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Clockwork Dagger #2
The Clockwork Crown
Rich in atmosphere, imagination, and fun, the action-packed, magic-filled sequel to The Clockwork Dagger is an enchanting steampunk fantasy, evocative of the works of Trudi Canavan and Gail Carriger
Narrowly surviving assassination and capture, Octavia Leander, a powerful magical healer, is on the run with handsome Alonzo Garrett, the Clockwork Dagger who forfeited his career with the Queen’s secret society of spies and killers—and possibly his life—to save her. Now, they are on a dangerous quest to find safety and answers: Why is Octavia so powerful? Why does she seem to be undergoing a transformation unlike any witnessed for hundreds of years?
The truth may rest with the source of her mysterious healing power—the Lady’s Tree. But the tree lies somewhere in a rough, inhospitable territory known as the Waste. Eons ago, this land was made barren and uninhabitable by an evil spell, until a few hardy souls dared to return over the last century. For years, the Waste has waged a bloody battle against the royal court to win its independence—and they need Octavia’s powers to succeed.
Joined by unlikely allies, including a menagerie of gremlin companions, she must evade killers and Clockwork Daggers on a dangerous journey through a world on the brink of deadly civil war.
Narrowly surviving assassination and capture, Octavia Leander, a powerful magical healer, is on the run with handsome Alonzo Garrett, the Clockwork Dagger who forfeited his career with the Queen’s secret society of spies and killers—and possibly his life—to save her. Now, they are on a dangerous quest to find safety and answers: Why is Octavia so powerful? Why does she seem to be undergoing a transformation unlike any witnessed for hundreds of years?
The truth may rest with the source of her mysterious healing power—the Lady’s Tree. But the tree lies somewhere in a rough, inhospitable territory known as the Waste. Eons ago, this land was made barren and uninhabitable by an evil spell, until a few hardy souls dared to return over the last century. For years, the Waste has waged a bloody battle against the royal court to win its independence—and they need Octavia’s powers to succeed.
Joined by unlikely allies, including a menagerie of gremlin companions, she must evade killers and Clockwork Daggers on a dangerous journey through a world on the brink of deadly civil war.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2015
43 people are currently reading
1331 people want to read
About the author
Beth Cato
132 books664 followersBeth Cato hails from Hanford, California, but currently writes and bakes cookies in a lair west of Phoenix, Arizona. She’s the Nebula Award-nominated author of A THOUSAND RECIPES FOR REVENGE from 47North (June 2023), plus the Clockwork Dagger duology and the Blood of Earth trilogy from Harper Voyager. Her short stories can be found in publications ranging from Beneath Ceaseless Skies to Uncanny Magazine. In 2019 and 2022, she won the Rhysling Award for speculative poetry.
Beth shares her household with her husband, son, and two feline overlords. Her website BethCato.com includes not only a vast bibliography, but a treasure trove of recipes for delectable goodies. Find her on Twitter as @BethCato and Instagram as @catocatsandcheese.
Beth shares her household with her husband, son, and two feline overlords. Her website BethCato.com includes not only a vast bibliography, but a treasure trove of recipes for delectable goodies. Find her on Twitter as @BethCato and Instagram as @catocatsandcheese.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
January 30, 2016
While The Clockwork Dagger introduced a close picture of all the basic characters — Octavia, Alonzo and the mysterious Ms. Stout, the Clockwork Crown shows the well-built world. Readers can get to know the distrustful people in the South, also the collapsing Mercia. The opponents in the war with good or bad motives are darkened. The steampunk plays a great role in this book. A perfect dessert for a good evening with a cup of coffee. Enjoy ;)))))))))
September 23, 2016
Wow! This book was awesome. I'm not sure how much I can say about it without spoilers since it's the second book in this duology. The first book was pretty good, but the author really hit her stride with this installment. The story moved quickly, the writing was excellent, and the plot went all kinds of unusual and unpredictable directions, so I was finding surprises on nearly every page. I was completely absorbed in Octavia's journey, as this book balances emotional investment and action perfectly. I was so happy to be reunited with these characters, and I'm really sad to be leaving them now.
Thanks so much to Orient for recommending these two books. I'm not sure I would ever have noticed them without her plug. And now I can't wait to read whatever Beth Cato writes next.
Thanks so much to Orient for recommending these two books. I'm not sure I would ever have noticed them without her plug. And now I can't wait to read whatever Beth Cato writes next.
February 7, 2025
A fantasy steampunk duology with more seriousness and emotional heft than I'd otherwise expect from that genre. I liked the depiction of healing magic here, and how portions of the story felt more like a 1990s JRPG than a contemporary fantasy. Characters are sacrificed, and the world changes in momentous ways.
June 10, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
In Genesis, there is a famous quote that states, “So God created mankind in his own image…” While many of us might quibble about God as male, and whether mankind is the proper inclusive term for all humans, the essence, either way, is the same.
There is also a competing quote, often mangled, but I’ll use the version from Ludwig Feuerbach, “It is not as in the Bible, that God created man in his own image. But, on the contrary, man created God in his own image.”
For anyone who has read anything of Greek and Roman mythology, that second quote has a ring of truth as well, because their myths certainly reflect a perspective of deities who are all too often all-powerful and continually misbehaving humans.
In The Clockwork Crown, we, along with our heroine Octavia Leander, discover that in her world the second quote is all too true, and in ways that may prove life-altering if not disastrous for Octavia herself.
I read Clockwork Crown immediately after finishing The Clockwork Dagger, because it was obvious at that point that Octavia’s adventure wasn’t over, and that things might get pretty dark before all of the issues finally got resolved.
Also, Miss Percival had some redemption coming, and I wasn’t too picky how she got it. The way that particular plot point resolved was awesome. And truly redemptive.
But a lot of Octavia’s story in The Clockwork Crown has an element of “out of the frying pan and into the fire”. Every time she thinks she’s solved one piece of the infernal puzzle, or has earned herself just a tiny break, events go spinning out of her control and she is back in the thick of it again.
There’s a bit of a “Perils of Pauline” aspect, except that Pauline’s perils mostly only affected herself, where the outcome of Octavia’s perils is either going to save or condemn two countries, and possibly the world.
Whether Octavia gets her own happy ending – well that is in the lap of the gods. Or at least one particular god who doesn’t even have a lap.
Escape Rating A: I don’t want to spoil the story, and there are so many possible ways to spoil things.
Everyone who Octavia has met along her journey has a part to play in this epic conclusion. Some of those parts are for good, and some, well, not so much.
Octavia finds out that nothing and no one in her life or history is exactly what she thought. There was a point in the story where I thought it was going to go the way that M.J. Scott’s The Shattered Court or Jeffe Kennedy’s Twelve Kingdoms series have done. Meaning that the heroine would discover that the roles of good and bad were reversed from the way she had been taught.
The Clockwork Crown does not use that particular out. Admittedly, neither the Caskentians or the Dallowmen, as the Wasters prefer to be called, are particularly admirable by this point in a 50-year war. But neither of them is really evil. They are both corrupt and both exhausted and they both want victory after decades of violence and destruction.
It’s not that they don’t each perform some evil acts, because they both do. But there’s no Sauron and no forces of irredeemable darkness. They’re just people who have been hanging onto the end of their fraying rope for far too long.
There’s also an element in the story that I think of as coming from Battlestar Galactica, but of course this trope has been around forever. “This has all happened before and it will all happen again.” What drives this story is that it has been so long since it happened before, and the secret has been held so close, that no one knows what it means or even what “it” is, until the very end.
A point at which it is almost too late for everyone, especially Octavia. Who still just wants a cottage and a garden and people to help and heal. The only way that her dream has changed is that she now knows she wants Alonzo Garret to share it with her.
But she has to choose between her own dreams and saving the world. The questions are both “should she?” and “does she?” The answer is marvelous.
In Genesis, there is a famous quote that states, “So God created mankind in his own image…” While many of us might quibble about God as male, and whether mankind is the proper inclusive term for all humans, the essence, either way, is the same.
There is also a competing quote, often mangled, but I’ll use the version from Ludwig Feuerbach, “It is not as in the Bible, that God created man in his own image. But, on the contrary, man created God in his own image.”
For anyone who has read anything of Greek and Roman mythology, that second quote has a ring of truth as well, because their myths certainly reflect a perspective of deities who are all too often all-powerful and continually misbehaving humans.
In The Clockwork Crown, we, along with our heroine Octavia Leander, discover that in her world the second quote is all too true, and in ways that may prove life-altering if not disastrous for Octavia herself.
I read Clockwork Crown immediately after finishing The Clockwork Dagger, because it was obvious at that point that Octavia’s adventure wasn’t over, and that things might get pretty dark before all of the issues finally got resolved.
Also, Miss Percival had some redemption coming, and I wasn’t too picky how she got it. The way that particular plot point resolved was awesome. And truly redemptive.
But a lot of Octavia’s story in The Clockwork Crown has an element of “out of the frying pan and into the fire”. Every time she thinks she’s solved one piece of the infernal puzzle, or has earned herself just a tiny break, events go spinning out of her control and she is back in the thick of it again.
There’s a bit of a “Perils of Pauline” aspect, except that Pauline’s perils mostly only affected herself, where the outcome of Octavia’s perils is either going to save or condemn two countries, and possibly the world.
Whether Octavia gets her own happy ending – well that is in the lap of the gods. Or at least one particular god who doesn’t even have a lap.
Escape Rating A: I don’t want to spoil the story, and there are so many possible ways to spoil things.
Everyone who Octavia has met along her journey has a part to play in this epic conclusion. Some of those parts are for good, and some, well, not so much.
Octavia finds out that nothing and no one in her life or history is exactly what she thought. There was a point in the story where I thought it was going to go the way that M.J. Scott’s The Shattered Court or Jeffe Kennedy’s Twelve Kingdoms series have done. Meaning that the heroine would discover that the roles of good and bad were reversed from the way she had been taught.
The Clockwork Crown does not use that particular out. Admittedly, neither the Caskentians or the Dallowmen, as the Wasters prefer to be called, are particularly admirable by this point in a 50-year war. But neither of them is really evil. They are both corrupt and both exhausted and they both want victory after decades of violence and destruction.
It’s not that they don’t each perform some evil acts, because they both do. But there’s no Sauron and no forces of irredeemable darkness. They’re just people who have been hanging onto the end of their fraying rope for far too long.
There’s also an element in the story that I think of as coming from Battlestar Galactica, but of course this trope has been around forever. “This has all happened before and it will all happen again.” What drives this story is that it has been so long since it happened before, and the secret has been held so close, that no one knows what it means or even what “it” is, until the very end.
A point at which it is almost too late for everyone, especially Octavia. Who still just wants a cottage and a garden and people to help and heal. The only way that her dream has changed is that she now knows she wants Alonzo Garret to share it with her.
But she has to choose between her own dreams and saving the world. The questions are both “should she?” and “does she?” The answer is marvelous.
June 8, 2015
**I received this book for free from (Harper Voyager) via (Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Steampunk, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
The Clockwork Crown closes out the duology known as The Clockwork Dagger. Medician Octavia Leander has survived a betrayal of a personal kind, an assassination attempt by the Queen of Caskentia's Clockwork Daggers, and a kidnapping by the Wasters who wanted to use her abilities against their enemies.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Steampunk Saturday 05/30/2015*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd via Edelweiss 01/16/2015* Expected publication: June 9th 2015 by Harper Voyager
*Genre* Steampunk, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
The Clockwork Crown closes out the duology known as The Clockwork Dagger. Medician Octavia Leander has survived a betrayal of a personal kind, an assassination attempt by the Queen of Caskentia's Clockwork Daggers, and a kidnapping by the Wasters who wanted to use her abilities against their enemies.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Steampunk Saturday 05/30/2015*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd via Edelweiss 01/16/2015* Expected publication: June 9th 2015 by Harper Voyager
June 8, 2015
Brief reasons why I loved this:
1. It's a duology.
2. Slow burning & believable romance.
3. Steampunk/Epic Fantasy
4. The Tree was awesome!
5. MC's who aren't trying to be heroes
6. Conflict is about Octavia & her fate & not some political issue
1. It's a duology.
2. Slow burning & believable romance.
3. Steampunk/Epic Fantasy
4. The Tree was awesome!
5. MC's who aren't trying to be heroes
6. Conflict is about Octavia & her fate & not some political issue
May 16, 2015
This is the second book in the Clockwork Dagger duology and did an excellent job of wrapping up this series. This was an amazing blend of alternate history, steampunk, and magic. I loved the characters and the world-building. The book was perfectly paced and the writing style flowed well and was easy to read.
Octavia Leander and Alonzo Garrett are on a quest to find out why Octavia is so powerful and changing in such strange ways. Aloza gave up his career as a Clockwork Dagger when he went against his orders and saved Octavia. Now they are both dodging assassins and others who want to use Octavia as their own. They hope to find out why Octavia is so powerful, how that ties into the mystical Lady’s Tree, and whether or not all of this will tie in to them finding a way to eliminate the rot that has taken hold in the kingdom.
I really loved this series and thought this book tied it up beautifully. There are many steampunk elements in here as well as a lot of magic and I enjoyed how the two were blended together. For steampunk elements you have things like airships, gremlins that are a blend of organic and mechanical components, artificial limbs, and crazy devices. For magic you have Octavia’s crazy healing and medician powers, which have gotten incredibly strong and out of control in this book.
The majority of the story is about Octavia’s quest for knowledge about her condition. She has gotten so powerful that she mentally hears every single person’s health and ailments in her head. As things progress she also finds that parts of her skin are turning to bark just like the Lady’s Tree. Her struggle for knowledge turns into a desperate race to save not only herself but the kingdom that is rotting around her. I really enjoyed her as a character. It’s not often that you see a healer-type of character as the main hero in an epic struggle like this and I enjoyed it.
I also enjoyed the contrast of Octavia’s almost religious-like healing magic with the mechanical heavy world around her. In this book she travels to regions that flat-out forbid magic; even when that magic could save the lives of people who are injured there.
The relationship between Octavia and Alonzo isn’t a hot and steamy one, but it is a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. Their relationship builds at more of a slow simmer than a lot of couples you typically see in books. However because of that I thought it was more realistic and really enjoyed reading about it.
The story is beautifully written, flows well, has a ton of action, and some humor too. It all balances very nicely to makes a story that is fast-paced and hard to put down.
Overall I thought this was a wonderful steampunk read with magic. I loved the world, the characters, the steampunk elements and how that was balanced with Octavia’s healing magic. I wasn’t sure where this second book was going to take us, but I ended up really enjoying how it focused on Octavia and her quest to understand The Lady’s Tree. This duology is highly recommended to fans of fantasy and steampunk books.
Octavia Leander and Alonzo Garrett are on a quest to find out why Octavia is so powerful and changing in such strange ways. Aloza gave up his career as a Clockwork Dagger when he went against his orders and saved Octavia. Now they are both dodging assassins and others who want to use Octavia as their own. They hope to find out why Octavia is so powerful, how that ties into the mystical Lady’s Tree, and whether or not all of this will tie in to them finding a way to eliminate the rot that has taken hold in the kingdom.
I really loved this series and thought this book tied it up beautifully. There are many steampunk elements in here as well as a lot of magic and I enjoyed how the two were blended together. For steampunk elements you have things like airships, gremlins that are a blend of organic and mechanical components, artificial limbs, and crazy devices. For magic you have Octavia’s crazy healing and medician powers, which have gotten incredibly strong and out of control in this book.
The majority of the story is about Octavia’s quest for knowledge about her condition. She has gotten so powerful that she mentally hears every single person’s health and ailments in her head. As things progress she also finds that parts of her skin are turning to bark just like the Lady’s Tree. Her struggle for knowledge turns into a desperate race to save not only herself but the kingdom that is rotting around her. I really enjoyed her as a character. It’s not often that you see a healer-type of character as the main hero in an epic struggle like this and I enjoyed it.
I also enjoyed the contrast of Octavia’s almost religious-like healing magic with the mechanical heavy world around her. In this book she travels to regions that flat-out forbid magic; even when that magic could save the lives of people who are injured there.
The relationship between Octavia and Alonzo isn’t a hot and steamy one, but it is a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. Their relationship builds at more of a slow simmer than a lot of couples you typically see in books. However because of that I thought it was more realistic and really enjoyed reading about it.
The story is beautifully written, flows well, has a ton of action, and some humor too. It all balances very nicely to makes a story that is fast-paced and hard to put down.
Overall I thought this was a wonderful steampunk read with magic. I loved the world, the characters, the steampunk elements and how that was balanced with Octavia’s healing magic. I wasn’t sure where this second book was going to take us, but I ended up really enjoying how it focused on Octavia and her quest to understand The Lady’s Tree. This duology is highly recommended to fans of fantasy and steampunk books.
August 21, 2015
Not quite as enjoyable as The Clockwork Dagger - there were too many quick fixes along the lines of "oh no, a perilous situation... never mind, a solution presented itself three pages later" - but plenty of ethical searching and warnings to consider, and it was still an interesting read.
May 21, 2015
Utterly colorful, vivid and imaginative, The Clockwork Crown is a steampunk fantasy unlike any other.
The best I can describe The Clockwork Crown is a mix of steampunk, magic and religion. You have the religious zeal of Octavia, the magical healer, who is surrounded by a world of mechanics and political machinations.
There is also a slow and lightly touched romance between Alonzo, the assassin and Octavia, the healer.
As the second book in this duology, The Clockwork Crown does bring the tale to an expected conclusion.
I am a huge steampunk fantasy fan and this story has all the makings of an amazing read but it just didn’t hold me. It has lots of action, plenty of mechanics and machines and creativity off the characters but I think, what I like to call, the “woo woo” aspect disconnected me from the story.
I received this ARC copy of The Clockwork Crown from Harper Valley in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication June 9, 2015.
Written by: Beth Cato
Series: Clockwork Dagger Novels
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication date: June 9, 2015
Rating: 3 stars
ISBN-10: 0062313983
ISBN-13: 978-0062313980
Genre: Steampunk Fantasy
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews and More Check out: http://tometender.blogspot.com
The best I can describe The Clockwork Crown is a mix of steampunk, magic and religion. You have the religious zeal of Octavia, the magical healer, who is surrounded by a world of mechanics and political machinations.
There is also a slow and lightly touched romance between Alonzo, the assassin and Octavia, the healer.
As the second book in this duology, The Clockwork Crown does bring the tale to an expected conclusion.
I am a huge steampunk fantasy fan and this story has all the makings of an amazing read but it just didn’t hold me. It has lots of action, plenty of mechanics and machines and creativity off the characters but I think, what I like to call, the “woo woo” aspect disconnected me from the story.
I received this ARC copy of The Clockwork Crown from Harper Valley in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication June 9, 2015.
Written by: Beth Cato
Series: Clockwork Dagger Novels
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication date: June 9, 2015
Rating: 3 stars
ISBN-10: 0062313983
ISBN-13: 978-0062313980
Genre: Steampunk Fantasy
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews and More Check out: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 29, 2016
A very strong sequel which continues where it left off with fantastic characters and ends with a satisfying conclusion.
May 2, 2018
Wow! Definitely a roller-coaster of emotions. I cried, I gasped...this book was wonderful. It was a fast-paced, action-packed ride. It made a lot of great points with regard to love, faith, political biases, and prejudices (cultural, ethnic, national, etc.), but primarily through observation and example, not preaching or knocking you on the head with it.
September 29, 2015
Well…magic trees. Lots of magic trees. Oozing magic trees. Good news is that the series is complete at two books. Yay! Duology!
This one was slightly better than the first book. The first is more character driven and this one is more plot driven. That’s good because the cartoony characters were the problem with the first book. The plot really picks up towards the second half.
It’s still strongly fantasy, but I think the author figured out that more steampunk was needed. So, there’s one new steampunk-ish creature added to the pathetic little steampunk list. However, now that I know to expect fantasy, I was able to enjoy the book a little more than the previous one. And, this time, there’s actually a point to the G-rated romance!
The ending is pretty predictable, even though there were lots of other ways to end it. Is it so wrong to want some death and tragedy?
This one was slightly better than the first book. The first is more character driven and this one is more plot driven. That’s good because the cartoony characters were the problem with the first book. The plot really picks up towards the second half.
It’s still strongly fantasy, but I think the author figured out that more steampunk was needed. So, there’s one new steampunk-ish creature added to the pathetic little steampunk list. However, now that I know to expect fantasy, I was able to enjoy the book a little more than the previous one. And, this time, there’s actually a point to the G-rated romance!
The ending is pretty predictable, even though there were lots of other ways to end it. Is it so wrong to want some death and tragedy?
August 7, 2015
Unputdownable! I was hoping for more comeuppance for one particularly bratty character, and I feel like there's potential for more story regarding the country's monarchy, but a duology rather than a trilogy is a unique change of pace!
June 1, 2015
The second book in the CLOCKWORK DAGGER series, CLOCKWORK CROWN is just as engaging as its predecessor but moves at an even faster pace. Adventure, mystery, and a fantastical journey meld into a very enjoyable tale. Also: Even more Gremlins than book one!
May 1, 2016
This was a light, fast and fun read. Cato continues the story she started in Clockwork Dagger, but tosses in lots of new characters and complications. The closer I got the end the more I need to know what would happen to Octavia.
Sequels are hard, but she nailed the ending.
Sequels are hard, but she nailed the ending.
July 29, 2015
That was awesome. I love that it is a duology. I love the MC, I love the gremlins and the tree and all it represents and the rollicking good time. Great characters, interesting world, satisfying conclusion and a sweet, slow-burn romance. I also love stories about healers, so there is that too. :)
October 10, 2015
Excellent book and sequel, I didn't expect the end to be really different but the path is as important as the destination if not not more. Great job, loved it
September 17, 2015
A two book series which is unusual. It was an exciting story with great characters. There is a very satisfying ending.
August 3, 2018
I was a bit wary when starting this as I've often come across a series where I've loved the first book and the second book didn't meet my expectations. So I wasn't sure if I would like this one since it's a sequel. However I am pleased to say I enjoyed this one just as much as the first one. Octavia is still a strong character able to operate autonomously from Alonzo her love interest. Seriously I was so happy about that. For some reason as soon as they fall in love a MC becomes so co-dependent it's not even funny. Even though the two had to seperate.
The story was just as strong and engaging and while we still get to expand on the characters from the first book, here we get to see more of the world they live in. The effects war has on the people and how grief and rash actions can lead to widespread consequences you never foresaw. There are a couple new characters, whom I enjoyed. Rivka was interesting and I've just discovered there is a short story starring her so I think I'll look into it. the return of some old enemies.
Overall I was fully engaged with the story from beginning to end. It was great with wonderful characters, I actually felt the stakes, and the urgency Octavia and the others felt when trying to save themselves, and others.
Recommended? Only if you've read the first and if you haven't then go read that one and come back to this one.
Buy/Borrow? Eh do you have the first one? if so then yes. If not then go buy it and then this one.
The story was just as strong and engaging and while we still get to expand on the characters from the first book, here we get to see more of the world they live in. The effects war has on the people and how grief and rash actions can lead to widespread consequences you never foresaw. There are a couple new characters, whom I enjoyed. Rivka was interesting and I've just discovered there is a short story starring her so I think I'll look into it. the return of some old enemies.
Overall I was fully engaged with the story from beginning to end. It was great with wonderful characters, I actually felt the stakes, and the urgency Octavia and the others felt when trying to save themselves, and others.
Recommended? Only if you've read the first and if you haven't then go read that one and come back to this one.
Buy/Borrow? Eh do you have the first one? if so then yes. If not then go buy it and then this one.
December 23, 2017
So, something about this series never quite jelled for me, and I don't know exactly why. It may just be the time of year: the stress of the holidays, the other books I have waiting to be read. Maybe if I had read this some other time I would have loved it. I can't say, really. But while The Clockwork Crown was...ok...it just didn't *work* for me.
I also think there's a bit of a packaging + marketing dissonance problem. Octavia is a somewhat prim, somewhat naive, mostly innocent character and that is assuredly not the black-clad steampunk badass on these covers (for starters, it's emphasized over and over again how she always wears her pure white uniform and headband, so...). The Clockwork Dagger/The Clockwork Crown doesn't really work for me either. The titular "crown" has nothing to do with this story, it's offhandedly mentioned like twice, and I feel like the "clockwork" aspect of both titles was just a marketing tool to shout Look! Steampunk! I'm not the biggest fan of steampunk to begin with so I felt they didn't match the actual story real well.
Mostly though I just...didn't like Octavia (or most of the other characters tbh). And I'm struggling to put words as to why. I hesitate to perpetuate gendered bias but my first instinct is to say she whined a lot. That's not it, not totally, but I just had enormous trouble connecting with her or caring about her plight. I never once actually believed she would face the doom Cato laid out for her, just counted the pages to see what contrived solution to the problem would come up.
I enjoy Cato's writing. I really liked the first book of her second series, and look forward to more from her. But something about this series felt off to me.
I also think there's a bit of a packaging + marketing dissonance problem. Octavia is a somewhat prim, somewhat naive, mostly innocent character and that is assuredly not the black-clad steampunk badass on these covers (for starters, it's emphasized over and over again how she always wears her pure white uniform and headband, so...). The Clockwork Dagger/The Clockwork Crown doesn't really work for me either. The titular "crown" has nothing to do with this story, it's offhandedly mentioned like twice, and I feel like the "clockwork" aspect of both titles was just a marketing tool to shout Look! Steampunk! I'm not the biggest fan of steampunk to begin with so I felt they didn't match the actual story real well.
Mostly though I just...didn't like Octavia (or most of the other characters tbh). And I'm struggling to put words as to why. I hesitate to perpetuate gendered bias but my first instinct is to say she whined a lot. That's not it, not totally, but I just had enormous trouble connecting with her or caring about her plight. I never once actually believed she would face the doom Cato laid out for her, just counted the pages to see what contrived solution to the problem would come up.
I enjoy Cato's writing. I really liked the first book of her second series, and look forward to more from her. But something about this series felt off to me.
November 23, 2017
Very good: 4+/5. Exciting, emotional, original... In short, recommended!
At least as good as the first. Some terrible things happen, and some sad or bittersweet, but all the painful necessities, amazing discoveries and breath-stealing dangers lead to a highly satisfying ending. I really like both Octavia and Alonzo, and Leaf, and Mrs. Stout. We get to see some new places (the advanced and prosperous southern nations' attitude toward magic is frustrating, and the Tree is fascinating **no spoilers**) and meet some interesting new characters (good, bad, and shades of gray, from the man who created the gremlins, to someone utterly unexpected whom I certainly can't name here), as well as seeing some new shades/sides to characters already introduced (including Laskay the Dallowsman "infernal", Miss Percival the betrayer, and the Lady Herself). I do get to pat myself on the back for having speculatively considered what did turn out to be the karmicly perfect way things worked out when it seemed heartbreakingly impossible. I'm glad there's at least an epilogue story available.
P.S. I apologize for the way my sentence structures seem to get more convoluted the more enthusiastic I am.. I suppose I should go back with editorial pruning shears, but "I yam what I yam."
