Aden — the Aeronaut Hunter
Read in the Chrono-Viewer
Flip through all 29 pages inside our brass-fitted steampunk reader — then take it with you.
Select a lens in the chrono-viewer and explore the mystic time portal of Airovale.
Time is the only treasure
Flip through all 29 pages inside our brass-fitted steampunk reader — then take it with you.
Stream a full chapter preview right here — then unlock all ten chapters for less than a cup of coffee.
169 pages of steampunk fantasy — a signed-quality paperback to keep on the shelf or gift to a reader.
Steampunk fantasy short films — free to watch, no sign-in required.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Complete Playlist of Airovale Cinematic Clips
Airovale is an epic steampunk fantasy told as a novel and a micro-film series. It follows a desperate man named Aden, from the capital village of Airovale. He boards a zeppelin bound for travel across the Southern Sea. He journeys to the Crescent Islands in search of fortune, survives a great storm, then is marooned on the lost island of Canyon Myst. His path crosses cursed gold, fae guardians, forbidden romance, and the Law of Exchange.
Either works. New visitors often watch the micro-film episodes starting with Episode 1 — Life in the Village, then read the book for the full story (Airovale on Amazon).
Yes. It blends steampunk airships, medieval and industrial themes with fantasy characters, romance, and mythic world-building. For a world overview, see the interactive map.
The Law of Exchange says nothing is free—every gain has a cost. On Canyon Myst, time is the steepest price: one day on the island can pass as a year back in Airovale. The story uses this as a reflection on trading time for what we desire—at the expense of time with those we love.
Watch the micro-films on the official Airovale website. We recommend starting with Episode 1 — Life in the Village. The book is available as a Kindle eBook ($0.99), paperback ($19.98), or audiobook ($1.99) on Amazon.
Airovale—book, music, and micro-films—was written and produced by Jef Gray (Orlando, Florida, 2025).
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