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.
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
Reading updates
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Started reading
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13 April, 2017:
Finished reading
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13 April, 2017:
Reviewed