This note is based on a skim of the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, and 12th chapters.

Twisted Clockwork is the story of Nicu, a young apprentice healer living in the village Clockwork, and Maverick, a bounty hunter.  Children are disappearing from the village at night, and the townsfolk decide to hire the bounty hunters to find them.

The prose is mostly clean, but the dialogue and story seem rather anachronistic.  We have a tiny village, lit by candles, but the townsfolk speak like modern city-dwellers—even the children.  Ditto the bounty-hunters, who talk and act like they are use to modern comforts, not living hand-to-mouth.  There’s no edge to anyone—everyone is polite and self-possessed.  The plot centers around stolen children, but the behaviour and words of the townsfolk don’t seem to match—there’s little hysteria, little real fear, little anger.  In a way, everything feels very business-as-usual.  People behave in ways inconsistent with their stated emotions.

Maverick quickly develops a bit of a thing for Nicu.  To be honest, I found it to be pretty creepy, as Nicu seems quite young.  When we actually find out his age, it doesn’t improve things, either.  However, the author has had the good sense to limit things to unrequited longing on Maverick’s part.  Additionally, the relationship between the characters develops into some genuine affection, and Maverick seems to want to protect Nicu—even from himself.  Still, the characters lack sufficient depth to make it all work, and, depending on your sensibilities, you may find it an uncomfortable read.

Overall, the story isn’t a difficult read, but isn’t very compelling, either.

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