The Mechanist [Kindle Edition]

Erik Robert Nelson (Author)

Book Description

Essie Gray just wanted to be a thief. And she was damned good at it.

Issington is a city under a century-long siege from the air. A curfew and blackout have driven many citizens underground for business and pleasure. Automatons originally designed for war patrol the dark streets of the city at night, now used as a means of keeping the uneasy domestic peace.

When a job goes horribly wrong, Essie finds herself on the wrong side of both the criminals she once thought allies and the law. Now Essie faces a difficult task: to find out what she stole, and who hired her.

That may be a more daunting task than she realizes. With the criminals, the constabulary, and a major corporation leveraging power against her, the chance of success appears thin. But then she might find allies in unexpected places....

Product Details

• File Size: 647 KB
• Print Length: 344 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615603831
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Bansidhe Press (February 18, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007AWYR0K
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,791 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic read February 20, 2012

By M. Swarr

Format:Paperback

The Mechanist is one of those books where, once the last few words were read, I was so satisfied and pleased that I wanted to read it from the beginning again just to relive it and make sure I caught everything that went on. The world in which it takes place is very well put together - a war ridden country where people have had to adjust to living underground at night; where a single light left on can lead to entire city blocks turned to rubble by enemy bombs. And yet this is their norm - it has been this way for so long, that most people were born into it and know no different life.

But this is only the setting. The main character, Essie, is believable, likeable, and entertaining. The characters she gathers around her as she works to get out of the trouble she has fallen into all add their own unique charm to the story. The story itself is excellent and completely drew me in, but I will let you discover it for yourself. It is one you deserve to hear directly from the author, unwrapped bit by bit just as he created it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars masterful story, a must-read!! April 6, 2012

By Laura

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I rarely read books with only a couple reviews, even if they're free (like this Kindle book was). Most of the time they end up being poorly-written and poorly-edited, oftentimes with glowing "reviews" from the author's friends that are completely misleading. I generally prefer to spend my time elsewhere. On a whim, however, I picked up the Mechanist.

And I was blown away. This is one of the best books I've read in a very long while. Wonderful characters, completely believable and lovable with their quirks and imperfections. Intriguing plot, never quite predictable, and with an entirely unexpected and satisfying conclusion.

The book could be classified as steampunk, but goes far beyond the quality of a typical book in that genre. It's a smart mystery, with an undefinable air to it that reminds me of some of my favorite fantasies (despite the lack of any traditional fantasy elements). I would happily have paid full price for this Kindle book - who knows, I might even pick up the paperback! It looks like the author has another book available, and I'm putting it next on my reading list!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kept a Non-Reader reading for 4 Days straight! April 6, 2012

By NickerTicker

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

To say I am a non reader is an understatement. Besides magazines and the lot, I have read maybe 5-8 books total. I hardly ever read! But I just recently downloaded the Kindle App on my Android so that I could download cook books and thought, what the hell lets get a book. And I am SO glad I did!
I did not stop reading this book for 4 days straight. At first it was a little slow but not for long, and I couldnt get myself to put it down.
After reading it, the book seems to be of the Steampunk type; lots of machines and early 20th century accents. Personally I am not a big fan of the genre, but this book certainly made me more of a fan!
Loved the book, loved the characters, loved everything about it!
If it kept this "non-reader" entertained and intrigued, then hopefully you will enjoy it as well!

More About the Author

I always wanted to be a fiction writer, but never took the desire seriously. Instead I went to college and studied English Lit and Politics. I went to graduate school to study political philosophy. I worked at a non-profit think-tank in Washington, DC, for seven years where I wrote and designed publications. I learned quite a bit and met a lot of great people, but nevertheless found myself quite miserable there. Definitely not the place for me.

Now, I write. And though it's often a royal pain in the ass, I actually enjoy it.

My chief literary interests are in contemporary fantasy and science fiction. I read quite a bit of urban fantasy, military SF, and just about anything with stuff that doesn't actually exist: whether vampires or faster-than-light spaceships. My hobbies include guitars, guns, woodworking, and technology. I'm a nut for anything on TV involving Joss Whedon, and anything written by Neal Stephenson or Neil Gaiman.