Preview Transcript
A preview of the Airovale steampunk fantasy audiobook —
narrated prose from Chapter 1, Life in the Village
The gates of Airovale stretched open as morning spilled across the cobbled streets. A rush of scents met the tide of travellers — sweet apples stacked in wicker baskets, the sharp tang of salt fish packed in ice, and the bitter undertone of coal smoke rising from the forges.
Merchants called from their stalls, voices overlapping like a chorus, hawking spices, cookery, bolts of muslin and silk dyed in crimson, mint, and ivory, and leather gloves for the hands of pilots. Incense drifted lazily between the stalls, carried by the wind.
Among the crowd, Aden — a gaunt young man — paused as Kateryna, a farmer's daughter, watched him from behind her basket. Her braids were threaded with wildflowers, her eyes steady, as she recognized the look of hunger on his face. It was the same look her family had worn before they found shelter in the village.
Others passed her stall, coins clinking, but she held back her hand until he drew near. Only then did she press an apple into his palm, her fingers lingering just long enough for him to hear her quiet words.
She whispered Na Dobro — for good. He blinked, unsettled by the depth in her eyes, uncertain whether she offered blessing or bargain. She smiled briefly, knowing the unseen weight kindness could set in motion, then turned away. Aden nodded in thanks, slipped the apple into his pocket, and disappeared into the press of bodies.
High above, the groan of rigging and the hiss of escaping steam signaled the arrival of another zeppelin. Painted in blue and copper, the ship descended toward the seaport. Ropes were thrown down to the dock tower where workers scrambled to catch them. Boots clattered on the planks, shouts rose above the wind, and smoke rolled in waves as coal was loaded into the belly of the ship. The air itself seemed alive with motion — an orchestra of industry, ambition, and smoke.
From a lofty office overlooking the docks, Elara leaned out of her wide window, letting the wind toss strands of blonde hair across her face. She recorded the ship's arrival in her ledger with brisk, deliberate strokes. Every tower, every docking fee, every outbound cargo — her father's fortune and the city's order depended on it. Her father…
Hear Airovale Come to Life
The epic steampunk fantasy — now in full audiobook production
Paperback ISBN 979-8902432395 (169 pp.) · eBook ISBN 979-8-90243-232-6 (183 pp.) · Audiobook 3h 58m · Aurous Publishing
Carousel of portrait-format Airovale episodes. Swipe to browse through 10 episodes of the steampunk fantasy series.
Airovale – About the Book and Short Films
eBook $0.99 · Paperback $19.98
Airovale is an epic steampunk fantasy, following the lives of human and fae characters in a thrilling time dilation adventure of retro-futuristic technology, mysterious magic, and forbidden love.
Life in Airovale
The story opens on a typical day of Life in the Village revealing the bustling capital of merchants, aeronauts, and families as zeppelins and hot-air balloons stitch trade across the South Sea archipelago.
The Crescent Islands Expedition
A caravan of miners makes a perilous trek to The Crescent Islands, rich in copper and secret gold. Armed with an ancient map obtained by chance, a hidden location promises untold riches—but at a deadly cost. They violate a sacred space, evoking the Curse of the Temple Gold, where an ageless guardian calls a storm that decimates the fleet. Survivors dump their fortunes, trading weight for lives. Coming Home empty-handed, they embrace their true wealth—life and family.
Stranded on Canyon Myst
The great storm crushes many ships, but the winds take a single zeppelin into the forgotten blue horizon of the southern sea. Adrift for weeks, the ship sets down on the uncharted island of Canyon Myst. Despair turns to solace as the fae and human Mystics provide materials for repairs—while warning to take only what is needed. The fire-stone mines provide coal for fuel, but digging reveals massive gems and gold, shifting dreams of home into dreams of building kingdoms.
The Law of Exchange and Forbidden Romance
Now beyond what was needed, The Law of Exchange keeps score in wages unknown, soon revealed in how Deceptive Time works on the fabled island. Hours on the island move differently than in Airovale, but a forbidden love between Aden, a crew member, and Kira, a betrothed fairy, blossoms as they explore a submerged ancient city. Testing the boundaries of human and fae magic, they encounter a Mystic Portal uncovering a time paradox on Canyon Myst.
The Climax and Resolution
Enlightened about the time shift, Aden rushes to inform the crew as his affair with Kira is revealed. A duel ensues, leaving him a castaway, marked for death while his jewel-loaded airship escapes the wrath of the Mystics. The outcome is revealed in the book and videos on Airovale.com.
Airovale is both sweeping spectacle and intimate parable, inviting readers to ask: what is time worth, and what would you trade for more precious moments, while wasting the minutes at hand?
Airovale, created by author Jef Gray from Orlando, Florida, brings a rich blend of steampunk fantasy to life. Embark on this thrilling journey through the pages of the novel, or dive deeper with the video series, soundtrack, and more.
Airovale Audiobook
Every scene in Airovale was rendered as a world worth living in.
Now those worlds are yours to keep.
Free for desktop & mobile · All 10 episodes represented