(credit to Audible)
Ever listen to a book and feel like the reader is speaking to you alone? Like a friend telling you a story sitting by the fireside with a warm drink. This is the cozy intimate atmosphere that Neil Peart creates as he reads Clockwork Angels: The Novel; a story that he and renowned author Kevin J Anderson wrote together. Clockwork Angels is a steampunk story set in the mythical world of Albion. It tells the tale of young Owen Hardy, a simple orchard manager in his small village of Barrel Arbor. Owen is different from the rest of his friends, family, and most of the people of Albion because Owen has dreams beyond his simple existence. He longs for adventure, to go to Chronos Square, see the Clockwork Angels, and the beloved Watchmaker. He yearns to visit the far shores of Atlantis and the wondrous seven cities of Gold. Things he has only seen from the wondrous book of his mother.
Most of the citizens of Albion live under the careful eye of the watchmaker; trust in his guidance as they live a life organized and detailed as the ticking of a clock. They are servants of the watchmaker and believe all is for the best. But not all are so willing to give up their freedom for safety and comfort for such a controlled life. The Anarchist is the opposite and strives to bring chaos and disorder in an effort to topple the perfect world of the watchmaker.
Owen is the key to both sides of this struggle; pulled between his desire for freedom and love for the watchmaker, he does not want to be their pawn but to live his life as he sees fit and as he sees best.
Clockwork Angels is a novel that expands on the lyrics Neil Peart wrote for his band Rush, on an album of the same name. Together he and Kevin took the story to a whole new level, flushing out this world and the people in it. Neil’s reading is so soothing and engaging at the same time; it draws the reader into a cozy space, like a warm blanket on a chilly night.
Sadly, Neil Peart is no longer with us, but he lives on in his books, lyrics, and wonderful stories like this one.
Be sure to look for the latest book in the series Clockwork Destiny coming soon from Wordfire Press!
Written by Ed Carter
Hi, I’m Lynn, and I Make.
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