The Clockwork Pen: A romantic dark science fiction steampunk adventure (Sublunary Devices)

The Clockwork Pen: A romantic dark science fiction steampunk adventure (Sublunary Devices)

He’s a typical teen guy full of angst who craves an epic adventure to escape reality. She’s a steampunk cowgirl with a body that won’t quit—stuck inside an alternate Victorian technology timeline—whose only dream is to escape the fantasy and launch a heroic quest for the real world. Wyll's an everyday teenage guy fixing his car when he finds a door to a mysterious world and gets stuck on the other side. He sees a steam-powered airship and sets off to discover the strange steampunk city, but people angrily wave him away. A kind man takes him in, then secretly spirits him away in the night. When Wyll meets Sira, he has no idea who she is or why she's the only one who understands him, but he decides to stay a while … besides, he's stuck. Sira’s burning goal is to leave the mechanical city and her tyrant father, and Wyll’s lack of emotional maturity does not impress her. She doesn’t trust him and guards her secrets. Still, she keeps him hidden and safe from her dystopian world. A friends-to-lovers journey is still just a dream when Wyll is caught during an exploration by other-worldly authorities and taken to a cave of horrors where he truly doubts his survival. The king makes him a double agent through dark forces. Wyll is then roped, unwillingly at first, into a dangerous rebellion. Wyll is torn. If he confesses his deception to the rebels, they will turn on him, but the king has promised to send him away from the nightmare if he succeeds in trapping them. Then again, who would want to leave a cool place with brass rocket packs, robots, corsets, goggles, gears, and handle-bar mustaches? Pulled between both groups like a tug-of-war, Wyll must weigh his desire to go home with his brand-new feelings of bravery, selflessness, and loyalty to the resistance. But which party will win, and who is lying to him? Join the readers who love this action-packed coming-of-age story in a dark fantasy world of clockwork people suffering horrifying consequences for betraying their maker and see if Wyll’s identity forms in love’s adolescence. Click now for your new steampunk horror romance—free on Kindle Unlimited! Then come back to share your experience! Hollywood Book Festival: 2023 First Place Award Winner—Young Adult Category [:A young adult novel with a reverse Beauty and the Beast concept; the handsome 'prince' must find his humanity, then become a beast to escape a dark steampunk world and be with the girl he loves.] " The Clockwork Pen ," book one of the Sublunary Devices series by Jennifer Haskin, is a captivating steampunk fantasy novel that immerses readers in a vividly imagined world where reality is stretched to its limits. The story pulls readers in from page one as it begins with Eugene, a man desperate to save his ailing wife. Eugene, driven to the brink by his wife's deteriorating health, takes a gamble that leads him to The Clockwork Pen—a relic steeped in celestial myth and capable of unimaginable feats. This discovery, both a blessing and a curse, sets off a chain of events that will profoundly impact the lives of those who come in contact with it. Jennifer Haskin's meticulous world-building blends the familiar with the fantastical in a way that feels fresh while being deeply immersive. The novel's setting, a parallel dimension known as Sepherra, is crafted with great attention to detail. The steampunk aesthetic comes alive through vivid descriptions of airships, mechanical contraptions, and Victorian-inspired architecture, creating a unique and atmospheric backdrop for the story. Readers will find the protagonist, Wyll, a relatable and multifaceted character as a teen struggling with his parents' impending divorce. Wyll discovers a doorway to Sepherra, where his journey from disillusioned youth to brave adventurer unfolds. Haskin cleverly explores themes of identity, responsibility, and the power of creation, making Wyll's internal struggles as compelling as the external conflicts he faces in this new world. Readers young and old will appreciate the depth of his character as he perseveres throughout the story. His encounters with the inhabitants of Sepherra, including an enigmatic and formidable girl who helps him navigate this strange land, add layers of depth to the narrative. One of the standout aspects of " The Clockwork Pen " is its pacing. The story moves swiftly, with each chapter introducing new twists and challenges that keep readers eagerly turning the pages. Haskin's sharp prose makes the novel an easy yet absorbing read, with well-executed action scenes that strike the perfect balance of tension and excitement. "The Clockwork Pen" is a strong start to what promises to be an intriguing series. It offers a blend of adventure, mystery, and fantasy that will appeal to fans of steampunk and young adult fiction. The novel's exploration of a magical artifact capable of reshaping reality is both thought-provoking and entertaining, leaving readers eager to see where Haskin will take the