The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher
Fiction
What it’s about: In a fantasy world where humans have retreated to Spires far above the deadly surface, Merchant Captain Grimm flies his merchant ship Predator for Spire Albion until he is tapped to lead a team of agents on a secret mission.
Why you might like it: The cast of characters is large yet nonetheless fully realized. Humor is mixed equally with suspense. The main characters are fundamentally good people caught up in an epic battle. It is the first in a series, and a lot of the world is yet to be explored by the characters.
You might also like: The Guns Above by Robyn Bennis another steampunk world with airships.