TEST
I’ve seen this book called steampunk; I think that’s too limiting. Ms. Pagliassotti’s 2008 debut is a great mystery, romance, fantasy, science fiction, and social exploration rolled into one relatively small volume. And, although the book loses steam (ha) in the last quarter, the fascinating society of Ondinium more than compensates for a floppy plot.
Ondinium is a mountain city-state whose physical strata mirror their caste system. At the bottom is Tertius, whose inhabitants are the workers and engineers. In the middle is Secundus, where lie the higher-end shops, markets, and the University. And at the top is Primus, land of the exalteds, who wear white masks and speak to no one but themselves. All citizens are subject to the Great Engine, a steam-powered adjudicating machine that also determines one’s career, but that is counterbalanced by a human, exalted-led Council.
Floating through and around this society are the icari, caste-less messengers who fly with wings made of ondinium, a super-buoyant metal. Taya Icarus is one such messenger, and one day on her way back from a job she saves two exalteds from a wireferry crash. As she investigates (unofficially), her path crosses that of the exalted Forlore brothers: Handsome, debonair Alister, a member of the Council; and skinny, socially inept, grouchy Cristof, who renounced his caste and lives as an unmasked clockwright in Tertius.
Ms. Pagliassotti keeps her various balls afloat adroitly and skillfully, letting the reader explore Ondinium without resorting to clumsy info-dumps. Undoubtedly, the world-building is the most impressive aspect of Clockwork Heart, and although one can recognize the possible antecedents (I recognized Tolkien’s Gondor and Sharon Shinn, as well as several other possible sources), the author has made this world entirely her own. Brava.
Ms. Pagliassotti also successfully creates a compelling, sympathetic heroine. Taya’s actions and inner wrangles often mirrored what I would have done (always a plus, don’t you think?), and I found her a smart, capable woman. The Forlore brothers are equally three-dimensional and fascinating, and without giving anything away, I wholeheartedly agree with Taya’s eventual romantic choice. Actually, let’s indulge in some hyperbole here: I loved her choice. A-plus, all the way.
Where the book succeeds less so is in the last quarter, where Ms. Pagliassotti snips off one last plot thread, but in doing so drags the plot along. However, this is a relatively minor complaint to a debut book that, happily, will get a sequel in the near-ish future. If you’ve been bemoaning the lack of original paranormal and fantasy novels, then look no further: Clockwork Heart is definitely for you.
Buy it on Amazon/Kobo
Grade: B+
Book Type: Steampunk
Sensuality: Kisses
Review Date: 25/02/11
Publication Date: 03/2008
I live in Seattle, Washington and work as a legal assistant. I remember learning to read (comic strips) at a young age and nowadays try to read about 5-6 books a week. I love to travel, especially to Europe, and enjoy exploring smaller towns off the tourist track though London is my favorite city in the world.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.