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A Clockwork War #1
The Clockwork War
Imagine that Queen Elizabeth I never ruled.
England and Scotland never unified.
It’s 1845 and the two countries are once more at war.
Mechanical genius Clara Lissing cares little for the war. She just wants to keep her five brothers safe. But when her youngest brother Tom enlists with the army everything she’s worked for starts to fall apart.
Clara goes to London to work with Duke Murgatroyd building a device that will bring an end to the fighting. Clara is determined to do her duty, help win the war and send everyone’s brothers home to safety.
But life in London brings with it the distracting presence of Gordy, Murgatroyd’s 18-year-old nephew. Gordy is a loose cog, twisting her clockwork life out of shape and making her think of things that aren’t work and duty.
Then Clara discovers Murgatroyd’s true plans for the army, the city, and England itself. With war reaching to the heart of London, Clara and Gordy must match duty with determination if they’re to save a nation.
PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU ARE SEEKING AN EBOOK COPY, THE CLOCKWORK WAR IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN SHATTERED WORLDS, A COLLECTION OF 21 EPIC YA STORIES. GRAB A COPY TODAY!
England and Scotland never unified.
It’s 1845 and the two countries are once more at war.
Mechanical genius Clara Lissing cares little for the war. She just wants to keep her five brothers safe. But when her youngest brother Tom enlists with the army everything she’s worked for starts to fall apart.
Clara goes to London to work with Duke Murgatroyd building a device that will bring an end to the fighting. Clara is determined to do her duty, help win the war and send everyone’s brothers home to safety.
But life in London brings with it the distracting presence of Gordy, Murgatroyd’s 18-year-old nephew. Gordy is a loose cog, twisting her clockwork life out of shape and making her think of things that aren’t work and duty.
Then Clara discovers Murgatroyd’s true plans for the army, the city, and England itself. With war reaching to the heart of London, Clara and Gordy must match duty with determination if they’re to save a nation.
PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU ARE SEEKING AN EBOOK COPY, THE CLOCKWORK WAR IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN SHATTERED WORLDS, A COLLECTION OF 21 EPIC YA STORIES. GRAB A COPY TODAY!
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2017
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777 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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Blurb:
Imagine that Queen Elizabeth I never ruled.
England and Scotland never unified.
It’s 1845 and the two countries are once more at war.
Mechanical genius Clara Lissing cares little for the war. She just wants to keep her five brothers safe. But when her youngest brother Tom enlists with the army everything she’s worked for starts to fall apart.
Clara goes to London to work with Duke Murgatroyd building a device that will bring an end to the fighting. Clara is determined to do her duty, help win the war and send everyone’s brothers home to safety.
But life in London brings with it the distracting presence of Gordy, Murgatroyd’s 18-year-old nephew. Gordy is a loose cog, twisting her clockwork life out of shape and making her think of things that aren’t work and duty.
Then Clara discovers Murgatroyd’s true plans for the army, the city, and England itself. With war reaching to the heart of London, Clara and Gordy must match duty with determination if they’re to save a nation.
PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU ARE SEEKING AN EBOOK COPY, THE CLOCKWORK WAR IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN SHATTERED WORLDS, A COLLECTION OF 21 EPIC YA STORIES. GRAB A COPY TODAY!
Blurb:
Imagine that Queen Elizabeth I never ruled.
England and Scotland never unified.
It’s 1845 and the two countries are once more at war.
Mechanical genius Clara Lissing cares little for the war. She just wants to keep her five brothers safe. But when her youngest brother Tom enlists with the army everything she’s worked for starts to fall apart.
Clara goes to London to work with Duke Murgatroyd building a device that will bring an end to the fighting. Clara is determined to do her duty, help win the war and send everyone’s brothers home to safety.
But life in London brings with it the distracting presence of Gordy, Murgatroyd’s 18-year-old nephew. Gordy is a loose cog, twisting her clockwork life out of shape and making her think of things that aren’t work and duty.
Then Clara discovers Murgatroyd’s true plans for the army, the city, and England itself. With war reaching to the heart of London, Clara and Gordy must match duty with determination if they’re to save a nation.
PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU ARE SEEKING AN EBOOK COPY, THE CLOCKWORK WAR IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN SHATTERED WORLDS, A COLLECTION OF 21 EPIC YA STORIES. GRAB A COPY TODAY!
April 9, 2018
A delightfully well told steampunk story.
The characters are vibrant, believable and interesting and the two protagonists, Clara and Gordy are a captivating pair.
Clara, an adept Tinker, independent and feisty, isn't quite sure what to make of exuberant Gordy: he who is probably only quiet when asleep, and perhaps not even then.
There's conspiracy afoot, secrets to uncover and intriguing steampunk devices to build.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story set in an alternate history where Queen Victoria never existed and England is currently at war with Scotland.
Haye is extremely adept at leading a reader into false assumptions and then takes great delight in pulling the rug out from beneath one's feet, and I find myself with not a leg to stand on, my assumption going down in a spiralling display of alarm. But how I do enjoy the twists!
The characters are vibrant, believable and interesting and the two protagonists, Clara and Gordy are a captivating pair.
Clara, an adept Tinker, independent and feisty, isn't quite sure what to make of exuberant Gordy: he who is probably only quiet when asleep, and perhaps not even then.
There's conspiracy afoot, secrets to uncover and intriguing steampunk devices to build.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story set in an alternate history where Queen Victoria never existed and England is currently at war with Scotland.
Haye is extremely adept at leading a reader into false assumptions and then takes great delight in pulling the rug out from beneath one's feet, and I find myself with not a leg to stand on, my assumption going down in a spiralling display of alarm. But how I do enjoy the twists!
October 29, 2017
This was a quick read. I enjoyed the alternative history aspects of the story. Instead of Queen Victoria, we have a boy-king Simon, and Scotland and England are still at war. Clara was a cool heroine, and her gift for tinkering with machines was fascinating. Gordy was the perfect foil to Clara. At first he was just entertaining, but the more we learned about him, the more intriguing he became and the more I rooted for him! I loved all the palace intrigue and family backstabbing going on too. The author did a nice job letting Clara's family weave into the story too. I don't read much steampunk, but this definitely makes me want to read more. The plot kept my attention and I look forward to Book 2.
August 2, 2020
Well this actually got me. I was gripped and each time a new thing came about I was blown away. I want to know how the war goes, what new machine will come next. How the tin men are made and what is wrong with Gordy and if Clara can help him. This was a well written story with great imaginative machines.
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January 29, 2018I wasn't feeling it. I couldn't connect with any of the characters.
March 20, 2018
England & Scotland had been at war for many yrs.
Princess Myrtle was murdered on her way to marry Scottish Prince James.
Tommy “Tom” (18, Gordy younger brother, nephew, Thomas) was joining the army whether Ms. Clara Lissing (project engineer, mechanical genius) liked it or not.
London, England. Nell “Button” & Gordon “Gordy” Crewn (older brother, 2nd. Duke of Ordwell, King Simon”s cousin) were out playing on the lawn. Quite a change from their daily humdrum life.
Duke Montgomery Murgatroyd (regent of King Simon) was coming along quite well.
Clara was introduced.
Would the mechanical soldiers work & do their duty?
Can Clara & Gordy save England?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & great font/writing style. A very well written paranormal book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great paranormal movie, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. I thought it was pretty cheesy so I will only rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free BookFunnel; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
Princess Myrtle was murdered on her way to marry Scottish Prince James.
Tommy “Tom” (18, Gordy younger brother, nephew, Thomas) was joining the army whether Ms. Clara Lissing (project engineer, mechanical genius) liked it or not.
London, England. Nell “Button” & Gordon “Gordy” Crewn (older brother, 2nd. Duke of Ordwell, King Simon”s cousin) were out playing on the lawn. Quite a change from their daily humdrum life.
Duke Montgomery Murgatroyd (regent of King Simon) was coming along quite well.
Clara was introduced.
Would the mechanical soldiers work & do their duty?
Can Clara & Gordy save England?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & great font/writing style. A very well written paranormal book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great paranormal movie, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. I thought it was pretty cheesy so I will only rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free BookFunnel; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
March 29, 2018
This is a dystopia fiction that has a Hunger Games like quality. This is a wonderfully imaginative environment created to have some realistic but mostly fictional bases to create a suspenseful engaging story. This is a story not just steampunk paranormal story but a story that spans the ideas of finding strength in yourself and understanding it’s not just where you come from but how you grow up, Nature Vs. Nurture. Being able to stand up for what you believe is right and trust and understanding. The story of Clara, an foundling, was adopted by a family in a mining community. She has grown up with brothers and after her “parents” die, as the only girl, she tries to keep the family together. She has the savant like ability to fix and create anything mechanical. In time of war, Clara is recruited to create weapons for England and defeat the Scots to create peace and bring her brother Tom home.
February 11, 2018
Iffy
I'm hoping that the series nails down the historical background and fills in some of the holes in the plot. The writing is not the worst but the bar for the free kindle books is low.
The war seems to be a thirteenth, fourteenth or fifteenth century affair of armed mobs occasionally clashing and in the meantime hiding in trenches? but with lots guns yet no sieges. The vagueness in that and the tech level and historical period make it an uncomfortable read.
Why does the Lord Regent of the kingdom send a duke to collect the heroine from a mining town out of all the tinkers in England. Character development is needed and the cast as written are all cartoon villains and good guys.
I'm giving the series a try but if the believability doesn't improve I won't finish the it.
I'm hoping that the series nails down the historical background and fills in some of the holes in the plot. The writing is not the worst but the bar for the free kindle books is low.
The war seems to be a thirteenth, fourteenth or fifteenth century affair of armed mobs occasionally clashing and in the meantime hiding in trenches? but with lots guns yet no sieges. The vagueness in that and the tech level and historical period make it an uncomfortable read.
Why does the Lord Regent of the kingdom send a duke to collect the heroine from a mining town out of all the tinkers in England. Character development is needed and the cast as written are all cartoon villains and good guys.
I'm giving the series a try but if the believability doesn't improve I won't finish the it.
June 16, 2018
Made me a fan of steam punk
Steam punk isn't really my thing but I really loved this. A young girl who loves tinkering with gadgets is asked to go to London and work for a Duke. Watch the revalations that her new position shows her. Does she have any allies? What is wrong with Londoners? What secrets do the metal soldiers hide? This ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared. It is a fast paced skillfully woven plot with characters that you will love and hate. A terrific read that will end up among your favourites even if like me you are not really a big fan of steam punk.
I received a copy for a honest review
Steam punk isn't really my thing but I really loved this. A young girl who loves tinkering with gadgets is asked to go to London and work for a Duke. Watch the revalations that her new position shows her. Does she have any allies? What is wrong with Londoners? What secrets do the metal soldiers hide? This ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared. It is a fast paced skillfully woven plot with characters that you will love and hate. A terrific read that will end up among your favourites even if like me you are not really a big fan of steam punk.
I received a copy for a honest review
March 10, 2018
Good first book - Makes you want to read the series!
Although this is not the genre that I would normally read, it held my interest throughout. The well developed characters are engaging and believable. The author brings us humor, mystery, light hearted romance, intrigue and a twist at the end into a cliffhanger. This story held my attention from the very beginning though to the end. The descriptions of the various mechanical devices were amazing. Katy Hay e is a very creative writer. Now I have to keep reading the series!
Although this is not the genre that I would normally read, it held my interest throughout. The well developed characters are engaging and believable. The author brings us humor, mystery, light hearted romance, intrigue and a twist at the end into a cliffhanger. This story held my attention from the very beginning though to the end. The descriptions of the various mechanical devices were amazing. Katy Hay e is a very creative writer. Now I have to keep reading the series!
March 18, 2018
I received a free book in exchange for an honest review. This book does end in a cliffhanger, but then I knew it would because it is a series. Gordy was a mystery that we still need to solve, it will be interesting to see what becomes of him. I do like steampunk novels, they are fun to read and always have some great machines in them. I do like Clara and will enjoy getting to know her better. I want to know more about what happened to Clara's brother Tom. I would recommend this to all who like steampunk.
October 16, 2017
I really liked this book. It was engaging and exciting, and I could hardly put it down. Clara is totally how I imagine a mechanical genius would be and (to me) is quite a relatable character, and I officially declare Gordy a cinnamon roll that should be protected at all costs. I am really curious to know what really happened to princess Myrtle (and McAllister), as I'm sure it's a story worth hearing, and I hope it's touched in the next books. I really hope I get to read the next one soon!
February 12, 2018
I really liked this book more then I expected. I like how the author mixed history up and came up with a story like this. I believe it would be great as a movie. I would highly recommend it, but be warned it does end on a cliffhanger.
My only negative is that I felt the main character Clara felt too young and I did not really believe that she is a great mechanic. I kept imagining her to be in her yearly twenties instead of her teens. But other then this I thought it was a great read.
My only negative is that I felt the main character Clara felt too young and I did not really believe that she is a great mechanic. I kept imagining her to be in her yearly twenties instead of her teens. But other then this I thought it was a great read.
March 23, 2018
This story is incredible and it has been a long time since I've read a steampunk novel and really enjoyed it. You'll enjoy Clara, the genius tinker and her strange friend, Gordy Murgatroyd. They uncover a sinister plot and try and save the King of England. I love ins and out of this story, just like the moving of a carefully crafted clock. I am looking forward to the continuation of this story in book two.
January 7, 2018
4.5 Stars!
I can't get enough of this author's work. Her unpredictable story lines, unique characters, and vivid worlds just 'do it' for me. I read The Clockwork War in one sitting and closed the book highly satisfied, sad the story was over for now, and eager for the sequel. A magical urban fantasy that leaps off the page.
I can't get enough of this author's work. Her unpredictable story lines, unique characters, and vivid worlds just 'do it' for me. I read The Clockwork War in one sitting and closed the book highly satisfied, sad the story was over for now, and eager for the sequel. A magical urban fantasy that leaps off the page.
April 5, 2018
Its 1845 and the countries having failed to unite in the past are at war. Clara Lissing, is a mechanical genius, there is no machinery that she cannot fix and so she is recruited to help the English in the war. But is all that it seems. There is a cliffhanger at the end.
An enjoyable alternate history story.
An enjoyable alternate history story.
April 15, 2021
This was a quick, fun read. The steampunk aspect of the world-building was super intriguing, and I really wanted more information on the world and on what was going on in it. I also never really fully grasped the purpose of Clara's inventions. Hopefully these details will be explored more in the sequels.
November 6, 2017
This book was okay. I read it as part of the Shattered Worlds box set. The characters were interesting enough but there just wasn't enough oomph. It fell flat because the story was just okay. It wasn't horrible though....
January 1, 2018
Steampunk
This was a good story and definitely steampunk although not quite like others I've read in the past. There's mystery, a quick plot, fun characters and a giant twist (or two) towards the end. Can't wait for the next one
This was a good story and definitely steampunk although not quite like others I've read in the past. There's mystery, a quick plot, fun characters and a giant twist (or two) towards the end. Can't wait for the next one
March 9, 2018
Steampunk, altered history and mystery
What could be better than Steampunk, altered history and a little mystery to boot? From the beginning it just draws you into this adventure. Can a female tinker(who ever heard of such a thing) save two countries? Clara’s going to try.
What could be better than Steampunk, altered history and a little mystery to boot? From the beginning it just draws you into this adventure. Can a female tinker(who ever heard of such a thing) save two countries? Clara’s going to try.
April 20, 2018
3.5/5.0
This riveting and unique story sure packs a wallop, with an unforgettable idea and easily relatable characters.
Read full review in the 2018 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This riveting and unique story sure packs a wallop, with an unforgettable idea and easily relatable characters.
Read full review in the 2018 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 27, 2017
Fun story about an alternate timeline in English history. Really enjoyed the characters and their adventures.
December 17, 2017
Great start to a new steampunk series - original and intriguing! Can't wait for the next instalment.
March 25, 2018
clara lissing goes to London to work with Duke Murgatroyd to build a device to stop the fighting. Quite enjoyable read. I loved how this book combined romance, history and steampunk.
May 27, 2021
Excellent character-development and the world is wonderfully described. I love this series and I highly recommend it.
August 2, 2019
Very well-done. Imaginative writing and interesting plot with great characters. There is a lot going on in this story. It’s an exciting, dramatic tale with lots of action. This is book #1 in a series. I can’t wait to read the others in the series.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews