Fortitude

by Karen Bayly

[Cameron Trost]

Fortitude by Karen Bayly is a rollicking steampunk adventure set in New Londinium in 1901. Karen sets the story up with a neat prologue that introduces the reader to this alternate London before diving into the action. We meet Viola Winslow, who works at the Registry of Dirigibles and will soon cross paths with our heroine sisters, Parthena and Artemis. The reader immediately understands that together they will lead a struggle against the dark forces seeking to bring this bright city to its knees.

The world-building, characters, plot, and pacing are all spot on in this novel. We know where Bayly is taking us, but we don't know precisely how, and there's no telling when and how big each explosion will be. What we do suspect from its very first mention is that we'll board the dirigible, Fortitudo, and experience some wild times above the city of New Londinium before the battle has been won. And there, we're not disappointed.

Karen seemlessly interweaves character development, technological explanations, and a romantic subplot while never letting the pace drop, making this an engaging fast-paced action thriller. I'd love to see this made into a film. But sticking to the page, the prose is smooth and elegant while packing a punch...or rather, a blast of steam. This is a well-written, entertaining, and thought-provoking novel that will suit fans of steampunk adventure and sci-fiction in general, but also appeal to fans of dystopian and horror fiction. Above all, it's perfect for anyone who has ever imagined saving the world from the pilot seat of a dirigible. So, get moving! Grab your goggles and gloves, and climb aboard the Fortitudo!