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bibble_kingly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The story is dual POV from our main 2 characters introduced in the first chapter. There are 3 other companions along this journey and Kingfisher does an excellent job with their descriptions and characterizations. The reader won't feel like they're missing vital information just because we aren't in character's heads.
I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy a rag tag group of adventurers in a fully immersive world with high stakes and excellent character interactions!
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Gore, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Misogyny
sonatica's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, and War
achingallover's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Blood, and Murder
booksthatburn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As a journey narrative, CLOCKWORK BOYS focuses on the dynamic between the members of the party, as well as the internal struggles of the two point-of-view characters. Slate is a forger, Brenner is an assassin, Caliban is a paladin who has a dead demon rotting in his skull, they're on this trip in hopes of a pardon if they survive. Learned Edmund is a formerly cloistered misogynist from an order who prizes learning and instills a fear of mere proximity to women. There's a mix of genuine character growth and learning each other's edges, the kind of forced intimacy which is fostered by a suicide mission with terrible travel conditions in the middle of a war. The worldbuilding is conveyed through a mix of exposition, character reactions, and things encountered as they travel. Slate and Caliban think about themselves and their companions, often thinking things they don't dare or don't know how to say out loud.
CLOCKWORK BOYS ends on a cliffhanger, as the characters joined together and undertook a journey to a particular city, and the narrative abruptly ends when they arrive at their destination. The story is continued in THE WONDER ENGINE. Since it's the first book in a duology, it doesn't completely tie off anything before it ends, except perhaps that stage one of the plan (the journey there) is done and what remains is entering the city and maybe surviving (maybe not). The characters have been changed by the journey, now it remains to be seen whether they'll survive their destination.
I loved this and am excited to read the sequel!
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Ableism, Child death, Mental illness, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
pandin's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood