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God in the Machine
It’s been a hundred years since the Yellowstone volcano erupted and threw the earth into a natural disaster that almost wiped out the human race. In a new and healing world, something sinister has arrived, something monstrous: magic.
Valour has been told all her life to stay away from the guardians of magic. Their power, she’s been warned, brings only death and destruction. Unfortunately, they might be the only people who can wake her mother from an eighteen-year-long sleep. When she is offered a place among them, Valour takes it, certain that she can use a guardian’s magic to help her mother.
Instead, she becomes swept up in a quest to find and kill the time lord, Kronos, before he can use his stolen power to rewrite the laws of the universe.
It might be slightly too late to turn back now…
Valour has been told all her life to stay away from the guardians of magic. Their power, she’s been warned, brings only death and destruction. Unfortunately, they might be the only people who can wake her mother from an eighteen-year-long sleep. When she is offered a place among them, Valour takes it, certain that she can use a guardian’s magic to help her mother.
Instead, she becomes swept up in a quest to find and kill the time lord, Kronos, before he can use his stolen power to rewrite the laws of the universe.
It might be slightly too late to turn back now…
450 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2024
8 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Raines
2 books19 followersA.J. Raines currently lives in Aotearoa New Zealand with his family of five people, six cats and two dogs. His long-standing love for stories featuring mythology, magic and monstrousness inspired him to begin writing his own. God in the Machine is his first novel.
Find him on Instagram: @authorajraines
Find him on Instagram: @authorajraines
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 22, 2024
it hasnt been released yet, but i'm a friend of the author and a few years back he let me read one of the rough drafts. at the time it was just something he'd been working on for fun, something only him and his close friends knew about. we never imagined he'd make it this far. even then, the plot and the characters were so well thought out. him and his book have grown since then and im excited for what he has in store. the world isn't ready for god in the machine.
March 15, 2025
not gonna lie i bought this book because the author posted a reel on it on instagram. it was one of those 'if you liked arcane you'll like this' and IMMEDIATELY i gobbled this up.
my one gripe with this book is that even though it stands at (checks notes) 451 pages, it still feels massive. i didn't need to see the 101 ways our crew splits up to do different tasks or the ground splits into a cave and people (ahem Valour) pass out. that is truly my one sole problem with this book.
okay another minor one is that the spine says book 1. (spoilers!!) Kronos is defeated and the war is ended, Tala is awake sure..... but i am so curious where this story can go now!!
i love how the names of the gods are given as source names to those who have their magic and as a pjo/roman/greek mythology reader i was devouring all these little bits!!
i also have to say,, Miguel and Castilian. if there is ever a scientist pairing that is giving Jayvik, it is them!! (Eli Ever and Victor Vale too but we don't talk about them here) i loved the whole childhood friends to work partners to not quite lovers thing they had goinf on, and i wanted to bash Castilian's father during that church scene. i feel bad for Tala though, all she did was love Castilian and Valour but that is where she (and Zola) simply can't watch up. maybe it's the history between them that twisted along the way into their horrible end, but there is too much between Miguel and Castilian for anyone else to take first place with them. good god this hurts???
truly genius to intersperse their story in short flashbacks throughout the book.
" we'll be the ones , you mark my words ... the ones to save the world.
and then what?
ashes to ashes, my friend ... ashes to ashes. "
" let it be quieter than the agony of the metal tearing into your skin. and let it come at the hands of the man who stood by your side throughout your mistakes. "
" i love you to the edges of the sky. " i believe in tragic toxic yaoi but why are so soft TT
the plot twist about Valour though, i did not see it coming!! i love the found family happening between the core four (i was going to type five and then i remembered Artemis,, sigh) i guess if you could Ettian. his ability is way too op, but there was no way Holly is allowed to die. she is too badass and i was emotionally invested. plus his Thanatos thing is very cool.
the world building on this new world is actually pretty smart and i liked how it touched on humans' actions on the planet. it's not the first piece of literature to talk about this and it certainly won't be the last, yet here we are still hurtling into that dystopian future huh.
my one gripe with this book is that even though it stands at (checks notes) 451 pages, it still feels massive. i didn't need to see the 101 ways our crew splits up to do different tasks or the ground splits into a cave and people (ahem Valour) pass out. that is truly my one sole problem with this book.
okay another minor one is that the spine says book 1. (spoilers!!) Kronos is defeated and the war is ended, Tala is awake sure..... but i am so curious where this story can go now!!
i love how the names of the gods are given as source names to those who have their magic and as a pjo/roman/greek mythology reader i was devouring all these little bits!!
i also have to say,, Miguel and Castilian. if there is ever a scientist pairing that is giving Jayvik, it is them!! (Eli Ever and Victor Vale too but we don't talk about them here) i loved the whole childhood friends to work partners to not quite lovers thing they had goinf on, and i wanted to bash Castilian's father during that church scene. i feel bad for Tala though, all she did was love Castilian and Valour but that is where she (and Zola) simply can't watch up. maybe it's the history between them that twisted along the way into their horrible end, but there is too much between Miguel and Castilian for anyone else to take first place with them. good god this hurts???
truly genius to intersperse their story in short flashbacks throughout the book.
" we'll be the ones , you mark my words ... the ones to save the world.
and then what?
ashes to ashes, my friend ... ashes to ashes. "
" let it be quieter than the agony of the metal tearing into your skin. and let it come at the hands of the man who stood by your side throughout your mistakes. "
" i love you to the edges of the sky. " i believe in tragic toxic yaoi but why are so soft TT
the plot twist about Valour though, i did not see it coming!! i love the found family happening between the core four (i was going to type five and then i remembered Artemis,, sigh) i guess if you could Ettian. his ability is way too op, but there was no way Holly is allowed to die. she is too badass and i was emotionally invested. plus his Thanatos thing is very cool.
the world building on this new world is actually pretty smart and i liked how it touched on humans' actions on the planet. it's not the first piece of literature to talk about this and it certainly won't be the last, yet here we are still hurtling into that dystopian future huh.
May 6, 2025
A heavily mythology-based and adventurous fantasy I loved from beginning to end. Admittedly, it took a few chapters to break in, as the story transitions from the current timeline involving the heroine's adventure to a previous timeline consisting of the antagonist's existential crisis and eventual fall from grace. The dual timelines become easier to follow as you progress and ingeniously intertwine as serious plot-twists are revealed.
Valour, a feisty and independent heroine, is swept into a quest to kill the lord of time and save her mother from an eighteen-year-long sleep. She’s an incredibly likable protagonist, driven by a moral compass that’s deeply her own—never dictated by others, even when the stakes are cosmic. What makes Valour so compelling isn’t just her bravery or sarcasm, but the quiet moments where she doubts, hopes, and fights to define herself outside the role others expect her to play. As she’s drawn deeper into a war she didn’t start, and a legacy she never asked for, Valour remains deeply human—funny, flawed, fiercely loyal, and impossible not to root for. Watching her navigate betrayal, power, and first love is as heart-pounding as the action scenes she dominates
Immediately, you are met with several characters who accommodate Valour on her journey, all of which are extremely likeable and help Valour become the warrior she was meant to be. I don't recall disliking any of the characters. There are badass, endearing, and humorous characters you will fall in love with and their interactions with each other are immersive and well-written. I can't choose a favorite. This author clearly has a talent for characters and dialogue.
The characters (in a group called the Resistance) battle giant robots called Reapers and the action scenes are an interesting mix of combat and magic I've actually never seen before in a fantasy (as they rely solely on weaponry or magic but never both) and this hybrid made these battle scenes engrossing. There are plenty action scenes so if you're into fast-paced battles this is for you. These action scenes are on-par with the slower more dialogue-centered scenes, in which the author has great consistency.
The secondary plot, which focuses on a scientist, Castilian (who later calls himself Heartright), is just as compelling as the main plot and the transitions become easier as you read through the book. There is a complicated, deeply personal relationship between Heartright and his assistant/friend, Miguel, which becomes more complex as Heartright grapples with his existence. The fall from grace is slowly written and not rushed, as it dives into philosophical and existential themes that left me thinking long after I finished the book.
The book features an incredibly diverse cast, including richly developed queer and ethnically varied characters. Their identities aren’t for the sake of inclusivity—they feel genuine, heartfelt, and integral to the story. I especially loved how their vulnerabilities became sources of strength. Queer readers will find meaningful representation here, portrayed with care, respect, and authenticity.
I was absolutely obsessed with the romance in this story. It’s a slow-burn that had me squealing and kicking my feet, completely swept up in the tension. I found myself microanalyzing every interaction between the two, falling more in love with both the characters and their relationship. The development is patient and intentional, with just the right amount of content to keep it from feeling overlooked. Their one-on-one moments are plentiful and deeply satisfying. In short, I ship them so hard.
In conclusion, fans of Riordan (Percy Jackson), Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli), and Isayama (Attack on Titan) will love this book, especially those seeking steampunk, post-apocalyptic, and mythology-based stories with queer representation and philosophical themes. I certainly enjoyed reading this book and it's the perfect story for those who wish to be swept away into adventure, just like Valour.
Valour, a feisty and independent heroine, is swept into a quest to kill the lord of time and save her mother from an eighteen-year-long sleep. She’s an incredibly likable protagonist, driven by a moral compass that’s deeply her own—never dictated by others, even when the stakes are cosmic. What makes Valour so compelling isn’t just her bravery or sarcasm, but the quiet moments where she doubts, hopes, and fights to define herself outside the role others expect her to play. As she’s drawn deeper into a war she didn’t start, and a legacy she never asked for, Valour remains deeply human—funny, flawed, fiercely loyal, and impossible not to root for. Watching her navigate betrayal, power, and first love is as heart-pounding as the action scenes she dominates
Immediately, you are met with several characters who accommodate Valour on her journey, all of which are extremely likeable and help Valour become the warrior she was meant to be. I don't recall disliking any of the characters. There are badass, endearing, and humorous characters you will fall in love with and their interactions with each other are immersive and well-written. I can't choose a favorite. This author clearly has a talent for characters and dialogue.
The characters (in a group called the Resistance) battle giant robots called Reapers and the action scenes are an interesting mix of combat and magic I've actually never seen before in a fantasy (as they rely solely on weaponry or magic but never both) and this hybrid made these battle scenes engrossing. There are plenty action scenes so if you're into fast-paced battles this is for you. These action scenes are on-par with the slower more dialogue-centered scenes, in which the author has great consistency.
The secondary plot, which focuses on a scientist, Castilian (who later calls himself Heartright), is just as compelling as the main plot and the transitions become easier as you read through the book. There is a complicated, deeply personal relationship between Heartright and his assistant/friend, Miguel, which becomes more complex as Heartright grapples with his existence. The fall from grace is slowly written and not rushed, as it dives into philosophical and existential themes that left me thinking long after I finished the book.
The book features an incredibly diverse cast, including richly developed queer and ethnically varied characters. Their identities aren’t for the sake of inclusivity—they feel genuine, heartfelt, and integral to the story. I especially loved how their vulnerabilities became sources of strength. Queer readers will find meaningful representation here, portrayed with care, respect, and authenticity.
I was absolutely obsessed with the romance in this story. It’s a slow-burn that had me squealing and kicking my feet, completely swept up in the tension. I found myself microanalyzing every interaction between the two, falling more in love with both the characters and their relationship. The development is patient and intentional, with just the right amount of content to keep it from feeling overlooked. Their one-on-one moments are plentiful and deeply satisfying. In short, I ship them so hard.
In conclusion, fans of Riordan (Percy Jackson), Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli), and Isayama (Attack on Titan) will love this book, especially those seeking steampunk, post-apocalyptic, and mythology-based stories with queer representation and philosophical themes. I certainly enjoyed reading this book and it's the perfect story for those who wish to be swept away into adventure, just like Valour.
