The Clockwork Dynasty: A Novel

by Daniel H Wilson

An ingenious new thriller that weaves a path through history, following a race of human-like machines that have been hiding among us for untold centuries, written by the New York Times bestselling author of Robopocalypse.

Present day: When a young anthropologist specializing in ancient technology uncovers a terrible secret concealed in the workings of a three-hundred-year-old mechanical doll, she is thrown into a hidden world that lurks just under the surface of our own. With her career and her life at stake, June Stefanov will ally with a remarkable traveler who exposes her to a reality she never imagined, as they embark on an around-the-world adventure and discover breathtaking secrets of the past…
 
Russia, 1725: In the depths of the Kremlin, the tsar’s loyal mechanician brings to life two astonishingly humanlike mechanical beings. Peter and Elena are a brother and sister fallen out of time, possessed with uncanny power, and destined to serve great empires. Struggling to blend into pre-Victorian society, they are pulled into a legendary war that has raged for centuries.
 
The Clockwork Dynasty seamlessly interweaves past and present, exploring a race of beings designed to live by ironclad principles, yet constantly searching for meaning. As June plunges deeper into their world, her choices will ultimately determine their survival or extermination. Richly-imagined and heart-pounding, Daniel H. Wilson’s novel expertly draws on his robotics and science background, combining exquisitely drawn characters with visionary technology—and riveting action.

• ISBN10: 1524780278
• ISBN13: 9781524780272
• Publish Date: 1 August 2017
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 25 March 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Diversified Publishing
• Imprint: Random House Large Print
• Edition: Large type / large print edition
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 448
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781524780272

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of the Clockwork Dynasty from Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The first thing I would like to mention is just how wonderful the cover is – it caught my attention right away and immediately made me read the quick blurb along with it. It’s pretty much the perfect steampunk cover, between the details, texture, and color palette.
The Clockwork Dynasty blends technology with history into a seamless and interesting read about the purpose we all carry. Two characters with different histories, perspectives, and goals show us that despite these differences they have the same question: “what is my purpose?”



Warnings first: This is a story that crosses centuries at a time, and sometimes that fact results in showing wars or other historical events. Animals are hurt and killed, though you can typically see it coming, if that helps at all. Additionally there are some kidnap scenes, where the kidnapper clearly intends to rape a minor. Unnamed side characters are shown being kept prisoners in a brothel, some of them are children. Thankfully not much detail is provided, but it still happens and is talked about. So please keep this in mind.
I pretty much devoured this book from cover to cover (or whatever the ebook equivalent of that is). I was immediately drawn into June and Peter’s (aka Pyotr) stories. Part of the reason why I got sucked into it is because I really loved the blend of history and technology. I think my favorite quote from the book sums that up pretty well: “We came striding out of the past, yet our bones are made of the future.”
The other reason I found myself enjoying the novel was because of the choice in storytelling style. The chapters rotate back and forth between June (the present) and Peter (the past). This not only kept it from getting dry, but also helped keep things from getting confusing - you know that June’s perspective will always be the present, even without having to be directly told this. Likewise it’s safe to assume that Peter’s will always involve the past.
The Clockwork Dynasty is an experience, one I truly believe you need to have read to be able to fully appreciate what it is trying to say. Any fan of science fiction with a focus on more steampunk elements will likely enjoy this read.


For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

The Clockwork Dynasty’s cover caught my eye when I first viewed in on NetGalley. It’s dark, haunting and promises a bit of steam punk flare–all things that I’ve been gravitating towards recently. Steampunk often allows me to explore new worlds with at least one foot planted firmly in my known world where I’m most comfortable. The Clockwork Dynasty certainly delivers on both these points.

What surprised me most about The Clockwork Dynasty was the flashbacks. Oh yeah, this tale uses one of my favorite storytelling devices…flashbacks. And it took me completely by surprise. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a sci-fi/steampunk novel that has employed this device and if I have, apparently, it was done in forgettable way.

The way the story is told is my favorite thing about The Clockwork Dynasty. The story jumping between the past and present drives the story forward in an expected fashion. Every jump moves the story forward with just enough mystery to keep you reading and wondering what lost memories will be recovered.

The characters, both the good guys and bad guys, are compelling as well. Drawn to each other for reasons other than romance they work together to discover who they are and what their true purpose might be. The theme of family and belonging is a strong message. It’s not necessarily blood that binds us together.

While moving forward in a seemingly dystopian world where the secrets of the automatons is unknown, our June and Pyotr, are driven back to their own pasts to discover their own secrets and those of the creation of the automatons. The Clockwork Dynasty is a deftly woven tale of mystery and intrigue that ends with a bang and hope for a continuance of this amazing story about a lost history.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews