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Clockwork Heart #2
Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind
Taya, the metal-winged icarus whose investigation helped defeat a plot against Ondinium and its populace, is assisting her exalted husband Cristof Forlore on his first ambassadorial mission. They must learn about Mareaux’s experiments in airship technology and determine whether the ostensibly scientific vehicles might be used for warfare — a taboo for Ondiniums, whose domination of the air is tempered by a deep cultural abhorrence toward airborne weapons after the devastation of the Last War a thousand years ago.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2014
7 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Dru Pagliassotti
19 books84 followersDru Pagliassotti is a writer in the genres of steampunk, horror, and fantasy. She's also a professor of communication at California Lutheran University, where she keeps her colleagues guessing by teaching courses on Venetian culture and comic books and by researching subjects such as yaoi and steampunk webcomics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 30, 2014
2.5 Stars
Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind was a pretty big let down to me. After the brilliant first book which combined steampunk, fantasy, and romance in a fresh and fun adventure, I had hoped for more of the same in book two.
The characters that underwent such great growth and depth in the first are shadows of their selves in this read. Cristof is hardly a part of this book and Taya may as well not even have any wings. There is little to no further character development and I found little to empathize with.
The story to me was also a bit bland with the dirgible scenes being the only bit of fun.
After a great first read and this hard fall, I am not sure if I will buy the final book of the series.
Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind was a pretty big let down to me. After the brilliant first book which combined steampunk, fantasy, and romance in a fresh and fun adventure, I had hoped for more of the same in book two.
The characters that underwent such great growth and depth in the first are shadows of their selves in this read. Cristof is hardly a part of this book and Taya may as well not even have any wings. There is little to no further character development and I found little to empathize with.
The story to me was also a bit bland with the dirgible scenes being the only bit of fun.
After a great first read and this hard fall, I am not sure if I will buy the final book of the series.
February 5, 2015
3.5 stars. Clockwork Heart was the book that introduced me to the wonderful world of steampunk and remains one of my favourite books of all time, so I was both excited and (extremely) anxious when the author announced that the standalone novel will become a trilogy instead. "What if the sequels ruin my favourite characters? What if they kick the bucket?" etc. etc. There was so much room for Taya, Cristof and the Ondinium universe to be fleshed out even more, though, and with the right pacing it could have grown into an epic trilogy.
Unfortunately, publisher issues meant that this second novel finally arrives six years later - that kind of time gap has a way of hurting the momentum... and it really shows here. Where the first book was a sweeping adventure that perfectly juggled elements of steampunk fantasy, romance and an intricately-built world with likeable protagonists and in-depth character/relationship development, the second installment perhaps departs from this "formula" a little too much, throwing off this balance of elements and resulting in book 2 being a shadow of the former in many ways.
Clockwork Lies takes us outside the familiar setting of Ondinium to its neighbouring countries; Taya and Cristof are now an ambassador/icarus duo, navigating dangerous waters in the tense relationship between Ondinium and its allies. The concept holds incredible promise, but the pacing is sluggish for half the book - Taya and Cristof spend a good deal of time dancing carefully around their foreign allies and doing what they're supposed to do as diplomats... which does NOT make for very exciting reading. Very little at all happens until about the halfway mark, though on the upside events really pick up from that point onwards and we're treated to some of the excitement and fun that made me such a fan of the first book.
The wonderful world-building of the first book - the colourful Ondinium of Clockwork Heart with the steel-winged icarii and robed exalteds - suffers somewhat with the country-hopping Taya and Cristof do here. While it helped flesh out the universe and put "faces" to the names we'd read previously (Mareaux, Alzana, Demicus), we breeze through these places far too quickly for there to be a vivid image of any of these countries and their people. If Ondinium was painted with a full spectrum of colours, Mareaux/Alzana/Demica are sadly muted.
Our protagonists Taya and Cristof remain the greatest strength of the series; brave, intelligent and still very much in love (and now upgraded to partners both in marriage and in career), it's hard not to get caught up in all the trials and obstacles they face once the story gets going. I admit to deeply missing the romance in this book, however; while it's natural that the heady excitement of reciprocated feelings and romantic displays are toned down now that Taya and Cris are married, it would have been nice if the more serious tone here didn't dampen the bickering and joking around between them as well.
One thing I really do like about these books is that there's a genuine feeling of danger hovering over the characters - even if they might manage to escape death, there's certainly no waltzing through horrible situations unscathed, whether physically or emotionally. Dru Pagliassotti's writing remains a joy to read even with the pacing problems, and the ending takes Taya and Cristof to an interesting place as characters; with war on the horizon and having seen the dark underbelly of Ondinium's secrets first hand, whatever idealisms they had harboured have been stripped away and the faith they had in their nation is being sorely tried. With any luck, the pacing issues will be straightened out by the final book and we'll have a smashing end to the Clockwork Heart series.
Unfortunately, publisher issues meant that this second novel finally arrives six years later - that kind of time gap has a way of hurting the momentum... and it really shows here. Where the first book was a sweeping adventure that perfectly juggled elements of steampunk fantasy, romance and an intricately-built world with likeable protagonists and in-depth character/relationship development, the second installment perhaps departs from this "formula" a little too much, throwing off this balance of elements and resulting in book 2 being a shadow of the former in many ways.
Clockwork Lies takes us outside the familiar setting of Ondinium to its neighbouring countries; Taya and Cristof are now an ambassador/icarus duo, navigating dangerous waters in the tense relationship between Ondinium and its allies. The concept holds incredible promise, but the pacing is sluggish for half the book - Taya and Cristof spend a good deal of time dancing carefully around their foreign allies and doing what they're supposed to do as diplomats... which does NOT make for very exciting reading. Very little at all happens until about the halfway mark, though on the upside events really pick up from that point onwards and we're treated to some of the excitement and fun that made me such a fan of the first book.
The wonderful world-building of the first book - the colourful Ondinium of Clockwork Heart with the steel-winged icarii and robed exalteds - suffers somewhat with the country-hopping Taya and Cristof do here. While it helped flesh out the universe and put "faces" to the names we'd read previously (Mareaux, Alzana, Demicus), we breeze through these places far too quickly for there to be a vivid image of any of these countries and their people. If Ondinium was painted with a full spectrum of colours, Mareaux/Alzana/Demica are sadly muted.
Our protagonists Taya and Cristof remain the greatest strength of the series; brave, intelligent and still very much in love (and now upgraded to partners both in marriage and in career), it's hard not to get caught up in all the trials and obstacles they face once the story gets going. I admit to deeply missing the romance in this book, however; while it's natural that the heady excitement of reciprocated feelings and romantic displays are toned down now that Taya and Cris are married, it would have been nice if the more serious tone here didn't dampen the bickering and joking around between them as well.
One thing I really do like about these books is that there's a genuine feeling of danger hovering over the characters - even if they might manage to escape death, there's certainly no waltzing through horrible situations unscathed, whether physically or emotionally. Dru Pagliassotti's writing remains a joy to read even with the pacing problems, and the ending takes Taya and Cristof to an interesting place as characters; with war on the horizon and having seen the dark underbelly of Ondinium's secrets first hand, whatever idealisms they had harboured have been stripped away and the faith they had in their nation is being sorely tried. With any luck, the pacing issues will be straightened out by the final book and we'll have a smashing end to the Clockwork Heart series.
February 21, 2016
This is the second book in the Clockwork Heart trilogy. I really enjoyed this steampunk read, it was full of intrigue and adventure. This was a good continuation of the story started in Clockwork Heart. I love the characters and enjoy all the intrigue.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was really well done. The narrator has a higher pitched voice, which is always a bit surprising when I first start listening to these but I got used to it a few chapters into the book. The narrator does an excellent job with having unique voices for each character and does well conveying emotion too.
In this book Taya (an Icarus who uses metal wings to fly) and her exalted husband Cristof go on their first ambassadorial mission. They are sent to Mareaux to learn about Mareaux’s experiments in airships and weaponry. Things go awry when they stumble upon a plot that could mean war against their home country of Ondimium.
I really enjoy these books. I love Taya with her metal wings and her love of the air. I love Cristof with his gearhead sensibility and his slight confusion as to why Taya loves him. The two are married now and have a wonderful relationship that I really loved reading about. They both go through some very tough circumstances which require a lot of love, respect, and trust on both sides of the relationship.
The world building is really well done too. This is a broad and well thought out world; I love Ondinium with its large Engine that drives the whole city and I enjoyed seeing some regions outside of Ondimium as well.
There is a lot of intrigue and action in this book. There is also a lot of wry humor throughout. I just really enjoy the tone of this series.
Overall this was a well done continuation of the Clockwork Heart series. I loved the characters, the world building, and the intrigue and action. I would recommend to those who enjoy steampunk and fantasy reads. I will definitely be picking up the third book in the series at some point.
August 27, 2014
Many years ago (2008!) I read _Clockwork Heart_. What I remember: (1) The setting was surprisingly well-considered, with economics and international politics playing into the background and ultimately into the storyline. (2) The romance plot offered a shy nerdy blonde brother and a brooding dangerous dark brother; the latter turned out to be a villain and the heroine wound up with the former. (3) Clockwork computers and antigravity wing suits.
(The flying suits and the computers both rely on the same plotdevicium metal. The physics isn't as well-put-together as the economics and politics. Give it a pass, move on.)
Now, in book two, shy-nerd-guy has been coopted as an ambassador (the curse of being high-caste) and his now-wife is part of the ambassadorial party. A surprising number of assassination attempts later, they discover that they've jumped from the romance genre into spy thriller. They have to stay alive, get home, and then foil a dastardly plot. I will let slip that the dastardly plot involves airships so that you can anticipate impressive wingsuit-vs-airship hijinks.
The writing remains good. All the character have natural cultural biases. They make assumptions and sometimes make mistakes; but they're not *blind* mistakes. Nobody is made out to be a stupid provincial.
Also, the author gets that when you put two random romance protagonists into a spy plot, they do not magically become spy heroes. Being wounded is horrible; killing people is horrible; being exhausted and wounded and hungry puts a serious crimp in your life. But our heroes grit their teeth and get on with it because they have to. Admittedly, the plot is contrived to make sure they're the ones on the spot, but it seems ungrateful to complain. I mean, ungrateful for *me* to complain. The characters have every right to.
Finally, it's nice to see a series start with "romance" and move on to "partners". I recently dinged _Fortune's Pawn_ for failing to make that jump, so I should praise this one for succeeding at it. The protagonists are married, they love each other, they worry about each other, and they know each other pretty well. (They also don't have to stop the plot every other chapter to have mad sex. In fact, in most chapters, they're too tired and hungry and wounded to try. Realism!)
The closing tag promises that a third book will conclude the trilogy. I suspect that it will get back to the assumptions of Ondinium society. The country is a blatant police state and a strict caste society. Albeit a caste society with social mobility via (theoretically) fair computer-administered examinations. The protagonists, native Ondiniums, do not question any of this; others do. I hope the author is building up to questioning it, because the "papers please" attitude is creepy as heck to the audience.
(The flying suits and the computers both rely on the same plotdevicium metal. The physics isn't as well-put-together as the economics and politics. Give it a pass, move on.)
Now, in book two, shy-nerd-guy has been coopted as an ambassador (the curse of being high-caste) and his now-wife is part of the ambassadorial party. A surprising number of assassination attempts later, they discover that they've jumped from the romance genre into spy thriller. They have to stay alive, get home, and then foil a dastardly plot. I will let slip that the dastardly plot involves airships so that you can anticipate impressive wingsuit-vs-airship hijinks.
The writing remains good. All the character have natural cultural biases. They make assumptions and sometimes make mistakes; but they're not *blind* mistakes. Nobody is made out to be a stupid provincial.
Also, the author gets that when you put two random romance protagonists into a spy plot, they do not magically become spy heroes. Being wounded is horrible; killing people is horrible; being exhausted and wounded and hungry puts a serious crimp in your life. But our heroes grit their teeth and get on with it because they have to. Admittedly, the plot is contrived to make sure they're the ones on the spot, but it seems ungrateful to complain. I mean, ungrateful for *me* to complain. The characters have every right to.
Finally, it's nice to see a series start with "romance" and move on to "partners". I recently dinged _Fortune's Pawn_ for failing to make that jump, so I should praise this one for succeeding at it. The protagonists are married, they love each other, they worry about each other, and they know each other pretty well. (They also don't have to stop the plot every other chapter to have mad sex. In fact, in most chapters, they're too tired and hungry and wounded to try. Realism!)
The closing tag promises that a third book will conclude the trilogy. I suspect that it will get back to the assumptions of Ondinium society. The country is a blatant police state and a strict caste society. Albeit a caste society with social mobility via (theoretically) fair computer-administered examinations. The protagonists, native Ondiniums, do not question any of this; others do. I hope the author is building up to questioning it, because the "papers please" attitude is creepy as heck to the audience.
July 20, 2014
Taya Icarus, the girl who can fly with the aid of her marvelous ondinium wings, is back in a second adventure, having emerged as the heroine of her own story in the first book of the trilogy, "Clockwork Heart," marrying into the city's Exalted caste and advancing from being merely a messenger to being an ambassadorial representative for her husband, Exalted Cristof Forlore.
This second chronicle of Taya's life is even more rooted in the steampunk genre, with not just the great Analytic Engine that controls the city of Ondinium and lighter-than-air metals, but steam trains, pneumatic railways and fleets of giant dirigibles...and, yes, goggles, of course. As before, the story takes place not in an alternate universe or an alien planet (as far as I can tell) but in an invented world, with nations, races and tribes that would not be out of place in a high fantasy novel, though this time we move beyond the borders of Ondinium to encounter other nations and the political intrigues between them. And, yet, for all the differences, it's easy to feel at home here, partly due to Dru's skilled writing, and partly because people still wear silk, eat beef and play poker; and the politics...well, evidently, politics is the same distasteful morass no matter the universe.
In addition to seeing a lot more of Taya's world, we also learn quite a bit more about the past, the religions, the various customs, and the technologies pursued by the different nations. Though the nations are given unfamiliar names, we can see similarities between the nations of our own sphere, echoes of England and Italy, Germany and Spain, France and Scotland...not overtly, you understand, but like whispers in a dream.
"Clockwork Lies" works very well on several levels: steampunk novel, a novel of manners and court, an adventure tale, a biography. The protagonists are likable, eliciting your sympathy and concern, and the villains are black-hearted, and people are often what you think they are. The characterization is expertly handled, though at times some of the very minor characters are unnecessarily fleshed out.
The novel is a journey of discovery, both for the characters and the reader. Neither will be the same at the end, when secrets are revealed and lies uncovered. In the coming third volume, we will see a Taya who has literally flown through fire and been stripped of much of the idealism that had always served her so well, but she'll be an even stronger woman for it. Likewise, her Exalted husband is battered and beaten, but he may have actually learned something about humility...well, maybe not too much. Personally, I am eagerly looking forward to the release of the third book in the "Clockwork" series.
This second chronicle of Taya's life is even more rooted in the steampunk genre, with not just the great Analytic Engine that controls the city of Ondinium and lighter-than-air metals, but steam trains, pneumatic railways and fleets of giant dirigibles...and, yes, goggles, of course. As before, the story takes place not in an alternate universe or an alien planet (as far as I can tell) but in an invented world, with nations, races and tribes that would not be out of place in a high fantasy novel, though this time we move beyond the borders of Ondinium to encounter other nations and the political intrigues between them. And, yet, for all the differences, it's easy to feel at home here, partly due to Dru's skilled writing, and partly because people still wear silk, eat beef and play poker; and the politics...well, evidently, politics is the same distasteful morass no matter the universe.
In addition to seeing a lot more of Taya's world, we also learn quite a bit more about the past, the religions, the various customs, and the technologies pursued by the different nations. Though the nations are given unfamiliar names, we can see similarities between the nations of our own sphere, echoes of England and Italy, Germany and Spain, France and Scotland...not overtly, you understand, but like whispers in a dream.
"Clockwork Lies" works very well on several levels: steampunk novel, a novel of manners and court, an adventure tale, a biography. The protagonists are likable, eliciting your sympathy and concern, and the villains are black-hearted, and people are often what you think they are. The characterization is expertly handled, though at times some of the very minor characters are unnecessarily fleshed out.
The novel is a journey of discovery, both for the characters and the reader. Neither will be the same at the end, when secrets are revealed and lies uncovered. In the coming third volume, we will see a Taya who has literally flown through fire and been stripped of much of the idealism that had always served her so well, but she'll be an even stronger woman for it. Likewise, her Exalted husband is battered and beaten, but he may have actually learned something about humility...well, maybe not too much. Personally, I am eagerly looking forward to the release of the third book in the "Clockwork" series.
September 17, 2014
it's been quite a few years since I read (and greatly enjoyed) book 1 and I was surprised when I saw that book 3 has been released this week in the USA, so of course I immediately got book 2 about which i had no idea it was out since March ...
I remembered mostly what happened in Clockwork Heart which was quite a favorite for its great mix of romance, adventure and world building and took a fast look to it for completeness, while here in Clockwork Lies the novel just starts fast from page 1 and doesn't let go until the end; as the main characters are now married (and on a diplomatic mission to start with) there is much less romance, but more world building and of course non stop action
also despite tons of steampunk novels since book 1 - in 2008 Clockwork Heart was much more novel but since then the sub-genre has been over flooded with offerings - the book still stands well because it doesn't try to be more than an easy and fun sf/fantasy which absorbs you from page 1 and while keeping upping the ante, it stays within the suspension of disbelief bounds; the ending is self-contained enough not to require book 3 immediately
overall - fun, page turner and definitely recommended especially if you have enjoyed the original Clockwork Heart, though I plan to read a few different books before going to book 3 as the series is relatively simplistic and I want to enjoy book 3 too, not get tired of "same, too soon"
I remembered mostly what happened in Clockwork Heart which was quite a favorite for its great mix of romance, adventure and world building and took a fast look to it for completeness, while here in Clockwork Lies the novel just starts fast from page 1 and doesn't let go until the end; as the main characters are now married (and on a diplomatic mission to start with) there is much less romance, but more world building and of course non stop action
also despite tons of steampunk novels since book 1 - in 2008 Clockwork Heart was much more novel but since then the sub-genre has been over flooded with offerings - the book still stands well because it doesn't try to be more than an easy and fun sf/fantasy which absorbs you from page 1 and while keeping upping the ante, it stays within the suspension of disbelief bounds; the ending is self-contained enough not to require book 3 immediately
overall - fun, page turner and definitely recommended especially if you have enjoyed the original Clockwork Heart, though I plan to read a few different books before going to book 3 as the series is relatively simplistic and I want to enjoy book 3 too, not get tired of "same, too soon"
March 12, 2016
This book is almost as well written as the first; however, the ending felt rushed and a little implausible. She broke a couple of her own rules that she established in book one, which is always a let down, but it is an enjoyable read.
June 17, 2021
I was obsessed with Clockwork Heart, obsessed!!
It was lovely to come back to Taya and Christof and see the continuation of their story. The writing is smooth and there's always something interesting going on pulling things forward.
However. This was not quite the exciting and hopeful adventure I was rooting for them at the end of the first book when we learn Christof will be an ambassador. Things stake a dark turn in terms of their country potentially being on the verge of war with another, and as the story progresses the shroud of darkness doesn't really abate. Despite loving all the friendships here, there's not much new character development: it's all action, secrets, intrigue, murder, action. There's SOME fleshing out of one side character: Janos, but most of the time we focus on Taya and Christof, and they are generally the same.
I don't know, I feel a bit sad about where this installment ended in terms of hopefulness for Ondinium and I'm worried that worse is in store. I'm not sure when I'll pick up the last book.
It was lovely to come back to Taya and Christof and see the continuation of their story. The writing is smooth and there's always something interesting going on pulling things forward.
However. This was not quite the exciting and hopeful adventure I was rooting for them at the end of the first book when we learn Christof will be an ambassador. Things stake a dark turn in terms of their country potentially being on the verge of war with another, and as the story progresses the shroud of darkness doesn't really abate. Despite loving all the friendships here, there's not much new character development: it's all action, secrets, intrigue, murder, action. There's SOME fleshing out of one side character: Janos, but most of the time we focus on Taya and Christof, and they are generally the same.
I don't know, I feel a bit sad about where this installment ended in terms of hopefulness for Ondinium and I'm worried that worse is in store. I'm not sure when I'll pick up the last book.
October 22, 2017
A solid middle book for a trilogy. The characters continue to grow and develop and the storyline follows that started in the first book and leads to the final book, but wraps up with a satisfying conclusion (I really hate cliffhangers!). I don’t think these could be read as stand-alone books—they are dependent enough on the previous book for background that I think the richness of the experience would be lost and the character development wouldn’t mean as much. I’m really enjoying them.
May 2, 2019
Fast-paced
This is an enjoyable, exciting read. The author skillfully describes the three main characters and their relationship to each other. Their affectionate teasing makes the dialogue entertaining and fun. They risk defying social conventions for their friendship and struggle to defend their conservative country by modernizing it.
This is an enjoyable, exciting read. The author skillfully describes the three main characters and their relationship to each other. Their affectionate teasing makes the dialogue entertaining and fun. They risk defying social conventions for their friendship and struggle to defend their conservative country by modernizing it.
September 21, 2019
I was a bit hesitant to start this book because I'd enjoyed the first one of the series so immensely and sequels NEVER live up to expectations. This one did. Superb world-building, interesting characters, intrigue, and action all combine for a fantastic read. Now I'm hesitant to start the last book of the series...because I don't want it to end.
August 2, 2018
Good
This is very much book 2 in the series. You spend more time with our couple and you see more of the machines. It feels more like a steam punk than book 1. However at times I felt too much happened.
This is very much book 2 in the series. You spend more time with our couple and you see more of the machines. It feels more like a steam punk than book 1. However at times I felt too much happened.
May 20, 2014
This book is the continuation of Clockwork Heart which was published on 2008. Despite having a six year gap between the prequel and this sequel, I didn't notice any timeline discrepancies between the books and Clockwork Lies is enjoyable as a stand alone Steampunk Fantasy novel. Since I didn't exactly wait six years for this book to happen as I only found the series from a book sale recently, I do think this book was worth the wait.
Much like the last book, Taya Icarus was again involved in a political conspiracy that threatened her country and the lives of her loved ones. This time, she was happily married with Cristof Forlore, a clockmaker slash secret spy slash an exalted who was formerly outcaste but resume his role as the head of his family after the events that lead to his brother's betrayal and exile. Despite his heroic act to his country, Cristof was still being viewed suspiciously by the Council but was allowed to assume the role as an Ambassador which suited with his wife's added role as a diplomat which a role she had pursuit before she met him. At the beginning of this novel, a trip on an airship with the neighbouring queen of Mareaux was disrupted when Taya found a box filled with incendiary fluid which and Lieutenant Amcathra who disguised as Cristof threw off the ship. Turns out might have been one of the assassination attempt toward Cristof who was sick prior to the event. When the Marceaux trip had become more dangerous after Taya was poisoned and a bookseller was murdered which might have something to do with Cristof's exiled brother who secretly provide Cristof with information from the outside world. Amcathra decided for them to return home but along the way, it became more apparent that someone didn't want anyone of them to survive.
Unlike the first book, it was a fast paced novel since the characters was constantly on the move and the story didn't set around the heavily cultured and socially-oppressive Ondinium which allowed a degree of expansion around the world inside the book. We get to know more about Mareaux, the political climates and differences in complex diversity and culture between the neighbouring countries. The story is also layered in political strife and war, deception and betrayal and love. The book added more depth to the relationship between Cristof and Taya. Previously, we found out how they met and how they fall in love but this time we see another comfortable side of their love story and how their love strengthened their bond overtime. Of course, their relationship in this book wasn't to a degree that many would mislabel the story as a Romance Fantasy like many did in the last book.
One can always wonder what made a book a legit steampunk but for me this series fits the bill. It was easy to lose yourself with difficult and boring tech writings but the details in this book was linear and pretty layman for general readers. It depend on your level of enjoyment really but I love the Ondinium technology especially Taya's ability to fly as an Icarus and the airships, transportation and communication system and the weaponry. It was fantasy with some touch of tech in it. Then the story became more layered when added with the technologies from the surrounding countries and more when several political elements began to launch a war upon the isolationist Ondinium. I don't know about you, I always adored airships/dirigibles and fight scenes with airships.
Luckily, the next book Clockwork Secrets: Heavy Fire will be published within the end of this year and I can't wait for the epic conclusion of this wonderful steampunk series (which are obscure for some reason).
Much like the last book, Taya Icarus was again involved in a political conspiracy that threatened her country and the lives of her loved ones. This time, she was happily married with Cristof Forlore, a clockmaker slash secret spy slash an exalted who was formerly outcaste but resume his role as the head of his family after the events that lead to his brother's betrayal and exile. Despite his heroic act to his country, Cristof was still being viewed suspiciously by the Council but was allowed to assume the role as an Ambassador which suited with his wife's added role as a diplomat which a role she had pursuit before she met him. At the beginning of this novel, a trip on an airship with the neighbouring queen of Mareaux was disrupted when Taya found a box filled with incendiary fluid which and Lieutenant Amcathra who disguised as Cristof threw off the ship. Turns out might have been one of the assassination attempt toward Cristof who was sick prior to the event. When the Marceaux trip had become more dangerous after Taya was poisoned and a bookseller was murdered which might have something to do with Cristof's exiled brother who secretly provide Cristof with information from the outside world. Amcathra decided for them to return home but along the way, it became more apparent that someone didn't want anyone of them to survive.
Unlike the first book, it was a fast paced novel since the characters was constantly on the move and the story didn't set around the heavily cultured and socially-oppressive Ondinium which allowed a degree of expansion around the world inside the book. We get to know more about Mareaux, the political climates and differences in complex diversity and culture between the neighbouring countries. The story is also layered in political strife and war, deception and betrayal and love. The book added more depth to the relationship between Cristof and Taya. Previously, we found out how they met and how they fall in love but this time we see another comfortable side of their love story and how their love strengthened their bond overtime. Of course, their relationship in this book wasn't to a degree that many would mislabel the story as a Romance Fantasy like many did in the last book.
One can always wonder what made a book a legit steampunk but for me this series fits the bill. It was easy to lose yourself with difficult and boring tech writings but the details in this book was linear and pretty layman for general readers. It depend on your level of enjoyment really but I love the Ondinium technology especially Taya's ability to fly as an Icarus and the airships, transportation and communication system and the weaponry. It was fantasy with some touch of tech in it. Then the story became more layered when added with the technologies from the surrounding countries and more when several political elements began to launch a war upon the isolationist Ondinium. I don't know about you, I always adored airships/dirigibles and fight scenes with airships.
Luckily, the next book Clockwork Secrets: Heavy Fire will be published within the end of this year and I can't wait for the epic conclusion of this wonderful steampunk series (which are obscure for some reason).
June 9, 2014
Originally posted at Fantasy Literature. http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
It’s been six years, but Taya, Cristof and Alister are back in Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind, a sequel to Dru Pagliassotti’s Clockwork Heart. You’ll really need to read that previous book to get the most out of Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind and this review will have spoilers for that first book, so proceed with caution.
Alister was blinded and exiled after his treasonous deeds in Clockwork Heart. His brother Cristof, who was happy just being a clockmaker, has reluctantly taken Alister’s place as an Exalted. He married Taya, the courageous Icarus who carries messages up and down the mountain city of Ondinium.
The city is named for its mines of ondinium, the precious lighter-than-air metal that Taya’s wings are made of. Many other countries would like to get their hands on some of that metal. The city is most vulnerable to attack by air, so they have peace treaties with neighboring countries which prohibit airships made for military purposes. When the country of Mareaux begins experimenting with airship technology, Cristof and Taya are sent on a diplomatic mission to assess the risk. This is Cristof and Taya’s first diplomatic mission and it goes poorly. There are sabotaged dirigibles, murders, and assassination attempts. Obviously there is some threat to Ondinium, and Cristof and Taya need to figure out what’s going on before their country is attacked. Read the rest: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
It’s been six years, but Taya, Cristof and Alister are back in Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind, a sequel to Dru Pagliassotti’s Clockwork Heart. You’ll really need to read that previous book to get the most out of Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind and this review will have spoilers for that first book, so proceed with caution.
Alister was blinded and exiled after his treasonous deeds in Clockwork Heart. His brother Cristof, who was happy just being a clockmaker, has reluctantly taken Alister’s place as an Exalted. He married Taya, the courageous Icarus who carries messages up and down the mountain city of Ondinium.
The city is named for its mines of ondinium, the precious lighter-than-air metal that Taya’s wings are made of. Many other countries would like to get their hands on some of that metal. The city is most vulnerable to attack by air, so they have peace treaties with neighboring countries which prohibit airships made for military purposes. When the country of Mareaux begins experimenting with airship technology, Cristof and Taya are sent on a diplomatic mission to assess the risk. This is Cristof and Taya’s first diplomatic mission and it goes poorly. There are sabotaged dirigibles, murders, and assassination attempts. Obviously there is some threat to Ondinium, and Cristof and Taya need to figure out what’s going on before their country is attacked. Read the rest: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
September 1, 2014
In Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind, the second book of Dru Pagliassotti's Clockwork trilogy, Cris and Taya return to face new challenges as they are sent as Ondinium's diplomats to the neighboring country of Mareaux. After several assassination attempts, they realize that there is more happening than the obvious spying and plotting of the international representatives. With the help of the now blind and exiled Alister, they follow leads on the assassination attempts to a metallurgy company which is smuggling weapon parts to Ondinium's biggest enemy. Now Cris and Taya must make difficult choices and step outside of the caste restrictions in order to prevent war.
This book, like this first in the clockwork series, is a perfect mix of steampunk, adventure, intrigue, and politics. Pagliassotti introduces another common element of the steampunk genre, the dirigible airship, which provides another mode of air travel in the Clockwork world in addition to the wings of the icarii. The pace of the book never seems to lag, with Cris and Taya constantly travelling, getting into trouble, or being enmeshed in intrigue. The politics between the main four nations in the world as well as within Ondinium are carefully intertwined with the narrative to give the story depth without the reader becoming mired in the details or growing bored in long political discussions.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series. I recommend it to all who enjoy fantasy or steampunk genres.
This book, like this first in the clockwork series, is a perfect mix of steampunk, adventure, intrigue, and politics. Pagliassotti introduces another common element of the steampunk genre, the dirigible airship, which provides another mode of air travel in the Clockwork world in addition to the wings of the icarii. The pace of the book never seems to lag, with Cris and Taya constantly travelling, getting into trouble, or being enmeshed in intrigue. The politics between the main four nations in the world as well as within Ondinium are carefully intertwined with the narrative to give the story depth without the reader becoming mired in the details or growing bored in long political discussions.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series. I recommend it to all who enjoy fantasy or steampunk genres.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2015
Taya and Cristof are married and the council in wondering what to do with them. Since Taya is interested in the diplomatic corps, the Council decides that Cristoff would make a good ambassador. Their first mission is to Mareaux where Cristoff survives a couple of assassination attempts. It seems that someone is trying to get him out of the way.
There is no shortage of potential enemies. Alzana is casting a greedy eye on Ondinium's wealth. Demicus is divided into clans and a number of them would be willing to ally with Alzana. Ondinium doesn't treat its Demican citizens very well and a rebel party has sprung up which would like to throw the Ondinium's out of their country. Then, there are the Ondinium residents who might be more interested in making money than keeping Ondinium safe.
The story is filled with one hair-raising episode after another from train derailments to kidnapping to stowing away on a train carrying weapons to an unknown destination. Taya and Cristof are put in all sorts of danger and Taya is forced to do many things that are very troubling to her conscience and to her perception of what her country is and what it stands for.
I loved the action and excitement. I loved the description of the inflight battles and the various technologies that are being created or that already exist but that Taya had never heard. of. Since this is the middle book in a trilogy, I am really anxious to find out what lies ahead for Taya and Cristof.
There is no shortage of potential enemies. Alzana is casting a greedy eye on Ondinium's wealth. Demicus is divided into clans and a number of them would be willing to ally with Alzana. Ondinium doesn't treat its Demican citizens very well and a rebel party has sprung up which would like to throw the Ondinium's out of their country. Then, there are the Ondinium residents who might be more interested in making money than keeping Ondinium safe.
The story is filled with one hair-raising episode after another from train derailments to kidnapping to stowing away on a train carrying weapons to an unknown destination. Taya and Cristof are put in all sorts of danger and Taya is forced to do many things that are very troubling to her conscience and to her perception of what her country is and what it stands for.
I loved the action and excitement. I loved the description of the inflight battles and the various technologies that are being created or that already exist but that Taya had never heard. of. Since this is the middle book in a trilogy, I am really anxious to find out what lies ahead for Taya and Cristof.
February 22, 2015
Picking up from where Clockwork Heart leaves off, not just in terms of the political situation that is escalating, but also in the romance, Clockwork Lies depicts Taya's life after being designated Ondinium's ambassador and married to Cristof.
Cristof finally has a personality beyond "grumpy outcast" which includes having a sense of humour, which is pretty great, and the dynamic between him and Taya as a married couple is a delight to see. Too many books end at the happy-ever-after and never depict what a functional marriage looks like, so this was a wonderful change. The side characters are also compelling, with some moral grays (although the villains of the piece could stand to look less villainous all the time). We see more of Ondinium's secrets revealed that shake the protagonist's faith in the governance of the country, which is a fairly good parallel to real-world dilemmas (or should be, for the astute reader).
Like the first book, how the relationship works is an integral part of the larger politics of the world. Told third-person from Taya's limited perspective, the plot unfolds at a breakneck speed with particular interludes that demonstrate the intrusion of the domestic into the realm of the public, reminding the reader of the stakes: not just questions of resources, national security, and history, but also human costs of war.
Cristof finally has a personality beyond "grumpy outcast" which includes having a sense of humour, which is pretty great, and the dynamic between him and Taya as a married couple is a delight to see. Too many books end at the happy-ever-after and never depict what a functional marriage looks like, so this was a wonderful change. The side characters are also compelling, with some moral grays (although the villains of the piece could stand to look less villainous all the time). We see more of Ondinium's secrets revealed that shake the protagonist's faith in the governance of the country, which is a fairly good parallel to real-world dilemmas (or should be, for the astute reader).
Like the first book, how the relationship works is an integral part of the larger politics of the world. Told third-person from Taya's limited perspective, the plot unfolds at a breakneck speed with particular interludes that demonstrate the intrusion of the domestic into the realm of the public, reminding the reader of the stakes: not just questions of resources, national security, and history, but also human costs of war.
April 8, 2015
Unfortunately, this book was a much poorer outing than the first. Where the first book was driven by both plot and character, the second book is almost entirely plot-based, with very little time given to character development or world building.
The characters also read as slightly "off" from the first book. Cristoff suddenly gets past every single one of his hangups about trust and relationships and has apparently come 100% to terms with his past. He is also shockingly docile when it comes to dressing up in his exalted gear and acting essentially as a puppet during negotiations. In fact, Cristoff could easily have been replaced with a completely new character without substantially changing the story.
Taya herself was a bit more in character, but seemed to lack the passion and convictions that drove her in the first book. In fact, she seems to act almost exactly as I would expect a diplomatic bureaucrat to act. Much like Cristoff she seems more passive, simply reacting to what is happening around her instead of being proactive in solving her problems.
It's sad. I loved the first book, but this one was below average and I doubt I will ever revisit it.
The characters also read as slightly "off" from the first book. Cristoff suddenly gets past every single one of his hangups about trust and relationships and has apparently come 100% to terms with his past. He is also shockingly docile when it comes to dressing up in his exalted gear and acting essentially as a puppet during negotiations. In fact, Cristoff could easily have been replaced with a completely new character without substantially changing the story.
Taya herself was a bit more in character, but seemed to lack the passion and convictions that drove her in the first book. In fact, she seems to act almost exactly as I would expect a diplomatic bureaucrat to act. Much like Cristoff she seems more passive, simply reacting to what is happening around her instead of being proactive in solving her problems.
It's sad. I loved the first book, but this one was below average and I doubt I will ever revisit it.
January 1, 2015
As much as I loved the first book in the series, was how much I was equally bored with this book. really, seriously bored, and only finished it because I had purchased it on Kindle, and was halfway through it already. The opening sequences in Mareux aren't too bad, but Taya and Cristof have no chemisty in this book. Mostly the author tells us how much they love each other, and Cristof flops around helplessly in his new Exalted restrictions, and Taya acts like his nanny. The mystery wasn't very engaging, either, and the story in general got bogged down with even more technical/ science jargon and explanations than last book. It finally got more active and interesting near the very end, and set up an interesting scenario for the last book--but not interesting enough to justify buying it, or even wanting to read it if my library did have it. oh well, at least I enjoyed the first book and got to experience another aspect of steam punk. Now on to something more fun and enjoyable, hopefully.
May 6, 2014
It’s been six years, but Taya, Cristof and Alister are back in Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind, a sequel to Dru Pagliassotti’s Clockwork Heart. You’ll really need to read that previous book to get the most out of Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind and this review will have spoilers for that first book, so proceed with caution.
Alister was blinded and exiled after his treasonous deeds in Clockwork Heart. His brother Cristof, who was happy just being a clockmaker, has reluctantly taken Alister’s place as an Exalted. He married Taya, the courageous Icarus who carries messages up and down the mountain city of Ondinium.
The city is named for its mines of ondinium, the precious lighter-than-air metal that Taya’s wings are made of. Many other countries would like to get their hands on some of that metal. The city is most vulnerable to attack... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Alister was blinded and exiled after his treasonous deeds in Clockwork Heart. His brother Cristof, who was happy just being a clockmaker, has reluctantly taken Alister’s place as an Exalted. He married Taya, the courageous Icarus who carries messages up and down the mountain city of Ondinium.
The city is named for its mines of ondinium, the precious lighter-than-air metal that Taya’s wings are made of. Many other countries would like to get their hands on some of that metal. The city is most vulnerable to attack... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
March 19, 2014
In this sequel to Clockwork Heart, things move along at a much faster pace, and many more action sequences are incorporated into the narrative. As the paperback was consistently unavailable via Amazon, I listened to audible version and thoroughly enjoyed it. The world building and political intrigues were much more fleshed out in this second book of the trilogy, and the focus on the ambassadorial trio made the plot easier to follow and made me care much more about the fate of the Forlore household and of their Lichter wrangler. Definitely a good starting point for anyone wanting to make the foray into steampunk.
March 30, 2017
You must read the first book in the series for this one to make sense. Fortunately I re-read Clockwork Heart when I knew this one finally was published. The book is very political, yet the byplay between Taya and Cristof really elevates the book beyond the normal political thriller. If she was a bicycle messenger and he a programmer (or Maker Faire devotee) this would be categorized as a normal political thriller. I wonder if the much more serious tone of this book will turn off fans of the more light hearted steampunk romantic Clockwork Heart. I am looking forward to seeing where the author heads with the third book of this trilogy.
June 28, 2014
I really enjoyed this book though not quite as much as the first in the series. Parts were very exciting but other parts seemed to drag a little. Also, I missed all the secondary characters. Other than Amcathra, there were not that many other characters that had significant page time. I would not recommend this book to someone who has not read "Clockwork Heart" as it really draws on what happened in the first book and the world building and explanations are not really repeated here. I really do love this series and am looking forward to the third book.
January 23, 2017
It's been a little too long since I read the first book, so some of the details I'm missing might be due to that. But I suspect this is suffering from middle book syndrome, where not a lot happens, because it's a set up for the big event of the final book. There's some backstory on the different kingdoms and the culture, and far too little of Taya actually getting to be an Icarus, as opposed to walking and serving as a politician's wife. Still, interesting enough to keep me going for the next book.
May 20, 2014
Loved this book as much as the first. Lighter on the romance - but you could see the love the main characters had for each other - and heavy on the intrigue and world building. I find the steampunk world building very interesting and often got distracted trying to imagine what is being described. Can't wait for the 3rd book!!!
August 15, 2014
The problem with this book had more to do with the six years between first book and this one. I could barely remember any of the side characters and it was a struggle remembering the intricate details of the world building.
But the book was great fun and I enjoyed it all. Even if I miss the bickering between Taya and Cris now that they're married. ;)
But the book was great fun and I enjoyed it all. Even if I miss the bickering between Taya and Cris now that they're married. ;)
July 7, 2014
I like the partnership of Taya and Kristof even more in this second book - looking forward to the next in the series.
April 21, 2014
3.5/5
February 4, 2015
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book. Like the first book, Clockwork Heart, this book starts with adventure.
July 19, 2015
Great dynamic between the main characters.
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