Scan barcode
janina_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Well. It took me quite a while to finish this book, and although it wasn't bad at all, I have to say that it didn't really manage to hold my attention for longer spans of time. I would read a chapter or two and then be absolutely content with putting the book away. Sometimes, I even found myself leafing through the book to see how many pages I had until the next chapter break. This is normally not a good sign. I also thought that some passages would have needed a good editor.
At the same time, though, the world was utterly fascinating: A city run by a clockwork heart set into a mountain. Icarii with metal wings sweeping through the air delivering messages. A caste system bound to create resent and rebellion among some groups. Detailed and vivid descriptions of the setting almost made me feel like I was part of it myself.
The romance played a smaller role, but that was fine with me. Despite some awkward situations, I found it sweet and believable. The two main characters were likeable, but remained a bit one-dimensional in my opinion.
What probably set me off the most was the resolution of the crime in this story. At the end, everything just tumbled into place at the most convenient moment. I also found it strange that people who weren't part of the police force and who were even considered suspects to some extend were involved so deeply and provided with confidential information.
Nevertheless, an original steampunk/urban fantasy novel with a little romance thrown in. If you are into those kinds of books, you might want to give Clockwork Heart a try.
At the same time, though, the world was utterly fascinating: A city run by a clockwork heart set into a mountain. Icarii with metal wings sweeping through the air delivering messages. A caste system bound to create resent and rebellion among some groups. Detailed and vivid descriptions of the setting almost made me feel like I was part of it myself.
The romance played a smaller role, but that was fine with me. Despite some awkward situations, I found it sweet and believable. The two main characters were likeable, but remained a bit one-dimensional in my opinion.
What probably set me off the most was the resolution of the crime in this story. At the end, everything just tumbled into place at the most convenient moment. I also found it strange that people who weren't part of the police force and who were even considered suspects to some extend were involved so deeply and provided with confidential information.
Nevertheless, an original steampunk/urban fantasy novel with a little romance thrown in. If you are into those kinds of books, you might want to give Clockwork Heart a try.
bennought's review against another edition
2.0
While I didn't have very high expectations for this book, I was still somewhat disappointed. The writing is ok, the plot is mostly interesting, but the characters are pretty two dimensional and often annoying. All of them are basically caricatures, and their lack of depth and detail leaves you pretty much always knowing exactly what they are going to say and do. That is, except for Alister, who I honestly did not see as turning out to be the 'bad guy.' Which is another major problem with the book; while there are certainly bad guys, there aren't really any BAD guys--any bad people at all. Alister is a little deranged, and is clearly just slightly unhinged from the traumatic murder suicide of his parents, and the beatings his father gave him before losing it completely. But, he honestly believes that what he was doing was good for the country, and was just trying to make the world a better place. He may be calculating and manipulative, but at heart the author leaves him as a good person, who you can't help feeling sorry for. Or at least that's what she tried to do, because I didn't feel sorry for him at all, mostly because throughout most of the book he is a smarmy bastard who I just wanted to punch in the face. Moreover, the fact that she broke up the two major threat plots into two clearly distinct instances, while an interesting move, ended up not working at all. You reach what you think is the climax of the book (what actually is the climax) when Alister, Christof, and Taya are battling in the Great Engine Room, only to discover that the book just keeps going. Any half-decent editor should have realized that solving another, almost completely distinct plot in the denouement is not good writing, and have informed the author that it would be better served as a fully-realized second book.
The various flaws aside, there are some positives in the book. The world of Ondinium which the author creates is incredibly interesting, gritty, and full of potential. The caste system and technology were very well thought out, but I felt that she didn't exploit them enough. Why create such an interesting political world (the Council and all that), and then not really do anything with it? There is so much potential in this book, in the world that the author creates, but no real characters to inhabit it. I'd be willing to give some of her other books (if she has any) a try, just to see if she has matured since this one, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were plagued with the same problems.
The various flaws aside, there are some positives in the book. The world of Ondinium which the author creates is incredibly interesting, gritty, and full of potential. The caste system and technology were very well thought out, but I felt that she didn't exploit them enough. Why create such an interesting political world (the Council and all that), and then not really do anything with it? There is so much potential in this book, in the world that the author creates, but no real characters to inhabit it. I'd be willing to give some of her other books (if she has any) a try, just to see if she has matured since this one, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were plagued with the same problems.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
So yes, fantasy romance steampunk is what I ended up calling this book. It takes place in another world, fantasy, there is a bit more romance so therefore romance. And last, the steampunk bit. This is not sci-fi, it is a society that has moved forward and you could place them sort of at the 19th century. There you have it.
Taya is an icarus, she flies with wings and delivers messages. She can fly freely in a society made up of three classes. The nobility, the middle class and the poor workers. One day she sees a wingferry with broken wires, it is going to fall and kill the people inside. She sets of for a rescue, knowing that her wings can't take that much and if she gets caught in the wires she will fall too. But she saves the day, and the woman and boy she rescues are excalted (the nobility). The ones that wear these huge covering clothes and always a mask. By saving these people she is thrown into another world. There is terrorism in the city because all do not think a big computer should decide everything, and the countries around wants the technology. Who can she really trust?
By saving the woman she gets a thank you from a man she delivers a message too, the woman's cousin. Alister, handsome, a flirt, and a great programmer. And his brother, the dark, brooding, Christof who has given up everything and lives with the poor fixing clocks.
Guess who I fell for, oh yes Christof, I had too, he was dark, angry, brooding, like this Rotchester/Darcy mix without the pride part of course. He yells at people, contradicts, and he is not that nice to her when she tries to be friendly. He has a big chip on his shoulder. While his brother is sweet, nice and such a flirt. Not to mention a total hunk. Taya is of course very attracted to him, but at the same time after meeting Christof a few times, well there is something there. Love triangle, I love that.
When I understood how the city worked then I liked this book. I did get disappointed half way through, but had a change of heart. But then again at the end, well it kind of dragged, and suddenly there was more to tell. I do not know, perhaps I lost interest for a few pages cos I just wanted to know how the romance would end. That part may have lost the solid 4 I had thought of given this book.
But it still was a great book, and I just read that she is making more. I will totally read that. This is a great standalone novel, but the world is so fascinating that I wanted more. And if that source was correct then that is the case. I want to read more about Taya, and how ever she will choose, or chose, I am not telling ;)
There is murder, a mystery about who is trying to sabotage the big computer, and the program Alister wrote. And do not forget the romance part. The title is the name of the program Alister has written, btw.
Blodeuedd's Cover Thoughts: Now I know people on covers are not real, but the sometimes do look real, this girl just looks like she is from a computer program like Final Fantasy. Oh and Taya would not show her breasts like that.
Reason for reading. Own copy (thanks Amy C for recommending this one!!)
Final thoughts: A fascinating tale about a woman who flies with iron wings. Romance and terrorism.
Taya is an icarus, she flies with wings and delivers messages. She can fly freely in a society made up of three classes. The nobility, the middle class and the poor workers. One day she sees a wingferry with broken wires, it is going to fall and kill the people inside. She sets of for a rescue, knowing that her wings can't take that much and if she gets caught in the wires she will fall too. But she saves the day, and the woman and boy she rescues are excalted (the nobility). The ones that wear these huge covering clothes and always a mask. By saving these people she is thrown into another world. There is terrorism in the city because all do not think a big computer should decide everything, and the countries around wants the technology. Who can she really trust?
By saving the woman she gets a thank you from a man she delivers a message too, the woman's cousin. Alister, handsome, a flirt, and a great programmer. And his brother, the dark, brooding, Christof who has given up everything and lives with the poor fixing clocks.
Guess who I fell for, oh yes Christof, I had too, he was dark, angry, brooding, like this Rotchester/Darcy mix without the pride part of course. He yells at people, contradicts, and he is not that nice to her when she tries to be friendly. He has a big chip on his shoulder. While his brother is sweet, nice and such a flirt. Not to mention a total hunk. Taya is of course very attracted to him, but at the same time after meeting Christof a few times, well there is something there. Love triangle, I love that.
When I understood how the city worked then I liked this book. I did get disappointed half way through, but had a change of heart. But then again at the end, well it kind of dragged, and suddenly there was more to tell. I do not know, perhaps I lost interest for a few pages cos I just wanted to know how the romance would end. That part may have lost the solid 4 I had thought of given this book.
But it still was a great book, and I just read that she is making more. I will totally read that. This is a great standalone novel, but the world is so fascinating that I wanted more. And if that source was correct then that is the case. I want to read more about Taya, and how ever she will choose, or chose, I am not telling ;)
There is murder, a mystery about who is trying to sabotage the big computer, and the program Alister wrote. And do not forget the romance part. The title is the name of the program Alister has written, btw.
Blodeuedd's Cover Thoughts: Now I know people on covers are not real, but the sometimes do look real, this girl just looks like she is from a computer program like Final Fantasy. Oh and Taya would not show her breasts like that.
Reason for reading. Own copy (thanks Amy C for recommending this one!!)
Final thoughts: A fascinating tale about a woman who flies with iron wings. Romance and terrorism.
angldst's review against another edition
4.0
I like the world this novel has layed out before me. The detailing is rich without being cloying, and the writing is overall nice to read. I'm looking forward to the other books in the series.
yourbookishgamermom's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in a few hours. I LOVED the story and the characters, it was absolutely amazing! It was really well written, the story kept me interested the whole time and yeah.... An amazing book. Can't wait for book 2!!
I'm also just gonna add that I love Cristof ;)
I'm also just gonna add that I love Cristof ;)
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable and engaging read. At a couple of points I thought Taya, the heroine, was a bit too impulsive, but otherwise I think she was a strong character. I liked the Icarii, and the caste system, while not entirely original, was well drawn out and made Cristof a really intriguing character. His relationship with his brother was very convincing as somewhat estranged siblings who still care about each other and know each other so well. The story is complex and interesting. Recommended.
mayetra's review against another edition
5.0
This story had it all: A subtle romance that didn't overtake the story or give me page after page of gushy romantic prose. There were no sex scenes which did nothing to detract from the beauty of the romance in anyway. I think the story might have been less if there had been.
I loved the originality of the setting. The author lets culture unfold as you delve deeper into the story. I was hooked from the first page and could hardly put the book down. I loved all the characters for all their many depths and flaws.
I loved the steampunk elements which melded seamlessly into the culture and story without seeming forced. At the heart, this story had a couple of mysteries with many twists and turns. I would love to see the author delve back into this world and write more.
This book is a keeper and one that I will reread in the future.
I loved the originality of the setting. The author lets culture unfold as you delve deeper into the story. I was hooked from the first page and could hardly put the book down. I loved all the characters for all their many depths and flaws.
I loved the steampunk elements which melded seamlessly into the culture and story without seeming forced. At the heart, this story had a couple of mysteries with many twists and turns. I would love to see the author delve back into this world and write more.
This book is a keeper and one that I will reread in the future.
eb00kie's review against another edition
3.0
To adress the short introduction, the last time I read, steampunk was a subgenre of SF who used technology motifs and whose stories took place during the Regency period and were set in Great Britain, mostly England. Based on this, ''Clockwork Heart'' is about as steampunk as most novels set in a city named Odinium and set in an unspecified time.
The character Taya has very little to distinguish her apart from the great mass of now cliche badass female type but her passion for flying and her... that's about it. Cristof has a rather uncomplicated personality too. The glasses are a nice idea, but the other glimpses we get of him are rather simple in nature and get along as clumsily as he does.
The character Taya has very little to distinguish her apart from the great mass of now cliche badass female type but her passion for flying and her... that's about it. Cristof has a rather uncomplicated personality too. The glasses are a nice idea, but the other glimpses we get of him are rather simple in nature and get along as clumsily as he does.
oodadoo's review
Not well written. Suffers from the habit of amateur writers to attempt world building by info dumping in the first two pages. If it was written again with some patience to let the world unfold, it could be very good.
itabar's review against another edition
2.0
Two thirds of the way into the book, when the heroine has discovered who the villain is and that he has murdered several people, the villain asks the heroine to lie for him, to corroborate his version of events. He is high caste, good looking, charming. He can guarantee that her career advances.
Right answer:
Yes, that's a good idea. I find you sexy and I appreciate that you will help me in my career. (She surreptitiously unsheathes her knife so she can stab him and get away).
Wrong answer:
Never! I will expose you and make sure you pay for your evil deeds.
This is where the book lost me. The heroine gives the WRONG ANSWER. She is in peril and at the mercy of the villain. ARGH! The book was fairly decent up to that point, although a bit predictable. Long tedious fight ensues and we get various versions of the Wrong Answer several times as the villain tries to change the heroine's mind. Then more adventures, which I found fault with because the author had pretty much lost me.
Right answer:
Yes, that's a good idea. I find you sexy and I appreciate that you will help me in my career. (She surreptitiously unsheathes her knife so she can stab him and get away).
Wrong answer:
Never! I will expose you and make sure you pay for your evil deeds.
This is where the book lost me. The heroine gives the WRONG ANSWER. She is in peril and at the mercy of the villain. ARGH! The book was fairly decent up to that point, although a bit predictable. Long tedious fight ensues and we get various versions of the Wrong Answer several times as the villain tries to change the heroine's mind. Then more adventures, which I found fault with because the author had pretty much lost me.