A Cursed Age

Pirates, an airship, and a sea witch collide in this historical fantasy set in 1806.

If Napoleon Bonaparte’s reign isn’t enough to keep most people frightened, the fact that there’s a sea witch lurking in the waters definitely will. That is, if they find out about her. Unfortunately for Capt. Ryland Coldwell, who lost his ship and crew, he’s very much aware of the witch and her schemes. Many years ago, Ryland and Gwenifer Byrnes were in love, but she became involved in dark magic and turned into “a monster.” When he tried to kill her by sinking his ship, she crashed into the depths of the sea. In those murky waters, Gwenifer made a deal (“She had sworn an oath to something sinister, and instead of departing this world, she had been spared”). But Ryland was affected, too: He was cursed with immortality. Plagued by the witch’s machinations, he is now stuck in the West Indies, unable to escape by sea. So imagine Ryland’s good fortune when he happens upon an airship stranded in a cove. Helping the crew combat some pirates intent on stealing the airship, Ryland earns enough goodwill with the captain to secure passage on the craft. Traveling by air instead of by sea means that he can avoid the witch’s storms that have kept him trapped in the West Indies. And maybe, he can finally get his revenge on the woman who sentenced him to this wretched life and has haunted the seas for the last century (“I’ll find you, witch, he thought, feeling his jaw clench. Be ready”). Ryland is prepared for his immortality to end, but the airship’s crew, especially the beautiful, young female engineer, Emmeline Whittock, will make this decision his toughest one yet. In this riveting book, Dunnewin delivers richly developed characters in a tale of adventure, love, and loss. The crew of the airship is small, but the mates have distinct personalities that make them a captivating bunch. Still, Ryland, a reformed pirate, is the true star of the story, and is likely to steal readers’ hearts. This complex, well-drawn character is the type of morally gray hero that will stick with the audience long after the vivid novel has ended.

Lovable characters, daring missions, and striking villains make this supernatural tale a rousing read.