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Machinist of Mana #1
Machinist of Mana: A Progression Fantasy
A shortcut through the woods transports a machinist to a new world in the first installment of this steampunk portal fantasy by the author of Melody of Mana.
Liam was only trying to pick up some vegetables for lunch and take a pleasant break from crafting in his garage when he meandered through fields he’d walked a hundred times before. But his peaceful walk is disturbed by a strange earthquake that forces him into an inescapable trap, pulling him into another world.
Reborn as the infant son of wealthy nobles in a strange and archaic land, Liam—now called Percival—must navigate this realm’s customs, foreign languages, and slightly mysterious magic. All the while, he’s growing . . . and getting unusually strong. Slowly learning the ins and outs of courtly manners, chivalric duels, and steam-powered engines, he’s destined to become one of the most educated lords in the region.
But Percival’s very existence puts him at risk. His hidden identity as an otherworlder makes him a target when it comes to his fellow Earthlings. While some would gladly help him on his quest for more knowledge and skills, others are less keen to share their newfound domain with more of their kind . . .
The first volume of the hit progression-fantasy series—with almost 400,000 views on Royal Road—now available in print, ebook, and audiobook!
Tropes stranger in a strange land, unlikely hero, hero’s journey, and reincarnation.
Liam was only trying to pick up some vegetables for lunch and take a pleasant break from crafting in his garage when he meandered through fields he’d walked a hundred times before. But his peaceful walk is disturbed by a strange earthquake that forces him into an inescapable trap, pulling him into another world.
Reborn as the infant son of wealthy nobles in a strange and archaic land, Liam—now called Percival—must navigate this realm’s customs, foreign languages, and slightly mysterious magic. All the while, he’s growing . . . and getting unusually strong. Slowly learning the ins and outs of courtly manners, chivalric duels, and steam-powered engines, he’s destined to become one of the most educated lords in the region.
But Percival’s very existence puts him at risk. His hidden identity as an otherworlder makes him a target when it comes to his fellow Earthlings. While some would gladly help him on his quest for more knowledge and skills, others are less keen to share their newfound domain with more of their kind . . .
The first volume of the hit progression-fantasy series—with almost 400,000 views on Royal Road—now available in print, ebook, and audiobook!
Tropes stranger in a strange land, unlikely hero, hero’s journey, and reincarnation.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2025
11 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 19, 2026
Slice of mundane life. DNF
The story was well written. Good prose and grammar. The plot however is rather boring. The MC is a reincarnation/trans migrated from earth to a new world as a baby. He has kept his 30 or so years of memories from his first life but acts like a child for most of what I read. The MC was also not very well educated or experienced in his original life and his hobby of a machinist didn't really become real world experience based on his lack of general mechanical knowledge. For someone who constantly asked how thing worked, he sure didn't know very much.
Some of my issues with the plot were the fact that he grew up as a noble and basically had no education until he was 14-15 years old other than manners. He also seem to never interact with and children his age. his family kept him very sequestered and isolated.
Lastly, why did I stop reading. It was boring. I like slice of life type stories for the most part. This one however was just the mundane parts of his life with a little excitement here or there.
The story was well written. Good prose and grammar. The plot however is rather boring. The MC is a reincarnation/trans migrated from earth to a new world as a baby. He has kept his 30 or so years of memories from his first life but acts like a child for most of what I read. The MC was also not very well educated or experienced in his original life and his hobby of a machinist didn't really become real world experience based on his lack of general mechanical knowledge. For someone who constantly asked how thing worked, he sure didn't know very much.
Some of my issues with the plot were the fact that he grew up as a noble and basically had no education until he was 14-15 years old other than manners. He also seem to never interact with and children his age. his family kept him very sequestered and isolated.
Lastly, why did I stop reading. It was boring. I like slice of life type stories for the most part. This one however was just the mundane parts of his life with a little excitement here or there.
December 17, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised. This isekai, and its world of mysteries really brought me in. The characters are all great. The pacing is decent and interesting.
Some problems do exist. Such as some glaring plot holes. For instance, trains weren't invented until the 1800s, and even then, they didn't see much use until the 1900s.
Whenever a writer commits a glaringly obvious historical flaw. It's an almost yikes. But I was pleasantly surprised it didn't take me too far out of the reading.
Overall 9/10.
Some problems do exist. Such as some glaring plot holes. For instance, trains weren't invented until the 1800s, and even then, they didn't see much use until the 1900s.
Whenever a writer commits a glaringly obvious historical flaw. It's an almost yikes. But I was pleasantly surprised it didn't take me too far out of the reading.
Overall 9/10.
December 22, 2025
3.5 stars
Good idea, not so good implementation.
Some elements are obviously copied from other books, but I can live with that.
My biggest issue is with the personality and intelligence of the MC. He is supposed to have 60 years life experience but often act an entitled, selfish kid unable to perceive the danger that his actions will put him in or other future consequences.
Good idea, not so good implementation.
Some elements are obviously copied from other books, but I can live with that.
My biggest issue is with the personality and intelligence of the MC. He is supposed to have 60 years life experience but often act an entitled, selfish kid unable to perceive the danger that his actions will put him in or other future consequences.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews