The Winds of Khalakovo by Bradley P. Beaulieu is the 1st in his The Lays of Anuskaya fantasy trilogy based in part on Russian cultural influences, free courtesy of Night Shade Books, who also gave this one out as a
former B&N Free Fridays book last year.
Free @
Amazon (available to Canadians but not in the UK). If you click on "See All Editorial Reviews" in the product description, there's a nice author's note detailing the inspirations for this book's setting.
And as always I remind you that if you want to pick up the sequel to this once it's released or any other Night Shade book, barring special sales they are generally
cheapest over at Baen's webstore, which offers them DRM-free MultiFormat worldwide for just $6, compared to the $7.99 + DRM most other stores carry them for (mind you, they are discountable at Kobo if you've got a good coupon).
Description
Among inhospitable and unforgiving seas stands Khalakovo, a mountainous archipelago of seven islands, its prominent eyrie stretching a thousand feet into the sky. Serviced by windships bearing goods and dignitaries, Khalakovo's eyrie stands at the crossroads of world trade. But all is not well in Khalakovo. Conflict has erupted between the ruling Landed, the indigenous Aramahn, and the fanatical Maharraht, and a wasting disease has grown rampant over the past decade.
Now, Khalakovo is to play host to the Nine Dukes, a meeting which will weigh heavily upon Khalakovo's future.
When an elemental spirit attacks an incoming windship, murdering the Grand Duke and his retinue, Prince Nikandr, heir to the scepter of Khalakovo, is tasked with finding the child prodigy believed to be behind the summoning. However, Nikandr discovers that the boy is an autistic savant who may hold the key to lifting the blight that has been sweeping the islands. Can the Dukes, thirsty for revenge, be held at bay? Can Khalakovo be saved?
The elusive answer drifts upon the Winds of Khalakovo...