I promised that you wouldn’t have to wait.
Less than three months after the release of Ardent Wings on Jealous Skies, Tales of Ciel Book 2: Ophiuchus Flinched is officially published. You can now pick up Effie’s journey right where you left off.
Ophiuchus Flinched is available in Ebook and Trade Paperback editions. It is also free to read on KU.
Here’s the blurb:
The Zephyr Archipelago enters unsettled skies.
With hope dwindling by the hour, Kai sets out for Avernus to track down a missing Aeolian zeppelin and its civilian passengers on his first mission as a fully fledged dragoon. Left behind due to injury, Draft Lieutenant Vanna Strait begins a personal investigation into Serpenttongue Bael, the Toranese saboteur resurfaced from his banishment.
Meanwhile, the Celestial Kelestina and her Patrician court have turned their focus elsewhere. After violating a sacred ceremony and an ancient taboo, Effie Strait has proven herself possessed of a rare Gift. Kelestina whisks her away to Aquilon Island, where Effie awaits whatever fate her impetuous actions have sealed for her.
Last week, SPR became the first trade outlet to share their review of Book 2. The full copy is still forthcoming, but I am pleased to report that Senior Editor John Staughton awarded Ophiuchus Flinched a perfect 5/5 Stars, writing that the follow-up delivers a satisfying continuation, improving upon its formidable predecessor and cementing the Tales of Ciel as a heavyweight modern epic.
Here’s the pull-quote:
“The writing is immersive and engaging with the same electric energy and storytelling vigor of the first book of this imaginative series, where each setting and character are richly imagined and vividly described, resulting in an atmosphere that is both fantastical and engagingly believable. The authenticity of each scene continually raises the stakes, while the thematic undercurrents of colonialism, conscription, and class struggle are immediately recognizable, with Lorimer creatively blurring the traditional binaries of Patrician, plebeian, or pirate.
On a technical level, the writing is clean and concise, with clear evidence of a tight edit and intensive draftsmanship to avoid dropped subplots, while still leaving the door open for the author’s next installment. All told, this second installment fully establishes this series as an impressively innovative and entertaining work of fantasy.”
See for yourself:
If you’ve yet to take the plunge, this week we’re offering the Ebook edition of Book 1 for $0.99, a 66% markdown from its typical $2.99 list price. Offer good through February 9.
Limited-time offer:
The first trilogy wraps up with Book 3: The Mark of Cain, slated for publication on April 21, 2026. That should give y’all just enough time to catch up 😉
Please send all media requests to [email protected]. Reader questions are always welcome at [email protected]. No question is off limits, and I make a point to respond personally to everyone. I hope you enjoy this continuation of Effie’s saga. Much more to come.
Peace & Love,