FAQ

A: Terry Pratchett (please read Sir Terence David John Pratchett OBE's book "Men at Arms" if you have not already) and Gail Carriger (Her book "Soulless". There, I said it) are the literary legends whose books I've read so many times the spines gave out. If you squint, you can see Pratchett's wit mixed with Carriger's steampunk elegance, filtered through my own obsession with gears and dragons. Any brilliance is theirs; any mistakes are definitely mine.

A: Absolutely! If you ignore the giant shadow dragons, living clockwork foxes, ether-powered everything, and the fact that Victorian-era technology somehow supports flying battleships. Other than that? Chef's kiss on the science.

A: Ok, that's TWO questions, but I'll allow it.

Can't it be both? Victor describes every gear, piston, and pressure valve because SOMEONE has to appreciate fine craftsmanship while running for their lives from shadow monsters.

A: She knows exactly six words. That's more than some houseplants and fewer than a toddler. We're calling it "efficient communication."

A: A military engineer and a princess? With shadow monsters attacking? During the apocalypse? What could possibly be awkward about that? (Yes. Very.)

A: Shadow entities have impeccable timing. It's like they have calendar invites on their Steampunk smartphones. "Oh, they're about to confess feelings? ATTACK!"

A: There are definitely, absolutely, 100% real dragons. Especially Shadow Dragons. We promise. Would a mysterious, possibly corrupt, ancient entity lie about that?

A: However many it takes for Darian to adjust to having a mechanical arm, Tobias to finish his research notes, and Victor to realize that "Truth and Justice" isn't just his dad being dramatic.

A: You can, but then you'd miss Victor lovingly describing copper filigree while people are literally dying. Your loss!

A: I can't say "yes", and I won't say "no". Define "happy." Everyone alive? Relatively intact? Not corrupted by ancient evil? We'll see! (Nervous laughter)

A: Yes, a clockwork fox I personally found in a crystal forest while being hunted by shadow creatures. Very common Tuesday experience.

A: Because when your world is ending, your dad just died saving the empire, and shadow dragons are real, sometimes humor is all you've got left.

(Also, the author has issues.)