Demon Engine

by Marten Norr

Sally Delavega, the best demon-binder the world has ever seen, would do anything to banish the two hundred ghosts trapped in his head—even if it means swimming up from the bottom of his tankard. When the Navy that destroyed his life comes sailing back to offer enough coin to get the job done, Sally agrees. All he has to do is help the crew of the Steadfast track down the ancient abyssal that lies sleeping at the heart of their drowned world. Why the Navy wants the demon isn’t Sally’s problem. But as they sail on, Sally begins to dredge up disturbing truths about how the world flooded and their ancient eldritch quarry that might just want to be found…

Imaginative and poignant, funny and bizarre, Demon Engine brings us a bold, queer high-seas adventure that asks how deep we might venture for what we aren’t willing to lose.

Genres: Fantasy, Queer, Horror, Fiction, Transgender, Ghosts, Adult

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2025

Reviews

[Briar Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this, primarily because, while it is written in a perfectly serviceable prose style for an action-adventure/seastead and sorcery oriented fantasy novel, I was craving more elaborate and/or unusual uses of the English language. (Unfortunately for DEMON ENGINE, I was mentally comparing it to Hiron Ennes's LEECH, Herman Melville's MOBY-DICK, and Dale Stromberg's MAEJ on this count, which is probably not fair. Particularly in the last two instances!)

That said, once I did get into it-- once the moving parts of the plot clicked together and started really moving-- I had a blast and finished the book in an afternoon! It reminded me of reading as a child, when I didn't really care about prose but about mental spectacle and escapism via emotionally tortured, larger than life characters whose inner turmoil could at least be expressed through explosive bursts of magical power. DEMON ENGINE has some fantastic fight scenes that really take advantage of the whole "written fiction has no budgetary constraints" thing. All the main characters were nicely multi-dimensional, morally gray, and unique-- none of them came off as stereotypes or even archetypes, which is noteworthy in this type of fiction. It's also great (as in WRATH GODDESS SING) to see this type of larger than life fantasy character written as trans. The water world setting was cool, too-- Norr uses it to deftly chop and mix genre elements from pirate adventure stories, high fantasy, kaiju movies, science fiction, and Lovecraftian horror into a whole that feels original and pretty seamless, although occasionally it does beg the question "is EVERYTHING in this world somehow nautically themed?"

I was pleasantly surprised that the ending was as muted and bittersweet/downbeat as it was! I fully expected this novel to pull all its punches in terms of killing off main characters; it doesn't. Which is all I'll say about that.

Last thing, also hard to say without spoilers: I enjoyed the kind of...meta joke, almost?...about autistic masking/how autistic people are commonly portrayed or assumed to be versus how many actual autistic people need to learn to navigate life.

[Rachel Ashera Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moby-Dick by way of Tamsyn Muir, Demon Engine is the grimy, gritty, gay sea adventure you didn't know you needed. Rife with horror both body and cosmic, Demon Engine transports you to a flooded future packed with storm saints, abyssal demons, and lovably unsavoury characters. Marten Norr's darkly funny, imaginative, and trans as hell debut will have you singing his praises and cursing his name by the end.

[Shrike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lot and I love it for that. It has all the good stuff: found family, a queer cast, boats, demon boats, unfathomable transdimensional horrors, and barrels of booze to silence the PTSD demons.

The worldbuilding stood out to me as especially robust. Demon Engine is satisfyingly dense and a bit volatile. I appreciated having a glossary in the back for quick reference.

I'm grateful for the chance to check out the ARC for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written and enjoyable fantasy story, elevated by believable characters that are both flawed and beautiful.

[Kassandra Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review edited May 17, 2025

I’m not even sure what to say… half the time I don’t think I even knew what was going on, like, am I just that dumb? Is this all just over my head? Or is it because the world building is just that alien to me? The other half of the time I was just that invested in everything that was happening (even if I didn’t understand some of it). Sometimes I was trying to figure out the mystery behind some things while I was at work or going about my day. I have a feeling that this story will stick with me for a long while, especially as it’s not my normal reading material.

I think this would make an amazing movie/mini series/animated movie/TV series but of course no one would be able to do it justice and although I would love it, it would get panned the world over because that’s just how these things work and the bittersweet ending may not sit well with people.

I’d recommend it if you like mystery/pirate/high seas adventures/otherworldly creatures and whatnot.

TW for multiple character deaths: descriptions and references on and off page.

I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I forgot to mention that I liked the map that was in the pdf version and wish it had been included in the ebook version and that I also like the old cover with the red teacup on it better than the one with the anglerfish.

[Lor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly Ty traum for the early copy and dealing with how slowly I read this because I was Going Through some stuff. Anyway

Absolutely one of the best books I've ever read. The sheer dedication to worldbuilding including religion, social classes and how these abyssal creatures work (the complicated and through summoning system!) is amazing. I love every bit of it. Since the world is flooded, not much of our world is left but there's a city called Vrest?? Bro that's genius. There's a jail in a giant whale and it sounds disgusting. The BODY HORROR IS SO PERFECT like it's gross but also can be beneficial and gender affirming. There's good and bad in everything and life sucks but we have HOPE and we're doing our best. HAPPY PRIDE BABYYY

[I. Merey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent and imaginative AND ALSO just a helluva good time. This is pure storytelling art, with such a neat and intricate nautical world to explore and the coolest characters to explore it with.

There are so many junctures for such a thing to go sideways, but Norr navigates it all. The pacing is pretty much perfect--just the right amount of orchestrated confusion at the start of the tale, with Norr then skillfully unveiling piece after piece, as it is needed. Chapter by chapter, we become more versed in the characters, their powers, their histories, the histories of their world, their laws and customs--and religion. Something I expressly enjoy about Norr's writing is how he (at least in the writing I've had the pleasure to read) weaves in religious figures and rituals in a very cool and organic way. I really loved the bits about storm saints and the various churches, the specific objects for the banishment rituals. Wonderful. There is a great anthropological quality to the writing that deftly sidesteps over-explanation or bogging down the pace. This book is like the most complicated dream you've ever had, where nothing is what you know--but everything is grounded firmly in the soil of the dream and is known to you.

Sally's my boy--he is strong, but pathetic, resilient but fragile--he is a broken glass little shard of a dude, because his life and circumstances have broken him but he will still always try to do the right thing. And sometimes--that will not be enough or be patently wrong. Norr has a great feel for characterization and takes care that DEMON's characters are neither nihilistic nor following classic, blockbuster arcs of despair and redemption. Many temperatures are explored here, as in life as well, our best intentions and our histories are always clashing. Chelsea, Mary, Dru and Sally's actions remind us that the past is not our fault, but it's still our hand that comes to pay it forward.

And while Sally is my unabashed favorite, there are so many other great characters as well--how can we not love Dru? Chelsea? Mary (!!!!) The interdimensional sea creatures? The horrifying Siren? Weatherby, who is such a cool layer of personality flavors. The guy yelling walls walls walls walls WALLS

There is no shortage of carnage, sea stank and blood, but there is a lot of wry sea humor, as well as subtly woven in meta-commentary about being trans and neurodivergent, that I really appreciated. Also, just like, how does any one person know so much about sea creatures. Just h o w. The sheer nautical NERDERY was off the charts and I fucking loved it!!!!!!!

Last but very not least--in a tale like this, with so many characters and so many plot threads going on, it's not uncommon to reach the end and feel that the author got lost in their own sauce and had to slapdash an ending somehow. So it was an extra delight that Norr managed to finesse a finish that was really, the most satisfying outcome I could think of and a perfect final picture for all the colors and moods.

It's smart, it's bloody, it's SEA PUNS, it's supertrans. I'm serious, just read this.
You will have a great time. <3

[Reed Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

TL:DR
- Is this a good book? Absolutely! It was fantastic!
- Plot? Wonderfully rich and engaging, plenty of mystery to uncover about this incredible world.
- How are the themes? Important and deep feeling. Found family, trauma, and trans identity.
- How are the characters? Some of the most lovable crew of people imaginable. I loved every moment with them.
- Good magic system? Incredible magic system! An incredibly unique way of incorporating the world, plot, and characters by their magical capabilities. This was so well done.
- Better than HP? HELL YES! This book is so incredible with the most amazing characters it would put that TERF in a grave of black mold if she read it.
- What should you read next? Author is coming out with more stories in this world and I can't wait :)

I picked this book up after a friend's recommendation and cannot thank them enough for getting me hooked on one of my favorite reads of the last few years! Demon Engine by Marten Norr is an incredible debut novel by a wonderful author who just got it all right in the best ways. I loved this book, from the plot to the writing and the characters, it was more than amazing, it was truly meaningful. To have character representing trans identity done so well was such a joyful surprise, and it made the book so relatable and gives room for cis folx to read this and understand what it's like to be in the head and body of someone with this lived experience. Phenomenally well done.

I devoured this book like an abyssal eye with explicit instructions to voraciously read nonstop until the book was done. The magic and the world were stunning and well put together, with so much tie-in to the mysteries the world is hiding. The creepiness of the abyssal threats and creatures were not so scary I couldn't get through it, and were just the right amount of awe-inspiring terror to give me an incredible feeling of tension and eagerness to see what happened. Among many other wonderful parts were the lovely cast of characters and all their dialogue, their cute jabs at each other like having an 'eel' vs a 'clam' that just hit right in the way they grow to love each other and become a crew and a family. The characters really made this book for me, and I will always love Mary, Sally, Dru, and Chelsea so so so much. I cannot wait to see Marten brings in the next book :)

P.S. I combo audiobooked and read the text and it was amazing both ways! Marten did the audio and it was so professional and incredibly well done! The writing is just as captivating to read on the page. 10/10 an amazing read through and through!

[Rohan O'Duill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demon Engine is a heart stopping high-seas adventure featuring deep sea demons that certain skilled individuals can summon and control. But with these talents comes other torments. Ghosts or remora like to attach themselves to cleavers, leaving our MC with hundreds of competing voices in their head that can only be quietened by a lot of grog.
This book is a lot of fun and also a great introduction for people who want to read more trans characters. These characters feel like real people, they are created with a skill and tenderness that brings you into their world and makes you care for them.
An outstanding debut novel, I can’t wait to read the next book from Norr.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this eARC!

One thing to know about me: I have a deep (pun intended) love for everything related to the oceans. It is no surprise that this nautical horror would be right up my alley!

In this post-diluvian sea-faring adventure, an ex-pirate Navy captain, his cold and severe second, a self-taught orphan child, a young man bearing the weight of 200 souls and a stuffy professor need to find the oldest leviathan for their Monarch.

The relationships between the characters were complex, difficult and so interesting. Every one has their own hard past filled with mistakes and regrets that they now need to reckon with. Also, obvious bonus points for good queer and trans representation!

This had great examples of character voice, in that it was easy to know which character was speaking just by the tone and wording of their dialogue.

The story can get quite dark and grotesque, but I thoroughly enjoyed imagining the horrific abyssals and how their biology might function 😆 (yes, I am a nerd). The discussions about the usefulness of abyssal taxonomy made me chuckle!

I feel like the ending was satisfying enough that this book could be read as a standalone. However, I will be impatiently waiting for the sequel because I need more of this cool magic system and creatures! I also got way too attached to the characters and I want more of their stories in my life.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was not good enough I need it engraved in my brain

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Set in a flooded world, this story follows the crew of the Steadfast on their mission to capture an ancient abyssal. Sally, a very powerful demon-binder, also called a cleaver, is asked to come along on the mission. Haunted by his own ghosts (quite literally, in this world remora, the remains of the deceased, attach themselves to cleavers and exist as voices inside their mind), he agrees, hoping to be able to use the coin to soon free himself from the worst of them.
This story features a lot of very interesting world building, making use of excerpts of fictional documents in the beginnings of chapters to tell the readers a bit more about the world in increments without becoming info-dumpy. From the magical and religious systems, to the nautical lifestyle, to the way trauma and relationships are explored, the narrative weaves a beautiful tapestry that is very fun (and often heartbreaking) to follow along. Sally is the main character a traumatized trans man, who copes with his issues by drinking until the voices quiet, but the other characters are equally as interesting. Mary is a trans woman, who can summon demons, with a past and a failed summoning that haunt her. Dru is a young girl, orphaned too soon and only cared for by a man barely able to take care of himself, who suddenly finds herself wanted for her unusually strong summoning powers. Y, the ship’s captain, a former pirate turned Navy after his town was destroyed, struggling between the bonds he has caged himself in and his desire to save himself and his crew. And Weatherby, a scholar, who seems to know a lot more than they let on. Plus of course, the demons and their reasons for allow themselves to be summoned and the way they work with and against the constraints placed upon them by the summoners.
Another strong point of this narrative is the representation of platonic t4t (and as in all my favorite stories the t stands both for trans and for trauma) in the companionship between Mary and Sally. They start out not really trusting each other, then are forced to share a cabin and after discovering that Mary’s touch can help Sally quiet the remora in his head find themselves slowly growing closer and supporting each other.
If you enjoy cosmic horror, swashbuckling adventures, traumatized characters, really intriguing worldbuilding and some incredible action scenes alongside really touching emotional connections, you will want to check this book out!

