Millicent Gearwright, a young clockmaker, faces a dire crisis: time itself is unraveling. Across the universe, days blend into nights, seasons collide, and history replays in chaotic disorder. To save her world of Gearturn, Millicent teams up with her loyal robot, Quark, and her enigmatic friend, Orin, a master poet who speaks in rhymes. Their ranks swell with the reluctant addition of Barnaby Blackwater, a notorious time-stealing space pirate.
Together, they embark on a perilous quest to uncover the source of these temporal disturbances and restore the Time Core before Gearturn, the Clockwork Constellation, and the entire universe succumb to chaos. Their journey across the galax-seas is fraught with danger, intrigue, and the relentless ticking of a clock running out.
Can they mend the fractures in time? Will they unravel the mysteries that threaten their universe? Dive into an epic adventure through the realms of time and space with "Clockwork Constellation"—a tale of ingenuity, camaraderie, and the battle against cosmic entropy.
Paul Michael Peters is a storyteller with an original voice who thrives at the edge of the human condition, blending humor and darkness with keen insight. His tales navigate the intricate dance between the mundane and the profound, capturing the ephemeral moments that define our lives with passion. His work invites readers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, exploring life's shadowy corners with narratives that resonate with authenticity and imaginative daring.
Dive into the work of Paul Michael Peters and discover stories that echo the complexities of life: Right Hand of the Resistance, Mist and Moonbeams: Stories from the Great Lakes Edge, Broken Objects, Combustible Punch, The Symmetry of Snowflakes, Insensible Loss, and several beloved short stories like Mr. Memory and Other Stories of Wonder.
Was not quite sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but so glad I started it. This story was so good. The characters were so well developed and the scenes were drawn out so great. I felt I was right there every step of the way.
I got this from LibraryThing and the author was kind enough to send me a signed copy.
I'm not sure why, but I had a hard time getting into it. I felt like I wasn’t privy to the inside joke. No ramp up, just dump the reader into something full swing, like I should already be familiar with the world. Had me out of sorts. Chris Tucker in Rush Hour, "...which one of y'all kicked me".
I saw bits of Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers, Hitchhiker’s Guide, a wisp of Pratchett, Felix the Cat, Merry Melodies Chuck Jones' "Duck Amuck". (And a dash of Simon Hawke’s Reluctant Sorcerer thrown in.)
But it stands on its own. Genre crossing, genre bending, genre twisting.
In Paul Michael Peters "Clockwork Constellation: Chrono Chaos," we're thrust into a universe where time isn't just money—it's everything. This steampunk space opera serves up a delightful cocktail of gears, pirates, and temporal shenanigans that would make Doctor Who raise an eyebrow.
Our hero, Millicent Gearwright, begins as a by-the-book clockmaker on the planet Gearturn, a world so obsessed with order it makes Swiss watchmakers look positively carefree. But faster than you can say "wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey," Millicent's neat and tidy world is thrown into disarray when time itself goes haywire.
Peters has wound up a plot that ticks along nicely, propelled by a cast of characters as colorful as a bag of clock parts. There's Barnaby Blackwater, a space pirate with more charm than common sense; Quark, a robot with perfect timing and a penchant for bad puns; and Orin, a poet whose verses are a refreshing palate cleanser between action sequences.
The novel's real strength lies in its world-building. Peters has created a clockwork universe that's both familiar and fantastical. The planet Inkwell, where words literally come to life, is a bibliophile's dream (or nightmare, depending on your relationship with snarky literary critics). And Echo, a world that amplifies and reflects energy, is a masterclass in "show, don't tell" storytelling.
However, like a clock with too many gears, the plot occasionally gets tangled in its own complexity. There are moments when you might find yourself wishing for a temporal map to keep track of who's when and what's now. But stick with it—the payoff is worth the occasional confusion.
What elevates "Clockwork Constellation" above mere genre fiction is its exploration of deeper themes. Peters uses his timey-wimey premise to probe questions of free will versus determinism, the nature of memory, and the balance between order and chaos. It's like if Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams collaborated on a steampunk novel, with a dash of Kurt Vonnegut's fatalistic humor thrown in for good measure.
The novel's conclusion manages to both satisfy and intrigue, wrapping up the main conflict while leaving plenty of loose threads for future adventures. It's a neat trick, much like stopping a clock at precisely midnight.
In the end, "Clockwork Constellation: Chrono Chaos" is a rip-roaring adventure that will appeal to fans of both science fiction and fantasy. It's a timely reminder that sometimes, to move forward, we need to embrace a little chaos. Just be warned: after reading this, you might never look at your wristwatch the same way again.
*Full Disclosure: I received an advance review copy for free in exchange for my honest opinion, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
For sci-fi lovers and steampunk fans, Clockwork Constellation has it all—including a heartwarming cast of characters, top-tier worldbuilding, and an engaging plot that keeps you guessing from start to finish. Peters manages to create one of the most original fictional universes, where words come to life and time is everything.
Each member of the gang—Millicent, Barnaby, Quark, and Orin—plays their role effectively, and it's satisfying to see their individual character arcs develop over the course of the story. The dialogue captures personalities perfectly, and interactions are fresh and natural, turning this ragtag team into a family you can't help but root for.
As I mentioned, Peters' strength lies in his worldbuilding; vivid descriptions make this world magical. Because of the complexity of the interwoven plot lines and the mechanics of time itself, some sections can be a bit overwhelming, but this doesn't diminish the beauty of the story or the fun of reading it.
I'm usually not a sci-fi fan, but this book was an exception! I fell in love with the world and the wonder it stirred within me, along with Millicent's development and the reveal of the antagonist. Overall, it's a worthwhile read and worth giving a shot if you're looking for something unlike anything you've ever read.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily to share my honest opinion.
This is a very unique book. If you like science and science fiction and fantasy this is the perfect meld of all three. Millicent thrives on order. Everything in its place and everything has a purpose. Rules must be followed or why else would they exist. She is suddenly thrust into a mass of chaos and has no idea how to handle it. Chaos isn’t neat and orderly.
She and her companions, Quark her loyal robot and Orin her poet friend, head to the clockwork tower to find out what is going on with time and her city and to see what can be done to make things right. As the people of the city keep glitching, Millicent gets more and more uncomfortable and knows that something must be done. In her quest for a solution she runs into a pirate, a man who hates neatness and order, and the four set off to save the city and protect the world. Chaos looms everywhere, betrayal of everything Millicent stands for will test her and the world may never be the same again.
This book was genuinely a fresh and unique experience. It isn’t what I typically read but it is worth reading! It’s a whole new experience of fun and quirkiness. I hope you pick this book up and enjoy it as much as I did. Something different but utterly fascinating and great!
The overall concept of the narrative - a world where Time is (literally) the center of everything, and where traveling through time and space on spider-like creatures is the norm - is a unique construct, and a fascinating place to set a (hopefully) multi-book series.
The pacing was uneven, with the urgency of the core adventure waylaid by side quests that could have been entire stories themselves, most of which were quickly wrapped up in a few chapters; there wasn't as much exposition or context provided to have a vested interest in the core characters completed the task. The ending seemed rushed and too neatly wrapped up, though the consequences of their actions does seem to have an effect on their perception of their world.
The characters were not too much the typical archetypes, though one character in particular (Orin) had fairly little to do except spout verse, and seemed absent through most of the action.
Nevertheless, it's a good start, and I'd be interested in learning more about the different places visited by Millicent and her companions.
This story offered elements of steampunk, pirate adventure, space adventure, and a hint of time travel. Most of the chapters were short and kept the pace moving quickly. As the story went on, I was able to develop an appreciation of the four characters that were tasked with solving the problem of unraveling time in the universe. Each offered something necessary to the task at hand. Before the conclusion, I could also understand the motivation of the villain in the story. While there was a primary goal of the team, the story did contain what I would call “side quests,” which seemed, in part, to be there to build a universe for future stories in the series. It was a fun and quick read, but it may have tried just a little too hard to squeeze too much into the story to give anything a chance to shine. I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author masterfully shifts between writing styles to match each character, creating a dynamic and immersive reading experience.
From the melodic, rhyme-spun musings of a poet to the sharp wit of a roguish space pirate sailing the seven galax-seas, every character feels distinct and alive. This variety in voice adds rich texture to the story, making each chapter feel like stepping into a new adventure.
The plot moves at a thrilling pace, constantly evolving and pulling readers along for the ride. Just when you think you have your bearings, the narrative shifts, keeping the excitement fresh and the surprises coming.
If you’re looking for a book that defies convention and takes you on a whirlwind journey through unique characters and vibrant worlds, Clockwork Constellation is a must-read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Millicent was a delight. Sweet and almost innocent.
It took me a while to understand some of the other characters in this new universe, like Orin the poet and Quark the robot.
Millicent and Barnaby were interesting characters and I am glad that their adventures are continuing. I am hoping a little romance might occur in their future.
In the story, I wasn't too sure of why Millicent took Calliope at her word (Calliope seemed at little unbalanced), and I was rooting for Calliope's enemies for a small moment.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Clockwork Constellation Chrono Chaos" by Paul Michael Peters was a total page turner! The time travel twists were mind-blowing, and the detail he had in his world building pulls you right in!! The characters are super amazing, and the plot line kept me guessing till the very end!! If you love sci-fi adventures, this one is hands down a must-read!!! Five stars all the way! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of being an ARC Reader for this book!! Not only did it open me to a brand new world but allowed me to leave an honest review in this one!
I received this book as part of LibraryThings Early Reviewer Program:
Wow, this was definitely a fun read, very imaginative with some excellent world building. I couldn’t help but draw parallels to another book I recently read, Clockmaker by David Gulotta, but while Clockmaker mostly relied on its characters and worlds, this one was on much more of a philosophical tract, and they were both different enough that reading one didn’t detract from the other. Really enjoyed it and will definitely look into picking up the sequel whenever it is released.
We follow Millicent on a journey as she tries to save her world from unraveling. Millicent, a clockmaker, knows quite a lot about time and vows to do whatever she can to save her world. She and a few friends set out to solve the problem. I really enjoyed the world-building and was fascinated by the different parts that made up the world. The idea that the world worked like a clock was incredible and made imagining the various places that Millicent and her friends traveled to on their journey much more fascinating.
Millicent Gearwright lives on Gearturn. The planet runs like clockwork, pun intended. That is, until time fractures, causing loops and other quirky effects.
As usual, Peters' prose is detailed and always on point. The characters, including a space pirate, are interesting and developed perfectly into the story.
My quandary is whether the different portions of the book were a well planned twisted plot or whether it was several stray ideas that were bouncing around the author's head and conveniently were amalgamated into a single story.
Clockwork Constellation: Chrono Chaos by Paul Michael Peters
Millicent along with her robot, Quark and friend Barnaby, set off on an adventure to save the universe They cross the galaxy and encounter many dangerous on their quest for justice.
The story moves at a fast pace, character driven and detail oriented. Adventure, thrills and quirky characters make for a fun and fascinating read. Fans of Sci-fi will find enjoyment in this epic tale. A good read.
Very different story from the usual, it confused me a bit since the time things were wild and crazy but it really didn't make me like the story less. I do say the writer is clever enough to keep everything on track and running smoothly. The characters were well drawn and fun. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While not my usual genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this story! So much so I finished in one day. My first from this author, as I was lucky enough to win a free copy, but I would recommend to anyone, especially sci-fi readers
Clockwork Constellation offers an imaginative steampunk journey, though the pacing and character depth are just average. It's an entertaining enough read, but it doesn't quite reach standout status. I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Nice mix of characters, lyrical poetry and lots of Adventures! So glad I was picked as a winner for this Goodreads Giveaway!!! My copy was even signed.
I will be honest and say that I do not read a lot of sci-fi, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one!! It was super fast paced, and was filled with twists and turns that kept me intrigued!
If a "Steampunk in Space" adventure sounds like your kind of thing, you might find Chrono Chaos to be somewhat amusing, with its very-gear-mechanics-oriented central world of Gearturn, the classic pirate ship (and crew) in space, other odd mechanical constructs such as spider-craft that crawled from world to world, etc. Or, at least, the imagination of its odd and highly quirky world-building.
For me, however, most of Chrono Chaos reads very much like a rollicking but cartoonishly unbelievable tale for very young children. Many of the characters, main and otherwise, behave and speak consistently like very young children trying to sound adult. The story's odd meandering path across odder worlds remind me of L. Frank Baum's original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz's tour of imaginative and wondrously odd lands, in a much more blunt and stilted manner that falls far short of truly meeting that comparison in terms of lands or characters that are remotely believable or sympathetic.
The time-loopy situation of the pirate ship was inventively interesting. But otherwise...
I understand that this is intended as Book One and that more will be coming but, while this read was mildly amusing, it just didn't instill in me much interest in reading further volumes of the story. YMMV.