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  • The Aeronaut's Windlass

  • The Cinder Spires, Book 1
  • Written by: Jim Butcher
  • Narrated by: Euan Morton
  • Length: 21 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (173 ratings)

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The Aeronaut's Windlass

Written by: Jim Butcher
Narrated by: Euan Morton
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Publisher's Summary

Jim Butcher, the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Dresden Files and the Codex Alera novels, conjures up a new series set in a fantastic world of noble families, steam-powered technology, and magic-wielding warriors....

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 the 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 premonition 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....

©2015 Jim Butcher (P)2015 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

"Obie Award winner and Scottish-born Euan Morton narrates this sprawling opening volume of The Cinder Spires with the spirit of a buccaneer and an ear for a couple of dozen different vocal rhythms and dialects from the British Isles. Morton is especially adept at naturally carrying on the conversations between the growling shipmates and the highborn Gwen. Morton keeps the action moving and speaks 'cat' perfectly." (AudioFile)

“This is Jim Butcher at his best, drawing a fully realized, richly detailed, and downright fun literary world where fearless aeronauts ride the aether, brilliant wizards struggle with doorknobs, and a thirty-pound feline warrior keeps a pet human named Little Mouse. It’s steampunk meets magic with a dose of sci-fi for seasoning. Buy it and read it. You’ll be glad you did.” (New York Times best-selling author David Weber)

"Butcher, the best-selling author of the Dresden Files, now launches the Cinder Spires, a new epic fantasy, steampunk hybrid series that has shades of both Naomi Novik and Cherie Priest.... With shifting points of view, short chapters, fast-paced action, and awesome battle scenes, the large cast of characters, elaborate world building, and intricate plot are revealed quickly and realized fully. It all reminds readers of when they first fell for Harry Dresden.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Butcher opens the imaginative Cinder Spires series with this sweeping fantastical epic.... [It's] a fascinating, adventurous, and intricate story. Butcher brings a fresh and exciting perspective to secondary-world steampunk, giving the reader a thrilling ride.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

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What listeners say about The Aeronaut's Windlass

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A brilliant read

I loved this book! Butcher has created another amazing series with new characters that you can’t help but fall in love with!

The performance from Euan Morton was perfect he did a great job to help bring those characters to life!

I look forward to book II

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Great book!

Loved it! I liked Jim Butchers other works, but loved thus one. The narrator did an excellent job in portraying the different characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series! #Audible1

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Magic steem punk... I don't know but it's good!

Another amazing story by Jim Butcher. If you liked the Dresden Files, or cats I think you'll like this one.

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Can't wait for the next book

I have enjoyed Jim's Dresden files and gambled on this new series. What a jackpot! The steampunk setting introduced a whole new world to me. Please publish the next book so I can do another road trip. Some of his best work!

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A Fantastic story! Well worth a listen!

The excellent narration made the book come to life. Excellent detail!
I can’t believe it is 21 hours. It seem like 10 or 15!

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  • Overall
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Very good delivery from the narrator.

Brings a great book to life. Quite enjoyable. Especially the performance as Rowl. Loved it

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Great imaginative story - captivating

This story has a fantastic spin on navel warfare and magic. The characters are ALL great and the story is strong. Butchers writing is deep yet fresh and he proves that he’s much more than Dresden.

The performance adds to the great read. Well done all around.

Definitely worth a read.

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No Jim butcher

This isn’t as entertaining as his detective novels. But nonetheless an interesting read I just found the characters flat except the cat. He was funny

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Well written and narrated

Very good, exciting, interesting. Characters are lovable and have depth, can't wait to read the next one.

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When will the next book be?!

#Audible1 I am adding a written review in order to get into a draw, but still an excellent book.

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