When I started reading this book, I thought I understood the genre of Steampunk well enough, but I felt there was plenty of steam but not enough punk, not enough edge. As the story progressed, I realized that the story was more of a YA novel than a general adult sci-fi piece. After I looked at the work with new eyes, the quality of the narrative improved and the story ended well also. If you are looking for age appropriate MG/YA Steampunk, this is probably a good book for you. And the illustrations were appreciated and helpful.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I'm pretty sure it's the first steampunk book I've read, and it made a good introduction to the genre, with a whimsical, lighthearted tone and various fun inventions. It takes a while to get going, with a lot of worldbuilding and exposition in the initial chapters before any action. However, once the adventure starts proper, I found myself pulled through chapter after chapter as various perilous situations unfold. Onyx makes for an engaging protagonist, a little too naive and trusting perhaps, but then she's been sheltered her whole life learning her trade as a timekeeper under the tutelage of her father. Edison made a good sidekick, and there are various villains who want to manipulate time for a range of reasons. I liked the innovative setup of the world being made of a series of giant clockfaces, but for my taste, I would have liked the book to get moving quicker; however, I would recommend it to any fans of steampunk or just old-fashioned adventure. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Jill Archie truly helps people like me who had never ever read a book in a steampunk context to get totally engulfed in the story and the universe.
It is well written, with quality still readable for enjoying a good time, and the drawings are a pure joy. This is not tensed and the reading experience cannot induce anxieties, like sometimes with stories happening in other universe. I would recommend the book, and had already. All opinions are mine, big thanks to Net Galley and the publisher.

Absolutely loved the clockwork world of this story and the little FMC on a quest to save her father.
The world-building was just so very memorable that this story will stay with me for a long while. I really appreciated the sketches provided in the book to give shape to this very unique world.
The story was fast-paced with a lot happening all at once, it kept me turning the pages and kept me on the edge of the proverbial seat.
The read was refreshing in both its adventure and romance. The filial love in this plot was very well executed. The storytelling was so good that I even wanted to read more about the villains.

I am a Steampunk fan and have been for years.

Jill Archie, in The Timekeepers, has created a fantastic world, one full of gears, and clocks, and switches.

The world building is wonderful! Not only do we have flying boats and bikes, but the streets and villages, neighborhoods and regions are themselves clocks.

This is a great introductory read into the world of Steampunk.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So this book is really charming! The prose itself reads a little bit more like a middle grade book than YA though.

Imagine living in a world where time is not just a concept but controls and makes most of your world function. Where you have a "a heartkey" that determines your lifespan. Your father is the keeper of all time and he one day disappears?? The timekeepers is a such a tale. From the plot twists to Onyx's and Edison's friendship, I thought this book was whimsical as well as endearing. Onyx's innocence and curiosity is endearing and made me instantly love her character! The concept of time is used so uniquely as well. This was one of my favorites by far.

I love the fantasy, sci-fi genres, they’re my go to. In more recent years, Steampunk has emerged as a popular sub-genre, and now has become more Mainstream.
The Timekeepers is a good example of this. It’s well written, the author has clearly put a lot of thought, time and effort into the world building and it’s spectacular.
The characters are good, but would benefit from a bit more depth, same with the overall storyline.
As a whole though, this book is immersive, exciting, and engaging and well worth picking up.
I hope to see more from this author in the future and of this world in particular. A lovely, fast paced, easy read. Will be recommending this one.

I thought this book was a nice, fun read. You explore a steampunk world full of not only creative and fun inventions, but corresponding dynamics that fit into this fictional landscape.

While the plot is fairly simple, it is so in a fun, comforting way. It's the kind of book i can read any time of day to just relax and escape into a fun fictional world. While it touches on serious topics (death, illness, grief, etc.), it doesn't deal with the topics deeply in a way where it would make you feel sad/upset.

While I enjoyed it and recommend it to others, there were plot holes, especially towards the end as well as some small issues that distracted me/took me out of the book.

World Building: 4/5
Character Development: 2/5
Spice: 0/5
Romance: 1.5/5
Life Lessons/Themes: 2/5
Overall Enjoyment: 3.5/5
Overal Rating: 3.5


Who I Would Recommend It To: Anyone who loves a nice, semi-predictable comfort read in a fun and intricate fictional world. It's definitely a YA book, so I would also recommend it to younger readers based on the experiences, struggles, and emotions of the FMC.

***I received a free advance reader copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.***

This wasn't necessarily a bad book, it just wasn't for me. I didn't connect with the world or the characters unfortunately so found it difficult to be fully invested into the story. The writing itself was good and clear, but ideally I needed some more details on the world building because it was hard to picture the layout as a clock. It is a very unique idea but it just needs a bit more development.

This Young Adult world of The Clockwork Lands is the story of The Timekeeper and his daughter, Onyx. It is a fun adventure with full and beautiful writing that really places the reader right there with the characters! It is full of twists and turns that are well written and not expected. There are absolutely beautiful illustrations throughout the book.

Book Review: The Timekeepers by Jill Archie

Jill Archie’s The Timekeepers is an engaging middle-grade novel that delivers a vivid and imaginative adventure. From the start, Archie’s descriptive writing shines, painting immersive scenes that draw readers in. The imagery is particularly striking, making every setting feel alive and tangible.

While the plot takes some time to build, this slow start effectively creates anticipation. Once the action begins, however, the pacing shifts dramatically, propelling the reader through a thrilling sequence of events. The balance between setup and payoff ultimately makes the journey worthwhile, and the fast-paced climax ensures an exciting conclusion.

Overall, The Timekeepers is a compelling read for middle-grade audiences, offering rich descriptions, well-crafted world-building, and an exciting adventure. Fans of mystery and action-driven stories will especially enjoy this book.

When I picked up *The Timekeepers* by Jill Archie, I was immediately intrigued by the steampunk concept and the promise of a unique clockwork world. The book delivered a vibrant setting, complete with airships, automatons, and the intricate gears that define the Clockwork Lands. From the very first chapter, I could almost feel the ticking mechanisms and see the creative inventions come to life, thanks in no small part to Miroslav Dimitrov's stunning illustrations, which added so much depth to the story.

The protagonist, Onyx Chime, was someone I had mixed feelings about at first. Her naivety and excitable nature made it hard for me to fully connect with her, but as the story progressed, her passion for adventure and her deep love for timekeeping won me over. Her mistakes and moments of self-doubt felt very human, and I couldn’t help but root for her as she faced challenges that pushed her beyond her comfort zone.

Edison was a standout character for me. His practicality and steady demeanor balanced Onyx’s impulsive energy beautifully. Their dynamic felt authentic, and I appreciated that their relationship wasn’t forced into a romantic subplot. Edison’s loyalty and optimism brought a lot of heart to the story, and I found myself smiling at his interactions with Onyx.

The world-building was one of my favorite aspects of this book. The inventors’ quarter, in particular, was a highlight—it was so vividly described that I could practically see the chaos and wonder of the inventions around me. The concept of gears for hearts was a bit difficult for me to wrap my head around at first, but I eventually accepted it as part of the unique logic of the Clockwork Lands.

That said, the pacing was a bit of a struggle for me. The story started off slow, and I found myself skimming through some of the early chapters. However, once the action picked up, I was hooked. The twists and turns—especially towards the end—kept me engaged, and a few surprises genuinely caught me off guard. By the time I reached the final pages, I was satisfied with how the story wrapped up.

What I appreciated most about this book was its balance of adventure and thoughtfulness. While it was filled with action and creative steampunk elements, it also took the time to explore deeper themes, like the importance of time and what it means to be eternal. Some of the philosophical discussions didn’t resonate with me as much, but others were thought-provoking and added layers to the narrative.

Reading *The Timekeepers* was an enjoyable experience, even if it had its slower moments. The vibrant world-building, compelling supporting cast, and engaging twists made it a worthwhile read. While I didn’t connect deeply with all aspects of the story, it’s clear that Jill Archie has a knack for creating imaginative and immersive worlds.

If you’re a fan of steampunk, creative settings, and thoughtful explorations of time, *The Timekeepers* is definitely worth checking out. It’s a story that will make you think, smile, and appreciate the intricate gears that keep our own worlds turning.

I love the concept for this book. The Clockwork world sounds fascinating. Great work Miroslav Dimitrov for those illustrations, those added so much to the story! The world and things in the world were described well, I was able to envision almost every setting our characters went to. I did struggle a bit with understanding the gears for hearts thing, but accepted it as the norm for this world. I really liked the inventors quarter of the city, the inventions were really cool!

This might be a me thing, maybe I’m too old to fit in this target demographic, but I couldn’t relate to Onyx much. She came across as naïve and a bit too excitable. However, her craving for adventure was enduring and her passion for timekeeping/clockwork was pretty cute. I liked Edison coming in and being practical and careful. There was a good give and take in their relationship, and his loyalty and positivity made me smile. The other characters were interesting and added to the fun.

The book did drag on for me a bit - I struggled to get through it at my normal reading pace . I did enjoy the story, but I found myself skimming past some parts that were a bit drawn out. There were a couple parts that did take me by surprise at the end though!

Thank you to NetGalley and Jill Archie for this eARC!

Very much enjoyed everything about this book. The illustrations are wonderful and the story was both fun and easy to follow. I am certain it will appeal to many. I was kept engaged and look forward to the next book This book would make a great addition to libraries.

Incredible world building, I am a fan of anything steampunk so this book was a treat, and I really appreciated the drawings as they added a nice touch.

The whole concept of a world that is running time and run by time is cleverly developed.

The dialogue was a little “young” at times which I found not as enjoyable

The cover is splendid! It was a long time since I read steampunk but this was a nice introduction back to the genre. I really loved the adventure and the characters. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a chance to read this book.

It took me a little while to get in to this book, and for a bit, I was worried that it was going to be my first DNF of the year, but then the pace picked up, and I was quickly hooked.

From the moment Edison arrived, it was clear that things in Onyx's life were never going to be the same again. These two characters complement each other so well, and Eddie provides such a colourful insight into what life is like outside of the Timekeeper's tower.

From there the story picks up pace even further with airships, automatons, sandstorms, seductresses and a very handy flying umbrella! This book was full of twists and turns, right up to the last few pages. I could see some of them coming, but there were some that still caught me by surprise.

A cool world, with a clever central theme, and a really strong supporting cast of characters.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very creative premise with them living in a giant clock. It was very YA and the adventure was pretty action pact. The plot felt very predictable but overall the story was very enjoyable and the characters where very likeable they defiantly acted their ages.

I had high hopes for this book but found it impossible to get engaged with the story and the characters. Found it very difficult to finish.
not really my cup of tea.