Clockwork Heart [Paperback]

'Clockwork Heart' is a steampunkish romantic fantasy set in the city state of Ondinium. A city that beats to the ticking of the Great Engine -- a type of primitive computer that the governing Council feed with information using punchcards. Taya, the protagonist, is a metal-winged courier known (rather appropriately) as an icarus. Taya's city adheres to a very strict social caste system where the poor and the exalteds do not mix. Being a icarus means Taya can travel freely across the city's sectors and mingle indiscriminately among its various social castes. The novel opens with a mid-air rescue where Taya spots a wireferry about to plummet to the ground along with its two exalted passengers inside -- this act of heroism leads Taya embroiled into the messy family business of the exalteds she rescued. She soon meets the two sons of the Forlore family: Cristof and Alister, an involvement that leads Taya into a web of terrorism, murder, and lies. The plot of this novel is pretty intricate and I would not be able to explain it very well. It's something you have to read for yourself -- in a nutshell it's a murder mystery wrapped up in a terrorism plot. Taya is quite the Nancy Drew... fans of Mercy Thompson would like her very much I think.

I enjoyed all the clever hints and touches that were peppered throughout the narrative. The characters all had their own quirks and habits, and were all well rounded -- even the minor background characters had their own lives. They didn't feel like cardboard cut-outs required just to serve the plot; this added a nice realism to the proceedings. Taya is the protagonist of this story, a free-spirited and kind woman who loves nothing more than to fly above the city and hang out with her friends. Among the other main characters is Cristof and Alister. Cristof a disagreeable grouch who has given up his exalted life and moved castes to work as a clockwright in the poorer part of the city. Alister the charming and handsome brother who continues to live his life as an exalted in the highest political and social echelons of society. I liked both brothers a lot and thought they were both interesting characters. The other characters like Pyke, Cassi, Amcathra and Isobel were also awesome. I particularly liked Pyke and his conspiracy theories! They were pretty funny.

The world building here is original and well executed. I liked the idea of the Great Engine -- a kind of super computer of information about everything in Ondinium. You're dropped in the middle of things somewhat at the start of the book, but you quickly pick up on what everything is as you go along with the story -- there's no info dumping, just a smooth transition as you get used to the world's rules. There's a nice touch of humour to 'Clockwork Heart' and I also enjoyed the romantic subplot which was both sweet and realistic; indeed, I was very happy with the ending! What's nice was that the romance wasn't all consuming and never overshadowed the plot, and vice versa. The plot never overtook the excellent characterisation and development either. There was an almost perfect balance in everything this novel did.

I was sad to finish the novel since I enjoyed it so much, and to my relief (and luck) I stumbled across the authors website and read that she's writing the sequel to Clockwork Heart -- I'm glad to hear it! I thought this was just a stand alone book and went into it thinking that. Yet it was only after I'd finished it that I started mourning the possibilities a series could have. How much I would miss the characters and the world -- how much potential there was left to expand the other characters etc. Now we'll get that chance; I'm looking forward to it!

So on that note, a happy ending all round. Do yourself a favour and get this book you will not be disappointed. Highly recommended!

This book was a delight, a very original theme with varied characters and an interesting plot. Our heroine, Taya, is an Icarus, a messenger who flies using special wings impregnated with Ondium to counteract her weight. The world of Ondinium is a semi-mediaeval many-layered one with different castes who live in different parts of the land with sometimes only an Icarus moving between them. When Taya rescues an Exalted, a member of the upper caste, from a damaged cablecar she finds herself mixing with other Exalteds, including the handsome and charming Alister Forlore, as well as his outcast clockmaker brother Cristof. However the accident to the cablecar appears not to have been an accident at all and when other sabotage takes place, and people start to die, Taya finds herself investigating with Cristof and some other people. Could there be a plot to damage the Great Engine, the mechanical computer that is at the heart of Ondinium? Can she trust those with whom she works? Can she keep her Icarus wings despite having to go against the rules and training?

From the start of this book I was hooked, eagerly turning the pages to find out what happened next and to learn more about the interesting world. The terminology, much of it borrowed from Latin (Icarus, lictors etc), is never confusing, although I never quite got a handle on the various Engines and machines and how they worked. The cast of characters widens as the story progresses but it's easy to keep up with who is who and there are some nice touches of characterisation for some of these bit parts. My only reservation about the book is that I didn't always understand Alister's behaviour towards Taya on such a slight acquaintance but it was still an excellent read and I'll look out for other books by this author.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

In the mountain city of Ondinium, where the Great Engine determines everyone's future, and society is divided into three rigid castes, Taya is an icarus. These chosen couriers, trained to fly over the city on metal wings, are outside the castes, permitted to go anywhere and speak to anyone as their tasks dictate. Yet following a daring rescue, Taya finds herself drawn deeper into the politics of the ruling uppercaste - the exalted - than she would like, by two exceptional brothers. The brilliant and charming Alister, who programs for the Great engine itself, and his disapproving older brother, Cristof, who exiled himself down to Ondinium's lowest sphere.

As danger and intrigue abound and terrorists attack the city, Taya can't help investigate the secrets that surround both brothers. Something is wrong in Ondinium, and she suspects a Forlore brother might be at the heart. But which? And as she unravels yet more secrets, does she really want to know?

From the smoking Tertius streets, into the heart of the Great Engine, Pagliasotti's story is rich with details that create a fascinating world. Wealthy and vast, Ondinium has many secrets to its success, and many who would kill to steal them. And rising above all this danger are the wondrous icarii, with their ingenious wings and gravity defying skill.

Yet this story is more than its setting, and is populated by an array of great characters. At the centre is Taya, loyal and determined, if too trusting at times. With her unthinking courage you can't help liking her, even when she's being a little dim. Then there are the Forlores, golden Alister and Cris, the gangly crow, so different and yet so similar. There's also Pyke and Cassi, fellow icarii and best friends to Taya, and the boisterous bunch of Alister's programming team. All interesting and well developed in their own right, they further help to enrich this tale.

Filled with mystery, secret plots and unpleasant surprises, Pagliassotti's first novel is a delight. Fascinating setting, great characters, an intriguing plot with a hint of romance and plenty of clockwork, this is enjoyable on every level. I want more from this world.