A catastrophic blast. A haunting memory. And she only has one chance to prove her family’s innocence.
All Caz Coppersdown has ever wanted is to be a journalist for the Soldark Times . But the chances of her parents letting her pursue a breaking story are slim. Secluded after a childhood illness, Caz finally gets to leave Soldark for a trip to the country to her great aunt's estate, but she quickly finds out there isn’t anything newsworthy there—unless you count her aunt's upcoming All Hallows Eve soiree.
Until the local airshow clashes with her aunt’s party plans—causing more than just pumpkins to be destroyed. When Caz meets one of the airship pilots and discovers something about her family's past, Caz might have just found her big story.
But she’ll need to dig for the facts quickly, because the constables are looking for a culprit, and old ghosts are making themselves known on this All Hallows Eve.
Liz Delton writes and lives in New England, with her husband and sons. She studied Theater Management at the University of the Arts in Philly, always having enjoyed the backstage life of storytelling.
World-building is her favorite part of writing, and she is always dreaming up new fantastic places.
She loves drinking tea and traveling. When she’s not writing or reading, you can find her baking in the kitchen, or out in the garden trying to keep her plants alive.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
It’s like someone took the atmosphere of autumn and made a book out of it. Seriously, the atmosphere here is perfect for October. The feel of crushed leaves, pumpkin and apple treats, and the chilly breeze. You experience it all!
Love all the characters in here. Despite this being a novella, I felt like I’d spent a lifetime with these characters by the end. Caz is a great protagonist and her great aunt is everything I want! Hanson is a sweetheart. You’ll quickly find that you’d gladly spend normal, mundane tasks with these folk!
There’s a fun mystery in here but it’s the characters and the world that make it most memorable.
Mystery and machines is always a winning combination for me, and All Hallows Airship did not disappoint. This cosy steampunk fantasy combines a family mystery in an "Austen and automobiles" setting for a cosy time. Recommended if you want something to go with your cocoa this autumn!
I enjoyed this short Steampunk novella. It had a great Autum vibe with Halloween trappings without being creepy or overly scary.
All Hallows Airship has no supernatural elements. What it does have are a cute airship pilot and a mystery to solve.
This is the perfect story to get in the seasonal mood without worrying about nightmares.
*I had the honor of reading an early review copy of this book. This in no way influenced my review which is my fair and honest evaluation of the provided manuscript.*
I was at once swept up with the orange skittering leaves crossing Caz Coppersdown’s path in Liz Delton’s novella, All Hallows Airship. Caz had been a frail and sickly child, but now at seventeen, craved adventure. After a business complication calls her parents out of town, she must stay with her great aunt where Caz’s secret hope to become a journalist gets packed away. Soon, she’s helping decorate for her great aunt’s Halloween soiree, then unexpectedly solving a mystery to save her great aunt before the festivities begin, all the while learning more about herself along the way…with a little added surprise after meeting the charming pilot, Hanson McCleary. There’s an airship and a news story needing liftoff—but you’ll have to read this novella to discover which one takes flight!
Delton’s descriptions are just enough to plant you in her world. They are not heavy-laden or sparce but bring this short story to life in all the right places. I could visualize her characters sitting at the bakery or riding in the black auto. I was right there with Caz pedaling her bicycle back and forth to town…and even accidentally through the graveyard. This story is a quick and enjoyable read, especially during the fall season as the leaves are turning and the wind begins to howl. Cheers to Liz Delton and All Hallows Airship!
I received this story ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this for the atmosphere and the cozy vibes. The main characters were all likeable and interesting and generally speaking it just feels like a community you want to spend time in.
There were some plot elements that I felt didn't make a lot of sense regarding the mystery, so I think if you're a mystery fan, you might find that part of the story kind of frustrating ... At least a hard core mystery fan. I'll admit, I've read a lot of cozies where the mystery seemed like an afterthought, and this at least the mystery has stakes and the character does put some work into figuring it out/resolving the issue.
That said, if you're looking for a cozy seasonal read to get you in the Autumn/light Halloween mood and aren't really into spooky stuff, this is a good pick.
The coziness, the warm feelings, the great characters.. I can't even decide what element of this story was my favorite! This is the perfect Fall read, but I read it in June because honestly.. I just want Fall all year, haha I loved it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy-ish mystery with Caz who wants to be a journalist. I like how her naiveté makes her bumble through the early parts of the story, and her character growth resonated beautifully. She's an intriguing character with an interesting backstory that brings some physical difficulties for her, but she faces her weaknesses and doesn't let them stop her from doing what she would love to do. I also liked how she got a backbone by the end of the story and confronts her parents so she can pursue what she really wants. Wonderfully transformational.
The airships make for a wonderful addition to the worldbuilding and I enjoyed the Era of Discovery feel to this story. There's that hopeful desire for exploration and invention that really resonates with the gaslamp setting of this series.
Lastly, the love interest for this story is absolutely wonderful. Hanson is such a sweetheart and a capable but also supportive individual in his own right, and I liked the give-and-take between him and Caz. I just wanted to sink into their shared romantic story and wish this novella had been longer just so I could have seen them together more.
Absolutely loved everything about this sweet story!
I enjoyed this quick fantasy read, set in a steam powered world and the wonders of airships. Delton creates a rich and welcoming world; a perfect setting for Caz's story.
I am almost tempted to call this a cozy fantasy as Caz's visit to her wonderfully eccentric aunt, turns into Caz trying to discover who sabotaged an airship. I think this mystery could have been developed more, as much of the action happens off page and so feels a bit diluted and anti-climatic.
I loved Caz's idea for rounding up her fellow party goers, and her blossing romance. But I still wanted more. I know this is a novella and so is short, but I think this could easily have been a full length novel, and actually seeing the explosion amd the All Hallow's eve party come to life (after all the build up!) would have be fun.
All in all, a well written novella with well rounded characters, leaving you wanting more!
An enjoyable, smooth, cozy read to be devoured in one sitting - preferably with some pastries and the hot beverage of your choice.
Caz's All-Hallow's fantasy tale manages to combine a number of genres and styles in its slim page count: coming-of-age, cozy, steampunk, and mystery are all explored here. But, underlying it all, is a story about a young woman learning to chase her passions.
The sense of place here is wonderful. Delton anchor's All Hallows Airship with autumnal feel using sights, sounds, smells, and events to really sell the seasonal experience. It's well-written too, and Caz is a likeable character to follow.
A lovely novella, best read at Halloween when the days are growing darker and colder. This book will no doubt increase the coziness factor no matter the weather outside.
Another cute, fun read from The Soldark series! Caz is a young woman who has been overprotected her whole life. Thinking she is going to have a terrible summer being watched over by her great aunt Elmira, she is surprised to find they have much in common and have a lot of fun together. Caz is helping plan her aunt's All Hallow's Eve party when she learns about her great uncle Jack and his airship days. She also meets Hanson, an airship pilot for an air show that happens to be the same night as Elmira's party. When a tragedy strikes, Elmira is suspected of it. Caz must use her new journalist skills to save the day! This was another fun short story! It's a quick read and it's over before you know it because it's such a great story! And what a great holiday to use! (Halloween is my favorite time of year!) It has a fun mystery to solve and a happily ever after for all.
I received a copy of "All Hallows Airship" as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Competition (SFINCS). Caz Coppersdown is sent to the country to spend the autumn (?) season with her great-aunt while her parents are away on business. Caz’s parents are overprotective, fearful of her weak health and allow her very few freedoms. The story follows Caz as she engages in the preparations of a party at her great-aunt’s home, meets a romantic interest, struggles with self-doubt as she wants to pursue a career as a journalist and gets involved in a mystery. All these plot branches were interesting, but I felt deflated when none of them turned into the main focus of the story. It would have been nice to have seen Caz and Hanson team up to solve the mystery, for example. Still, it’s a cosy, whimsical Halloween tale for fans of the genre.
Caz was sent to her aunt for a month, to spend time in the countryside while her parents are away. Suffering the aftereffects from her childhood sickness Caz was basically sheltered by her parents, and this was her first big trip. Meeting her energetic aunt, seeing the airships collected for the airshow, meeting a charming pilot, and collecting ideas for a story to fulfil her dream - the only missing piece is a small mystery, a great soiree, and maybe a really tasty autumn drink. Another enjoyable novella from Soldark, with a sprinkle of mystery and romance. The whole story has a slightly festive feeling, given the season it takes place, and the undeniable charm of the steampunk world. I really enjoyed reading this story in one go.
I only recently started reading Steampunk books and was getting used to certain tropes within these stories. So it was a pleasant surprise to find this novella to go in a completely different direction. It's cozy, heartwarming, low-stakes but highly entertaining. The aesthetic reminded me a little of Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle. Beautiful countryside. Check! Cool granny. Check! Multiple mentions of delicious pastry. Check! Beautiful yet hazardous airships. Check! Lazy cat with too much of a personality. You got it!
Caz is a sweet heroine but tends to blush a lot. It was great to see her stand her ground at the end. I recommend it to those looking for a short and lovely read!
I loved this story! Cas gets to visit her great aunt, Elmira, for the first time for All Hallows season in the country. Her desire is to be a journalist and is looking for a story to make her first one. While helping her aunt prepare the party to honor her departed husband, she learns of an airship show that is displaying an airship of his name as well. Again, the author does such an amazing job with her descriptions. From the decorations, to the bumpy road to the stunning descriptions of the airships, she continues to paint pictures with her words. I loved the intrigue in this one while staying cozy still.
I was immediately immersed in the world and the character. Caz is a delightful thorn in the side of the aristocracy, full of ambition and moxie.
A delightful sprinkle of history to set the scene flowed naturally. And had great examples of hinting at the larger conflict on the horizon for the character.
Such a light-hearted and fanciful read. I love the world introduced in this story. Every detail brought it to life and ushered the story along.
I am looking forward to getting into more by this author!
A cozy and quick read, I found this little novella to be like drinking a cup of hot cocoa or viewing a Studio Ghibli film. It’s fun, sweet, homey, and heartwarming. I enjoyed the lead cast. Particularly the handsome airship pilot Hansen.
The festive atmosphere of an autumn soirée adds to the charm and appeal. There’s a bakery, an airship, a sweet little blooming romance, and a mystery.
Perfect for that fall afternoon read while immersing yourself in your harvest festivities!
Content: Squeaky clean. No language, no spice, no violence.
This was a reread via audio, but I can't find my original review so here we go:
I absolutely adore this story! I love Fall anyway, so of course I love stories set in Fall, and this one has all the vibes. It's so cozy and wonderful and just absolutely amazing! I've already read this whole series multiple times, but I'll definitely be reading them even more frequently now that there are audiobooks (and the narrator is fantastic!).
I was given an ARC of All Hallows Airship and am beyond stoked about it. Delton once again does a fantastic job building a world and throwing you into it headfirst. The characters feel real and the dialogue weaves through the story like magic.
If you're looking for something to get you in the mood for fall, look no further.
Tea and hot croissants on a frosty October morning—what could be a better setting for a cozy steampunk adventure? With “All Hallows Airship,” author Liz Delton delivers a sweet pastry of memorable characters, spooky settings, and mysteries to be solved. If you enjoy settling into a warm armchair and immersing yourself in steampunk culture, then you will enjoy “All Hallows Airship.”
Caz wants to be a journalist more than anything and while she's staying with her great aunt for All Hallows Eve, she sees her chance for the perfect story. She intends to write about the airship show, but stumbles into a mystery.
This is a fun, cozy steampunk novella with a lovely autumn setting. Caz is an appealing character, although Aunt Elmira is my favorite.
This was a fun little cozy mystery with steampunk vibes. It has cute Halloween elements (minus the horror). There’s a Halloween party at a countryside mansion, apple pie and pumpkins, bike rides through a small town, a black cat, and a mystery surrounding an airship. I wish it was a lot bit longer, but I liked it 😃
A decently interesting book, but it contained a number of distracting errors in grammar and punctuation that a good editor would have caught. The plot was simple and the problems got solved pretty easily, but it was still a cute story. I liked the characters and the cozy mystery in a steampunk world. I would probably read more in the series if I thought they would be better edited.
Another Seasons of Soldark novella that is filled with a mystery, a famous airship and a surprise romance. You can picture the small village of Haversdale with it's small shops and bumpy cobblestone roads. As Caz is staying with her aunt Elmira and finds her first big story as a budding to find out what transpires. Quick and entertaining.
This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. It included a soirée on all hallows Eve that needed pumpkin decorations and lanterns all lending to the cozy autumn vibes. There was also an air show to give those steampunk vibes which I liked. It did feel more like a cozy mystery than a cozy fantasy though, there was a clear mystery but I didn’t notice any fantasy or magic.
All Hallows Airship is like climbing aboard a fantastical zeppelin to an autumnal paradise. To say that I love Delton's imagination is an understatement.
This time, we join Caz as she visits her aunt at her country estate in Soldark. As she tried not to think about how her parents didn't support her dream of becoming a journalist, Caz helped her aunt prepare for the annual All Hallows Eve Ball that she hosts.
However, when she discovers that the local air show is hiding a mysterious secret, Caz vows to get the bottom of it once and for all.
This was perhaps my favorite book in the Soldark Series as a whole. The story itself was endearing, and it made me yearn for a time in my life when I lived in a place that actually experiences true autumn.
I personally loved the low-stakes mystery in this third installment, and the revelation at the end made me feel sappy. Additionally, Caz's strength, courage, and determination to pursue her dreams despite her fears is something I reaonate with deeply at this point in my life.