Forger of the Sun

A Dieselpunk Adventure Drama

Fiction - Science Fiction
441 Pages
Reviewed on 11/10/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Parul Sood for Readers' Favorite

Forger of the Sun by Adrian P is a thrilling addition to the world of the retrofuturism sci-fi genre. As the first installment of the PUNK series, the novel is a tale of unlikely alliances, action-packed mecha combat, intricate political dynamics, and character-driven drama. The story takes place in the industrial state of Artus Lindi, where we meet Dex, a gifted yet destitute mechanic. His dreams of joining the prestigious Dieselsuit tournament seem unobtainable until he meets Isola, a princess from an enemy nation, who desperately needs protection. Her survival holds the key to preventing a devastating occupation of Artus Lindi. Recognizing Dex's potential, Isola and Dex set out to change the course of their destiny.

What sets Forger of the Sun by Adrian P apart from typical adventure stories is the fusion of two distinct worlds—Dex's gritty and industrial Artus Lindi and Isola's sophisticated Solarpunk empire of Claris Polese. This contrast creates rich and intricate world-building that adds authenticity to the story. The author skillfully explores the socio-political and technological changes that these two nations are undergoing, providing a thought-provoking backdrop for the main plot. Dex and Isola’s partnership, driven by a similar goal, is rife with tension, trust-building, and personal growth. Adrian P. masterfully pens the resilience of humanity as the two central characters strive to find their rightful place in a world that repeatedly dismisses them. Like steampunk and cyberpunk, the Dieselpunk genre blends elements of the interwar period's diesel-based technology with a retro-futuristic and postmodern sensibility. Forger of the Sun embraces this aesthetic with flair. Adrian P. has created a world where colossal mechs and intricate characters come together in a gripping story that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in the PUNK series.

K.C. Finn

Forger of the Sun: A Dieselpunk Adventure Drama is a work of fiction in the science fiction, action, and adventure subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Adrian P., the story is centered on Dex, a talented but impoverished mechanic, who becomes an unlikely contender in the Dieselsuit tournament when he crosses paths with Isola, a foreign princess on the run from a deadly assassin. Their partnership is rooted in mutual need: Dex needs the tournament's prize to escape poverty, and Isola needs Dex's help to unmask the assassin hiding among the tournament's contestants.

Author Adrian P. has crafted a thrilling and action-packed drama that also devotes careful thought to its exploration of the human spirit's resilience amidst challenging circumstances. Dex and Isola's journey is a compelling one, with limited resources and formidable adversaries to overcome. The novel brilliantly captures the struggles of everyday individuals striving to assert their value in a world that often overlooks them, with attention to detail in every moment of the emotive speech and thought presentation of the characters. As a fan of steampunk and sci-fi, this book immediately captured my attention with its fascinating world of colossal mechs and intricate storytelling. The mecha combat scenes are particularly intense and visually striking, adding a dynamic layer that gives the work a cinematic and imaginative punch. Adrian P.'s writing style is immersive, and the world-building is top-notch. Overall, Forger of the Sun is a delightful combination of action, intrigue, and the indomitable human spirit, making it a must-read for fans of the dieselpunk genre.

Saifunnissa Hassam

Adrian P.'s science fiction novel Forger of the Sun is a fast-paced and riveting story set in Artus Lindi. Dex Garius is an engineer, a genius, who chooses to work at a power plant. In his spare time, he does what he loves best: innovative engineering. He applies his considerable genius and analytical mind to designing a Dieselsuit, a symbol of the diesel technology that has made Artus Lindi into an advanced and powerful nation. The Dieselsuit Tournament is a combat competition between the most advanced Dieselsuits, driven by elite pilots. Dex has no plans to compete. His Dieselsuit, built from scrap parts, reflects his excellent engineering skills and abilities. Princess Isola is from another powerful nation, Claris Polese, which uses solar technology. Isola is an inventor, with a brilliant mind, working on innovative engineering, with hydrogen as a fuel. She is in Artus Lindi when an assassin attempts to kill her. She persuades Dex to enter the Diesel Tournament to help her identify the assassin. Working together, Dex and Isola upgrade Dex's Dieselsuit.

I thoroughly enjoyed Forger of the Sun for its remarkable characters, its thought-provoking storyline, and the richly imagined land of Artus Lindi. I particularly liked the character development of the two principal characters, Dex and Isola. Both characters sprang to life through vivid narratives, settings, and dialogues, and the Dieselsuits are characters in themselves! I liked the determination and tenacity with which Dex and Isola pursue their dreams of innovation. The story gained great depth through the other characters, linking the past and present. The fast-paced action and drama of dangerous situations were well-crafted, bringing out the individual strengths, skills, and ingenuity of Dex and Isola and their ability to work as a team. I loved the worldbuilding of Artus Lindi. I could picture through the different characters the diversity of its peoples and cultures and its power struggles. I enjoyed how Isola's curiosity about Artus Lindi creates the details of a land that is different from her own. With twists and turns to the very end, Adrian P.'s Forger of the Sun is exciting, multifaceted, and immersive, with memorable characters and a story of family, friendships, and sacrifice.