Publication Date: April 20, 2013
In Disturbing Clockwork by D.L. Morrese, Benkin, an inventor, finds clockwork automatons on a deserted island. Benkin sees the machines as a key to unlock the world’s mysteries. The clever and ambitious Snyde, a fugitive and notorious baddie, sees the machines as the key to ultimate power. Can Trixie, Kwester, Muce and Prince Donald save Benkin from Snyde’s clutches in time?
D.L. Morrese continues the stories of Westgrove introduced in Defying Fate – Two Tales of the Warden and Amy’s Pendant.
There is a whimsy in the way Morrese writes that could be called light fantasy. His work is infused with humor and intelligence and general good fun for the reader. Morrese presents us with characters that we’ve come to know and enjoy each time we meet. The reader evolves with the story and knows secrets of the world to which the natives aren’t privy and all story lines tie together and yet stand on their own.
Over the course of the novels, the evolution of Prince Donald is startling. Trixie notes his transition from bumbling oaf to a capable leader and he is someone who will one day rule Westgrove. Donald doesn’t use his putative responsibility as an excuse to sit back but is fully part of the action — action that the author writes very well. Is Morrese the sort of author who would kill the main character? Morrese is an author that I know will one day break my heart. I am connected with his vividly written cast. Did he break my heart in Disturbing Clockwork? You will simply have to read to find out. I’m not a reader who keeps a storyboard when I read a series of books but if I did, the result would be a consistently evolving character in an ever-expanding story line.
Disturbing Clockwork has what readers want. Action, adventure, humor, a hint of romance and great promise of continued adventures. A reader can spend a wonderful day touring Westgrove with Trixie and her friends. The plot line in Disturbing Clockwork is direct. Any reader who read the fabulous Amy’s Pendant (not necessary but recommended) before this story will have an inside scoop on the driving force of this story line.
Much of the story revolved around finding the bad guy who was indeed very cleverly portrayed. Snyde has been able to evade those who wish to make him pay for his crimes fairly easy in the medieval world but not without great cunning on his part. Snyde is not a bad guy, just tossed in because we need one. He is a fully developed, continuing character who might actually be able to stay on the run forever if that was something he desired. Morrese not only tells us that he’s clever; he shows us that Snyde is clever which is a far more difficult thing to do.
I am a big fan of Douglas Adams and Jasper Fforde who play off of the real world enhancing with words existence beside our own that most people don’t care to discover (in the novels). Morrese writes with the same spirit as these authors — the slightly absurd that so enchants this reader. If you like science fiction, you will like D.L. Morrese. Pick up the entire Westgrove series today but especially the cherry on the sundae that is Disturbing Clockwork.
Check out further reviews that take place in the Warden World The Warden Threat as well as Amy’s Pendant and An Android Dog’s Tale. For adventure readers, check out the Brain Child Series book reviews Brane Child and The Scarecrow’s Brane.
If this sounds like a book for you, read an excerpt and buy Disturbing Clock by D.L. Morrese on
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