The Guns Above

The Guns Above follows Josette Dupre, the first female airship captain in the Garnian Royal Air Signal Corps, as she takes command of a prototype military vessel during wartime. Her crew includes an aristocratic lieutenant assigned to document her failures, with both characters navigating complex military politics and aerial combat. The novel blends military steampunk fiction with themes of gender bias in traditionally male institutions. Through aerial battles and strategic missions, the story depicts the challenges faced by a capable officer who must prove herself while commanding an experimental airship. The narrative combines military procedural details with character-driven conflict, centered on leadership under pressure and institutional resistance to change. Combat sequences, diplomatic tensions, and interpersonal dynamics propel the plot through a backdrop of war between rival nations. The story examines themes of merit versus privilege, the impact of gender discrimination in military hierarchies, and the ways individuals respond when faced with deep-rooted societal prejudices.

Readers praise the military authenticity, detailed airship mechanics, and sharp dialogue. Many highlight the protagonist Josette's competence and wit, with several comparing the style to Patrick O'Brian's naval fiction but with airships. Common praise focuses on the action sequences and technical details without overwhelming the story. Readers note the realistic portrayal of military life and command dynamics. Main criticisms mention a slow start and some readers found the worldbuilding lacking depth beyond the military aspects. A few reviews note that secondary characters could use more development. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.93/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (120+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "The aerial combat scenes are incredible - you can practically feel the wind and gunsmoke" -Goodreads review "Military protocol and politics ring true" -Amazon review "Takes a few chapters to get going but worth sticking with it" -Goodreads review

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🎯 Author Robyn Bennis has a PhD in biology and worked as a research scientist before becoming a novelist 🛩️ The novel draws inspiration from the Napoleonic Wars but adds steampunk elements like airships, creating an alternate military history ⚔️ The book challenges gender roles in military fiction by featuring one of the first female airship captains in her nation's military, reflecting real historical barriers women faced in armed forces 🔬 Bennis used her scientific background to create technically plausible airship designs and aerial combat scenarios within the story's steampunk framework 📚 The Guns Above is the first book in the Signal Airship series, followed by By Fire Above, with both books receiving praise for their detailed military tactics and authenticity