Free-Wrench
Free-Wrench, no. 1
Publisher Description
The islands of Caldera are a shining jewel in a rather bleak world. A terrible calamity in the past had blanketed much of the world with a toxic "fug." Those who survived were forced to take to the mountains and the skies in wondrous airships. Life has since been a struggle, with only the most ruthless and crafty able to survive. To spare themselves the same fate, the Calderans erected a battery of guns to fend off the airships of the mainland. They isolated themselves from the madness of the world, choosing instead to focus on the pursuits of art and creativity. Few believe the technologically advanced but socially barbarous outsiders have anything to offer. Amanita Graus, though, is hoping that they do.
Nita's mother has lost her livelihood and perhaps soon her life to a terrible disease. Already the black sheep of the family for embracing engineering rather than art, Nita resolves to leave the safety of her home and do whatever it takes to find a cure. For a price, the bizarre crew of an airship called The Wind Breaker are willing to grant her a meeting with their mysterious benefactors, and thus a chance to procure the one thing with a chance to save her mother.
Free-Wrench follows Nita’s adventures in a steampunk world of airships and lunatics. Helping her in her journey are an eccentric crew of smugglers; the gruff Cap’n Mack, the simple but enthusiastic Lil and Coop, the arrogant marksman Gunner, the surly surgeon Butch, and the irritable mascot Wink. To survive and find what she seeks she’ll need to earn their trust, follow their rules, and meet face to face with the people who pull the strings of their society.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Indie author Joseph Lallo—who made his mark with the Book of Deacon fantasy series—concocts a rollicking and entertaining steampunk adventure. Unlike the majority of the island nation of Caldera’s residents, Amanita “Nita” Graus is not drawn to the artistic life. Whereas her twin sister and younger brother have followed in their fabled ancestors’ footsteps to become, respectively, a renowned dancer and musician, Nita has found her calling as a free-wrench: a skilled mechanic employed to keep Caldera’s impressive steamworks operational. When the opportunity arises to help her ailing mother, Nita journeys beyond the borders of her sheltered homeland in a foreign airship teeming with salty characters. Lallo creates an impressively vivid world and launches his protagonist on a grand quest that will test her intelligence, charm and tinkering skills.
Customer Reviews
Free world
One of the good ones
Enjoyable characters
Nice quick read with engaging characters. Not quite as deep as the Deacon series (at least not the first book). Looking forward to next one for plane reading.
Great Read,
I really enjoyed reading this story. The characters were spot on and the length was perfect! The backstory kept the book moving to a conclusion as the main story gave me loads of action and excitement. I would read more by this author.