Hounds of Orion

Information

Status

Hiatus

Year

2025

Author

N.P. Knight

• 30
  Jan 21, 2026
• 29
  Jan 21, 2026
• 28
  Jan 21, 2026
• 27
  Jan 21, 2026
• 26
  Jan 21, 2026
• 25
  Jan 21, 2026
• 24
  Jan 21, 2026
• 23
  Jan 21, 2026
• 22
  Jan 21, 2026
• 21
  Jan 21, 2026
• 20
  Jan 20, 2026
• 19
  Jan 20, 2026
• 18
  Jan 20, 2026
• 17
  Jan 20, 2026
• 16
  Jan 20, 2026
• 15
  Jan 20, 2026
• 14
  Jan 20, 2026
• 13
  Jan 20, 2026
• 12
  Jan 20, 2026
• 11
  Jan 12, 2026

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• ButtopiaRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Do you want to read about Mechs? Are you looking for a Gundam feel in a world of intrigue? Do you just want to read about giant robots punching each other?
  Full disclosure, I consider Rook a friend, but that doesn't mean I don't genuinely enjoy this book.
  The characters all feel alive, and the amount of effort the writer spends to allow for this easily shines through in the quality of the writing.
  The story flows incredibly well from tension to aftermath and back again. The style of writing matches each moment nearly perfectly. The mental crises feel as real as physical ones.
  Grammar-wise wise I see no real issues, nothing stood out to me remotely, which speaks to how much the writer strives there.
  This is an epic sci-fi tale (even if mecha become less and less sci-fi each day), draped in a drama of interpersonal relationships, and how they play off each other and the events at large. The Characters matter. The events matter. Their feelings, actions, and thoughts all matter, and they blend together for an amazing tale.
  This is a book any fan of fighting robots should be reading. Scratch that, anyone who enjoys well-written drama should be reading this book.
• Dominick RRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Lots of intriguing threads to pick at. Wide cast of colorful characters, action is brutal and fast. Politics and inter world plots. Writing is clean, punctuation is there, misspellings non existant. High quality writing. MC is interesting, not some sullen murder hobo introvert, but rather an actual person who can't interact with people. Excited to see more mech action
• L.R. Monroe (Emrys)Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Hounds of Orion has everything you could want in a space adventure epic fantasy. Political intrigue? Check. Giant mechs? Check. Some writers have a way of pulling you into the world they craft on the page. They have a gift for dialogue and character crafting that transports you to another world.
  When I finished reading, I almost didn't realize it. I just kept clicking next until it dawned that I had reached the end.
  Each character feels unique, from Miranda, to Logan, to the MC Cam, all of them feel distinct from one another.
  Some authors make you feel like they have spent a lot of time crafting their worlds and planning their story, and you get that here.
  Descriptions are on point, especially with the characters. It doesn't feel like the author is just using fancy words, it feels natural. Poignant.
  Writers are liars. They have to make readers feel at all the right moments. Hate who they want you to hate, and love who they want you to love.
  Rook is doing that well.
  I want to make sure to mention the dialogue here, because man is it good. Some dialogue feels forced, unnatural, or just plain bland.
  That doesn't happen with this story. It feels natural, smooth, and each character has their own voice.
  I've already said the plot pulls you in, and I meant that. This is one of those stories that when finished, is going to keep you turning the pages well into the night.
  It's just that good at holding your attention.
  Start this story. Read it.
  Just do it.
  Thank me later.
• LadyneaRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  An absolute must read for any fans of fantasy, fiction, and over all captivating story telling. Within the first few chapters it’s an easy hook, line, and sinker. One thing I look for when reading is if I am able to get the character out of the page, the way these characters are written it’s like they’re turning the pages for me. Bravo to the author and absolutely looking forward to the rest of their career.
• drandreasRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Those who like action, drama, and mechs will love this. A veteran mech soldier comes back to teach a stuck up noble how to use mechs. Turns out the kid just needed a positive outlet and the right motivation. Very well written. Lots of surprise. Well paced. I can’t praise it enough. I read it straight through until the end. Cheers!
• readmemoreRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I love mechs. Ever since I watched my first Gundam anime I've been hooked, and man does this scratch the itch.
  There could certainly be a little bit of proofreading done and the prose isn't perfect, but the detail and the obvious love for mechs from the author makes the story shine.
  This easily might be the best mech story I've ever read, please don't stop writing it.
• RMCollinwoodRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I've been following Hounds of Orion since first seeing the cover art and announcement by D.M. Rook. Though I write trad fantasy myself (currently), I am a sucker for giant mechs. From early days watching Gundam, to more modern takes on the genre (which is itself as varied as Sci-Fi in general). D.M. Rook delivers a fast-paced tale filled with awesome character, action and strong writing to back it up.
  STYLE: There is an ease to D.M. Rook's writing style that makes it surprising this is their first foray into writing (or at least publishing on RR). I wouldn't be surprised either if the author had a military background. The writing is very believable and easy to read, which is my preference as opposed to something a little more flowery. 5/5.
  STORY: The story makes a strong first impression and D.M. Rook keeps a steady pressure on the gas pedal as we follow our hero, Logan, an A.R.M.S. pilot who is pulled back into the intrigue of his past when he receives an unexpected note from an old friend he hasn't heard from in fifteen years. The story then abruptly shifts and we are introduced to our true hero, Cameron. Yes, I should have read the blurb more closely but it didn't matter as the story seamlessly handled the shift in POVs. Rook does a fantastic job laying the groundwork for the setting, character relations to Cameron, and letting the story marinate. By the time Cameron and Logan meet, the story had its hooks in me. I could not shake the thoughts of Gundam while reading - political intrigue and ongoings beyond the scope of our characters' inner lives, personal tension, MECHS - everything I enjoy in those stories. Yet, Rook does a good job bringing in elements that are conveyed more clearly. This isn't a mech story, or a Sci-Fi . . . it's an EPIC, and everyone should be interested in checking it out and following Cameron's journey. 4.75/5.
  GRAMMAR: No noticeable mistakes or examples of poor grammar. 5/5.
  CHARACTER: The characters are well-written and interact with ea
• The UnrepentantRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This story is a great blend of Sci-fi and fantasy with all the elements I love to see of both, and they work so well together. We get swords and mechs at the same time! Plus a lot of nobility/political intrigue typically only found in fantasy!
  It’s a wonderful start and I’m so looking forward to where the story goes from here!
• MelanstoneRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  Political intrigue, snappy dialogue, and people beating the tar out of each other with big mechs, what's not to love?
  The writing is great, the dialogue is fun and the pace is pushing the story along at a satisfying clip. Another good thing this story has going for it is an author who can deftly weave a simmering B-plot that is steadily upping the stakes into the main plot of our young hero getting to grips with the daily reality of life is a Mechanized Merc.
  Right from the get go this story lives and breathes classic Space Opera vibes that are so often imitated but rarely do stories feel as comfortable with the style as this one. There's clearly been a ton of thought put into the world building as despite being an original work the world feels authentic and lived in
• Manic InsanityRoyal Road

  ★★★ 3.0

  First thing first, please read this story, or at least read to the chapter I am currently on. I wholeheartedly recommend the content up to this point.
  Everything after this is my feelings about the characters and development up to the point so SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
  Anyways, that being said I really liked the beginning of this book. The author took a really flawed character and not only put them in a situation to grow but truly shine. Logan being a driving force behind his education and learning and then even further than that being a major custodian of Cameron as he is coming into his own as a ARMS pilot was really cool to read.
  Now some critique:
  The introduction of the AI assistant and the therefore complete personality switch by Cameron is not just expected from a deeply traumatic event it makes sense. However, when the entire prior content was about the interactions and building family aspect with Logan and his crew suddenly ended. And clearly started being scrapped for completely logical reasons fell wrongly at least for me.
  What previously felt like a reasonably paced story with a quickly building lore and power system quickly fell completely apart with the introduction of the A.I. Where previously Cameron was a growing individual learning and challenging every opportunity and at times making mistakes, after getting this A.I. Cameron became a shell, given advice by the A.I. that is the advice followed. And as such the other cast of characters rightfully responded by shunning Cameron.
  Basically I am irritated because what was previously a good premise and delivery through plot and story has become a story driven by the "hand of god" moment that the author injected into the story. Quite frankly I am going to drop this for a few years and eventually come back and hope that the entirety of the A.I. blanketing Cameron's character is removed or reduced.
  My guy got slapped with a controlling best friend that he cant make shut up. And not only does he listen to this stran