Copper and Magic - Skyward Chronicles

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Dalia Sinclair was expelled from the Aeronautical War Academy for her unstable magic, she was meant to vanish quietly, along with the half-scrapped airship she was tasked to deliver to a junkyard. But the Crimson Gull never reaches Northyard Point.

A violent, otherworldly storm and a pulsating crystal with a life of its own shatter her simple mission. Thrust into a chaos of pirate ambushes and an academy steeped in hidden conspiracies, Dalia and her motley crew are hurled beyond familiar skies into realms where breaches in reality threaten to tear everything apart.

Marked as the Bearer of an ancient, transformative artifact, her raw magic begins to shift, awakening senses and abilities she never knew she had. Now, as interdimensional breaches close in and a ruthless pirate captain and shadowy forces conspire against her, Dalia must confront a destiny far greater than exile.

⚙️ Copper and Magic is a steampunk fantasy of skyships (but some would prefer to call it magi-tech), treacherous magic, and interdimensional intrigue; a high-flying adventure for readers who love involuntary heroines, fiercely loyal crews, and a destiny that rewrites the rules of reality.

Information

Status: Completed
Year: 2025
Author: Glenn Aston

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 487
Views: 54,951

Chapters(40 total)

What readers say about Copper and Magic - Skyward Chronicles

“Copper and Magic is a thrilling, immersive steampunk fantasy that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. The story follows Dalia Sinclair, a fiery, impulsive student at the Aeronautical War Academy, whose raw magical talent and reckless streak ma…”
ArshiaRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“It’s got heart, a little chaos, and a protagonist who’s trying really hard not to fall apart (and kind of failing, which is the fun part). The writing has that slightly crooked charm, like it knows it’s telling a story and doesn’t mind showing the seams now…”
AsChavezRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

ArshiaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Copper and Magic is a thrilling, immersive steampunk fantasy that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. The story follows Dalia Sinclair, a fiery, impulsive student at the Aeronautical War Academy, whose raw magical talent and reckless streak make her both a standout and a liability. Glenn Aston crafts a vivid world of airships, arcane energy, and political intrigue, blending gritty steampunky aesthetics with high-stakes adventure. The prose crackles with energy, balancing intense action—explosive magical mishaps, pirate ambushes, and desperate chases—with quieter moments of self-doubt and camaraderie that give the characters depth.
Dalia is a compelling protagonist, flawed yet fiercely determined, her struggle for control mirroring the chaos of the larger narrative. Her relationships, especially with mentor Ezra and loyal friend Lyra, anchor the story emotionally, while the ensemble cast—witty navigator Arlo, pragmatic engineer Tessa, and enigmatic Resonator Joran—adds humor and heart. The plot weaves a complex tapestry of rebellion, betrayal, and dimensional stakes, with the Crimson Gull’s secrets driving the tension. Pacing is relentless, though occasional dense exposition slightly slows the momentum. Still, the rich world-building, layered characters, and pulse-pounding twists make Copper and Magic a must-read for fans of epic fantasy with a steampunk edge. I’m already eager for the next installment!
AsChavezRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It’s got heart, a little chaos, and a protagonist who’s trying really hard not to fall apart (and kind of failing, which is the fun part). The writing has that slightly crooked charm, like it knows it’s telling a story and doesn’t mind showing the seams now and then. I liked the world, I liked the voice, and I kept wanting to see what happened next. That’s enough for me.
Sandy KayRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It is a richly told fantasy adventure that centers on Dalia, a gifted but impulsive magic student. Right from the opening scene—where Dalia loses control of a basic magic exercise in front of her classmates—the story pulls you in with its blend of tension, humor, and layered characters.
Dalia is a standout protagonist. She’s stubborn, sarcastic, and flawed in a very human way. Her struggle with magical control feels genuine, and the emotional toll of constantly falling short despite having raw talent adds depth. Her interactions with Lyra, her friend, and Ezra, her gruff but wise mentor, are some of the story’s most heartfelt moments.
The setting—part steampunk, part magical fantasy world—is detailed without being overbearing. The author does a great job creating a sense of place and atmosphere, especially during the pirate attack and Dalia’s frantic escape through the corridors.
The writing style is clean, accessible, and well-paced. The dialogue feels natural. The action scenes are clear and tense.
That said, the story isn’t without its weak spots. Elias Graywood, the snide rival, is a bit one-note—his arrogance is fun at first but borders on cliché. Also, while the pacing is strong overall, the middle section sags slightly as the focus shifts from action to political fallout and hearings. These scenes are important, but they could use more emotional punch or surprise.
Still, the story’s strengths far outweigh its flaws. Dalia’s forced departure on the mysterious ship, the Crimson Gull, sets up a bigger adventure that promises intrigue, hidden agendas, and growth. There’s real emotional grounding in the relationships with her awesome crew and just enough mystery to make you want the next chapter immediately.
The story combines relatable characters, strong world-building, including Steampunky vibes, and solid writing into a fantasy tale with heart—and just enough bite to keep it interesting.
adxRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
An absolutely splendid swashbuckling steampunk read! Thoroughly enjoyable and well paced, well proofread and all ship shape and Bristol fashion. As you can see I really liked it.
Now just a few more words to get past the annoying weird count limit. Oh dammit I need some more. Wish royal road had a word count display in the comments box.
JosefWeilerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Dalia is the kind of character you root for from the first page — bold, fiery, a little reckless, but in the best way. The world is so vivid too — airships, magic, pirate battles... it’s like someone mashed up fantasy and steampunk and made it actually work. Hope the rest of the chapters continue in that way, too.
The crew of the airship? Total misfit dream team. Each of them brought something different to the table, and I found myself genuinely caring about all of them .
Honestly, if you’re into adventurous fantasy with magic, action, and a bit of mystery, this one’s worth your time.
Mik WilkensRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Copper and Magic is an entertaining, well-written adventure that just keeps piling on the intrigue and mystery.
What starts out as a relatively familiar story, quickly turns into something altogether different, and altogether unique, as magic meets steampunk meets fantasy, meets... inter-dimensional intrigue. And it all builds flawlessly - and believably - from one chapter to the next as the oh-so-likable misfit crew of the Crimson Gull face ever increasing challenges and begin to get an idea (along with the reader) of what may have brought them together...and why.
Throw in some pirates and elite mercenaries (yes, it's got those, too), and you've got yourself a wild ride that will appeal to a wide range of readers.
RemingtonSloanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Glenn turns the sky into a bruised canvas, and Copper and Magic Skyward Chronicles Book 1 drifts through it like a dame with a secret. Style (5/5) is a rush of fantastic adventure. Character (5/5): Dalia Sinclair’s the spark, a wild card tossed out of the Aeronautical War Academy for magic too hot to handle. She’s got a junker airship, the Crimson Gull, and a crew of misfits—loyal first mate, a grease-stained skeptic, and a navigator with too much pep. They’re hauling scrap to nowhere when the heavens crack open, spilling storms and pirates with a taste for blood.
Story: (5/5) This ain’t no Sunday cruise. Grammar (5/5) The prose hums like a prop engine, steampunk gears grinding against magic’s wild pulse. Dalia’s a broad with grit, dodging the black shadow of a pirate with a grin sharp as a switchblade and a past tangled with hers. An artifact onboard twists the plot tighter than a cheap flask, hinting at conspiracies bigger than the sky itself. The action’s a dogfight, all swoops and near-misses, but the world’s the real dame here—rich, jagged, and begging for a second look. It’s a yarn that’ll hook you, leave you squinting at the horizon for more. Trouble is, it’s only the first dance.
Rowdha Al SolRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I love steampunk in general, and for some reason RR has a distinct lack of steampunk books.
Anyway, so far, so good with this. My only real gripe is the actual writing. It does read strange To quote:
The sphere imploded with a sound like shattering glass, then exploded outward in a blinding flash of azure light. The shockwave hurled Dalia backward, slamming her onto the grimy iron deck of the workshop. Tools clattered off workbenches, a stack of steel plating toppled with a deafening crash, and several students threw up makeshift shields of scrap metal to protect themselves from the magical backlash.
(This particular paragraph)
Pros: Competent, clear writing. Easy to follow. Fast-paced. Quirky characters. Heavy steampunk vibes. Generally quite enjoyable.
Cons: Writing is a bit toneless/dry and doesn't feel very steampunky. Narrative direction is a bit messy. Lack of foreshadowing/predefined rules. Overall, take the work at face value.
Following and favouriting.
((Review updated.))
R. W. McRaeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I just finished chapter 10 when I wrote this (Ended on a cliffhanger! lol)
This book surprised me in all the best ways. Crimson Gull starts with a protagonist on the edge of expulsion and ends with a captain standing at the heart of an ancient, possibly world-saving decision - without ever losing its focus on character, stakes, or emotional payoff. The pacing is tight but flexible, balancing shipboard politics and personal growth with cosmic mysteries and forest-dwelling mist spirits. It’s a strange cocktail that shouldn’t work, and yet it absolutely does.
The style is one of the book’s greatest strengths: confident, immersive, and with a great ear for dialogue. There's just enough humor (especially from Arlo) to breathe life into tense scenes, and the prose manages to be clean and accessible while still carrying emotional weight.
Where the story shines most is in its steady escalation - from a disciplinary hearing to a sci-fi fantasy about ancient Guardians and magical fragments that could determine the fate of the world. That escalation feels earned, not rushed.
The characters are what really lock this into five-star territory. Dalia’s arc is the heart of it, but every crew member brings texture. I genuinely cared about all of them by the end.
CybranCommandoRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
Seems like a decent read. Theres some inconsistencies especially around the ship, size & scale, how can they seem to get around so quickly. Among other concerns. And the usage of magic in the world. It's used the first 2-3 chapters and then magic just never gets used again?!? Makes no sense, why does nobody use magic?