The Clockwork Dynasty by Daniel H. Wilson is a highly recommended blended steampunk/sci-fi thriller exposing the secret history of the avtomat, or automats/robots, living among us. A secret race of robots has been living alongside humans for centuries. The Clockwork Dynasty tells the past and present story of these beings through two timelines, the present day and in 1725 Russia.

June Stefanov is an anthropologist who specializes in ancient technology and she travels the world for her employer, the Kunlun Foundation, looking for rare antique automatons. She wears an old artifact around her neck that she inherited from her grandfather. The artifact is reminiscent of an intricate clockwork assembly and her grandfather told her to keep its existence secret. When she figures out how to activate a three-hundred-year-old mechanical doll, she is told the "wolves" are coming for her. She is rescued by Peter Alexeyvich, a robot, from certain death at the mechanical hands of Talus Silferström. Talus serves the avtomat called Leizu, the Worm Mother, who also seeks to kill Peter. Now the two are on the run together as June learns about the secret robots that live among us.

Peter's history begins in 1725 Moscow where Giacomo Favorini, the last mechanic of Czar Peter the Great, brings Pyotr/Peter Alexeyvich to life along with his sister Elena Petrova. Peter resembles a tall man, while Elena looks like a girl of around 12. Circumstances force them to flee Russia (when we are introduced to Talus) and travel to London where they struggle to blend into the world of humans. Peter becomes a soldier of fortune while Elena chaffs under the requirement that she stay hidden from humans - and Leizu.

Chapters alternate between Peter's story set in the past and the present day with June. I'm not convinced that the alternating chapters worked well here. It might have been good to develop June's character more while condensing the backstory of Peter and Elena. Currently June is undeveloped for a main character; however the novel is certainly set up for a continuation of the story so perhaps the next book will give us more insight into June and her amazing mechanical skills.

The writing is very good and there is a lot of fast-paced action to keep both stories moving along quickly. The battles all seem to have a violent, Terminator feel to them and, admittedly, sometimes it became just a bit too violent for me. It is an entertaining novel that shows an influence from other stories/movies, but still should please fans of robot/steampunk fiction.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2017/07/the-clockwork-dynasty.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2076948326

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[4.5 stars]

I had already loved Daniel H. Wilson from his amazing work on "Robopocalyse". Here, he brings his fascination with robots to a more steampunk setting, exploring the lives of automaton who have been hidden among us for centuries.

This book really was amazing. The characters were sweet, the story was interesting, and the writing was just fantastic. I hope Wilson continues to write about what he loves, because he really has a knack for imagery, cliffhangers, and plot structure.

In Moscow, 1709: Giacomo Giuseppe Favorini or 'Favo' is the last mechanician to the Tsar Pyotr Alexeyevich. Ten years before, the tsar traveled throughout Europe and brought back many treasures and craftsmen, including mechanicians and a special artifact from which to build an avtomaton. The tsar's wife Catherine, who didn't like the idea, has managed to have the other mechanicians exiled, but Favo has remained and has succeeded in creating an avtomaton in Tsar Pyotr's likeness and named him Peter. There is another avtomaton he has created named Elena, shaped like a small girl--Peter thinks of her as his little sister. Both have a 'word' that they must obey: Peter's is pravda (truth/justice) and he must be loyal to his tsar; Elena's is logika (logic) and she is equally good at thinking things through and making plans.

When Pyotr the Great dies on February 8, 1725, Peter and Elena must flee, for Catherine, thinking they are abominations, has sentenced them to death. Eventually they make it to London where they learn there are other avtomats in the world and not all are friendly--in fact, there is a war going on.

In Oregon, present day: June, a specialist in primitive mechanical antiquities, has been hired by the Kunlun Foundation to seek out and study antique automatons. The latest one has been found in an Old Believer community of the Pacific Northwest. When she is able to replace a part and set the doll-like creature in motion, all hell breaks loose in the church. Later in her motel room, June is attacked by a man who arrives on a motorcycle. He is after an artifact that he believes June has in her possession, one given her by her grandfather. It is soon apparent that the attacker is not human when another such 'man' arrives and they engage in a mighty battle. June flees with Peter, her rescuer, and she is now drawn into the war between avtomats.

The story switches back and forth between Peter's story in the past and June's in the present so the book is an intriguing mixture of historical fiction and fantasy. It is also a tremendous adventure story with lots of exciting action, so if someone doesn't snap up the movie rights, I'll be totally dumbfounded.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an arc of this fascinating new book.

The switching pov chapters weren't for me and the characters voices blended too much a like that I couldn't tell who was who and there was also too much action for my taste.

Daniel H. Wilson's marvelous book is all that a blended sci-fi/fantasy genre tale should and can be. Those looking for simple steampunk novel are going to find a whole lot more. A sweeping, epic story of artificial intelligence like none I have read before, Wilson gives us two protagonists, Peter and June, whose alternating storylines cross decades and much, much longer, finally meeting in a commonality of purpose in the present day. Peter, a sentient form of artificial intelligence, is one of a created race called avtomats. June, granddaughter of a clockwork lover, has a fascination with automata and mechanical creations, borne of a story and legacy left her by her grandfather. While June's story evolves over decades, Peter's has evolved over a much longer time period. I don't want to steal thunder from the book, but a story that begins in Russia during the reign of Peter the Great (in 1700's) does not even begin to scratch Peter's history.

One of the central themes of the avotmats is the "word" that motivates their choices and actions. Peter's word, pravda (правда), or truth has many alternate meanings, including justice. Peter's evolution, in understanding his motivating "word," over the arc of this novel was one of the best facets of the book for me. Peter stands for the universal questions. What is truth? What is a truth-seeker? What happens when we forget what the truth really is? What if your truth and my truth are different? Who is right? What if no one is?

The avtomats of this book (Peter, Elena (logic), Hypatia (virtue), Talus, Leizu, Bauto and others) are not cold, programmed (beyond their guiding word) sentient machines. They are self-determinant, aspiring, evolving entities who have feelings of affection and loyalty, but also hatred, derision and greed. The mystery of their origins remains shrouded. Their incredible modern physical form is almost equally so.

Wilson, who has written largely about robots and robotics (he has a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon, but has also studied philosophy, and it certainly shows here) has written a marvelous book that I would hope could have sequels. Those with a love of automata books from Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret to Gaby Woods's Edison's Eve and Living Dolls will find a novel that takes us far beyond wind up toys or regular old robots.

It's a great journey.

I was pulled into this book right from the first chapter. The June, as a teenager, is caught trying to break into her grandfather's lock-box. She expects to get in trouble. She doesn't. Instead, she gets to touch an ancient and beautiful fragment of clockwork. Her grandfather can't explain how technology this advanced can be so old; he can only explain the extraordinary events of the day he found it. June is captivated.

Flash forward to June as a young scientist studying mechanical figures. When she gets too close to discovering the secrets that lie behind these figures, the plot ratchets into high gear.

The Clockwork Dynasty is one of the best books I've received from Netgalley. The pacing is fast and the action scenes are gripping. Both human and automaton characters are written with depth. The interweaving of the historical time periods the automatons live through with the present day action is well done. I highly recommend this book!

The review will post tomorrow on writerebeccawrite.wordpress.com

Do I really need to say how ravishing this cover is?  I've read several other books by this author and he has yet to disappoint me.  

The chapters alternate between past, present, and various settings in history and reveal how Peter and June are connected.  The history of the avtomats and how they each live by their 'word' is intriguing and I would have liked more details, but it looks like there's a sequel, so I'm assuming the author plans to expand on that in a future book.  With intricate avtomat design descriptions and vivid imagery, the action scenes played out like a movie (especially when June experiences claustrophobia) - and I can easily picture this as a movie.  

There's no doubt I enjoyed Clockwork Dynasty, but I admit the pacing was a bit slow in a few places and I skimmed through some pages.  While Peter's character was well-developed (I kept forgetting he wasn't human), June felt a little flat and other than her engineering talents, I knew next to nothing about her.        

If you're familiar with Wilson's books, you know they tend to revolve around artificial intelligence and robotics, so if that's your thing, this is your book.  If, however, you're looking for more of a steampunk feel, the cover is slightly misleading.  In my opinion, this book leans more toward sci-fi.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

This was my first ARC and Netgalley approval ever, so to say I was excited is an understatement. And what an action-packed, well-written, and original novel it was. The book is told in alternating chapters from the first person perspective of two characters – June, the modern day anthropologist, and Peter, a clockwork being of a race known as the avtomat.  In the present, we read as June discovers more about the avtomat and the war that has been going on between them for centuries, all while attempting to stay alive and protect an important artefact. Peter’s story, however, begins in Russia in 1725 and covers a number of different countries and events up until WWII. For the most part these constant jumps actually work fairly well as events in one storyline act to provide an introduction or clarification for events occurring in the other.

The chapters are definitely on the short side. While this was a great help in finding an easy place to stop, there were moments where it worked to a disadvantage. On many occasions, something important was happening or I could feel that some vital piece of information was about to be revealed before suddenly I was frustratingly forced back into the other character’s plotline where the pace was comparatively, at that point, slower. Although I can safely say that this frustration was only because I was so engaged by what was happening.

The Clockwork Dynasty is not a novel that suffers from slow pacing. It’s quite an action packed novel yet, as I said before, when one character’s story is moving quickly, the other’s is calmer which acts to provide balance and stop you feeling overwhelmed. The plot itself is an interesting one –a race of sentient machines who have existed for an extremely long time, fighting amongst themselves over differing ideas about how to extend their lifespans and fulfil their programmed purposes or ‘Words’. There’s a mix of everything going on here – history, action, mystery, science fiction, a little fantasy, even some steampunk, so there’s something for everyone. I have some minor issues with the ending but still can’t seem to pinpoint the exact reasons behind them beyond the slight feeling that it felt somewhat rushed and perhaps, a teensy bit silly. Overall though, Wilson’s style is enjoyable and easy to read. He seems very comfortable writing to these specific themes and genres. His action scenes are clear, characters’ emotions described to the right degree of detail, and settings well-constructed.

Despite introducing a number of interesting side characters, character wise, the novel’s focus very clearly remains on June, Peter, and Peter’s “sister”, Elena. Seeing the world through Peter’s eyes is quite fascinating and he definitely comes across as both a relatable and compelling character. Peter’s struggle to find his place in the world and fulfil his intended directive as well as protect Elena is an understandable one. I enjoyed seeing both he and Elena adapt to their surroundings as time went on. Elena, too, is quite a solid character – she’s smart, competent, and not afraid to speak her mind. I actually wish she’d been in the story a little more and having been a fan of hers and Peter’s bond, I was a little disappointed by its treatment in the second half of the novel. June, on the other hand, is a little bland. While we spend years with Peter and Elena, our time with June is limited to several days, maybe a few weeks max. In this time we don’t really get to know her very well. Sure, she’s smart, curious, and thinks well on her feet but I never really felt the strong connection or sense of understanding that I did with the others. The side characters, including the antagonist, were all intriguing and diverse, but with the length of the novel, sadly a little underdeveloped. I’m guessing that’s what sequels are for.

Overall, The Clockwork Dynasty was a fairly entertaining read and a nice change in pace from many of the other books I’ve read lately. I’m sure that there will be a large number of readers who really enjoy it when it is released in August.

3.5/5

Completely unlike anything I've read before, but I enjoyed it. Quite violent for my tastes, but nothing so gory that I didn't want to continue reading. There are some really gorgeous, atmospheric descriptions here, and I found myself drawn into this world despite being a complete novice to this genre. I think sci-fi fans in particular will love this one. The two things that came to mind when I was first starting this novel were Frankenstein and Terminator. And, I must say, Rock'em Sock'em Robots. Yet while there are plenty of battles here (maybe a few too many?), there are also bigger philosophical questions to consider: the search for meaning. The need for connection with one's own kind. The pull to understand where one comes from. The conflict between serving oneself and serving others. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. I don't think it's converted me into a science fiction reader, but if there's a sequel (and it seems like there may be), there's a good chance I'll pick it up.

The Clockwork Dynasty by Daniel H. Wilson- Famous for his novels Roboapocalpse and Robogenesis, Daniel H. Wilson continues along those lines with a fast-paced story involving clockwork heroes and villains and a multi-millennium dynasty that goes on beneath the eyes of man. The book is made up of two 1st-person narratives, one by Peter, a clockwork artifact once owned by Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia in the mid-1700's, and the other by June, a present day human anthropologist, who has a fascination with any and all the clockwork relics from the past, and has around her neck an artifact so incredibly valuable, it makes her a target. There is a war going on among the clockwork automatons. A power struggle, and a cleansing. I found Peter's story to be more interesting at first, with glimpses of the historic times he shuffled through. June's story on the other hand was more or less chapter and verse: hide here- run there- look out, until the two team up. I enjoyed Wilson's few origin moments and asides, but there is a lot more going on here, so I'm assuming sequels will be in order. The book makes sense and is quite entertaining.

After June Stefanov’s grandfather gave her a small relic as a child, her insatiable curiosity led to a career in anthropology and a job hunting down antique automatons. But a secret within a three-hundred-year-old mechanical doll throws June into a world of highly sophisticated mechanical beings, living and fighting among humans. Cut to 1725 Russia, where newly born mechanical beings Peter and Elena struggle to serve their empire and the tsar, and find their own kind and purpose.

Billed as a scifi steampunk historical thriller, The Clockwork Dynasty is suspenseful action-packed speculative fiction about ancient robots living in a world less sophisticated than themselves. With elements of Interview of the Vampire and Highlander, Peter and Elana live to fulfill their Words, justice and logic, respectively, but they know nothing of their origins or the meaning of their existence. Their characters are immensely intriguing, flawed by their own programming, and achieves that aim of great science fiction—an examination of consciousness and what it means to be alive.

Unfortunately, June herself is more difficult to empathize with, as her desires and limitations are unclear, even for a human. Regardless, the chapter by chapter point-of-view and time shifts are expertly executed, enhancing the story with both timely exposition and an escalating pace until the past and present collide. All the technical elements are pulled off seamlessly, rendering a new story from old threads that feels young again.

Recommended for anyone who loves robots and action-packed science fiction!

Thanks to Netgalley and Double Day books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Mini review is now posted on my blog!

Fascinating story that makes me want more of the backstory of the avtomats.

"robots" or (avtomatons) with a side of ancient and not so ancient history...an inspired tale of past and current adventures especially for steampunk lovers. Well written, easily read..

Book Title:  The Clockwork Dynasty
Author:  Daniel H Wilson
Series:  Stand-Alone
Genre:  Steampunk
Publisher:  Doubleday
Setting:  Past and present; including Oregon, London, Russia, and China
Source:  I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
 
 
 
⇝Add to Goodreads⇜
 
 
 
 
 
⇝Book Theme Song⇜
(link will take you to my tumblr post with video)
Fake it by Seether  --It's so perfect for Peter & the other avtomats…it's also one of my all time favs.
♫Who's to know if your soul will fade at all
The one you sold to fool the world
You lost your self-esteem along the way
Yeah
And just fake it if your out of direction
Fake it if you don't belong
Fake it if you feel like a infection
Woah your such a f*ckin' hypocrite♫
 
 
 
OVERALL RATING:  3.7/5 STARS GRADE=B
 
⇝My Thoughts⇜
 
 
The idea behind The Clockwork Dynasty is an ingenious one, but the execution fell a little short for me.  I just couldn't stay focused when reading this, I had to reread some passages again and again.  I feel like this could have been because it was not my usual type of read.  But…Idk???
 

 
I also never felt like I was invested in the characters, especially June…why does June seem so inconsequential.  I wanted more depth from them.  So, maybe I might have wanted to cheer them on.  So…overall this is a imaginative story, it just didn't have enough heart for me.  The cover, though, is absolutely spectacular. 
 
⇝Ratings Breakdown⇜
 
Plot:  4.2/5
Main Characters:  3.5/5
Secondary Characters:  3.5/5
The Feels:  3.5/5
Addictiveness:  3.5/5
Theme or Tone:  4/5
Flow (Writing Style):  3/5
Backdrop (World Building):  4.3/5
Originality:  5/5
Book Cover:  5/5
Ending:  4/5  Cliffhanger:  Kind of does, actually.
 
 
Will I continue this series?  Maybe…if it continues, and it seems like it should.

Fun, intriguing and nearly impossible to put down! I loved reading this book. It's creative, well written and something new. I'm always on the look-out for fresh ideas in books and this definitely fits the bill. I'll be telling lots of people to read this one!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I thought the premise of this book was really interesting, but it got off to a slow start. I felt like I kept reading it and I wasn't getting anywhere, I'm glad I kept with it though. It picked up at about the halfway point, and kept a great pace through the end. The story is told with the chapters alternating between past and present. The present time chapters are told from the first person perspective of main character June while the chapters of the past are told from the perspective of our other main character Peter. The alternating times and perspectives took a bit of getting used to, but the writing was excellent. The ending left me wanting more and wanting to check out more of Wilson’s work. His attention to detail in both the technical and historical areas is fantastic.

June is a mechanician, a scientist who has devoted her life to the study of clockwork artifacts. She's been inspired by an artifact that she wears around her neck and has yet to discover all of its secrets. It was given to her by her grandfather. He found the artifact in 1942 in Stalingrad after an encounter with an invincible man, an avenging angel, who saved his life. Peter is that avenging angel who June's grandfather saw, and the artifact is a relic he lost that day. Peter is an avtomat or a clockwork man, who is much older than anyone knows. His story begins in Moscow 1709 when he is awakened from a long slumber by another mechanician of Peter the Great’s court. Peter and his clockwork sister Elena embark many journeys together. Each avtomat must serve their “word” to fulfill a deeper purpose and trying to uncover the purpose of their creation. As time passes Peter finds himself unable to fulfill his word which is essentially justice, and Elena longs for companionship of other of their kind, logical and strategic challenges. They both find themselves in a clockwork war with an enemy they can’t remember, hiding from her as well as humans. June finds herself drawn into the avtomat war and the only one who can figure out their mechanical secrets and save them all.

What a book! Really enjoyed! Highly recommend. Perfect book club pick!

The Clockwork Dynasty is a mix of science fiction, steampunk, and historical fiction. The author presents a truly unique approach to artificial intelligence/robotics, not only builds a world around this idea, but presents the reader with a history of this world. The book is told in the past and present and is treated in such a way that a reader won't get too lost in all the back and forth. I absolutely devoured this book and highly recommend it for a variety of reasons. The writing is amazing - pace is steady, just the right balance of technology and plot (especially considering the author has a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon), and action scenes are well thought out. The technological aspects of the story were very creative and supported some interesting world building. It was apparent to me that the author really respects the world of robotics. The robotic characters exhibit realistic human behaviors and emotions that come with being immortal beings living in a world of mortals. The writing would convey how lonely these characters were at times and how complicated their lives were. It really was some of the more beautiful writing that I have read in a while. I am really looking forward to reading more by this author.