Gearforged: Undercity Scars

by Russell D Jones

Once the undefeated champion of Anthracite’s celebrated boxing rings, Jasper’s glory days ended the moment he defied his corporate masters. Beaten, broken, and near rust bottom, he survives in the smog-choked slums of the Undercity, numbing his pain with drugs and dodging the ghosts of his past. But when he stumbles upon a silver orb discarded in The Undercity refuse, Jasper unknowingly falls into a world where the stakes are higher than he could imagine.

Sought by corrupt barons above and restless revolutionaries below, the orb proves to be more than an ordinary trinket. Jasper’s beloved Trixie, a charm-runner, and Cid, a disgraced engineer, help to uncover its dark secrets. Ensnared in murderous corporate conspiracies, they are hunted by assassins, thugs, and underworld factions with deadly agendas.

In a world where loyalty is rare and betrayal is currency, Jasper’s struggle to protect the one person he loves means gambling away the city’s best hope for liberation.

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2025

Reviews

[Sasha Mereu]

I enjoyed Russell D. Jones' other book, Orbital Strain, and so when this one came out, I ordered it right away. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for steampunk, but never really got deep into the world via literature or graphic novels (it was always more of a cool cosplay style for me). So here comes a review from a reader outside of the genre community who, based on this book, would like to become more acquainted with steampunk and its canon. Russell serves as an ambassador for this genre and represents it with a kicking story. The author has written a world here that feels gritty and polluted, dangerous and real. I love when authors are brave enough not only to deal with rough subjects (addiction, violence, sex, revenge, et al), which Russell does here, but he also dares to throw a reader into the deep end without providing floaties in the form of defining every little jargon term that might not be immediately understandable; Russell does exactly this as well and to great effect. Rather than giving tedious explanations replete with backstory and lore for every little item and weapon, setting and concept, he allows these story elements to exist and interact with the characters with explanation coming via exposition and storytelling, showing not telling, and action communicating what something is and how it works instead of handing us a users manual. Well done, Mr. Jones! The world of the story is broken and rundown and the author provides a great reminder that humans are infinitely adaptable creatures and will find a way to flourish even when things are beyond horrible. There may or may not be a biting commentary throughout dealing with our own broken world that is in the stranglehold of corporations... entirely coincidental, I'm sure. I highly recommend this title and enjoyed it even more than his previous work. What's next, Mr. Jones? Whatever it is, I'm looking forward!

[Rene Averett]

From page one, Gearforged plunges readers into a richly imagined steampunk city teeming with layered intrigue and atmospheric grit. The worldbuilding is masterfully done—detailed enough to conjure vivid visuals without slowing the pace. You can feel the grime, the gears, and the thrum of industry in every scene.

The story kicks off with a heart-pounding chase sequence straight out of a blockbuster, setting the tone before we even meet the protagonist. Jasper, caught in a dangerous game with powerful forces closing in, is instantly compelling. He’s not alone—he’s supported by a loyal girlfriend and a few trusted allies—but the odds still feel impossibly stacked. His determination and heart make him someone you genuinely want to see triumph.

The antagonist isn’t just one villain—it’s an entire corporation led by a ruthless figure with mob-boss menace. The stakes are high, and the tension never lets up. At the heart of the conflict is a piece of cutting-edge technology that everyone wants and few are willing to play fair to get. Jasper, of course, is caught in the crossfire.

Gearforged blends action, mystery, and speculative wonder into a fast-paced, immersive ride. If you love fantasy adventures with cinematic energy and compelling characters who fight to reclaim their fate, this is a thrilling read worth diving into.

[Kelli Heitstuman-Tomko]

A gritty steampunk thriller but an incredible love story as well.

When a disgraced boxer finds an important device, he must get it into the right hands. At risk are the world he lives in and, most importantly, the woman he loves.

This author has created an incredible world, or two worlds really, that are so completely different and yet connected. One is an upper world where only the rich and powerful exist, the other and a gritty underworld (or undercity) where the disenfranchised live. The two worlds are described in extraordinary detail.

A great read, especially for those who are fans of Philip K. Dick-style science fiction.