This book took some time to get into, but stick with it! I liked this book and recommend it to genre fans.

Okay... For the most part I really enjoyed this book. I liked the two different perspectives in social class and wealth. The contrast made it an exceptional story. I also have always loved the idea of living on floating castles and cities. It was no surprise that I was drawn to such a storyline. This definitely felt like a coming of age story in the sense both girls are struggling with their place in the world and who they are. Of course it leads to a journey of self discovery but it's not as simple as it seems. The character development was not on par as I would like but overall was good. The storyline was steady and evenly paced. The fantasy world was generally well developed and easy to understand. I would recommend for a light easy read. I received this book free for unbiased review through NetGalley and publisher.

A tale of two cities…

… of two worlds, to be more correct. Storm Glass is a wonderful fantasy about worlds colliding! Cettie Pratt is an orphan living in the Fells, an area of starving, debt-enslaved, deed-contracted, ground-bound poor. Sera Fitzempress is royalty, living aloft in a luxurious castle floating in the air, in line for the throne; surrounded by luxury, she has never been allowed to leave her parents’ estate. The rich live aloft in floating manors that rise and fall according to the fortunes of their owners. The poor live below, ground down under the harsh conditions and work that support the nobles floating overhead.

Everyone’s fortunes rise and fall as Cettie is taken in by a compassionate noble who wants to adopt her. Sera dreams of helping change society and demolishing the rigid codes that oppress the lower classes. Her father sees her as a rival for the throne, many nobles have no desire to change the status quo, and there are evil forces at work.

Cettie is drawn to the Mysteries, even as Sera is drawn by her story. Can either girl break free of their assigned place in society and change the world around them?

Storm Glass is reminiscent of a steampunk novel, but rather than mechanisms, there are magic stones, mysteries, and maritime vessels flung aloft. The world-building is wonderfully colorful and real, the characterizations are deep and complex, and the magical system of mysteries is, well, mysterious.

It’s a fun, enchanting read with a lot of deep thoughts. Highly recommended.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) through NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

A wonderful take on the factions of the wealthy and the poor

This was such an awesome world to get lost in. I read a lot of fantasy and often I feel like worlds and characters blend into one, but I have no doubt that this will be one of my more memorable experiences. I gave this four stars instead of five because I thought some of the dialogue was a little unrealistic for 12 year old girls, BUT it didn’t bother me too much and the last couple of pages of the book made me so ready for the next one.

This was my first time reading a book by Jeff Wheeler and I am so glad that I did. The characters Cettie and Sera drew me in along with the setting. The rich are up in the clouds in their floating estates and the poor are stuck down below in the dirty shaded cities. Cettie is from below and Sera is from above and the story arc starts when they are twelve years old. I am normally reading a kindle book and a print book at the same time, but I had to read only this one because I was so engrossed in it. I am sad that I have to wait until August to read the next book..

I was pleasantly surprised by Storm Glass by Jeff Wheeler. Besides a handle of series, I have not read a ton of fantasy type novels particularly because I am just not interested in the magic aspect that usually accompanies them. However, I though Storm Glass did an excellent job of intermingling these fantasy aspects into a really good story. The characters held a lot of mystery about them and it looks like future novels have a lot of different directions they could take. I am very interested to see how this story unfolds in the future and am anticipating additional books.

Thanks to 47North and Jeff Wheeler for providing me with an advanced reading copy.

I received an ARC on netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw the cover, then the author, I KNEW I NEEDED to read this! So a big thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read this. I read this in ONE day. Couldn’t put it down, I didn’t want to!

Where do I even begin? Jeff Wheeler has a talent of writing beautiful stories with such young characters that by the end you feel emotionally connected to. I know when I read a Wheeler book, it will be full of magic, characters that are full of depth, adventure and wonderfully and beautifully written plots.

Cettie and Sera, 2 girls from 2 different worlds who in the end want the same thing. Change, and for the better. Two girls who grew so much, beyond their years by the end of the novel.

I cannot wait to see where else this story goes.

Two young girls. Two distinct, opposite worlds. Cettie of the Fells lives in a dark world, a world of poverty, hunger and disease. Her clothing is threadbare and there are holes in her shoes. Stealing food is the only way to obtain nourishment. Sera Fitzempress lives in a floating manor in the upper world of wealth and privilege. Beautiful waterfalls are found on her estate in the clouds. The water turns to mist before it reaches the underbelly of society, the home of the poor and wretched. The floating manors and estates are controlled by the Mysteries. Neither Cettie nor Sera is comfortable in her world and each seeks freedom and control over her destiny.

Cettie hopes to qualify for the lottery through hard work. She yearns for a position in one of the floating manors. A chance meeting with Lord Fitzroy might be her way out. She attempts to speak to him, with deference, while begging him to adopt her. The first step would be for Fitzroy to buy her deed. Children down below are frequently signed away by their parents. Deeds can be transferred from owner to owner.

Sera lives a lonely life with only her governess, Hugilde, for companionship. She is an only child with no playmates. Her father has never let her experience life outside the manor. Sera is unable to focus on her studies. Why learn about life outside if she cannot experience it? Upon learning that Lord Fitzroy has brought Cettie home to his manor at Willow Fog, Sera is anxious to meet her. Sera's efforts are thwarted.

At age fourteen, privileged children are sent to school to learn the Mysteries. What are the Mysteries and how are they used? Why would Lord Fitzroy, a decorated hero, take waiflike Cettie aboard his skyship and fly her to his manor?

Determined citizens from down below strive for a better life. If successful they might have their time in the sun, their floating estate. Seemingly successful, well dressed members of society however can easily topple from grace. Despite the long hard climb to the top, a rapid decline can follow when other businessmen plot your economic destruction. They relish it! They relish your tumble back to the tenements.

I did not expect to be so captivated by this Sci Fi/ Fantasy read! "Storm Glass (Harbinger #1)" by Jeff Wheeler is the first book in a planned five book series. I anxiously await Harbinger #2! An excellent read.

Thank you 47North and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Storm Glass".