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Section 13 #3
The Clockwork Dragon
Jack discovers new abilities, travels to exciting lands, and thwarts a conspiracy brewing deep within the ministries in this epic addition to the action-packed Section 13 series.
Jack Buckles is on trial for his life.
The Ministries of Secrets and Guilds, led by Ignatius Gall, are conspiring to put the Ministry of Trackers down for good—starting with Jack’s very existence as a Section 13. His only hope is to prove that Gall is the real danger, not him, and it leads Jack and Gwen from the back streets of London, through the Austrian Alps, to the great reaches of central China.
Joined by their new friend Liu Fai, Jack and Gwen set out to stop Gall before he can uncover ancient Chinese artifacts, said to grant immortality. But a clockwork monster threatens them at every turn, and its ticking gears only serve as a reminder that Jack’s judgment day is fast approaching—and that he’s running out of time.
Jack Buckles is on trial for his life.
The Ministries of Secrets and Guilds, led by Ignatius Gall, are conspiring to put the Ministry of Trackers down for good—starting with Jack’s very existence as a Section 13. His only hope is to prove that Gall is the real danger, not him, and it leads Jack and Gwen from the back streets of London, through the Austrian Alps, to the great reaches of central China.
Joined by their new friend Liu Fai, Jack and Gwen set out to stop Gall before he can uncover ancient Chinese artifacts, said to grant immortality. But a clockwork monster threatens them at every turn, and its ticking gears only serve as a reminder that Jack’s judgment day is fast approaching—and that he’s running out of time.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2019
22 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
James R. Hannibal
20 books654 followersJames R. Hannibal an award-winning author of kids fiction, spy and military thrillers, and young adult fantasy. As a former stealth bomber pilot and drone pilot James is no stranger to action or secrets. He has been shot at, locked up by a surface to air missile system, and aided the capture of High Value Targets.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 29, 2022
This series got better as it went. I wish there were more,!!!!
April 30, 2019
The Clockwork Dragon (Section 13 #3) by James R. Hannibal, 422 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2019. $18.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some danger and fighting)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Now that Jack and Gwen know who is behind all of their problems and Jack’s Dad’s coma, all they have to do is prove it. And escape from the Ministries in order to do it. A trip to China comes first, along with a new ally and learning much more about his powers. Defeating Ignatius Gall will take all of them and a lot of courage.
Jack finally really comes into his own in the third book. I was sucked in and couldn’t leave until I was finished. I am so hoping that there are more adventures for the Section 13 kids!
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some danger and fighting)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Now that Jack and Gwen know who is behind all of their problems and Jack’s Dad’s coma, all they have to do is prove it. And escape from the Ministries in order to do it. A trip to China comes first, along with a new ally and learning much more about his powers. Defeating Ignatius Gall will take all of them and a lot of courage.
Jack finally really comes into his own in the third book. I was sucked in and couldn’t leave until I was finished. I am so hoping that there are more adventures for the Section 13 kids!
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
April 23, 2019
Jack Buckles is a Section Thirteen--born a forbidden offspring of a forbidden (Section 8) marriage and part of a forbidden generation. Genetically he is from lines who are part of Britain’s Secret Ministries and inherited certain abilities. For instance, for Jack a sound might have a visual and olfactory component that the rest of us are not bombarded with. These abilities earned him the title Tracker. His enhanced senses will sometimes mentally transport him depending on what he touches.
To help him manage these mental trips, Jack is assigned a clerk--Gwen Kincaid. If it’s in a book, she has probably read it. She is also well-versed in the ways of the Secret Ministries where Jack clueless. Gwen rarely goes anywhere without her AI pet SPEC which her uncle gave her.
Due to his parents violation of Section 8 they would be on trial, except that his father, John Buckles, is in a coma. Being forbidden means Jack has gained additional abilities that he is still trying to figure out, but which landed him in his own trial. All in the name of helping Jack, Gwen sets SPEC on surveillance of Sir Drake--a royal Arbiter in trial. While following SPEC, Gwen and Jack discover some Secret Ministries have a secret pub. Sir Drake and Wil from the trial are among the members and send Gwen and Jack to follow up on a lead that could clear Jack and his parents from all charges.
Jack isn’t the only one discovering additional abilities. His little sister Sadie has some special abilities, too, and joins them on their adventure.
Did I mention the dragon? Well, it is in the title, afterall. But if you haven’t read the first two books in the Section 13 series, you should read those first then read The Clockwork Dragon which in my opinion is the best installment yet--the most exciting read! Sherlock Holmes meets Harry Potter with a generous helping of Steampunk--recommended to middle grade and up. This is my honest and unbiased review.
To help him manage these mental trips, Jack is assigned a clerk--Gwen Kincaid. If it’s in a book, she has probably read it. She is also well-versed in the ways of the Secret Ministries where Jack clueless. Gwen rarely goes anywhere without her AI pet SPEC which her uncle gave her.
