The Clockwork Crown - (Clockwork Dagger Novels) by Beth Cato (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Rich in atmosphere, imagination, and fun, the action-packed, magic-filled sequel to The Clockwork Dagger is an enchanting steampunk fantasy, evocative of the works of Trudi Canavan and Gail Carriger.

Narrowly surviving assassination and capture, Octavia Leander, a powerful magical healer, is on the run with handsome Alonzo Garrett, the Clockwork Dagger who forfeited his career with the Queen's secret society of spies and killers--and possibly his life--to save her. Now, they are on a dangerous quest to find safety and answers: Why is Octavia so powerful? Why does she seem to be undergoing a transformation unlike any witnessed for hundreds of years?

The truth may rest with the source of her mysterious healing power--the Lady's Tree. But the tree lies somewhere in a rough, inhospitable territory known as the Waste. Eons ago, this land was made barren and uninhabitable by an evil spell, until a few hardy souls dared to return over the last century. For years, the Waste has waged a bloody battle against the royal court to win its independence--and they need Octavia's powers to succeed.

Joined by unlikely allies, including a menagerie of gremlin companions, she must evade killers and Clockwork Daggers on a dangerous journey through a world on the brink of deadly civil war.

From the Back Cover

Narrowly surviving assassination and capture, Octavia Leander, a powerful magical healer, is on the run with handsome Alonzo Garrett, the Clockwork Dagger who forfeited his career with the Queen's secret society of spies and killers--and possibly his life--to save her. Now, they are on a dangerous quest to fnd safety and answers: Why is Octavia so powerful? Why does she seem to be undergoing a transformation unlike any witnessed for hundreds of years?

The truth may rest with the source of her mysterious healing power--the Lady's Tree. But the tree lies somewhere in an inhospitable territory known as the Waste. Eons ago, this land was made barren by an evil spell, until a few hardy souls dared to return over the last century. For years, the Waste has waged a bloody battle against the royal court to win its independence--and they need Octavia's powers to succeed.

Joined by unlikely allies, including a menagerie of gremlin companions, she must evade killers on a dangerous journey through a world on the brink of deadly civil war.

Review Quotes

"The Clockwork Dagger was just what I needed: A steampunk adventure with an uncommon heroine, a fascinating magic system, and a young gremlin! I'm hooked and can't wait for more Octavia and Leaf!" - New York Times bestselling author Kevin Hearne on CLOCKWORK DAGGER

"Full of magic and steampunk adventure, Beth Cato's Clockwork Dagger will delight fans of Meljean Brooks Iron Seas Series." - Nicole Peeler, author of the Jane True series, on CLOCKWORK DAGGER

"The Clockwork novels seamlessly combine magic and technology." - SFRevu

"[Full] of nonstop adventure ... Cato doesn't stint on the worldbuilding but always keeps the focus on her richly developed characters. Besides the immensely appealing central couple, there is a full cast of allies and villains who keep things moving." - Library Journal

"Cato continues to defy expectations, moving the saga toward an unexpected, heartfelt conclusion, and the revelations about Octavia's abilities are amply rewarding." - Publishers Weekly

"A very satisfying conclusion to an excellent duology." - Barnes & Noble SF&F Blog

"A reminder of how to be selfless and loving in a world that wants women clawing ruthlessly for the top." - She Knows

"The sequel to Cato's novel The Clockwork Dagger, this new installment is a fun fantasy adventure as her characters try to uncover what's behind their powers." - Buzzfeed

"Cato has a light, playful touch...The Clockwork Crown is just the ticket for readers who like their steampunk leavened with fantasy, don't need physical gymnastics in their romance, want to think about the ethics of healing, and are into sentient botany." - Kings River Life

"I didn't realize until now the level of excitement trees could bring into a story." - Talk Supe

"Fantasy is so immersed in grimdark now, it's nice to see some beauty now and then. 4 stars." - Relentless Reading

"Crown draws just enough mysticism to keep its airship-and-industrialization level of technology superbly balanced. ...[I]t's impeccably paced and compact, making for a potent conclusion to Cato's rousing steampunk tale...self-contained and wholly satisfying." - NPR Books

"A light read that ... may offer an interesting new world to readers who enjoy the flavor of steampunk fantasy and soap-opera intrigue." - Kirkus Reviews

"As a piece of genre fiction, The Clockwork Dagger works on two levels: It doesn't assume that the reader has any familiarity with steampunk, yet it hits all the high notes that steampunk fans crave. Then it pokes those tropes to just the right degree. It's an action tale that's as thought-provoking as it is rollicking--and a statement about how heroes don't always fit our definitions, nor should they." - NPR

"Not only does Cato create an intriguing universe, but she also develops a one-of-a-kind, kickass heroine who is determined to forge her own path. Adventure, magic, unexpected romance and heart- breaking betrayal all combine for a thrilling tale." - RT Book Reviews on CLOCKWORK DAGGER

"A satisfying follow-up that...offers an entertaining, swiftly moving adventure in the company of Cato's appealing characters." - Kirkus Reviews

"Beth Cato's The Clockwork Crown is a satisfying follow-up to her Clockwork Dagger, each twist of the action pulling me deeper into the story. These are books I'll be recommending to friends, both teenagers and adults." - Laura Anne Gilman, author of SILVER ON THE ROAD

"This sequel to Cato's amazing steampunk adventure The Clockwork Dagger has all the imagination, treachery and nonstop thrills of the first....Cato and steampunk fantasy are truly an excellent match!" - RT Book Reviews (4.5 stars)

"DR. QUINN meets DREADNOUGHT in this thrilling, delightful tale combining the political stakes of epic fantasy, the airships and corsets of steampunk, and the heartwarming joy of romance. Excellent fun for lovers of Cherie Priest and Scott Westerfeld." - Michael R. Underwood, author of GEEKOMANIA

"Airships, assassins, pulp writers, and an independent, appealing heroine: THE CLOCKWORK DAGGER is an exciting debut full of mysterious magic, forbidden romance, and adventure at 5,000 feet." - Tina Connolly, author of IRONSKIN on CLOCKWORK DAGGER

"The Clockwork Dagger had me at hello and kept me with unexpected twists, intriguing magic and splendid betrayals. At the satisfying conclusion, my immediate impulse was to enquire in tones of gentle inquiry, when do I get to read the sequel!?!?" - C.E. Murphy, author of the Walker Papers series, on CLOCKWORK DAGGER

Praise for The Clockwork Dagger: "This rousing tale... keeps itself grounded with a story as disarming and forthright as its appealingly capable heroine. ...Ample action and a delectably delayed romance propel the story toward a riveting finale, marking Cato as an author to watch." - Publishers Weekly on CLOCKWORK DAGGER

"[The Clockwork Dagger takes an] intriguing approach, and a rewarding one. [It] is set in a completely fabricated universe rather than an alternate version of our own. This makes for some dazzling, uniquely detailed backdrops. It also frees Cato from having to haul around the Victorian Era's real-world baggage-and it helps level the playing field for those who aren't as familiar with steampunk's particulars." - Entertainment Weekly

"The action is pretty much nonstop in this debut steampunk fantasy....Although readers will enjoy the satisfying climax of this adventure, there is plenty to the plot for a sequel from promising novelist Cato." - Library Journal (starred review)