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Two Monarchies Sequence #4
Clockwork Magician
Peter has lived most of his life in the assurance of two comfortable convictions. One, that he is always the cleverest person in the room; and two, that when it comes to magic, he does not make mistakes.
His ability to make—or keep!—friends has been less successful, and despite the fact that Peter enters the University of Mechanics as the youngest student in all of his classes, the disquieting conclusion that he might not always be the cleverest person in the room slowly begins to creep over him.
When he tries to impress his classmate, Miss Stoneflange, with his latest time-altering device, things go disastrously wrong.
Now, Peter has a new conviction: namely, that whenever Miss Stoneflange is involved, something will inevitably go wrong. Worse, it doesn’t seem possible for him to stop making mistakes around her.
Peter will need to decide who is the biggest threat to the timely continuation of the Two Monarchies: Miss Stoneflange and her ability to set things wrong, or himself and his own rash determination to be always right…
His ability to make—or keep!—friends has been less successful, and despite the fact that Peter enters the University of Mechanics as the youngest student in all of his classes, the disquieting conclusion that he might not always be the cleverest person in the room slowly begins to creep over him.
When he tries to impress his classmate, Miss Stoneflange, with his latest time-altering device, things go disastrously wrong.
Now, Peter has a new conviction: namely, that whenever Miss Stoneflange is involved, something will inevitably go wrong. Worse, it doesn’t seem possible for him to stop making mistakes around her.
Peter will need to decide who is the biggest threat to the timely continuation of the Two Monarchies: Miss Stoneflange and her ability to set things wrong, or himself and his own rash determination to be always right…
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2020
34 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Gingell
46 books1,086 followersW.R. Gingell is a Tasmanian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn’t seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 12, 2023
I had been putting off reading this - and y’all, the first half is infuriating - but now I’m so glad I read it. This series is so well done. I adore the concepts and the romances and the world and the plots. So good.
January 8, 2021
Lovely! I laughed out loud a LOT. I LOVE horrible protagonists like Peter, and the ways he's forced to grow and change and repent in this book made it one of the more heartfelt of the Two Monarchies books.
September 30, 2020
Adorable
Oh my gosh, how I adored this. Peter is ever so slightly abominable, but he grows! And Glenna is such fun and oh my gosh I love it. THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. And utterly confusing. And now I have to read them all over again!!
Oh my gosh, how I adored this. Peter is ever so slightly abominable, but he grows! And Glenna is such fun and oh my gosh I love it. THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. And utterly confusing. And now I have to read them all over again!!
July 3, 2023
The last chapter!! 😭 Did not expect to be choking up over Peter!
This has my favourite romance in the series, hands down.
This has my favourite romance in the series, hands down.
September 16, 2021
I rate books selfishly. That is to say, not according to their objective merit, but according to my personal enjoyment (or lack thereof). So while YOU may be surprised that I have not given this book an enthusiastic four stars like the other Two Monarchies installments, /I/ can only be surprised that I have given it so much as three.
That’s because this book not only involves, but is /all about/, time travel.
Time travel, I tell you! Can I convey to you my soul-deep abhorrence of time travel? No, I cannot, and so I shall not try. Merely know, then, that halfway through this book I nearly put it down for good because I /could not/. It was the time travel. I loathe, abhor, hate, detest, and despise it utterly. What it does to history and reality and truth and other characters and the Nature of Things. Just UGH.
I managed to squint my eyes very tightly, though, and enjoy Peter’s adventures around the edges.
Peter, if you’ve read the other Two Monarchies books, you know as a wretched little blighter who thinks he knows everything (because he does know a lot) and somehow gets mixed up in time travel adventures where he really doesn’t know what he’s doing. He is still that at the beginning of this book and is a wiser and sadder boy by the end. You get more of a peek into his mind and his life, and it’s almost sad. Maybe he feels the need to push himself forward so because he feels like his mother doesn’t care about him. Maybe he has a chip on his shoulder because of how his stepfather treats him. Maybe he needs to be right, and in control, and the smartest person in the room, because he’s so unimportant to the people who should by rights care most of all. I don’t know, it isn’t dwelt on. But I felt sad for him, though not enough that it wasn’t thoroughly satisfying to watch him be humbled.