Due to his parents violation of Section 8 they would be on trial, except that his father, John Buckles, is in a coma. Being forbidden means Jack has gained additional abilities that he is still trying to figure out, but which landed him in his own trial. All in the name of helping Jack, Gwen sets SPEC on surveillance of Sir Drake--a royal Arbiter in trial. While following SPEC, Gwen and Jack discover some Secret Ministries have a secret pub. Sir Drake and Wil from the trial are among the members and send Gwen and Jack to follow up on a lead that could clear Jack and his parents from all charges.
Jack isn’t the only one discovering additional abilities. His little sister Sadie has some special abilities, too, and joins them on their adventure.
Did I mention the dragon? Well, it is in the title, afterall. But if you haven’t read the first two books in the Section 13 series, you should read those first then read The Clockwork Dragon which in my opinion is the best installment yet--the most exciting read! Sherlock Holmes meets Harry Potter with a generous helping of Steampunk--recommended to middle grade and up. This is my honest and unbiased review.
June 24, 2021
In the final book of the Section 13 trilogy (maybe?), Jack & Gwen find themselves on another mission. A continuance of the last mission, Jack is trying to clear his name and save his father. He and Gwen team up with Jack's sister and a Drago that can't make fire. Their adventure leads them into the Drago stronghold where Jack learns about more of his "fire" abilities.
This book was brilliantly written and tied up all the "loose ends" nicely, while still leaving the possibility of more books. Great series.
This book was brilliantly written and tied up all the "loose ends" nicely, while still leaving the possibility of more books. Great series.
April 18, 2023
Would love more of this series or a spin-off series. This ended in a satisfying way and all of the historical elements were great. There could be so much more done with this and with other characters working together or separately that have synesthesia or other things that possibly aid/trouble them in their searches.
October 2, 2023
So sad that the series is over :( I didn't like this one as much as I liked the second one and the first one. (The first was by far the best). I feel like the author put too much focus into Jack's drago abilities rather than his tracker abilities, and I feel that it kinda took from the original purpose of the books. A little disappointed by that, but I am still super sad it's over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2020
I enjoyed this book, and I think I would've enjoyed it even more had I read the first two books in the series. This is the conclusion to the series. It's a fun, imaginative book that would likely engage fans of fantasy and/or MG novels.
December 28, 2023
I was delightfully surprised with this series, the way Jack uses his skill is quite entertaining. The twist and plots keep the reader thinking and overall the story is great. Definitely a fun series, hope there are more to come
September 28, 2024
Epic End To A Superb Series
This book ties up all the loose ends and keeps the reader glued to the pages. There are so many plot twists that I could not help but keep reading. You will enjoy this book and wish there were more in the series.
This book ties up all the loose ends and keeps the reader glued to the pages. There are so many plot twists that I could not help but keep reading. You will enjoy this book and wish there were more in the series.
October 6, 2021
Really enjoyed the books and hownthe characters developed.
December 6, 2021
The final book in the Section 13 trilogy. Not much I can say without spoiling the series, which is definitely going on my short list of favorites. I'm jumping right into Hannibal's new series.
January 8, 2022
J’ai adoré! Cette série mérite d’être découverte!
April 26, 2021
My son's been on a real reading kick! I almost can't keep up with him.
We picked up the two sequels to The Lost Property Office, one of the first books I ever reviewed on my blog. The pace for Jack Buckles and Gwen, his quartermaster, has slowed down a bit -- while Lost Property takes places over the course of a day, these stories both take place over months.
The Fourth Ruby reveals what the Zed really is, and why Jack must stop using it, while The Clockwork Dragon reveals who was behind the plot to steal his father's consciousness.
Along the way, Jack discovers he's a mix of Drago and Tracker, and learns to wield his Drago powers, just like he's mastered his Tracker senses, and free his father from prison. We meet some wonderful, real dragons (not clockwork ones) in the final book, as well!
Fun, quick reads!
Visit my blog for recommendations for great middle grade books, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com
We picked up the two sequels to The Lost Property Office, one of the first books I ever reviewed on my blog. The pace for Jack Buckles and Gwen, his quartermaster, has slowed down a bit -- while Lost Property takes places over the course of a day, these stories both take place over months.
The Fourth Ruby reveals what the Zed really is, and why Jack must stop using it, while The Clockwork Dragon reveals who was behind the plot to steal his father's consciousness.
Along the way, Jack discovers he's a mix of Drago and Tracker, and learns to wield his Drago powers, just like he's mastered his Tracker senses, and free his father from prison. We meet some wonderful, real dragons (not clockwork ones) in the final book, as well!
Fun, quick reads!
Visit my blog for recommendations for great middle grade books, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews