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The Clockwork Pen: A romantic dark science fiction steampunk adventure
He’s a typical teen guy who craves an adventure to escape reality. She’s a steampunk cowboy with a body that won’t quit—stuck inside a gilded cage—whose only dream is to escape the fantasy and find the real world.
Wyll's an everyday teenage guy fixing his car over the summer break. But when his parents tell him they are getting a divorce, unable to deal with his family issues, he storms out of the house and calls his best friend. Together, they answer the call to adventure by exploring a deserted mansion in their last flight of freedom before senior year.
When Wyll finds a door to another world and gets stuck on the other side, to escape his feelings, he sets off to discover the strange new city, but the few people he speaks to don’t understand him and angrily wave him away. The flying airship is a big clue that he is far from home, as are the Victorian-era-clad citizens, the cool steam-powered inventions, and the pointy-turreted castle, but soon, a kind man takes him in and then secretly spirits him away in the night. When Wyll meets Sira, he has no idea who she is or why she's the only one who understands him, but he decides he can stay a while and have a few new experiences… besides, he's stuck.
Sira’s burning goal to escape the mechanical city and her tyrant father—who created the world and all the people with a clockwork pen—drives her actions. But Wyll’s lack of emotional maturity does not impress her as the first human she’s seen since she can remember. Still, she keeps him hidden and safe from her dystopian world, and Wyll is roped, unwillingly at first, into a rebellion. A friends-to-lovers journey is still just a dream when Wyll is caught by the authorities and taken to a cave of horrors where the king draws on him with the clockwork pen, turning him into a double agent. He rejects his earlier desire to stay.
When he returns to the rebels, Wyll is torn. If he tells the rebels about the deception and chooses their side, he has no guarantee they will win their courageous fight for liberty against their creator. Besides, who would want to leave a cool place with a flying ship, rocket packs, robots, goggles, gears, and handle-bar mustaches? But if he says nothing, the king has promised to send him home—away from the nightmare he guarantees, but Wyll would lose Sira and may end up helping the king kill them all. Pulled between both groups like a tug-of-war, he must weigh his desire to go home with brand-new feelings of bravery, selflessness, and loyalty to the resistance, but which party will win, and who is lying to him?
Join the readers who love this dark fantasy world of clockwork people suffering horrifying consequences for betraying their maker, and see if Wyll’s identity forms in love’s adolescence. One-click today! Then come back to share your experience!
Hollywood Book 2023 First Place Award Winner—Young Adult Category
[:A young adult novel with a reverse Beauty and the Beast concept; the handsome 'prince' must find his humanity, then become a beast to escape a dark steampunk world and be with the girl he loves.]
Wyll's an everyday teenage guy fixing his car over the summer break. But when his parents tell him they are getting a divorce, unable to deal with his family issues, he storms out of the house and calls his best friend. Together, they answer the call to adventure by exploring a deserted mansion in their last flight of freedom before senior year.
When Wyll finds a door to another world and gets stuck on the other side, to escape his feelings, he sets off to discover the strange new city, but the few people he speaks to don’t understand him and angrily wave him away. The flying airship is a big clue that he is far from home, as are the Victorian-era-clad citizens, the cool steam-powered inventions, and the pointy-turreted castle, but soon, a kind man takes him in and then secretly spirits him away in the night. When Wyll meets Sira, he has no idea who she is or why she's the only one who understands him, but he decides he can stay a while and have a few new experiences… besides, he's stuck.
Sira’s burning goal to escape the mechanical city and her tyrant father—who created the world and all the people with a clockwork pen—drives her actions. But Wyll’s lack of emotional maturity does not impress her as the first human she’s seen since she can remember. Still, she keeps him hidden and safe from her dystopian world, and Wyll is roped, unwillingly at first, into a rebellion. A friends-to-lovers journey is still just a dream when Wyll is caught by the authorities and taken to a cave of horrors where the king draws on him with the clockwork pen, turning him into a double agent. He rejects his earlier desire to stay.
When he returns to the rebels, Wyll is torn. If he tells the rebels about the deception and chooses their side, he has no guarantee they will win their courageous fight for liberty against their creator. Besides, who would want to leave a cool place with a flying ship, rocket packs, robots, goggles, gears, and handle-bar mustaches? But if he says nothing, the king has promised to send him home—away from the nightmare he guarantees, but Wyll would lose Sira and may end up helping the king kill them all. Pulled between both groups like a tug-of-war, he must weigh his desire to go home with brand-new feelings of bravery, selflessness, and loyalty to the resistance, but which party will win, and who is lying to him?
Join the readers who love this dark fantasy world of clockwork people suffering horrifying consequences for betraying their maker, and see if Wyll’s identity forms in love’s adolescence. One-click today! Then come back to share your experience!
Hollywood Book 2023 First Place Award Winner—Young Adult Category
[:A young adult novel with a reverse Beauty and the Beast concept; the handsome 'prince' must find his humanity, then become a beast to escape a dark steampunk world and be with the girl he loves.]
- GenresFantasy
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2024
7 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Haskin
7 books50 followersJennifer Haskin has a passion to help other authors with their writing journey, as well as achieving their publishing goals. She spent a few years learning the ropes of the publishing world as a literary agent, and then a publishing consultant, helping authors ready their submission materials to get the best shot at the contract of their dreams. An author herself, she works on marketing her YA fantasy romance trilogy and writing a new series, all while helping authors perfect their books as Associate Editor for Touchpoint Press. Her WIP is a dark YA Steampunk series and she blogs her own journey weekly with writing, editing, publishing and marketing advice. Books are pretty much her thing. Jenn lives in Kansas with her hubsalot and five teenagers, who provide plenty of YA angst to help her writing come alive. When she is not drinking a grande iced white mocha and writing a book or editing manuscripts, she's running a weekly writers' workshop. She is honored to be a new judge for the annual writing contest Ink & Insights in 2020. Come find her on social media and say hi @haskinauthor, and if you enjoy her books, she would be, like, Nutella-Ice-Cream-Happy if you’d leave a review.
www.amazon.com/author/jenniferhaskin
www.amazon.com/author/jenniferhaskin
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 21, 2024
“The Clockwork Pen,” book one of the Sublunary Devices series by Jennifer Haskin, is a captivating steampunk fantasy novel that immerses readers in a vividly imagined world where reality is stretched to its limits. The story pulls readers in from page one as it begins with Eugene, a man desperate to save his ailing wife. Eugene, driven to the brink by his wife’s deteriorating health, takes a gamble that leads him to The Clockwork Pen—a relic steeped in celestial myth and capable of unimaginable feats. This discovery, both a blessing and a curse, sets off a chain of events that will profoundly impact the lives of those who come in contact with it.
Jennifer Haskin’s meticulous world-building blends the familiar with the fantastical in a way that feels fresh while being deeply immersive. The novel’s setting, a parallel dimension known as Sepherra, is crafted with great attention to detail. The steampunk aesthetic comes alive through vivid descriptions of airships, mechanical contraptions, and Victorian-inspired architecture, creating a unique and atmospheric backdrop for the story.
Readers will find the protagonist, Wyll, a relatable and multifaceted character as a teen struggling with his parents’ impending divorce. Wyll discovers a doorway to Sepherra, where his journey from disillusioned youth to brave adventurer unfolds. Haskin cleverly explores themes of identity, responsibility, and the power of creation, making Wyll’s internal struggles as compelling as the external conflicts he faces in this new world. Readers young and old will appreciate the depth of his character as he perseveres throughout the story. His encounters with the inhabitants of Sepherra, including an enigmatic and formidable girl who helps him navigate this strange land, add layers of depth to the narrative.
One of the standout aspects of “The Clockwork Pen” is its pacing. The story moves swiftly, with each chapter introducing new twists and challenges that keep readers eagerly turning the pages. Haskin’s sharp prose makes the novel an easy yet absorbing read, with well-executed action scenes that strike the perfect balance of tension and excitement.
“The Clockwork Pen” is a strong start to what promises to be an intriguing series. It offers a blend of adventure, mystery, and fantasy that will appeal to fans of steampunk and young adult fiction. The novel’s exploration of a magical artifact capable of reshaping reality is both thought-provoking and entertaining, leaving readers eager to see where Haskin will take the story next.
Overall, “The Clockwork Pen” explores themes of creation, control, and the consequences of wielding power, all wrapped in a fast-paced steampunk adventure. With its engaging plot, well-crafted world, and relatable protagonist, this book is a standout in the genre. Jennifer Haskin has crafted a tale that is both thrilling and thoughtful, and it’s clear that this is only the beginning of an epic journey. Can’t wait for the next in the series!
Jennifer Haskin’s meticulous world-building blends the familiar with the fantastical in a way that feels fresh while being deeply immersive. The novel’s setting, a parallel dimension known as Sepherra, is crafted with great attention to detail. The steampunk aesthetic comes alive through vivid descriptions of airships, mechanical contraptions, and Victorian-inspired architecture, creating a unique and atmospheric backdrop for the story.
Readers will find the protagonist, Wyll, a relatable and multifaceted character as a teen struggling with his parents’ impending divorce. Wyll discovers a doorway to Sepherra, where his journey from disillusioned youth to brave adventurer unfolds. Haskin cleverly explores themes of identity, responsibility, and the power of creation, making Wyll’s internal struggles as compelling as the external conflicts he faces in this new world. Readers young and old will appreciate the depth of his character as he perseveres throughout the story. His encounters with the inhabitants of Sepherra, including an enigmatic and formidable girl who helps him navigate this strange land, add layers of depth to the narrative.
One of the standout aspects of “The Clockwork Pen” is its pacing. The story moves swiftly, with each chapter introducing new twists and challenges that keep readers eagerly turning the pages. Haskin’s sharp prose makes the novel an easy yet absorbing read, with well-executed action scenes that strike the perfect balance of tension and excitement.
“The Clockwork Pen” is a strong start to what promises to be an intriguing series. It offers a blend of adventure, mystery, and fantasy that will appeal to fans of steampunk and young adult fiction. The novel’s exploration of a magical artifact capable of reshaping reality is both thought-provoking and entertaining, leaving readers eager to see where Haskin will take the story next.
Overall, “The Clockwork Pen” explores themes of creation, control, and the consequences of wielding power, all wrapped in a fast-paced steampunk adventure. With its engaging plot, well-crafted world, and relatable protagonist, this book is a standout in the genre. Jennifer Haskin has crafted a tale that is both thrilling and thoughtful, and it’s clear that this is only the beginning of an epic journey. Can’t wait for the next in the series!
January 26, 2026
This book is a reminder of why stories matter.
The world-building alone is incredible dark, steampunk, imaginative, and full of atmosphere but what really stayed with me was the emotional journey. Wyll feels painfully real: confused, immature, running from life, and slowly growing into someone braver than he ever thought he could be. And Sira… she’s unforgettable. Strong, sharp, trapped, and burning for freedom, she’s the kind of character that lingers in your mind long after you close the book.
The idea of a creator who can literally draw reality into existence is haunting, and the consequences of defying him are genuinely disturbing in the best way. The story balances adventure, romance, and danger beautifully, and the slow-burn friends to lovers arc feels earned, not forced.
You can feel how much heart and imagination went into this story. It’s not just a fantasy it’s a coming-of-age tale wrapped in gears, steam, and rebellion. If you’re an author reading this: don’t stop. This world deserves more readers, and this story deserves to be seen.
The world-building alone is incredible dark, steampunk, imaginative, and full of atmosphere but what really stayed with me was the emotional journey. Wyll feels painfully real: confused, immature, running from life, and slowly growing into someone braver than he ever thought he could be. And Sira… she’s unforgettable. Strong, sharp, trapped, and burning for freedom, she’s the kind of character that lingers in your mind long after you close the book.
The idea of a creator who can literally draw reality into existence is haunting, and the consequences of defying him are genuinely disturbing in the best way. The story balances adventure, romance, and danger beautifully, and the slow-burn friends to lovers arc feels earned, not forced.
You can feel how much heart and imagination went into this story. It’s not just a fantasy it’s a coming-of-age tale wrapped in gears, steam, and rebellion. If you’re an author reading this: don’t stop. This world deserves more readers, and this story deserves to be seen.
September 19, 2024
Amazing Story
The Clockwork Pen held my imagination throughout the whole book. I love the steampunk theme and the budding romance. The premise that the small group will have several quests has captured my desire for the next episodes.
The Clockwork Pen held my imagination throughout the whole book. I love the steampunk theme and the budding romance. The premise that the small group will have several quests has captured my desire for the next episodes.
December 17, 2024
Sappy teen romance told by a whiny, self-absorbed character. The steampunk world was interesting, more time should have been spent exploring and explaining it. Lots of repeated dialog. Definitely YA.
August 8, 2024
Interesting adventure
Enjoyed this book but slightly disappointed to not have a conclusion. I understand it will continue on to the next book, but it didn't make me happy!
Enjoyed this book but slightly disappointed to not have a conclusion. I understand it will continue on to the next book, but it didn't make me happy!
February 21, 2025
Unusual storyline! Marvelously innovative and intriguing…
I loved this first book so much that I’m drooling to get to the next! I am officially a Jennifer Haskin fan!
I loved this first book so much that I’m drooling to get to the next! I am officially a Jennifer Haskin fan!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews