Clockwork Destiny

Clockwork Destiny by Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart

The final book in the Clockwork Angels series was clearly influenced by the music of Rush and the lyrics of Neil Peart. By Tor the Snow Dog plays a key role. There is the Dreamline campus, freewill and many parts related to Rush songs that move along the plot. Anderson and Peart had been working through ideas for the book before Peart passed away. Anderson then finished it after Peart's death.

In this book, a group is going on a quest to find the magic substance that would restore vitality to the Watchmaker and order to the universe. They find it, but instead of giving it to the Watchmaker they give it to Grandfather. The watchmaker does not seem disappointed.

In the quest, they meet many people in the clockwork world. It is a steampunk world with carnivals and power. The watchmaker has organized everything and made detailed plans. They run into people that had known they would be coming for years - however, they did not know complete details. For example, when the party talks to an outfitter for their quest to the cold realms, the outfitter knew they would be coming and stayed open for that, even without much other business. The quest involves finding more about the anarchists and getting the potion that can help restore order. The anarchists are trying to spread disorder in the world. University students are especially drawn to anarchy without knowing truly what it is. Some of the anarchy was first spread by the Watchmaker himself, but later revivals have spread out of hand. There are also stories that can be told by a prick of blood. However, some of the stories end up being super simple. Many people are interested in continuing their bureaucratic life, even when the underpinning structure is under risk.

This book was well written, though I wish I could find a premade playlist of all the Rush songs mentioned.

Clockwork Lives

Clockwork Lives by Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart

The second book in the Clockwork series is a collection of short stories framed in the story of a woman gathering stories. She can get a drop of blood to help get the "true" story from people. She travels around to hear the stories of others. Some are of important people. While, others are of ordinary or those low in status. There is the story of the pickpocket who didn't want to murder like his father. There is the explorer who eventually stopped exploring and instead became a storyteller.

The Watchmaker does not want to share his stories. His "autobiography" is the primary book available in most book stores. It is regularly updated with his details. After she tries to get his true story, he chases her out and gives her the book. She tosses it in the sea and goes to collect more stories.

The stories provide a variety of different looks at the life of people. Many could live in any "normal" world, while some are tightly tied to the Steam Punk world of the book.

Clockwork Angels: The Novel

Clockwork Angels: The Novel by Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart

In a steam punk work, everything is in order due to the work of the clockmaster. One boy has a nice life at home and a potential future marriage with a girl he likes. He rebels a bit and decides to go meet her outside at midnight. She doesn't show up. Since he is out, he decides to check out the nightly steemer. Somebody offers to pull him aboard and thus begins his adventures. He hangs out with carnies, and travels all around. He tries to see places that he has seen before, but they are different. He learns there are different versions of worlds. He later learns that he is an integral player in a battle between the Clockmaster and the Anarchast. He chooses not to decide between the two and goes on his own way.

The book feels very much like a Rush album. Various song titles and lyrics are "name dropped" in a way that flows well. Bits from dreamline and Freewill jumped out. I am sure there are many others that I missed. Beyond the use of bits from songs, the book exposes Neil's philosophy, which is in turn influenced by Ayn Rand. Now I need to listen to the album it was based on.

Mortal Engines: Mortal Engines, Book 1

Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeve

In a post-apocalytpic world, cities are flying around a little above the ground. The biggest cities (like London) conquer the smaller ones. There are also pirates that capture cities for their own purposes. In this universe, there are people trying to find other people and complete their goals.

A Master of Djinn: A Novel

An early 20th century version Egypt has magic as part of its society. A murder occurs, and a woman detective is put on the case. She is also given a partner to work with her on the case, much to her chagrin. (However, she reluctantly agrees to work with her, realizing there are not many females that get the opportunity.) 

The society seems similar to our modern society. Concerns of westernization, gender equity and LGBTIA rights are all issues that come in to play in this "magical society". The big difference is the magic (and "fake magic") that are part of this society.

There are a number of topics of colonialism, slavery, and magic involved as the Djinn have their magical powers, yet are somewhat subservient. The British people in Egypt end up being troublemakers among a society that has come at peace with the magical presence.

Underneath all this magic and political commentary, there is a detective story. They do manage to uncover the source of the murder. There are plenty of twists and turns in the case (many involving the supernatural.)

Fever Crumb

Fever Crumb is set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic London. Population is now less than 100,000. A group of people that view themselves as homo-superiorous had ruled the city. However, due in part to lack of reproduction, they had been killed off by the local population. The book focuses on a group of "engineers" that work to support science regardless of who is in power. They stress rationale thought above all else, and try to avoid personal superstition and human relations. One day, however, a little girl appears on their doorstep. She is somewhat "different" with miscolored eyes. Dr. Crumb takes her in and raises her as a fully rational engineer. At 14, she is sent out to help with an archaeological site. In the process, she runs into some people that think she is one of the previous rulers. An old hunter and boy try to hunt her down, providing the drama. Eventually, new rulers come into London, with plans for moving cities. They discover Fever's parentage and Fever decides she wants to be out on her own.
The world is an interesting future that discovers bits and pieces of today's world, but obviously still has a large technological gap. Fever is a very sympathetic character. She is trying to find her way in the world after her very rationalistic upbringing. You can see how this can turn into a large number of future stories.