The Engineer's Apprentice

The Engineer's Saga, Book 1

By: J. R. Martin

Narrated by: Carmen Seantel

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

Character Creation is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I almost never leave reviews on books because they are art and art is subjective. This one changed my mind. This book is PACKED with characters in the way that S1 of Game of Thrones was packed. So pay attention, because this is a series full of world building and character development. This story is like if West World, Jingle Jangle and Lovecraft had a love child. And the performance?!?! It’s a masterclass in character creation and Carmen Seantal is now on my top narrators to listen to. The intersection of sci-fi, historical drama and culturally relevant themes interwoven into the adventure made this book almost like a cinematic adventure. I could visualize in my mind’s eye each character and the world they lived in. There are a few parts that feel a little bit slow, but I promise you it’s worth it to keep going. The author has set this up to be one hell of a series!

Steampunk meet magic

The Engineer’s Apprentice by J. R. Martin is an excellent steampunk magic Sci-Fi fantasy. Carman Seantel did an incredible job with the narration. The story is entertaining, interesting, action packed, exciting, fun, and more. It will leave you in suspense and on the edge of your seat. Amazing character and world development. The Engineer’s Apprentice is the First book in the Engineer’s Saga. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Not for me

So far from what i've read, I feel about eighty percent of it was political commentary. Maybe twenty percent actual story.
If you care about politics you will like it. If not, this will feel the same as reading a Terry Goodkind book. With heavy handed political views interrupting the story.