brought to the Emperor's spymaster, who sends her on an impossible mission: steal Soliton, a legendary ghost ship-a ship from which no one has ever returned. If she fails, her sister's life is forfeit.

On board Soliton, nothing is as simple as it seems. Isoka tries to get close to the ship's mysterious captain, but to do it she must become part of the brutal crew and join their endless battles against twisted creatures. She doesn't expect to have to contend with feelings for a charismatic fighter who shares her combat magic, or for a fearless princess who wields an even darker power.

"Truly epic, fierce, and exhilarating, Ship of Smoke and Steel will capture you and lock you away. With magical combat sequences fit for the big screen, the action is almost as breathtaking as the intrigue." -Morgan Rhodes, New York Times bestselling author of the Falling Kingdoms series

Reader Stats (9):

Want To Read (7)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

6 months

Not a huge fan of mc

 

About the Author:

DJANGO WEXLER graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with degrees in creative writing and computer science, worked in artificial intelligence research and as a programmer/writer for Microsoft, and is now a full-time fantasy writer. Django is the author of The Shadow Campaigns, an epic fantasy series for adults, and The Forbidden Library, a classic fantasy series for middle-grade readers.

 
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