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Clockwork & Old Gods Book One: Incursion
The Old Gods are gone. For a thousand years they have remained silent, no longer interfering in mortal affairs, leaving their creation to fend for itself. And fend for itself it has. As the Gods have lain silent magic has faded. Steam powered and clockwork technology has begun to slowly fill the gap, and many question whether they ever needed the Gods at all. Now they begin to stir again.
A dark rainy night, and a murderer is on the loose in the city of Marsten. For the Watch, ever vigilant protectors of Marsten, it is no ordinary crime. Runes have been drawn in the victim's blood, magical inscriptions that call on unknown powers for an unknown purpose. To make matters worse the culprit is a Summoner – a rogue mage capable of conjuring and controlling demons. For the murderer, a man named Noman, it's a living hell. He remembers nothing of his life before Marsten, and knows only that a malevolent voice is forcing him to pursue a sinister agenda. Meanwhile, a celebration of technological innovation draws inventors and technologists from across the continent to showcase their projects. Murder fueled magic races on a collision course with steam powered progress as Old Gods watch. As the conflict unfolds, Noman struggles to regain his past and wrest control of his future at the center of a plan that will save or damn the world.
A dark rainy night, and a murderer is on the loose in the city of Marsten. For the Watch, ever vigilant protectors of Marsten, it is no ordinary crime. Runes have been drawn in the victim's blood, magical inscriptions that call on unknown powers for an unknown purpose. To make matters worse the culprit is a Summoner – a rogue mage capable of conjuring and controlling demons. For the murderer, a man named Noman, it's a living hell. He remembers nothing of his life before Marsten, and knows only that a malevolent voice is forcing him to pursue a sinister agenda. Meanwhile, a celebration of technological innovation draws inventors and technologists from across the continent to showcase their projects. Murder fueled magic races on a collision course with steam powered progress as Old Gods watch. As the conflict unfolds, Noman struggles to regain his past and wrest control of his future at the center of a plan that will save or damn the world.
ebook
First published February 3, 2013
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About the author
Mark A. Sargent
1 book4 followersMark lives in Colorado with his wife and two rabbits. He works as an IT guy by day and masquerades as a writer by night (and as a GM on the weekends). He’s a tabletop gamer, lover of fantasy and sci-fi books, fountain pen enthusiast, and just this guy, you know?
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 4, 2013
I find myself drawn into anything that has to do with steampunk lately. It is very rare that I find something worth reading to the end. Clockwork & Old Gods Book One: Incursion is one of those rare books, it has the feel of an epic fantasy mixed in with steam and coal powered machines.
What you have here is a mix of characters all starting at out different points in the story. You know a lot of what is going on but at the same time there is mystery as to what the entire picture is going to be, this is what keeps you reading. They all eventually group up with one another to face an evil that threatens to destroy their world as they know it. As you might be able to guess the story is told from multiple points of view, and you learn a little about everyone. I love when I read a book that has this going on in it. . .I don't like knowing only what one person sees and does.
Right from the get go you know who the "bad guy" is and what he is doing. The things you don't know is why he is doing this, and why he fights so hard against it. This kept me reading at first, but as more and more people were introduced it was their point of views that kept me interested in what was going to happen next.
I'm having a hard time explaining exactly what it is that I loved so much about this book, but if I had to choice something it would be the way Mark Sargent was able to seamlessly mix something as off the wall as steampunk with fantasy. Magic, demons, and crazy contraptions made for a entertaining and fun read for me.
Though this has the feel of an epic fantasy to me, it isn't bogged down by what I think is unnecessary details. You get the straight up information you need when you need it, while not feeling like you are being left out of things. Though there are a lot of different characters to follow it isn't confusing, and while the point of views shift often you are never left floundering and wondering exactly who it is you are now reading about.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, those of you out there that are getting into steampunk with enjoy it, and those that love fantasy stories with swords and battles against evil will love it as well.
**Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review.**
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
What you have here is a mix of characters all starting at out different points in the story. You know a lot of what is going on but at the same time there is mystery as to what the entire picture is going to be, this is what keeps you reading. They all eventually group up with one another to face an evil that threatens to destroy their world as they know it. As you might be able to guess the story is told from multiple points of view, and you learn a little about everyone. I love when I read a book that has this going on in it. . .I don't like knowing only what one person sees and does.
Right from the get go you know who the "bad guy" is and what he is doing. The things you don't know is why he is doing this, and why he fights so hard against it. This kept me reading at first, but as more and more people were introduced it was their point of views that kept me interested in what was going to happen next.
I'm having a hard time explaining exactly what it is that I loved so much about this book, but if I had to choice something it would be the way Mark Sargent was able to seamlessly mix something as off the wall as steampunk with fantasy. Magic, demons, and crazy contraptions made for a entertaining and fun read for me.
Though this has the feel of an epic fantasy to me, it isn't bogged down by what I think is unnecessary details. You get the straight up information you need when you need it, while not feeling like you are being left out of things. Though there are a lot of different characters to follow it isn't confusing, and while the point of views shift often you are never left floundering and wondering exactly who it is you are now reading about.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, those of you out there that are getting into steampunk with enjoy it, and those that love fantasy stories with swords and battles against evil will love it as well.
**Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review.**
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
February 20, 2013
An intriguing book with interesting characters and character interactions. The plot was awesome and didn't go in the direction that I thought it would at all (trying not to give away any spoilers). I'm not normally one to read steam-punk but this is one story that is worth the read. I can't wait to see what happens next!
April 13, 2013
Incursion was a highly enjoyable read. Admittedly, at times, it did take a bit to get into. That being so, I'd rather have something I can sink my teeth into than a bare bones fantasy. It's been a while since I've read an adult fantasy novel that held my interest despite a seemingly slow pace. More like slow and steady, like a meal cooked just right. It built suspense, made me wonder, and kept me reading on to find out what the true purpose was.
There were a variety of characters, each having their own voice and goals in life. I was intrigued by them all.
The world, though I wished it had a tad more physical description, I was able to see well enough and obtain understanding of the history of the land, to see where everyone was coming from. I loved the blend of clockwork and magic, of steampunk. and fantasy. The world on the cusp of a new era, with technology replacing the old ways, seeing the introduction of these changes and inventions rather than them having been already integrated.
What I enjoyed most was that the plot left me guessing. As soon as I thought I had it all figured out and who the villain was, things changed, and kept changing - adding more and more facets, showing not all was what it seemed.
The writing style and description flowed nicely. A few lines were quite epic; I had to highlight them. However, there were numerous instances of misused its/it's and who's/whose, some misspelled words, and the like. There were quite a few places my inner editor couldn't help but make notes to correct. Also, though only happening a handful of times, I was not too fond of the too modern phraseology Noman and Hatch used. I'm not a fan of modern-sounding speech in fantasy novels, unless there's a very good reason for it.
Other than those few things, I look forward to seeing how the residents of Marsten and beyond progress.
Note: I received a free copy from the author for a fair and honest review.
There were a variety of characters, each having their own voice and goals in life. I was intrigued by them all.
The world, though I wished it had a tad more physical description, I was able to see well enough and obtain understanding of the history of the land, to see where everyone was coming from. I loved the blend of clockwork and magic, of steampunk. and fantasy. The world on the cusp of a new era, with technology replacing the old ways, seeing the introduction of these changes and inventions rather than them having been already integrated.
What I enjoyed most was that the plot left me guessing. As soon as I thought I had it all figured out and who the villain was, things changed, and kept changing - adding more and more facets, showing not all was what it seemed.
The writing style and description flowed nicely. A few lines were quite epic; I had to highlight them. However, there were numerous instances of misused its/it's and who's/whose, some misspelled words, and the like. There were quite a few places my inner editor couldn't help but make notes to correct. Also, though only happening a handful of times, I was not too fond of the too modern phraseology Noman and Hatch used. I'm not a fan of modern-sounding speech in fantasy novels, unless there's a very good reason for it.
Other than those few things, I look forward to seeing how the residents of Marsten and beyond progress.
Note: I received a free copy from the author for a fair and honest review.
April 11, 2013
I was given this book for free, in exchange for an honest review.
I found I took a little while to get into this book. The first few chapters of the book were a little slow and if I hadn't have been reviewing this book it might have stopped me from reading. However, I'm so glad that I kept reading, as the rest of the story was fast paced & I grew quite quickly to like and enjoy the characters.
This is a book of fantasy, steampunk, gods, demons and magic. Most of the books I've read in this genre have been young adult books, but this is deliciously dark and "grown up", but still with plenty of humour. Mark Sargent really built up the atmosphere and intrigue as the book progressed and I can't wait to see what happens in book two.
I found I took a little while to get into this book. The first few chapters of the book were a little slow and if I hadn't have been reviewing this book it might have stopped me from reading. However, I'm so glad that I kept reading, as the rest of the story was fast paced & I grew quite quickly to like and enjoy the characters.
This is a book of fantasy, steampunk, gods, demons and magic. Most of the books I've read in this genre have been young adult books, but this is deliciously dark and "grown up", but still with plenty of humour. Mark Sargent really built up the atmosphere and intrigue as the book progressed and I can't wait to see what happens in book two.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews