Cello's Gate by Mairice Africh
4.5/5
I'd call this book a sci-fi, but it has a healthy dose of magic, and I love the mix. It's been described as future fantasy. There are people who wield magic, airships and their kickass pilots, knights so finely trained it borders on magic. Whatever genre you'd land on, the world is rich and engaging and it's a blast to read.
I especially appreciate the authors ability to set up a compelling twist. He really lays the foundation out, cleverly latered in with the rich worldbuilding, and the payoff is satisfying. Just such a delicious heist with emotions and character arcs.
These characters are fabulous. Like the absolutely perfect hesit crew. I love them. From the captain-- who knows not only his strenghts and faults, but those of his crew whom he trusts to survive and he is never willing to leave behind-- to the muscle-Mars who has the biggest heart- to the finely tuned blade - Dot is amazing-- to the nerdy doctor and his emotionally gifted sister, to the married couple who fly and fix the ship (and would totally never steal it, honest!). Give them an impossible quest, mix and let sit for one hell of an adventure.
I really enjoyed this book!