Daniel H. Wilson's "Clockwork dynasty"

 

You can find this book here.

Wilson knows his machines. he has a B.S. in computer science and did a Ph.D. in robotics. So if it is one thing he knows; it is how machines work. So this science fiction novel should be centred in strong science. But, is it? I'll get to that later.

Funny thing, it is also centred in layers of history. This makes the narrative of the story an enjoyable read as each chapter tends to move between the present and the past to make connections with characters, robots (or avtomat) and historical context consistently.

The book centres mostly around two characters: June a human, and Peter (or Pyotr) an avtomat. Past and present collide with these two characters after June discovers a secret concealed in a three-hundred-year-old mechanical doll. Whilst I have made that sound strange, June is an anthropologist who specialises in ancient technologies. and the "doll" she finds is incredibly ancient. Just like Peter, who as part of that technological history, partners with June to help save, well, possibly everyone in the end.

The mystery of avtomat in this novel is strong; so too, I found are the historical elements. I found some fight scenes hard to follow, but I found the human character believable, relatable and true-to-form for being thrown into situations such as these. There is even some nice moments between avtomat.

Now, back to my first question. Is it science? Are all civilisations circular and so rise and fall just to rise again so that something like an avtomat can exist and try and save its self? And should I answer that? Maybe not. The book brings out ideas like this and makes you think about the nature of time, machines and purpose in large, sweeping arcs. It makes questions like this valuable, and as a reader, I hope you enjoy it. A book that makes you think, can be just as good fun, or even more so, than a book you read just for enjoyment. 

Don't worry; it isn't so deep you will wade through and have your brain explode on you (for example, a Kafka work). It balances well. You might find the ending anti-climactic; but it is a good book to read if you like the science fiction or steampunk genres. It is a short, quick read; which makes it a strong selling point as well. 

Links for you

Wilson's work in the Library:

Andromeda evolution

Title read-a-likes in the Library:

Peripheral

William Gibson

Humans, bow down

James Patterson

Both of these books look at artificial intelligence, machines rising up and strong narratives. Gibson's work also has a parallel narrative like Wilson's (it changes between timelines or characters).