Kindle Price: $10.99

Save $5.96 (35%)

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Daniel H. Wilson
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Clockwork Dynasty: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Daniel H. Wilson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
See all formats and editions
An ingenious thriller that follows a race of human-like machines that have been hiding among us for untold centuries—from the New York Times bestselling author of Robopocalypse.

"[A] fantastic hybrid of Highlander and The Terminator…. It reads like classic steampunk on steroids." —Ernest Cline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ready Player Two
Present day: When a young anthropologist specializing in ancient technology uncovers a terrible secret concealed in the workings of a three-hundred-year-old mechanical doll, she is thrown into a hidden world that lurks just under the surface of our own. With her career and her life at stake, June Stefanov will ally with a remarkable traveler who exposes her to a reality she never imagined, as they embark on an around-the-world adventure and discover breathtaking secrets of the past…
 
Russia, 1725: In the depths of the Kremlin, the tsar’s loyal mechanician brings to life two astonishingly humanlike mechanical beings. Peter and Elena are a brother and sister fallen out of time, possessed with uncanny power, and destined to serve great empires. Struggling to blend into pre-Victorian society, they are pulled into a legendary war that has raged for centuries.
 
The Clockwork Dynasty seamlessly interweaves past and present, exploring a race of beings designed to live by ironclad principles, yet constantly searching for meaning. As June plunges deeper into their world, her choices will ultimately determine their survival or extermination. Richly-imagined and heart-pounding, Daniel H. Wilson’s novel expertly draws on his robotics and science background, combining exquisitely drawn characters with visionary technology—and riveting action.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    308 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Vintage
  5. Publication date
    August 1, 2017
  6. File size
    4909 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
734 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the storyline captivating, with action, history, and robots. They also describe the book as a great read with very well written characters. Readers also mention the pacing as fast and the themes as interesting, if inconsistent.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
StorylineReadabilityWriting styleCharactersPacingThemes
32 customers mention "Storyline"29 positive3 negative

Customers find the storyline captivating, with good action and a brief meander into history. They also describe the book as an amazing piece of science fiction set in a different time with real history. Readers say the book is beautifully cinematic and bursting with action as well as ideas.

"I really enjoyed the premise of the story & plot. It's a great read! It kept me engaged the entire time. I am wanting more of this world!" Read more

"...The story is so in depth and detailed throughout the book and it feels like Wilson just wrapped it up to get it done instead of fully exploring all..." Read more

"...The blend of science, history and fantasy was perfect...." Read more

"...’s “Robopocalypse,” this book is beautifully cinematic and bursting with action as well as ideas." Read more

29 customers mention "Readability"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, fun, and spectacular.

"I really enjoyed the premise of the story & plot. It's a great read! It kept me engaged the entire time. I am wanting more of this world!" Read more

"Overall, I found this book enjoyable and I read it pretty quickly...." Read more

"...I was looking for something original and fantastic and this fit the bill. The blend of science, history and fantasy was perfect...." Read more

"...Characters likable and a fun read overall." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing style"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style very well written, amazing, and detailed. They also appreciate the author's ability to simultaneously tell stories.

"...Wilson’s writing is highly detailed and pulls you into a story that spans centuries!..." Read more

"...and like all of Wilson's books, very well written. It's quite a bit different from Wilson's other books, however...." Read more

"...Impossible to d scribe , its a story about automatons walking among us throughout all time, and their battles with each other and humans for..." Read more

"...What does this all mean? You will have to read this beautifully crafted novel to find out...." Read more

11 customers mention "Characters"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters engaging, believable, and interesting. They also say the narrative is diverting and keeps them engaged the entire time.

"...It's a great read! It kept me engaged the entire time. I am wanting more of this world!" Read more

"...Characters likable and a fun read overall." Read more

"...Interesting character development as the avtomats interact with each other over centuries...." Read more

"This was an entertaining, fun story. Good characters, fast paced...." Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive3 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book fast.

"Overall, I found this book enjoyable and I read it pretty quickly...." Read more

"This was an entertaining, fun story. Good characters, fast paced...." Read more

"This book starts out slow. I almost didn't finish it but then it picked up and was really good. I liked it a lot. It wasn't what I expected." Read more

"...alternating chapters that often end on a suspended note which makes for fast reading...." Read more

10 customers mention "Themes"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the themes interesting, creative, and intelligent. They also love the concept of ancient, self-aware clockwork automata that update themselves.

"...Love the concept of ancient, self-aware clockwork automata that update themselves over time...." Read more

"...Characters, pacing, creativity - all top notch. His ability to create new worlds is unparalleled. Can't go wrong with Mr. Wilsons novels...." Read more

"...Fast paced, intelligent and well written, it's just damn fun." Read more

"A creative, well-told story. Excellent alternative world creation." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Tony
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed the premise of the story & plot. It's a great read! It kept me engaged the entire time. I am wanting more of this world!
Helpful
 Report
Beth Deese
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Overall, I found this book enjoyable and I read it pretty quickly. It took me a little bit to understand what was happening, so don’t get discouraged if you’re confused at first!

We start out with a WWII backlash and a possible angel? and then scoot into modern day stories of a girl who researches clockwork mechanical dolls. Next we have strange beings coming to life and chasing said girl! Is it magic? Machinery? Ancient vampires?

Per the title, it’s pretty clear clockwork is at play, but it’s not just machines but some kind of beings that have a soul! Robots? AI? What is this? The questions all find answers and it’s a wild ride. Without giving things away, the girl, June, finds herself caught up in this secret world of clockwork creations that puts her very life in danger. The more she uncovers, the more she realizes these beings are not quite the “dolls” she thought! Wilson’s writing is highly detailed and pulls you into a story that spans centuries!

The reason I give it a 4 not a 5 is that I found the ending all too tidy and the final conflict sort of boring. The story is so in depth and detailed throughout the book and it feels like Wilson just wrapped it up to get it done instead of fully exploring all that could have happened! It feels like there’s a lot more story to be told and the ending didn’t have the oomph it could have.

That said, I enjoyed the journey through time with my new clockwork friends and I look forward to redoing more of Wilson’s books!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
LaDiosa
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book...exciting and new concept. Loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
I almost never leave reviews because even if I really enjoy a book I don't feel the need to share my thoughts. Although a friend recently told me that amazon uses reviews to push books to the top of the suggested reading list so I will make a plan to start leaving reviews more often. But I digress...
I just can't get over how much I enjoyed this book! I was looking for something original and fantastic and this fit the bill. The blend of science, history and fantasy was perfect. The idea of ancient robots living among us and their own search for their meaning similar to mans search for meaning was gripping. I read this in two days. Not to say it's simple, but I am a fast reader! There's still more mystery left to this story and I hope the author takes us deeper into their world. And I didn't even realize until the end that he's a fellow alumni which was nice to learn. Go Tartans! :)
7 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
C. M. Chang
3.0 out of 5 stars Fun science fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
The double POV was well done and really heightened tension at the end. Characters likable and a fun read overall.
Helpful
 Report
Ambrose Rankin
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Concept and Good Story - if a little inconsistent
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
Interesting concept - a "race" of ancient highly intelligent robots created by a prehistoric advanced civilization live among us for millennia disguised as humans. The robots, or avtomats, improve their physical selves as human technology evolves (from ceramic to brass to carbon fiber), accumulate mass wealth and gain intelligence. The novel's human hero learns of their existence and becomes involved in an intra-avtomat conflict. Generally, a good read as the plot alternates between history (Peter the Great's Russia, 18th Century London and India, and Stalingrad) and the present. Interesting character development as the avtomats interact with each other over centuries. A few quibbles - in any novel like this, readers must suspend their disbelief to a degree. Here, one must accept the concept of the avtomats' existence - but it is a big stretch that no human for 5000 years would have ever noticed them - particularly when pieces of them fall off in every fight. Also, I think Wilson is inconsistent in depicting the avtomats' emotions. Sometimes they are soulless automoton-killing machines (think Terminator), but other times their lips tremble, their eyes fill, they lose their temper. That said, I read A Clockwork Dynasty front to back and enjoyed it very much.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
The Poo
5.0 out of 5 stars If you like robots...but
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
This was an entertaining, fun story. Good characters, fast paced. A different kind of hero, and heroines make it a great way to enjoy some robot smackdowns.
Helpful
 Report
C
5.0 out of 5 stars Action-Packed and Thought-Provoking
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
Daniel H. Wilson has given us another fantastic robot novel. The premise of “The Clockwork Dynasty” is that we humans have had robots (called “avtomat”) living among us for centuries. They are often the basis for myths such as vampires and other phenomena that are difficult for humans to understand.

The book starts as two storylines. The first concerns June, a woman who travels the world at the expense of the Kunlun Foundation to examine automata. Most of the time she finds that the artifacts have been mysteriously spoiled by someone who came before her.

The second storyline, set in Russia in 1709, is the most recent origin of the avtomat Pytor and his sister Elena who are assembled under the authority of Peter the Great. Pytor’s existence is ruled by a sense of truth and justice, “pravda.” Elena’s priority is “logic.”

The two tales are told in alternating chapters that often end on a suspended note which makes for fast reading. The intertwining tales explore what it means to be human and how we allow ideas to rule our lives.

Like Mr. Wilson’s “Robopocalypse,” this book is beautifully cinematic and bursting with action as well as ideas.
12 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
PhilG
4.0 out of 5 stars A great read.
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
I really liked this book. It has a very interesting premise ( A group of mechanical robots have been on Earth for centuries), and like all of Wilson's books, very well written. It's quite a bit different from Wilson's other books, however. If you are expecting a Robopocalypse type of story, you'll be unhappy.
All in all, a good read.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

DJM
5.0 out of 5 stars A really excellent premise to this story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
A really excellent premise to this story. Although the book is stand-alone, i.e. the author wraps the story up, there is enough scope for prequels and sequels, which is great news.

The characters are well imagined and very well written, making them easy to identify with (love or hate). The story ranges across a wide time-period without loosing the reader (i.e. it's not used as a means to create complexity) and a wide set of locations (ditto).

Great pacing, with a few unique takes on some origin myths (stories, history?) and action scenes that are well integrated into the overall narrative.

Well worth a read, and left me hoping the author does do a prequel, sequel, or sister book.
Report
Andrew Fundytus
5.0 out of 5 stars Another entertaining read by an entertaining author!
Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
Slow start but shortly in it becomea difficult to put down.
Report
randi warne
4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended!
Reviewed in Canada on October 13, 2017
Verified Purchase
Intriguing, very "Russian" in feel - dark, compelling and unsettling. Recommended!
Report
John Stevens
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
Wilson's best to date.
Report
Mr. R. P. Bacon
5.0 out of 5 stars Huge, brilliantly brought to life story of aliens among us. Please write more...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Human and alien working together to a common cause but separated by ages of time. A compelling tale, well written.
Report