Clockwork Angels: The Novel
By Kevin J. Anderson & Neil Peart
ISBN# 1770411216
Author’s Website:  http://wordfire.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Autumn

Synopsis:

A remarkable collaboration that is unprecedented in its scope and realization, this exquisitely wrought novel represents an artistic project between the bestselling science fiction author Kevin J. Anderson and the multiplatinum rock band Rush. The newest album by Rush, Clockwork Angels, sets forth a story in Neil Peart’s lyrics that has been expanded by him and Anderson into this epic novel. In a young man’s quest to follow his dreams, he is caught between the grandiose forces of order and chaos. He travels across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy with lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life. The mind-bending story is complemented with rich paintings by the five-time Juno Award winner for Best Album Design, Hugh Syme. (Goodreads)

Review:

Owen Hardy has lived a full and orderly life, but has always dreamed of what worlds lay just beyond.  He decides to tell the story of the adventures of his youth near the end of his days.  It is of a magical  “steampunk” world that includes the precision of Watchmakers and the maelstrom of Anarchists, pirates and fantastic carnivals.

I honestly loved the way this book was written. The poetic prose leads the reader along in such a way that you actually visualize the scenes, smell the scents and feel the objects.  The brilliant animations by Hugh Syme in the hardcover edition add another layer to the total experience.

Rush fans will be able to recognize some of the themes that weave through the book such as the conflicting nature of order and chaos, dreams and reality as well as the ideals of youth and the practicality of experience.

Clockwork Angels is a book that readers will want to slow down and spend time reading in order to fully enjoy the intricate world building and lyrical aspects of the story. It is truly an intelligent modern fairy tale…