Romulus Buckle and the Engines of War by Richard Ellis Preston, Jr

This is a steam punk, post apocalypse tale of Zeppelineers and their inter-clan rivalries.  In this particular tale, the Founders declare war on the rest of the clans. 

Romulus is a headstrong hound dog!   The man seems to attract a wealth of beauties in spite of his impetuous nature.  Max, Sabrina and Valkyrie all are candidates for romance.   Meanwhile Romulus is as clueless as most of us guys usually are.    He reacts emotionally and honorably.

The setting provides some interest as well.   The Pneumatic Zeppelin, a hydrogen fueled zeppelin captained by Romulus Buckle of the Crankshaft clan, is the setting for much of the action.  However the world has been sectioned into Clan areas that have a vague ethnicity.    Attributes are ascribed to Clan members based on stereo types.  Gruff Russians, fragile and weird geeks and hard drinking Irish.   That area is a touch simplistic for my taste.

The story is good and moves at a respectable pace.   The Martian fauna add extra danger to an already somewhat bizarre environment.

I recommend the book.

  

Web Site:  http://richardellisprestonjr.com/ /

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.