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Teslanauts #2

Teslamancer

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"Two years have passed since Raymond Calvert first joined the Teslanauts. Now an experienced agent, he has completed missions with his friends across many countries and stopped the advances of many unscrupulous underground factions using Nikola Tesla's cutting-edge volt-tech. In this year of 1924, it is believed that someone will achieve the pinnacle of knowledge of this technology, and this person will be dubbed the Teslamancer, the ultimate wielder of Tesla's breakthrough science. Deep in Siberia, someone has claimed this title for himself already, a man thought to have been assassinated years ago but lives due to unknown and twisted volt-tech science. This man is Grigori Rasputin, one of the last remaining relics of Imperial Russia, and he seeks vengeance upon the new Soviet rulers of his country before expanding his wrath to the world beyond. Raymond finds himself on a wild adventure to stop this seemingly undead oppressor, one involving flying trains, artillery duels, monstrous mutated reptiles, and a potential budding romance with one of his closest cohorts, but the most peculiar event of it all might involve his organization's mysterious leader. Do Tesla and Rasputin have a history with each other? Is their hidden volt-tech world ready for a conflict between the wizard who invented this technology and the mystic who seeks to reign with it? Who is it that truly deserves the title of Teslamancer?"

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2024

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Matthew Donald

15 books9 followers

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11 (57%)
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Jordan Encee.
Author 2 books20 followers
December 27, 2024
An Electric Sequel!

This book expanded the world more than it already was. The action, the characters and the technology, it was greatly expanded and explored. The characters were more in depth without a doubt Tesla stole the show coming out here like Gojo from jjk. The action was so much better and fun. And the villain was great and the climax was explosive and exciting! I cannot wait to see more in this series!
Profile Image for Nan.
11 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2024
This book is, as they say, a rollicking good time. There is a good bit of violence but none of it is graphic. It’s set just after World War I and the dialogue is as circumspect as you might imagine for that time period. It might be right after the Great War but a secret society with lots of very advanced technology founded by Nickola Tesla is the center of the story. I fell in love with almost all the main characters. I have not read the first book in the series but it made no difference in enjoying this story. It’s apparently truly free-standing.
49 reviews4 followers
October 25, 2024
This is a thoughtful piece of alternative history, where Nikola Tesla’s wildest inventions have been realized, leading to a golden age of humanity in the form of a multi-government Electrocracy, but the mysterious Grigori Rasputin’s alleged magic is also true. This makes Teslanauts: The Rise of the Teslamancer an interesting blend of sci-fi and fantasy where imaginative steampunk gadgets, flying trains, monstrous creatures, and intense confrontations abound. The world building is exquisite and detailed right away from chapter one, although if you’re not a fan of exposition, you might be turned off by certain sections of the book.

Our protagonist is Raymond Calvert, a Teslanaut tasked with stopping Rasputin. The world is set in a post-World War I with exquisite what-if world building. Donald captures the look and feel of the 1920s while amplifying it with Tesla’s speculative technologies, like submarines and lightning-powered devices. You can almost feel like Matthew Donald, the author, actually lived there with how many small details he added to the setting to make it come alive, and in my opinion, getting these things right is what sets a great alternative history book from an average one. Interestingly for an alternative fiction setting, Donald manages to portray diversity respectfully, unlike some cases where other ethnicities and sexualities from the era are swept under the rug.

But underneath the action, cool gadgets and inventions there’s also a poignant coming-of-age tale for Raymond as he searches for purpose amidst chaos, and a romance blossoms between him and Helen.

Of course, since this is a second book in a saga, you’ll have a harder time understanding the beginning if you haven’t read the first one, but I still urge you to give this amazingly crafted world and prose a chance. You won’t regret it.
Profile Image for Slmarie.
125 reviews
October 27, 2024
Teslamancer by Matthew Donald is a thrilling and inventive mix of historical fiction, steampunk, and imaginative sci-fi, bringing Nikola Tesla’s genius to life in a unique way. The story follows Raymond Calvert, an experienced Teslanaut, as he faces off against the infamous Grigori Rasputin, blending history and fiction seamlessly.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its fast pace, which keeps the action rolling from start to finish. The scenes were packed with excitement, whether it was a wild battle or a high-flying adventure on Tesla-inspired technology. The non-stop momentum made it hard to put down, with surprises and twists for the reader.

The characters, especially Raymond, are likable and easy to root for. The book balances camaraderie among the Teslanauts with moments of humor and light romance, giving readers some welcome variety between action sequences. And while the characters could evolve more over the series, their roles fit well with the fast-moving plot, allowing the story to stay focused on the adventure.

Matthew Donald’s creativity shines in the world-building. The imaginative volt-tech gives a fresh take on historical events, adding a steampunk vibe that’s both fun and fascinating. It’s especially great for fans of Tesla or alternate history, who will enjoy the way his inventions are reimagined as almost magical powers.

Teslamancer is a fast, action-packed ride through a wonderfully imaginative world. For readers who love adventure, alternate history, and inventive tech-inspired magic, this book is sure to be an enjoyable and exciting read!
156 reviews11 followers
October 21, 2024
A high voltage adventure with Tesla's tech

First off, the premise is deliciously original. Mixing Nikola Tesla's volt tech with historical figures like Rasputin gives us a playground that's both familiar and fantastically new. The idea of Rasputin returning with a vengeful agenda powered by Tesla's technology is the kind of creative fusion that makes you want to keep turning pages.
Raymond Calvert returns not just older but with the weight of experience that adds nice layers to his character. His evolution from a novice to a seasoned Teslanaut provides a satisfying arc. The plot zips along at a breakneck pace. There's rarely a dull moment, which is great for adrenaline but occasionally at the expense of deeper exploration of themes like power, revenge, or even the ethics of advanced technology.
Teslamancer is an ambitious book that melds genres in a way that's undeniably fun. It's like watching a blockbuster movie in your mind, with all the explosions and drama that come with it. For those who love speculative fiction with a healthy dose of historical reimagining, this book is a must read.
Profile Image for Melodie Coulter-Pennington.
Author 1 book6 followers
October 30, 2024
"I had a family...I had people I cared about. My science is for the world, but it is also for them. And you took them away from me...I am not a god."

This line took the book from 3.5 to 4 for me. What a fascinating historical science fiction adventure. I often forget that a lot of pivotal world history moments and figures existed in the same time period. Teslamancer does an incredible job of mixing reality and the possibilities of Tesla's work in electricity with a high speed, high stakes action thriller that respects the time period while manipulating it to account for the changes that the sci-fi would make. The opening chapters provide excellent exposition that doesn't feel like a dry info-dump.

My only critiques: It was a bit dense with name dropping, and the dialogue sometimes felt a bit unnatural to a point that suspending my disbelief was difficult.
218 reviews3 followers
October 20, 2024
Interesting twist to history

Although I had a hard time following this book in the beginning, it eventually won me over.

What if all Nikolai Tesla's ideas had come to fruition a century ago? In Teslamancer, Matthew Donald rewrites early 20th century history as if they had. The novel explores what happens when technology falls into the wrong hands, how far will people go to seek power, and the tough decisions people have to make when wielding power. It also is a journey of one young man finding his place in the world.

This is a good read for techies, Tesla fans, and sci-fi junkies. It has a lot of action, and a romantic sub plot.
7 reviews
July 11, 2025
“Teslamancer” is not a good book. If I hadn’t received it in exchange for a review, I probably wouldn't have finished it. I went in with a willingness to suspend disbelief given the subject matter: a secret law enforcement group called the Teslanauts who wield wildly advanced technology gifted by Nikola Tesla and a cabal of hidden inventors. It’s an eccentric premise, but eccentric can be fun. Unfortunately, fun never arrives. The novel is twice as long as it needs to be, plagued by poor writing, endless repetition, and pacing that makes it a slog to finish.

Set shortly after World War I, the story imagines that Tesla’s most ambitious visions have become reality. The protagonist, Raymond, is a newly inducted Teslanaut but he’s a maverick with access to powerful tech, still finding his footing within the team. Sadly, Raymond and every other character in this book are flat and one-dimensional. Their motivations are surface-level, and there’s no meaningful development to be found. Raymond spends the entire first half of the book pining for a female colleague, whining about his feelings without taking action. Then, in a single scene, they abruptly declare their love and start casually hinting to teammates that they've spent the day having sex. The relationship lacks any emotional weight, making it hard to care about them or the story itself.

From the outset, the author struggles to establish a clear audience. Is this written for teens? Adults? Kids? The tone varies wildly. It gestures toward serious themes like identity, betrayal, and grief, but abandons them moments later. Characters die or defect to the bad guys, then quickly reappear with barely a nod. The villains are cartoonish stereotypes, cracking jokes seemingly aimed at ten year olds. Meanwhile, the protagonist waxes philosophical about belonging and purpose, but without depth or resonance. And in the same breath, he brags to his buddies about how many times he’s slept with his girlfriend that day. The tonal whiplash is real and exhausting.

The dialogue throughout is stilted and unnatural, and many of the ideas are simply too absurd to take seriously. Teslanauts destroy entire towns chasing bad guys, only to have masked agents from the “Cleanup Squad” swoop in and erase the memories of witnesses. Later, we learn the entire global population was mind-wiped after WWI. Billions of people wiped clean, flawlessly, with no errors or lingering people who are now considered crazy because they can’t stop talking about how they used to have advanced technology before the war. It’s a stretch and I couldn’t get there. And any tension around the Cleanup Squad quickly evaporates when we're shown their home lives: agents never remove their gas masks, marry gas-mask wearing spouses, and raise gas-mask wearing children. No one has ever seen anyone else's face. It’s laugh-out-loud bizarre.

In the end, Teslamancer is simply too strange, too inconsistent, and too poorly written to be taken seriously.
Profile Image for ✨ ੈ✩‧April ♡ ʚ♡⃛ɞ✨.
476 reviews20 followers
September 9, 2024
Thanks for the giveaway read!
Teslamancer by Matthew Donald – An Ambitious Blend of Science and Magic with Mixed Results

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Matthew Donald’s Teslamancer offers an intriguing premise by merging the world of science with the wonders of magic, creating a story that feels like a fresh take on the genre. With Nikola Tesla as a key inspiration, the novel explores the idea of harnessing electricity in ways that go far beyond traditional science, leading to a wild, imaginative adventure.

The strength of Teslamancer lies in its creativity. The concept of “teslamancy”—a form of magic derived from manipulating electricity—is both original and exciting. Donald’s descriptions of the electrical powers, the steampunk-like technology, and the world in which it all takes place are engaging, making the reader curious about the mechanics of this hybrid universe.

However, while the world-building is inventive, the story itself often struggles with pacing and depth. The characters, while likable, feel underdeveloped at times. Their motivations can seem surface-level, and there is little emotional resonance in their journeys. The plot, though full of potential, occasionally feels formulaic, moving from one action scene to another without enough time to explore the stakes or build meaningful connections between the characters.

Moreover, the narrative tone can shift unpredictably. At times, the book tries to juggle humor, action, and high-stakes drama, but the balance isn’t always seamless. This can leave the reader feeling somewhat detached from the characters’ struggles and the stakes at hand.

Overall, Teslamancer is a fun and inventive read for those who enjoy steampunk-inspired, science-fantasy settings, but it falls short of its full potential due to inconsistent pacing and character development. Fans of Tesla and science-driven magic will find some enjoyment here, but the story may leave others wishing for deeper exploration of its intriguing world.

Profile Image for Bobi.
63 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2025
Thank you to Books Forward & Library Thing for this review copy! (There will be spoilers in this review.)

Teslamancer by Matthew Donald is the sequel to Teslanauts. Our main character is Raymond Carver, a young man whose been working with the Teslanauts for two years, regulating the use of volt-tech. The technology here is electricity-powered, in the same way that the technology in steam punk is powered by steam. Here we have all kinds of technology that didn't actually exist in 1924, but in the world the book, it's available to certain people. The Teslanauts make sure it's being used correctly.

I am rating this book as 3.5/5 stars.

What I enjoyed: The technology that the author has created for this world is very interesting and imaginative. The plot is very action-driven, constantly moving forward. This helped me to read the entire book in less than a day. Grigori Rasputin appears in this book as the main villain, which I loved. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the Baba Yaga legend. Additionally, there is a funny scene with a fight between different technology-based groups in which the clockwork people throw out a lot of "dad jokes."

What I didn't care for: The characters seemed a flat to me. I wanted to see more development of their personalities. This could have also helped me get on board more with the romantic relationship. Raymond is crushing on Helen, a teammate. He doesn't even know if she likes him back but when he finally confesses his feelings, the couple jumps straight into sex. The two say "I love you" to each other pretty quickly, but the reader doesn't see any emotional development or conversation between them. Just hints that they've been having sex often since getting together. Finally, it's revealed at the end that Helen is pregnant and they're now getting married. This all seemed really rushed and I found myself not caring about the characters or their relationship.
122 reviews7 followers
October 15, 2024
Explosive and Imaginative

In "Teslanauts: The Rise of the Teslamancer," Matthew Donald takes us on an exciting adventure set in 1924, where Nikola Tesla’s amazing technology collides with the mysterious Grigori Rasputin. The story follows Raymond Calvert, a Teslanaut, as he faces a new threat from Rasputin, who has a dangerous weapon powered by twisted science. With flying trains, monstrous creatures, and thrilling action, Donald creates a world that grabbed my attention from the start.

I've not read the first book, but I didn't struggle to follow the story and connect with the characters. What stands out in this sequel is how well Donald develops his characters and captures the history of the time. The detailed settings made me feel like I'm in the post-World War I era, and the dialogue fit perfectly. Alongside the excitement, I learned about Raymond and his friends, including their personal struggles and a budding romance.

With the right amount of humor, heart, and action, The Rise of the Teslamancer is a fun read that keeps you hooked. Donald’s creativity and focus on diversity make this book a must-read. You'll enjoy this book if you love history and fantasy mixed with technology, or just want a good book with an entertaining story. I particularly enjoyed this book because of its unique storyline. I've always found Tesla and Rasputin intriguing and mysterious, and having a book with both, has been a treat.

The style of writing, dialogue and violence is best suited for young adults and adult readers.
Profile Image for Manik and Sayee |favbookshelf.
176 reviews27 followers
October 24, 2024
The novel Teslamancer by Matthew Donald is a captivating blend of historical fiction, steampunk adventure, and thrilling espionage. Set in 1924, a time poised on the edge of a new era, this sci-fi adventure features a range of quirky gadgets, a crazy love story, and plenty of action that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

In the aftermath of World War I, the narrative unfolds in a world transformed by Nikola Tesla's groundbreaking inventions, which have given rise to extraordinary technologies and secret societies. Donald's vivid imagination and evocative writing bring the characters to life, delving deeply into their complexities and emotional struggles. The story is not only fast-paced but also a rollercoaster of action, intrigue, and unexpected twists. The plot is well-defined and developed, with engaging twists, surprises, and a sense of mystery surrounding the characters' quest. This keeps readers thoroughly captivated throughout. The story flows smoothly through the scenes, building action and intrigue in the plot. The novel explores themes of power, love, passion, redemption, and the consequences of scientific advancement, adding depth to the story. The story is well-structured, leaving a lasting impression on the readers.

Overall, Teslamancer is a unique blend of science, history, and mystery, delivering a satisfying reading experience for fans of sci-fi, historical fiction, and adventure. It is indeed a recommended read and will undoubtedly make an enjoyable addition to their library.
238 reviews15 followers
October 16, 2024
**Teslamancer** by Matthew Donald is a captivating sequel that builds upon the exciting world of *Teslanauts*, set in 1924. Raymond Calvert, now a seasoned Teslanaut, faces his biggest challenge yet—stopping Grigori Rasputin, who has returned from the dead through twisted volt-tech science and is seeking vengeance. The novel masterfully combines historical elements with steampunk-like technology, leading to thrilling action scenes involving flying trains, mutated creatures, and weaponized technology.

This adventure is a compelling mix of historical fiction, science fantasy, and speculative technology, offering readers a unique storyline. Donald’s rich character development, along with the vivid depiction of the 1920s, creates an immersive reading experience. The plot’s unpredictable twists, including a potential romance and the mysterious relationship between Tesla and Rasputin, keep readers hooked until the very end.

Fans of alternate history, science fiction, and fantasy will love the creative volt-tech world, strong character arcs, and pulse-pounding action in *Teslamancer*. The diverse cast, gripping narrative, and stunning world-building make it a must-read for both young adults and adults alike.

Thank you
Happy Reading
87 reviews3 followers
October 17, 2024
In Teslanauts: The Rise of the Teslamancer, the writer Matthew Donald leads the readers on an adventure packed story set in 1924, where Nikola Tesla’s inventions meet the magic of Grigori Rasputin.

The story revolves around the main character of Raymond Calvert, a Teslanaut, as he battles Rasputin. The book is engaging and draws the reader from the start with action, adventure and nonstop suspense.

The book is a good read and is recommend to readers.
Profile Image for Michele.
363 reviews99 followers
January 27, 2025
This book was definitely different.. it has a wild cast of characters, including Nikola Tesla, Baba Yaga, and Grigori Rasputin’s head (yes, just his head). There are also a flying train, mutant reptiles, and steam-powered artillery-intercepting balloons. While most sci-fi novels are sort of futuristic, this one is set in 1924. And so many things happen in this book. It’s a bit strange, but there are some funny moments, and one particularly romantic scene.
Profile Image for Karli.
53 reviews3 followers
September 18, 2024
Wasn't sure what to expect in the second book of Matthew Donald's Tesla series but was I impressed. Wild gadgets galore, fairy tales coming to life and a crazy love affair thrown into the mix. Vivid descriptions of what might have been had Tesla been more inventive. Sure to be a great read for teens and young adults.
34 reviews
November 4, 2024
I’m always willing to try new books. In fact I’ve read books recently that are out of my usual comfort zone. But for some reason, I couldn’t get into this story. I will say this - the writing and editing are good, what I read of it. But I just couldn’t finish it.

I have looked at the author's other series and i think i might give that a try. It may be that this book just wasn’t for me.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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