Engines of Empire, R.S. Ford
Engines of Empire, R.S. Ford
List: $44.99 | Sale: $31.50
Club: $22.49

Engines of Empire

Author: R.S. Ford

Narrator: Alison Campbell, Ciaran Saward, Phoebe McIntosh, Ewan Goddard, Andrew Kingston, Martin Reeve, Stephen Perring

Unabridged: 22 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Orbit

Published: 01/18/2022


Synopsis

“An excellent start to a new series: fast-paced and engaging, with a properly epic setting and a cast of characters I look forward to seeing more of.” –James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost

“Epic fantasy fans listen up: This is the good stuff. Highly recommended.” —Kirkus (starred review)

From an unmissable voice in epic fantasy comes a sweeping tale of clashing guilds, magic-fueled machines, and revolution.
 
The nation of Torwyn is run on the power of industry, and industry is run by the Guilds. Chief among them are the Hawkspurs, whose responsibility it is to keep the gears of the empire turning. That’s exactly why matriarch Rosomon Hawkspur sends each of her heirs to the far reaches of the nation. 

Conall, the eldest son, is sent to the distant frontier to earn his stripes in the military. It is here that he faces a threat he could have never seen coming: the first rumblings of revolution.

Tyreta is a sorceress with the ability to channel the power of pyrestone, the magical resource that fuels the empire’s machines. She is sent to the mines to learn more about how pyrsetone is harvested – but instead, she finds the dark horrors of industry that the empire would prefer to keep hidden.

The youngest, Fulren, is a talented artificer and finds himself acting as a guide to a mysterious foreign emissary. Soon after, he is framed for a crime he never committed. A crime that could start a war. 

As the Hawkspurs grapple with the many threats that face the nation within and without, they must finally prove themselves worthy–or their empire will fall apart. 
 
“A heady blend of action, arcana, and intrigue.” —Gareth Hanrahan, author of The Gutter Prayer

Reviews

Goodreads review by Allen on December 30, 2021

My full review: [URL not allowed] Edit: on sitting longer with this, I find myself remembering the awesome parts of this way more than the parts I took issue with. As such, 4.5⭐, rounded up to 5. Review soon. Review to come, but I am pumped to read book 2.......more

Goodreads review by Nick on January 18, 2022

R.S. Ford is an author whose books I have been meaning to check out for a while, but for whatever reason it just hadn't happened as of yet. All that thankfully changed when I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of his brand new book ENGINES OF EMPIRE from publisher Orbit Books. So it was......more

Goodreads review by Alex on March 21, 2022

Pretty cool beginning to a fantasy story here that clearly sets up further books. I love the blend of fantasy writing w/ the tech that is introduced in the world. Ford blends some sci-fi elements and robotics with fantasy elements and magic very well. The magic-powered mech in this universe definite......more

Goodreads review by Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) on January 16, 2022

3.5 Stars My favourite aspect of this novel was the intersection between technology and magic. In this world, some technology exists, but it is controlled and powered through technology rather than through traditional means.  Yet despite this worldbuilding, I was surprised to find this to be a very tr......more

Goodreads review by Read By Kyle on January 20, 2022

Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit for the copy in exchange for an honest review! So, Engines of Empire.... super mixed feelings but overall an enjoyable start to a new series!. My biggest issue is that it felt like Ford was too afraid to let things breathe. I've read non-stop action books before but the......more


Quotes

“An excellent start to a new series: fast-paced and engaging, with a properly epic setting and a cast of characters I look forward to seeing more of.”—James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost

“Epic fantasy fans listen up: This is the good stuff. Highly recommended.”—Kirkus (starred review)

“Ford succeeds in building a complex fantasy world, complete with warring factions, fearsome creatures, and bloody struggles for power . . . Fans of R.A. Salvatore’s DemonWars Saga will be especially hooked.”—Publishers Weekly

“A heady blend of action, arcana, and intrigue.”—Gareth Hanrahan, author of The Gutter Prayer