An interesting steam punk take on our own global warming crisis taken from the viewpoint of a world in which the sun never set on the Roman Empire - which for some unexplained reason moved it's centre of power from Italy to London. An over reliance on oil, which is used with none of the filtration systems that we engage to reduce the harmful effluent content, gives rise to violent weather disruptions that risk harm to everything they touch - the Godstorms of the title. The weather patterns changing across our globe are bad enough, these are very nasty localised death storms! The story takes us across the alternative London, into the high seas and deep into the Amazonian forests as a former gladiatrix turned governess fights to protect the young girl that she has cared for since leaving the arena. I'll not go into detail about the relationship or the roots of either character as I try to avoid spoilers in my reviews, suffice to say there are the red herrings and healthy coincidences that we all enjoy in a ripping yarn...and, with one minor irritation (I couldn't believe that a trained gladiator in this alternate reality would refer to himself as "just a bloke") this is indeed a ripping yarn. The novel provides dating clues using the "Aurelian" calendar - by my reckoning it's set in what we'd see as a mid-Victorian era, the steam punk airships, road vehicles and monorail are adequately covered for a casual fan such as myself - real devotees of the genre might find the descriptive a little light. I've given a four star rating, which I think is ok for a first released novel by the author, who is an acknowledged climate expert. I think I'd like to know where the story might go next - that's always a positive for me when discovering new joys. I was provided an advance copy of this novel by Net Galley in return for my honest and unbiased review - please consider this as being such a response.

‘Godstorm’ plunges us into a vivid petrol-powered Roman Empire, where Arrow, once a gladiatrix, now a fiercely protective governess, must fight to save Livy, the child she’s raised, after a catastrophic Godstorm tears their world apart. Arrow is a wonderfully drawn lead, and her journey through outlaw druid networks and uneasy reunions with figures from her past gives the story real emotional pull. The world building is imaginative and confidently handled, and although the narrative occasionally shifts pace, the characters, especially the bond between Arrow and Livy keep the book grounded and compelling. A bold, engaging story with heart, atmosphere, and a heroine worth following.

A blend of fantasy and sci-fi with a reimagined Roman Empire where it never fell and is fuelled by oil and petrol vs the River Queens and Anglos who fight for climate change in the form of electricity and solar power. Arrow is an ex Gladiatrix turned Governess who has raised Livvy, the ward of a Roman Consul. On a museum trip, Livvy gets taken and Arrow sets out to find and return her. She asks Barro, an ex Gladiator, to help her. They encounter crazy prophets, dangerous foes and unlikely allies along the way and journey further than they ever have before, seeing different cultures and points of view. I enjoyed the story overall and felt like it all worked well. There were some minor points that didn’t work so well but nothing that detracted majorly from the story as a whole. I was fully immersed in the story but I feel like another book is needed to feel fully connected to Arrow as she is quite closed off throughout as her story and history is slowly revealed. I liked this, I just want to know more and where the story leads next. I loved the addition of the scenes in the academy and Arrow’s intellect and how she helped her professor (and the ending letter made me want to read more). There’s also themes such as slavery, ownership, oppression, outdated social standings, climate change and fighting back against oppressors. I believe there is a second book coming so I’ll be reading that! A solid start to the series.

I really hope this is a start of a series! I was so lucky to get an ARC of this from netgalley. The adventure and found family the betrayals! I loved the relationship between arrow and livy especially how it evolved as the book went one. The pacing was great I read this book in less than 24hours. I've not read an alternative history book but it was so well written.

Set in an industrial Roman Empire, still ruling Britain and now with its capital in Londinium, this book is about Arrow, an ex-gladiatrix and governess, and her adventures involving her protegee, Livia, as they come across druids, Amazonians and other Romans. We learn a lot about several major characters along the way, all well-developed, and the lot moves along quickly until, towards the end, the reader gets the environmental message thrown at them (a little heavy-handedly in my opinion) which is definitely relevant in our times. An enjoyable read, well worthwhile. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.