This is a copy paste from Feb 17th, 2024’s X Post for more convenient viewing.
Book Introduction
The book today is Clockwork Angels by Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart.
Overall rating: 3.5/5
What’s it About?
Imagine if someone had written the novel of The Wall, Tommy, or Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band when those classic albums were released. For fans of the multi-platinum band Rush, Clockwork Angels: The Novel is that project. In collaboration with the legendary rock band, acclaimed novelist Kevin J. Anderson turns the sonic journey of Rush’s new album into a full-length literary adventure.
In a young man’s quest to follow his dreams, he is caught between the grandiose forces of order and chaos. He travels through a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy, with lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life.
What I Liked
Rush lyrics. I liked them trickled into this work. I have always been a progressive rock fan, and the older I get, the more I appreciate Neil Peart’s lyrics for the band Rush. This book is inspired by the group’s last album which shares the same name. Kevin and Neil apparently climbed a mountain between tour stops and as they did so, the novel came into focus.
In addition I enjoyed learning about the alchemical steampunk fantasy world that was living in the minds of Kevin and Neil. I think there is a lot of potential for this universe, for there are many worlds besides the one Owen Hardy occupies.
In general, I enjoyed the lightness of the story and the dichotomy between the precision of the Watchmaker and the chaotic unpredictability of The Anarchist. There’s not much depth, at least in this book, to the world and their rivalry, but what is there helps us understand why Owen is being pushed by both. Owen goes his own way in the end, and that’s for the best.
What I Didn’t Like
It was not the easiest book for me to sit down and start. Part of that is because I’m not a huge steampunk fan. Another part of that is because the book lacks the kind of world building that I would need to jump in with both feet.
Conclusion
The book is a solid journey to maturity, and a fairly quick read once you get into it. There’s some pain points with the world and the shallowness of development, but like I said, I’m giving it a 3.5/5. I would say this is more for the person who just wants something fun to read, and maybe for the younger audience who wants to see what steampunk in novel format looks like.
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