The Engineer's Apprentice cover art

The Engineer's Apprentice

The Engineer's Saga, Book 1

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The Engineer's Apprentice

By: J. R. Martin
Narrated by: Carmen Seantel
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About this listen

Sovas Nominated for Outstanding Audiobook Narration – Science Fiction – Best Voiceover

In a steampunk world where machinery collides with ancient magic, Annie Sakdavong is determined to make her mark—even if society stands in her way.

For Annie Sakdavong, engineering is more than a passion—it's an escape. Trained from birth to be a "sword maiden"—a bodyguard bride pledged to a wealthy merchant—she defies her family by apprenticing herself to Issa Obasi, a brilliant Igbo engineer ostracized from his homeland for his inability to use his people's ikè, or rune magic.

Together, they pursue revolutionary research to merge forbidden magic with steam power. But their work attracts the wrong attention. A ghost-like assassin who can walk through walls begins hunting them, revealing a shadowy conspiracy to steal their designs for a new and terrible weapon. To protect their secrets, Annie must embrace the deadly warrior she fought to leave behind, while Issa, forced into the role of a detective, must confront his past to unlock the dormant power of a rune master and become the man he was always meant to be.

An action-packed steampunk adventure filled with mystery, magic, and courage, The Engineer's Apprentice is perfect for fans of A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark and In Plain Sight (Arcane Casebook Series) by Dan Willis.

Step into a reimagined West, where the power of steam collides with ancient runes, and two outsiders defy the odds to change their world.

©2023 Underdog Press (P)2026 Underdog Press
Science Fiction & Fantasy Magic Adventure
All stars
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Listener received this title free

The cover depicts the two unlikely allies who are the main protagonists. The young Siamese woman wants to become an engineer rather than a sword-maiden married off by her father as part of a business deal. She is the apprentice to the African-American man who has his own way of dealing with prejudice and enemies. He is wary of automatons, yet she wants to build one. We hear how their relationship develops and the forces who oppose and are friendly to them. Loyalty is tested and there is action and peril to be faced in solving crimes the police seem to be powerless or indifferent in investigating. I liked the world-building which incorporated steam, radioactivity and electricity as well as "cognitive fluid" into the resources and environment.

The narrator gives different accents and speech cadences to the various characters and I found it easy to know who was talking.

I received a free copy, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Adult steampunk mystery and romance.

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