The aeronaut's windlass

'Great action scenes, a fascinating world, and characters of a sort I've never seen before.

This is everything I've come to expect from Jim Butcher, but in a delightful new flavour' PATRICK ROTHFUSS'Beware fellow readers, herein lies adventure that will keep you from food or rest . . .' PATRICIA BRIGGS Jim Butcher, the number one bestselling author of The Dresden Files, begins a new series set in a gloriously imagined world of noble families, marvellous technology and magic-wielding warriors. Since time immemorial humanity has lived inside the Spires, habitats towering for miles over the dangerous, monster-inhabited surface of the world. Captain Grimm of the merchant airship, Predator, was dismissed from Spire Albion's military in disgrace - now his ship and crew are all he has, and he's fiercely loyal to both.

When the Predator is severely damaged in combat Grimm has only one choice - take on a clandestine mission for Albion's leaders, or stay grounded for good. And even as Grimm undertakes this perilous 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 . . .