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Clock Hands
Not yet published
Expected 21 Apr 26One 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.
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.
288 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 21, 2026
1 person is currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Marieke Nijkamp
63 books2,251 followersMarieke Nijkamp a storyteller, dreamer, globe-trotter, geek.
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Please note I don't respond to friend requests or messages on GR, but you're always welcome to tweet or email me. :)
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Please note I don't respond to friend requests or messages on GR, but you're always welcome to tweet or email me. :)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
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January 6, 20263.75 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
January 25, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Clock Hands (Paperback)
by Marieke Nijkamp
The book uses cartoon presentation to show children some of the medieval practices and politics. The questioning of guilds, and the desire at that time to label, compel and provide for people because of gilds. not only providing security of jobs, but quality control. This book shows that the system is closed and causes social problems for those not included, because of wealth and opportunity to join and participate in guilds.
by Marieke Nijkamp
The book uses cartoon presentation to show children some of the medieval practices and politics. The questioning of guilds, and the desire at that time to label, compel and provide for people because of gilds. not only providing security of jobs, but quality control. This book shows that the system is closed and causes social problems for those not included, because of wealth and opportunity to join and participate in guilds.
January 9, 2026
Clock Hands is beautifully illustrated and a great read for any middle-grade reader looking for a quick and easy to follow graphic novel! I enjoyed reading it!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is set in the same historical, fictional world as Ink Girls, so readers who enjoyed the girl power and workers' rights themes in that graphic novel will want to pick this one up as well.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
This is set in the same historical, fictional world as Ink Girls, so readers who enjoyed the girl power and workers' rights themes in that graphic novel will want to pick this one up as well.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!
A fantasy story about the importance of workers' rights. Gorgeously illustrated, the story shows the importance of not giving up on your dreams and fighting back against oppressive systems.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
A beautifully illustrated and powerful graphic novel about a city where guilds are abusing their power, and how one person can spark a movement of change to benefit everyone. Inspiring and necessary.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You're the clockwork of the city.
Because a good clock doesn't just tell the time...it tells a story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Representation: non-binary protagonist, secondary and tertiary characters of colour.
Content Warning: violence, exploitation, classism, elitism.
Content Warning: violence, exploitation, classism, elitism.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Loved this graphic novel. What a powerful story about how together, we can make a difference in the world. It starts with one person, but we’re all needed. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this one. I loved the world and the characters and I was enthralled from beginning to end. The characters were layered and I just loved it so much. I wasn't sure where it would take me at any point during the story and I was surprised in a good way page after page; it was just such a good story with really great characters. I just love when a graphic novel makes me feel so many things. So good. I will be reading this again and I'm excited to read its companion!
I absolutely loved this one. I loved the world and the characters and I was enthralled from beginning to end. The characters were layered and I just loved it so much. I wasn't sure where it would take me at any point during the story and I was surprised in a good way page after page; it was just such a good story with really great characters. I just love when a graphic novel makes me feel so many things. So good. I will be reading this again and I'm excited to read its companion!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews