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The Ghost’s Gambit
The Ghost’s Gambit, the third installment in Stephanie Cotta’s Iron Kingdom series, sweeps readers back into the dark, perilous world of the Iron Kingdom, where rebellion burns quietly under the thumb of a brutal empire. The story picks up in the midst of chaos, rebels fleeing through snow, soldiers in pursuit, loyalties torn to pieces. Author Stephanie Cotta crafts a world that is both cruel and tender, filled with haunted warriors, hidden magic, and fragile hope. The narrative follows a cast of complex characters, Wraiths, Conjurers, and outlaws, each wrestling with their own ghosts as they defy a king who seeks to crush them. It’s a tale of defiance, sacrifice, and the flickering light that refuses to die in the shadow of tyranny.
Cotta’s writing moves with fierce rhythm, sometimes sharp as steel, other times soft as snowfall. Her descriptions pull you straight into the fight, the clang of metal, the sting of regret, the ache of loss. What struck me most wasn’t just the action, though it’s thrilling, but the intimacy of the quiet moments in between. When Rowan bleeds for his brother, or Tahira whispers spells through tears, or Akaran faces the cost of vengeance, it hits hard. The book isn’t afraid to show how grief shapes courage, or how love can bloom even when surrounded by blood and ruin. I found myself caring deeply for these characters, even when they stumbled, even when they broke.
The pace shifts swiftly, cutting one moment and lingering the next. There are scenes where the prose leans into drama, yet I couldn’t fault it because it felt honest to the pain the story carries. The dialogue has a rawness that fits the world’s brutality, and while the lore is dense, it rewards you for paying attention. What really lingered with me was the emotional weight beneath the battles. This isn’t just a fantasy about swords and sorcery; it’s about forgiveness, loyalty, and the ghosts we carry when the fight is done.
The Ghost’s Gambit is a story that grips you and doesn’t let go, yet somehow leaves a quiet warmth behind. I’d recommend it to readers who crave epic fantasy with heart, especially those who love stories like Throne of Glass or Mistborn but want something cleaner in tone and more focused on the ties between family and faith. It’s dark, yes, but not hopeless. If you like your fantasy with both grit and grace, this book is worth every page.
Pages: 430 | ISBN : 978-1957656946
“Inner” Wounds
Heartsmith follows a sixteen-year-old orphan who, after an unfortunate encounter, is given a second chance at life with a new heart and a mission to salvage and repair fractured souls. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have been a fan of the Steampunk genre ever since I watched Disney’s Treasure Planet and Atlantis as a kid. Eight years ago, when I first conceived the initial idea for this story, I had no semblance of a plot, only a writing prompt from my writer’s group at the time: Tell a story where your character makes a sacrificial decision that has life-changing repercussions. That was it.
From that, I wrote the intro (first 5 pages) to Heartsmith, of a young orphan named Aaren Lockett who wanted a fresh start in an industrial metropolis. Of course, then I threw a wrench in his plans. (And you’ll have to read the story to find out what that is!) The idea of Aaren becoming a “Heartsmith” was there at the beginning, as I loved the thought of a boy going from tinkering on machines, to tinkering on people’s hearts and healing their “inner” wounds. It’s a deep, personal theme to me, and one I wanted to be the beating heart of this story.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
I’m a big fan of Charles Dickens’ stories, especially his more gothic works like Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and Great Expectations. These stories served as inspiration for the initial setting and topics explored in Heartsmith. So I knew going into this story that I wanted there to be a clear steampunk atmosphere with plenty of nods to a Dickens-esque era—to the clothing, social structure between the elite Hochs living in their skytowers juxtaposed against the denizens in the lower, and sometimes seedier parts of the metropolis. And also in Dickens’ fashion, I wanted the names of my characters to have a certain flair that, in many respects, mirrored their personality; I especially did this with the runaways Aaren encounters in the Basin Slumyard.
I would say about a few chapters into the story that I didn’t have a clear sense of what the overall conflict would be in Heartsmith. So I set the story aside for a while. And then, after brainstorming ideas with my sister, we landed on a very Frankenstein-esque mystery. That opened up the story in a whole new direction, and I ran with it!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Self-sacrifice and selflessness are major themes I explore in depth in Heartsmith. I want Aaren’s compassion and Aida’s selflessness to inspire young adult readers never to look away from the misery and pain of others. We all carry wounds. Which brings me to another critical theme in Heartsmith: healing deep-rooted heart wounds. So many youngsters today are lonely, alienated, bullied, abandoned, and struggle with deep, emotional wounds. I hope that Aaren’s story in Heartsmith resonates with young readers who are searching for significance, belonging, and value. Even though Aaren Lockett has had a rough upbringing, he desires to pursue a life with meaning and purpose. He wants to help others, for he has experienced the power of a transformed heart. Our past wounds/trauma don’t have to define us. Like Aaren, we can face that pain, come to a place of acceptance, and have our fresh start.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
I am halfway done drafting the sequel to Heartsmith. I have a working title at this point too, and I hope to finish drafting it by the end of the year. In the sequel, readers can expect more adventure thrills, including a skyskiff race! There will be more mystery and suspense, scientific experimentation, sleuthing Basin Slumyard, and a new POV character has been added too. I will also dig deeper into Aaren’s mysterious origins and explore more of his Heartsmith abilities; so readers can expect some big surprises as well. A release date is yet to be determined for the sequel, but hopefully early 2026.
