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Sin Eater: Book One of the Ascendant Engine Archives
The end was just another beginning for humanity. When the Reality Alteration Engine arrived to harvest the last of its untapped sentient resources, it also flipped the table on all the Laws by which mankind had measured the scope of its existence. The result was chaos, and the death of more than 80% of the human race within a matter of weeks. But those who survived the culling were stronger than any that had come before them, and newly imbued with the potential to grow beyond even their wildest dreams.
For Bardh Aleksandër Zenevisi, the great calamity was the final impetus he needed to return to the childhood home that he'd fled long ago, in search of the girl he'd left behind. That fateful impulse swiftly led him down the path to tragedy. But in his darkest hour, the arrival of the Engine offered a glimmer of hope. One last chance to reverse his greatest failure and restore what had been so viciously ripped away. Trapped at the moment of global conversion within the deepest reaches of the tribulation zone known as the Endless Graveyard, the reborn Sin Eater must find a way to survive against impossible odds, if only long enough to fulfill his last and most important mission.
But little does he know, just how deep this rabbit hole goes.
---
Welcome to the Engine!
A place of endless danger and intrigue, brimming with monsters both mythical and mundane. A reality where the stakes can be as small as a single, solitary lost soul looking for a way to rejoin her soulmate among the living, or as large as an intra-galactic war between system-spanning, reality-bending vampiric super-entities.
Love and death, trust and betrayal, the clash of powerful civilizations and the fall of great empires, as well as the final state of every soul within them, are balanced herein upon the edge of a knife. The pieces will fall, but where they lay will be up to those who dare to change the Weave and alter the Pattern. So spin the Wheel, and come along for the ride!
For Bardh Aleksandër Zenevisi, the great calamity was the final impetus he needed to return to the childhood home that he'd fled long ago, in search of the girl he'd left behind. That fateful impulse swiftly led him down the path to tragedy. But in his darkest hour, the arrival of the Engine offered a glimmer of hope. One last chance to reverse his greatest failure and restore what had been so viciously ripped away. Trapped at the moment of global conversion within the deepest reaches of the tribulation zone known as the Endless Graveyard, the reborn Sin Eater must find a way to survive against impossible odds, if only long enough to fulfill his last and most important mission.
But little does he know, just how deep this rabbit hole goes.
---
Welcome to the Engine!
A place of endless danger and intrigue, brimming with monsters both mythical and mundane. A reality where the stakes can be as small as a single, solitary lost soul looking for a way to rejoin her soulmate among the living, or as large as an intra-galactic war between system-spanning, reality-bending vampiric super-entities.
Love and death, trust and betrayal, the clash of powerful civilizations and the fall of great empires, as well as the final state of every soul within them, are balanced herein upon the edge of a knife. The pieces will fall, but where they lay will be up to those who dare to change the Weave and alter the Pattern. So spin the Wheel, and come along for the ride!
- GenresFantasy
605 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
89 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 21, 2025
I DNF this book at page 78, as it just never grabbed me. We've gone through 3 PoV changes already, and I have no idea what is even happening at this point.
We get a prologue of someone that was in a major battle somewhere, then we get the first chapter of a guy somewhere in Europe visiting a graveyard with his father and stepsister. Then there is an integration into some sort of game system, and he gets an uber class called Sin Eater. His stepsister is a ghost now, and can help him. From there, we get a chapter of some little princess that wants to spend time with her male relative, but he's super studious. I felt like I had whiplash at this point. And I gave up.
We get a prologue of someone that was in a major battle somewhere, then we get the first chapter of a guy somewhere in Europe visiting a graveyard with his father and stepsister. Then there is an integration into some sort of game system, and he gets an uber class called Sin Eater. His stepsister is a ghost now, and can help him. From there, we get a chapter of some little princess that wants to spend time with her male relative, but he's super studious. I felt like I had whiplash at this point. And I gave up.
April 2, 2025
A refreshing take on the genre!
Great book that kept me engaged throughout. The MC has a lot of depth and goes through a lot of big challenges and transformations. I like how the Engine is portrayed as a sort of mildly sarcastic entity that adds a bit of humor to the dark setting. Really enjoyed the scene with the veteran teacher and how he explained SCADWIP in his dry yet highly animated manner, never seen anything like that in this genre before - definitely makes understanding the attributes more engaging. I'm excited to see how the two plot lines eventually come together.
Great book that kept me engaged throughout. The MC has a lot of depth and goes through a lot of big challenges and transformations. I like how the Engine is portrayed as a sort of mildly sarcastic entity that adds a bit of humor to the dark setting. Really enjoyed the scene with the veteran teacher and how he explained SCADWIP in his dry yet highly animated manner, never seen anything like that in this genre before - definitely makes understanding the attributes more engaging. I'm excited to see how the two plot lines eventually come together.
December 18, 2025
It's good
As good action. Good plot. The author takes his time setting the world up as the only quibble I have, but once he gets going the action really starts a pace. There's interesting use of powers and abilities. There's a lot to recommend in this book. I hope this review helps you. I didn't want to reveal any of the plot. I feel if I did so that would really take away your enjoyment of the book. I'm sorry for any spelling errors or grammatical errors. I'm writing this review with voice to text
As good action. Good plot. The author takes his time setting the world up as the only quibble I have, but once he gets going the action really starts a pace. There's interesting use of powers and abilities. There's a lot to recommend in this book. I hope this review helps you. I didn't want to reveal any of the plot. I feel if I did so that would really take away your enjoyment of the book. I'm sorry for any spelling errors or grammatical errors. I'm writing this review with voice to text
May 15, 2025
Very much enjoyed this book. Enjoying the parallel story-lines and the setting as it's slowly revealed. The writing is generally good enough though it could use a pass or two with an editor. I'll definitely read the next book in the series; a shame that it's likely a while away given the past writing speed of Mr. Gaumer.
Note:
- 1 star = I disliked it
- 2 star = It was okay
- 3 star = I liked it
- 4 star = I really liked it
- 5 star = It was a favorite
Note:
- 1 star = I disliked it
- 2 star = It was okay
- 3 star = I liked it
- 4 star = I really liked it
- 5 star = It was a favorite
April 2, 2025
Love this
This is a fantastic book. I love how the MC can fail recover and grow. This is not your standard over powered MC This guy has to use his brain and not just punch stuff. I am a huge fan of the FMC and the family dynamic. It is great how we see some Slavic folklore as well. All around my hats off to the author. Well done.
This is a fantastic book. I love how the MC can fail recover and grow. This is not your standard over powered MC This guy has to use his brain and not just punch stuff. I am a huge fan of the FMC and the family dynamic. It is great how we see some Slavic folklore as well. All around my hats off to the author. Well done.
December 3, 2025
Another excellent read from Gaumer
Unlike the sheol series (which is what got me into following and reading his books) this one is a slow burn that once it gets going really pulls you in. The character and world building is top notch and I can't wait for more of this and his sheol series.
Unlike the sheol series (which is what got me into following and reading his books) this one is a slow burn that once it gets going really pulls you in. The character and world building is top notch and I can't wait for more of this and his sheol series.
October 24, 2025
Great book
Story starts slow and the jumping in time was a little hard to follow at first. But I liked the characters and the plot once I got passed that.
Story starts slow and the jumping in time was a little hard to follow at first. But I liked the characters and the plot once I got passed that.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews