Finished this one. Overall, quite liked it. Parts, especially the early parts were a bit slow, but this is not necessary a bad thing. Butcher just info dump you with the world building -- things about the world are gradually revealed to you over the course of the book, keeping a sense of mystery and wonder to the world. I liked this.
I especially liked how thing ended -- on a nice big bang and a good setup for the next.
This is the first book and, like a first book, there's a lot to cover. Butcher does take his time. There is action, ship to ship battles, and a potentially interesting magic system (still being revealed). The world created is interesting and I'm interested to see what else is revealed in book 2.
Butcher does very well with tactical ship to ship battles, creating a real sense of military tactics and air to air battles between airships. I just wish there was more of it (in the book there was only two such parts, the very beginning and very end). I hope in the next book, Butcher spends a lot more time on the airship in general -- by far the best part of the book.
Overall, a good effort and a great change of pace from his Dresden. I'm looking forward to his next, and I hope he puts more emphasis on airship life.
I give this a solid 8/10