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June 15, 2025mid
June 5, 2025
This is one of the best books I’ve read this year. The plot pulls you in with its teeth and doesn’t let you go until you’re done reading the book. God in the Machine is a great read if you grew up reading fantasy books, it hits you right in your heart and makes you feel nostalgic despite the fact that it’s the first book in the series and you’re also reading it for the first time.
And most of all? The characters are all fleshed out and human. They’ve their own flaws and that’s what makes them so likeable and relatable.
And most of all? The characters are all fleshed out and human. They’ve their own flaws and that’s what makes them so likeable and relatable.
March 7, 2025
4.25/5
“Ashes to ashes, my friend. Ashes to ashes.”
I really liked the story, I thought it was original to mix magic and mythology. I had a bit of trouble getting into the story because of the different 'plot' happening to different characters at the same time, but once I got into it, I really loved it! There was a lot of plot point that I didn't guess until right before they were revealed and that left me with my mouth hanging open. In the end, once I got used to the different plot happening at the same time, I loved following the different characters to see what was happening to them. The cast of character is vast (like around 10 characters that we can follow for the different 'plots' thing I was talking about) so there were some character that I wished were more developed (or that their development happened earlier in the story)
Overall I think it's a really good book, and I really think that it has the potential to be even better when read a second time, because a lot of the character's reaction in the earlier chapters are linked to revelations that are made later in the story so I think upon reread, immediately understanding why they reacted like that would make it even better (this is not a critique about when the revelations were done, I think having them later in the story really add something because we had time to get attached to the characters, I just think it can add something for the reread). I think I'll buy a physical version of the book and reread it once I've at least a bit tackled my TBR!
I have no idea if this book is a standalone or if there would be other books in this universe but if there are, I will definitely read them!
“Ashes to ashes, my friend. Ashes to ashes.”
I really liked the story, I thought it was original to mix magic and mythology. I had a bit of trouble getting into the story because of the different 'plot' happening to different characters at the same time, but once I got into it, I really loved it! There was a lot of plot point that I didn't guess until right before they were revealed and that left me with my mouth hanging open. In the end, once I got used to the different plot happening at the same time, I loved following the different characters to see what was happening to them. The cast of character is vast (like around 10 characters that we can follow for the different 'plots' thing I was talking about) so there were some character that I wished were more developed (or that their development happened earlier in the story)
Overall I think it's a really good book, and I really think that it has the potential to be even better when read a second time, because a lot of the character's reaction in the earlier chapters are linked to revelations that are made later in the story so I think upon reread, immediately understanding why they reacted like that would make it even better (this is not a critique about when the revelations were done, I think having them later in the story really add something because we had time to get attached to the characters, I just think it can add something for the reread). I think I'll buy a physical version of the book and reread it once I've at least a bit tackled my TBR!
I have no idea if this book is a standalone or if there would be other books in this universe but if there are, I will definitely read them!
May 19, 2025
I don’t often leave physical Reviews on books like this as I prefer to talk about it in person, however this book deserves it as my Friend wrote this book.
A.J this book sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions. More than I thought I’d have experienced.
You wrote things perfectly, captured relationships in a way some romance authors struggle to do. How? It was never directly stated how some characters (Holly and Nike) (Daya and Valour) would like each other yet it was clear how they felt, even if it was just the beginnings of a crush.
The way betrayal was written, heart break from family. And finally, that last chapter has me begging for more. I’m so excited to join everyone in the second book!! Thank you for this awesome book.
A.J this book sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions. More than I thought I’d have experienced.
You wrote things perfectly, captured relationships in a way some romance authors struggle to do. How? It was never directly stated how some characters (Holly and Nike) (Daya and Valour) would like each other yet it was clear how they felt, even if it was just the beginnings of a crush.
The way betrayal was written, heart break from family. And finally, that last chapter has me begging for more. I’m so excited to join everyone in the second book!! Thank you for this awesome book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews