Clockwork Dwarf

by Bret Jordan

Gustov Stoneheart is an unlikely hero, a dwarf who’s magically torn from friends and family, thrown into a world where magic collides with steampunk. A prophecy predicts that he will bring down the human federation, and they hunt him with a passion. Hiding from them isn’t easy in the federation’s police-state, and Gustov must rethink his deep seated bigotry as orcs, elves, and his own changed kind aid him to make the prophecy come true.

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2012

About the author

Bret is a resident of Southeast Texas and an avid reader who devours books in almost every genre and tries to bring a little of that variety into his writing. It’s all about people, adventure, escape from the humdrum of reality and the ever-present question, "what if?"

When not writing or spending time with his wife and children he puts pen to paper as an illustrator and sometimes digital artist. To get away from it all he can often be found riding the roads of Southeast Texas on the back of his motorcycle.

Reviews

[Gaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bret Jordan has done an amazing job with the characterizations of all of the players, each has a patois and a voice that is distinct and particular, and the descriptions are all detailed enough to bring characters to life while managing to allow the reader's own particular experience to help formulate the visions. With a bit of a prophecy wound in, but never quite explained fully, there is a bit of a mystery that threads throughout the story, with possibilities and options being discussed BY characters, filling in some details and creating more questions for themselves and the reader near equally. Battle scenes are emotionally raw and gripping, without overly choreographed movements, giving the battle scenes a fluidity and a sense of immediacy that is often lost in more `strategic' approaches. Of course - this is an allegorical story of good and bad, right and wrong, but it is so much more than just that. With the highlighting of Gustov's story, and his steady narration of events, occasional rambling rants, and unexpectedly funny or touching insights into his life and the lives of others, this story has heart, action, mystery , information and great characters that will please many readers.

I received an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review for Book Trailer Showcase VBT. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars...

I would like to thank Book and Trailer Showcase for allowing me to host a review of this book during the blog tour.
Overall, this book was slightly better than okay. It had some really good parts to it. The beginning and the end were awesome. The middle dragged on and on. The character development were good. I enjoyed watching Gustov's evolution from a typical fantasy Dungeons and Dragons, or Lord of the Rings, dwarf into something more, as the story progressed and he found himself in a new society where the racial lines were blurred.
I have to admit, I nearly cried when one of the side characters died. I would have liked some sort of connection to the past, either Gustov coming across one of his descendants, or finding out more about what happened to his family. I think that would have helped bring the story more full-circle, instead of leaving that thread hanging.

[Aaron Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has made me a fan of steam punk :)