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trinforeman's review
3.0
First off, thank you Darren for sending me a copy of this book and being patient with me as we overcame my technical issues. Technology is great until it isn't
matt_darksidreads's review
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Darran Handshaw can write characters like no other. His characters are so deep and realistic to me that at times it felt like I was sitting in the workshop with them listening to the banter instead of reading it. Acteon(The Engineer) has plans of being funded to do his research to aid all of Redemption, the crumbling ruin of a city built by the Ancients. As he and his mercenary assistants search into the problems that face them you see more of the world that Darran has crafted.
The only thing I didnt like about it was the pacing. It is a slower paced book so be prepared for a slow burn.
Over all this is a solid book and worth the time to read.
Darran Handshaw can write characters like no other. His characters are so deep and realistic to me that at times it felt like I was sitting in the workshop with them listening to the banter instead of reading it. Acteon(The Engineer) has plans of being funded to do his research to aid all of Redemption, the crumbling ruin of a city built by the Ancients. As he and his mercenary assistants search into the problems that face them you see more of the world that Darran has crafted.
The only thing I didnt like about it was the pacing. It is a slower paced book so be prepared for a slow burn.
Over all this is a solid book and worth the time to read.
rowena_m_andrews's review
4.0
For me, the standout aspect of The Engineer has to be its worldbuilding. I’ve sometimes found that to be a somewhat weaker aspect in books inspired by or based on RPG’s, but that is certainly not the case here, as Handshaw has done a fantastic job of taking that original world and the elements of an RPG and transforming it into something more. There was a breadth and depth to the worldbuilding, with many different elements, which meant that it was far more than just a backdrop to the action. I particularly enjoyed the fact that there was some mystery to both the current setting and its history. I always appreciate when we’re given the sense that the world has grown and changed and been shaped over time rather than having us just dropped into the present. This was a world that I wanted to spend more and more time in as the book continued, and that is the kind of worldbuilding that I love.
The characterisation was solid, each character having their own voice and motivations, and they brought a real humanity to the story. I would also love to read more with these characters, especially with some of the secondary characters. While I did find some of the character moments, especially those revolving around the romance a little slower than the rest of the book, they were integral to the book and dealt with in a believable, well-balanced manner that fitted the setting and plot. It was even better knowing that this entire book is based on how the author and his wife met and fell and love. Going into the story knowing this added a whole other dimension to the story, and Handshaw balanced that with action needed for a fantasy. I also like how the author’s own real-life knowledge and experience was infused into the character of Actaeon, and it was fascinating to read a story with an Engineer as the main character, especially with that added dimension of technical knowledge.
The story was just as well-developed as the characters and worldbuilding and brought the other two dimensions together into a well-polished book that pulls you in from start to finish, balancing action with character development. It was an engaging read that still managed to catch me by surprise as I hadn’t seen the conclusion coming, and yet was satisfied by, although I certainly hope to read more in this world. I think my only gripe was the dialogue felt a little stilted in places, but compared to everything else that was a very minor complaint, and certainly didn’t affect the flow of the story.
The Engineer was a fun, engaging read that delivered across the board. It was definitely a standout for the year with its worldbuilding, and if you’re someone who wants to sink into a fantasy world and lose yourself in it, then I can’t recommend this one strongly enough.
The characterisation was solid, each character having their own voice and motivations, and they brought a real humanity to the story. I would also love to read more with these characters, especially with some of the secondary characters. While I did find some of the character moments, especially those revolving around the romance a little slower than the rest of the book, they were integral to the book and dealt with in a believable, well-balanced manner that fitted the setting and plot. It was even better knowing that this entire book is based on how the author and his wife met and fell and love. Going into the story knowing this added a whole other dimension to the story, and Handshaw balanced that with action needed for a fantasy. I also like how the author’s own real-life knowledge and experience was infused into the character of Actaeon, and it was fascinating to read a story with an Engineer as the main character, especially with that added dimension of technical knowledge.
The story was just as well-developed as the characters and worldbuilding and brought the other two dimensions together into a well-polished book that pulls you in from start to finish, balancing action with character development. It was an engaging read that still managed to catch me by surprise as I hadn’t seen the conclusion coming, and yet was satisfied by, although I certainly hope to read more in this world. I think my only gripe was the dialogue felt a little stilted in places, but compared to everything else that was a very minor complaint, and certainly didn’t affect the flow of the story.
The Engineer was a fun, engaging read that delivered across the board. It was definitely a standout for the year with its worldbuilding, and if you’re someone who wants to sink into a fantasy world and lose yourself in it, then I can’t recommend this one strongly enough.
nick_borrelli's review
4.0
THE ENGINEER is a book that I have had on my TBR for quite some time. It was also a book that I couldn't wait to finally get to because I had read the premise over and over and was intrigued by the fact that the story is actually based on the "real life" story of how author Darran M. Handshaw met his wife. Apparently they met while playing a text-based RPG game which she was the co-creator of and they fell in love during that time. I found this so fascinating and was anxious to find out how that would work in a science-fiction story. Redemption, the setting of the book, is named after the setting in the RPG game. It's important for me to also mention that THE ENGINEER made it to the semi-finals in Mark Lawrence's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off #4. I'm happy to be able to add another review of a self-published author to my blog and I try to do so as much as possible. I received a review copy from Darran a couple of months ago and just finished the book this past weekend. Let me say that it was indeed an interesting and thought-provoking read which I will now summarize and share my thoughts about.
The story begins in close proximity to a place called Pyramid within the ruined city of Redemption. The opening scene describes one of the two main characters Actaeon being pursued by raiders. Their motives for wanting to capture Actaeon are not entirely clear at first, but we soon learn of their intentions. Redemption can only be described as a somewhat dystopian city that appears to have once been technologically advanced and populated by a highly evolved culture, but is currently home to a people who have awoken from a seemingly collective amnesia. These people are satisfied to exist with whatever they can find in and around the perilous ruins. Actaeon however, is not content to live in this land as currently constituted and his occupation as an engineer only serves to further motivate him to try and rebuild what has been lost. He uses his carefully honed skills to fashion various technologically-advanced tools and weapons in his endeavor to find some answers as to what has befallen this society and to hopefully make it better if he can. The problem is that his tinkering and ambition have put him on the radar of some of the rulers of Redemption. They only see his knowledge as a potential weapon that they can use to further cement their power and to subjugate the clueless inhabitants of this futuristic fiefdom. Throughout much of the story Actaeon juggles his quest for new-found knowledge with his desire to avoid those who are hunting him for their own nefarious ends. In the midst of trying to escape this growing danger, he is rescued by a Knight Arbiter named Eisandre, who saves him from an incredibly perilous situation. Together they travel through Redemption battling various horrific creatures along the way as they try to uncover the secrets buried deep beneath this shattered metropolis, and one particularly mysterious monster who dwells under Pyramid itself. In the midst of all of this menace, a romance begins to develop between the two of them. As the feelings they have for each other progress, they realize that they must use that to unite if they wish to survive in a broken land that holds many more mysteries than they could ever imagine. Who were the Ancients who once dwelled in Redemption and why did they leave? Why can't Redemption's people remember life as it was before the apparent fall? And will Actaeon and Eisandre find answers to these questions before the corrupt leaders of Redemption decide that they have dug way too deep in their inquest for their liking?
For those who have never read my reviews, I'm very much a world-building guy. Don't get me wrong, I like good characterization as well but the thing that makes me get all the feels in a book is incredible world-building. I'm happy to say that THE ENGINEER has that in spades. Darran M. Handshaw has done an excellent job taking the RPG world that this story is based on and further developing it as the backdrop to a delightfully solid SF book. Another thing that I enjoyed about THE ENGINEER was the mystery of the setting itself and the Ancients who were the people of Redemption's predecessors. I thought this mystery really brought an aspect to the story that made me want to continue reading well past my usual bedtime. Although the romance angle wasn't heavy-handed, I did think that at times it did tend to slow the story down in a couple of spots, but that's really the only mild criticism I have if any. That being said, this is a big book and the romance is based on a true love story so it's entirely understandable. As I said though, it's not overdone or distracting and the story always ramps right back up thrusting us immediately back into the main conflict. Another unique element that I liked was how Handshaw infuses his own real life knowledge as an engineer to create a main character in his own image. You can definitely see the technical aspects of what Handshaw brings to the table shine through in Actaeon throughout the entire book. I was simply blown away by the ending and didn't see it coming at all. In fact, I was legitimately surprised by how the story concluded. So this is a book that also isn't predictable by any stretch of the imagination. In conclusion, I can definitely see why THE ENGINEER made it to the semi-finals of SPFBO4, as this is a book that certainly delivers in so many areas. The world-building is awesome, the characters make you care about what happens to them, and the underlying mystery of Redemption's past all combine to make this an excellent read for any discerning science-fiction reader. I truly can't wait to revisit this world again and I hope there is a book two in the works! Pretty sure I read in an interview with Darran that there is, but don't quote me on that. Anyway, I highly recommend THE ENGINEER if you are looking for an engaging story with plenty of thrills at every turn.
The story begins in close proximity to a place called Pyramid within the ruined city of Redemption. The opening scene describes one of the two main characters Actaeon being pursued by raiders. Their motives for wanting to capture Actaeon are not entirely clear at first, but we soon learn of their intentions. Redemption can only be described as a somewhat dystopian city that appears to have once been technologically advanced and populated by a highly evolved culture, but is currently home to a people who have awoken from a seemingly collective amnesia. These people are satisfied to exist with whatever they can find in and around the perilous ruins. Actaeon however, is not content to live in this land as currently constituted and his occupation as an engineer only serves to further motivate him to try and rebuild what has been lost. He uses his carefully honed skills to fashion various technologically-advanced tools and weapons in his endeavor to find some answers as to what has befallen this society and to hopefully make it better if he can. The problem is that his tinkering and ambition have put him on the radar of some of the rulers of Redemption. They only see his knowledge as a potential weapon that they can use to further cement their power and to subjugate the clueless inhabitants of this futuristic fiefdom. Throughout much of the story Actaeon juggles his quest for new-found knowledge with his desire to avoid those who are hunting him for their own nefarious ends. In the midst of trying to escape this growing danger, he is rescued by a Knight Arbiter named Eisandre, who saves him from an incredibly perilous situation. Together they travel through Redemption battling various horrific creatures along the way as they try to uncover the secrets buried deep beneath this shattered metropolis, and one particularly mysterious monster who dwells under Pyramid itself. In the midst of all of this menace, a romance begins to develop between the two of them. As the feelings they have for each other progress, they realize that they must use that to unite if they wish to survive in a broken land that holds many more mysteries than they could ever imagine. Who were the Ancients who once dwelled in Redemption and why did they leave? Why can't Redemption's people remember life as it was before the apparent fall? And will Actaeon and Eisandre find answers to these questions before the corrupt leaders of Redemption decide that they have dug way too deep in their inquest for their liking?
For those who have never read my reviews, I'm very much a world-building guy. Don't get me wrong, I like good characterization as well but the thing that makes me get all the feels in a book is incredible world-building. I'm happy to say that THE ENGINEER has that in spades. Darran M. Handshaw has done an excellent job taking the RPG world that this story is based on and further developing it as the backdrop to a delightfully solid SF book. Another thing that I enjoyed about THE ENGINEER was the mystery of the setting itself and the Ancients who were the people of Redemption's predecessors. I thought this mystery really brought an aspect to the story that made me want to continue reading well past my usual bedtime. Although the romance angle wasn't heavy-handed, I did think that at times it did tend to slow the story down in a couple of spots, but that's really the only mild criticism I have if any. That being said, this is a big book and the romance is based on a true love story so it's entirely understandable. As I said though, it's not overdone or distracting and the story always ramps right back up thrusting us immediately back into the main conflict. Another unique element that I liked was how Handshaw infuses his own real life knowledge as an engineer to create a main character in his own image. You can definitely see the technical aspects of what Handshaw brings to the table shine through in Actaeon throughout the entire book. I was simply blown away by the ending and didn't see it coming at all. In fact, I was legitimately surprised by how the story concluded. So this is a book that also isn't predictable by any stretch of the imagination. In conclusion, I can definitely see why THE ENGINEER made it to the semi-finals of SPFBO4, as this is a book that certainly delivers in so many areas. The world-building is awesome, the characters make you care about what happens to them, and the underlying mystery of Redemption's past all combine to make this an excellent read for any discerning science-fiction reader. I truly can't wait to revisit this world again and I hope there is a book two in the works! Pretty sure I read in an interview with Darran that there is, but don't quote me on that. Anyway, I highly recommend THE ENGINEER if you are looking for an engaging story with plenty of thrills at every turn.
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