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The Forever Engine
London 1888. His Majesty’s airships troll the sky powered by antigrav liftwood. Iron Lords tighten their hold on Britain choked by the fumes of industry. Mars has been colonized. Clockwork assassins stalk European corridors of power. Far to the east, the Old Man of the Mountains plots the end of the world with his Forever Engine.
2018 Jack Fargo, scholar, former American special forces agent in Afghanistan. Aided only by an elderly Scottish physicist, a young British officer of questionable courage, and a beautiful but mysterious spy for the French Commune, Fargo must save the future, the universe, from destruction. (Author created steampunk role playing game Space: 1889.)
2018 Jack Fargo, scholar, former American special forces agent in Afghanistan. Aided only by an elderly Scottish physicist, a young British officer of questionable courage, and a beautiful but mysterious spy for the French Commune, Fargo must save the future, the universe, from destruction. (Author created steampunk role playing game Space: 1889.)
340 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 19, 2014
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths Reviews
The Forever Engine by Frank Chadwick is a genre bender novel that mixes equal parts steampunk, alternate history, science fiction, and fantasy to create something new and interesting. Please understand going into this read that Mr. Chadwick co-created a role playing game called Space: 1889, and this novel is set in the steampunk world of that game. In fact, this book is very much like a Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms novel in that it almost serves as a walk through of the role playing world, giving a reader fantastic details of this alternative reality Victorian England of Space: 1889 and its vast history. Do not think, however, that this book is all source book material, because it definitely has a fast paced and action filled story. In fact, the plot lines move forward so fast that it reads more like a movie screen play than a book, and some reviewers description of The Forever Engine as a “gritty and raw work” is probably very accurate.
The book begins with Jack Fargo, ancient history professor, being called in as a consultant on a secret experiment being conducted in England. Even though Jack is just there to consult on a mysterious Roman coin, he gets caught up in an unfortunate accident that sends him shooting backwards through time to the year 1888. However, not only has Jack slipped backward in time but he has also left our reality for a parallel one.
Once our brave professor regains his bearing, he finds himself in an alternative turn of the century Victorian England, where the South has won the American Civil War, flying steamships dominate the skies, space travel is an accepted part of every day life, and there is even an earth colony on Mars. Not only that, but Jack immediately finds himself immersed in a convoluted political situation, forced to choose sides in this world’s conflicts, and finds himself actively fighting to save this world from its own problems – even as he desperately seeks a way back to his own time.
Overall, this book is just what I assumed it would be: an action adventure tale wrapped in the standard steampunk surroundings of steamships, gadgets, airships, and Victorian England with more than a dash of intrigue added. The characters in The Forever Engine were mostly interesting, even if they were a bit one dimensional at times, and Mr. Chadwick does a good job of adding in famous people from the time period albeit changing them enough to suite their alternative reality world. The action sequences in the book were adequately described, and a measure of suspense was maintained throughout the novel. However, where Mr. Chadwick excels is in the massive amount of history and background material that he provides about this wonderful steampunk world. Here a reader is given vast amounts of information on the world, its history, and its weapons of war until the setting becomes as real to you as our own modern day reality.
With all that being said, I had some issues with The Forever Engine that I’d like to explore briefly. Feel free to stop now and not have to read anything negative about this novel if it is a favorite of yours. If, after carefully consideration on your part, you decide to continue reading, please do not get upset by any criticisms you might see in the next few paragraphs, because - like Stephen King at the end of The Dark Tower Saga - I am warning you that you might not like the ending here.
1) Jack is way over powered and his skill set too conveniently correct for his adventure. I realize that is a strange things to say, but let me explain what I mean. You see, it was just chance that brought Jack Fargo to the secret laboratory on that fateful day when he was sent back in time, but in all honest, it must have been fate, because no other time traveler could have been more suited for the trip ahead. Who else except for Jack Fargo would have had the exact sort of skills that he needed to survive in this alternative steampunk world? I can’t think of anyone. And not only does Jack survive but he excels. I mean, once he is in the alternative world, Jack uses his vast knowledge of history, physics, political persons, era specific military equipment, and his linguistic ability to survive and vanquish his enemies. All I can say is Thank God the lab “accident” happened when a man so immensely suited to this time traveling predicament just happened to be there. I mean, think what would have happened if the janitor had been sent back through time.
2) Setting aside the issue of Jack’s skill set for a moment, let us turn to his characterization in this novel. Basically, Jack is your classic Hollywood action adventure hero. This guy pops out of nowhere claiming he is from an alternative world, but instead of being labeled crazy or whatever, he is quickly accepted into the “cool” group. Not only is Jack in the cool group of people, but somehow, he is also the smartest guy in the group, the toughest guy in the group, the guy with the most modern, enlightened sensibilities, and the cool guy who gets the most beautiful, bad ass female as his girlfriend. I mean, Jack has it made. How could he fail?
3) This novel is told from Jack’s first person perspective. I generally do not like first person narratives. It is a personal issue I have. Now, I admit that there have been first person narratives that I have liked (See Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Thorns,) but most of the time, I find these types of novels disappointing. Unfortunately, The Forever Engine was one of the first person narratives I did not enjoy. Just one of those things, I suppose.
4) As I mentioned above, this novel is filled to overflowing with details about this richly imagined steampunk world. As a lover of history and alternative history, I adore this sort of stuff. However, an author has to walk a fine line when spoon feeding a reader vast quantities of lore, because if you provide too much the book readers like a role playing campaign source book, and to me, Mr. Chadwick went past this unseen line, becoming so determined to regurgitate facts that the actual plot and characters became lost in the world building.
Even with its many problems, I decided to give The Forever Engine three stars. It is probably closer to 2 ½ stars, but I am giving Mr. Chadwick credit for the marvelous alternate universe he has dreamed up. This imaginative world is well worth reading about, and hopefully, in the next story, the main character will not be so “over powered” and have to actually struggle with the problems facing him. All in all, the novel is a solid first book in a new series (Does anyone actually believe this is a one shot?) and it definitely has potential going forward.
Netgalley and the publisher provided this book to me for free in return for an honest review. The review above was not paid for or influenced in any way by any person, entity or organization, but is my own personal opinions.
The Forever Engine by Frank Chadwick is a genre bender novel that mixes equal parts steampunk, alternate history, science fiction, and fantasy to create something new and interesting. Please understand going into this read that Mr. Chadwick co-created a role playing game called Space: 1889, and this novel is set in the steampunk world of that game. In fact, this book is very much like a Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms novel in that it almost serves as a walk through of the role playing world, giving a reader fantastic details of this alternative reality Victorian England of Space: 1889 and its vast history. Do not think, however, that this book is all source book material, because it definitely has a fast paced and action filled story. In fact, the plot lines move forward so fast that it reads more like a movie screen play than a book, and some reviewers description of The Forever Engine as a “gritty and raw work” is probably very accurate.
The book begins with Jack Fargo, ancient history professor, being called in as a consultant on a secret experiment being conducted in England. Even though Jack is just there to consult on a mysterious Roman coin, he gets caught up in an unfortunate accident that sends him shooting backwards through time to the year 1888. However, not only has Jack slipped backward in time but he has also left our reality for a parallel one.
Once our brave professor regains his bearing, he finds himself in an alternative turn of the century Victorian England, where the South has won the American Civil War, flying steamships dominate the skies, space travel is an accepted part of every day life, and there is even an earth colony on Mars. Not only that, but Jack immediately finds himself immersed in a convoluted political situation, forced to choose sides in this world’s conflicts, and finds himself actively fighting to save this world from its own problems – even as he desperately seeks a way back to his own time.
Overall, this book is just what I assumed it would be: an action adventure tale wrapped in the standard steampunk surroundings of steamships, gadgets, airships, and Victorian England with more than a dash of intrigue added. The characters in The Forever Engine were mostly interesting, even if they were a bit one dimensional at times, and Mr. Chadwick does a good job of adding in famous people from the time period albeit changing them enough to suite their alternative reality world. The action sequences in the book were adequately described, and a measure of suspense was maintained throughout the novel. However, where Mr. Chadwick excels is in the massive amount of history and background material that he provides about this wonderful steampunk world. Here a reader is given vast amounts of information on the world, its history, and its weapons of war until the setting becomes as real to you as our own modern day reality.
With all that being said, I had some issues with The Forever Engine that I’d like to explore briefly. Feel free to stop now and not have to read anything negative about this novel if it is a favorite of yours. If, after carefully consideration on your part, you decide to continue reading, please do not get upset by any criticisms you might see in the next few paragraphs, because - like Stephen King at the end of The Dark Tower Saga - I am warning you that you might not like the ending here.
