Description

VOLUME I COMPLETE!

Steam and science are conquering the wilds, and old-school adventurers like Turner are becoming obsolete. Haunted by an encounter that never made sense and the loss of a mentor ten years past, Turner survives by trusting his instincts and keeping his crew alive. But even caution can’t save him from what’s coming.

A routine job turns deadly, pulling Turner’s team into the orbit of an unfeeling genius: a woman who powers her mechanical creations with stolen souls. As ancient magic collides with impossible technology, the lines between hero and villain blur... and even the purest motives become dangerous.

(on temporary hiatus while I focus on a different serial)

(Cross-posted to ScribbleHub)

What readers say about Engines of Obsession

“Solid opening. Appreciate the use of a 'End of the Wild West'/'Entry into Industrialization' vibe to an adventuring setting, promising lore information so far, interested to see where it goes. Not sure yet as of chapter 4 where the tone of the story will be…”

AjoxerRoyal Road5.0 / 5

“Engines of Obsession opens with a chilling prologue that immediately sets the tone. It's claustrophobic, violent, and emotionally raw. ThePudding shows excellent control over atmosphere and psychological tension, capturing the trauma of a child trapped in a…”

E.M. DashRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Community Reviews(2)

AjoxerRoyal Road

★★★★★ 5.0

Solid opening. Appreciate the use of a 'End of the Wild West'/'Entry into Industrialization' vibe to an adventuring setting, promising lore information so far, interested to see where it goes. Not sure yet as of chapter 4 where the tone of the story will be, but all directions look fairly promising.

E.M. DashRoyal Road

★★★★★ 5.0

Engines of Obsession opens with a chilling prologue that immediately sets the tone. It's claustrophobic, violent, and emotionally raw. ThePudding shows excellent control over atmosphere and psychological tension, capturing the trauma of a child trapped in a 'collapsing' home with restrained horror.
I love these types of openings, you don't 'see' the carnage, you feel it from the perspective of a child losing everything. I can see this as a film in my mind, the little kid's world being destroyed and most of it is in the dark.
The post time skip chapters introduce a believable, frontier world (feels more western than steampunk at this early point) full of adventurers, and nobles. The character work is strong. Turner, our lead, feels real... cautious, capable, and quietly damaged. Dialogue is natural, team dynamics are nuanced, and the worldbuilding emerges subtly through lived experience (see later, it needs work here IMHO). If you’re tired of power fantasies and craving something grounded, this delivers.
After the prologue, the pace slows. Chapters one and two focus almost entirely on logistics, minor errands, and cautious speculation. The tension from the opener is never followed up on, and the story begins to feel more slice-of-life than fantasy adventure.
Personally, I like this. I want to care about the characters before they experience true danger. I want to know who they are as people. However, some will find this too slow. Be warned, don't expect masses of action in the opening chapters.
At this early stage, (I've read the prologue and up to chapter 6, probably 15,000 words) Turner’s wariness is a little overemphasised, and Nora, while clearly competent, hasn’t yet been given space to shine. It's tagged steampunk, but up until the end of chapter 4 there are no obvious steampunk elements. The worldbuilding, while okay, remains vague at this point, which may leave some readers feeling disappointed. Take away the end of chapter 4 and so far this reads as a standa