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Underlings: The Spark Engine
'A masterclass in adventure … gloriously gripping.' Piers Torday
'... a rollicking steampunk ride, filled to the gasket with brilliant worldbuilding and ingenious twists.' Darren Simpson
'A pulse-racing journey of non-stop adventure.' Vashti Hardy
Can one underling rise to save the future?
Barely surviving in the machine-powered subterranean city of Lode, lone underling Evin discovers a skeletal hand clutching a cryptic note.
Driven to unlock Lode’s secrets, Evin and her mech-dog Jet face danger at every turn: unscrupulous bullies, brutish guards and the deadly fumes of the dragonsbreath.
But to reveal the truth, Evin must trust new friendships, battle her way upwards and confront the city’s deceptive leader, Cardinal Mavka, before the world she knows comes crashing down.
'... a rollicking steampunk ride, filled to the gasket with brilliant worldbuilding and ingenious twists.' Darren Simpson
'A pulse-racing journey of non-stop adventure.' Vashti Hardy
Can one underling rise to save the future?
Barely surviving in the machine-powered subterranean city of Lode, lone underling Evin discovers a skeletal hand clutching a cryptic note.
Driven to unlock Lode’s secrets, Evin and her mech-dog Jet face danger at every turn: unscrupulous bullies, brutish guards and the deadly fumes of the dragonsbreath.
But to reveal the truth, Evin must trust new friendships, battle her way upwards and confront the city’s deceptive leader, Cardinal Mavka, before the world she knows comes crashing down.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2025
5 people want to read
About the author
Murray Fisher
1 book1 followerMurray is a writer and film producer living in the picturesque village of Finchingfield in Essex, UK, with his wife, daughter and their unusually large cat.
His career has included more than two decades as a digital designer and consultant, recording artist, music producer, and co-founder of an independent record label, whilst more recently he has become a producer and production designer for independent British feature films.
Murray was shortlisted for Write Mentor’s Flash Fiction competition and longlisted for their Children’s Novel competition in 2021, longlisted for the Times/Chicken House Award in 2022, and longlisted for the Oxford Pushkin Fantasy Prize in 2023. Underlings: The Spark Engine is his debut novel.
His career has included more than two decades as a digital designer and consultant, recording artist, music producer, and co-founder of an independent record label, whilst more recently he has become a producer and production designer for independent British feature films.
Murray was shortlisted for Write Mentor’s Flash Fiction competition and longlisted for their Children’s Novel competition in 2021, longlisted for the Times/Chicken House Award in 2022, and longlisted for the Oxford Pushkin Fantasy Prize in 2023. Underlings: The Spark Engine is his debut novel.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 18, 2025
It is an engaging book with different twists and turns.
Kodi helps to do lots in the story to help Evin and Jet.
Evin having electronic organs was a shocking part of the story.
Stop Karl stop the engine was a phrase to remember I have to say.
My favourite chapter was chapter seven because when Evin
gets scanned and it gives you a burst of excitement and the
Data bolt has an encrypted messages was really
making me want to find it out
In that point in the book.
I love when you put foreseeing dreams inside the story.
The book feels like it sucks you into the drama and traits and it does not feel like you
Do not want to put the book down. This book would be perfect for people who like a mix of comedy and drama as well as people that like to engage themselves in to the book.
Underlings the spark engine is an amazing book
And I would like to see more like it.
From Noah
Kodi helps to do lots in the story to help Evin and Jet.
Evin having electronic organs was a shocking part of the story.
Stop Karl stop the engine was a phrase to remember I have to say.
My favourite chapter was chapter seven because when Evin
gets scanned and it gives you a burst of excitement and the
Data bolt has an encrypted messages was really
making me want to find it out
In that point in the book.
I love when you put foreseeing dreams inside the story.
The book feels like it sucks you into the drama and traits and it does not feel like you
Do not want to put the book down. This book would be perfect for people who like a mix of comedy and drama as well as people that like to engage themselves in to the book.
Underlings the spark engine is an amazing book
And I would like to see more like it.
From Noah
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2025
The book was amazing because the start was intriguing and the plot was full of twists and turns. At the end I really liked how all the story lines came together and finished in such a satisfying way. The description was really good and I could imagine in my head how it looked. I definitely rate it 5 stars!
September 29, 2025
Underlings: The Spark Engine is an engaging adventure from a new author in the children’s book world. The story is imaginative, well-paced, and full of twists that keep young readers turning the pages. It’s a great choice for confident readers aged 8 and up. A promising start to what I hope will be many more stories to come.
November 21, 2025
A great debut novel. Fantastic world-building, a fast paced plot and unique characters. Highly recommended for older children (and their parents!)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews