Drops of Glass
Drops of Glass
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4.78 / 5.0
(27) 27 total reviews
A cinematic, magical artifact hunt filled with love and high-flying action. If you enjoy historical adventure, imaginative magic systems, and new takes on the classic war story, you will love Drops of Glass.
“Baldwin brings world history to life in a fantastical way. He paired reality with a pinch of magic and made it sing.”
Marcus and Jane don’t belong at war.
He’s a gun shy combat pilot from California looking to earn a name for himself by volunteering to fight the Kaiser. She’s an aviation mechanic out of Gloucestershire with a reputation for fixing airplanes using light to moderate witchcraft. When they found one another, they were instantly inseparable.
But when strange arcane devices start appearing along the Western Front, they are brought in for a secret assignment. Soon, they’re flying all over France following shaky leads, chasing ghosts, and unearthing a magical mystery beyond their wildest imagination.
Suddenly, the friendship that has always given them strength transforms into a dangerous liability, and their mysterious enemies, a group of pilots which no country claims, can sense it. This mission will challenge every aspect of their bond and force them to confront the darkest corners of their identity.
In war, non-negotiables mean heartache, even when you’re flying thousands of feet above the ground. When push comes to shove, will they choose the magic, the mission, or the people that make the fight worth it?
From the author of The Luella Winthrop Trilogy comes an all-new breathtaking alternate history series readers are calling “wonderful” and “poetical historical fantasy that you won’t want to put down.”
“World War I, a blooming love story, and magic blend to make a tale both enchanting and troubling.” – K. Hagen
“This rich, prosaic thriller of a novel examines courage and kindness, surreal suspense, and the shared safety of intrepid, courageous souls racing to discover what guides their enemy and what pulls them together.” – J. Newman
“Baldwin’s masterful writing flows seamlessly, allowing the reader to forget his narrative voice and get lost in the events.” –Kit Trzebunia for Reedsy Discovery
Sample the First Two Chapters Here!
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Dive into the lives of those servicing and flying ever-changing and technologically advancing planes during the late part of World War 1. Then, throw in an unknown third party manipulating bits of the war and hunting for magic artifacts. A small group of Germans, Americans, and British must set aside their anonymity. to investigate and attempt to thwart whatever this unknown group is hoping to accomplish. The narrative flips between a young American Flyer and his unusual female and passive magic-using mechanic. All interwoven into a tapestry of real history and problems of the time.
An interesting take on WW1 entwined with hints of magic. Marcus and Jane are given a special mission which catapults them into a world of mystery, spying and danger. A worthy read.
It started out slow but once it picked up I went pretty fast through it. It wasn't what I normally read but now I can't wait for book 2. Some really sad parts. It makes you think about all of the lives lost during wars. I was lost when it came to plane names and descriptions. But the overall story was pretty good.
Drops of Glass: A Tale of Magic in the Great War (The Shards of Lafayette Book 1), my first read from author Kenneth A. Baldwin and the first book in The Shards of Lafayette series. A well-written, entertaining read. 392-page World War I Gaslamp Fantasy read. “I received a Kindle copy of this book back in November of last year and am just now getting around to reading it after agreeing to Beta read the sequel." (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
I loved this book. It kept my attention and on the edge of my seat. The romance was a perfect addition to the story. All the characters had so much depth. I love historical fiction and this did not fail to deliver history, suspense, mystery it had it all! I can't wait for Book 2.
Dive into the lives of those servicing and flying ever-changing and technologically advancing planes during the late part of World War 1. Then, throw in an unknown third party manipulating bits of the war and hunting for magic artifacts. A small group of Germans, Americans, and British must set aside their anonymity. to investigate and attempt to thwart whatever this unknown group is hoping to accomplish. The narrative flips between a young American Flyer and his unusual female and passive magic-using mechanic. All interwoven into a tapestry of real history and problems of the time.
An interesting take on WW1 entwined with hints of magic. Marcus and Jane are given a special mission which catapults them into a world of mystery, spying and danger. A worthy read.
It started out slow but once it picked up I went pretty fast through it. It wasn't what I normally read but now I can't wait for book 2. Some really sad parts. It makes you think about all of the lives lost during wars. I was lost when it came to plane names and descriptions. But the overall story was pretty good.
Drops of Glass: A Tale of Magic in the Great War (The Shards of Lafayette Book 1), my first read from author Kenneth A. Baldwin and the first book in The Shards of Lafayette series. A well-written, entertaining read. 392-page World War I Gaslamp Fantasy read. “I received a Kindle copy of this book back in November of last year and am just now getting around to reading it after agreeing to Beta read the sequel." (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
I loved this book. It kept my attention and on the edge of my seat. The romance was a perfect addition to the story. All the characters had so much depth. I love historical fiction and this did not fail to deliver history, suspense, mystery it had it all! I can't wait for Book 2.