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Boneshaker (The Clockwork Century, #1)

Cherie Priest

Start date: January 1, 2013

Finish date: January 31, 2013

Discussion: Book Discussions

Why we're reading this: January 2013 Contemporary
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What Members Thought

Jun 12, 2010 Netanella rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: zombies, science-fiction, steampunk

Loved it! Enjoyed this story tremendously, and thought it was a refreshingly original concept for a zombie-pick: 1860's-era Seattle turns into Zombieland when a gold-digging contraption opens up poison gases under Mt. Rainier, and the whole city is walled in like a giant coffee cup. The mother-and-son relationship between Briar and Zeke seemed a little contrived, and I wondered that the mom was so cold and distant at the beginning, why would she ever chase her son behind the wall?

The characters ...more

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Nov 30, 2009 Michael rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2010, science-fiction

Each year, I try to read all of the novels on the short list of the Hugo Award. I'm not a voter, but I like to decide which of the five finalists I liked the best.

Some years, I'm ahead of the game in terms of reading the books on the short list. Others I'm a bit more behind. This year was one of those years when I was behind a bit. I'd only read one of the five finalists, though I'd had three of the other four on my "to be read" radar for some time. The most intriguing (based solely on the buzz Each year, I try to read all of the novels on the short list of the Hugo Award. I'm not a voter, but I like to decide which of the five finalists I liked the best.

Some years, I'm ahead of the game in terms of reading the books on the short list. Others I'm a bit more behind. This year was one of those years when I was behind a bit. I'd only read one of the five finalists, though I'd had three of the other four on my "to be read" radar for some time. The most intriguing (based solely on the buzz and what I knew about the story before I cracked the cover) was Cherie Priest's "Boneshaker."

Part alternate history, part zombie story, part steampunk novel, "Boneshaker" tells the story of an alternate universe turn of the century Seattle in which the Civil War hasn't end on the East Coast and a disaster sixteen years earlier has released a yellow gas that slowly turns humans into zombie-like creatures. The area of the city most affected the gas has been walled off, though some still live within either as a flesh-eating zombie or through the use of caution and gas masks to filter away the gas. The only ways in or out are via the sewers that run under the city or from above in the form of giant airships.

The story centers on Briar Wilkes, the widow of the man who created the titular Boneshaker that released the gas. Her son, Ezekiel, is tired of the rumors about his father and decides he'll head into the walled off section of the city to prove his father wasn't as bad as history makes him out to be. When an earthquake makes the tunnels under the city impassible, Briar is forced to try and hitch a ride on an airship to follow her son inside and rescue him.

As a universe, "Boneshaker" is a fascinating, complex and rich place. One fascinating aspect is a drug called Sap, which is a crack or meth form of the gas that is created and sold throughout Seattle. The drug has the unintended affect of being highly addictive as well as slowly transforming its users into zombie-like creatures. It's details and threads like this one that put "Boneshaker" above other steampunk novels I've read this year. What also puts it above them is that the steampunk details are naturally incorporated into the story instead of simply put into play to draw attention to themselves and point out how clever the author is being (this was the case with "Leviathan," a book I wanted to love).

Part of the strength comes from the characters of Briar and Ezekiel. Priest has populated her world with interesting, believable characters and the quest of both trying to find answers or each other helps keep the novel moving along. There are some moments to stop and explore the universe, but the novel never loses its momentum or narrative flow.

In short, I can see why the story was short listed for the Hugo. And while it's a great read and a lot of fun, I can see why it didn't necessarily win. It's a solid enough start to a universe and series. As for where it ranks on my order for Hugo nominees for last year, I'll have to read the other stories given a nod and get back to you. ...more

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Feb 27, 2010 Emily rated it really liked it

This fun little steam-punk story takes place in pre-1900 gold-rush Seattle where a mysterious gas called the Blight has taken over the city and turned everyone who didn't flee into Zombies (or "rotters"). With the city walled up and the remainder of the inhabitants scrounging out a living in the Outskirts, the widow and son of the mad-scientist who destroyed the city with his tunneling "boneshaker" machine and inadvertently released the Blight gas travel back into the walled city. The book follo ...more

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Oct 27, 2009 Tani rated it liked it

Shelves: female-author, fantasy, historical, 2010

Engrossing in places, but I was more drawn by the action than the characters (although the characters did eventually grow on me), and that's just not my favorite way to read. ...more

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