This book is part of the Indie Ink Awards 2025. Please take a look at all the other, great contenders!
This book is something special. The world is very intriguing, as are the characters. And there’s a lot going on—which brings me to my most prominent point of critique:
At times, there’s too much going on, without explanations.
I know, show, don’t tell, but honestly, there’s nothing wrong with a little telling. A bit of exposition would be helpful, especially in the beginning of the story. The pace is fast enough—it, too, would profit from a little brake through exposition.
Because I had the feeling that I needed to go back to reread stuff I wasn’t getting right in the start. There’s a lot of world mechanics that are intrinsic to the world, and every character understands them.
But the story would be enriched for me as a reader if someone took me by the hand from time to time.
Nevertheless, the story is intriguing, the world is very rich in details and creative. If you’re happy to invest the first 20 percent until you start to realize what everything is about, this book might be for you.
4 out of 5 dead man’s chests from me.
Crossing the Pond Reviews 
One reply on “Demon Engine, by Marten Norr”
Excellent review, Stefan! Piqued my interest. I agree that sometimes the writing is dense with too much detail and we get bogged down in the details. It slows the pace of the story and we have to remember more than we should. I often forget side characters’ names if I take a break from reading a book straight through. Makes me think I have to take NOTES sometimes when they get too wordy and descriptive! Great job: you always give a fair and detailed review, Stefan!
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