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Aaren wants a fresh start. What he gets is a new heart.
Sixteen-year-old orphan Aaren Lockett leaves his rural hometown and ventures to the metropolis of Rexanberg to start his life afresh as a Tinker. But upon his arrival, he finds trouble when he interferes in a Hoch territory feud, and his life is thrown into immediate peril. When the dust settles, Aaren is no longer who he was before nor is he alone. Given a second chance at life, Aaren embarks on a new mission-tinkering with hearts. Little does he know that his quest to salvage and repair fractured souls will lead him to investigate a dark, chilling conspiracy. Residing within Rexanberg’s glittering skyscrapers, someone is performing his own experiment: stitching life into the lifeless. To get to the bottom of this dark mystery, Aaren teams up with intrepid journalist Sasha Loren, who loves all things macabre. Together, they chase down clues as they delve into Rexanberg’s seedy underbelly.
Can Aaren and Sasha unravel the mystery surrounding this grisly case? Or will they end up a mad scientist’s lab rat-or worse-one of the reanimated dead? HEARTSMITH is an exciting romp through an industrial fantasy landscape filled with staple steampunk innovations and a dash of gothic horror. It will keep readers enthralled and guessing throughout its hair-raising twists and turns.
Heartsmith
Heartsmith is an exhilarating fusion of steampunk and gothic horror set against the backdrop of the dynamic, industrial city of Rexanberg. Sixteen-year-old orphan Aaren Lockett arrives in this sprawling metropolis seeking a fresh start as a Tinker. However, his life quickly veers into the unexpected after a fateful encounter with the Hochs, a dominant faction controlling the city. When Aaren is gifted a literal new heart, he embarks on a perilous journey, tinkering with far more than machines. With the tenacious Sasha Loren, a journalist drawn to the macabre, Aaren uncovers a harrowing conspiracy involving reanimated corpses and a deranged scientist’s twisted experiments. As they explore the city’s shadowy depths, tension mounts, and they are forced to race against time to thwart a malevolent force that threatens to claim their lives.
Stephanie Cotta’s Heartsmith grips you from the first page, immersing you in a steampunk adventure brimming with suspense. Aaren is a compelling protagonist, blending youthful innocence with unyielding resolve, and his partnership with Sasha is both thrilling and endearing. Rexanberg itself feels almost alive, with its vibrant streets, looming skyscrapers, and dark underworld brimming with corruption. Cotta’s vivid descriptions breathe life into this world, making it easy for readers to lose themselves in its richly crafted atmosphere. The city of Rexanberg serves as more than a mere setting; it becomes an integral character. Cotta’s skillful depiction of the industrial marvels and hidden gothic decay infuses Rexanberg with a palpable sense of foreboding. The detailed portrayal of seedy neighborhoods, rival factions, and ominous skyships evokes the clang of metal and the thick scent of engine oil. This intricate world-building perfectly complements the steampunk genre, and Cotta’s mastery shines through. The novel’s pacing is deftly managed, balancing gripping action with sharp dialogue and unexpected emotional depth. Aaren’s transformation—from a hopeful tinkerer to someone who mends both hearts and lives—lends the story a resonant layer of meaning. The gothic horror elements, particularly the Frankenstein-esque experiments, cast a chilling shadow over the plot, maintaining a constant sense of unease.
Heartsmith is a must-read for fans of steampunk, mystery, and gothic horror. It offers plenty of plot twists, unforgettable characters, and a world so meticulously designed that it seems to demand a sequel. If you’re in search of an eerie, thrilling adventure, this novel will not disappoint.
Pages: 284 | ISBN : 1957656700
I Needed An Outlet To Vent
The Conjurer’s Curse follows a young man who was born with a curse that causes those he loves to die prematurely. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I got the initial premise due to Covid. Mid-January of 2021, I grew disheartened with the social distancing and how many people acted like everyone could be carrying the “plague.” I experienced something to this extent firsthand, and it left such a bad taste in my mouth, I needed an outlet to vent. So, I laid in bed that night thinking, “What if a teenage boy bore a curse that actually did kill people if they stood in his midst?” I got up that morning and started writing what became the 1st chapter of THE CONJURER’S CURSE.
Also at this time, being shut in and with most places of “fun” closed, I was desperately in need of an adventure. My love for The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and its adventurous beats inspired me to make this book a fantasy-rich journey. Like Bilbo, I wanted Rowan to explore a new place, setting/environment, or people group in the early chapters, and of course, I had to through in skirmishes with scary monsters and dangerous creatures. Every good adventure story needs to have a monster to face, and THE CONJURER’S CURSE doesn’t shy away from it!
Rowan just wants to belong and not worry about everyone he loves to die because of him. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted Rowan to have a selfless and integrous heart, putting others’ well-being ahead of his own. He would rather live a solitary, lonely life, than for his life to cause harm to those he loves. I wanted him to be courageous and compassionate, despite the way he was ostracized in his village, and have a strong sense of perseverance.
It was important for me to demonstrate how a positive role model can impact the life of a young person’s identity and future. Many of the attributes Rowan exemplifies he owes to his fourth guardian-mother, Naja. It’s her teachings and her mantra that guide him as he faces tough obstacles.
I also wanted Rowan to have an innocence about him as he went on his journey, so everything felt new and foreign to him—to be naïve at times in the ways people can be treacherous or unscrupulous.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Hope is always a theme I endeavor to show in my stories. Even when circumstances are at their bleakest, the spark of hope is never absent. This has been the case in my own life, so it hits home when I incorporate this belief in my writing. And so, early on, I have a character remind Rowan that there is hope for him, even though he’s cursed. It’s simply an obstacle he must overcome.
I loved exploring Rowan’s search for belonging and acceptance. I think it’s a universal theme everyone can align with, especially young people. To find a home, a place of belonging, individuals you can call family even if they’re not related, is something people may search their entire lives to find. But when you do, to quote my character Tozrah, “Tis a special feeling.”
Rowan also struggles with the shame of who he is, how he looks, the stigma of his birth, his past. This is something I know many people wrestle with. A close loved one experienced the shame and rejection of being abandoned as a baby by his mother, and so much of his struggle to come to terms with this terrible reality is what inspired Rowan’s tumultuous past.
I felt it important to weave forgiveness into Rowan’s story, considering the actions of his mother and the devastation it causes in the lives of her sons—one who forgives and one who does not. Rowan realizes holding grudges or having hatred in his heart will only damage his soul. That is a lesson we can all learn from.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have finished writing the sequel to The Conjurer’s Curse, and I hope it will be ready a year from now. Aside from that, I am currently working on a YA steampunk fantasy that I hope to finish any day now. It will go through beta readers, and then I’ll be ready to pitch it off.
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Since birth, Rowan has been the object of scorn in his village. The reason? He’s a dikyli-an outsider with albino skin and an ominous mark blazoned on his neck. So when his fourth guardian-mother is found dead, all blame falls on him, and he is banished before his life-draining curse can strike again. The only path left to Rowan is clear: He must discover who cursed him and alter his horrible fate-or forever lose everyone he loves.
From facing treacherous seas, soul-devouring Moonshades, and desert terrors, Rowan battles for his very survival to reach his homeland-the far-off kingdom of Shandria, a land rife with hostilities. Dark surprises and back-stabbing betrayals emerge as two devious Iron Barons-who know the scandalous origin of his curse-plot to imprison him in the Mountain of the Damned with the rest of the accursed.
To make matters worse, Rowan’s curse threatens to claim another life when he meets Tahira, a spunky, pertly persistent Shandrian who vows to aid him in his quest despite the overwhelming odds. Their alliance of trust and necessity develops into love-a love doomed to end in death if Rowan remains cursed. With the hope of a future hanging in the balance, he must overcome the greatest challenge of his life. For the only way to end his curse is to slay the Conjurer who cast the life-draining spell.
The Conjurer’s Curse
Rowan has always been different. Since the day he was born, he has battled a curse that brings death to those around him, the morbid result of his mother’s actions long ago. After Rowan’s curse kills his fourth Guardian-Mother, he is banished from his island and forced to sail off in search of somewhere he can belong. After finding family in Shandria, Rowan thinks he has found a place to call home. But, the stakes grow as he tries to navigate love while learning who to trust in this world of cunning, monsters, and dangerous magic.
The Conjurer’s Curse is a coming-of-age fantasy story written by Stephanie Cotta. It follows seventeen-year-old Rowan as he searches for a place to be accepted and break the curse that has plagued him his entire life. Set first in the deep jungle, then in the vast land of Shandria, this story opens an impressive fantasy world where the magic takes its toll, and people fall prey to the conniving Conjurers who wield it. Full of dynamic characters and nail-biting conflict, this story is an exciting ride from start to finish.
The Conjurer’s Curse is never dull and transports the reader to Rowan’s world through vivid descriptions and emotional impact. One thing that really grabs the reader’s attention is the excellent use of dialogue. Accents and different dialects are a big part of it, and there are times when the characters come across as very clever. Cotta also proved to be skilled with pacing, based on the plot progression and romance timing.
The Conjurer’s Curse is complex and exciting and has beautiful descriptions and dialogue. This would be an excellent read for middle schoolers and above or anyone who wants to experience the adventure in this young adult epic fantasy novel.
LITERARY TITAN 