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verosnotebook 's review for:
The Clockwork Dynasty
by Daniel H. Wilson
The cover art was the first thing that attracted me to this novel, but it was the premise introduced in the blurb that had me intrigued. A ‘race’ of avtomats, sentient beings made from ‘clockwork’ mechanics, are trying to survive in our world and discover the mystery behind their creation, while keeping their nature and existence a secret. This is of course not always possible and a woman finds her life linked to theirs.
The narration takes the form of two strands, one set in Peter’s past, the other following June in the present, each bringing slowly more and more details to the fore. I personally enjoyed this, and not just for the subject, although I do find it fascinating. The notion of having a ‘Word’ that directs your life for instance is a compelling one, as is the one of having an ’anima’. I do wonder what Wilson had in mind when he chose this word: the Latin for animation/life or Carl Jung’s unconscious mind, both really circling around the unspoken ’soul’. What drives you to carry on when you can exist forever? Likewise, how do you interact with others? Peter and Jane’s scenes were ok, but it was the relationship between Peter and Elena that stole the show. A friend mentioned that this story echoed the film ‘Highlander’ and I agree. Automats as ’super beings’, steeped in history, and yet limited by their very nature and need to hide in our world, dividing into two warring factions...
On the other hand, I feel the author just missed on creating something truly special. It is difficult to pinpoint. The character of Jane is perhaps a little too thin and could have done with more fleshing out, and the jumping from one location to the next often made me feel disconnected. In all, however, a good, entertaining, story.
The narration takes the form of two strands, one set in Peter’s past, the other following June in the present, each bringing slowly more and more details to the fore. I personally enjoyed this, and not just for the subject, although I do find it fascinating. The notion of having a ‘Word’ that directs your life for instance is a compelling one, as is the one of having an ’anima’. I do wonder what Wilson had in mind when he chose this word: the Latin for animation/life or Carl Jung’s unconscious mind, both really circling around the unspoken ’soul’. What drives you to carry on when you can exist forever? Likewise, how do you interact with others? Peter and Jane’s scenes were ok, but it was the relationship between Peter and Elena that stole the show. A friend mentioned that this story echoed the film ‘Highlander’ and I agree. Automats as ’super beings’, steeped in history, and yet limited by their very nature and need to hide in our world, dividing into two warring factions...
On the other hand, I feel the author just missed on creating something truly special. It is difficult to pinpoint. The character of Jane is perhaps a little too thin and could have done with more fleshing out, and the jumping from one location to the next often made me feel disconnected. In all, however, a good, entertaining, story.