At least as good as the first. Some terrible things happen, and some sad or bittersweet, but all the painful necessities, amazing discoveries and breath-stealing dangers lead to a highly satisfying ending. I really like both Octavia and Alonzo, and Leaf, and Mrs. Stout. We get to see some new places (the advanced and prosperous southern nations' attitude toward magic is frustrating, and the Tree is fascinating **no spoilers**) and meet some interesting new characters (good, bad, and shades of gray, from the man who created the gremlins, to someone utterly unexpected whom I certainly can't name here), as well as seeing some new shades/sides to characters already introduced (including Laskay the Dallowsman "infernal", Miss Percival the betrayer, and the Lady Herself). I do get to pat myself on the back for having speculatively considered what did turn out to be the karmicly perfect way things worked out when it seemed heartbreakingly impossible. I'm glad there's at least an epilogue story available.
P.S. I apologize for the way my sentence structures seem to get more convoluted the more enthusiastic I am.. I suppose I should go back with editorial pruning shears, but "I yam what I yam."
November 4, 2021
In this second and concluding novel in the Clockwork series, healer Octavia Leander is on the run from her enemies and on a mission. The Lady from whom Octavia draws her magical powers to heal seems to be in trouble and the Tree which symbolizes her power is fading. Octavia is accompanied by Alonzo Garrett, a man who gave up his identity as a Clockwork Dagger when he fell in love with Octavia and vowed to save her from all danger.
As the two attempt to solve the mystery, they learn new secrets. There is a reunion with a powerful king from the past and the two learn the mystery behind the chimeras that the powerful have created. But something is happening to Octavia. Her skin is thickening and darkening; almost as if it was turning to bark. What is happening?
This is an interesting young adult series. There are plenty of mysteries to be solved and the love story between Octavia and Alonzo is fulfilled without being too graphic. The world building is done in a satisfactory way that supports the action taking place. This book is recommended for young adult and fantasy readers.
As the two attempt to solve the mystery, they learn new secrets. There is a reunion with a powerful king from the past and the two learn the mystery behind the chimeras that the powerful have created. But something is happening to Octavia. Her skin is thickening and darkening; almost as if it was turning to bark. What is happening?
This is an interesting young adult series. There are plenty of mysteries to be solved and the love story between Octavia and Alonzo is fulfilled without being too graphic. The world building is done in a satisfactory way that supports the action taking place. This book is recommended for young adult and fantasy readers.
December 17, 2015
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A fast paced and exciting last half of the book ultimately makes up for a very slow start in this conclusion to the Clockwork Dagger duology.
Opening Sentence: As she rode through the snowy wilderness of far southern Caskentia, Octavia Leander’s spirits were buoyed by three thoughts: that although she fled from assassination and capture, she was undoubtedly in one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen; that thus far they had survived a full week without any sign of pursuit by horse or buzzer; and that her companion in the hard journey was Alonzo Garret, a man who had forfeited his career as a Clockwork Dagger–and possibly his life–in order to keep her alive.
The Review:
Octavia and Alonzo are on the run, with nowhere safe for them to turn. The Clockwork Daggers want them dead, while the Wasters want to use Octavia for their own purposes. At the same time, Octavia is undergoing changes that she does not understand. She believes she needs to find as much information on the Lady and the Tree as she can in order to fully comprehend what is happening to her. Her growing feelings for Alonzo make it difficult for her to fully reveal to him all the changes she is undergoing. With constant danger at every turn, the pressure is mounting. Will they be able to find the information Octavia needs before it’s too late?
I finished this book a day ago, and I’ve been putting off writing the review because I honestly didn’t know what I was going to say. I’m still a little unsure, so we’ll see how this goes! I really enjoyed the first book in this duology. I thought it was fast paced, entertaining, and not too confusing considering there are some steampunk elements. So, naturally, I was looking forward to continuing the series with this final book. While I’m ultimately giving this book the same rating as I did the first one, it was much harder for me to come to that conclusion this time around. In all honesty, this would probably be more like a 3.5 star book, but I rounded up.
The first half of the book moved incredibly slowly. It just seemed like nothing happened at all, which when you consider that the two main characters are on the run, is incredibly disappointing. The changes Octavia was undergoing were intriguing though, so it made me to keep reading. Once the book hit the 50 percent mark and a certain new character was introduced though, the plot really took off. I would say at that point, the book became really hard to put down. There were even moments towards the end that brought me to tears, although it should be mentioned I’m 9 months pregnant, so some of that could have been hormones. The only issue I had with the last half of the book was that the resolution to the plot seemed a bit too convenient. While I wasn’t looking for a tragic ending, I didn’t like that all the build up that preceded the climax was ultimately so easily solved.
One last minor complaint is that the romance arc in the story is so minor that ultimately, I don’t think it’s needed. Yes, Octavia’s feelings for Alonzo give her incentive to keep fighting against the changes in her body, but that’s really the only reason for the storyline that I can see. Not much focus is really given to it other than that.
Ultimately, the last half of the book saved it for me. If the entire book had been as fast paced and exciting as the last half, this would have been a much easier review to write. All in all, I did like how this final book turned out, and I will certainly keep this author on my radar.
Notable Scene:
The songs departed, leaving only the roars of airships. Up here, Octavia could not even hear the crowd, or perhaps the raucous noise blended with the engines. The crowd. Alonzo. Oh, Alonzo. She pressed both hands to her face as she collapsed on the bottom of the crate. The lamp, the cheap sort found across Caskentia, cast its sallow enchanted light across her legs.
If he’s hurt, if he dies, I won’t be there. I won’t be able to save him. She tried to stand again, bracing her shoulders against the lid. It didn’t budge. Panting, she dropped to her knees and reached for the other bag. She held up the contents to the light: a bucket, canteens of water, parcels of dry meat, Tamaran flatbread, nuts. She doesn’t intend for me to die, then. Just to dispose of me.
“Octavia”–Alonzo’s voice cut into her mind out of nowhere–“will be sorely disappointed if you are injured. More, she will turn her vicious tongue upon me, and I would much prefer sweetness from her lips. Three minutes remain….” His voice started to fade, then resurged. “Octavia must be sick with dread, but we will hold on for her. I am sure she will bring you more cheese.”
Octavia sobbed, both arms clutched to her torso. Her parasol slapped against her hip. The roof quaked beneath her–the crowd, wild with enthusiasm. Then, nothing.
She rubbed her arms together. Did Alonzo and Chi win? Did they merely survive? What happened?
Voices, distant. Octavia pressed her mouth to an air hole again. “Help! Help! I’m in a crate! Help!”
She looked out and couldn’t see anyone. Machinery clanged. With a lurch, the shipping crate rose.
Beams of light shifted as the box turned.
“No, Lady, no. Stop this. Let them find me. Let there be a way out, please.” The tiny view outside showed gray skies and towers, then the sunlight blinked out again. A new roar surrounded her, and the sense of being totally enclosed–the holding bay of an airship.
“Help! Help me!” She scooted from side to side. Through the holes, she could see more crates. A heavy weight clanged above, the wood of the crate groaning. Something had been set on top.
“Lady?” she whispered. The buzz of an engine was her only reply.
FTC Advisory: HarperCollins/Harper Voyager provided me with a copy of The Clockwork Crown. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A fast paced and exciting last half of the book ultimately makes up for a very slow start in this conclusion to the Clockwork Dagger duology.
Opening Sentence: As she rode through the snowy wilderness of far southern Caskentia, Octavia Leander’s spirits were buoyed by three thoughts: that although she fled from assassination and capture, she was undoubtedly in one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen; that thus far they had survived a full week without any sign of pursuit by horse or buzzer; and that her companion in the hard journey was Alonzo Garret, a man who had forfeited his career as a Clockwork Dagger–and possibly his life–in order to keep her alive.
The Review:
Octavia and Alonzo are on the run, with nowhere safe for them to turn. The Clockwork Daggers want them dead, while the Wasters want to use Octavia for their own purposes. At the same time, Octavia is undergoing changes that she does not understand. She believes she needs to find as much information on the Lady and the Tree as she can in order to fully comprehend what is happening to her. Her growing feelings for Alonzo make it difficult for her to fully reveal to him all the changes she is undergoing. With constant danger at every turn, the pressure is mounting. Will they be able to find the information Octavia needs before it’s too late?
I finished this book a day ago, and I’ve been putting off writing the review because I honestly didn’t know what I was going to say. I’m still a little unsure, so we’ll see how this goes! I really enjoyed the first book in this duology. I thought it was fast paced, entertaining, and not too confusing considering there are some steampunk elements. So, naturally, I was looking forward to continuing the series with this final book. While I’m ultimately giving this book the same rating as I did the first one, it was much harder for me to come to that conclusion this time around. In all honesty, this would probably be more like a 3.5 star book, but I rounded up.
The first half of the book moved incredibly slowly. It just seemed like nothing happened at all, which when you consider that the two main characters are on the run, is incredibly disappointing. The changes Octavia was undergoing were intriguing though, so it made me to keep reading. Once the book hit the 50 percent mark and a certain new character was introduced though, the plot really took off. I would say at that point, the book became really hard to put down. There were even moments towards the end that brought me to tears, although it should be mentioned I’m 9 months pregnant, so some of that could have been hormones. The only issue I had with the last half of the book was that the resolution to the plot seemed a bit too convenient. While I wasn’t looking for a tragic ending, I didn’t like that all the build up that preceded the climax was ultimately so easily solved.
One last minor complaint is that the romance arc in the story is so minor that ultimately, I don’t think it’s needed. Yes, Octavia’s feelings for Alonzo give her incentive to keep fighting against the changes in her body, but that’s really the only reason for the storyline that I can see. Not much focus is really given to it other than that.
Ultimately, the last half of the book saved it for me. If the entire book had been as fast paced and exciting as the last half, this would have been a much easier review to write. All in all, I did like how this final book turned out, and I will certainly keep this author on my radar.
Notable Scene:
The songs departed, leaving only the roars of airships. Up here, Octavia could not even hear the crowd, or perhaps the raucous noise blended with the engines. The crowd. Alonzo. Oh, Alonzo. She pressed both hands to her face as she collapsed on the bottom of the crate. The lamp, the cheap sort found across Caskentia, cast its sallow enchanted light across her legs.
If he’s hurt, if he dies, I won’t be there. I won’t be able to save him. She tried to stand again, bracing her shoulders against the lid. It didn’t budge. Panting, she dropped to her knees and reached for the other bag. She held up the contents to the light: a bucket, canteens of water, parcels of dry meat, Tamaran flatbread, nuts. She doesn’t intend for me to die, then. Just to dispose of me.
“Octavia”–Alonzo’s voice cut into her mind out of nowhere–“will be sorely disappointed if you are injured. More, she will turn her vicious tongue upon me, and I would much prefer sweetness from her lips. Three minutes remain….” His voice started to fade, then resurged. “Octavia must be sick with dread, but we will hold on for her. I am sure she will bring you more cheese.”
Octavia sobbed, both arms clutched to her torso. Her parasol slapped against her hip. The roof quaked beneath her–the crowd, wild with enthusiasm. Then, nothing.
She rubbed her arms together. Did Alonzo and Chi win? Did they merely survive? What happened?
Voices, distant. Octavia pressed her mouth to an air hole again. “Help! Help! I’m in a crate! Help!”
She looked out and couldn’t see anyone. Machinery clanged. With a lurch, the shipping crate rose.
Beams of light shifted as the box turned.
“No, Lady, no. Stop this. Let them find me. Let there be a way out, please.” The tiny view outside showed gray skies and towers, then the sunlight blinked out again. A new roar surrounded her, and the sense of being totally enclosed–the holding bay of an airship.
“Help! Help me!” She scooted from side to side. Through the holes, she could see more crates. A heavy weight clanged above, the wood of the crate groaning. Something had been set on top.
“Lady?” she whispered. The buzz of an engine was her only reply.
FTC Advisory: HarperCollins/Harper Voyager provided me with a copy of The Clockwork Crown. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
March 25, 2019
This book and the first of the series, clockwork DAgger, were unusual reads with a very unique plot--the writing is good and the storyline keeps the reader engaged all the way to the end.
I don't normally read steampunk, but this one is more about the characters than the intricacies of the gadgets, although the mechanics of the creatures I did find interesting. The main thing for me was the spiritual aspect of the plot. The main character is a medician, a healer who is connected to a tree and the lady therein. The world building was well done, the characters well drawn. Anyone who enjoys fantasy and sci-fi should enjoy these books! I highly recommend.
The 4 star rating relates to a feeling of confusion I had at certain times around what exactly was happening. But I am a visual person and want to SEE clearly.
I don't normally read steampunk, but this one is more about the characters than the intricacies of the gadgets, although the mechanics of the creatures I did find interesting. The main thing for me was the spiritual aspect of the plot. The main character is a medician, a healer who is connected to a tree and the lady therein. The world building was well done, the characters well drawn. Anyone who enjoys fantasy and sci-fi should enjoy these books! I highly recommend.
The 4 star rating relates to a feeling of confusion I had at certain times around what exactly was happening. But I am a visual person and want to SEE clearly.
December 24, 2021
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this second was a bit too dark for me and I did not end up finishing it.
This is a harsh world and I understand that, but the first book had some balancing lightness and some whimsy in how Octavia and Alonzo dealt with it which made the hard parts more manageable for me. This book was pretty much all harshness, violence and really rough circumstances for all the characters, at least to the halfway point which is where I gave up.
Basically, with all the harshness in the real world at the moment, reading a book that is unrelenting harshness and violence and ugliness is just not what I need right now. For the right reader this would probably be an excitingly dramatic story and world-building, but it wasn't the right read for me so I'll be moving on to something a bit lighter.
This is a harsh world and I understand that, but the first book had some balancing lightness and some whimsy in how Octavia and Alonzo dealt with it which made the hard parts more manageable for me. This book was pretty much all harshness, violence and really rough circumstances for all the characters, at least to the halfway point which is where I gave up.
Basically, with all the harshness in the real world at the moment, reading a book that is unrelenting harshness and violence and ugliness is just not what I need right now. For the right reader this would probably be an excitingly dramatic story and world-building, but it wasn't the right read for me so I'll be moving on to something a bit lighter.
September 5, 2017
A solid conclusion to this "duology", though really it could have been published as a single book. Octavia and Alonzo flee to Tamarania; instead of airships and buzzers, we have mecha battles, but really, under the steampunk trappings it's a solid fantasy story about the politics of this invented world, and the real power behind its mythology and religion. The romance is still the weakest part, but the plot is inventive and interesting, the worldbuilding fascinating, and Cato sticks the ending.
September 24, 2017
Another action packed thrilling read by Beth Cato. I liked that she wrapped the story line up in two books instead of dragging it out into the typical trilogy. Mind you, I almost wanted the ending to be sad and poignant and atypical, but it did have a typical happy ending, which was still enjoyable with just a hint of a twist that was unexpected. I liked that she kept the story clean and wholesome, that she incorporated much of the same characters from the first book, and that included a lot of the history/mythology of why the tale was taking place.
May 14, 2018
I almost enjoyed the first book of the series, and decided to give the second book a go. However, this book was also huge disappointment. Again, the author chose to take a book about a talented woman, one who saved the freaking country and several countries around it, and named it about a secondary male character.
I'm done with this series and this author. Her writing isn't bad, but it's not worth dealing with someone who doesn't even value her own main characters enough to give them any kind of focus or billing.
I'm done with this series and this author. Her writing isn't bad, but it's not worth dealing with someone who doesn't even value her own main characters enough to give them any kind of focus or billing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2018
Adventure, intrigue, increasing magic, world exploration and a great cast of characters...this two-book series has been a really fun read. Octavia’s powers are increasing and she’s finding more about the waste and the war and the ways the lady can interact with the world. I liked the story a lot but found the throwback reminders of what happened in book 1 a bit annoying - I’d advise waiting a while between reading books one and two.
June 30, 2018
And, WOW again! Very enjoyable sequel to the Clockwork Dagger.
Cato does a great job through books creating a tapestry of a fantasy/steampunk adventure. The action continues and, as in the first book, the twists and turns are both surprising and satisfying. As noted, I hope she returns to this world again - it's a remarkable creation. The blend of SF and fantasy themes is really nicely crafted and enjoyable.
Cato does a great job through books creating a tapestry of a fantasy/steampunk adventure. The action continues and, as in the first book, the twists and turns are both surprising and satisfying. As noted, I hope she returns to this world again - it's a remarkable creation. The blend of SF and fantasy themes is really nicely crafted and enjoyable.
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