TW: alcoholism, abuse (sexual and emotional against an adult, physical, emotional and neglect against a child, both are in the past), body horror, multiple character deaths, torture

[Keturah Sergeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing, very strange but wonderful, tense and terrifying, intriguing and painful. The world was absolutely incredible, so odd but intricate, intriguing and intricately woven, a world of summoning demons, of using them without complete understanding, those able to banish them, bind them, shunned, the dead attaching themselves to their souls, haunting them. A world of floating islands, of disconnected seascapes, a distant unnamed ruler, feared, a navy doing his bidding. The LGBTQ rep in this book is amazing. This book isn't a romance, it's not a smutty tale, it doesn't need to be, the two MCs, both trans, both comfortable in their bodies, though not their minds, they comfort one another, by the end they love one another, they make a final sacrifice together. They are imperfect but accepted, they have been damaged but they are resilient, they struggle but they move forward.

A mission needing the best, including one of the rejected, a haunted man, an ex-convict, ghosts in his head but power in his hands. A child, one he has protected best be could, with too much power and so little control. A woman who has learned too well the dangers of summoning without understanding and controlling. A captain who wants to save but is a slave to a system he cannot outwit. Finally, a servant whose identity has been entirely surrendered to the monarch, they are a spy, a researcher, a traitor, an anomaly, who even in the end is confusing, waiting to find themselves. Throughout the book they all share their perspectives giving a diverse, interesting narrative, allowing for deeper understanding of each and the plot around them.

The slow building of information surrounding their mission is intriguing and engaging throughout. They face small scale skirmishes, dangerous information gathering, foes from the past, pirates, demons. The worst of humanity and monsters revealed. In the end great sacrifice is still needed, in the end nothing they have done can be enough, but those that live on do so in safety, do so with hope and family and trust.

A really good read, intriguing, angsty, painful, serious, engaging, action-packed, tension-filled and impactful!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[George Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC edition -
Amazing and mind boggling world building! With bits of Waterworld, Pirates of the Caribbean, Salt, and your choice of "monsters from the deep" all blended together to create an awesome post-apocalyptic world. Extremely dark & twisted, but with a trickle of hope woven throughout.

At some point in the 21st century, an alternate dimension collided with Earth. Global flooding occurred and 2200 years later people have adapted ways to harness the marine beings from the alternate dimension. The current king has plans to find a talisman that will allow him to use them for conquest...
A complex cast with some extremely horrifying pasts, and lives, come together to stop the king from taking over the world. They will have to travel the oceans and go to great depths to find what they need if they hope to succeed....

I hope I don't have nightmares... squelch, squelch, squelch

[Pygmy Potamus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird, wonderful and wacky. Full steam ahead to an adventure you'll never forget.

Not my usual fare (no smut) but other than a few niggles I loved every second.

The world shone through in this one - it was a character all unto itself. You get a good sense of the new world order after a apocalyptic event (think Noah but with more pirates and sea monsters). I loved the glimpses into society and am always a sucker for a tale where the world is against humanity and they survive anyway.

I have three points that I thought could be improved which is why this is a 4.5 rounded down review -

1) We are introduced to a very intriguing character at the beginning but they become slightly redundant towards the end. This is my opinion and I am a bit of a goldfish when it comes to characters but I wish they had a bit more throughout the story.

2) I was utterly confused by all the different 'powers'. I would have liked the glossary at the beginning or on the chapter heads throughout as the descriptions became necessary.

