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, Graphic Novels Comics, Queer, LGBT, Young Adult

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.

[ebigeyl]

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!)

[Leonie]

3.75 stars.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Parker Goodreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

I love a middle grade comic about unionizing! I've had INK GIRLS on my TBR for ages (and ended up reading them out of order, which didn't hurt the experience at all), and they're a great set of stories about kids fighting for greater justice in their community. I actually used these books in my 8-12 Comic Club at my library as a way to talk about worldbuilding, because the city and society are so beautifully explored in both the story and the artwork. Would love to see more from this team!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jenessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

A middle grade graphic novel about the power of community and importance of equality? Yes please! Beyond the gorgeous illustrations, this novel tells the story of unionizing and the power of standing up for your rights. An excellent addition for any middle school classroom bookshelf!

[Kristen Newlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

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/...

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I feel so similarly about this book to what I felt about Ink Girls! There were things I loved but it still felt like something was missing to set it over the edge. The art is lovely and I enjoyed the story overall. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This beautifully illustrated volume is about perseverance and the power of working together to achieve and make a difference in the world. A great middle grade read.

[miki larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Steff Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

You're the clockwork of the city.
Because a good clock doesn't just tell the time...it tells a story.

[Gabriele | QueerBookdom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Representation: non-binary protagonist, secondary and tertiary characters of colour.

Content Warning: violence, exploitation, classism, elitism.