Reviewed by Taylor

Title: Clockwork Horizon

Author: Therese Woodson

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Pages: 70

Blurb:

As a major airship port, Aerial City welcomes visitors from all over the world. Despite being surrounded by new inventions and colorful people, Malachi Covington partakes of little outside his books and studies. He aches for adventure and excitement but labors under the rules and expectations of his wealthy uncle. Five airships arrive in port, keeping his uncle busy and, as Malachi’s best friend Millie reminds him, they’re carrying parties full of crew members. Excitement finds him in the form of Ian, a charming airship pilot who invites him to tour his ship, the Mockingbird. With Ian at his side, Malachi discovers a world beyond his books and takes daring steps to become his own man.

Review:

I’ve grown to love Therese Woodson’s books over the last several months. Twelve Tasks and her holiday short were so damn adorable and I know I’m always going to get something that makes me forget about the real world and go somewhere sunny & sweet.

That being said: this was not my favorite of hers. I still liked this a lot and I understand it was going for steampunk and given it was short, only had so much room to tell its story. But I feel it lost its way for me as it went on. Or rather, I lost interest.

I loved the beginning. Malachi is the sheltered, rich, studious boy living with his stern uncle and friends with a feisty, female inventor, Millie. He stumbles in to every person’s fantasy. A big, beautiful man who’s charming and sly working on an airship. Sweet. I’m on board. No pun intended given the subject matter.

But then…the book’s spark dimmed for me. The interactions between Malachi and Ian lost tension. Gone was this ravishing stranger that intrigued me and in his place was this mildly insecure, sugary man. Everything happened so quickly.  Yes, they dated and spent time together, but I felt I was told it rather than shown it, or at least a big enough chunk of it for me to get attached to either character. I sound like I’m downing it and I’m trying not to because I think people will really adore this, but maybe I was in the mood

for something grittier? It’s a simple, short story. A boy wants life’s adventures, he meets a dashing man, they fall for each other, and they hope for a future together. Fairy tale-like. I just needed more…something.

Cute overall, still a fan of this author, but I’m looking forward to something longer from her.

Rating:

Links: Dreamspinner Press