I suppose I could also have ended up giving this three stars for the characters? Peter and Glenna are good characters, but I wouldn’t just absolutely die for them the way I would for Annabel and Isabella and Melchior. And Poly. Poly’s appearances in this were the best parts, as usual. She’s literally everyone’s mum and I love it so much.
And even though it was time-travelly and therefore awful, if you really REALLY squint it’s a lot of fun to see all the other books come together in this one, even the apology to Annabel. The ending was so very lovely and hopeful.
Recommended to everybody who doesn’t completely loathe time travel, especially if they like snotty smart-aleck heroes and cold, private, prickly heroines.
That’s because this book not only involves, but is /all about/, time travel.
Time travel, I tell you! Can I convey to you my soul-deep abhorrence of time travel? No, I cannot, and so I shall not try. Merely know, then, that halfway through this book I nearly put it down for good because I /could not/. It was the time travel. I loathe, abhor, hate, detest, and despise it utterly. What it does to history and reality and truth and other characters and the Nature of Things. Just UGH.
I managed to squint my eyes very tightly, though, and enjoy Peter’s adventures around the edges.
Peter, if you’ve read the other Two Monarchies books, you know as a wretched little blighter who thinks he knows everything (because he does know a lot) and somehow gets mixed up in time travel adventures where he really doesn’t know what he’s doing. He is still that at the beginning of this book and is a wiser and sadder boy by the end. You get more of a peek into his mind and his life, and it’s almost sad. Maybe he feels the need to push himself forward so because he feels like his mother doesn’t care about him. Maybe he has a chip on his shoulder because of how his stepfather treats him. Maybe he needs to be right, and in control, and the smartest person in the room, because he’s so unimportant to the people who should by rights care most of all. I don’t know, it isn’t dwelt on. But I felt sad for him, though not enough that it wasn’t thoroughly satisfying to watch him be humbled.
I suppose I could also have ended up giving this three stars for the characters? Peter and Glenna are good characters, but I wouldn’t just absolutely die for them the way I would for Annabel and Isabella and Melchior. And Poly. Poly’s appearances in this were the best parts, as usual. She’s literally everyone’s mum and I love it so much.
And even though it was time-travelly and therefore awful, if you really REALLY squint it’s a lot of fun to see all the other books come together in this one, even the apology to Annabel. The ending was so very lovely and hopeful.
Recommended to everybody who doesn’t completely loathe time travel, especially if they like snotty smart-aleck heroes and cold, private, prickly heroines.
March 17, 2020
Although this isn't my favorite of the series, it is well worth reading. I will say, a reader must exercise patience to put up with Peter and Glenna through the first three-quarters of the book until they both begin to grow up and get a clue--especially Peter--but his character arc is worth the wait.
The tie-ins to the earlier books are complex and really fun.
Now I need to read the whole series through in order!
The tie-ins to the earlier books are complex and really fun.
Now I need to read the whole series through in order!
October 15, 2024
W. R. Gingell is on fire with this series. Hilarious characters crazy magic and adventures all very originally written in a new word with mind bending time lines. And this time with an extremely infuriating Hero on his journey to be less insufferable.
June 9, 2024
Hmmm. Time wimey stories tend to wind me up with their erratic logic and hand waving anyway. Then bring in Peter, a protagonist who has so far been extremely arrogant and annoying, even if he's clearly Having A Growth Arc. Also the plot of this one is so entangled with the other books, especially book 1 (Spindle) that it's a bit tricky to keep track if you haven't read it for a while. Kind of like one of the more confusing type of Dr Who episodes. It does mean we see some old favourite characters and there are some cute moments. Also that this series remains markedly original and hard to pin down.
What I will say is that while Peter was being presented to us as cocky and rude and self absorbed, I thought the female MC Glenna also unlikeable and rude and self absorbed, and much of her interaction with him in the first half amounted to "you're wrong, I don't like you, and I won't explain except I'm a year older. Go away." Which doesn't excuse some of Peter's decisions, but I found myself much more "team Peter" than perhaps the authorial voice was aiming for. I'm not sure - the decision to use Peter's sole POV was clever and may have been intended to do that.
Final personal thought. Peter going off to university with an unshakeable intellectual confidence and yet having no idea how to talk to girls sensibly does put me in mind a little of another young man long ago. One who even now can't watch Big Bang Theory because it reminds him excruciatingly of his undergrad days. Though I'd like to think I was never as arrogant as Peter is here.
What I will say is that while Peter was being presented to us as cocky and rude and self absorbed, I thought the female MC Glenna also unlikeable and rude and self absorbed, and much of her interaction with him in the first half amounted to "you're wrong, I don't like you, and I won't explain except I'm a year older. Go away." Which doesn't excuse some of Peter's decisions, but I found myself much more "team Peter" than perhaps the authorial voice was aiming for. I'm not sure - the decision to use Peter's sole POV was clever and may have been intended to do that.
Final personal thought. Peter going off to university with an unshakeable intellectual confidence and yet having no idea how to talk to girls sensibly does put me in mind a little of another young man long ago. One who even now can't watch Big Bang Theory because it reminds him excruciatingly of his undergrad days. Though I'd like to think I was never as arrogant as Peter is here.
March 1, 2020
Kept me reading into the night
Loved every moment read this book and all the others in this series. The twists and turns sucked me into the story and I went along for the ride with Peter and Glenna, who has the same name as me which made it easier to feel that I was right there traveling along side them.
Loved every moment read this book and all the others in this series. The twists and turns sucked me into the story and I went along for the ride with Peter and Glenna, who has the same name as me which made it easier to feel that I was right there traveling along side them.
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December 17, 2025It is a amazing how well the author handled the time travel in this story. Time travel which usually doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, seemed to make sense here. The attention to detail was amazing. It was great seeing how parts that happened in the previous books fit into this book.
But I just didn’t like Peter or Glenna that much. They both had a lot of growing up to do, and unfortunately that didn’t happen to near the end of the book.
It also didn’t help that I read Masque right before Clockwork Magician and Isabella is the best character ever.
Also I was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of information we got on how magic works. Most books I read I complain that the magic isn’t explained enough, this book I’m complaining that it’s explained too much. Ah, there’s no pleasing me! 😂
I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if we got to see the Peter that Glenna falls in love with and marries. We were just starting to see that side of Peter, and then the story ends.
On to the next W R Gingell book! ❤️
But I just didn’t like Peter or Glenna that much. They both had a lot of growing up to do, and unfortunately that didn’t happen to near the end of the book.
It also didn’t help that I read Masque right before Clockwork Magician and Isabella is the best character ever.
Also I was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of information we got on how magic works. Most books I read I complain that the magic isn’t explained enough, this book I’m complaining that it’s explained too much. Ah, there’s no pleasing me! 😂
I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if we got to see the Peter that Glenna falls in love with and marries. We were just starting to see that side of Peter, and then the story ends.
On to the next W R Gingell book! ❤️
March 28, 2020
Not as good as the first three books but still enjoyable.
Peter (Annabel's friend from book three) is now going to the university, and he thinks that he is all that! He runs into a girl who really is all that, but he refuses to believe that someone knows as much if not more than he knows and so sparks fly - unfortunately they are thrown into a time travelling extravaganza together and must learn to work together to get back to their time and fix the things that Peter messed up!
It got confusing at times, especially if time has elapsed since reading the other stories, because the times they are going back to have to do with parts of the other three stories.
A clean and mad-cap ride.
Peter (Annabel's friend from book three) is now going to the university, and he thinks that he is all that! He runs into a girl who really is all that, but he refuses to believe that someone knows as much if not more than he knows and so sparks fly - unfortunately they are thrown into a time travelling extravaganza together and must learn to work together to get back to their time and fix the things that Peter messed up!
It got confusing at times, especially if time has elapsed since reading the other stories, because the times they are going back to have to do with parts of the other three stories.
A clean and mad-cap ride.
April 18, 2020
This was an odd read. I didn't like either of the main characters for probably 80 percent of the book. I finished it because I'd read the first 3 books of the Two Monarchies Sequence and loved them, love this author (pick up her 'Between' series, it's wonderful!) It's been too long since I read the first three books so I was mentally playing catch-up with the story line and characters. Despite not liking the MC's at first, the story is good and has a very cool twist that ties everything together at the end. The ending just makes this story and made me genuinely like the characters after I understood the story line. Now I want to go back and re-read the series and enjoy how W. R. Gingell ties everything together and the teases she puts in previous stories. What fun!
October 22, 2020
I enjoyed this book as is, but I'm definitely going to have to reread the series to pick up what I've forgotten/missed. I absolutely loved Peter's character arc. Very satisfying. My only complaint is that the book ended. The world could do with more Peter and Glenna. Not to mention Luck and Poly. :)
December 28, 2020
I usually love Gingell's Two Monarchies books, but this one had a thoroughly unlikeable protagonist with a limited redemption arc... eh.
January 3, 2023
I finished and I'm sort of sad. Though.
This was looking like it was going to be my first read of 2023, but I sort of forgot that Gingell writes plots and characters of depth and complexity, so it's sometimes worth it to slow down and take some time with her books. Even still, I probably would have plunged straight on through except. Except the main character is the most annoying and infuriating character for a solid 60+ percent of the book. And I needed a break. So I read two other books and a manga somewhere after reaching the 60% mark, and then went to bed and finished this book today after a good night's sleep. (Yes, that was a lot of reading for a single day. My best New Year's in many years).
If you've read the Two Monarchies Sequence in order, you know who this book is about, and you know that it's probably going to be a bit of a rough ride here until Peter learns some life lessons and grows up a bit. But I've been drawing out and savoring this series, so it wasn't fresh in my mind. Also, both Peter and Melchior irritated me about equally in Blackfoot (as did Annabel from time to time). So I had no idea how much and to what degree Peters was going to annoy me until I got into this one.
Here's the thing. Gingell is a gifted writer. And she's marvelously gifted at character - creating complex, believable ones, putting them into believable relationships and interactions with other, equally complex and believable characters, and having them grow and change in complex and believable ways. It's mostly a delight to read and follow her characters. And Peter is completely believable throughout. And, even at his most infuriating, he remains at least somewhat sympathetic...sort of...at least the reader understands his thought process and where he's coming from as he makes mistake after mistake. So I never wanted to hurl my Kindle across the room or anything like that. I just needed a break for a while. All the people Peter deals with across the course of the book need breaks from him too.
I found myself wondering if I've ever disliked a character as intensely as I did Peter in this book somewhere in the middle of the book, and the one that somewhat unexpectedly popped into my head is the nameless main character of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca...which I tried and failed to finish at least three times because of how much she bugged me. And I don't even remember her as being annoying, so much as appallingly naïve. Anyway, later today, after finishing the book, I thought of first Eustace, and then Edmund from C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and I think they are probably each that annoying. Only neither of them are actually the main character during the books when they are the most annoying. Peter is the main character. It makes him harder to deal with, but it also makes him harder to just write off...because we are in his head, and perhaps because of that, I did understand where he was coming from and why he was saying and doing the horrible things he said and did.
Don't remember at whatpercent of the book this is, but there's an abuse of power and a kidnapping. I read the whole thing as a metaphor for sexual assault, although honestly I don't think that was the author's intent. But it seemed clear to me as I was reading it...that's not where I set the book aside, but I did start to have serious reservations about how redeemable Peter was, and about his future relationship with Glenna, which was already a known because of the first book in this series. By the end I did feel better about it...it takes a believably long time for Peter to truly acknowledge his wrongs in any kind of real or useful way (which is trying for the reader, but is so believable I really respect Gingell for dragging it out, and including all Peter's missteps, since that's what makes it believable). There's an element of The Time Traveller's Wife in this book, and I would love to have more on Peter and Glenna's relationship development in the future. We get Peter's first meeting with Glenna, but I really want Glenna's first meeting with Peter. And more.
I love Poly and Luck in this book. It's always nice to see them again, but I really enjoyed their appearance in this book.
This is a book that made me think of lots of other books, most of which I noted above, and one of which remains teasingly just beyond conscious awareness at present. I did really enjoy the character growth, the complexity and believability of Peter’s character, and the final 30 or so % of the book. I mean, I enjoyed all of it, and as with its predecessors, can see myself rereading it because of the layering in the plot. But I’m more likely to skim big chunks of this one than the others. Would really love a second Peter and Glenna book.
This was looking like it was going to be my first read of 2023, but I sort of forgot that Gingell writes plots and characters of depth and complexity, so it's sometimes worth it to slow down and take some time with her books. Even still, I probably would have plunged straight on through except. Except the main character is the most annoying and infuriating character for a solid 60+ percent of the book. And I needed a break. So I read two other books and a manga somewhere after reaching the 60% mark, and then went to bed and finished this book today after a good night's sleep. (Yes, that was a lot of reading for a single day. My best New Year's in many years).
If you've read the Two Monarchies Sequence in order, you know who this book is about, and you know that it's probably going to be a bit of a rough ride here until Peter learns some life lessons and grows up a bit. But I've been drawing out and savoring this series, so it wasn't fresh in my mind. Also, both Peter and Melchior irritated me about equally in Blackfoot (as did Annabel from time to time). So I had no idea how much and to what degree Peters was going to annoy me until I got into this one.
Here's the thing. Gingell is a gifted writer. And she's marvelously gifted at character - creating complex, believable ones, putting them into believable relationships and interactions with other, equally complex and believable characters, and having them grow and change in complex and believable ways. It's mostly a delight to read and follow her characters. And Peter is completely believable throughout. And, even at his most infuriating, he remains at least somewhat sympathetic...sort of...at least the reader understands his thought process and where he's coming from as he makes mistake after mistake. So I never wanted to hurl my Kindle across the room or anything like that. I just needed a break for a while. All the people Peter deals with across the course of the book need breaks from him too.
I found myself wondering if I've ever disliked a character as intensely as I did Peter in this book somewhere in the middle of the book, and the one that somewhat unexpectedly popped into my head is the nameless main character of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca...which I tried and failed to finish at least three times because of how much she bugged me. And I don't even remember her as being annoying, so much as appallingly naïve. Anyway, later today, after finishing the book, I thought of first Eustace, and then Edmund from C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and I think they are probably each that annoying. Only neither of them are actually the main character during the books when they are the most annoying. Peter is the main character. It makes him harder to deal with, but it also makes him harder to just write off...because we are in his head, and perhaps because of that, I did understand where he was coming from and why he was saying and doing the horrible things he said and did.
Don't remember at whatpercent of the book this is, but there's an abuse of power and a kidnapping. I read the whole thing as a metaphor for sexual assault, although honestly I don't think that was the author's intent. But it seemed clear to me as I was reading it...that's not where I set the book aside, but I did start to have serious reservations about how redeemable Peter was, and about his future relationship with Glenna, which was already a known because of the first book in this series. By the end I did feel better about it...it takes a believably long time for Peter to truly acknowledge his wrongs in any kind of real or useful way (which is trying for the reader, but is so believable I really respect Gingell for dragging it out, and including all Peter's missteps, since that's what makes it believable). There's an element of The Time Traveller's Wife in this book, and I would love to have more on Peter and Glenna's relationship development in the future. We get Peter's first meeting with Glenna, but I really want Glenna's first meeting with Peter. And more.
I love Poly and Luck in this book. It's always nice to see them again, but I really enjoyed their appearance in this book.
This is a book that made me think of lots of other books, most of which I noted above, and one of which remains teasingly just beyond conscious awareness at present. I did really enjoy the character growth, the complexity and believability of Peter’s character, and the final 30 or so % of the book. I mean, I enjoyed all of it, and as with its predecessors, can see myself rereading it because of the layering in the plot. But I’m more likely to skim big chunks of this one than the others. Would really love a second Peter and Glenna book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2022
I didn’t think I’d like this.
In this book, Peter goes to a university and is intrigued by a girl, Glenna, who ignores him. Peter tries to prove himself to her, and he eventually transports both of them through time. Their time travel creates a rift that needs to be mended. Both Glenna and Peter think they know what is best, and things get worse when they try to mend the hole they’ve made.
I did not plan on reading this book because the online book reviews of Peter were not positive. And I didn’t want to read more about Mordion, either. (I’ll comment on Mordion later, all good things.) Pretty much everyone online said Peter was painful to read. I actually did not find him as awful as others did. Peter does not try to be malicious. He’s just blind to his own faults, as we all are. He sees the world in black and white (typical for a teenager), and he’s confident that he’s right. He’s also powerful and believes he knows what’s best. But if people are able to help him see that he’s being annoying, he grins about it and accepts the blame. He does not apologize, but he tries to fix things.
Again, Peter is not malicious, and for this reason, I don’t mind him. The only time I’m really irritated with Peter is after his biggest mistake. But my annoyance dissipates pretty quickly once Peter’s emotions crack.
It surprised me to discover that Glenna has as many or even more problems than Peter. She does not try to communicate with him at the beginning of the book, and she has a lot of growth that needs to take place as well.
I like that the author did not try to delve into the nature of their family problems. Gingell simply dealt with how the characters could overcome their faults by working together.
In fact, can I just say that I was super impressed with the author’s writing in this book? The flawed characters were so masterfully written! I was awed that Gingell could write someone as complex as Peter. His thinking was so flawed, yet it also made sense that he couldn’t see his flaws.
Another reason I wasn’t keen on reading this book was because I was tired of Mordion. I braced myself with the anticipation that the main characters would be interacting with him a lot. But that wasn’t the case at all. Mordion was only in a few scenes. Most of the book was about Glenna and Peter learning to work together. If anything, we saw more of Luck and Poly then we did of Mordion, which made me happy.
It was a fun read, and I enjoyed watching the characters grow. It’s definitely worth reading.
In terms of violence, there was a somewhat unnecessary scene where the floor was covered in blood and body parts. It lasted a couple pages, and it looked like things were described in a very Gingell way. I skimmed it.
In this book, Peter goes to a university and is intrigued by a girl, Glenna, who ignores him. Peter tries to prove himself to her, and he eventually transports both of them through time. Their time travel creates a rift that needs to be mended. Both Glenna and Peter think they know what is best, and things get worse when they try to mend the hole they’ve made.
I did not plan on reading this book because the online book reviews of Peter were not positive. And I didn’t want to read more about Mordion, either. (I’ll comment on Mordion later, all good things.) Pretty much everyone online said Peter was painful to read. I actually did not find him as awful as others did. Peter does not try to be malicious. He’s just blind to his own faults, as we all are. He sees the world in black and white (typical for a teenager), and he’s confident that he’s right. He’s also powerful and believes he knows what’s best. But if people are able to help him see that he’s being annoying, he grins about it and accepts the blame. He does not apologize, but he tries to fix things.
Again, Peter is not malicious, and for this reason, I don’t mind him. The only time I’m really irritated with Peter is after his biggest mistake. But my annoyance dissipates pretty quickly once Peter’s emotions crack.
It surprised me to discover that Glenna has as many or even more problems than Peter. She does not try to communicate with him at the beginning of the book, and she has a lot of growth that needs to take place as well.
I like that the author did not try to delve into the nature of their family problems. Gingell simply dealt with how the characters could overcome their faults by working together.
In fact, can I just say that I was super impressed with the author’s writing in this book? The flawed characters were so masterfully written! I was awed that Gingell could write someone as complex as Peter. His thinking was so flawed, yet it also made sense that he couldn’t see his flaws.
Another reason I wasn’t keen on reading this book was because I was tired of Mordion. I braced myself with the anticipation that the main characters would be interacting with him a lot. But that wasn’t the case at all. Mordion was only in a few scenes. Most of the book was about Glenna and Peter learning to work together. If anything, we saw more of Luck and Poly then we did of Mordion, which made me happy.
It was a fun read, and I enjoyed watching the characters grow. It’s definitely worth reading.
In terms of violence, there was a somewhat unnecessary scene where the floor was covered in blood and body parts. It lasted a couple pages, and it looked like things were described in a very Gingell way. I skimmed it.
February 19, 2022
This book was fantastic! I had so much fun with this book. The connections and the very real character growth were fantastic.
I admit that I had some reservations about even starting to read this book because of Peter. I mean, he's Peter. I don't think I need to add more to that. He is very flawed and he has an immense lack of social awareness in all his interpersonal interactions. But after all the books I had read from WR Gingell, I decided to put my trust in her ability as an author and in her writing. I am glad that I did. There were so many things that finally came together in this book and shone that I would not have missed it for the world.
Plus, we get this honest and real struggle with pride and ego that Peter goes through and is still going through. I love how Peter is still the Peter we know from the other books when we finally experience his POV. I have read too many books where we are put in a character's POV who was previously horrible or wicked and suddenly their character is completely different without any justification, it is just accepted that since they are the main character now, they are going to be a decent person. That doesn't happen here. He is still the same annoying Peter and his character growth isn't immediate. It's a real struggle and an ongoing process that he is going to have for a while with himself. He has been this way for his whole life. The way his character growth is written is actually believable instead of sudden or forced.
I love the connections made in this book and I really can't talk about my favorite ones without any spoilers but they are really cool. I made one as soon as I heard the love interest's name but I don't want to take the discovery process away from anyone. I could probably fangirl for a while with someone who had read the book about all the cool things that happened.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is already enjoying this series and who loves real character growth.
Romance Content: Clean. Kisses and hugs.
I admit that I had some reservations about even starting to read this book because of Peter. I mean, he's Peter. I don't think I need to add more to that. He is very flawed and he has an immense lack of social awareness in all his interpersonal interactions. But after all the books I had read from WR Gingell, I decided to put my trust in her ability as an author and in her writing. I am glad that I did. There were so many things that finally came together in this book and shone that I would not have missed it for the world.
Plus, we get this honest and real struggle with pride and ego that Peter goes through and is still going through. I love how Peter is still the Peter we know from the other books when we finally experience his POV. I have read too many books where we are put in a character's POV who was previously horrible or wicked and suddenly their character is completely different without any justification, it is just accepted that since they are the main character now, they are going to be a decent person. That doesn't happen here. He is still the same annoying Peter and his character growth isn't immediate. It's a real struggle and an ongoing process that he is going to have for a while with himself. He has been this way for his whole life. The way his character growth is written is actually believable instead of sudden or forced.
I love the connections made in this book and I really can't talk about my favorite ones without any spoilers but they are really cool. I made one as soon as I heard the love interest's name but I don't want to take the discovery process away from anyone. I could probably fangirl for a while with someone who had read the book about all the cool things that happened.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is already enjoying this series and who loves real character growth.
Romance Content: Clean. Kisses and hugs.
July 13, 2021
Oh my goodness. I loved every minute of this book. I rather disliked Peter in Blackfoot so I wasn't sure I would enjoy whole book about him, but was simply dying for more of the series in general so decided to give Clockwork Magician a shot. Somehow in this book he's still just as flawed as he was in Blackfoot but I LOVE him.
Things I loved about the book:
Peter - he's a guy with problems. And we get to see the consequences of those problems and how he responds when he sees the consequences of his problems.
Grenna - she's such a mystery, and so standoffish, and yet I instantly want to know more about her.
Time travel - no explanation needed, except that it's really cool how scenes in this book fit in, like puzzle pieces, with scenes in previous books in the series. Very well executed.
Clockwork - I find Gingell's combination of clockwork and magic super unique. Nothing is trite or predictable in this universe.
The supporting characters - we know many of them from the earlier books in the series, and it is fantastic to get to see more of them.
Also, scones. And Diana Wynne Jones vibes.
Things I loved about the book:
Peter - he's a guy with problems. And we get to see the consequences of those problems and how he responds when he sees the consequences of his problems.
Grenna - she's such a mystery, and so standoffish, and yet I instantly want to know more about her.
Time travel - no explanation needed, except that it's really cool how scenes in this book fit in, like puzzle pieces, with scenes in previous books in the series. Very well executed.
Clockwork - I find Gingell's combination of clockwork and magic super unique. Nothing is trite or predictable in this universe.
The supporting characters - we know many of them from the earlier books in the series, and it is fantastic to get to see more of them.
Also, scones. And Diana Wynne Jones vibes.
December 17, 2021
Here’s the thing about writing Peter. He’s unlikable but I like that the author knows and doesn’t try and create some fake reason why he’s justified to be so. Often you as the reader have to be reminded that just because an author writes a character a certain way and has people respond to them a certain way doesn’t mean that is how the interaction would truly go or how you need to consider it and I enjoyed that tug between the portrayal of Peter as being offended but pulling back and seeing his unreliability as a narrator. I think there is generally a main character fixation creates odd ideas for people and while I don’t enjoy Peter as much as the other characters I do enjoy the extra dimension this gave his story.
July 19, 2020
I was hesitant to read this because I had read several reviews saying the whole book was the main characters fighting painfully and that for three quarters of the book they were completely unlikable. There certainly was a lot of fighting, and MASSIVE amounts of character growth necessary, but it was well worth it! And despite the cringeworthy immaturity of certain main characters *ahemPeterahem*, it was not all angst. There are several great side characters involved in the book as well as some old favorites, and it’s truly lovely to see the growth and change in Glenna and (most especially) Peter.
August 16, 2024
I’m so sad to rate this one below 5 stars. I adore all other books I’ve read by this author, and I did love Glenna…but Peter took soooo long to have any character growth that I started to get frustrated. Then it happened quickly, which was cute (I liked the inclusion of their older selves, but I wish it’d started to happen more a bit earlier.
I enjoyed the time travel, and it’s an interesting way to do it. I love the way magic works in this world, and it was a treat to see Poly and Luck again.
I enjoyed the time travel, and it’s an interesting way to do it. I love the way magic works in this world, and it was a treat to see Poly and Luck again.
April 23, 2020
Gingell is a very talented writer and I have enjoyed her Two Monarchy series. While this is not one of my favorites and didn't pick up until half way through the book, I loved being able to see Polly and Luck again (though not enough) and getting to know Peter better. I didn't connect as much to his story line but I was still entertained and happy to throw myself back into their world. This whole series is a definite must read for me.
June 13, 2020
This is my least favorite of the otherwise excellent Two Monarchies sequence. Peter is such an unlikeable character and the book spends way too much time on the thinking that leads to his very poor decisions and on his fraught non-relationship with Glenna Stoneflange. The ever-present villain is wearing out his welcome, too. The last third of the book is much better, delivering a satisfying conclusion (?) to the sequence, but it's a slog getting there.
December 27, 2025
I forgot how insufferable Peter is. For some reason he's even harder to bear a second time around, maybe because he doesn't even really start to grow up until the 60% mark. Like I'm glad he realized he was heading down the villain path and decided to choose a different route, I just don't think this is the best example of this trope even from this author. I think I'll be skipping this one next time I get the urge to reread this series.
May 11, 2021
It's a time travel book, which I don't generally like, but I wanted to read this part of the story. Peter and Glenna are travelling through time, trying to fix it, and learn more about themselves and each other in the process. There's a little too much immaturity/animosity for me to buy a romantic relationship.
October 5, 2022
Peter's story
I'm not sure what took me so long to read this book but I absolutely loved it. It was fun to see the growth in Peter as he realized that he could be wrong about things and that he had treated people poorly in the past. I really enjoyed getting to know Glenna and connecting the dots with previous books. Quite the wild ride.
I'm not sure what took me so long to read this book but I absolutely loved it. It was fun to see the growth in Peter as he realized that he could be wrong about things and that he had treated people poorly in the past. I really enjoyed getting to know Glenna and connecting the dots with previous books. Quite the wild ride.
March 12, 2020
Satisfying!
I'd been waiting for this book to come out and it fulfilled all my expectations. I do so appreciate character growth, and I knew there would be some based on the clues from the other books in the series. Thank you W.R. Gingell!
I'd been waiting for this book to come out and it fulfilled all my expectations. I do so appreciate character growth, and I knew there would be some based on the clues from the other books in the series. Thank you W.R. Gingell!
November 23, 2020
What a delightful story, mischief and misadventure, with a lot of dashing here and there to keep the reader on their toes. I loved getting to know the characters and to see how they managed the challenges the writer set before them.
October 8, 2021
I find time travel stories a bit difficult and twisty. This one isn’t my favorite of the bunch. It’s hard to see the real growth of Peter in such a short time but we get glimpses. Very twisty. Glad I didn’t save this until it was the last book.
February 17, 2020
‘Twas the beta version. it kept me reading into the wee hours of the night and I can’t wait to see the finalized version! ❤️❤️
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