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Steel Machines
Prague, 1945
Eight year old Otto Braum is the sole survivor of the massacre that claimed his parents and left him sustaining himself as best he can in the ruined attic hideout above his childhood home.
But Otto is not alone.
His father had a secret—a creation, unfinished, that he left behind. A secret that is pitiless in nature, relentless in design. A secret with the heart of a steel machine.
From the Amazon best selling author of Down Into the Sea and These Things Linger comes a horrifying reimagining of the story of the golem. Part I Am Legend and part Caging Skies, STEEL MACHINES is an unrelentingly tense tale of haunting, of vengeance... and of survival at any cost."Both Intimate and epic, brutal but beautiful, unapologetic yet restrained... STEEL MACHINES is a perfect novel."
– Nick Roberts, bestselling author of The Exorcist's House, Mean Spirited, and the upcoming Lyla, in the Flesh
"A heartbreaking tale of survival amidst tragedy and horror, this is a beautifully written dark fantasy that will remain with you long after you’ve read the last word. Highly recommended!"
– Tim Waggoner, internationally acclaimed author of The World Turns Red
"This is the best kind of horror."
– Leigh Kenny, best selling author of Cursed, and Hush, My Darling
"If this was made into a movie, it would be an international blockbuster."
– MJ Mars, best selling author of The Suffering and The Fovea Experiments
Eight year old Otto Braum is the sole survivor of the massacre that claimed his parents and left him sustaining himself as best he can in the ruined attic hideout above his childhood home.
But Otto is not alone.
His father had a secret—a creation, unfinished, that he left behind. A secret that is pitiless in nature, relentless in design. A secret with the heart of a steel machine.
From the Amazon best selling author of Down Into the Sea and These Things Linger comes a horrifying reimagining of the story of the golem. Part I Am Legend and part Caging Skies, STEEL MACHINES is an unrelentingly tense tale of haunting, of vengeance... and of survival at any cost."Both Intimate and epic, brutal but beautiful, unapologetic yet restrained... STEEL MACHINES is a perfect novel."
– Nick Roberts, bestselling author of The Exorcist's House, Mean Spirited, and the upcoming Lyla, in the Flesh
"A heartbreaking tale of survival amidst tragedy and horror, this is a beautifully written dark fantasy that will remain with you long after you’ve read the last word. Highly recommended!"
– Tim Waggoner, internationally acclaimed author of The World Turns Red
"This is the best kind of horror."
– Leigh Kenny, best selling author of Cursed, and Hush, My Darling
"If this was made into a movie, it would be an international blockbuster."
– MJ Mars, best selling author of The Suffering and The Fovea Experiments
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
40 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
July 26, 2025
Both intimate and epic, brutal but beautiful, unapologetic yet restrained…STEEL MACHINES is a perfect novel.
August 20, 2025
I was just in Prague when this novella came across my ARC recommendations
I was very intrigued because
1- I am expanding my readings of anything related to the terrible Holocaust that happened during WW2
2- since we are witnessing a televised one, and the means used during that inhuman occurrence are being used now
So, a thank you to BookSiren and the author for providing an eARC of this book
Although this is presented as a horror book, I believe it is the psychological as well as the physical horror that a victim of brutality goes through that this story is trying to show.
the book opens with a family of 3 Jews hiding in a hidden attic at their house in Prague in 1945. This year, though it marks the end of the war, is one of the bloodiest.
Otto, an eight-year-old kid, witnessed the murder of his parents. The Germans did not detect him. Otto is left hiding there, along with a broken machine robot-like called the golem that his father was building.
The novella is not just showing the horror of surviving in these dire circumstances, but also the "victim mentality."
Many of us think that people who are subjected to extreme savagery are thought to denounce acting violently themselves. Though it is true for some, many want justice for the injustice that occurred to them, even if they resort to the same violence.
Steel Machine presents the different stages a Victim Survival may go through: Shock, Anger, disorganization, reorganization, seeking retribution, peace or acceptance, vengeance (even against those who did no harm to you)
Steel Machines gives, in a way, justification for violence against violence done to oneself.
I was very intrigued because
1- I am expanding my readings of anything related to the terrible Holocaust that happened during WW2
2- since we are witnessing a televised one, and the means used during that inhuman occurrence are being used now
So, a thank you to BookSiren and the author for providing an eARC of this book
Although this is presented as a horror book, I believe it is the psychological as well as the physical horror that a victim of brutality goes through that this story is trying to show.
the book opens with a family of 3 Jews hiding in a hidden attic at their house in Prague in 1945. This year, though it marks the end of the war, is one of the bloodiest.
Otto, an eight-year-old kid, witnessed the murder of his parents. The Germans did not detect him. Otto is left hiding there, along with a broken machine robot-like called the golem that his father was building.
The novella is not just showing the horror of surviving in these dire circumstances, but also the "victim mentality."
Many of us think that people who are subjected to extreme savagery are thought to denounce acting violently themselves. Though it is true for some, many want justice for the injustice that occurred to them, even if they resort to the same violence.
Steel Machine presents the different stages a Victim Survival may go through: Shock, Anger, disorganization, reorganization, seeking retribution, peace or acceptance, vengeance (even against those who did no harm to you)
Steel Machines gives, in a way, justification for violence against violence done to oneself.
August 5, 2025
Few authors have the ability to target my emotions quite as deftly as Dan Franklin does. Book after book, he continues to raise the bar for both himself and the horror community in general. When you choose to set a story in such a dreadful period of history, it's far too easy to fall back on the obvious horrors, but Franklin rises above that and blows the readers expectations out of the water. The narrative is elevated by incorporating completely unexpected elements.
This is the best kind of horror. The kind that taps into everyday human fears. Emotions and desires felt by many of us, admittedly on a much smaller scale, fills Steel Machines with relatable monsters. Loneliness, isolation, hunger, the simple act of a child wanting their mother, and it all culminates in a powerful narrative that will gut anyone who reads it.
And I am gutted.
But I'm also filled with an unwavering awe for Franklin and his consistently elevated prose. He has long since cemented his place as one of my favourite authors, and I implore everyone to read this one.
This is the best kind of horror. The kind that taps into everyday human fears. Emotions and desires felt by many of us, admittedly on a much smaller scale, fills Steel Machines with relatable monsters. Loneliness, isolation, hunger, the simple act of a child wanting their mother, and it all culminates in a powerful narrative that will gut anyone who reads it.
And I am gutted.
But I'm also filled with an unwavering awe for Franklin and his consistently elevated prose. He has long since cemented his place as one of my favourite authors, and I implore everyone to read this one.
August 28, 2025
This book was both heartbreaking and breathtaking. I was so deeply invested in the story that I devoured every page. I truly felt like I had read a masterpiece!
The novel follows Otto, an eight-year-old Jewish boy living in Prague during the 1940s. After his family is brutally killed by Nazis, he hides away in his attic completely alone and forced to fend for himself. Terrified and isolated, Otto’s life becomes even scarier when a German family moves into his home. The only comfort he has is his father’s creation, a giant steel Golem, which Otto hopes will somehow come to life and protect him before he is discovered…
This was a powerful read, and what makes it so haunting is that the horror lies not in supernatural monsters, but in the very real atrocities of World War II. Franklin does not shy away from portraying Otto’s grief, fear, and suffocating loneliness. As readers, we’re made to feel his yearning for love and safety, and the sheer horror of what he witnessed. The closer I felt to Otto, the heavier the story became. From the scenes of starvation and hiding in his own home to moments of hope that were quickly shattered, the book had me in an emotional grip from start to finish. There’s so much tension, and I found myself dreading what might happen next.
The Golem element also added an intriguing layer, as it blends folklore and survival into the narrative. The slow build-up to the Golem’s awakening was wonderfully done, and absolutely lived up to the anticipation. The death scenes are pretty brutal! My only critique is that the ending included a large time jump that felt somewhat rushed compared to the rest of the story. Even so, the conclusion was beautifully written, and moved me to tears.
Steel Machines is as devastating as it is mesmerizing and I highly recommend it. This was my first experience with Dan Franklin’s writing, and it certainly won’t be my last. I’m already eager to explore his backlist, because if his other works are anything like this, I know I’ll be just as captivated.
The novel follows Otto, an eight-year-old Jewish boy living in Prague during the 1940s. After his family is brutally killed by Nazis, he hides away in his attic completely alone and forced to fend for himself. Terrified and isolated, Otto’s life becomes even scarier when a German family moves into his home. The only comfort he has is his father’s creation, a giant steel Golem, which Otto hopes will somehow come to life and protect him before he is discovered…
This was a powerful read, and what makes it so haunting is that the horror lies not in supernatural monsters, but in the very real atrocities of World War II. Franklin does not shy away from portraying Otto’s grief, fear, and suffocating loneliness. As readers, we’re made to feel his yearning for love and safety, and the sheer horror of what he witnessed. The closer I felt to Otto, the heavier the story became. From the scenes of starvation and hiding in his own home to moments of hope that were quickly shattered, the book had me in an emotional grip from start to finish. There’s so much tension, and I found myself dreading what might happen next.
The Golem element also added an intriguing layer, as it blends folklore and survival into the narrative. The slow build-up to the Golem’s awakening was wonderfully done, and absolutely lived up to the anticipation. The death scenes are pretty brutal! My only critique is that the ending included a large time jump that felt somewhat rushed compared to the rest of the story. Even so, the conclusion was beautifully written, and moved me to tears.
Steel Machines is as devastating as it is mesmerizing and I highly recommend it. This was my first experience with Dan Franklin’s writing, and it certainly won’t be my last. I’m already eager to explore his backlist, because if his other works are anything like this, I know I’ll be just as captivated.
August 12, 2025
Steel Machines by Dan Franklin. Thanks to the author for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Otta is eight when his parents as massacred in their attic hideout; Prague, 1945. Otta may seem alone, but he’s not. He has his father’s secret with him.. a creation.
This novella is the perfect intersection of coming of age, horror, and historical fiction. Of course all WW2 books read like horror, but this one has an extra component to it. It’s hard to review this one. I’ll say to definitely read it and sit with it for a bit after.
“The nightmare wouldn’t end. The only ones left to hear him cry out were the monsters themselves.”
Steel Machines comes out 8/19.
Otta is eight when his parents as massacred in their attic hideout; Prague, 1945. Otta may seem alone, but he’s not. He has his father’s secret with him.. a creation.
This novella is the perfect intersection of coming of age, horror, and historical fiction. Of course all WW2 books read like horror, but this one has an extra component to it. It’s hard to review this one. I’ll say to definitely read it and sit with it for a bit after.
“The nightmare wouldn’t end. The only ones left to hear him cry out were the monsters themselves.”
Steel Machines comes out 8/19.
August 7, 2025
Steel Machines by Dan Franklin
In 1945, eight year old Otto Braum had been hiding in the attic with his parents for so long that he could barely remember what it was like to feel the sunshine or eat a decent meal. Subsisting on crackers and canned goods, he may be too young to understand war and hate, but he does know fear of the men with the ugly black windmill symbol. His father believes they will be protected if their hiding spot is found because he has built a golem, not of clay and earth but of metal with intricate cogs and gears, a massive thing that he believes will defend them. After they are discovered, Otto is the only survivor.
There was a constant feeling of imminent danger before the violent confrontation that left Otto an orphan, but once he is on his own in the attic, the risk of starvation is added to the odds against survival. Strange visions and mysterious sounds made me wonder if the house was haunted or if Otto was losing his mind due to trauma, isolation, and hunger. I won't tell you if it was either, or neither of these things. I will just say that when it is revealed, the ending is brilliant.
My favorite time period for historical fiction is the 1940s, and specifically anything to do with World War II and its aftermath. My favorite horror subgenre is folklore. Steel Machines combines these into one spellbinding tale deeply rooted in Jewish folklore and mysticism surrounding the Golem of Prague. It was a suspense-filled and heartbreaking read with just the right touch of authenticity to make the impossible feel real.
5 out of 5 stars
My thanks to the author for the e-ARC
In 1945, eight year old Otto Braum had been hiding in the attic with his parents for so long that he could barely remember what it was like to feel the sunshine or eat a decent meal. Subsisting on crackers and canned goods, he may be too young to understand war and hate, but he does know fear of the men with the ugly black windmill symbol. His father believes they will be protected if their hiding spot is found because he has built a golem, not of clay and earth but of metal with intricate cogs and gears, a massive thing that he believes will defend them. After they are discovered, Otto is the only survivor.
There was a constant feeling of imminent danger before the violent confrontation that left Otto an orphan, but once he is on his own in the attic, the risk of starvation is added to the odds against survival. Strange visions and mysterious sounds made me wonder if the house was haunted or if Otto was losing his mind due to trauma, isolation, and hunger. I won't tell you if it was either, or neither of these things. I will just say that when it is revealed, the ending is brilliant.
My favorite time period for historical fiction is the 1940s, and specifically anything to do with World War II and its aftermath. My favorite horror subgenre is folklore. Steel Machines combines these into one spellbinding tale deeply rooted in Jewish folklore and mysticism surrounding the Golem of Prague. It was a suspense-filled and heartbreaking read with just the right touch of authenticity to make the impossible feel real.
5 out of 5 stars
My thanks to the author for the e-ARC
September 2, 2025
Dan Franklin weaves a haunting and deeply human story with this one. The writing feels incredibly vivid and grounded, making the heartbreak all the more real. I especially loved the way Jewish folklore was interlaced with historical elements, giving the novel both depth and authenticity. Golems have always been fascinating to me, and Franklin brings them to life in a way that feels both thrilling and meaningful. The ending was unexpected, and it definitely left a lasting impression. Honestly, if this book had been twice as long, I would have happily kept reading.
August 17, 2025
Thank you to Dan Franklin, Cemetery Dance Publications and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review Steel Machines!
Steel Machines is an ambitious and atmospheric novel that blends survival, mechanical wonder, and deeply human emotion. From the very first scene, it establishes a tone of unease and immediacy, drawing the reader into Otto’s world where reality blurs with nightmare.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its atmosphere and imagery. The setting feels both claustrophobic and expansive, the writing vivid and often cinematic, sustaining tension throughout much of the narrative.
While his parents’ opposing roles, the builder of machines versus the skeptic of their power, add emotional weight, it’s Otto’s conflicted friendship with the unnamed “little girl” that feels most revealing. She becomes a mirror of what he longs for and misses. Otto’s struggle to reconcile the weight of war and the loss of his parents with the unexpected kindness of this friendship leaves him torn and, at times, docile when he should be anything but. This tension deepens both his character and the story’s stakes.
The prose is polished and intentional. While some dialogue leans toward exposition, the author’s ability to create mood and atmosphere more than compensates. What lingers are the haunting images and the quieter questions about survival, legacy, and what it means to endure.
Steel Machines is ideal for readers who appreciate speculative fiction with weight and patience. For stories that immerse you in atmosphere and leave unsettling questions echoing long after the last page.
Steel Machines is an ambitious and atmospheric novel that blends survival, mechanical wonder, and deeply human emotion. From the very first scene, it establishes a tone of unease and immediacy, drawing the reader into Otto’s world where reality blurs with nightmare.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its atmosphere and imagery. The setting feels both claustrophobic and expansive, the writing vivid and often cinematic, sustaining tension throughout much of the narrative.
While his parents’ opposing roles, the builder of machines versus the skeptic of their power, add emotional weight, it’s Otto’s conflicted friendship with the unnamed “little girl” that feels most revealing. She becomes a mirror of what he longs for and misses. Otto’s struggle to reconcile the weight of war and the loss of his parents with the unexpected kindness of this friendship leaves him torn and, at times, docile when he should be anything but. This tension deepens both his character and the story’s stakes.
The prose is polished and intentional. While some dialogue leans toward exposition, the author’s ability to create mood and atmosphere more than compensates. What lingers are the haunting images and the quieter questions about survival, legacy, and what it means to endure.
Steel Machines is ideal for readers who appreciate speculative fiction with weight and patience. For stories that immerse you in atmosphere and leave unsettling questions echoing long after the last page.
August 17, 2025
I went into this book completely blind because if Dan Franklin writes it, i’m reading it. This story was intense. It’s a dark, emotional blend of historical fiction and horror that is set in the final days of WW2. We follow young Otto, the only survivor of a massacre, hiding in an attic and facing something far worse than just being alone.
The writing is powerful and haunting. The type of story that stays with you long after you finish reading it. It’s beautifully written, deeply unsettling, and emotional. And the ending? One of the best I’ve ever read. An incredible book from start to finish! Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing is powerful and haunting. The type of story that stays with you long after you finish reading it. It’s beautifully written, deeply unsettling, and emotional. And the ending? One of the best I’ve ever read. An incredible book from start to finish! Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
November 29, 2025“Something shifted among the heap. Not just the ruination settling either. The sound was deliberate, the creaking groan of effort. It took Otto only a moment to locate the source: the golem’s hand. No longer did it rest, palm open, in the center of the pooled blood his father had left behind. No longer did it signal its acceptance. It was clenched into a fist.”
Prague, 1945. Eight year old Otto Braum is the sole survivor of the massacre that claimed his parents and left him sustaining himself as best he can in the ruined attic hideout above his childhood home. But Otto is not alone. His father had a secret—a creation, unfinished, that he left behind. A secret that is pitiless in nature, relentless in design. A secret with the heart of a steel machine.
3.5 stars.
Prague, 1945. Eight year old Otto Braum is the sole survivor of the massacre that claimed his parents and left him sustaining himself as best he can in the ruined attic hideout above his childhood home. But Otto is not alone. His father had a secret—a creation, unfinished, that he left behind. A secret that is pitiless in nature, relentless in design. A secret with the heart of a steel machine.
3.5 stars.
August 11, 2025
Franklin just has a way with evoking my emotions. I finished this three days ago and I had to sit with it for a moment. I kept thinking about it. It plays on real life horror (historical and present day) It covers all sorts of relatable real-life monsters and their complexities.
The danger and unease you feel throughout the entire novel is so strong. I didn’t know too much about the Jewish folklore of Golem and its mystic, but I was fascinated and went down a rabbit hole after reading all I could. I think the sign of an excellent story is one where you learn something, feel something and continue to think about it, and Steel Machines delivers just that. Totally in awe of Franklin’s talent.
The danger and unease you feel throughout the entire novel is so strong. I didn’t know too much about the Jewish folklore of Golem and its mystic, but I was fascinated and went down a rabbit hole after reading all I could. I think the sign of an excellent story is one where you learn something, feel something and continue to think about it, and Steel Machines delivers just that. Totally in awe of Franklin’s talent.
September 2, 2025
This was an emotional, heavy and horrifying read. Parts of it felt like a fever dream, transporting you into the story itself. The world building and characterization was top tier, and I loved and hated them accordingly. I’m still hungover after reading this one, a gut punch for sure. You really get into the boy’s head and that’s what makes it hit so hard over and over. I Recommend!
December 11, 2025
Regrettably, I did not get the hype about this book. Which makes me sad because I desperately wanted to love this as much as everyone else seems to.
I was beyond excited when I realized that this was a historical horror. But after finishing it I realized that the horror aspect (as least to me) was nowhere to be found. To me this is more psychological thriller-esque than anything, with of course historical fiction being the main genre. From that point of view this is a delightfully twisty and confusing (in a positive way) novel that gives a bleak but unique perspective on family, loyalty, and the progress of man. When viewing the book from that specific lense, Franklin does an extraordinary job infusing life into these pages and characters.
I was beyond excited when I realized that this was a historical horror. But after finishing it I realized that the horror aspect (as least to me) was nowhere to be found. To me this is more psychological thriller-esque than anything, with of course historical fiction being the main genre. From that point of view this is a delightfully twisty and confusing (in a positive way) novel that gives a bleak but unique perspective on family, loyalty, and the progress of man. When viewing the book from that specific lense, Franklin does an extraordinary job infusing life into these pages and characters.
August 20, 2025
**ARC Review**
Title: Steel Machines
Author: Dan Franklin
Book Rating: 5 Stars
Genre: Horror
Steel Machines is as haunting as it is beautifully written by one of my absolute favorite indie horror authors Dan Fraklin. When I say it was beautifully written I mean the way he structured his sentences, the words he used, it read like poetry for me.
Otto is a young boy from Prauge who is hiding in his attic, along with his parents, during the darkest days in recent history. Otto and his mom passed the time playing with blocks and cleaning, while his dad is building a metal man with words carved into its skin. The day they feared came and Otto is left alone with this metal creature, and the haunting memories of his parents.
For most of this novel we are inside Otto's head while he learns to survive on his own, and not a lot happens. Now, when I said "not a lot happens" don't take that the wrong way. Franklin has a way of making these quiet, reflective scenes into some of the most haunting, and some of the most well written scenes you only read in stories such as Lord of the Rings or older classics.
I don't know either to classify this as grief horror, Gothic horror, or just Franklin style horror, but I highly encourage everyone who loves beautiful scary stories with twists you don't see coming to pick up this book when its released. Keep your eyes out for this one, and while you wait read all of Dan Franklin's works.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Title: Steel Machines
Author: Dan Franklin
Book Rating: 5 Stars
Genre: Horror
Steel Machines is as haunting as it is beautifully written by one of my absolute favorite indie horror authors Dan Fraklin. When I say it was beautifully written I mean the way he structured his sentences, the words he used, it read like poetry for me.
Otto is a young boy from Prauge who is hiding in his attic, along with his parents, during the darkest days in recent history. Otto and his mom passed the time playing with blocks and cleaning, while his dad is building a metal man with words carved into its skin. The day they feared came and Otto is left alone with this metal creature, and the haunting memories of his parents.
For most of this novel we are inside Otto's head while he learns to survive on his own, and not a lot happens. Now, when I said "not a lot happens" don't take that the wrong way. Franklin has a way of making these quiet, reflective scenes into some of the most haunting, and some of the most well written scenes you only read in stories such as Lord of the Rings or older classics.
I don't know either to classify this as grief horror, Gothic horror, or just Franklin style horror, but I highly encourage everyone who loves beautiful scary stories with twists you don't see coming to pick up this book when its released. Keep your eyes out for this one, and while you wait read all of Dan Franklin's works.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 10, 2025
An immersive and satisfying WWII dark fantasy.
I was intrigued by the premise; 8-year-old Otto lives in hiding with his parents for a year after the start of nazi occupation in Prague, until a raid on their home leaves Otto's parents dead and Otto to fend for himself. Before he died, however, his father had been pouring his time and advanced technical skills (along with a dash of the occult) into building a humanoid machine that he believed could defend them against the enemy. Though this endeavor failed to protect his parents, Otto is still drawn to the creation that is now his sole companion - though not for long.
I was a little afraid before starting this that the tone of the novel would be campy, and was pleased to find that this was not the case at all. Rather, this story is serious, moving and haunting. It's a bit like a fictionalized cousin to The Pianist, with some fantastical/horror elements sprinkled in. And, I kind of loved it. I thought the pacing was great and the plot took me places I wasn't expecting. I also found it to be quite touching at times, with the perfect ratio of empathy and rage. Plus anything WWII related is a timely read right now, imo.
I am happy to have discovered Dan Franklin and will keep my eyes peeled for more of his work in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was intrigued by the premise; 8-year-old Otto lives in hiding with his parents for a year after the start of nazi occupation in Prague, until a raid on their home leaves Otto's parents dead and Otto to fend for himself. Before he died, however, his father had been pouring his time and advanced technical skills (along with a dash of the occult) into building a humanoid machine that he believed could defend them against the enemy. Though this endeavor failed to protect his parents, Otto is still drawn to the creation that is now his sole companion - though not for long.
I was a little afraid before starting this that the tone of the novel would be campy, and was pleased to find that this was not the case at all. Rather, this story is serious, moving and haunting. It's a bit like a fictionalized cousin to The Pianist, with some fantastical/horror elements sprinkled in. And, I kind of loved it. I thought the pacing was great and the plot took me places I wasn't expecting. I also found it to be quite touching at times, with the perfect ratio of empathy and rage. Plus anything WWII related is a timely read right now, imo.
I am happy to have discovered Dan Franklin and will keep my eyes peeled for more of his work in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 3, 2025
Steel Machines is set in Prague during WWII, and follows Otto. Otto is an 8-year-old Jewish boy, hiding with his parents in the attic of their old home. That is, until his parents are found and murdered in front of him. The story follows Otto's life after his parents' death, as he is left alone in the attic with his father's final creation: a broken robot.
Dan Franklin did an incredible job in bringing out a variety of emotions throughout this novel. From suspense, to hope, to heartbreak. Otto's character was an interesting one, and the setting felt realistic.
The plot was creative and executed well, and the events of the war which were mentioned in the novel added a lot.
I loved this book, my one complaint is that I wish it had been longer, that relationships and plot points had been more visible in the novel. Other than that, fantastic book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dan Franklin did an incredible job in bringing out a variety of emotions throughout this novel. From suspense, to hope, to heartbreak. Otto's character was an interesting one, and the setting felt realistic.
The plot was creative and executed well, and the events of the war which were mentioned in the novel added a lot.
I loved this book, my one complaint is that I wish it had been longer, that relationships and plot points had been more visible in the novel. Other than that, fantastic book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 30, 2025
This is a short, but incredibly effective book! It's a historical horror with a spin on the Prague Golem story, and a twist that really blew my mind. The horror is more real-life horror than anything. It takes place in Prague during WWII. A Jewish family, Otto and his parents, are hiding in a secret attic in their house from the Nazi's. Otto's father built a big steel being that he believes will protect them if and when they are found out. In that fateful moment, however, the golem fails them and Otto watches in horror as his parents are shot and killed in front of him. From that point on, Otto must survive on his own, still in hiding. He watches as a new family moves into their home. He is visited by ghosts. He sets out to complete his father's work. And he has to make some decisions. It's very psychological, emotional, and haunting. Reading other reviews, I don't think everyone "got" the big twist. But let me tell you, if you "get" it, it made my jaw drop and makes you see the entire story from a whole new perspective. I am very impressed with Dan Franklin's writing! I really found this to be an evocative story.
September 21, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Kind of horror, mostly historical fiction. It was a little bit anticlimactic and slow, but still a relatively emotional read. Some things aren’t adding up plot-wise for me; there’s a bit of timeline swapping that gets confusing. Yeah. Not bad, not a lot of thoughts to be had.
Kind of horror, mostly historical fiction. It was a little bit anticlimactic and slow, but still a relatively emotional read. Some things aren’t adding up plot-wise for me; there’s a bit of timeline swapping that gets confusing. Yeah. Not bad, not a lot of thoughts to be had.
August 22, 2025
Fastest 5 stars I’ve ever clicked on Kindle. Let’s all put Dan on our shoulders and parade him around town cause he’s a national treasure.
September 8, 2025
Melancholy Horror
No one can consistently tear my heart into little pieces like Dan Franklin. This is a slow burn, but it is short, and it is poignant.
No one can consistently tear my heart into little pieces like Dan Franklin. This is a slow burn, but it is short, and it is poignant.
October 26, 2025
I waited to rate and review this book because I wanted to sort out whether this REALLY was a five star book or is it just my infatuation with how beautifully Dan Franklin delivers words. I’ve decided “Yes” to both. Dan can do no wrong in my eyes!
August 19, 2025
Absolutely stunning. The artwork adds so much to the beautiful prose and steampunk aesthetic.
Dan Franklin has a way of reaching down deep into what makes us most human and tearing it out to examine before putting us back together again.
Dan Franklin has a way of reaching down deep into what makes us most human and tearing it out to examine before putting us back together again.
December 10, 2025
Traditions keep us connected to the past. Whether cultural, religious, or societal, we continue to practice traditions to stay connected to those who came before. Perhaps you were taught to make a holiday receipt by your grandmother who was taught by her grandmother. Maybe you participate in a local founders’ day parade, helping a new generation appreciate the sacrifices made to build a better future. In some cases, a father passes down the ancient secret of creating a homunculus to crush your enemies!
Set in Prague, Czechoslovakia during World War Two around the time of the German occupation, Steel Machines, is the tale of one boy’s struggle to survive. Written by Dan Franklin, the novella follows Otto, a young boy who is orphaned when a raid on his house leads to the death of his parents. Having lived in the secret room in the attic of their house for years, Otto has no one to turn to. No one but the strange mechanical man his father had been working on.
Though the story begins with the raid, Otto provides flashbacks for the reader to better understand what led to his current situation. Otto’s first memory of the mechanical man is as a comparison to the Orloj, the famous Prague Astronomical Clock. Touted as the greatest invention ever created by Otto’s father, he bids him to wait for what he invents. The Orloj will be a constant feature in Otto’s small world, just like the mechanical man.
In another flashback, Otto recalls the incoming army marching as they occupy the city. Otto remembers seeing his neighbors fly the flags of the invading force and knows his family isn’t safe. Another memory sees Otto recall the first round of parts collected to start building the mechanical man. There are fights between his parents over his father’s work claiming the creation is an abomination. All these memories will shape Otto’s perception of the people around him and the mechanical man.
The horror aspect of this novella is wonderfully layered. The human horror, an occupying army, is enough to chill anyone. For Otto, that chill runs deeper as the force not only takes away his parents but takes away his home. While still in hiding, a German family moves into his house. This new addition requires him to remain hidden while living with the very people who took everything away from him.
In addition to the human element, there is a supernatural element of horror. The atrocities that Otto witnesses introduce the presence of ghosts. Even when he is alone, Otto is constantly aware of the presence of those who died in the raid on his house that day. Even when Otto’s life begins to take on a sense of normality, the ghosts whisper dark messages to him, tearing apart what little trust he has for people.
I am a huge fan of the golem mythology—a creature made from inanimate matter and brought to life by speculative means. It is usually a metaphor for creation and the danger of unchecked human power. When done correctly, the golem introduces complex layers of horror, mystery, and blame along with questionable morality. In this case, while Otto’s father was the one with the intent to use the golem, it’s actually Otto who uses it. The sin of the father is also the sin of the son. When it comes to golem’s, the creator pays for that sin. Franklin’s use of the golem is well constructed and one of superior delivery.
Steel Machines by Dan Franklin is a textbook example of the might and folly of the golem mythology. A superior delivery of both man-made and supernatural horrors, I highly recommend this novella.
Set in Prague, Czechoslovakia during World War Two around the time of the German occupation, Steel Machines, is the tale of one boy’s struggle to survive. Written by Dan Franklin, the novella follows Otto, a young boy who is orphaned when a raid on his house leads to the death of his parents. Having lived in the secret room in the attic of their house for years, Otto has no one to turn to. No one but the strange mechanical man his father had been working on.
Though the story begins with the raid, Otto provides flashbacks for the reader to better understand what led to his current situation. Otto’s first memory of the mechanical man is as a comparison to the Orloj, the famous Prague Astronomical Clock. Touted as the greatest invention ever created by Otto’s father, he bids him to wait for what he invents. The Orloj will be a constant feature in Otto’s small world, just like the mechanical man.
In another flashback, Otto recalls the incoming army marching as they occupy the city. Otto remembers seeing his neighbors fly the flags of the invading force and knows his family isn’t safe. Another memory sees Otto recall the first round of parts collected to start building the mechanical man. There are fights between his parents over his father’s work claiming the creation is an abomination. All these memories will shape Otto’s perception of the people around him and the mechanical man.
The horror aspect of this novella is wonderfully layered. The human horror, an occupying army, is enough to chill anyone. For Otto, that chill runs deeper as the force not only takes away his parents but takes away his home. While still in hiding, a German family moves into his house. This new addition requires him to remain hidden while living with the very people who took everything away from him.
In addition to the human element, there is a supernatural element of horror. The atrocities that Otto witnesses introduce the presence of ghosts. Even when he is alone, Otto is constantly aware of the presence of those who died in the raid on his house that day. Even when Otto’s life begins to take on a sense of normality, the ghosts whisper dark messages to him, tearing apart what little trust he has for people.
I am a huge fan of the golem mythology—a creature made from inanimate matter and brought to life by speculative means. It is usually a metaphor for creation and the danger of unchecked human power. When done correctly, the golem introduces complex layers of horror, mystery, and blame along with questionable morality. In this case, while Otto’s father was the one with the intent to use the golem, it’s actually Otto who uses it. The sin of the father is also the sin of the son. When it comes to golem’s, the creator pays for that sin. Franklin’s use of the golem is well constructed and one of superior delivery.
Steel Machines by Dan Franklin is a textbook example of the might and folly of the golem mythology. A superior delivery of both man-made and supernatural horrors, I highly recommend this novella.
November 17, 2025
Overall thoughts – I am not sure what genre this is. Goodreads has it listed as horror and yet I feel that will drive people away who would otherwise like this. It grabs you from very first page. It doesn’t let you go until the very end. Is it a ghost story, or a monster story? Or a war story? It is a story of hope against all odds, of survival, of conflicting emotions of a children caught in terrible circumstances. The ending will surprise you and make you really think.
Plot – Otto is a young Czech boy who’s family has been hiding in their attic to hide from the Nazis. Suddenly, they are discovered and Otto witnesses war at its worse. His father has created a creature he believes will save them. Alas it does not and Otto is orphaned. He must find ways to survive in the attic, sneaking into his main home to find scraps. Then come the hallucinations and nightmares, ghosts and visions. After a few days, a German family move in and Otto has to decide what to do. Then, the daughter discovers Otto and they develop a strange friendship with the girl stealing away food for Otto. But the war will suffer no victors. Otto is discovered by the father and just before tragedy strikes Otto again, he is able to activate the creature his father made and save himself.
That is when the story breaks wide open and, well the rest has to wait for you to read. Let’s just say, it was a terrific end to a tragic tale.
Characters- Otto is the main character. He is resourceful and wonderful and a full character that you want to survive over all crises. He has mixed emotions and is so believable. The German daughter, Birgette, is desperate for friends and does her best to help Otto survive. The other characters, Otto’s parents and the others come in and out. The real surprise is the ghost of Ingrid. She pops in and out through Otto’s hallucinations brilliantly.
What I liked: The children are so believable and the circumstances gripping.
What I disliked: Nothing. There is nothing about this that was unlikable except trying to find a genre for it.
Conclusion: Dan Franklin does a fantastic job of narrating a tale that mixes WWII survival, hope for an end to the conflict, the bringing together of children that are both innocent and not because of the war. He also brings the ancient golem myth to a new light. And the ending. What a great and horrible ending and well worth the read. 5 Stars hands down.
Plot – Otto is a young Czech boy who’s family has been hiding in their attic to hide from the Nazis. Suddenly, they are discovered and Otto witnesses war at its worse. His father has created a creature he believes will save them. Alas it does not and Otto is orphaned. He must find ways to survive in the attic, sneaking into his main home to find scraps. Then come the hallucinations and nightmares, ghosts and visions. After a few days, a German family move in and Otto has to decide what to do. Then, the daughter discovers Otto and they develop a strange friendship with the girl stealing away food for Otto. But the war will suffer no victors. Otto is discovered by the father and just before tragedy strikes Otto again, he is able to activate the creature his father made and save himself.
That is when the story breaks wide open and, well the rest has to wait for you to read. Let’s just say, it was a terrific end to a tragic tale.
Characters- Otto is the main character. He is resourceful and wonderful and a full character that you want to survive over all crises. He has mixed emotions and is so believable. The German daughter, Birgette, is desperate for friends and does her best to help Otto survive. The other characters, Otto’s parents and the others come in and out. The real surprise is the ghost of Ingrid. She pops in and out through Otto’s hallucinations brilliantly.
What I liked: The children are so believable and the circumstances gripping.
What I disliked: Nothing. There is nothing about this that was unlikable except trying to find a genre for it.
Conclusion: Dan Franklin does a fantastic job of narrating a tale that mixes WWII survival, hope for an end to the conflict, the bringing together of children that are both innocent and not because of the war. He also brings the ancient golem myth to a new light. And the ending. What a great and horrible ending and well worth the read. 5 Stars hands down.
September 26, 2025
First, as always, thanks to Book Sirens for the ARC. I received this copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I went into this book completely blind. I’m friends with Dan on Facebook, and saw a few posts about this novella, so I specifically looked for an ARC to see what it was all about.
Writing this review is turning out to be a little difficult since I’m – even now – trying to process what I read. And while the term “horror” can mean a lot of different things, I can’t exactly quantify where on the horror spectrum to classify this story. Let me explain – on one hand, since it takes place during WW II, it most certainly revolves around the atrocities, and horror of man’s inhumanity to man (I mean, it starts off with the SS finding Otto and his family hiding in their attic). On the other hand, it deals with the Jewish folklore of a Golem; an artificial humanoid created from inanimate matter by a mystic or rabbi to serve as a protector. Which would make this fantasy. On the third hand (just go with it for now), it’s a gripping “coming-of-age” story, and one filled with lose, grief, love, and remembrance.
This was a difficult read, not because of the writing, or style, but because of the subject matter. A lot of horror stories come out of an author’s twisted imagination, which makes them fun to read (if not scary and gross at times). Dan wrote a story that is 100% plausible. Yes, in his story, the Golem comes to life, but if you look deeper, you can certainly ask yourself, “Did it? Or did Otto, in his emaciated state, imagine it?” And because most of us will never know just how far our bodies and minds would be pushed in the same situation, it makes the reality of this story all the more terrifying.
I have to say that the only reason I took away a star is for the ending. There was a massive, unexpected, time jump, and I personally felt it was rushed. The entire story up to that point was a well written, slow burn, with characters that were fleshed out, and real – only to end with the quickness of a Fourth of July fireworks finale. I get what Dan was going for – the story was really a “remembrance” of Otto’s life, and while I would have liked some more, it was a gut-punch that will stick with you for a long while.
I went into this book completely blind. I’m friends with Dan on Facebook, and saw a few posts about this novella, so I specifically looked for an ARC to see what it was all about.
Writing this review is turning out to be a little difficult since I’m – even now – trying to process what I read. And while the term “horror” can mean a lot of different things, I can’t exactly quantify where on the horror spectrum to classify this story. Let me explain – on one hand, since it takes place during WW II, it most certainly revolves around the atrocities, and horror of man’s inhumanity to man (I mean, it starts off with the SS finding Otto and his family hiding in their attic). On the other hand, it deals with the Jewish folklore of a Golem; an artificial humanoid created from inanimate matter by a mystic or rabbi to serve as a protector. Which would make this fantasy. On the third hand (just go with it for now), it’s a gripping “coming-of-age” story, and one filled with lose, grief, love, and remembrance.
This was a difficult read, not because of the writing, or style, but because of the subject matter. A lot of horror stories come out of an author’s twisted imagination, which makes them fun to read (if not scary and gross at times). Dan wrote a story that is 100% plausible. Yes, in his story, the Golem comes to life, but if you look deeper, you can certainly ask yourself, “Did it? Or did Otto, in his emaciated state, imagine it?” And because most of us will never know just how far our bodies and minds would be pushed in the same situation, it makes the reality of this story all the more terrifying.
I have to say that the only reason I took away a star is for the ending. There was a massive, unexpected, time jump, and I personally felt it was rushed. The entire story up to that point was a well written, slow burn, with characters that were fleshed out, and real – only to end with the quickness of a Fourth of July fireworks finale. I get what Dan was going for – the story was really a “remembrance” of Otto’s life, and while I would have liked some more, it was a gut-punch that will stick with you for a long while.
August 8, 2025
Let me just start by saying I’m not one for reading blurbs before diving into books. I like to be surprised. And boy, was this a surprise. This is the second of Franklin's books I’ve read. Based on my experience from These Things Linger, I had a feeling that the story would be poignant, powerful, and pull me in. Huge check on all accounts. I read this book in a single sitting, unable to put it down until I had finished reading about eight year old Otto’s fight to survive in Nazi occupied Prague during World War II.
As a son of a Jewish man born in 1931, I would say I’m very familiar with Jewish folklore, especially in regards to golems, figures made from inorganic materials who come to life to do its creators bidding. In the opening pages of the story, we are introduced to Otto’s family, who have been hiding in the attic of their home to hide from invading forces while constructing a golem out of steel. However, Otto’s entire family are killed before their work is completed, and all that’s left is this young child who is forced to try and find a way to survive.
As I mentioned above, I don’t like to know too much going into a story, so I won’t spoil more than what’s offered in the first chapter here in my review. What I will say is this book is an uncomfortable, unflinching look at the human condition. While I expected to read about the horrors inflicted upon Jews during this time, I was very surprised to find a story of kindness, forgiveness, and understanding. Franklin masterfully creates a full portrait of humanity, making sure to depict all characters as people capable of both love and hate, vengeance and mercy, pride and regret.
This is a challenging book. It will make you uncomfortable. But at the same time, I feel like it is important to experience. I could easily see this novel being taught in high schools, it carries so much weight while also managing to be a very quick read. This is a story that depicts a time that is horrifyingly relatable to today, and it forces you to take a step back from whatever you believe and understand that people are more than just their beliefs.
As a son of a Jewish man born in 1931, I would say I’m very familiar with Jewish folklore, especially in regards to golems, figures made from inorganic materials who come to life to do its creators bidding. In the opening pages of the story, we are introduced to Otto’s family, who have been hiding in the attic of their home to hide from invading forces while constructing a golem out of steel. However, Otto’s entire family are killed before their work is completed, and all that’s left is this young child who is forced to try and find a way to survive.
As I mentioned above, I don’t like to know too much going into a story, so I won’t spoil more than what’s offered in the first chapter here in my review. What I will say is this book is an uncomfortable, unflinching look at the human condition. While I expected to read about the horrors inflicted upon Jews during this time, I was very surprised to find a story of kindness, forgiveness, and understanding. Franklin masterfully creates a full portrait of humanity, making sure to depict all characters as people capable of both love and hate, vengeance and mercy, pride and regret.
This is a challenging book. It will make you uncomfortable. But at the same time, I feel like it is important to experience. I could easily see this novel being taught in high schools, it carries so much weight while also managing to be a very quick read. This is a story that depicts a time that is horrifyingly relatable to today, and it forces you to take a step back from whatever you believe and understand that people are more than just their beliefs.
November 1, 2025
Recently, I had the opportunity to read the novella "Steel Machines" by Dan Franklin. This was the first time that I had read this author, and I must say that I enjoyed the experience.
Franklin's narrative weaves the brutality of World War II and the Nazi occupation of Prague into a supernatural horror tale that has its roots in the folklore tale of the Prague Golem.
____________________
Summary of the Prague Golem
A golem is an animated anthropomorphic being in Jewish folklore that is created entirely from inanimate matter, usually clay or mud. The most famous golem narrative involves Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the late-16th-century rabbi of Prague. According to Moment magazine, "the golem is a highly mutable metaphor with seemingly limitless symbolism. It can be a victim or villain, man or woman—or sometimes both. Over the centuries, it has been used to connote war, community, isolation, hope, and despair."
____________________
The author takes a historical tale (from the 16th century) and brings it forward to the early 20th Century and represents a tense and emotional horror story set in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in the waning years of World War II.
The story takes place in Prague in 1945 and follows eight-year-old Otto Braum, the sole survivor of a massacre that claimed his parents. Otto hides in the attic of his childhood home, sustaining himself alone, but he is not truly by himself. He is accompanied by his father's creation, an unfinished mechanical golem intended for protection that had failed to save his family. Otto's father had built "a secret that is pitiless in nature, relentless in design...with the heart of a steel machine". The plot follows Otto's isolated existence, haunted by ghosts and his family's history, as a new family moves into his home below.
The Golem is usually a metaphor for creation and the danger of unchecked human power. When done correctly, the golem introduces complex layers of horror, mystery, and blame along with questionable morality. In this case, while Otto’s father was the one with the intent to use the golem, it’s actually Otto who uses it.
On my self-determined five-star scale, this book would easily rate four stars with some leanings towards the vaunted five-star rating, as it definitely managed to tug on the heartstrings. This novella is sure to be a favourite for those who enjoy the writings of authors such as Mark Towse, Timothy King, and Steven Pajak.
As with all my ramblings, this is just my five cents' worth.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Franklin's narrative weaves the brutality of World War II and the Nazi occupation of Prague into a supernatural horror tale that has its roots in the folklore tale of the Prague Golem.
____________________
Summary of the Prague Golem
A golem is an animated anthropomorphic being in Jewish folklore that is created entirely from inanimate matter, usually clay or mud. The most famous golem narrative involves Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the late-16th-century rabbi of Prague. According to Moment magazine, "the golem is a highly mutable metaphor with seemingly limitless symbolism. It can be a victim or villain, man or woman—or sometimes both. Over the centuries, it has been used to connote war, community, isolation, hope, and despair."
____________________
The author takes a historical tale (from the 16th century) and brings it forward to the early 20th Century and represents a tense and emotional horror story set in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in the waning years of World War II.
The story takes place in Prague in 1945 and follows eight-year-old Otto Braum, the sole survivor of a massacre that claimed his parents. Otto hides in the attic of his childhood home, sustaining himself alone, but he is not truly by himself. He is accompanied by his father's creation, an unfinished mechanical golem intended for protection that had failed to save his family. Otto's father had built "a secret that is pitiless in nature, relentless in design...with the heart of a steel machine". The plot follows Otto's isolated existence, haunted by ghosts and his family's history, as a new family moves into his home below.
The Golem is usually a metaphor for creation and the danger of unchecked human power. When done correctly, the golem introduces complex layers of horror, mystery, and blame along with questionable morality. In this case, while Otto’s father was the one with the intent to use the golem, it’s actually Otto who uses it.
On my self-determined five-star scale, this book would easily rate four stars with some leanings towards the vaunted five-star rating, as it definitely managed to tug on the heartstrings. This novella is sure to be a favourite for those who enjoy the writings of authors such as Mark Towse, Timothy King, and Steven Pajak.
As with all my ramblings, this is just my five cents' worth.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2025
"Steel Machines" is a superbly crafted, heart-breaking, coming-of-age tale of dark fantasy and Jewish folklore. It's set in mid-1940s Prague, after Jewish families had to hide themselves in attics and basements and hidden added rooms to save themselves from Nazis. A traumatic event turns an eight-year-old boy's home into a liminal space and the boy himself into a living ghost trying to survive within its walls. Amidst it all, he has to deal with his father's occult invention: a Golem made of steel inscribed with the names of God from the Book of Creation.
What happens, however, when the house is invaded by its new owners, a family of Germans taking over the forcibly vacated Jewish home? As Prague's residential space gets violently and aggressively racialized, the story undertakes to interrogate liminality and memory through a young boy's eyes. It asks: What of the ghosts left behind? When history starts again, how much memory should be erased, if a boy is to survive?
This is a gripping novella delivering a lesson in ghost theory, so to speak. It may feel as a meditation on the high cost of survival, or a reminiscence of childhood memories come back to find a home. Ultimately, these may be one and the same. And when the dust clears, there stands the brutal steel machine of the Golem.
If you enjoy multi-layered plotting and richly ambiguous approaches to human history, with an eye to what's happening right next door today, this is a must-read. Very highly recommended.
What happens, however, when the house is invaded by its new owners, a family of Germans taking over the forcibly vacated Jewish home? As Prague's residential space gets violently and aggressively racialized, the story undertakes to interrogate liminality and memory through a young boy's eyes. It asks: What of the ghosts left behind? When history starts again, how much memory should be erased, if a boy is to survive?
This is a gripping novella delivering a lesson in ghost theory, so to speak. It may feel as a meditation on the high cost of survival, or a reminiscence of childhood memories come back to find a home. Ultimately, these may be one and the same. And when the dust clears, there stands the brutal steel machine of the Golem.
If you enjoy multi-layered plotting and richly ambiguous approaches to human history, with an eye to what's happening right next door today, this is a must-read. Very highly recommended.
July 24, 2025
Prague, 1945. Otto and his parents live in hiding, desperate to escape the imminent threat of the Nazis. When all is lost, Otto must find his way through his isolated world, with only his father’s project to keep him company, and protect him.
No one breaks my heart the way Dan Franklin does in every book he writes. His skills with characterisation are unmatched, with new depths reached every time you turn a page. His attention to detail in terms of world-building is as impeccable as always. Otto made my heart soar, plummet, and crack in two, all within 150 pages. I think a new sub-genre has been unlocked here: steampunk realist historical horror.
The true horror of this book is its realism, it is war-drenched historical terror at its darkest. I held my breath for certain sections, and could feel the pain and fear jumping from the pages.
With an ending I didn’t expect, a story that I was totally absorbed in, and characters that made me feel all of the feelings (and yes, you will be horribly conflicted at times), this book is a quiet horror that undulates and flows with a harrowing tension every step of the way.
I love the care that Dan has put in with the folklore of the Prague Golem, as ever the passion he has for his craft really comes across.
For me, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the story of the writing, and the stunning illustrations really elevated the experience. Impeccable work
No one breaks my heart the way Dan Franklin does in every book he writes. His skills with characterisation are unmatched, with new depths reached every time you turn a page. His attention to detail in terms of world-building is as impeccable as always. Otto made my heart soar, plummet, and crack in two, all within 150 pages. I think a new sub-genre has been unlocked here: steampunk realist historical horror.
The true horror of this book is its realism, it is war-drenched historical terror at its darkest. I held my breath for certain sections, and could feel the pain and fear jumping from the pages.
With an ending I didn’t expect, a story that I was totally absorbed in, and characters that made me feel all of the feelings (and yes, you will be horribly conflicted at times), this book is a quiet horror that undulates and flows with a harrowing tension every step of the way.
I love the care that Dan has put in with the folklore of the Prague Golem, as ever the passion he has for his craft really comes across.
For me, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the story of the writing, and the stunning illustrations really elevated the experience. Impeccable work
August 9, 2025
First off, it would be a crime not to acknowledge that Dan Franklin is a legitimate WIZARD in his ability to draw you in, make you feel deeply, and then set it all on fire while he laughs maniacally (I assume- not proven, of course). Steel Machines is a tragic and beautifully written story about war- both the historical WWII, as well as the conflict of the heart at war with itself. At the core of the story are feelings of grief, revenge, and the very human desire for connection and learning that the world is not black and white, but shades of grey instead.
Otto is a young Jewish boy living in Prague when his whole world is turned upside down with the start of WWII. His father ushers the family into the attic to hide, where he spends his days painstakingly creating a metal monster, a golem, to protect the family. Unfortunately, the Nazis find them before his work is finished, leaving Otto orphaned, traumatized, and scrambling to survive without being detected. He finds comfort in repairing and finishing his father's creation. A German family moving into the house will set off a series of events that will haunt Otto until the day he dies.
Dan Franklin is wickedly talented in his ability to capture the complex emotions and nuance necessary to bring all of the layers in this story to life. Steel Machines is a haunting reminder of how important it is to pay attention to the past and how those lessons are so incredibly relevant in the present. Do NOT skip this read! ❤️🔥
Otto is a young Jewish boy living in Prague when his whole world is turned upside down with the start of WWII. His father ushers the family into the attic to hide, where he spends his days painstakingly creating a metal monster, a golem, to protect the family. Unfortunately, the Nazis find them before his work is finished, leaving Otto orphaned, traumatized, and scrambling to survive without being detected. He finds comfort in repairing and finishing his father's creation. A German family moving into the house will set off a series of events that will haunt Otto until the day he dies.
Dan Franklin is wickedly talented in his ability to capture the complex emotions and nuance necessary to bring all of the layers in this story to life. Steel Machines is a haunting reminder of how important it is to pay attention to the past and how those lessons are so incredibly relevant in the present. Do NOT skip this read! ❤️🔥
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