The White City

The Clockwork Dark #3

by John Claude Bemis

The year is 1893. From all across the globe, thousands travel to visit Chicago’s World’s Fair. It is a place of wonders: the White City, with its gleaming buildings modeled on the ideals of ancient Greece; an enormous mechanical wheel designed by Mr. Ferris; and the Hall of Progress—a building of the future where clockwork men operate mysterious machines…

Ray and his friends are at the fair, too, but they haven’t come to celebrate. The Gog has somehow survived the destruction of his Pitch Dark Train, and his infernal Machine is nearly complete, hidden in the Gloaming near the fair. To make matters worse, the Gog now holds the Nine Pound Hammer, the only weapon that can destroy the Machine. Ray and his friends will have to bring all their powers to bear and sacrifice much as they face the Gog and his army, and confront a Darkness beyond imagining.

In The Nine Pound Hammer, Bemis introduced readers to a whole new approach to epic fantasy, founded on characters and themes from American mythology and folklore. Now, in the third and final book, it’s man versus machine all over again, fighting for the soul of humanity in front of Ferris’s Wheel.

Genres: Fantasy, Steampunk, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Historical Fiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published August 23, 2011

About the author

From the author website;
I’ve always been fascinated by trains. My grandfather hopped trains all over the country in his “hobo days” and filled my head with curious stories of America’s lost past. Those stories, I suppose, were the beginnings of my first novel, The Nine Pound Hammer.

I grew up in rural eastern North Carolina by a swampy creek on the Neuse River. Yes, I’ve been bitten by a water moccasin, but fortunately not by an alligator. When you live in a county with just one stoplight, you learn how to entertain yourself. As a kid, I read a lot, played in tobacco barns, swam in the river when the jellyfish weren’t too thick, and learned violin and guitar.

Eventually playing classical violin in youth orchestras and playing electric guitar in a bunch of terrible rock and punk bands led me to American roots music. I’m partial nowadays to vintage country or blues, Cajun or bluegrass, anything with a fiddle or a musical saw. Some friends and I formed a band Hooverville and put out a pair of CDs of original songs. They’re fun to listen to if you like that kind of music.

At UNC-Chapel Hill, I studied Art History and Elementary Education. I taught elementary school for twelve years, mostly 4th and 5th grades as well as being a Gifted Education resource teacher. I got a chance in the classroom to teach the books I loved so much as a kid and discovered a lot of incredible new children’s literature along the way. But something seemed to be missing from my class’s bookshelf: fantasy based on America’s folklore.

Through old-timey music, I became fascinated with the way America’s myths have been passed down through songs. Drawing on the legend of John Henry’s struggle against the steam drill, I thought about how Southern folklore could be turned into epic fantasy. This passion grew into my first novel, The Nine Pound Hammer, a story set in a mythical 19th-century America full of traveling hoodoo conjurers, cowboys, swamp mermaids, and steamboat pirates. The adventures continue in The Wolf Tree and The White City, the other books in the Clockwork Dark trilogy.

I live the small-town life in Hillsborough, North Carolina with my wife, Amy, and daughter, Rose. We spend a lot of time hiking on the trails around our house, going into town for chocolates and coffees, or encouraging our overweight cat Max to run around some.

Reviews

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theme of human freedom vs. soulless machine goes back a long way but it still works when it's done well. Here, for instance.
Following V2, the Gog is setting up his Great Machine at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, after which all of humanity will become obedient cogs in a world-machine. Ray and the Ramblers have to create the spike that can slay the machine; recover the magic hammer that can drive it into the machine's heart; and to do all that they have to reach Chicago despite being scattered hither and yon, and the Gog's army of defenses.
A very satisfactory finish to the trilogy. I'm surprised Bemis didn't work in the serial killings that took place during the fair, but the book was jam-packed already.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trilogy concludes, everything comes to an end and we say goodbye to characters we have known for a span of 3 books. There is great battles, festival adventures, continuity of traditions, technological discoveries, murder, revenge, redemption, shocking secrets revealed, and of course the great Wheel of Ferris!

[Kathy Hale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the whole thing but it is not a stand alone book. Some of the characters are interesting but I might listen again after I read the first two.

[Casle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this series once again. Great production of a unique and wonderful series of books. I couldn't chose which character was my favorite because they're all amazing. Even Stacker-Lee.

[Felicity Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a series you can dip in and out of at whim, as with most trilogies The Clockwork Dark books must be read in order.

Marketed as being particularly suitable for those aged 8 to 13, as an adult I can testify this is just as worthy a read for those a lot older. And personally I'd regard the series as being more suitable for the upper age limit and above and because of some of the content would advise caution for younger or more sensitive readers.

Set partly in the 1883 World Fair, I thought the historical context combined with the fantastical a work of genius. The characters, flawed enough to give them depth. And that's just the 'goodies' ... the 'baddies', delightfully evil. I found myself not just curious about what would become of Ray and co but actually losing sleep needing to know. The multiple plot lines coming together nicely, all wrapped up in, what else but an exciting battle between good and evil. Yes, I think it fair to say this is a series I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper

[Harry Brake · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can jump into a third book of a series and stay with it and be intrigued, captured, and mesmerized, then heck, it has to be good! Such was the case with John Clause Bemis' book. This mix of the nostalgic, historical, and fantastical combined under one setting takes you back and forth to contemplate what past and future events could do to change the heritage known as America. From Bill Cody, to the Chicago World's Fair, this literal circus of events will carry you past the first couple pages of "What's going on?" and thrust you in this battle for what is right and pure in the world. Unless you start with the first book, which probably will allow yourself to be more clear on the plot from the very beginning. I have no urge to read the first two as I was completely content with the rich detail of this text, even though I am reluctant to start with the third book in a series again. Kudos to John laude Bemis and his accomplishment to pull you into a labyrinth of adventure.

[Books Ahoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Save the best for last" is definitely a true statement because out of all of the books in the series this is the best by far because this is the book where all loose ends are tied. This final book in the trilogy contained so much emotion and action. The constant emotion was great but also sad to a point where I was on the verge of tears. The suspense in this book is really heart pounding, keeping me constantly surprised and wondering what's going to happen next. The relationships in this book are done developing and turn out to be really cute and sad at the same time. Most, if not all, of the questions and mysteries are cleared up and answered. Overall, this is a great book about sacrifice and love.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Clockwork Dark Trilogy. This was a great series. It was clearly written for a younger audience, but has all of the requirements for a great fantasy read It has an orphaned kid with mysterious parents, who comes across a rag tag bunch of other kids with unusual powers. All the while hunting for the big bad guy that is plotting for the doom of all mankind. This was a great conclusion to the series, there multiple plot lines going as characters were spread all over the country for a while , but things of course were wrapped up in the end with an exciting climax/battle. It is nice to read fantasy that occurs in the US.

[Jenne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate it when a series starts out so good and intriguing and fails so badly with the conclusion. This last book in the Nine Pound Hammer Trilogy just sucked. I listen to the mp3 audio books for all three, but only on this book was I constantly checking which part I was on hoping I was near the end. That started on part 2 of 10!

It took so long to get all the people to the White City that I really couldn't care about what happened to any of the characters by the end.

I have never been so glad to be done with a book.

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The White City was an enjoyable read but in my opinion it is the weakest of the Clockwork Dark Trilogy. In this volume the Ramblers travel to the Chicago World Fair in pursuit of the GOG and his clockwork machine. I thought this volume was as well written as the others but lacked the comraderie between the characters that I enjoyed so much. In this volume the characters spend much of the time seperated from Nel and each other. I liked this book but it was a disappointing finish to a strong series.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as much as the other two. It may have been because I was reading a chapter a day with Eli, which dragged the book out over a month and a half, but I think it's more likely that it was because it got overly complicated with too many characters doing too many different things. Also, for a middle grades book, it was quite violent. Overall, though, I thought this was a great, creative series, and I really enjoyed the American mythology aspect.

[Dan Shonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the Clockwork Dark trilogy doesn't disappoint. John Claude Bemis does a nice job of blending historical fiction and fantasy. The characters are interesting, and pull the reader through all three books. (You'll miss them when you finish this book.) The villains are exceptionally evil, and the good guys are flawed enough to give them depth. The trilogy is a blast to read, and well worth your time.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion of the Clockwork Dark has many twists and turns as Ray and company end up at the Chicago World’s Fair, where the Gog has rebuilt his terrible machine. The machine’s evil can be seen in the gray faces of those who were forced to build it. Destroying the machine will take courage and ingenuity. Most of all there is a pressing time by which the machine and the Gog must both be destroyed for if either survives the evil cycle will start again.

[༺Kiki༻ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:

✱ The Half-Made World
✱ His Dark Materials

[Susan Baumgartner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very strong 4. Great ending to a very good series. Mr. Bemis manages to bring it all together at the end of this one. There are no perfect ending here- just satisfying. Bittersweet. I want more of this type of tale for readers of all ages to enjoy and explore.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hated the ending. People who were supposed to sacrifice themselves actually didn't, and people who weren't supposed to sacrifice themselves actually did. I know that's cryptic, but it's also true. And annoying.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be the slowest book in the trilogy. The three books should have been two. The chase was much too long. As with the others, however, the prose is good, and I find the characters thoroughly engaging.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought Si was brave when she volunteered for the one to hold the spike that can kill the machines heart. Then it gives Ray time to kill the Gog, or Grevol with Nel. the Gog's cane breaks when the Machine heart dies.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the only book in the series with an actual year: 1893, and location: the Chicago World's Fair.
The plot is nearly overwhelmed by the weighty influence of Rowling's: "Deathly Hallows."
I was disappointed that Bemis did not address the assassination of President Garfield.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful audio book. The narrator is excellent and the musical interludes are fun to listen to.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice finish to the trilogy. Some unexpected parts ... some for the good and others less so. Still. For a random pick off the shelves I'm satisfied!

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third and final of the series. A great wrap-up of the story-line and characters! Bravo to Bemis for writing a solid YA series that could easily cross over to an adult read!

[Sara]

August 23, 2011

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. What fun and entertaining novels. You really come to love the characters, which makes reading the books so much more exciting. I can't wait to read these with the boys someday.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often I will read the first book of a trilogy, enjoy it, then skim books two and three to find out what happens. This trilogy had me reading to the end. Well done, Mr. Bemis!

[Margy Wallace]

Good

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series! Fascinating Steampunk take on the old legends of the American West. It involves the sons of John Henry and his friend Little Bill. Loved loved loved all three books!!