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The Clockmaker's Son
She would burn the world for him. He would run away from her to save her.
In the distant realm of Fennra, some are born with rare gifts while others are born with nothing at all.
But Rue, plain by birthright, is far from ordinary. She carries a dark curse of unknown origins. The chaos that ensues is the last thing she needs as she works to escape the clutches of the Volings, carnivorous monsters determined to wipe out the mortal race.
After Rue's best friend disappears, Rue and her caretaker make a daring escape to wintry Fennra, a realm bordering Dagger Sea, where a grand castle and clocktower promise safe harbor. As Rue settles into her new home, she makes new friends and attends classes every day in an attempt at normalcy, even as she struggles with the harsh reality of her past, including keeping the secret of her curse.
But a normal life remains out of reach when a strange, mechanical bird leads Rue to forbidden corridors full of old magic and mysterious doors that open other realms. It's there she meets an unusual boy named Thomassen who, despite his hot temper and instant dislike for Rue, might just be the stubborn ally she needs as she begins to uncover how her destiny ties to dark secrets about the realms and the fate of the kingdom itself.
In the distant realm of Fennra, some are born with rare gifts while others are born with nothing at all.
But Rue, plain by birthright, is far from ordinary. She carries a dark curse of unknown origins. The chaos that ensues is the last thing she needs as she works to escape the clutches of the Volings, carnivorous monsters determined to wipe out the mortal race.
After Rue's best friend disappears, Rue and her caretaker make a daring escape to wintry Fennra, a realm bordering Dagger Sea, where a grand castle and clocktower promise safe harbor. As Rue settles into her new home, she makes new friends and attends classes every day in an attempt at normalcy, even as she struggles with the harsh reality of her past, including keeping the secret of her curse.
But a normal life remains out of reach when a strange, mechanical bird leads Rue to forbidden corridors full of old magic and mysterious doors that open other realms. It's there she meets an unusual boy named Thomassen who, despite his hot temper and instant dislike for Rue, might just be the stubborn ally she needs as she begins to uncover how her destiny ties to dark secrets about the realms and the fate of the kingdom itself.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 2, 2026
A Refreshing Read!
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to, not because I didn’t have faith in the author, but because it reminded me what the classic 3am “just one more chapter” excitement feels like! Fantasy is my go-to genre. I truly never get bored with it but the storylines can get predictable. I am not complaining at all, this is simply an observation that only came to me as I was reading The Clockmakers Son. Picture this: you’re happily chowing down on some good old fashioned M&M’s then suddenly you crunch down on a Peanut Butter M&M (or whatever your fav is) and it’s an unexpected burst of joy in an already great day. That’s what The Clockmakers Son felt like for me. It’s just… different. The characters, the play on clocks, the creativity. I’m not the greatest at reviews because I hardly write from a critic perspective. I rate books based off of how they make me feel and this one felt refreshing. It never once felt predictable and I think part of that was to do with the fact that the story didn’t revolve around faeries, dragons, witches, etc. like most popular fantasy books do right now. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some faeries and dragons, but the “clock” concept was like a glitch in my brain because I didn’t know how to piece together a prediction and it was ✨glorious✨ for my ADHD brain. It kept me focused and invested into every tiny detail. I also appreciate the authors ability to invoke a little heartbreak along the way AND still provide closure. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the read! This is the authors first published book which makes it all the more impressive. I can’t wait to read more of her work!
Oh… and I fully intend on purchasing a physical copy as well. I read this on my Kindle but it deserves a spot on my bookshelf 😌
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to, not because I didn’t have faith in the author, but because it reminded me what the classic 3am “just one more chapter” excitement feels like! Fantasy is my go-to genre. I truly never get bored with it but the storylines can get predictable. I am not complaining at all, this is simply an observation that only came to me as I was reading The Clockmakers Son. Picture this: you’re happily chowing down on some good old fashioned M&M’s then suddenly you crunch down on a Peanut Butter M&M (or whatever your fav is) and it’s an unexpected burst of joy in an already great day. That’s what The Clockmakers Son felt like for me. It’s just… different. The characters, the play on clocks, the creativity. I’m not the greatest at reviews because I hardly write from a critic perspective. I rate books based off of how they make me feel and this one felt refreshing. It never once felt predictable and I think part of that was to do with the fact that the story didn’t revolve around faeries, dragons, witches, etc. like most popular fantasy books do right now. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some faeries and dragons, but the “clock” concept was like a glitch in my brain because I didn’t know how to piece together a prediction and it was ✨glorious✨ for my ADHD brain. It kept me focused and invested into every tiny detail. I also appreciate the authors ability to invoke a little heartbreak along the way AND still provide closure. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the read! This is the authors first published book which makes it all the more impressive. I can’t wait to read more of her work!
Oh… and I fully intend on purchasing a physical copy as well. I read this on my Kindle but it deserves a spot on my bookshelf 😌
February 9, 2026
If you love the fantasy genre like I do, you'll be thrilled with this one! I absolutely loved 'The Clockmaker's Son'!
In short (no spoilers): Rue, our intrepid protagonist, bravely flees the clutches of the cruel Sullivan and seeks refuge in the mysterious Leavenfell Castle. Then she embarks on a thrilling adventure to find her missing friend, Fang. As she uncovers secrets about her past—including a werewolf bite and a dangerous prophecy—Rue is drawn into hidden magic, dark forces, and mysteries locked behind enchanted clock doors.
Rue's journey felt so real to me—her fear, her strength, her loneliness, and her perseverance despite the world's attempts to crush her.
The characters feel like family: Fang, Arthur, and Nora. Their love, loyalty, and heartbreak stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Prepare to be swept away into a world full of danger, mystery, and hope. It made me laugh and cry, and it made me believe in the power of love.
This book is a gem! It gives me Cassandra Clare's vibes, and that makes it a favorite of mine right off the bat!
In short (no spoilers): Rue, our intrepid protagonist, bravely flees the clutches of the cruel Sullivan and seeks refuge in the mysterious Leavenfell Castle. Then she embarks on a thrilling adventure to find her missing friend, Fang. As she uncovers secrets about her past—including a werewolf bite and a dangerous prophecy—Rue is drawn into hidden magic, dark forces, and mysteries locked behind enchanted clock doors.
Rue's journey felt so real to me—her fear, her strength, her loneliness, and her perseverance despite the world's attempts to crush her.
The characters feel like family: Fang, Arthur, and Nora. Their love, loyalty, and heartbreak stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Prepare to be swept away into a world full of danger, mystery, and hope. It made me laugh and cry, and it made me believe in the power of love.
This book is a gem! It gives me Cassandra Clare's vibes, and that makes it a favorite of mine right off the bat!
April 29, 2026
I really enjoyed this read. It had a lot of mystery and twists. I enjoyed the characters and the relationships that grew and changed through the story. I really liked the volings because it was a fresh take on supernatural evil to me. The storyline was paced well and I found myself wanting to see what happens next. The romance was minimal but enough for a nice subplot. Looking forward to the next book!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews