The Guns Above

March 13, 2017
Napoleonic military fiction gets a steampunk spin in this debut novel of battling airships and an embattled captain. Josette Dupre, who’s been made the first female commander in the Garnian Royal Aerial Signal Corps thanks to her heroic wartime action, is handed a “revolutionary” new design (which is to say, a dangerous untested prototype) by a senior general who wants to get rid of her. With her well-trained crew, including the general’s snitching nephew, Dupre improves the design, uncovers a second-front invasion by the enemy, wins over the spy, and makes a spectacular last-stand defense of her homeland. Bennis writes a pleasing mix of banter (“Hoping to leave a good-looking corpse?” “I couldn’t avoid it if I wanted to”) and gritty battle scenes, combining both the adrenaline rush of combat and its horrifying results, and never indulging in too-sudden social victories that might cheapen the long struggle against embedded prejudice. Agent: Paul Lucas, Janklow & Nesbit Associates.

Starred review from May 15, 2017

DEBUT Josette Dupre thought it was bad that she crashed the airship she had taken control of during battle. It became worse: she was lauded as a hero and handed the Corps's newest command, the chasseur Mistral. Saddled with a "revolutionary new design," aka an untested death machine, and a crew who find it hard to believe a woman is capable of being in charge, Josette really does not need an ensign to monitor her. The young, powdered, and perfumed Lord Bernat, who had been commissioned by his family into the military, now must scrutinize Josette's every action for deficiency. Bernat and Josette verbally spar and cross swords, but the reality of war steps in when the enemy makes a move that threatens the Mistral and the rest of the Corps. VERDICT This military steampunky fantasy debut, filled with quick action, witty dialog, and appealing characters, will bring joy to fans of Naomi Novik's "Temeraire" series.--KC

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2017
Josette Dupre takes everyone by surprise when she takes command of the Garnian airship after her captain died, turning the tide of battle. Lauded by journalists for leading a stunning victory against the Vin, Josette has been reluctantly rewarded with command of a new ship, the Mistral. Tagging along for the ride is the general's foppish and destitute nephew, Lord Bernat (Bernie to his friends), who is assigned to document evidence of Josette's incompetence. Through aerial tests, near disasters (including dinner with Josette's mother), blatant sexism every time they land, and unexpected airship battles, Bernie and Josette develop a mutual respect. They work through an assortment of obstacles to reach the final battle against the invading Vin. Hidden in with the character exploration are snippets of the world history and the science behind airships, with each disaster filling in details on how many ways an airship can be destroyed. Bennis has crafted an exciting new world that will attract steampunk fans of all ages and leave them hoping for more.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)