3) The end felt rushed and the brilliant story of characters facing adversity kind of fell flat to me, especially as we don't really see the big bad all powerful threat. But again this is my opinion and I am a fan of a big blowout with lots of flashes and bangs.

Now on to the positives!

I loved the characters. The main POV's we get are distinct and, if not quite charming, they are bold and tragic and the story would not have been the same if even one of our heroes was not so unapologetically themselves. The author obviously took great care in cultivating these personas and bringing them to life was a feat in and of itself.

I would recommend reading trigger warnings as this was not an easy read as it delved into themes of gender identity and the vivid and brutal imagery of the characters journeys to understanding themselves and loving themselves honestly left me breathless. There is also gratuitous violence and mentions of child abuse.

Overall I would recommend Demon Engine to those looking for something different and those who are prepared to sail (get it) towards a whole new outlook on the genre.

4.5* from me.

I received an ARC of this title and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joscelyn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully strange and engaging tale that has me ready for my next ocean going adventure. The cast of characters were complex, each with their own secret baggage. A unique story and very engaging, all in all an enjoyable read.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by BookSirens*

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In asking for ARC readers, Marten Norr pitched Demon Engine as a “weird, queer, post-post-apocalypse nautical fantasy.” I instantly knew I would love this book, and I was right. I love the characters. Sally, Mary, Dru, Chelsea, Weatherby, everyone. They all felt like real people: I celebrated their wins and fumed at their mistakes. There may be character archetypes, but no one is one dimensional. They felt real; the story felt real.

The story! Pirates (sort of) with special abilities going on a treasure hunt all the while battling against their (real) inner and (also real) outer demons?! Familiar ingredients put together in an entirely new way. Norr’s writing lets the reader uncover the truth themselves without spoon-feeding or talking down to them. Fans of the Locked Tomb series and Fallen London will love the richness of the world.

This is what I mean when I say that I want new, exciting books to read. This book deserves to have a special edition with gorgeous character-art endpapers and a tentacle on the edges. I can’t wait to read Demon Engine again.

[Mireya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC copy of Demon Engine. This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

Sally is the best demon-binder the world has ever seem, too bad he's not appreciated by society, or by any of the two hundred ghosts that live in his head. Ghosts that he'd do anything to banished, like joining the Navy's ship "The Steadfast" when it's captain comes looking for Sally for help with his abilities. Bitterly, he embarks. Yet, the more he and the crew learn about their world, the truth behind how it came to be and about the "Steadfast"'s true mission, the more Sally feels danger creeping up his spine, warning him.

First, I want to talk about how fantastical the world in Demon Engine is: a post-diluvian era that left it flooded and reeling, with people developing its own new system and full of eldritch beings, the abyssals. I've been looking for flooded worlds, flooded cities for a while, maybe even characters going underwater, but couldn't find anything satisfying. And here came Demon Engine, perfectly delivering. In fact, when one starts to wonder if everything is nautically themed in the book, the answer is definitely yes. And I Loved It.

Because, it's not only a type of world that I always loved to read about, it was also done wonderfully. Reinventing new rules, architecture, the magic system and how the "demons" (the alien beings, abyssals) take part into all of this. It felt realistic, giving a timeline that could actually happen, even the more speculative aspects, and that's something I always appreciate that authors do in fantasy/science fiction books. Rich in details, with significant explanations and with barely info-dumping at all, because I always love getting hints and putting it all together on my own.

Now, I'll have to go sulk in a corner again because who knows when I'll be able to find a book with such a good world as Demon Engine.

And all this laced with 3 dimensional characters that enrich the story and carry the theme over to the end and beyond. Mainly, Sally and his personality, his charm and faults. I knew him as a friend by the end of the book; I went through a whole emotional journey with him, and I'd gladly do it again and again and again. And Mary, my dear Mary, first lieutenant of the Steadfast and right-hand of the captain; if Sally is a demon-binder, she's a "summoner", far better appreciated than binders. Mary is the other good part of this book along with Sally, I knew her as intimately as him by the end. Unfortunately, I can't choose, so both of them are my favorite characters.
I loved their relationship, the ups and downs, the way they came around each other, their developments.... Everything, actually😂 Mainly, the amazing team they form once they get to spent some time around.

Demon Engine made me laugh, it made me cry, it impacted me at moments, left me wordless... Just amazing. I recommend it, with beautiful prose, messing with the english language and alternating POVs amazingly.

Overall, a story full of queer characters, nautical symbolism, feelings and, my favorite, cosmic horror and horrible eldritch creatures that torment the world. With rounded and amazing characters that took me down the emotional rollercoaster at full speed. Gonna recommend this one 'till the end of times

[Dale Stromberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nautical fantasy unspools its cracking good plot in inviting, translucent prose. Its swashbuckling adventure, Lovecraftian monsters, kelp grog, typhoon-summoning pirates, half-demon Navy captain, and bathymetric surgery would have been enough to keep me rifling through its pages, but what truly elevates the book is its sensitively developed characters and their multilateral frictions. This, in the end, is what wins the story its emotional resonance. This is a novel whose author clearly possesses the instinct to keep the work accessible, but which also respects and trusts the reader enough to make shit complicated—in the most enjoyable sense.

[Shaitanah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic world-building, very vivid characters, strong ambiance. The ending felt a tiny bit rushed, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment overall. Wonderful mix of adventure, horror, humour, and friendship.

[David Wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a difficult book to get through. It's set roughly 2000 in the future. The world has been flooded, and little remains of the current civilization. Three different empires rule the seas. Creatures from the ocean depths called abyssals power much of the world. These range in size from a few inches to the size of an island. The society uses two different types of people to control the abyssal. One is a cleaver, and one is a dredger. A cleaver can bind an abyssal to a ship for example to serve as a power source. A dredger can summon, command, and banish an abyssal. The process to call up and control these creatures must be done carefully since some abyssals do not want to help but must. The abyssals look for wiggle room in the commands and if they find some, all hell can break loose. These aren’t nice creatures, and they’re referred to as demons for a reason.

It wasn't clear what the abyssals. I was thinking they were somehow related Lovecraftian horror. They came into this world through an area called the Trench. Now, I'm thinking Pacific Rim and how the monsters in that movie came through an interdimensional portal. I wish I had a better understanding of what they were. The author doesn’t really explain things as well I wish they had. That was my biggest problem with the book.

A ship is sent to find one abyssal called the Harbinger and the Sword of Saint Imogene by Crown Morrow, the ruler of Pelagia. The ship is captained by Chelea Millard with Marygold McCracken as the lead dredger on the mission. They take on Salvadore, more commonly known as Sally, Delavega, who is one of the most powerful cleavers in the world. Sally is also slightly insane due to the presence of souls attached to him. These souls are called remoras due to their behavior resembling the fish. They are souls that have usually died in traumatic ways. Cleavers are known to attract them due to their mental powers. Sally is said to have 200 hundred souls attached to him. He can only silence them when he’s under the influence of alcohol or touching someone. He and Mary develop a sort of friendship, and she helps him quiet them.
We also have Dru, who is a young girl that Sally has “raised”. He lived in the basement of her parents’ tavern in one of the outlying areas and stayed drunk to keep the remoras at bay. He didn’t really show himself until her parents died from a disease called searot. He took care and raised her the best that he could. She was also a dredger.
Sally had a history with Millard and that’s the reason Millard sought him out for this mission. Millard knew how strong Sally’s gift was and knew that he was the only one who could handle the abyssal they were trying to find. The ship has an abyssal specialist on board sent by Crown Morrow. Weatherby Crane, who uses they/their pronouns, has a secret which has the potential to put the crew in danger.
It’s a very long voyage. We get to see how dangerous it is for the dredgers and the ship to interact with the abyssals. Lives are lost during the mission. Secrets are uncovered. Sally and Mary are both transgendered. The author drops hints, as they do with most everything in the book. Mary made a deal with an abyssal to change her physical form and to not let her family know. Well, this is one time where the abyssal got the better of the dredger. I won’t spoil it though.
The mission progresses even as things seemingly fall apart for the crew. It’s a miracle they make it to their final destination. I won’t spoil the story because it’s pretty good. I was just frustrated with not knowing details about the world portrayed. They talk about Storm Saints, which I’m still not clear on. The origins of the abyssals are murky to me. There’s not explanation on how cleavers and dredgers came to be. The author does include an appendix with definitions and a list of characters. I wish this have been in the beginning of the book rather than the end.
It was a tough read, but a decent one. I do recommend it, but read the appendix first.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demon Engine by Marten Norr came highly recommended to me so I was excited to pick up this sea faring dark fantasy and it certainly did not disappoint. This is a book that is set in a fully imagined world of the author's creation, filled with lore, religion, culture and science that immediately transported me and distracted me, so much so in fact that I finished the book in two days, and would probably have done it sooner if not for pesky real life responsibilities. It was clear that the author had put a huge amount of thought and imagination into this work, and it really paid off, especially since the worldbuilding is woven so well into the story and the way that the nautical theme was woven it was just chef's kiss e.g. the spirits that cling to a character are called Remora, like the fish that cling onto other fish.
The heart of this book is the character work, and every character felt well developed and believable, and I loved that the characters were allowed to have shades of grey, they faced tough decisions and almost unimaginable horrors and were allowed to have doubts and second guess themselves along the way, something that I always appreciate. The character of Sally in particular was really sympathetic, the idea of being trapped with 200 ghosts living in your brain is nothing short of terrifying and as I learned more about his past I really found myself rooting for him, but that being said, I really liked all of the main characters, and loved the complicated relationships and found family vibes that permeate the book. This book is unabashedly Queer, with excellent Trans rep, something that the world can always use more of.
The writing is detailed and action focussed when it needs to be, propulsive and dramatic with excellent work when it came to giving characters a specific voice, and I absolutely adored the alliterative almost poetic way that one of the characters spoke.
There is a darker side to the story too, with some descriptions of torture, wounds etc that do not spare the reader, and the author is clearly not afraid to kill their darlings, but to say too much about that would be a spoiler. I went in to this book knowing almost nothing about it, and I think that is possibly the best way to approach it. If you are looking for a dark and disturbing tale that balances plot and character impeccably this might be a book for you.
I read an ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.

[Zilla Novikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

My reoccurring thought as I read Marten Norr’s Demon Engine was, “Hot damn I wish I'd written this.” The characters jump off the page and assault you in the feels. Sally, who’s never done anything wrong in his whole life (except the murders), haunted by ghosts who threaten him, entice him, and one who says, over and over, “Squelch.” Dru, who loves him for being the best father he was capable of, and hates him in equal measure for all the ways he fell short. The abyssal demons summoned from the other side of the Trench that can be trusted, and those that can't. I could go on.

These people inhabit a flawlessly intricate world—though by no means one without societal issues. From the kid's street game of soccer played with a buoy as a ball and crab traps as nets to the electrical systems powered by demons, every glimpse of the world feels realistic and solid beneath your feet—though between seasteads and pirate ships, the characters barely spend a moment on land.

The book is about second chances. Whether we're given them, whether we deserve them. Whether we can remake our bodies, take new names, repair our own complicity. As individuals, and as a troubled mass of humanity. Maybe we don't deserve to, but the Soothsayer thinks we should get the chance to try.

Come along for the ride as complicated, broken people reach for healing, and as they sail to the edge of the map to confront ever-rising stakes. We can't all write like Marten Norr, but we can read his books.

[Preetha Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been swept away by this book.

Let me try to peel away some of the layers of this lachrymatory onion for you:

🧅 A post-apocalyptic world, 2000 years after the apocalypse. The nautical world humanity now inhabits is vastly different from the "ancients'", which you slowly discover with dread.

🧅 Deep sea monsters and magic to summon them are a thing. But beware, summoning them doesn't mean you can always control them.

🧅 The horrors (apart from the monsters). Of dooming others while trying to save yourself, of having those ghosts both literal and metaphorical living in your head.

🧅 Found family. Complete with three generations, and with questionable choices - that do get questioned.

What more can I say? Oh, yes, this book is an important voice at a time when fantasy book communities and conversations are dominated by 'spice'.

I'm looking forward to reading more adventures set in this universe, or just more of anything from the author!

Side note:
The worldbuilding reminded me of the equally fantastic book Deeplight by Frances Hardinge, so if by any chance you have read and enjoyed that one, you're sure to love this!

Side note #2:
If, like me, you enjoy having to look up fancy words while you're reading, you're in for a treat <3

[Ayo Odun · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

A Solid debut with nice prose, interesting characters and a very creative and unique setting. I’m a bit sad that the setting was actually just earth but thousands of years into the future and not a post apocalyptic fantasy world but that’s just a me issue.

I will say that even though the writing was good there were parts where it was a bit clumsy and not as refined as it could have been.

The Soothsayers dialogue was a treat! And because i listened to the audiobook the narration made it pop. The audiobook is also narrated by the author and he’s really damn good at it again I’m surprised this is his first novel and narration work

The ending! Norr how could you 😭

Highlights for me: queer stories without any romance, ace/demi trans woman mc, multiple trans main characters, unconventional father-daughter relationships x2, the Power of friendship legit saved the day, body horror.

TW for ; gore, violence, body horror, past physical child abuse, alcohol/alcoholism, transphobia & deadnaming,

[Obinna Tony-Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.7/5

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was hard to read, and I mean the story. It’s actually good writings, which I kinda enjoyed skimming through line by line, but having to dedicate 30 - 40 minutes of my time daily reading books for just its writing was tough because I wanted to get into the book.

Despite being a hectic narrative styled story to read, I saw myself trying to get into it at some instances because some parts felt like something interesting was happening. Still, they fell flat since I was on the loop throughout the story. There was no memorable character to at least let me dive into the writing and anticipate their parts.

I couldn’t get into the narration throughout the story, and because I knew it was a very long page book, it was extra tough trying to finish the story. It’s a hard read for most of it, for me.

[Astrophel R · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Thank you to Booksirens and tRaum Publishing for an arc. All opinions are my own.

Demon Engine has an intense high stakes plot, rich world building, and great writing, but in my opinion the best part of this book by far is the characters. All of the characters feel really genuine and their stories are compelling. I’m also obsessed with the way Sally and Mary’s relationship stays platonic, but is given the same sort of care that romantic relationships get.

With that being said, it did take me a while to get into this book. I considered giving this 5 stars immediately after finishing it, because I think the latter half of this book is AMAZING. However, it took me most of the first half to really feel like I understood the world and plot. Once I figured out what was going on, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I will definitely be checking out anything Marten Norr writes in the future.

[Kristy Hertzog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fabulous! At first I wasn't sure I was going to be into it, but before I knew it it "suckered" me in. The characters were well developed and relatable, and the imagery it invoked in my brain was like a biomechanical steampunk themed Tool video. I've always been a little creeped out by the sea and confined spaces, so that helped notch up the tension factor, at least for me. There are some very descriptive scenes involving meat and skittering weird sea creatures. Always a plus!

*******KIND OF SPOILERISH NEXT******
The only thing I wish was explained was why Mary looked the way she did. I was expecting to find out the reason the Siren chose her hair color and was expecting it to be to mirror Sally's mom or something similar. Of course, if there is a sequel, that was most likely intentional.

[Jun Nozaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventure! An absolute page turner with an impeccable yet super approachable world building. From the first few pages I felt like I was reading a nautical version of Terry Pratchett's Discworld - Demon Engine's world is complex, alive, full of mystery and intrigue, yet never overwhelming or unbelievable.

The story takes us aboard the Steadfast, a vessel of the Monarch's fleet tasked with a very important mission. Both the crew and the reader are left in the dark about the exact details, but everything that happens en route is so exciting that it doesn't matter. The story arc is excellently crafted, not a single page felt dull or unnecessary. If I had to voice one tiny complaint is that the finale felt a bit sudden for me. Maybe it's just because I wanted to stay with the crew for yet another chapter, yet another adventure...

[Elizabeth Sheeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5/5) Also big thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC!

This book! Oh my goodness. (Is there a sequel planned? I don't know, but I need one).

I'm glad I kept on it with this book, because at first I was a little hesitant. The magic system/setting took a little while to figure out, but I'm so glad I did. The naval/marine setting (my entire vibe), the setting, the way transitioning and being non-binary was handled so casually (which feels like the wrong word, but it was just there in society, it happened, characters respected it, it did play into the plot on occasion, but it was written well and it wasn't the main conflict, which was nice!).

The characters were also great. Sally and Dru, my babies.