Court of the Air - by Stephen Hunt (Paperback)

About the Book

When streetwise Molly Templar witnesses a brutal murder, her first instinct is to run back to the poorhouse where she grew up. But there she finds her fellow orphans butchered, and she realizes she had been the real target, in this adventure set in a fantastical universe.

Book Synopsis

When streetwise Molly Templar witnesses a brutal murder at the brothel she has recently been apprenticed to, her first instinct is to run back to the poorhouse where she grew up. But there she finds her fellow orphans butchered, and it slowly dawns on her that she was the real target of the attack. For Molly is a special little girl, and she carries a secret that marks her out for destruction by enemies of the state.

Oliver Brooks has led a sheltered existence in the backwater home of his merchant uncle. But when he is framed for his only relative's murder he is forced to flee for his life, accompanied by an agent of the mysterious Court of the Air. Chased across the country, Oliver finds himself in the company of thieves, outlaws and spies, and gradually learns more about the secret that has blighted his life.

Soon Molly and Oliver will find themselves battling a grave threat to civilization, an ancient power thought to have been quelled millennia ago. Their enemies are ruthless and myriad, but the two orphans are also aided by indomitable friends in this endlessly inventive tale full of drama, intrigue, and adventure.

"The Court of the Air" is a rollicking adventure set in a fantastical Dickensian clockwork universe that will appeal to fans of Susanna Clarke and Philip Pullman.

Review Quotes

Hunt has packed the story full of intriguing gimmicks the steammen' and their refreshingly tender machine culture are affecting and original. "Publishers Weekly"

A curious part-future blend of aerostats, mechanical computers, psychic powers, self-willed steam-power robots, Elder gods, talking superweapons and more Harry Potter mugs H.P. Lovecraft and L. Ron Hubbard explains it all. "Kirkus Reviews"

An ultra supersonic speed Dickens fantasy thriller put on your seatbelts for a frenetic cat and mouse encounter that includes some nasty paranormal adversaries as this is an exciting tale of two orphans trying to save the world from those who want Armageddon now. "SFRevu""

Praise for "The Court of the Air"

"Hunt has packed the story full of intriguing gimmicks...the 'steammen' and their refreshingly tender machine culture are affecting and original."--"Publishers Weekly"

"A curious part-future blend of aerostats, mechanical computers, psychic powers, self-willed steam-power robots, Elder gods, talking superweapons and more...Harry Potter mugs H.P. Lovecraft and L. Ron Hubbard explains it all."--"Kirkus Reviews"

"An ultra supersonic speed Dickens fantasy thriller...put on your seatbelts for a frenetic cat and mouse encounter that includes some nasty paranormal adversaries as this is an exciting tale of two orphans trying to save the world from those who want Armageddon now."--"SFRevu"""

Praise for "The Court of the Air"

“Hunt has packed the story full of intriguing gimmicks…the ‘steammen’ and their refreshingly tender machine culture are affecting and original.”--"Publishers Weekly"

“A curious part-future blend of aerostats, mechanical computers, psychic powers, self-willed steam-power robots, Elder gods, talking superweapons and more…Harry Potter mugs H.P. Lovecraft and L. Ron Hubbard explains it all.”--"Kirkus Reviews"

“An ultra supersonic speed Dickens fantasy thriller…put on your seatbelts for a frenetic cat and mouse encounter that includes some nasty paranormal adversaries as this is an exciting tale of two orphans trying to save the world from those who want Armageddon now.”--"SFRevu"" "

Praise for "The Court of the Air"

"Hunt has packed the story full of intriguing gimmicks...the 'steammen' and their refreshingly tender machine culture are affecting and original."--"Publishers Weekly"

"A curious part-future blend of aerostats, mechanical computers, psychic powers, self-willed steam-power robots, Elder gods, talking superweapons and more...Harry Potter mugs H.P. Lovecraft and L. Ron Hubbard explains it all."--"Kirkus Reviews"

"An ultra supersonic speed Dickens fantasy thriller...put on your seatbelts for a frenetic cat and mouse encounter that includes some nasty paranormal adversaries as this is an exciting tale of two orphans trying to save the world from those who want Armageddon now."--"SFRevu"""

Praise for "The Court of the Air"
"An inventive, ambitious work, full of wonders and marvels."--"The ""London ""Times
"
""The Court of the Air" is a genuinely engaging read, which has believable characters in a fantastic setting."--"The Bookseller"

About the Author

Stephen Hunt is currently on the management, technical, and editorial boards for SFcrowsnest.com, the science fiction and fantasy web site which is currently Google PageRanked as the Internet's second most popular science fiction site. "The Court of the Air" is his second novel. He resides in London."