Clock Hands

by Marieke Nijkamp, Sylvia Bi (Illustrator)

One small voice has the power to change everything in this dazzling middle grade graphic novel from INew York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and artist Sylvia Bi. The stand-alone companion to the acclaimed Ink Girls is a perfect fit for fans of Wendy Xu and Molly Knox Ostertag.

Vale has always dreamed of being a metalworker’s apprentice. But in Siannerra, the guilds rule with an iron fist, and their apprenticeship fees are impossibly high. So Vale and their guildless family must make do with the pennies and scraps they’re able to cobble together with work on the docks or in the market.

Until Maestro Giuseppe arrives from abroad, determined to build the city’s first astronomical clock. He doesn’t care for fees or exclusionary practices—and he sees Vale’s talent. He invites Vale into his workshop, and for a while Vale believes all their dreams are coming true. But everything in Siannerra belongs to the guilds, and if anyone tries to break free, there are consequences. Sometimes the gravest of consequences. Still, Vale refuses to stop dreaming. Or fighting. With the help of their friends, they plan to take on the might of the guilds. And together, they may just be strong enough to bend iron to their will.

With nuanced and instantly loveable characters and a fully realized, vibrantly illustrated setting, bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and illustrator Sylvie Bi show once again how anyone—no matter their age—can change their world. An excellent choice for fans of the Lightfall and Wingbearer series.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, LGBT, Graphic Novels Comics, Comics

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2026

About the author

Marieke Nijkamp a storyteller, dreamer, globe-trotter, geek.

***

Please note I don't respond to friend requests or messages on GR, but you're always welcome to tweet or email me. :)

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the town of Siannerra, there are those who are in a guild, and those who are not. The guild is like a union, making sure everyone is treated equally, and paid accordingly. But those who are guildless, those who have never and can’t ever be in a guild are treated like scum of the earth. They get paid whatever people feel like paying them. And while this wasn’t ok, this is the way it was, and accepted, until Maestro Giuseppe came to town, and didn’t care about people being in a guild or not, and so employs Vale, one of the guildless, as an apprentice.

This outrages the guild, who seek revenge.

Despite all the bad things that happen to those around Vale,because he is guildless, it really is a feel-good story. Yes, things go badly for him, but he doesn’t give up, and keeps pushing, and makes people realize that without the guildless that nothing gets done.

I enjoyed this story, full of good and evil and those in-between. I’m glad the in-between people got included, because no one is always all bad or all good. Good introduction on how to work within and outside of the system to get what you want.

This story takes place in the same society as the author's first graphic novel, but can be read on its own.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out on the 21st of April 2026.

[Anniek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to Greenwillow Books and Netgalley for the digital review copy! This book is out now!

Just like in Ink Girls, the art in this graphic novel is absolutely beautiful. Otherwise, I thought the book was pretty mediocre, and I don't think it will be very memorable for me. It started off strong, but it quickly became more and more rushed, and it sadly lost me in the process. I would have liked to see more depth and more build-up.

[Ahtims · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasnt that impressed by the story. But the artwork was very beautiful.

[Mohi Uddin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Clock Hands. It is a beautiful book in every sense of the word. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful, bringing the story to life with warmth, charm, and remarkable attention to detail. Every page felt like a work of art, inviting me to slow down and savour both the images and the words.


What impressed me most was how seamlessly the book blends history with themes of equality and inclusion. Beneath its visual beauty lies a meaningful and uplifting message. The pages were a dream to look at and read, making this a delightful experience from beginning to end. A lovely book that will stay with me for a long time.

[ebigeyl wells]

staff rec blurb, may 26: In Siannerra––a land divided into guilds––Vale is struggling to survive. After gaining apprenticeship with a clockmaker, members of the elite destroy their workshop. Chaos ensues, leading the Guildless to go on strike, advocating for respect, safety, and care for all. Will the workers be successful and granted fair pay or will Siannerra say goodbye to the Guildless? (A stand-alone companion to Ink Girls!)

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a solid follow up to Ink Girls! While I think the overall narrative in Ink Girls is stronger, it's so great to see a book set in the same world that addresses workers rights in a way kids can engage with! And the characters in this one had my heart as much as the first.

[Sarah Street · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art really does the heavy lifting here. It’s a nice story about community and labor rights - engaging at points but it didn’t blow me away.

[Leonie]

3.75 stars.

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good introduction for older children to the ideas of unions, strikes, and appreciating "skilled" and "unskilled" labor to where you realize no, it's all skilled. The art is also quite charming and it moves at a brisk pace overall.

... I will note that one thing that low-key bothers me, as someone indifferent to my gender and adopting an identity outside of it, is that Vale is ALWAYS called they/them in a story that is about how they are dehumanized for where they are in society. Vale notes to the guild masters at one point that nobody was likely to have bothered learning their name. It therefore reads as a little false to me that they are always correctly gendered, even by their oppressors. At no point does it seem that language operates on a "call they/them first, then switch to gendered terms if a person says as much." Not is there any obvious enby person in power to quietly explain away the lack of prejudice, the way we can see women and people of color in power in this to infer sexism and racism are not to be considered significant impedients to ambition. And it does somewhat lead one to infer that the only proper way to be an enby is be so androgynous you get automatic they/them treatment.

So yeah, to me it's a case of making a world queer normative feel like it goes against what the story is going for. I would have found it more real if Vale had to correct oppressors and bullies even just once in what their pronouns are. Yes, this is a work intended for children and so one might argue we don't need to depict every bit of real world ugliness, but as a child who was bullied I can tell you that even kids can smell when this kind of treatment is BS.

This is not the only work where I could say that the desire to portray an overall queer normative world hurt the themes and messaging of the story. And I genuinely do understand and respect the ideal to do more than portray queer pain and queerphobia in queer fiction... But yeah. Sometimes it does feel disingenuous even if it's down with the best of intentions and reflects the world as the author wishes it was.

"Why is the child of Omelas always being correctly gendered? Is their plight not the utter disregard people have for them?" Sort of thing.

I could even say at times this work felt only so radical. The system is not inherently bad you see, it's working fine elsewhere. It's just this particular one has grown corrupt and too focused on maintaining power rather than the common good. It is honest at least in acknowledging that it's not pleading for better treatment that will create change, but in realizing your own power and fighting back. And that there is power to be found when communities genuinely care for each other.

[Liz Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This new graphic novel written by Marieke Nijkamp and illustrated by Sylvia Bi was somehow not on my radar until I spotted it on NetGalley. I knew immediately from the cover that this was by the same illustrator. The art is so distinct and stunning. At multiple points during this read I just had to sit and stare at my screen to take in the rich colors and stunning detail work that helped to convey this beautiful story.

Just like Ink Girls, Clock Hands is set in a city with a lot of issues. This book tackled some pretty heavy and applicable themes of classism from the first few pages, and I think it did a marvelous job of approaching these topics in an accessible way to younger readers. (As well as older, of course!) We feel the impacts of the class divides in this story as it hurts Vale and their family.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy!

And Vale! I loved this character. They're so determined and brave, and I was rooting for them from the beginning. I loved the little glimpses of their apprenticeship that we got to see, and then how that impacted their whole outlook on life was pretty beautiful too.

Overall, this was a beautifully illustrated and thought provoking read that provides a fun and accessible way to discuss (historically accurate!) class divides and the importance of standing up for yourselves and your community. These themes are super transferrable at this time as well, given the growing threat of ICE in the US. Would recommend to kids especially but anyone who feels powerless right now. We have, and always will, continue to fight for each other.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vale, a guildless worker, dreams of being a metalworker’s apprentice. But in the city of Siannerra, the guilds dictate society, including the social ladder, and the guildless are meant to stay at the bottom with low wages, minimal opportunities, and no chance of climbing up. Until one day, a man named Maestro Giuseppi lands in Siannerra, and he does not care about the guilds and their rules. He wants to build the city’s first astronomical clock, and asks Vale to be his apprentice. Vale is over the moon and refuses to give up this dream. The guilds don’t take Giuseppi’s or Vale’s defiance lightly and inflict brutal consequences. But Vale will face their oppression head on, because together, a community can topple any injustice. 

Clock Hands is a vibrant and timely tale of class consciousness, advocacy, and fighting for your community. Set in the world of Ink Girls (2023 – by the same author), the story follows Vale’s journey, from the bottom of society to rising up, not in the ranks of the guild, but against the system itself. This classic tale will inspire readers to think about their social class, how society lifts up or puts down various groups, and how community voices can be more powerful than you realize. The plot has its ups and downs, both triumphant and devastating moments, but ultimately ends happily. The style is artistic, bright, yet soft, like a watercolor painting or quilt, and characters feel authentic in their emotions, personalities, and desires. Overall, a great second graphic novel by Marieke Nijkamp and Sylvia Bi. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Clock Hands" is a stunning new middle grade graphic novel following a band of kids as they fight against injustice in their city. I immediately knew I needed to read it as I remember loving "Ink Girls" by this author/illustrator duo. "Clock Hands" takes place in the same fictional city as "Ink Girls" (you even get to see some of the "Ink Girls" characters) and follows Vale and friends as they work to become recognized and fight for equal right with the guilds.

The artwork in this graphic novel is phenomenal. It is bright and colorful, which I think would appeal to the target audience, and super detailed. I found it to be a very appealing art style and would love to see more graphic novels by this author/illustrator duo in the same style.

The story was your typical "fight against those in power". A group bands together to fight for equal rights; If you like those kind of stories, you will love this one! They even included a character with non-binary pronouns(Vale, the main character, uses "they") and it was seamlessly integrated into the story. Extra points for adding some representation! The story flowed really nicely and I feel like there was a really well developed plot - nothing felt rushed and everything made sense. All the panels were easy to understand what was going on due to the incredible art.

I think this is perfect for middle grade readers and highly recommend it! Can't wait to see what this team does next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is mostly about a family who is new to town, especially a girl named Stella. Stella and her family live in a clocktower. Her family offers another character, Vale, a job as a metalworker. When Vale starts the job, they realize that people are secretly watching them. Later, someone from the metalworkers’ guild comes after Stella’s father because he does not have permission from the guild to create metalwork in the new town. Things get very intense when spies set Stella’s home on fire. The people in the town rush in to help and rescue Stella’s father, but he gets hurt. After that, Vale bravely speaks in front of the metalworkers’ guild to stand up for Stella’s family.

This book is adventurous and full of unexpected twists. My favorite character was Stella because she is wild and doesn’t care what other people think about her. My favorite part of the book was when Stella and Vale met for the first time. I was very surprised when the fire happened, and that was also the scene I would be most excited to watch if this book were made into a movie.

While reading, the book made me feel both sad and calm. I think people who enjoy unexpected twists and exciting moments would really like this book. I would give this book 5 billion stars because I really liked it.

Thank you to Marieke Nijkamp, Harper Collins Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Girish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such beautiful artwork!

Clock Hands is a charming graphic novel set in a coastal trading town where powerful guilds rule every aspect of life. Our protagonist, Vale, is guildless and unable to join the metalworkers' guild because he cannot afford its steep entry fee. His fortunes change when a foreign clockmaker and his daughter arrive in town and take him on as an apprentice.

The story reminded me of Christopher Nolan's recurring idea that systems designed to create order eventually become shackles. The guilds, determined to protect their monopoly, begin making life increasingly difficult for the Maestro, Vale, and those around them through subtle but damaging acts of intimidation. As the pressure mounts and his family is pushed into a corner, Vale finds the courage to speak up and eventually leads a small revolution of the guildless.

What impressed me most was that, despite the stunning visuals, the storytelling remains the heart of the book. The artwork enhances the narrative instead of overshadowing it, making every page a pleasure to linger over.

Graphic novels are such a mesmerizing medium. In the hands of gifted creators, they become an incredibly immersive and seductive form of storytelling. At a modest length, Clock Hands felt no less satisfying than a well-crafted novella. I'll definitely be picking up a few more.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this historical graphic novel set in the same world as Ink Girls, an all-time fave. Vale is a teen jewelry maker, but with grandparents to support and not much money, they can’t afford to join a guild to practice the trade and must take whatever work they can find. Until a clock maker comes to town and asks Vale to apprentice along with his daughter. The guilds do not accept this, demanding that the clock maker stop working and kick Vale out of the business. What follows is an action-packed and thoughtful story of friendship and solidarity in fighting for the right to take care of oneself. Sylvia Bi is such a brilliant artist – the illustrations of vibrant, beautiful, and feel so alive, completely transporting us to Renaissance Italy. And the story is incredibly interesting, centering on the complicated politics of guilds and labor rights during this time. I had always assumed guilds were like our modern unions, protecting workers’ rights, but in many ways they were exclusionary and inaccessible, particularly when the were run by the employers rather than the employees. Marieke Nijkamp includes an excellent author’s note on this issue.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Union membership is down in our nation. Things like the Janus decision don’t help matters. But you see people fighting, people fighting Amazon, people fighting Starbucks, people fighting for their right to fair pay, job protections, and many other things. To an adult these ideas should be easy. To a child they might need a little help understanding. That’s where Clock Hands come in. Our main character is guildless. In a caste society, he is the lowest caste because he does not belong to a guild. The guildless are the people that get the spare peanuts for doing the work, nobody else wants to do. But the guild and the members of those guilds keep these people down. Our main character, after an incident that should never have happened, has had enough and convinces the rest of the guildless to go on strike. Formal Union wording is not in here. This is told like a story meant for middle grade to read and understand. It’s a wonderful story with great illustrations. It’s a lesson I think more kids need to learn. That you can band together to make a change. That you can fight injustice. This book is a story and a hidden lesson that will stick with them.

[Aurora deTag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunningly illustrated story about a young man who is lower class, guildless, and his journey to rebel against the oppressive guild system. The story is quite powerful, teaching the importance of using ones voice but also showing that it isn’t always safe to do so, and is often a complex, non-linear path. There are some violent actions as well as strong emotions throughout, and concepts of oppression showing bribing of government officials and biases people may hold. There is a strike as a part of the story which is an important topic that many younger readers may not have encountered previously. The story overall is a historical fiction, examining the guild system of medieval Italy, and the art throughout is done in a wonderful style and really captures the story with so many important details.

I recommend this book for the target audience of middle-grade readers, especially due to the darker elements of this story but the importance of the overall message. This book is out April 21, 2026!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children’s Books, Greenwillow Books, Marieke Mijkamp, and Sylvie Bi for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book!

[pineapple tofu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In the bustling city of Siannerra, guilds have power. And for one hopeful boy, Vale is determined to someday be a metalworker's apprentice, but paying the fees to begin is astronomical. Until one day, Maestro Giuseppe and his daughter arrive to officially design the clock for the clock tower. When Vale and the Maestro meet, a trust begins between them, and Vale finally has a window open for him into the world of guilds. Yet, as a guildless in the city, others are distrustful of Vale’s new apprenticeship. And if he’s not careful, the flames of power can overtake all.
A companion novel to the author’s Ink Girls, this graphic novel tells the story of determination, the class divide, and the hope that brings everyone together. Fading blues and sunflower yellows flow softly across the pages as they tell a tale of one optimistic boy who wants the best for his people, the guildless, even if the guilds of Siannerra are judgmental. Through protest and the quiet fight, Vale is an inspirational character for what he eventually accomplishes for the guildless. And that finished clock at the end? - It was so pretty!

[Ilana Banana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's Books and Greenwillow Books for the e-ARC.

4.5⭐️ I love these authors' stories; their first graphic novel, Ink Girls, is also fantastic. In this one, we mainly follow Vale and their life in the Margini, where they’re apprenticed with a watchmaker who works outside the Sianerra’s guilds. Working outside the guilds isn't allowed, so this creates conflict in the city. This gives Vale, Stella and other Margini people a way to come together and make their voices heard. Community organizing works !! It's made for children, so the violence that often accompanies protests and strikes has been toned down, but I don't think the content has been dumbed down. It very clearly exemplifies the need for labor rights and unions to demand fair wages and trade opportunities, in this case, for those outside the conventional guilds. I really liked the characters, and I think the plot works very well for what it sets out to do. Definitely recommended for young readers.

Content warnings: Bullying, classism, fire injury.

[AnaLuz Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I previously read and reviewed Ink hands, by the author Marieke Nijkamp and artist Sylvia Bi. And I hoped there would be a follow up. I’m so glad my wish came true.

This is a great historical GN. Inspired by the Italian cities in the late Middle ages, when the guilds controlled all the work that was done.
Vale, young and hardworking, want to make their town a more fair place for all. He gets help from adults and children alike, to fight for an important cause for their and their communities future.

It demonstrates how anyone, no matter their age can make a difference. Set in the same town and timeline as Ink hands, it was great to also see some familiar characters from the previous novel.
I also love that the story touches on themes of friendship, diversity, acceptance, leadership and conflict resolution. The vibrant illustrations bring the story to life and complement the storytelling wonderfully.

I received a digital advance copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Actual rating: 4.25 stars)
When I saw this book on Netgalley, I immediately requested the ARC and nearly squealed with excitement when I received the eARC. Ink Girls, Nijkamp's first work in this series, blew me away. I loved the historical setting as well as the artwork. Clock Hands takes place in the same city but with different starring characters. Some of the characters from Ink Girls make an appearances but this book can be read without also having read the first book.
Clock Hands deals with the very real issue of the monopoly that guilds had on wealth in many medieval Italian cities and towns and how that stranglehold affected those unable to afford membership in the guild, those who enabled the guild members to live their luxurious lifestyles. I appreciate how NIjkamp addressed this issue and still gave the "guildless" an opportunity to make their lives better even though many if not most of the people who actually lived those experiences would not likely have had those opportunities. I definitely recommend this book.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clock Hands tells the story of a fictional Italian town in a Middle Ages time frame when guilds were the way that people did business. Unfortunately, in this town the guilds have become very power hungry which has led to them discriminating against the poorer people in their city. Even though they relay on them to do the work that no one else wants to do.
Then a clock maker comes to town who has no use for the guilds. He wants to build an astronomical clock and he is willing to hire a talented non-guild boy to help him and his daughter complete the task. The existing guilds, of course, can't allow that to happen. But they did not reckon with the power of a group of young people who have had enough and are not willing to take the abuse any longer.

Never underestimate the power of people united against injustice.

[Louis Hasty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nijkamp and Bi have delivered an excellent graphic novel with a moral I find more and more important for children to learn in these times: You deserve rights and respect as a worker, and you should not be discouraged from banding together to win them. Bi’s artwork is as much a treat as ever, and I found Nijkamp’s writing to have improved from Ink Girls (which was already a good read). Spotting some of the characters from the last book was also fun!

Things do go very well for the characters at the end in a way the author admits isn’t completely realistic, but considering this is both a middle grade book and one teaching a lesson about the power of collective bargaining, I find it a reasonable ask that the reader suspend their disbelief a little.

All in all, I eagerly look forward to whatever the pair makes next!

[Korie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Sianerra the guilds rule, and as one of the poor and guildless, Vale and his family have no protection. When a new clockmaker and his daughter move to town and hire Vale to show them around the city, Vale dares to dream his life could be more. For the guilds, this new clockmaker is nothing but trouble and must be taught a lesson.

When the tensions come close to causing a death Vale and the other guildless band together with a list of demands and refuse to work until they are met, bringing Sianerra to a standstill.

This story of solidarity and hope is a sweet stand alone companion to Ink Girls, and a good reminder that we are stronger together.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great middle-grade graphic novel that sheds light on commerce in the Middle Ages while aligning with middle school curriculum on history and social systems.

Clock Hands follows a young boy, Vale, who is one of the guildless in the fictional town of Siannerra. With great illustrations from Syliva Bi, author Marike Nijkamp shows Vale’s struggles in a town where the guildless are treated poorly, given menial jobs, and paid very low wages. When a clockmaker moves to town and offers Vale an apprenticeship without following the guild’s rules, it kickstarts change.

Will Vale and his friends, family, and fellow guildless be able to make changes to a broken system?

[Shahana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read overall. The story carries a really beautiful message about following your dreams, even in a world that tries to limit you, and I appreciated how it tackled classism through Vale’s journey. That aspect felt especially meaningful and well done.

The illustrations were absolutely stunning and brought the world of Siannerra to life in such a vivid way. They added a lot of charm and emotion to the story.

I also liked the focus on community and standing up against unfair systems. It had that hopeful, determined tone that fits really well for a middle grade story.

Overall, a solid and thoughtful read with a strong message and gorgeous artwork.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice.
A very simple story about workers rights and striking that's both easy to digest for younger readers and manages to avoid falling into the trap of acting like all problems in the city are fixed when demands are actually met. It was nice. It handles class disparity and privilege in a way that was realistic despite its simplifications.
I enjoyed the queer normative world this story was placed in as well. I'd like more historical fiction that focuses on time centered issues independent of cisheteronormative amatonormaitivity.
Overall a very good story.
I received a free copy for review

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a good graphic novel. The style is interesting and it's well drawn and colored. The world is explained well The characters are likeable (and villains are unlikable) with a good range of characters that develop from bad to good throughout the story as their eyes are opened to the injustice of the world. I like this because it fleshed out the world and made the ending feel more earned. It did feel a little typical of the "fight against the system" power without much innovation in that, but still a good read.

[Sophy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows a young boy who is part of the lower class, known as the guildless. It shows how someone who is seen as “nothing” can still make a powerful difference. He fights for change in his city by bringing the other guildless together to protest their mistreatment, giving the city a real taste of how much they rely on them.

The story highlights the struggle of standing up against an unfair government and demanding justice. The art is really well done and complements the tone of the story perfectly. Such a great read!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive a digital ARC of this ebook from NetGalley for review. If you loved this author/illustrator duo’s Ink Girls, this book will be a crowd pleaser. The illustrations and coloring are fantastic. This book has solid LGBTQ+ representation and will have the reader rooting for the underdog (in this case, the guildless). The world building is great but I found myself wondering why the unfair status quo hadn’t been challenged more leading up to this point. I wanted a bit more backstory and character dynamics to make this book soar.