SOLDIERS, SORCERERS, AND MONSTERS…THIS IS WORLD WAR ONE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER IMAGINED IT. It’s 1916, and the world is on fire. The Great War has already consumed much of the globe, but a second, secret war between sorcerers threatens to crack it in two. The ruling families of Germany and Austria-Hungary, those with the chill of magic in their blood, will stop at nothing in their quest for power, … stop at nothing in their quest for power, and they’ve drawn the entire world into a bloody war because of it.
But Florence Cavell—codename Geist—means to stop them. She had to defy her family, cut her hair, and disguise herself as a man to join the legendary Ethereal Squadron: a joint US-UK division of the allied powers’ mightiest sorcerers. Armed with her powerful specter sorcery, which allows her to “ghost” through bullets and barbed wire alike, Geist fights a tireless battle to end the war once and for all.
But then the Germans unleash the Grave-Maker Gas, a concoction so deadly it destroys everything it touches and transforms even the strongest sorcerers into terrible monsters. Even her ghostly magic can’t resist the gas’s corrosive power, and it costs Geist everything she loves—her team, her friends, even the use of an arm.
This is the new weapon that could end the war—and give the Germans the world.
Now Geist must risk it all to lead a new team deep into hostile territory to discover the source of this terrifying new technology before the enemy sets it loose upon the world. Will she be able to stop the Grave-Maker Gas before it’s too late…or will the secrets of her past finally catch up with her?
Fans of Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, Airborn by Kenneth Oppel, Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole, and The Roar by Emma Clayton will love this book.
This book is for anyone who likes reading about:
- Strong female protagonists
- Military fantasy
- Historical fantasy
- World War I
- Adventure stories
more
The Ethereal Squadron is part of The Sorcerers of Verdun series, and it starts off with a bang! To put it very simply – sorcerers exist, and they are fighting in WWI. Now, if you’re a history buff, just be prepared for this story to be different to the books you may have read prior to this. This is, after all, a fiction book. Saying that though, the realism that is portrayed by this author is second to none. From situations to characters, they all have the ring of truth going on, which just kept on improving my satisfaction of this story.
I won’t go into the story, you don’t need me to do that. What I will tell you is this story is exceptional in EVERY way. From the research done into battles, guns, chains-of-command, to how characters react in situations. When these characters fall from a great height, they are worried about how much it’s going to hurt! They don’t just blithely jump, not fearing consequences. The character development is outstanding. All of the characters change during this book, in a way consistent with them. No one suddenly become Superman after being Clark Kent for 99% of the book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and definitely want to read more. One of the things I enjoyed most was the ‘time’. All too often, stories are set in the second World War. This made the story individual, and coupled with the rest of the elements in here, I would even go so far as to say unique.
A long book without a single wasted word. Absolutely recommended by me, and I can’t wait to read more – both about these Sorcerers, and also from this amazing author.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
This book was a captivating, entertaining, historical and fantasy adventure read!
I was very intrigued to find a book filled with historical and fantasy content on the same page. This definitely made the book thought-provoking, compelling, and fascinating!
One of the best features of this book is the significant amount of accurate, intriguing World War I time-period detail that the author weaved into this book. It is no wonder Ms. Stovall has a degree in history and is well-versed in the culture and customs that she was able to provide such cohesive knowledge and references in her writing.
I love books with strong female leads and I would have to say that this book fits that bill. The main character, Florence, leaves home to join the Ethereal Squad and fight in the war. Unfortunately, they, like as it was back then, only accepted men enlistees. So, Florence changes her name to Geist and her appearance to reflect a man. Only the team’s doctor, who is also a woman, knows her secret identity. Geist clearly defines a strong female lead as she is fierce, powerful, and determined while she continues to fight in these intense, violent battles trying to end the war once and for all.
I was also intrigued by the author’s world-building and the creation of the magical abilities structure, like how the bloodlines worked by passing down abilities, and so on. I felt the author did a skillful job at making sure all her bases were covered and that everything seemed to sync up. Although this was a fantasy-based genre, for every out-there scenario the author seemed to have a way to explain her reasoning, how it was possible, or how it came about. This is a huge factor for me with fantasy books. I need to be told why the sky is purple instead of the sky is purple period. This made the world-building that much stronger and easier to follow.
I really enjoyed the exciting, adventurous, kick-butt, magical, fighting scenes! They were entertaining and spellbinding! There was a lot going on during those scenes and some moments were a bit dark, but shockingly at times it was hard to look away. I think the end of the real WWI might have turned out differently had there been sorcerers and magic involved and we all could be speaking a different language lol!!
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
This book is book one of The Sorcerers of Verdun Book Series. This book can absolutely be read as a standalone.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all historical, fantasy readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
Ethereal Squadron is a quite different of a read for me. I am not normally a reader of fantasy fiction, but devour anything historical I can find. I was not sure how this book would be with the combination of the two. With it being set during World War I, I had to give it a try. I am so glad I did. I thought it was a pretty good story. It was refreshing to read outside my comfort zone.
I give Ethereal Squadron four and a half stars. I would be interested in reading more by this author in the future.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Fantastic alt-history with sorcerers in the trenches and a really unique and interesting magic system. I’m rather hoping this is only Book 1.