Mission Clockwork Complete Boxed Set

Mission Clockwork #1-4

by Arthur Slade

He's the greatest spy of the Victorian era, but he's facing his greatest challenge...It's a steampunk-powered, action-packed adventure featuring brilliant heroes and bloody brilliant villains.Almost since birth, Modo has been rigorously schooled as a secret agent. His master, a British Lord, took advantage of Modo’s unique shape-shifting talents, training him to morph from his unsightly, hunchbacked-self into anyone he liked. He's ready to take on Britain's numerous enemies. But can he survive his new partner, the quick-witted Octavia? And, more importantly, will the two of them be able to defeat the nefarious Clockwork Guild? It will take every ounce of skill, guts, and luck for the pair to succeed.The series is in development for the big screen and over 100,000 copies of the books have been sold worldwide. The boxed set includes all four Mission Clockwork, The Dark Deeps, Empire of Ruins, and Island of Doom. Over 1000 pages of action.This series was previously published as The Hunchback Assignments.

Genres: Steampunk, Audiobook

1049 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2018

About the author

Arthur Slade was raised in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan and began writing at an early age. He is the author of the bestselling The Hunchback Assignments series of books, Dust (which won the Governor General's award), Tribes and Jolted. He lives in Saskatoon, Canada (which really is a real place). Join his creative & somewhat clever newsletter at: what a zany newsletter!

Reviews

[Arne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, where to start?

Modo the shapeshifting super-strong super-awkward super-intelligent regenerating genius "orphan" son of a potter saving the British Empire from what now? Oh people who think the British shouldn't be in charge of the whole world.

Look, I don't agree with the means, these being among others child slavery and necromancy, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't agree with the ends of the Clockwork Guild... bring down the British Empire? Decolonization? As a still proud and very much aware of my own historical mistakes Afrikaans South African this could be an example of the Clockwork Guild maybe having a case against the inventors of the concentration camp.

The greater arc aside, it's cute; Modo's perceived ugliness and resulting self consciousness is the wheel that the whole character development revolves around. It "kind-of" works because society is so obsessed with what you look like but it's also a really thin angle for a whole three books. Enough with the masks, just get on with it.

I probably would not have bought it if it wasn't on a proper special and to be honest I don't regret giving it a listen. Still on my worst of 2023 list though...

[Johanne Teresie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio books “the complete series” narrated by Derek Perkins.
Would rate the first two books with a three/three and half stars. And the last two with four stars.
The books are engaging and interesting with influences from the Hunchback of Notredame and Dr Jekyll and Hyde, and dr Frankenstein and the monster. A little predictable, but nicely written so that the books end up being entertaining anyway.

The narrator isn’t that good at voices..so distinguishing between who is talking is a bit hard if there isn’t some kind of accent being used.
Otherwise a good read.

[Robert D Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am writing this review for the collection, although I got the books one at a time. This would be easier this way, in that you would be able to start the next as you finish one. I'm only giving 4 stars as I enjoyed 2 stories more than the other 2, but I did enjoy the whole series. They are somewhat like some classics, but with a nice twist. Especially on the second book, I got to a point where I just had to finish - couldn't put it down. I would recommend this series for a nice escape.

[Norman Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent reading with a great plot. Modo teams with Octavia who works for Mr Socrates who is charge of a secret organization with in the British Empire to help defend the Empire from harm either external or internal . But it appears they may have their hands full with a new enemy. Well worth reading.

[Tusar Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

An excellent mix and rehash of the myths surrounding Quasimodo, Dr Hyde, Captain Nemo, Frankenstein, the Invisible Man, and others. Also simply a well written story over 4 books. I do hope that Mr Slade maybe returns to write further adventures of Modo and Octavia, in a setting when they are older and wiser.

[Lynn K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, Yet Derivative Stories

Modo eems modeled on Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. One story borrows from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, while another heavily from Frankenstein.

Yet, there is also an originality here which ties them all together. It was this which kept me reading from first to last page.

[Kris Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I loved every bit of this series. What a brilliant story set 150 yrs ago I really will be looking forward to when it end up on the big screen, and despite the ending more could be written

[James Miller]

Novel premise, enjoyable story. Modo to return to prior self employed occupation? Or?

[Deedee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great fun lighthearted action filled series.

[Emily Bivens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have started listening to audible books during my runs and I finally finished this series. Fantasy with drama, fun, and epic battles.

[C Hargitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only bad thing is it's not a movie yet


One of the best stories I've ever read, you must read this series. Can we have some more Mr. Slade?