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The Harsh are bombarding the Warehouse, the Resisters, the Sleepers and all who are protecting it - Owen, the sleepers, the Raggies at the workhouse, and time itself. What a great story!

Owen has made friends in this place within Time. He doesn't understand all that is happening, but he is the linchpin that everything revolves around. His friend Cati, daughter of a Watcher, saves him several times. What is the Mortmain and why did his father have it before he died? What is the chest with the words JM Gobillard e Fils written on it? Why is it Owen's old house?

I don't know how I missed reading this book! Action, intrigue, mysteries, sci-fi, steam punk, time travel and more. Owen lives in a rundown home with his invalid mother. His father is dead - not sure how yet. He is a loner, who is bullied. He has a secret place near the river, of which he is terrified of. Suddenly everything he knew is gone - now it's the Harsh, Resisters, Warehouse, Watchers, and the Workhouse.

The Grim Captain, a once sinful seafarer now driven by redemption for his unknown crime, comes in clutch. And, given the fact that I had never heard reference to him prior (I would remember such an odd addition to the cast), we have yet another deus ex machina- he enters stage right, scaring the bad guys away and saving the heroes just in time.

There are signs of life in the story and writing, but there are also many dull moments that detract from the book. In addition, some plot points over the last ~70 pages were deus ex machina-adjacent, if nor full blown cop out plot points. Big minus in my book.