Review of Engines of Empire

Review of Engines of Empire 

By: R.S. Ford

            Engines of Empire tells the story of Hawkspur family.  They run transportation guild in a world where magic pyrestones run the machines of this world.  Rosomon Hawkspur is trying to run the Hawkspur family and business even pushing her children out into the world.  Conall is her oldest and is sent into a fort in the desert where he isn’t excepted, because his birth.  Her daughter Tyreta is sent to the mining town so she can learn to take her mother’s role, but when she gets there Tyreta has a run with the Kesh, who want there land back.  Finally, the baby of the family Fulren, is convicted of the murder an emissary of Nyrakkis and as punishment he is taken to Nyrakkis to be sentenced.  

            This is a fast-paced and action-packed adventure story.  It has one of my favorite tropes of the dark side of religion.  A religious order had once been in charge and they want to take back power.  There is a sense of tension building throughout and you can sense something will happen you just don’t know when it will happen.  We go back and forth between Rosomon and her children giving us a full perspective and this gives equal amount of time with each character.  This gives a good start on the world building as we explore multiple parts of the world such as the jungles where the Kesh live. The Kesh culture was cool.  They’re warriors with feline features but a brutal sense of justice, but one small group of female Kesh that have a sense of honor. Tyreta bonds with them and learns how to defend herself.  Instead of the usual sword or gun fighting we get fighting with spears.  She also gets a pet panther! It is understandable how they feel.  Their story is like what happened to the Native Americans.  Magic has steampunk feel with magic stones that operate machines.   Nyrakkis is also a unique culture that we get to explore through Fulren’s eyes.  Both cultures see them as the ones in the right and the good ones enlightening us on a different perspective that isn’t as privileged.   This is the first book in a series, or possibly a trilogy.