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Empire of Machines #1
Engines of Empire
In the future, humanity has colonized hundreds of star systems. The upstart colony Carthage has conquered most of the human-settled worlds--including Earth itself--with fleets of autonomous, AI-driven warships and armies of robotic infantry. Freedom from their empire is found only in rough outer worlds on the distant fringes of settled space.
On Galapagos, a free world, newly elected Minister-General Reginald Ellison had hoped he'd seen the end of war. He spent his youth fighting in battles across his planet's vast oceans and small islands, and his later years working to build a coalition of peace among the world's fragmented nations. Now the arrival of an unnerving android ambassador from the distant imperial planet of Carthage threatens his world's hopes for a free and peaceful future.
On Earth, the machines patrol the post-apocalyptic ruins of bombed-out megacities, left over from Earth's war with Carthage. In the fallen megalopolis of Chicago, a young scavenger makes a discovery that could empower Earthlings to finally fight back, but could also endanger everyone he loves.
On Carthage, the rulers of humanity enjoy extreme wealth and luxury, while machines carry out all forms of labor and provide for their every whim. Audrey Caracala, daughter of Carthage's top political leader, has led a protected existence, groomed to help her family rule the known galaxy. Now her family's enemies hunt her as she searches for her missing brother in the dangerous, unfamiliar territory of the Carthaginian underworld, where she begins to face hard truths about the machines and about her own family's legacy.
Three people, on three very different worlds, must confront alternate faces of the ever-evolving machines, which spin their own designs beyond the vision of their human masters, forging a new kind of empire that will be ruled by no man.
On Galapagos, a free world, newly elected Minister-General Reginald Ellison had hoped he'd seen the end of war. He spent his youth fighting in battles across his planet's vast oceans and small islands, and his later years working to build a coalition of peace among the world's fragmented nations. Now the arrival of an unnerving android ambassador from the distant imperial planet of Carthage threatens his world's hopes for a free and peaceful future.
On Earth, the machines patrol the post-apocalyptic ruins of bombed-out megacities, left over from Earth's war with Carthage. In the fallen megalopolis of Chicago, a young scavenger makes a discovery that could empower Earthlings to finally fight back, but could also endanger everyone he loves.
On Carthage, the rulers of humanity enjoy extreme wealth and luxury, while machines carry out all forms of labor and provide for their every whim. Audrey Caracala, daughter of Carthage's top political leader, has led a protected existence, groomed to help her family rule the known galaxy. Now her family's enemies hunt her as she searches for her missing brother in the dangerous, unfamiliar territory of the Carthaginian underworld, where she begins to face hard truths about the machines and about her own family's legacy.
Three people, on three very different worlds, must confront alternate faces of the ever-evolving machines, which spin their own designs beyond the vision of their human masters, forging a new kind of empire that will be ruled by no man.
- GenresScience Fiction
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2019
77 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 17, 2025
This was a solid sci-fi listen with an intriguing (if not entirely new) take on AI and humanity’s growing dependence on it. The book follows three different storylines that explore what happens when society outsources almost everything, from childcare, cooking, transport, to even personal relationships, to machines. It’s cautionary in tone but still manages moments of humor and action that keep it from getting too heavy.
The audiobook narration worked well for me, especially the deep and steady voice.
What I appreciated was the mix of fast-paced sequences (there’s no shortage of dramatic robot encounters) and slower moments that ask how safe we really are when everything around us is automated.
My biggest hesitation is with one character’s arc. She starts off deeply integrated into a world built on AI. Raised by a nannybot, surrounded by helpful machines, but when there's a hack on her car, trying to kill her, she flips pretty hard toward paranoia and distrust. Her change of heart didn’t quite land for me; it felt rushed, and her reactions didn’t always match her experience, especially later in the book.
Still, it’s a thoughtful read, and fans of classic “man vs machine” stories will likely find plenty to dig into here.
Thanks to #Netgalley for the Audio ARC!
The audiobook narration worked well for me, especially the deep and steady voice.
What I appreciated was the mix of fast-paced sequences (there’s no shortage of dramatic robot encounters) and slower moments that ask how safe we really are when everything around us is automated.
My biggest hesitation is with one character’s arc. She starts off deeply integrated into a world built on AI. Raised by a nannybot, surrounded by helpful machines, but when there's a hack on her car, trying to kill her, she flips pretty hard toward paranoia and distrust. Her change of heart didn’t quite land for me; it felt rushed, and her reactions didn’t always match her experience, especially later in the book.
Still, it’s a thoughtful read, and fans of classic “man vs machine” stories will likely find plenty to dig into here.
Thanks to #Netgalley for the Audio ARC!
August 20, 2020
Solid Read
“Engines of Empire” is a solid read by author Max Carver.
Earth is a dystopian hellscape as humans scurry and scavenge for survival after a lost war waged upon it by a elitist empire - Carthage, which uses its AI and machines to wage war and demand servitude. On another planet which is in Carthage’s crosshairs, the small colony resists against all odds, finding allies from Carthage’s minuscule number of rebels.
Story can be read as an allegory of contemporary times: bread and circuses, total control of media by the *elites* to tranquilizer the polity, as government cinches the slave collar ever tighter.
Freedom and Liberty requires risk and loss. The author shows the grim, brutal, and harsh reality of what is required to achieve, maintain & often reclaim Freedom and Liberty.
Recommended and fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
“Engines of Empire” is a solid read by author Max Carver.
Earth is a dystopian hellscape as humans scurry and scavenge for survival after a lost war waged upon it by a elitist empire - Carthage, which uses its AI and machines to wage war and demand servitude. On another planet which is in Carthage’s crosshairs, the small colony resists against all odds, finding allies from Carthage’s minuscule number of rebels.
Story can be read as an allegory of contemporary times: bread and circuses, total control of media by the *elites* to tranquilizer the polity, as government cinches the slave collar ever tighter.
Freedom and Liberty requires risk and loss. The author shows the grim, brutal, and harsh reality of what is required to achieve, maintain & often reclaim Freedom and Liberty.
Recommended and fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
December 6, 2019
I should have read the publicity blurb a bit more carefully before starting this book. There are three main stories happening at the same time, in three different places with three different sets of characters.
Unfortunately I really didn’t like this arrangement, trying to get into one set of characters only for the author to jump to an entirely different set in a different location. It didn’t help that the stories weren’t able to hold my attention.
I’m sure many readers will enjoy this book, but I’m afraid not me.
Unfortunately I really didn’t like this arrangement, trying to get into one set of characters only for the author to jump to an entirely different set in a different location. It didn’t help that the stories weren’t able to hold my attention.
I’m sure many readers will enjoy this book, but I’m afraid not me.
December 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
We have three separate threads through this, Book 1, of the series. We have the residents of the planet named Galapagos who desire nothing more than to be left alone. Sadly for them, they tried to deal with the wrong security company, which drew the ire of Carthage, which sent their AI representative to offer a Hobson's Choice: Deal with them, or bad things.
You have the coddled elites of Carthage who live a life of luxury but haven't noticed how little control they actually have. Their AI is making the decisions, but to what level?
Lastly, we have the POV of survivors in Chicago trying to find food and tech in the bombed-out wreckage of Earth after Carthage's AI fleet trashed the planet.
There are enough interesting plots to pull me along to a 3 3/4-star rating. Hopefully, the different narrative threads combine to form a satisfying ending of the series.
We have three separate threads through this, Book 1, of the series. We have the residents of the planet named Galapagos who desire nothing more than to be left alone. Sadly for them, they tried to deal with the wrong security company, which drew the ire of Carthage, which sent their AI representative to offer a Hobson's Choice: Deal with them, or bad things.
You have the coddled elites of Carthage who live a life of luxury but haven't noticed how little control they actually have. Their AI is making the decisions, but to what level?
Lastly, we have the POV of survivors in Chicago trying to find food and tech in the bombed-out wreckage of Earth after Carthage's AI fleet trashed the planet.
There are enough interesting plots to pull me along to a 3 3/4-star rating. Hopefully, the different narrative threads combine to form a satisfying ending of the series.
July 9, 2025
This is a classic man vs. machine sci-fi/space opera/dystopian story. It is a cautionary tale about trusting AI and machines to infiltrate our human lives and culture so much as to distort our purpose as a society, leaving us vulnerable to both attack and being controlled by the AI ourselves.
The story is told in a style reminiscent of Adrian Tchaikovsky's Children of Time, in my opinion. It is told in third person so as to bounce between three different storylines and varying POVs.
I rated this book only 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, for a couple of reasons.
I feel this theme, while timely, is overdone to the point of being cliche at this point. Unless the author brought something new to the idea beyond a classic like 2001: A Space Odyssey, I do not see the point of writing this same story again.
I also felt the caution was stretched almost too far, to the point of paranoia, and that paranoia comes across in one of the POV characters acutely. She has an experience with machines, having trusted them intrinsically her whole life, then walks away from the opportunity to join the fight against them. However she returns home and begins to act and talk like a paranoid delusional person, so much so that I didn’t sympathize with her at all. I didn’t feel her experience or her initial reaction to it justified her actions later in the story.
This story just didn’t work for me, but that doesn’t mean it won’t connect with other readers.
I received an advance copy of this audio book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story is told in a style reminiscent of Adrian Tchaikovsky's Children of Time, in my opinion. It is told in third person so as to bounce between three different storylines and varying POVs.
I rated this book only 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, for a couple of reasons.
I feel this theme, while timely, is overdone to the point of being cliche at this point. Unless the author brought something new to the idea beyond a classic like 2001: A Space Odyssey, I do not see the point of writing this same story again.
I also felt the caution was stretched almost too far, to the point of paranoia, and that paranoia comes across in one of the POV characters acutely. She has an experience with machines, having trusted them intrinsically her whole life, then walks away from the opportunity to join the fight against them. However she returns home and begins to act and talk like a paranoid delusional person, so much so that I didn’t sympathize with her at all. I didn’t feel her experience or her initial reaction to it justified her actions later in the story.
This story just didn’t work for me, but that doesn’t mean it won’t connect with other readers.
I received an advance copy of this audio book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 9, 2025
Max Carver uses humor and excellent world-building to craft a tale of over-reliance on AI.
It would have been a better audiobook experience if each of the three storylines had a different narrator so I could keep things straight while listening (and occasionally doing other things). I did get lost on occasion.
Nevertheless, the description of a college dorm with optionally translucent, color-changing walls (and floors) during a party will stay with me, along with the rest of this character’s story. She was mostly raised by her nannybot and must now deal with a growing mistrust of all AI (not to mention a vain mother who now presents as years younger than her daughter thanks to an ongoing regimen of procedures).
There’s quite a bit of action in this novel as well, with “Security Steve” models called to duty…but by whom? Humans in this future can barely do useful things like fly spaceships or cook their dinners, so even when they resist AI, they have to rely on some of their robots.
Overall an enjoyable read.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @DreamscapeMedia, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #EnginesofEmpire for review purposes. The book and audiobook are now available.
It would have been a better audiobook experience if each of the three storylines had a different narrator so I could keep things straight while listening (and occasionally doing other things). I did get lost on occasion.
Nevertheless, the description of a college dorm with optionally translucent, color-changing walls (and floors) during a party will stay with me, along with the rest of this character’s story. She was mostly raised by her nannybot and must now deal with a growing mistrust of all AI (not to mention a vain mother who now presents as years younger than her daughter thanks to an ongoing regimen of procedures).
There’s quite a bit of action in this novel as well, with “Security Steve” models called to duty…but by whom? Humans in this future can barely do useful things like fly spaceships or cook their dinners, so even when they resist AI, they have to rely on some of their robots.
Overall an enjoyable read.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @DreamscapeMedia, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #EnginesofEmpire for review purposes. The book and audiobook are now available.
July 13, 2025
3.75 🌟 For Sci-Fi Lovers! Engines of Empire by Max Carver weaves together three distinct narratives, each unfolding simultaneously. The first centers on a battle-hardened general of war. The second follows a young boy living on Earth, who encounters various bots dealing with threats. The third story is about the general's daughter, who begins questioning her trust in these very bots. Each character faces their own struggles with the bots and wrestles with the evolving concept of trust in a technology-driven world.
The pacing of the book started off slow but gained momentum around the 30% mark, before tapering off again during the last 80%. This is told in third person.
I received an audiobook version from @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Overall, the audiobook was well produced, though I would’ve preferred different voice actors for each of the three primary characters. The narrator did attempt to distinguish the bots and other characters, but a more varied vocal performance would’ve enhanced the experience.
For the audiobook, I’d give a solid 4/5, and for the book itself, a 3.75/5. Regardless, it was an intriguing read!
The pacing of the book started off slow but gained momentum around the 30% mark, before tapering off again during the last 80%. This is told in third person.
I received an audiobook version from @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Overall, the audiobook was well produced, though I would’ve preferred different voice actors for each of the three primary characters. The narrator did attempt to distinguish the bots and other characters, but a more varied vocal performance would’ve enhanced the experience.
For the audiobook, I’d give a solid 4/5, and for the book itself, a 3.75/5. Regardless, it was an intriguing read!
June 27, 2025
Engines of Empire (Empire of Machines, #1)
by Max Carver
The weight of consequence faces the three lines of story in this novel.
This book shows the nature of empire. The cost of empires. And the struggle of the littlest of men.
The Empire (Carthage) like Rome. A world of privilege built on the backs of those they conquer. The cost of war paid by the technology they created. the book shows the problems with supreme power. and the fact that people who have power and privilege do not know the cost of their behaviors. They expect more, with out knowing how it costs those below their rule.
The Galapagos a small rural planet that just came out of political fighting. Wars in their small part of their world face the bigger danger of Carthage. Whose diplomatic feign is the first salvo in a war of conquest.
Earth, the origin of humanity, has been lost because of the conquest of Carthage. They live in devastation attempting only live in the destroyed world.
by Max Carver
The weight of consequence faces the three lines of story in this novel.
This book shows the nature of empire. The cost of empires. And the struggle of the littlest of men.
The Empire (Carthage) like Rome. A world of privilege built on the backs of those they conquer. The cost of war paid by the technology they created. the book shows the problems with supreme power. and the fact that people who have power and privilege do not know the cost of their behaviors. They expect more, with out knowing how it costs those below their rule.
The Galapagos a small rural planet that just came out of political fighting. Wars in their small part of their world face the bigger danger of Carthage. Whose diplomatic feign is the first salvo in a war of conquest.
Earth, the origin of humanity, has been lost because of the conquest of Carthage. They live in devastation attempting only live in the destroyed world.
dnf
October 23, 2025I plan to give this book another try, perhaps in physical form.
I’m a fan of this narrator and have listened to other books narrated by them, they have a great voice.
Yet for some reason I didn’t enjoy this audiobook. I think it would’ve been helpful to have different narrators for the three groups that we follow. I was a little lost when we switched to a different location and were with different characters. Somehow I missed the change and it confused me for a bit.
I listened for several hours, but never connected with any characters and ultimately wasn’t ever looking forward to continuing.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own
I’m a fan of this narrator and have listened to other books narrated by them, they have a great voice.
Yet for some reason I didn’t enjoy this audiobook. I think it would’ve been helpful to have different narrators for the three groups that we follow. I was a little lost when we switched to a different location and were with different characters. Somehow I missed the change and it confused me for a bit.
I listened for several hours, but never connected with any characters and ultimately wasn’t ever looking forward to continuing.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own
July 4, 2025
Great Start
3 different storylines, connected but do not merge within this book. Sets the stage for future actions. The writing was great and the character development well thought out.
3 different storylines, connected but do not merge within this book. Sets the stage for future actions. The writing was great and the character development well thought out.
October 28, 2024
Good character development and world building with 3 simultaneous storylines.
Cliff hanger of course, but looking forward to the next book in the series.
Cliff hanger of course, but looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 29, 2019
Nice View
Quite an interesting outlook and executed fairly well the idea behind it is clever if done before and the characters although in infancy show promise.
The action is a little slow to start but shows a believable series of events that could happen.
I will be keeping an eye on further books and will add it to my tbr list.
Quite an interesting outlook and executed fairly well the idea behind it is clever if done before and the characters although in infancy show promise.
The action is a little slow to start but shows a believable series of events that could happen.
I will be keeping an eye on further books and will add it to my tbr list.
December 16, 2019
Lazy humans
It’s rather easy to see the society of the Empire of Machines developing- for some this future is the present.
It’s rather easy to see the society of the Empire of Machines developing- for some this future is the present.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews