Review: ‘The Clockwork Dynasty’

The cover of 'The Clockwork Dynasty” is dark and haunting and promises a bit of steampunk flair. Steampunk often allows readers to explore new worlds and alternate histories with at least one foot planted firmly in the known world where one is most familiar and comfortable. 'The Clockwork Dynasty” certainly delivers on both on the known and unknown.

Wilson employs flashbacks to tell the story of Pyotr. This is a bit of surprise and quickly became an intriguing way to tell both Pyotr's and June's stories.

Pytor is attempting to recall his origin as an 'avtomat.” June is trying to uncover the story behind a mysterious object gifted to her by her grandfather.

Every memory jump moves the story, both past and present, forward with just enough mystery to keep the reader wondering what lost memories Pyotr will recover and what June, the modern-day protagonist, will discover about her own family history.

The characters, both the protagonists and antagonists, are compelling, even the machines seem human. Drawn to each other for reasons other than romance, Pyotr and June work together to discover who they are and what their true purpose might be.

The theme of family and belonging - that it's not necessarily blood that binds people together - is a strong message. It's a hopeful message in a dark, gritty world where unknown powers have seemingly always been at war.

While moving forward in a dystopian world where the secrets of the automatons are slowly revealed through recovered memories, 'The Clockwork Dynasty” is a deftly woven tale of mystery and intrigue that ends with a bang and a flicker of hope for a continuance of this amazing story about a lost history ruled by automatons.