The Clockwise Chronicles: Nascent

by Bitty Balducci

In the wake of global unrest that dwindled the population to a fraction of what it once was, Dr. Kate Sona’s ground-breaking technology provided hope to many and changed world order as anyone knew it in the process. The product at the center of The Clockwise Revolution? Time. Dr. Sona’s team of skilled scientists commercialized sleep banking - the process by which one extracts the restorative properties of another’s sleep. Juniper has only ever known life at Dream Corp Onyx, the first of twenty-four sleep banking facilities the world over. Although she has long questioned the eugenic class system Dream Corp Onyx imposes upon its residents, an unexpected message prompts her to scrutinize the nature of her reality more closely. Her search for answers leads her on an epic journey and the truth that she uncovers is more disturbing than she could have ever imagined.

345 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2025

Reviews

[Tegan read_with_tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart was pounding at the end of this book. What an escalation of uncovering truths and running into plenty of danger along the way! And what a time to read about a dystopian society with rigid rules to abide by. This was a very smart, well written YA book. I do think a lot of people wave off YA novels too quick, forgetting that the ones we grew up on are still favorites to date (do I even need to list off examples?) The mystery that develops within the story unravels at just the right speed; assuring that readers understand backstory as they continue to unveil answers in an intensifying plot.

[Vanessa Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a real page turner!
I could not put this book down. Juniper is an 18 year old girl trying to find her way in Dreams Corp Onyx. Her best friend Chaz is with her along the way. There are class systems that Juniper questions and does not find fair. She loves her family and will do anything for them. However, she also wants to know what else is out there.

Juniper is expected to be the next prodigy of sleep banking.
This is set in a dystopian world where everything appears to be a utopia.

I loved that Juniper is fierce and willing to learn truths.

I haven't read YA in a while but I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for book 2!!

The Clockwise Chronicles : Nascent is a unique adventure that I can't wait to hop into again!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read this author before, but I am going to from now on.

Awesome sci-fi book. The best I've read in a while. There's a bit of a lull in the middle, but the end is electrifying and the premise is very interesting. It brings up many different view points and lets them linger in the reader's mind. And all of this philosophy is found in the middle of a fabulous and fast-paced, slightly futuristic story. Bitty Balducci clearly portrays the issues that is present in the book and provided excessive amount of detail to make me feel as if I was there with Juniper as she starts her journey to unravel the truth.

[Lady MP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah, I didn't think I enjoy sci-fi dystopian as much as I did with Nascent. The whole time, I kept thinking to myself, "OMG is this how we can..." "Who would play [insert character here] in the movie/series adaptation?"

It only takes one person's curiosity to spark the involvement of the right people to bring down those in power. Hrm... maybe something worth considering in today's world. It's tough to separate fiction from reality, but when reality starts to look a lot like fiction, well... it's hard not to see the parallels.

[Siblings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved the language, I loved the style!

It's always such a pleasure when a book surprises you by going in a direction you weren't expecting. “Nascent” by Balducci did just that, I thought I knew what was coming, I thought it would be what it seemed. Great action with lots of plot twists and ambiguously good/evil characters. It's a different POV than I've ever read in a Sci-fi book.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful sci fi dystopian novel. It follows Juniper as she begins to question Dream corps class system. She and her friend Chaz eventually find out there is life outside the cooperation. I really enjoyed going from one newly formed civilization to the next and seeing how each population managed to survive. There is plenty of suspense and intrigue and Dr Sona is an excellent book villain.

[Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nascent is a chilling and imaginative start to a dystopian trilogy. The concept of trading sleep as currency is both fascinating and terrifying, and the world of Dream Corp feels disturbingly believable. Juniper’s journey is emotional, tense, and deeply human.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me with its premise and kept me reading with its characters. Dream Corp is a haunting vision of a future where time itself is controlled, and Juniper’s awakening to the truth makes for a compelling and suspenseful story.

[Homo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the atmosphere of this book. The world feels tightly controlled, cold, and fragile, which perfectly mirrors Juniper’s internal struggle. Once the mystery begins to unfold, it’s hard to put down.

[Andrew Winterstudio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story feels uncomfortably close to reality in the best way. The collapse of society, the rise of Dream Corp, and the idea of monetizing rest all feel like natural extensions of today’s world. Thought-provoking and intense.

[Chris Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smart, mature take on post-collapse society. Rather than focusing on constant action, the story builds tension through structure, systems, and control. It’s refreshing and deeply engaging.