Godstorm

GODSTORM – an epic fantasy that is Red Rising meets Circe with a feminist twist. In a petrol-fuelled Roman Empire which never fell, Arrow, a gladiatrix turned governess must rescue the child she has loved as her own, a girl who could tear down the world.

'This startling alternative history takes us to a newly-imagined world in which fossil fuels extended the Romans’ conquest of the world through space and time; because energy is power. The result is a vivid, ferocious adventure, as the heroine struggles against a world even more violent than our own— or so it seems until you consider matters of scale, and realize this novel is a kind of allegory for our fight too' Kim Stanley-Robinson

'A highly original, vividly-imagined fantasy Roman Empire where oil is power, and one young woman must fight to survive and save all that she holds dear' Ruth Downie

'Ancient Rome provides rich plunder for fantasy writers. Now Solitaire Townsend's Godstorm is a grand addition to the genre. ' Daily Mail

'An intriguing and thought-provoking story containing steam-punk vibes, where greed and corruption is pitted against and blended with trust and hope. Former gladiator turned governess Arrow, is hell-bent on rescuing her charge when Livy is abducted during a storm. Climate expert and author Solitaire Townsend, has set this tale within a reimagined Roman Empire of the 19th century where the environment is being choked by fossil fuels....There is plenty of action including fighting as the tale moves from Londinium to the Amazon. This feels as though it has been set up as an introduction to a wider story, so hopefully there is more to come. Thoughtful yet fierce, Godstorm is a provocative and stimulating tale set in a richly imagined world.' Liz Robinson, Love Reading

'An entertaining, fast-paced petrol-punk romp with a green message and a hint of lesbian romantasy' SFX

‘A grand addition to the genre’ Mail on Sunday Books of 2026

‘A high-octane fantasy’ Scifi Now

‘ Godstorm is perfect for fans of classical inspired stories such as Circe or Piranesi . Arrow’s drive is a treat and Townsend nails the desperation of a woman seeking her (almost) child. A quick read that breezes by. Check it out!’ FanFiAddict

‘An amazing fiction debut by Solitaire – a thrilling adventurous plot, combination of themes and the pacing had me whizzing through!!’ The Life of A Librarian

‘A well‑written and enjoyable read’ Fantasy and Thrillers

‘This isn’t just a book you read; it’s a book you carry with you. It’s thought-provoking, original, and deeply relevant’ Seratonin Reads

‘Thought provoking’ Outracheous Reads

'A rollicking, hair-raising and totally engaging thriller in an imagined petrol-powered Roman Empire where a planetary-scale cover-up is guarded by violence and betrayal - I absolutely loved this book and its characters, and I was left praying for sequels.' David Shukman

Solitaire Townsend is a climate expert by day, and storyteller by night. After decades of teaching governments, global brands and even movie studios how to communicate sustainability, she now has stories of her own to tell. She regularly blogs for Forbes, has a popular TED talk, and wrote the critically acclaimed non-fiction book The Solutionists. While some of her characters might not know that they are 'LGBTQIA+' or 'neurodivergent', Solitaire does because she’s also both. She lives in London, and once visited an oil-rig in the Amazon, which caught on fire. Visit www.solitairetownsend.com