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The Clockwork Nightingale's Song
In the automated Vauxhall Floating Gardens, high above the smoggy streets of London, Nightingale No. 48 is refusing to sing. Stern mechanic Shem Holloway brings in the Gardens' brilliant but arrogant inventor, Lord Marchmont, to fix the broken automaton. But the clockwork nightingale has a secret, and soon both men find themselves questioning whether they should be trying to fix a mechanical heart at all.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2019
4 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Amy Rae Durreson
34 books385 followersAmy Rae Durreson is a quiet Brit with a degree in early English literature, which she blames for her somewhat medieval approach to spelling, and at various times has been fluent in Latin, Old English, Ancient Greek, and Old Icelandic, though these days she mostly uses this knowledge to bore her students. Amy started her first novel a quarter of a century ago and has been scribbling away ever since. Despite these long years of experience, she has yet to master the arcane art of the semicolon. She was a winner in the 2017 Rainbow Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 24, 2020
3.5 Stars
A whimsical sentimental steampunk.
When a nightingale clockwork doesn’t sing on cue for the masses at the famed Vauxhall Gardens, park engineer Shem has no choice but to notify the creator that something has gone wrong. As he and Lord Marchmont try to figure things out, it becomes apparent that the answers aren’t clear cut and that they have more in common than they think.
A very nice message that everyone - with a real heart or not - deserves love and companionship. Sweet, simple, and heartwarming.
A whimsical sentimental steampunk.
When a nightingale clockwork doesn’t sing on cue for the masses at the famed Vauxhall Gardens, park engineer Shem has no choice but to notify the creator that something has gone wrong. As he and Lord Marchmont try to figure things out, it becomes apparent that the answers aren’t clear cut and that they have more in common than they think.
A very nice message that everyone - with a real heart or not - deserves love and companionship. Sweet, simple, and heartwarming.
April 27, 2024
5 stars.
Lovely novella, set in a fantasy "steam punk" - London.
I'm so happy I found this author, her writing is so beautiful. This was yet another novella by Amy Rae Durreson that has already the feel of comfort (re)read for me.
Sham, a mechanic at the automated Vauxhall floating gardens, and the inventor Lord Marchmont (Gabriel), work together to fix one of Marchmont's creations, the clockwork nightingale nr. 48.
I loved how the nightingale's mechanical repair was central to the story, as she had an empathy circuit and had fallen in love but couldn't fly (yet). I loved watching both men get slowly closer over their months of collaboration, Marchmont changing from arrogant lord to endearing companion, and Sham opening himself to the possibility of happiness.
It's astonishing to me that in this short novella there was space for world building, mechanical inventions, a subtle blossoming of romance and even discussion of class differences and the (sexual) exploitation of boys and girls by the upper class.
Lovely novella, set in a fantasy "steam punk" - London.
I'm so happy I found this author, her writing is so beautiful. This was yet another novella by Amy Rae Durreson that has already the feel of comfort (re)read for me.
Sham, a mechanic at the automated Vauxhall floating gardens, and the inventor Lord Marchmont (Gabriel), work together to fix one of Marchmont's creations, the clockwork nightingale nr. 48.
I loved how the nightingale's mechanical repair was central to the story, as she had an empathy circuit and had fallen in love but couldn't fly (yet). I loved watching both men get slowly closer over their months of collaboration, Marchmont changing from arrogant lord to endearing companion, and Sham opening himself to the possibility of happiness.
It's astonishing to me that in this short novella there was space for world building, mechanical inventions, a subtle blossoming of romance and even discussion of class differences and the (sexual) exploitation of boys and girls by the upper class.
September 29, 2019
Awwwwww this is so sweet!
It's a short story and I did leave it wishing for a little bit more, but lovely, a perfect sleepy-time read.
Interesting world and characters, loved the Nightingales.
It's a short story and I did leave it wishing for a little bit more, but lovely, a perfect sleepy-time read.
Interesting world and characters, loved the Nightingales.
March 11, 2022
Amy Rae Durreson is a master of worldbuilding. The setting is so vivid and breathtaking (and in contrast, society dark and unforgiving) you want to spend more than mere 40 pages there. If you love steampunk, you would love this for sure.
June 2, 2024
This was great! I usually don't read books that are less than 50 pages but I'm very happy I gave this one a chance! Because it's Amy Rae Durreson, the writing was amazing and the historical details were on point and that consistency is one of the reasons she's a top author for me.
The creative worldbuilding blew me away and was one of my favorite aspects. I haven't read a lot of steampunk fantasies but the few I've tried were mostly Victorian-era fantasies instead of the alternate history/steam-based-tech-dominates-society version that the subgenre requires. In this book, the author went all in with the worldbuilding to demonstrate what kind of cool tech the Victorian era could have had if they had taken steam/mechanical based tech a lot of further instead of switching focus to electricity. Having one MC be an upper class inventor and another be a working class engineer gave the author the perfect opportunity to showcase a lot of the cool tech that's used in this world. I especially loved that all of the tech was strongly connected to real-world places and concepts from that time period (ex. Shem works in one of the popular pleasure gardens (which were a real thing) except this one contains mechanical birds and the entire garden rises up into the clouds for several hours every night; Gabriel's servants are mechanized automatons instead of humans).
I also adored the slowly developing romance between the MCs. Gabriel comes across as an arrogant Earl at first but when Shem realizes that the guy has a sense of humor, his intelligence and work ethic entitles him to some arrogance, and that his main focus in life is his inventions, Shem warms up to him quickly. Their dynamic was one that I love in class divide historical romances: Shem is the jaded, working class guy while Gabriel is the privileged, somewhat naïve but always kind and well meaning one. Having them bond over their shared love of building/repairing mechanical things was also great, as was having Gabriel enjoy spending time in Shem's parts of the world (like the staff canteen at the gardens). Admittedly, I didn't understand if we were supposed to take the 'empathy chip' situation with the malfunctioning bird automaton at face value or not and I wasn't as emotionally invested in the plight of the poor confused real nightingale that had mistakenly fallen in love with the automaton nightingale, but having Gabriel be deeply impacted by the plight of both birds showcased his compassion and his dedication to doing what he believes is the right thing.
The romance was paced perfectly for the short length. The author did a great job picking which scenes to convey through telling and which ones to do through showing so we got tons of really great bonding scenes but enough time passes so that the growing romance between the MCs feels realistic.
The only downside to this little gem is that it's little. The story cuts off right when the MCs decide to get together and I felt it was a fitting and nice place to end the story but I know some readers don't feel fulfilled unless a romance shows/eludes to a sex scene happening and the ending is followed by an epilogue so YMMV. I ended up with another issue. I loved the story so much that I wanted to spend much more time with these characters and this world and as a result, I was left wanting more and I don't feel it would be fair to give the story 5 stars. In addition, the author conveniently saved herself the hassle of having to explain how two people from such different social classes end up navigating a successful long term romance and I didn't like having that step skipped. There are a lot of questions left unanswered about the MCs' futures and I would have liked to have a bit more closure.
But despite the tiny niggles I had with it, I strongly recommend this wonderful gem if you're at all interested in steampunk romances or if you'd like to see what the subgenre is all about.
The creative worldbuilding blew me away and was one of my favorite aspects. I haven't read a lot of steampunk fantasies but the few I've tried were mostly Victorian-era fantasies instead of the alternate history/steam-based-tech-dominates-society version that the subgenre requires. In this book, the author went all in with the worldbuilding to demonstrate what kind of cool tech the Victorian era could have had if they had taken steam/mechanical based tech a lot of further instead of switching focus to electricity. Having one MC be an upper class inventor and another be a working class engineer gave the author the perfect opportunity to showcase a lot of the cool tech that's used in this world. I especially loved that all of the tech was strongly connected to real-world places and concepts from that time period (ex. Shem works in one of the popular pleasure gardens (which were a real thing) except this one contains mechanical birds and the entire garden rises up into the clouds for several hours every night; Gabriel's servants are mechanized automatons instead of humans).
I also adored the slowly developing romance between the MCs. Gabriel comes across as an arrogant Earl at first but when Shem realizes that the guy has a sense of humor, his intelligence and work ethic entitles him to some arrogance, and that his main focus in life is his inventions, Shem warms up to him quickly. Their dynamic was one that I love in class divide historical romances: Shem is the jaded, working class guy while Gabriel is the privileged, somewhat naïve but always kind and well meaning one. Having them bond over their shared love of building/repairing mechanical things was also great, as was having Gabriel enjoy spending time in Shem's parts of the world (like the staff canteen at the gardens). Admittedly, I didn't understand if we were supposed to take the 'empathy chip' situation with the malfunctioning bird automaton at face value or not and I wasn't as emotionally invested in the plight of the poor confused real nightingale that had mistakenly fallen in love with the automaton nightingale, but having Gabriel be deeply impacted by the plight of both birds showcased his compassion and his dedication to doing what he believes is the right thing.
The romance was paced perfectly for the short length. The author did a great job picking which scenes to convey through telling and which ones to do through showing so we got tons of really great bonding scenes but enough time passes so that the growing romance between the MCs feels realistic.
The only downside to this little gem is that it's little. The story cuts off right when the MCs decide to get together and I felt it was a fitting and nice place to end the story but I know some readers don't feel fulfilled unless a romance shows/eludes to a sex scene happening and the ending is followed by an epilogue so YMMV. I ended up with another issue. I loved the story so much that I wanted to spend much more time with these characters and this world and as a result, I was left wanting more and I don't feel it would be fair to give the story 5 stars. In addition, the author conveniently saved herself the hassle of having to explain how two people from such different social classes end up navigating a successful long term romance and I didn't like having that step skipped. There are a lot of questions left unanswered about the MCs' futures and I would have liked to have a bit more closure.
But despite the tiny niggles I had with it, I strongly recommend this wonderful gem if you're at all interested in steampunk romances or if you'd like to see what the subgenre is all about.
June 5, 2024
This short story or novelette, not sure, has great worldbuilding, a perhaps too-careful mechanic, and a highly eccentric inventor. Dark themes are touched on but not shown. I loved it for its core of genuine goodness.
March 6, 2025
4.5⭐
Beautiful short story in a steampunk world. It has a fairytale-like quality in the otherwordly setting and the message it delivers.
Beautiful short story in a steampunk world. It has a fairytale-like quality in the otherwordly setting and the message it delivers.
March 28, 2022
WHERE is my twenty volume series of these two exploring various parts of this steampunk London I ask you??
April 6, 2020
Durreson does great world building and this short story is a steampunk gem. If you're looking for a grand romance, this is quiet. The nightingale is a scene stealer. Zippity-quick read.
April 5, 2020
I'm not going to say too much about the particulars of The Clockwork Nightingale's Song other than it is sweet, intriguing, attention-grabbing, with likable(dare I say lovable? yes, I dare because Shem Holloway and Lord Marchmont are characters I'd love to know even if I don't particularly want to live in a world with steampunk creations😉😉) characters. This may be a short story and that can be hard to pull off in science fiction/steampunk and still create the world building I want to get lost in with so few pages. Amy Rae Durreson has done a marvelous job of doing just that. I was so immersed in the story that when the last page swiped I was shocked to realize I completely lost track of time and though it may have only been about 45-50 minutes, I could have swore I just sat down and opened my kindle. To me when an author can trigger that loss of time for the reader, I know I read a gem. I also know that if the author ever has plans to revisit the world of Nightingale, I'll be first in line to read them.
April 8, 2020
When Nightingale No. 48 at the Vauxhall Floating Gardens refuses to sing, Shem Holloway and Lord Marchmont, mechanic in the garden and brilliant inventor, find themselves working together to understand and solve the problem. Soon, they find themselves spending lots of time together forging an unlikely friendship which seems to move to different feelings. But it is as impossible for them to find happiness as it is for poor nightingale 48… or is it?
Lovely, so sweet steampunk short story, with the exact amount of all the ingredients that make a story perfectly balanced and utterly enjoyable… I simply loved it!
Lovely, so sweet steampunk short story, with the exact amount of all the ingredients that make a story perfectly balanced and utterly enjoyable… I simply loved it!
June 10, 2020
I believe I may have a weak spot for this semi-tsundere trope where a character falls in love with another but can't imagine overcoming the barriers between them, so they don't even try. (Is that even a tsundere?) I liked this one quite a lot.
However, the worldbuilding in this one felt... there, but not as well fleshed out as it usually is; Durreson seemed to rely on pre-existing knowledge of London, which unfortunately I do not have much of, and steampunk tropes, which I have more of but haven't found myself deeply interested in historically past the #aesthetic.
Good, quick read. I'd read more in this world if the author were ever inclined to revisit it.
However, the worldbuilding in this one felt... there, but not as well fleshed out as it usually is; Durreson seemed to rely on pre-existing knowledge of London, which unfortunately I do not have much of, and steampunk tropes, which I have more of but haven't found myself deeply interested in historically past the #aesthetic.
Good, quick read. I'd read more in this world if the author were ever inclined to revisit it.
May 21, 2022
So sweet and adorable!
I both wish this story was longer and am content with how the story ended.
The author did such a creative and well written way of incorporating a heartfelt message about love and life. Despite the fact that this is a short story, the romance wasn’t rushed or unnatural. It didn’t end with the couple having a ‘love of my life’ established relationship, but you’re left with the premise that the possibility is there. I especially love that Shem stuck to his guns about his beliefs and didn’t cave to those initial shallow temptations to contradict his character. It made the development so much more endearing.
I both wish this story was longer and am content with how the story ended.
The author did such a creative and well written way of incorporating a heartfelt message about love and life. Despite the fact that this is a short story, the romance wasn’t rushed or unnatural. It didn’t end with the couple having a ‘love of my life’ established relationship, but you’re left with the premise that the possibility is there. I especially love that Shem stuck to his guns about his beliefs and didn’t cave to those initial shallow temptations to contradict his character. It made the development so much more endearing.
February 23, 2020
Charming steampunk mm short story
March 2, 2020
Review to come.
March 8, 2020
Really sweet.
March 17, 2020
This was a really cute story. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had read it before though. The plot seemed so familiar!
February 10, 2022
How can such a little story be so lovely and full of so many of my favorite things?!
July 22, 2022
Absolutely lovely.
October 5, 2020
I like it
This is a fun, quick, low-drama read. I appreciate those qualities a great deal, sometimes you're Just not in the right mindedness to have your heart trampled upon. This short story will not trample you in any way whatsoever.
This is a fun, quick, low-drama read. I appreciate those qualities a great deal, sometimes you're Just not in the right mindedness to have your heart trampled upon. This short story will not trample you in any way whatsoever.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews