Goddess from the Machine: A Prequel to the Ark Saga

by Daniel Rodrigues-Martin, Rhiannon Moushall (narrator)

"You don't need the stars telling your story. I don't believe in constellations. Not yours, not mine. So forge your own future."

Reese Sadoleto is an ex-slave, genius machinist, and the only companion of the superhuman "Vigilant." Together, Reese and the Vigilant battle the City of Machindoun's underground slave trafficking network and force its secret leaders to the brink. But the night the Vigilant plans to deliver the death blow and end slavery for good, he vanishes.

A tense ceasefire settles over Machindoun. Trafficking goes underground and regular folk walk the streets again. With no hero to mend, missions to plan, or gear to repair, Reese determines to forget her past and forge a future all her own.

But the past never forgets.

A year after his disappearance, the Vigilant's foes return to take back Machindoun, killing one of Reese's new friends. Fueled by vengeance, she weaponizes her body with cybernetics while playing the city's criminals, elite, and working class against each other in an escalating game of cat-and-mouse.

Machindoun's factions go to war, unaware that Reese has orchestrated the conflict. But when her greatest foes reveal themselves as the architects of Machindoun's-and Reese's-suffering, she realizes that to kill her past, free herself from the Vigilant's legacy, and forge her own future, she must sacrifice either her humanity or her life.

Neither vengeance nor her foes will let her escape with both.

****

Recipient of the Kirkus Star.

Genres: Audiobook

528 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2025

About the author

Daniel Rodrigues-Martin began writing in 2004. Since then, he's become the author of books, articles, essays, shorts, scripts, poems, a master’s thesis, and countless rants. His debut novel, GODDESS FROM THE MACHINE earned a Kirkus Star, and is available from most major sellers.

Reviews

[Jasmine Wesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! I was really drawn into the world, and especially loved listening to the audiobook while reading along, since it made the story come alive even more. The character arcs are amazing, and you truly feel like you get to know the characters well. It definitely has a lot of dark parts of it that prompted me to think deeply about certain moral dilemmas that are interwoven throughout the story. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

[Kelsey Vang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddess from the Machine is a powerful and highly in depth prequel to an upcoming series called the Ark Saga. It pulls the reader deeply into a cyber-futuristic dystopian World where slavery, poverty, and class divisions run rampant. And while it follows the dark and intense journey of a girl named Reese, it is a nuanced exploration into a number of serious topics and moral quandaries.

What happens to us when we seek justice without mercy? Can humanity still be found in those who are evil or do evil things? When does the seeking of progress become not a good anymore, but in fact a danger? In seeking to become more than we are, do we inadvertently become less?

All of these questions - and more - cropped up within the pages of Reese’s tragic descent.

The World within the pages of this book is immense and impressive: lands and languages, cultures and religion and history. You really do feel as though you are dropped right down into the middle of a true World and must find your way around. And as you acclimate yourself, you follow along with Reese’s story: both past and present.

And speaking of Reese... she’s such a compelling character: an orphan, ex-slave, machinist-prodigy with a deep-seated addiction to coffee, a dangerously bold tongue, and the cutest AI sidekick known to man. (A shoutout to my main man Minus, who completely stole my heart.)

Your heart goes out to Reese as she struggles with the traumas of her past and forges fledgling connections that turn into cherished friendships. It isn’t long before you come to love this haunted, broken girl. So when she loses those she holds dear, you read with bated breath as she makes decision after decision that sends her down a dark, bloody road of vengeance and power.

And wow, the ending was simply incredible. Twists, revelations, confrontations... It provided answers to questions you didn’t even know you had, while leaving you with so many more questions to be answered and mysteries to be solved.

I can’t wait for the Ark Saga to begin: to grant greater insight into Kid’s story, to explore other lands and cities, to follow Reese... and to hope for redemption.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the distant future, mankind has returned to the previously ravaged earth and exists in several different settlements. Between these settlements lie areas of unrest and lawlessness, but in many settlements, things aren’t much better. In the machine city of Machinduin, corruption, cruelty, and insecurity reign among the bulk of the population while the upper classes indulge their imaginations in a variety of ways. Rescued from her life as a slave machinist, Reese has some unexpected advantages in her new life in the city… but what to do with them? Her longing for security wars with her observations of the suffering around her and her aspirations to be like her hero. When tragedy touches her personally, what lessons will she take?

Goddess from the Machine is a prequel to Daniel’s main epic and as such, there isn’t a ton of background covering the setting and magic system, but readers will find plenty of information to keep them engaged (and wanting more). Goddess is a fantasy cyberpunk with a dash of Gangs of New York (enhanced by the excellent audiobook performance). Beautiful writing and cinematic scenes propel the story while the emotions, relationships, and motivations of the characters soften the edges to give the story intensity and purpose, rather than just enacting the action.

I was honored to be an early beta reader on this novel and can’t wait to read more from Danny!

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddess from the Machine: A Prequel to the Ark Saga by Daniel Rodrigues-Martin is a cyberpunk, dystopian, sci-fi novel that takes us inside the city of Machindoun. I love it when the prologue teases me with a really good foreshadowing because that’s what piques my interest and makes me want to read the book further. Rodrigues-Martin’s novel picked me up and threw me right into some very interesting action.

The scene opens like a movie, with the rain coming down, buildings burning, and smoke all over the place. The man who helped build the city now watches it crumble around him as he’s facing off with the girl he once attempted to control. The only thing is, she’s not that girl anymore. She’s become this superhuman with cybernetic parts, and she’s found liberation in reclaiming those chains she was once bound to. Before readers even get into the main storyline, this entire scene and the dialogue between the man and girl make you think about exactly who is holding the power in the end. Is it the creator or the one who evolved from the creation?

Rodrigues-Martin does a great job setting the tone for this book. We go from the philosophical tone of the prologue to a more personal one. By the time readers get to the opening chapters, they are introduced to Reese. She’s a machinist who lives in the gritty, industrial Under City of Machindoun. We learn that she’s tough, resourceful, and clearly used to surviving on her own. She has this cute, sibling-like relationship with a little AI child named Minus, and it adds warmth and humor to what would otherwise be a solitary life for her.

I love how this book was written. Readers don’t just imagine a dystopian future, but it makes you feel like you’re living inside of it right along with Reese. You’re breathing in the iron-scented air. You’re aching along with her emotionally and physically, as she rebuilds herself from shattered pieces. We come to know Reese’s story throughout the book and follow her journey from ex-shadow maiden with a machine eye, but who has a human heart that has been fractured by betrayal. Readers witness her transformation, with centibots infused in her limbs and her mind set on vengeance. We get to know more about Reese’s own identity—specifically the tattooed serial number she keeps hidden. It’s a subtle reminder of her past and whatever systemic structure she’s escaped from.

The other characters that really help to shape the story are Kid, or the memory of him. I could feel Reese’s heart aching when she read his letter. For her, this was his final betrayal, where he promised never to return. But this only fuels her resolve to just embrace her terrifying power. There’s also Brenth and Jenn, who feel like home to Reese. They run the Copperpot Inn in the Over City. This also shows a huge contrast between the two places. The Under City seems dark and grimy, but the Over City is full of a glow and a different life.

As we get deeper into the story, readers meet Lord Krowne, who’s powerful and condescending. I think readers will immediately despise him as much as I did, because of the way he treats Reese as if she were a replaceable part. Without giving any spoilers away, readers might be equally satisfied with the irony as the story shifts closer to the ending chapters. On the other hand, readers may ask themselves if it was worth it at the cost of what Reese becomes.

Other characters who stood out were Maka the Scarborough, who is a rebel, but he’s also an opportunist. He’s just fighting to survive and to profit, nothing more, nothing less. Then there’s the working-class backbone of the revolution, Tomat. He constantly reminds Reese of the stakes in their high-tech rebellious plot.

There’s so much to love about a novel that reads like an on-screen movie. This book is rich with sensory details like the smell of the smoke from Old Market, or the feel of the wet cobblestones under Reese’s boots, and the sound of the eerie quietness of the Copperpot bar boarded up in grief. The world-building doesn’t drown out the characters, which is another plus about this story. The pacing is even appropriate, matching each scene from chapter to chapter.

The readers who will most appreciate a sci-fi thriller like Goddess from the Machine are those who enjoy similar works, such as Marjorie Liu’s Monstress or the Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. Rodrigues-Martin’s novel is about rebellion, high-tech gadgets, the emotional costs of having power, but it’s also a book where Reese doesn’t really become the hero. She becomes something else entirely, and her whole transformation leaves us asking if it was worth it. Goddess from the Machine by Daniel Rodrigues-Martin is definitely worth the read.

[Katie Voss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some context: This was a book I bought almost immediately upon release, as I was already a fan of the author (please check out The Quantum Fall of Thaddeus Archibald DuBois series), and then I started reading it as summer 2025 began, and THEN I was horribly sick for about five months. So the first half of my reading was in a physical copy of the book, but the last half I listened to on Audible. This review will contain my thoughts on both the audiobook and the physical book.

Our first impressions of leading lady Reese are inundated with the author's skillful use of conversational language. We are given glimpses of accents and expression through realistic dialogue and hard-hitting descriptions. Throughout the novel, characters' voices are tied to that realism, and I am grateful. In an imaginary world that exists in some distant future, it's important to anchor the characters with dialogue that is believable. Even more impressive is the author's ability to maintain dialogue that is accessible through the lens of accents and phonetically written phrases.

Reese Sodoleto is presented to us carefully, her past crafted mostly through flashbacks in conveniently labeled chapters. As her present builds upward into a climax, her past unfolds in selected memories - memories leading up to the painful departure of her friend, Kid, which we know is coming from the beginning. By the time we reach our male lead's exit, Reese's personality and development have fully engaged the reader and we are invested not just in her relationship with Kid, or in the mission we believe Kid left for her, but in Reese herself and all she is becoming.

The world that the author builds for us is expansive, but his descriptions are not comprehensive. We dive into the city of Machindoun and are given brief (but vital) introductions to other areas. Personally I find this satisfying, knowing that there is still so much to explore, and further reading in the series will not feel too repetitious. The cyberpunk elements of the world are fascinating enough to keep sci-fi readers engaged, but not so overwhelming as to keep away readers who are more interested in the characters than their cybernetic limbs. That being said, the world generally does not read like high-brow sci-fi. It's down-to-earth. Ha. Ha.

Thematically, the novel deals two challenging elements: human trafficking and grief/loss. I believe these themes were handled with appropriate levels of sensitivity and care, but personally I would have liked more detail. While Reese's desire for vengeance and justice is believable, as well as her legitimate rage, her assumed recovery from various traumas at break-neck speed did not always sit well with me. My hope is that further exploration of her character in books to come will allow her to more thoroughly examine the effects of slavery (and the other trauma which I won't explain here because spoilers.)

For me, the entirety of the book's message was solidified in one phrase: "...the price of safety was freedom, and the price of freedom, safety..." (pg 65) Reese desires to be free and safe simultaneously, and sometimes she believes this is attainable. We see her trying to make a life for herself, to stay under the radar, and to hold on to what safety and freedom she has. The tragedy is that in seeking her own safety, she risks not only her own freedom but the freedom of others, and in finding true freedom, she herself becomes a threat to safety.

My only other critique comes with high praise. To my delight, the back of the book included a timeline, a reference for month names, and an index. This was a joy to behold and I came back to it many times. My only complaint is that it didn't include a guide for pronunciation. By listening to the last half of the book, I was amused to experience how differently some things might be pronounced. The narrator has a wonderful Australian accent that varies in intensity, which made me wonder in equal parts if *she* was saying something incorrectly or if *I* had been reading something incorrectly. However, she was exceptionally well-spoken and expressed Reese's emotions with such fervor I teared up a few times.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough. My critiques are not to say, "This was done badly," but rather to express, "This was done, and I want more of it." Five stars, and cheers to whatever comes next.

[Steven Shupert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can always tell a book is good when I read through it quickly. I don't often read fiction, but this is one I enjoy. The world building is vast, there are hints at so much more in this world and I want to explore it. Daniel is now one of the authors I find that can pace a story just right to keep my attention and interest. I was constantly wanting to see what the next paragraph, next chapter, held. Now I am eager for the release of the main story of the Ark Saga to explore this interesting and well written world.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read, very captivating! Loved this book!

[Michael Hirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretend SF. it reads much more like a fantasy story--like Recluse. If I liked fantasy more I might rate it higher.

[Ryan Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible start to the series. Everything about the book was well thought out and purposeful. The world Martin has built and the complex characters feel relatable and believable. I could not put this book down, and I am excited for the next showing.

[Samyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Goddess from the Machine is a fast-paced sci-fi, cyberpunk novel. Many of these types of stories are set in a dystopian world of chaotic misanthropes creating havoc with no motivation other than ... creating havoc. The Goddess from the Machine is a unique approach; the author has a message, and the characters are unique, motivated, and purposeful. This is a tale of human trafficking in a distant future - it's still an issue for mankind ... as is slavery, greed, and evil. Reese Sadoleto, the main protagonist, has memories of life's tragedies that any reader will easily relate to. She is a brilliant, take-no-prisoners hardass with a tender heart - you will root for her and her friends.

World-building is incredibly creative, detailed, and descriptive. The prose poetic at times, thoughtful ... with a few delightfully humorous interactions - you will have trouble putting this book down.

Release in June 2025, 15 hours of audiobook listening, narrated by Rhiannon Moushall.

Recommended!!

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goddess From the Machine is a slow-burn cyberpunk thriller that succeeds most where it matters: its world and its protagonist. It’s not flawless, but when it works, it really works.

The plot follows Reese Sadoleto, an ex-slave and gifted machinist trying to carve out a quiet life after the disappearance of her superhuman partner, the Vigilant. For a while, she almost manages it. Then violence returns to Machindoun, someone she cares about is killed, and the past she’s been trying to outrun drags her back into the city’s shadows. The book moves between Reese’s present-day search for answers and her earlier years working alongside the Vigilant to dismantle the city’s trafficking network. These two threads slowly converge into a larger picture of corruption, control, and the people who profit from both.

Machindoun feels fully lived-in. It's industrial, unequal, and quietly rotting. The book uses its setting as scenery and pressure - you can feel the city wearing people down, shaping them, and in Reese’s case, pushing her toward reinvention and revenge. It’s not hard to see why Arcane comparisons come up; the combination of industrial decay, class tension, and moral complexity fits well.

Reese herself is the book’s biggest strength. She’s capable, wounded, stubborn, and believable in all of those things. Her trauma informs her choices without swallowing the story whole, and watching her rebuild (literally and figuratively) is satisfying. Even when the plot takes its time, her voice keeps the pages turning.

The pacing in the first half is occasionally too deliberate. The early stretch moves slowly, almost cautiously, as if the book isn’t entirely sure it wants to start yet. The dual timeline adds texture but sometimes dilutes urgency, and a few side characters never rise beyond functional. These aren’t fatal flaws, but they do keep the book from hitting as hard as it could in the first half.

Once things shift into place, the book becomes far more gripping. The action sequences are gritty, chaotic and physical. The escalation toward the end feels earned, and the final revelations land well.

Despite its pacing issues and a few thinly sketched characters, Goddess From the Machine is a good story. Its worldbuilding is excellent, its mood consistent, and Reese is a memorable protagonist. If you’re willing to settle in and let the book build slowly, it rewards the patience.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was, in no way, prepared for a lot of this story. For a first story (a prequel even) from an author I've not read before, I was blown away. Even without those qualifiers, I was blown away. There is massive depth in Daniel's world building that just keeps going as the story goes on. As with most good writers, I wasn't happy with every choice the author made, but most good stories don't just go along happily with everyone coming out unscathed.

This world is fantastical, but also not so far from reality in a lot of ways. The handling of classism, racism, and other touchy subjects was really good. While the acknowledgements at the beginning reference similarities to Batman that were toned down from the original short story, this story stands completely on its own and does not feel like something that has been copied from elsewhere. There are definite influences that can be seen, but not retelling.

I completely recommend this book and cannot wait for the next installment to come available!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddess from the Machine is a brilliantly crafted, high-tension prequel that blends cyberpunk grit, emotional depth, and razor-sharp storytelling. Daniel Rodrigues-Martin delivers a gripping narrative centered on Reese Sadoleto, a fierce, damaged, brilliantly human protagonist whose transformation is as breathtaking as the world she’s fighting to escape. The writing strikes a masterful balance between action, psychological nuance, and cinematic world-building, resulting in a story that is as immersive as it is devastating.

The book’s exploration of identity, vengeance, and autonomy elevates it far beyond a typical dystopian thriller. Reese’s evolution, from ex-slave to mastermind strategist to cybernetically enhanced avenger, is handled with remarkable precision and emotional honesty. Every twist feels earned, every character purposeful, and every reveal hits with force. Goddess from the Machine is bold, propulsive, and unforgettable, a standout entry in the Ark Saga universe and a testament to Rodrigues-Martin’s exceptional storytelling vision.

[Rhiannon Moushall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to preface this review by saying that I’m the audiobook narrator, but I assure you that in no way has influenced my rating. (In all honesty, if I hadn’t enjoyed it, I just wouldn’t have reviewed it).

This is a beautifully written tale of a girl fighting her way through trauma, simply seeking love and belonging despite the wicked odds against her. As a reader, I felt invited to ride her wildly careening emotional rollercoaster from start-to-finish, and in doing so, I felt changed. I’m an idealist at heart — hopeful, optimistic — but through Reese’s struggle, I struggled. It’s a journey well worth taking, but be prepared for heartbreak.

The world-building is rich and engrossing, and the cast of Reese’s story feel truly alive. A gritty, dystopian sci-fi that left me shaken long after I finished recording…

[Susan Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is exceptional. It's difficult to place it into one genre. It's mix of fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk, cyberpunk, and dystopian, layered with deep relationships and difficult moral choices. Thought provoking- the type of novel the reader will think about long after they finish. The world building is masterful and fascinating. While all of the characters are well-drawn, protagonist Reece is the most complex and compelling. This is a protagonist not easily forgotten. Plenty of plot twists and surprises, and while I'm not a fan of timeline switching, it was well done. As it's a prequel, the ending was satisfying. I look forward to the next novel in this series.