1) Jack is way over powered and his skill set too conveniently correct for his adventure. I realize that is a strange things to say, but let me explain what I mean. You see, it was just chance that brought Jack Fargo to the secret laboratory on that fateful day when he was sent back in time, but in all honest, it must have been fate, because no other time traveler could have been more suited for the trip ahead. Who else except for Jack Fargo would have had the exact sort of skills that he needed to survive in this alternative steampunk world? I can’t think of anyone. And not only does Jack survive but he excels. I mean, once he is in the alternative world, Jack uses his vast knowledge of history, physics, political persons, era specific military equipment, and his linguistic ability to survive and vanquish his enemies. All I can say is Thank God the lab “accident” happened when a man so immensely suited to this time traveling predicament just happened to be there. I mean, think what would have happened if the janitor had been sent back through time.
2) Setting aside the issue of Jack’s skill set for a moment, let us turn to his characterization in this novel. Basically, Jack is your classic Hollywood action adventure hero. This guy pops out of nowhere claiming he is from an alternative world, but instead of being labeled crazy or whatever, he is quickly accepted into the “cool” group. Not only is Jack in the cool group of people, but somehow, he is also the smartest guy in the group, the toughest guy in the group, the guy with the most modern, enlightened sensibilities, and the cool guy who gets the most beautiful, bad ass female as his girlfriend. I mean, Jack has it made. How could he fail?
3) This novel is told from Jack’s first person perspective. I generally do not like first person narratives. It is a personal issue I have. Now, I admit that there have been first person narratives that I have liked (See Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Thorns,) but most of the time, I find these types of novels disappointing. Unfortunately, The Forever Engine was one of the first person narratives I did not enjoy. Just one of those things, I suppose.
4) As I mentioned above, this novel is filled to overflowing with details about this richly imagined steampunk world. As a lover of history and alternative history, I adore this sort of stuff. However, an author has to walk a fine line when spoon feeding a reader vast quantities of lore, because if you provide too much the book readers like a role playing campaign source book, and to me, Mr. Chadwick went past this unseen line, becoming so determined to regurgitate facts that the actual plot and characters became lost in the world building.
Even with its many problems, I decided to give The Forever Engine three stars. It is probably closer to 2 ½ stars, but I am giving Mr. Chadwick credit for the marvelous alternate universe he has dreamed up. This imaginative world is well worth reading about, and hopefully, in the next story, the main character will not be so “over powered” and have to actually struggle with the problems facing him. All in all, the novel is a solid first book in a new series (Does anyone actually believe this is a one shot?) and it definitely has potential going forward.
Netgalley and the publisher provided this book to me for free in return for an honest review. The review above was not paid for or influenced in any way by any person, entity or organization, but is my own personal opinions.
April 6, 2020
Its fineish I guess. Less interested in character than world-building but doesn't really even deliver on that promise as much as it should/could have. The main character is largely a hyper competent bog standard protagonist. He's a historian AND was in the military AND speaks a variety of Middle Eastern languages AND knows kendo. Nor does he have much in direction or drive. He has a singular motivation but very little interior conflict around that or interpersonal conflict with any other characters. What there is is either neglected narratively or ultimately actively undermined by the end.
Look. Martian colonies (bar the implications of alt universe colonialism) - rad. French commune - rad. So why don't we explore these places more???
It also has basically one female character who naturally is a femme fatale... not that that's an inherently bad archetype but when its your only one...
Look. Martian colonies (bar the implications of alt universe colonialism) - rad. French commune - rad. So why don't we explore these places more???
It also has basically one female character who naturally is a femme fatale... not that that's an inherently bad archetype but when its your only one...
January 1, 2014
“Is choosing a life path which subordinates you own sense of person to someone else's a form of suicide?”
Very rarely do I ever enjoy a good time travel tale. The logic isn't always there, like in say Bioshock Infinite. But for a book so steeped in hard science, The Forever Engine manages to make an intelligent leap in physics. Speculatively speaking, of course.
Jack Fargo is the narrator of this tale, an ex-soldier turned history professor called back to help in a top secret science case. Well, help might be the wrong word. Threatened, then forced into events that are far from his control. But he's a smart cookie, and decides that instead of moping, or doing the “good” thing, he's going to get home. I really liked this take on an unfortunate time traveler. It was his knowledge of every single plot point that was grating. Now, I can understand when people see a random dinosaur in the 19th century, and spout off the name of a famous fossil. But when you know the scientific name of said dinosaur...and seven languages...and oodles of physics...and obscure Roman and Middle East history...and how to beat a few soldiers with just a pipe, the character becomes too powerful. A minor fault, though.
When it comes to characters, you would expect caricatures in what appears to be a fast-paced, pulpy action romp. Instead, I received a depth and intelligence to both characterization, world-building, and plot. The Forever Engine's cover is just a facade. There's betrayals, motives, heroics, normalizations, and twists aplenty from each member of the cast. The antagonist, “side-kick,” and femme fatale are three of the biggest that could've been simple creatures, but turn into frighteningly real people because of how Chadwick has crafted them. Nobody can be trusted, and everybody's being played. Amazing.
I'm also going to make a request for a story about the South Carolina slave turned military man. He needed more page time, that's for sure. Such mystery behind his eyes that needs telling.
“I could save her, somehow. But would I be able to face her afterwards, knowing what I had had to do to accomplish that?”
I could say characterization is the strongest thing Chadwick has going for him, but then I would be lying. He's a world-building whore, and I'm happy with that. I mean, for crying out loud, the Victorian British colonized Mars! Who thinks of this stuff? It's amazing and fresh, from the smog riddled streets of London to the soaring heights of an airship. The man knows how to breathe life into a setting. The South winning the Civil War, and the bias that goes along with it, may have been a tad cliché, but I'll let him off because of the rest.
As I said, there's depth here if you're looking.
Not only is it in the made-up details, but with the historical references, too. From Prince Albert to Tesla to Kelvin and more, the tiny names (and even Roman emperors) were setting my inner history nerd a flame with excitement. It's just the icing on the cake in what was a fun Steampunk story.
“Gordon looked at me as if good hearing was for sissies.”
However, there needs to be a fair deal of praise in his plotting. The book starts off strong, catapulting the narrator into a different world, disorienting him and the entire cast. We have a chase, shoot-outs, and other fine filler, but it's the end, or climax to be specific, that really takes center stage. Every little twist and turn leads up to an explosion, quite literally in fact, just the way I like it. There are a few points of disbelief here and there, but like the South, it's nothing much. The last chapter, unfortunately, kinda tapers off. And the middle of the books slags in pacing.
If the book didn't tell rather than show, and Chadwick had better control over dialogue, I could see him becoming a favorite of mine. He has the plotting chops, especially when the idea about the Forever Engine is revealed. Mind boggling. But the story is still rough around the edges, like the fight scenes that move from brilliant and atmospheric to muddled and dark. Chadwick's a fun writer with depth, just not enough pop and smoothness. Maybe it was the no nonsense writing that seemed to verge randomly into sentimentalism. I'm not sure.
“It came from the notion that if you had an interesting enough story to tell, you would get to finish telling it. But you don't always.”
Very rarely do I ever enjoy a good time travel tale. The logic isn't always there, like in say Bioshock Infinite. But for a book so steeped in hard science, The Forever Engine manages to make an intelligent leap in physics. Speculatively speaking, of course.
Jack Fargo is the narrator of this tale, an ex-soldier turned history professor called back to help in a top secret science case. Well, help might be the wrong word. Threatened, then forced into events that are far from his control. But he's a smart cookie, and decides that instead of moping, or doing the “good” thing, he's going to get home. I really liked this take on an unfortunate time traveler. It was his knowledge of every single plot point that was grating. Now, I can understand when people see a random dinosaur in the 19th century, and spout off the name of a famous fossil. But when you know the scientific name of said dinosaur...and seven languages...and oodles of physics...and obscure Roman and Middle East history...and how to beat a few soldiers with just a pipe, the character becomes too powerful. A minor fault, though.
When it comes to characters, you would expect caricatures in what appears to be a fast-paced, pulpy action romp. Instead, I received a depth and intelligence to both characterization, world-building, and plot. The Forever Engine's cover is just a facade. There's betrayals, motives, heroics, normalizations, and twists aplenty from each member of the cast. The antagonist, “side-kick,” and femme fatale are three of the biggest that could've been simple creatures, but turn into frighteningly real people because of how Chadwick has crafted them. Nobody can be trusted, and everybody's being played. Amazing.
I'm also going to make a request for a story about the South Carolina slave turned military man. He needed more page time, that's for sure. Such mystery behind his eyes that needs telling.
“I could save her, somehow. But would I be able to face her afterwards, knowing what I had had to do to accomplish that?”
I could say characterization is the strongest thing Chadwick has going for him, but then I would be lying. He's a world-building whore, and I'm happy with that. I mean, for crying out loud, the Victorian British colonized Mars! Who thinks of this stuff? It's amazing and fresh, from the smog riddled streets of London to the soaring heights of an airship. The man knows how to breathe life into a setting. The South winning the Civil War, and the bias that goes along with it, may have been a tad cliché, but I'll let him off because of the rest.
As I said, there's depth here if you're looking.
Not only is it in the made-up details, but with the historical references, too. From Prince Albert to Tesla to Kelvin and more, the tiny names (and even Roman emperors) were setting my inner history nerd a flame with excitement. It's just the icing on the cake in what was a fun Steampunk story.
“Gordon looked at me as if good hearing was for sissies.”
However, there needs to be a fair deal of praise in his plotting. The book starts off strong, catapulting the narrator into a different world, disorienting him and the entire cast. We have a chase, shoot-outs, and other fine filler, but it's the end, or climax to be specific, that really takes center stage. Every little twist and turn leads up to an explosion, quite literally in fact, just the way I like it. There are a few points of disbelief here and there, but like the South, it's nothing much. The last chapter, unfortunately, kinda tapers off. And the middle of the books slags in pacing.
If the book didn't tell rather than show, and Chadwick had better control over dialogue, I could see him becoming a favorite of mine. He has the plotting chops, especially when the idea about the Forever Engine is revealed. Mind boggling. But the story is still rough around the edges, like the fight scenes that move from brilliant and atmospheric to muddled and dark. Chadwick's a fun writer with depth, just not enough pop and smoothness. Maybe it was the no nonsense writing that seemed to verge randomly into sentimentalism. I'm not sure.
“It came from the notion that if you had an interesting enough story to tell, you would get to finish telling it. But you don't always.”
February 8, 2014
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Baen!
I wanted to like this book, really I did. I am far more often reading and liking steampunk, so when I hear the words time travel, steampunk, and Nikola Tesla I was all over this book. But in the end it was just boring.
Read the rest of this review at Written Among the Stars
I wanted to like this book, really I did. I am far more often reading and liking steampunk, so when I hear the words time travel, steampunk, and Nikola Tesla I was all over this book. But in the end it was just boring.
Read the rest of this review at Written Among the Stars
November 5, 2016
I like it when I find a new author that I enjoy. I love it when I find a new writer that makes me want to go find more of his books cause they are just that good a read. I hate it that my prospective read list has grown again...lol. Frank Chadwick did all these to me. Nice kickass adventure/SiFi/Steampunk story with really good main and secondary characters. Now I got to get on Amazon and buy more books!. Very recommended
February 15, 2014
It's obvious from the first page or two that this story isn't really meant to be a book: this is a movie in book format. The action moves very quickly and we get little backstory. If you love action/military stuff (like any police TV show or the Temeraire book series) you should give this one a go.
Things I loved about this book:
-some really cool pseudo-science and real science
-steampunk setting of alternate Europe
-POV of veteran soldier that includes interesting details you don't see in most action books (such as that after a gunfight, everyone's faces are bright red because the blood comes rushing back, etc).
-cool and clever female lead who uses a shotgun and kicks butt
-dinosaurs!?
Things I disliked about this book: Mainly that the protag comes off as author-proxy Gary Stu, and this book is an American white male ego trip. Now, I think that MOST people probably wouldn't even notice this, especially white males, so for many people the book would be great. But as a critically-thinking woman who happens to have a master's degree in English and used to routinely rip to shreds the works of stale pale males, it's all glaringly obvious.
Let me explain:
-Jack's the smartest guy in any situation, always putting the pieces together before everyone else (even though he's not even FROM this place or time). He rarely makes a mistake or gets confused, and he's always patiently explaining physics and politics to other scientists.
-He also is better at fighting than anyone else because of his modern military tactics, which is actually really interesting to read about. If you like movies or video games where one guy takes down dozens of soldiers and barely gets scratched, this is for you!
-Jack makes a point of being a decent guy to blacks, Muslims, and women, and while this ought to be a good thing, there's a clear contrast being made: Jack is always looking down in disgust at his comrades for being so narrow-minded. It reads like the author patting himself on the back for how much he/America has evolved beyond these foolish 19th century Europeans.
-Gabrielle is almost the only female character (Jack remembers a dead wife and living daughter he loves and misses, but not much is said about his family). And although Gabrielle is cool, clever, and badass, she is not as cool, clever, or badass as Jack, and basically exists to be the love interest and make him look good. This she does in two ways: first because she's gorgeous and smart and picked him (coupled with everything else, this is practically beating the reader over the head with the whole alpha male thing), and secondly because she gives Jack many opportunities to show what a kind and respectful gentleman he is to women. Gabrielle is also more of a modern woman, which allows her to have a casual dalliance with Jack (once again, showing this is more of a movie than a book--where are her Victorian sensibilities?!)
However, all my complaints about Gabrielle are undermined (or at least complicated) by a plot twist three-quarters in .
Anyways, fun read, recommended for undiscerning American white males, lovers of action movies or TV shows (why are so many action leads named Jack?), and English students who need to write a feminist essay about a recently published novel. I could do ten pages on this one in my sleep.
Things I loved about this book:
-some really cool pseudo-science and real science
-steampunk setting of alternate Europe
-POV of veteran soldier that includes interesting details you don't see in most action books (such as that after a gunfight, everyone's faces are bright red because the blood comes rushing back, etc).
-cool and clever female lead who uses a shotgun and kicks butt
-dinosaurs!?
Things I disliked about this book: Mainly that the protag comes off as author-proxy Gary Stu, and this book is an American white male ego trip. Now, I think that MOST people probably wouldn't even notice this, especially white males, so for many people the book would be great. But as a critically-thinking woman who happens to have a master's degree in English and used to routinely rip to shreds the works of stale pale males, it's all glaringly obvious.
Let me explain:
-Jack's the smartest guy in any situation, always putting the pieces together before everyone else (even though he's not even FROM this place or time). He rarely makes a mistake or gets confused, and he's always patiently explaining physics and politics to other scientists.
-He also is better at fighting than anyone else because of his modern military tactics, which is actually really interesting to read about. If you like movies or video games where one guy takes down dozens of soldiers and barely gets scratched, this is for you!
-Jack makes a point of being a decent guy to blacks, Muslims, and women, and while this ought to be a good thing, there's a clear contrast being made: Jack is always looking down in disgust at his comrades for being so narrow-minded. It reads like the author patting himself on the back for how much he/America has evolved beyond these foolish 19th century Europeans.
-Gabrielle is almost the only female character (Jack remembers a dead wife and living daughter he loves and misses, but not much is said about his family). And although Gabrielle is cool, clever, and badass, she is not as cool, clever, or badass as Jack, and basically exists to be the love interest and make him look good. This she does in two ways: first because she's gorgeous and smart and picked him (coupled with everything else, this is practically beating the reader over the head with the whole alpha male thing), and secondly because she gives Jack many opportunities to show what a kind and respectful gentleman he is to women. Gabrielle is also more of a modern woman, which allows her to have a casual dalliance with Jack (once again, showing this is more of a movie than a book--where are her Victorian sensibilities?!)
However, all my complaints about Gabrielle are undermined (or at least complicated) by a plot twist three-quarters in .
Anyways, fun read, recommended for undiscerning American white males, lovers of action movies or TV shows (why are so many action leads named Jack?), and English students who need to write a feminist essay about a recently published novel. I could do ten pages on this one in my sleep.
April 10, 2025
The Forever Engine é um romance que ousa fundir dois subgêneros amados: viagem no tempo (um elemento clássico de ficção científica) com um universo steampunk vitoriano. Frank Chadwick, conhecido por criar o RPG Space: 1889, reutiliza aqui seu cenário de história alternativa onde o século XIX tem tecnologias muito mais avançadas – pense em dirigíveis gigantes, máquinas movidas a vapor e éter, viagens interplanetárias – tudo com aquela estética retrofuturista de engrenagens e chapéus de cartola. O livro começa em 2018, com o protagonista, Jack Fargo, sendo acidentalmente enviado ao ano de 1888. Porém, não é o 1888 que conhecemos dos livros de história: Jack vai parar em uma realidade paralela onde vários pontos divergiram. Nesta linha do tempo, por exemplo, a Guerra Civil Americana terminou com vitória do Sul (os Estados Confederados existem), o Império Britânico domina céus e espaço graças a um material antigravitacional chamado liftwood (madeira de levantamento) que permite construir naves aéreas e até naves espaciais, e há colônias humanas em Marte. Essa ambientação mistura ficção científica pura (colonização de Marte no século XIX) com o sabor steampunk (tecnologias movidas a vapor e eletricidade rudimentar, autômatos assassinos a corda, etc.). Para coroar, o elemento de viagem no tempo adiciona tempero: Jack é um homem do século XXI, com conhecimentos modernos, preso nessa versão alternativa do passado. O contraste de mentalidades é explorado: Jack tem noções de ciência e história diferentes, e inicialmente fica desnorteado ao ver, por exemplo, assassinos mecânicos a vapor perambulando nos corredores de poder europeus.
Chadwick não economiza na construção de mundo. Para os fãs de steampunk, há deleites em cada capítulo: dirigíveis militares britânicos patrulhando o céu de Londres, todos engrenagens e latão; carruagens automotoras nas ruas; muita fumaça de carvão poluindo o ar. A Londres do livro é literalmente “afogada” em fuligem industrial, dominada por barões do carvão chamados de Iron Lords. Elementos históricos reais são modificados e incorporados – por exemplo, figuras famosas da época dão as caras de forma alterada. Sem dar muitos spoilers, mas quem conhece algo de 1888 logo imagina: será que Jack, ao chegar em Londres 1888, cruza com Jack, o Estripador? O livro brinca com essas expectativas de fãs de história. Além disso, como o enredo envolve uma corrida para impedir um cataclismo temporal, conceitos de física e paradoxo também aparecem. The Forever Engine adota a ideia de universos paralelos: o experimento que transportou Jack aparentemente o levou a uma realidade divergente, então suas ações ali não alteram diretamente a nossa linha do tempo – o que é uma solução esperta para evitar o paradoxo do “volte e mate seu avô”. No entanto, existe um risco maior: um dispositivo chamado Forever Engine (Motor Eterno), possivelmente capaz de destruir as barreiras entre universos e “explodir” realidades. Isso coloca stakes de ficção científica elevadas: não é apenas o destino do Império Britânico ou de 1888 em jogo, mas potencialmente de múltiplos universos, incluindo o de Jack. Assim, embora o cenário seja steampunk, a trama tem implicações cósmicas típicas de sci-fi.
O conceito central envolvendo viagem temporal é que Jack Fargo veio de outra época e realidade, e a presença dele no passado altera o equilíbrio de poder. Seu conhecimento de história “real” às vezes não ajuda, porque essa realidade é diferente – por exemplo, Jack sabe quem venceu certas batalhas ou quem era aliada de quem em 1888, mas descobre que naquele mundo confederados e britânicos se comportam de forma distinta. Isso gera momentos de surpresa e tensão, pois Jack não pode confiar plenamente nos seus livros de história. Em contrapartida, seu conhecimento científico e treinamento militar moderno o tornam um trunfo impressionante. Ele compreende princípios de física que os cientistas de 1888 daquele mundo talvez não dominem e entende de táticas militares modernas e armamentos. Em cenas de ação, vemos Jack improvisar coisas usando “tecnologia inferior” de maneiras criativas. Por exemplo, ele consegue calibrar um maquinário ou planejar um ataque aproveitando sua perspectiva única. O livro toca naquela fantasia divertida: e se um cara moderno, com todo nosso conhecimento, fosse jogado no passado? Jack é meio que a realização disso, e claro ele tira vantagem.
Chadwick também introduz a ideia de infinite universes (infinitos universos) explicitamente. Isso significa que, conceitualmente, há um multiverso e talvez “versões opostas” de cada decisão formem novas realidades. Isso dá um pano de fundo teórico para a viagem no tempo do livro. Inclusive, torna menos necessário se preocupar com paradoxos diretos, já que Jack não está exatamente no seu próprio passado. Ainda assim, o Forever Engine representa um perigo temporal – pelo que entendemos, é um aparelho que um vilão (apelidado de Old Man of the Mountains, uma referência histórica aos velhos da seita dos assassinos) quer usar para manipular o tempo e possivelmente colapsar universos. Assim, a viagem no tempo não é apenas o gatilho inicial, mas parte central do conflito. Há discussões no livro sobre as consequências de se alterar eventos – por exemplo, Jack pondera se deveria tentar corrigir algumas coisas erradas naquele mundo. Esses dilemas conferem um leve aspecto moral: até que ponto ele, um “forasteiro temporal”, tem o direito de interferir? Claro, quando a existência do universo está em jogo, esses dilemas se resolvem pelo imperativo de sobrevivência.
Jack Fargo é o protagonista – descrito como um professor de história militar e ex-oficial das Forças Especiais dos EUA. Ou seja, um erudito-soldado. Isso o faz um personagem bem equipado para a aventura: ele tem tanto cérebro quanto habilidade de combate. Alguns críticos notaram que ele parece um pouco “perfeito demais” em alguns momentos – de fato, Jack muitas vezes tem exatamente a habilidade necessária para se safar: fala diversas línguas, conhece táticas, manja de engenhocas. Mas isso faz parte da premissa: não foi qualquer um que caiu ali, foi o cara certo. Em termos de desenvolvimento, Jack começa a história meio cético e deslocado. Ao longo da trama, ele se apega às pessoas daquele mundo – faz amizades e até encontra um possível romance – o que lhe dá motivações emocionais para lutar, não apenas o desejo de voltar para casa.
O elenco de apoio encaixa-se bem no clima pulp/steampunk: temos o cientista excêntrico – um físico escocês idoso, que esteve envolvido no experimento que puxou Jack no tempo. Ele faz o papel de mentor e fonte de explicações científicas, embora às vezes tangencie como alívio cômico com seu jeitão distraído. Há também um jovem oficial britânico, o tenente Wilkins, que é inicialmente covarde e atrapalhado. Ao longo da aventura, esse tenente terá oportunidade de evoluir e mostrar coragem – é aquele arquétipo do medroso que descobre sua fibra. A terceira companheira de equipe é Claude-Maude (chamada apenas de Claudia no texto?), uma agente francesa (da Comuna Francesa) misteriosa e competentíssima. Ela é uma espiã, com habilidades de luta e de disfarce, e há tensão romântica latente entre ela e Jack – afinal, ela é descrita como bela e enigmática. O grupo improvável (professor soldado deslocado, velhinho cientista, espiã sedutora e tenente medroso) fornece bons diálogos e conflitos internos. Aos poucos, formam uma unidade coesa, confiando uns nos outros durante as missões.
The Forever Engine entrega o que promete – uma aventura steampunk cheia de ação e ideias sci-fi, sem muita pretensão além de divertir. Para quem gosta de universos alternativos, o cenário é um prato cheio, bem detalhado e consistente nas suas regras. No final, o romance entrega um clímax grandioso – envolvendo a ameaça do Forever Engine ser ativado e a corrida contra o tempo para impedi-lo. É como se pegássemos um filme de aventura e o colocássemos no papel, com direito a cenas dignas de tela grande: duelos em cima de dirigíveis, perseguições em ruas vitorianas enfumaçadas, laboratórios secretos e até um vislumbre de Marte colonizada. Para leitores que apreciam tanto um raiar de engrenagens quanto um quantum de física, The Forever Engine oferece um passeio empolgante.
Chadwick não economiza na construção de mundo. Para os fãs de steampunk, há deleites em cada capítulo: dirigíveis militares britânicos patrulhando o céu de Londres, todos engrenagens e latão; carruagens automotoras nas ruas; muita fumaça de carvão poluindo o ar. A Londres do livro é literalmente “afogada” em fuligem industrial, dominada por barões do carvão chamados de Iron Lords. Elementos históricos reais são modificados e incorporados – por exemplo, figuras famosas da época dão as caras de forma alterada. Sem dar muitos spoilers, mas quem conhece algo de 1888 logo imagina: será que Jack, ao chegar em Londres 1888, cruza com Jack, o Estripador? O livro brinca com essas expectativas de fãs de história. Além disso, como o enredo envolve uma corrida para impedir um cataclismo temporal, conceitos de física e paradoxo também aparecem. The Forever Engine adota a ideia de universos paralelos: o experimento que transportou Jack aparentemente o levou a uma realidade divergente, então suas ações ali não alteram diretamente a nossa linha do tempo – o que é uma solução esperta para evitar o paradoxo do “volte e mate seu avô”. No entanto, existe um risco maior: um dispositivo chamado Forever Engine (Motor Eterno), possivelmente capaz de destruir as barreiras entre universos e “explodir” realidades. Isso coloca stakes de ficção científica elevadas: não é apenas o destino do Império Britânico ou de 1888 em jogo, mas potencialmente de múltiplos universos, incluindo o de Jack. Assim, embora o cenário seja steampunk, a trama tem implicações cósmicas típicas de sci-fi.
O conceito central envolvendo viagem temporal é que Jack Fargo veio de outra época e realidade, e a presença dele no passado altera o equilíbrio de poder. Seu conhecimento de história “real” às vezes não ajuda, porque essa realidade é diferente – por exemplo, Jack sabe quem venceu certas batalhas ou quem era aliada de quem em 1888, mas descobre que naquele mundo confederados e britânicos se comportam de forma distinta. Isso gera momentos de surpresa e tensão, pois Jack não pode confiar plenamente nos seus livros de história. Em contrapartida, seu conhecimento científico e treinamento militar moderno o tornam um trunfo impressionante. Ele compreende princípios de física que os cientistas de 1888 daquele mundo talvez não dominem e entende de táticas militares modernas e armamentos. Em cenas de ação, vemos Jack improvisar coisas usando “tecnologia inferior” de maneiras criativas. Por exemplo, ele consegue calibrar um maquinário ou planejar um ataque aproveitando sua perspectiva única. O livro toca naquela fantasia divertida: e se um cara moderno, com todo nosso conhecimento, fosse jogado no passado? Jack é meio que a realização disso, e claro ele tira vantagem.
Chadwick também introduz a ideia de infinite universes (infinitos universos) explicitamente. Isso significa que, conceitualmente, há um multiverso e talvez “versões opostas” de cada decisão formem novas realidades. Isso dá um pano de fundo teórico para a viagem no tempo do livro. Inclusive, torna menos necessário se preocupar com paradoxos diretos, já que Jack não está exatamente no seu próprio passado. Ainda assim, o Forever Engine representa um perigo temporal – pelo que entendemos, é um aparelho que um vilão (apelidado de Old Man of the Mountains, uma referência histórica aos velhos da seita dos assassinos) quer usar para manipular o tempo e possivelmente colapsar universos. Assim, a viagem no tempo não é apenas o gatilho inicial, mas parte central do conflito. Há discussões no livro sobre as consequências de se alterar eventos – por exemplo, Jack pondera se deveria tentar corrigir algumas coisas erradas naquele mundo. Esses dilemas conferem um leve aspecto moral: até que ponto ele, um “forasteiro temporal”, tem o direito de interferir? Claro, quando a existência do universo está em jogo, esses dilemas se resolvem pelo imperativo de sobrevivência.
Jack Fargo é o protagonista – descrito como um professor de história militar e ex-oficial das Forças Especiais dos EUA. Ou seja, um erudito-soldado. Isso o faz um personagem bem equipado para a aventura: ele tem tanto cérebro quanto habilidade de combate. Alguns críticos notaram que ele parece um pouco “perfeito demais” em alguns momentos – de fato, Jack muitas vezes tem exatamente a habilidade necessária para se safar: fala diversas línguas, conhece táticas, manja de engenhocas. Mas isso faz parte da premissa: não foi qualquer um que caiu ali, foi o cara certo. Em termos de desenvolvimento, Jack começa a história meio cético e deslocado. Ao longo da trama, ele se apega às pessoas daquele mundo – faz amizades e até encontra um possível romance – o que lhe dá motivações emocionais para lutar, não apenas o desejo de voltar para casa.
O elenco de apoio encaixa-se bem no clima pulp/steampunk: temos o cientista excêntrico – um físico escocês idoso, que esteve envolvido no experimento que puxou Jack no tempo. Ele faz o papel de mentor e fonte de explicações científicas, embora às vezes tangencie como alívio cômico com seu jeitão distraído. Há também um jovem oficial britânico, o tenente Wilkins, que é inicialmente covarde e atrapalhado. Ao longo da aventura, esse tenente terá oportunidade de evoluir e mostrar coragem – é aquele arquétipo do medroso que descobre sua fibra. A terceira companheira de equipe é Claude-Maude (chamada apenas de Claudia no texto?), uma agente francesa (da Comuna Francesa) misteriosa e competentíssima. Ela é uma espiã, com habilidades de luta e de disfarce, e há tensão romântica latente entre ela e Jack – afinal, ela é descrita como bela e enigmática. O grupo improvável (professor soldado deslocado, velhinho cientista, espiã sedutora e tenente medroso) fornece bons diálogos e conflitos internos. Aos poucos, formam uma unidade coesa, confiando uns nos outros durante as missões.
The Forever Engine entrega o que promete – uma aventura steampunk cheia de ação e ideias sci-fi, sem muita pretensão além de divertir. Para quem gosta de universos alternativos, o cenário é um prato cheio, bem detalhado e consistente nas suas regras. No final, o romance entrega um clímax grandioso – envolvendo a ameaça do Forever Engine ser ativado e a corrida contra o tempo para impedi-lo. É como se pegássemos um filme de aventura e o colocássemos no papel, com direito a cenas dignas de tela grande: duelos em cima de dirigíveis, perseguições em ruas vitorianas enfumaçadas, laboratórios secretos e até um vislumbre de Marte colonizada. Para leitores que apreciam tanto um raiar de engrenagens quanto um quantum de física, The Forever Engine oferece um passeio empolgante.
January 12, 2014
The Forever Engine is an alternate universe Victorian England steampunk with an interesting premise and many ideas. But the first person perspective ended up falling a bit flat and a deus ex machina plot line stretched credibility. In the end, the author becomes so engrossed with all his carefully researched details that the main character pretty much became a walking textbook with no personality and a solution for any problem.
Jack Fargo is a university ancient history professor called upon to authenticate a Roman coin of mysterious origin. In the process, he ends up thrust into the past of a fantastical nature: turn of the century England where Mars has been colonized, steamships rule the airways, and famous persons of the era have completely different agendas. As Fargo gets caught up in the new world's politics, he will have to fight to save that world - all the while trying to get back to his daughter in his own time.
Right off the bat, we have a main character who time travels and is named Fargo (get it?), who specializes in ancient history but spends most of the book either using his Kendo techniques, discussing high end physics, being knowledgeable about all kinds of English politicians and world personages, holding discussions about era militia and military arsenal and equipment, and speaking some 15 languages (all of which come in handy at various points in the story). His background? He was a soldier in Afghanistan and is a teacher of history. Throw in a sexy Frenchwoman foil and an uptight and inept rival Fargo can ridicule often and it was all a bit much.
But we are also subjected to tedious discussions of minutiae - from specific ordnances recognized from afar to Bavarian politics and politicians. If the Victorian era people need an answer - Fargo's got it, in detail, and we will have to read it.
I appreciate the work the author spent into the era. But at the same time, I really don't want to read about every single piece of it. I wish the author had been more circumspect about the research or at least not made his main character so knowledgeable and perfect that it strained credibility far too much. That, or an editor had reined him in a bit so we get a story and not a dissertation.
In all, I give this three stars because I'm sure there are many who wouldn't mind trolling through an alternate universe Victorialand. But for me, I'm looking for characters I can relate to who actually don't have built-in solutions to every problem. The story was so passively told that the main character was much more a construct than the robotic clockwork assassins he has to fight.
Received as an ARC from the publisher.
Jack Fargo is a university ancient history professor called upon to authenticate a Roman coin of mysterious origin. In the process, he ends up thrust into the past of a fantastical nature: turn of the century England where Mars has been colonized, steamships rule the airways, and famous persons of the era have completely different agendas. As Fargo gets caught up in the new world's politics, he will have to fight to save that world - all the while trying to get back to his daughter in his own time.
Right off the bat, we have a main character who time travels and is named Fargo (get it?), who specializes in ancient history but spends most of the book either using his Kendo techniques, discussing high end physics, being knowledgeable about all kinds of English politicians and world personages, holding discussions about era militia and military arsenal and equipment, and speaking some 15 languages (all of which come in handy at various points in the story). His background? He was a soldier in Afghanistan and is a teacher of history. Throw in a sexy Frenchwoman foil and an uptight and inept rival Fargo can ridicule often and it was all a bit much.
But we are also subjected to tedious discussions of minutiae - from specific ordnances recognized from afar to Bavarian politics and politicians. If the Victorian era people need an answer - Fargo's got it, in detail, and we will have to read it.
I appreciate the work the author spent into the era. But at the same time, I really don't want to read about every single piece of it. I wish the author had been more circumspect about the research or at least not made his main character so knowledgeable and perfect that it strained credibility far too much. That, or an editor had reined him in a bit so we get a story and not a dissertation.
In all, I give this three stars because I'm sure there are many who wouldn't mind trolling through an alternate universe Victorialand. But for me, I'm looking for characters I can relate to who actually don't have built-in solutions to every problem. The story was so passively told that the main character was much more a construct than the robotic clockwork assassins he has to fight.
Received as an ARC from the publisher.
May 22, 2015
I remember the old Space:1889 advertisements in Dragon Magazine, in times of yore. The clean lines of the David Deitrick art teased a story and setting--"steampunk"--whose words I didn't even know. It combined a sort of Barsoomian adventure with colonialism and imperialism in an intriguing mix that I've never quite gotten over.
Never bought the game. Always regretted that there wasn't a fiction series to go with it.
This book isn't framed as part of Space:1889, though it imports most or all of the setting and ideas. Meant to be sort of a prequel, I guess. Unfortunately, the more intriguing "flying ironclad ships on Mars" elements are barely mentioned.
It recalls the Oswald Bastable adventures, or Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen, where a man from our world inadvertently falls into an alternate history. The Lord Kalvan connection is strong: Jack Fargo is uniquely skilled to meet this world's problems. His competence seemingly balloons during the events of the story, starting as wisecracking smart guy and historian, to all-round asskicker.
This is in tune with an intriguing theme. A more 'advanced' history--presumably our own near future--has more than a purely technological leg up on this 1888. Fargo is a product of modern military training, especially tactics, stress response, and combat psychology. It may be wish-fulfilment to say that a soldier with this background would make mincemeat of roomfuls of Victorian-era thugs, but the way that Chadwick applies this knowledge makes me want to believe it, and cheer as Fargo steps out of his opponents' combat stress tunnel vision and proceeds to mop the floor with them.
Chadwick, in fact, writes with a technical edge that I haven't seen in the 'steampunk' area. A discussion of momentum transfer in theoretical particle physics in regards to this world's "liftwood" airships--boring at the time--pays off in spades when revealing the meaning behind the title and the threat being posed.
Never bought the game. Always regretted that there wasn't a fiction series to go with it.
This book isn't framed as part of Space:1889, though it imports most or all of the setting and ideas. Meant to be sort of a prequel, I guess. Unfortunately, the more intriguing "flying ironclad ships on Mars" elements are barely mentioned.
It recalls the Oswald Bastable adventures, or Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen, where a man from our world inadvertently falls into an alternate history. The Lord Kalvan connection is strong: Jack Fargo is uniquely skilled to meet this world's problems. His competence seemingly balloons during the events of the story, starting as wisecracking smart guy and historian, to all-round asskicker.
This is in tune with an intriguing theme. A more 'advanced' history--presumably our own near future--has more than a purely technological leg up on this 1888. Fargo is a product of modern military training, especially tactics, stress response, and combat psychology. It may be wish-fulfilment to say that a soldier with this background would make mincemeat of roomfuls of Victorian-era thugs, but the way that Chadwick applies this knowledge makes me want to believe it, and cheer as Fargo steps out of his opponents' combat stress tunnel vision and proceeds to mop the floor with them.
Chadwick, in fact, writes with a technical edge that I haven't seen in the 'steampunk' area. A discussion of momentum transfer in theoretical particle physics in regards to this world's "liftwood" airships--boring at the time--pays off in spades when revealing the meaning behind the title and the threat being posed.
December 17, 2013
Forever Engine is a steampunk adventure to an alternate dimension. Stranded in an another reality, American Jack Fargo fights to survive, struggles with unfamiliar politics and return to his daughter. The story is gritty and raw and the lines between friend and foe blur. Sometimes the actions were over described, slowing the stories pace but over all I found Forever Engine a wonderfully dark romp into a fabulously undiscovered steampumk world.
I received an ARC copy of The Forever Engine from Baen Books in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication January 7, 2014.
Written by: Frank Chadwick
Page Count: 352 pages
Publisher: Baen
PUublication Date: January 7, 2014
ISBN-10: 1451639406
ISBN-13: 978-1451639407
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Steampunk, Science Fiction
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
I received an ARC copy of The Forever Engine from Baen Books in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication January 7, 2014.
Written by: Frank Chadwick
Page Count: 352 pages
Publisher: Baen
PUublication Date: January 7, 2014
ISBN-10: 1451639406
ISBN-13: 978-1451639407
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Steampunk, Science Fiction
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
December 16, 2013
Ideal for science (or SF) geeks who are into alternative history/time travel plots and who like realistic characters, with hidden depths (or shallows), flaws, heroic aspects and just plain normalcy. Each character has a past, a different way of speaking and thinking, and a different outlook. The main character reminds me a little of Harry Dresden (but only a little), probably because of his sense of humor. (I'm sure there's a properly descriptive phrase for that, but I can't think of it right now.)
This was the first book I'd read by Frank Chadwick, but I'm going to look for more now! I liked the little explanatory note at the end, explaining what was real and what was changed for the book.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was the first book I'd read by Frank Chadwick, but I'm going to look for more now! I liked the little explanatory note at the end, explaining what was real and what was changed for the book.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2013
Frank Chadwick took the Space: 1889 universe he helped create for Game Designers Workshop years a go, imported Jack Fargo, a soldier turned academic from our world, via an accident at a experimental military installation. Jack Fargo had to figure out where he was, when he was and try to return to his own time and place. In the attempt he faces off against an unexpected mad scientist, meets a girl and finally gets a place where he seems to fit. Waiting to see if there will be more adventures staring Jack and Gabrielle.
September 3, 2022
Time-travel is always a tricky thing, and sometimes the use of an alternate reality (or alternate history) can do as much to accentuate the problems as it can to provide a safe path for the story to take. What I mean is that it is often relied upon as a crutch or an easy-out, bypassing all the paradoxical complexities. Where it works best - and that is where The Forever Engine finds itself - is when the crutch is turned on itself, using time travel as the excuse to explore the alternate reality.
Frank Chadwick is a name that may be familiar to some readers, and probably more gamers. He was one of the originators of the modern steampunk genre with Space 1889, and this novel is his opportunity to play out the world he helped to create.
Jack Fargo, our hero, is a modern-day history professor, called back by the Army to assist with a top-secret science experiment. An accident in London catapults him back in time to 1888 . . . but not to our 1888. Here, the South won the Civil War, steam-powered airships fill the skies, man has already been to space, and there are dinosaur remnants walking the Earth. Trapped in a history he's unprepared for, with political alliances he can't really trust, Jack finds himself forced to work as hard at picking friends from foes as at trying to find his way home.
The characters here were a bit thin for my liking, and the narrative itself could have benefited from a little more description, but it was still an enjoyable read. It's a large-scale, steampunk adventure tale, complete with witty banter and sarcastic asides that help provide a bit of an edge. There are no real surprises here, and little in the way of actual suspense, but Jack's triumphs and escapes are no less enjoyable for being predictable or convenient. There is some legitimate attempt to drive home Jack's divided loyalties, having become invested in the cause, but still desperately missing his daughter back in the present, and I think that conflict is what kicked his character up a notch.
It's not the strongest steampunk tale I've read this year, but The Forever Engine was enjoyable enough to keep me reading late into the night. It's kind of like a glossy b-grade adventure movie with a big budget - you know the flaws are there, but you're having enough fun to overlook them.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Frank Chadwick is a name that may be familiar to some readers, and probably more gamers. He was one of the originators of the modern steampunk genre with Space 1889, and this novel is his opportunity to play out the world he helped to create.
Jack Fargo, our hero, is a modern-day history professor, called back by the Army to assist with a top-secret science experiment. An accident in London catapults him back in time to 1888 . . . but not to our 1888. Here, the South won the Civil War, steam-powered airships fill the skies, man has already been to space, and there are dinosaur remnants walking the Earth. Trapped in a history he's unprepared for, with political alliances he can't really trust, Jack finds himself forced to work as hard at picking friends from foes as at trying to find his way home.
The characters here were a bit thin for my liking, and the narrative itself could have benefited from a little more description, but it was still an enjoyable read. It's a large-scale, steampunk adventure tale, complete with witty banter and sarcastic asides that help provide a bit of an edge. There are no real surprises here, and little in the way of actual suspense, but Jack's triumphs and escapes are no less enjoyable for being predictable or convenient. There is some legitimate attempt to drive home Jack's divided loyalties, having become invested in the cause, but still desperately missing his daughter back in the present, and I think that conflict is what kicked his character up a notch.
It's not the strongest steampunk tale I've read this year, but The Forever Engine was enjoyable enough to keep me reading late into the night. It's kind of like a glossy b-grade adventure movie with a big budget - you know the flaws are there, but you're having enough fun to overlook them.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
August 28, 2022
Chadwick, Frank. The Forever Engine. Baen, 2013.
Frank Chadwick is best known as a game designer, especially for Space 1889. The Forever Engine is a novel set in that universe but not, as far as I know, based on a particular game script. It is steampunk without magic but with some convenient exceptions to the normal laws of physics. Protagonist Jack Fargo is an ex-U. S. special forces soldier from 2018, who now teaches ancient history. An old buddy calls on him to examine an unusual Roman coin, ostensibly found at a high-tech weapons research facility. He discovers that the coin does not match our history. An explosion at the site propels him into a version of 1888 England where there is already a colony on Mars and dirigibles use an antigravity material called “liftwood.” British intelligence sends him with a small team to thwart a high-tech weapon being developed by an unstable genius in the mountains of Serbia. Characters are more nuanced than are usual in the genre, and the steampunk plot is plausible if one accepts its premises. 4 stars.
Frank Chadwick is best known as a game designer, especially for Space 1889. The Forever Engine is a novel set in that universe but not, as far as I know, based on a particular game script. It is steampunk without magic but with some convenient exceptions to the normal laws of physics. Protagonist Jack Fargo is an ex-U. S. special forces soldier from 2018, who now teaches ancient history. An old buddy calls on him to examine an unusual Roman coin, ostensibly found at a high-tech weapons research facility. He discovers that the coin does not match our history. An explosion at the site propels him into a version of 1888 England where there is already a colony on Mars and dirigibles use an antigravity material called “liftwood.” British intelligence sends him with a small team to thwart a high-tech weapon being developed by an unstable genius in the mountains of Serbia. Characters are more nuanced than are usual in the genre, and the steampunk plot is plausible if one accepts its premises. 4 stars.
September 11, 2024
This was a lot different than I expected it to be. It came off as more of a James Bondish/military fiction/pulp adventure story. It also was much more hard sci-fi than I expected. The main character is pretty much a Mary Sue. He speaks a bunch of languages, is great at armed combat, a history expert, an expert about all things military, an expert on advanced science topics, great with women, etc... in every situation he immediately deduced what was happening and had a solution.
That said, it was still pretty fun, just got kind of annoying sometimes.
That said, it was still pretty fun, just got kind of annoying sometimes.
January 13, 2025
So this is my first steam punk book. Yet I either made a bad choice or it's not for me.
The story line was simple enough to follow but there was nothing to really grip me. All the characters were pretty simple for the most part and I usually end up with a favourite that I look forward to hearing from. But here it's was just a steady flowing story with little to ponder.
I pushed through the book to see if anything would ignite within me, but sadly not.
All in all it's an easy read and an enjoyable enough story. But just not for all.
The story line was simple enough to follow but there was nothing to really grip me. All the characters were pretty simple for the most part and I usually end up with a favourite that I look forward to hearing from. But here it's was just a steady flowing story with little to ponder.
I pushed through the book to see if anything would ignite within me, but sadly not.
All in all it's an easy read and an enjoyable enough story. But just not for all.
November 25, 2017
Excellent steampunk novel! Fits so very well with his Space 1889 game world. Wish he’d do a follow up. The only downside I found was in the villain, who I thought was ill chosen and obvious... still, highly recommended.
April 28, 2020
It's not a bad book, but it lacks something..
October 4, 2020
The level of detail transported me. That was awesome.
August 30, 2022
Great book! I can't say enough good things about it. I've finally found a new author to read. Steam punk, time travel and enough technical/military plus humor. Very satisfying read. I want more!
Read
January 23, 2024The premise sounded really interesting, but the story itself did not catch my interest. No idea why.
DNF'd at the end of Chapter 2.
DNF'd at the end of Chapter 2.
December 14, 2024
Ok. I like the games he wrote better.
October 5, 2015
I liked this book. I've read snippets of his two sci-fi novels (and hope to read both), and when my wife brought this home from the library, I was excited. For sure, this is a steampunk book by one of the princes of steampunk. The story started out with a lot of action, slowly revealing the back story. I was thinking about making a list of the questions I had, but about 30 pages in, the main character had the same questions that I did, and Chadwick kindly listed them for me! Thanks for hanging a lantern on it, that's exactly the list of things I was wondering.
I don't get bothered when the hero is "over-powered." It just tells you what kind of a book it is. I liked the hero and the girl and some of the supporting cast. The action moved right along, and I was worried about what might happen to the players and their families.
This seems like a book with a wide-open palette for painting more cool stories. I'll read them.
So why did I give it three stars? Well, that would spoil the story.
I like the world they built. I think that listing the things I'd like to see in future stories would also spoil this story, but suffice it to say that my interest is high.
I don't get bothered when the hero is "over-powered." It just tells you what kind of a book it is. I liked the hero and the girl and some of the supporting cast. The action moved right along, and I was worried about what might happen to the players and their families.
This seems like a book with a wide-open palette for painting more cool stories. I'll read them.
So why did I give it three stars? Well, that would spoil the story.
I like the world they built. I think that listing the things I'd like to see in future stories would also spoil this story, but suffice it to say that my interest is high.
January 8, 2015
I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, it was a fun, light read, and was one of the stronger, less-obnoxiously overt books in the Steampunk genre. I have some issues with Steampunk in general in that there seems to be a kind of ridiculously pervasive feel of "weirdtech for the sake of weirdtech" through most steampunk genre novels. There was not so much of that here; rather this book felt more like a historical fiction piece with a happenstance connection to steampunk tech and concepts, which was somewhat refreshing. The author certainly did their historical homework, as well as geographically, including references and locational scenes that led me to believe that the author had visited these places, such was their detail.
The one sticking point I had seemed to be that this book had a bit of an identity crisis. It felt wholeheartedly as though the author was writing for a YA audience, with a style and idiom that seemed aimed entirely at the teen/late teen crowd. Perhaps it's a generational thing, but I don't remember my YA books having quite so many vulgarities tossed into their chapters.
Additionally, on the stylistic front, I felt that there was an odd feeling of nonchalance in the writing. During action scenes, I didn't get a lot of a sense of actual action, so to speak, as while the writing wasn't dry overall, it lacked a certain oomph that other books' fight scenes and battles seemed to have. Everything seemed to happen almost as if it were preordained in the protagonist's mind, and there was little sense of impending failure, even when things seemed like the author was trying to portray them as the "bleakest moment" of the book.
Overall, not a horrible book, and definitely entertaining in parts, but not one that entirely captivated me and made me want to just keep reading. I will probably check out some of the other books in this series just to see if my issues with the book stemmed from "Debut Novel" jitters, or if they span the entire series.
The one sticking point I had seemed to be that this book had a bit of an identity crisis. It felt wholeheartedly as though the author was writing for a YA audience, with a style and idiom that seemed aimed entirely at the teen/late teen crowd. Perhaps it's a generational thing, but I don't remember my YA books having quite so many vulgarities tossed into their chapters.
Additionally, on the stylistic front, I felt that there was an odd feeling of nonchalance in the writing. During action scenes, I didn't get a lot of a sense of actual action, so to speak, as while the writing wasn't dry overall, it lacked a certain oomph that other books' fight scenes and battles seemed to have. Everything seemed to happen almost as if it were preordained in the protagonist's mind, and there was little sense of impending failure, even when things seemed like the author was trying to portray them as the "bleakest moment" of the book.
Overall, not a horrible book, and definitely entertaining in parts, but not one that entirely captivated me and made me want to just keep reading. I will probably check out some of the other books in this series just to see if my issues with the book stemmed from "Debut Novel" jitters, or if they span the entire series.
September 6, 2014
The Forever Engine by Frank Chadwick is an alternate history, steampunk, fantasy novel influenced by the Space: 1889 role playing game which the author co-created. The novel will be released on January 7th and is published through Baen Books. I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest review through netgalley.
Jack Fargo is the first person narrator of the story, and the book opens with him being called in to consult on a secret science experiment being conducted in England. Jack lives in modern times, and is a former United States Army translator turned history professor, a strange skill set which proves highly useful throughout his adventure. Upon arriving at the English facility, an accident occurs sending Jack hurtling back through time to the year 1888. The version of the past the main character finds himself in is different than our own. Jack must pick his allies carefully as he embarks on a quest to find a way back to his own time.
Overall, I rather liked this book. I was expecting an action-adventure steampunk book with airships, explosions, and intrigue and that’s what I got. There’s even a dash of sarcasm and snark thrown in. The writing is tight, if a little sparse, and the action scenes in particular are well executed. The characters were interesting and believable, and I thought Jack’s reaction at being sent back in time over a hundred years was realistic.
I did feel like the situations and encounters presented in the book resolved themselves in a way which was a little too pat-and-perfect. Jack’s seemingly random skill set (random in the I acquired these skills over a lifetime kind of way) was almost ideal for the task at hand, which I also found a little odd. To me, these elements felt like an unfortunate carry-over from the story’s RPG roots.
A strong effort for a first time novelist, I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for an alternate history steampunk read or an action-adventure story.
Jack Fargo is the first person narrator of the story, and the book opens with him being called in to consult on a secret science experiment being conducted in England. Jack lives in modern times, and is a former United States Army translator turned history professor, a strange skill set which proves highly useful throughout his adventure. Upon arriving at the English facility, an accident occurs sending Jack hurtling back through time to the year 1888. The version of the past the main character finds himself in is different than our own. Jack must pick his allies carefully as he embarks on a quest to find a way back to his own time.
Overall, I rather liked this book. I was expecting an action-adventure steampunk book with airships, explosions, and intrigue and that’s what I got. There’s even a dash of sarcasm and snark thrown in. The writing is tight, if a little sparse, and the action scenes in particular are well executed. The characters were interesting and believable, and I thought Jack’s reaction at being sent back in time over a hundred years was realistic.
I did feel like the situations and encounters presented in the book resolved themselves in a way which was a little too pat-and-perfect. Jack’s seemingly random skill set (random in the I acquired these skills over a lifetime kind of way) was almost ideal for the task at hand, which I also found a little odd. To me, these elements felt like an unfortunate carry-over from the story’s RPG roots.
A strong effort for a first time novelist, I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for an alternate history steampunk read or an action-adventure story.
January 7, 2014
Didn't miss a beat!
England in the future, the year 2018.
It all started with a coin, sort of.
Not just any old coin mind you but a Roman counterfeit coin. Maybe!
Jack Fargo, an American History Professor, and an ex Afghanistan War combatant is called to the United Kingdom to help investigate what is happening. He is a man with a talent, 'an ability to connect the dots.'
Unfortunately a gigantic explosion of some sort occurs, a temporal-effect wave, and Jack is is flung back to an alternate past of 1888, right into that 'Indiana Jones type' [exploit]. (Jack's word here was somewhat stronger). Flying machines are ironclads and dirigibles. Mars has been visited since the 18770's and is a source of the material liftwood that assists with flight.
Names like Baron Renfrew, Edison and Tesla pop up amongst others.
We have a mysterious attractive spy for the French Commune, Gabrielle Courbiere, who is so focused on things that she doesn't even acknowledge what to anyone else would be a set down. This takes the wind out of the sail of her would be taunters very effectively. Her interaction with others at times is quite amusing.
Jack's quest is to find a way to return to his own time and his daughter Sarah. His search will take him through France, to Bavaria, Serbia and beyond with a group of different yet interesting characters.
An excellent understanding of both the history and politics of our times and of those of the past in order to make the connections and alternate happenings believable is crucial. All kudos to Chadwick. He has demonstrated that ability in spades.
The What If's certainly open up a wonderful panorama of nuanced possibilities.
A cleverly written steampunk novel, that is at times tragic, at others humorous, but mostly a jolly good read that kept me up longer than I should have been.
A NetGalley ARC
England in the future, the year 2018.
It all started with a coin, sort of.
Not just any old coin mind you but a Roman counterfeit coin. Maybe!
Jack Fargo, an American History Professor, and an ex Afghanistan War combatant is called to the United Kingdom to help investigate what is happening. He is a man with a talent, 'an ability to connect the dots.'
Unfortunately a gigantic explosion of some sort occurs, a temporal-effect wave, and Jack is is flung back to an alternate past of 1888, right into that 'Indiana Jones type' [exploit]. (Jack's word here was somewhat stronger). Flying machines are ironclads and dirigibles. Mars has been visited since the 18770's and is a source of the material liftwood that assists with flight.
Names like Baron Renfrew, Edison and Tesla pop up amongst others.
We have a mysterious attractive spy for the French Commune, Gabrielle Courbiere, who is so focused on things that she doesn't even acknowledge what to anyone else would be a set down. This takes the wind out of the sail of her would be taunters very effectively. Her interaction with others at times is quite amusing.
Jack's quest is to find a way to return to his own time and his daughter Sarah. His search will take him through France, to Bavaria, Serbia and beyond with a group of different yet interesting characters.
An excellent understanding of both the history and politics of our times and of those of the past in order to make the connections and alternate happenings believable is crucial. All kudos to Chadwick. He has demonstrated that ability in spades.
The What If's certainly open up a wonderful panorama of nuanced possibilities.
A cleverly written steampunk novel, that is at times tragic, at others humorous, but mostly a jolly good read that kept me up longer than I should have been.
A NetGalley ARC
January 20, 2014
What to say about this book... I had a hard time reading this. Unfortunately, since I was not aware that the author was the same Frank Chadwick that in 1989 wrote the game Space: 1889, I went into this book not knowing it's reputation. The story follows Jack Fargo after an explosion of a time machine type technology explodes and sends him into alternate history Victorian London. The details of historical figures and weaponry are fantastic. So fantastic, that I was bored learning about Webleys and Winchesters and other details of machinery and weaponry. I wanted to like this Steampunk Time Travel novel, I really did. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a HUGE fan of time travel stories. With all of the details in this book, I think the author overlooked one important thing...emotion. Dialogue in the book is told in such a way that this might've been successful as a screenplay, to let the various actors determine the emphasis and emotion told in the delivery of the lines. Jack Fargo wants to get back to the present to get back to his daughter Sarah, since he is her only parent now. Other than Jack practically saying he needs to get back, no emotion is shown in the book to demonstrate he really DOES want to get back. The alternative historical figures are so much more well rounded than the protagonist. Tesla seems very real, but Jack and Gabrielle the French spy who has Asperger's Syndrome (WHY??!!??)do not. It was very hard to get up the energy to read through this book. Not knowing Frank Chadwick's prior work, by reading the book I could gather he knew a ton about military systems and weapons and history. I wanted this book to work, I really did. Unfortunately, unless you're a diehard fan of Space: 1889 or a Steampunk fan who loves to read facts instead of feelings, I think you should give this book a pass.
March 27, 2014
I highly enjoyed this novel, which felt like a combination of scientific romp and espionage adventure.
Jack Fargo is a modern-day ex-soldier, seeking the simple life of a scholar in an effort to overcome the trauma of the battlefield and the tragic death of his wife. Alas, it all changes for him when a fluke explosion of a new, experimental weapon, blows him back in time, to London, 1888. Fargo is quick to adapt and think on his feet, but all he really wants is to return to his own time and his daughter, Sarah. Alas, events conspire against him and he is flung on an adventure carrying him across Europe and into the mountains, seeking the only man that might be able to help him - but is more likely to bring further pain and heartbreak.
This is a jolly fine read - Chadwick clearly knows his stuff (a fact confirmed by his past work with Traveller and Space 1889). The science might be slightly implausible, but Chadwick explains it convincingly well, and in the exact amount of depth that it needs to be explained. Never once, throughout this entire novel, did I feel my interest waning.
Not only does he have the plotting tight and coherent, but he also develops excellent characterisation. From the brave, quick-thinking protagonist/narrator; to the somewhat unlikeable, cowardly Gordon and the potential love interest, French woman Gabrielle, who has some interesting quirks and a secret of her own. Even the minor players are well thought out.
Overall, this is a really good book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope to see more of Fargo and this alternate-1888 in the future.
Ebook provided via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
Jack Fargo is a modern-day ex-soldier, seeking the simple life of a scholar in an effort to overcome the trauma of the battlefield and the tragic death of his wife. Alas, it all changes for him when a fluke explosion of a new, experimental weapon, blows him back in time, to London, 1888. Fargo is quick to adapt and think on his feet, but all he really wants is to return to his own time and his daughter, Sarah. Alas, events conspire against him and he is flung on an adventure carrying him across Europe and into the mountains, seeking the only man that might be able to help him - but is more likely to bring further pain and heartbreak.
This is a jolly fine read - Chadwick clearly knows his stuff (a fact confirmed by his past work with Traveller and Space 1889). The science might be slightly implausible, but Chadwick explains it convincingly well, and in the exact amount of depth that it needs to be explained. Never once, throughout this entire novel, did I feel my interest waning.
Not only does he have the plotting tight and coherent, but he also develops excellent characterisation. From the brave, quick-thinking protagonist/narrator; to the somewhat unlikeable, cowardly Gordon and the potential love interest, French woman Gabrielle, who has some interesting quirks and a secret of her own. Even the minor players are well thought out.
Overall, this is a really good book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope to see more of Fargo and this alternate-1888 in the future.
Ebook provided via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
April 1, 2016
Frank Chadwick is best known of as a game designer. However, he also writes novels – and does it very well indeed. He seems to like mixing genres. His first book How Dark the World Becomes melds science fiction with noir crime. (My review) The Forever Engine takes a different tack. It feels to me like H. Beam Piper's Paratime world mated with 19th century steampunk and had a very precocious offspring.
The main protagonist, Jack Fargo, is a polymath. He is a linguist, a professor of ancient history at a prestigious university, and he also has a good knowledge of science. But, no simple scholar, prior to a life-altering tragedy he was a special forces officer operating in Afghanistan. In The Forever Engine he needs all his skills when he teams up with a British professor, a special agent of the crown, and a beautiful French spy to save the world from doom.
This is a good, fast-paced story with lots of action and surprises along the way. Good book, recommended.
The main protagonist, Jack Fargo, is a polymath. He is a linguist, a professor of ancient history at a prestigious university, and he also has a good knowledge of science. But, no simple scholar, prior to a life-altering tragedy he was a special forces officer operating in Afghanistan. In The Forever Engine he needs all his skills when he teams up with a British professor, a special agent of the crown, and a beautiful French spy to save the world from doom.
This is a good, fast-paced story with lots of action and surprises along the way. Good book, recommended.
November 26, 2013
Many of us dream of being taken back to a different era, but we often don't take into account the realities of leaving our comfortable modern lives behind. Jack Fargo is accidentally thrown back to the 1800s, but not the one he knows. In the alternate universe he has landed in the South has won the Civil War, space travel has already been perfected and great flying machines seem to dominate the skyline.
This is a fantastical read because of how real the main character seems. Fargo is a survivor. He's constantly trying to make sense of the universe he has been left in and often uses his knowledge of history and military technique to his advantage. He sticks to his mission, to return home, but as the journey to reunite him with a working time-machine (aka The Forever Engine) progresses he must decided between returning to his established life or staying to fight against the forces of evil he encounters in his location.
There is a lot of fighting, velociraptors running rampant and even appearances by Tesla, the strange scientist who may lay at the heart of so many unsolved mysteries.
This is a fantastical read because of how real the main character seems. Fargo is a survivor. He's constantly trying to make sense of the universe he has been left in and often uses his knowledge of history and military technique to his advantage. He sticks to his mission, to return home, but as the journey to reunite him with a working time-machine (aka The Forever Engine) progresses he must decided between returning to his established life or staying to fight against the forces of evil he encounters in his location.
There is a lot of fighting, velociraptors running rampant and even appearances by Tesla, the strange scientist who may lay at the heart of so many unsolved mysteries.
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