Boneshaker (Clockwork Century Series #1)

My First Steampunk

Boneshaker is the story of Briar Wilkes searching for her son Zeke in walled-in Seattle swarming with zombies and the deadly fumes that transform the living into the walking dead. Oh, and did I mention that this is a steampunk alternate-history setting? This story has the most intriguing and fascinating setup of any novel I've read in the past few years, and the world that Priest has created is well worth exploring.

The story itself is basically a time-pressure rescue story, with a strong sub-plot of searching for family history. The narrative flips back and forth between Briar and Zeke, as they each explore the deadly downtown Seattle. It works, and it's fun.

Ultimately, though, I wound up caring a lot more about the world than about the protagonists of the story... Which is unfortunate. The middle of the novel dragged a bit, but did manage to pick up by the end.

Boneshaker has also been nominated for a 2010 Hugo award (while I was reading it, which made me feel like I was a trend-setter for once...).

4 of 5 stars.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Pay attention that the cover says science fiction

Can there be science fiction in the gold rush era? You bet. Facinating story with old and "new" sciences mixed together with zombies. These zombies are a little bit like the ones in WW-Z. Made me find a map of Seattle. My neighbor, from Seattle, was not familiar with the wall. All the adventures in ruined skyscrapers and deep tunnel work out. The characters all work out well. A good page turner, I have no complaints.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

his is a great Zombie alternate America thriller

In 1863 in Seattle, Washington Territory, Russians hearing rumors of gold in the Yukon and Alaska Territories hire scientist Leviticus Blue to invent a device to obtain the precious metal buried under the frozen tundra. He creates Dr. Blue's Incredible Bone-Shaking Drill Engine; a steam-powered machine that drills through the thickest layers of ice to extract gold. He beta tests his gizmo in downtown Seattle, but something goes awry leaving several dead people from the ensuing accident and a stripped mining like hole that emits an eerie looking gas dubbed Blight as it turned nearby breathers into "rotter", fresh flesh eating predators.

Almost two decades later, Leviticus' son Zeke Wilkes wants to clear his dead father's blighted reputation. He sneaks inside the walled containment zone with his concerned mother Briar in pursuit as she fears her offspring will turn into one of those putrefying rotters. However, her fears turn into mortification when she learns that mad scientist inventor Dr. Minnericht looks like the identical twin of her late husband and he seems to have taken a fatherly interested in her child.

This is a great Zombie alternate America thriller that hooks the readers from the moment that Dr. Blue turns on his machine and never takes even a gruesome puke break. The story line is fast-paced yet the three prime characters are fully developed though the rotters are what the BONESHAKER is all about. One should not read this on a full stomach unless a toilet is nearby as the descriptions are bone-shaking and breaking steampunk. .Readers will relish Cherie Priest's sensational Seattle saga as a mom without apple pie battles zombies, mad scientists and other ilk to rescue her cub.

Harriet Klausner

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Not as good as I was lead to believe

Getting through this book was a chore . I kept hoping it would get better but no such luck . I have heard that the series gets better but I don't think I am going to stick around for it . The setting is interesting but the plot was just kind of meh . Not terrible but far from good . The charecters are kind of a 50/50 mix of interesting and just flat out stupid . I would,nt reccomend this to anyone except for the folks that like SYFY original movies , even then it is with reservations .

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Steampunk Seattle

Thanks to the Seattle Public Library for hiding this book at Bird on a Wire Espresso for me to find, part of SPL's Steampunk Summer 2011 teen reading program. The day I finished the book, I was able to meet Cherie Priest at an author event in Seattle. So bonus all the way around! Being a Seattle resident, I was thrilled to read a book set in long-ago Seattle, albeit with some historical facts changed; those changes are noted in the book although this was not so for early editions. The airships, zombies, and mechanical devices intrigued me. The relationship between Zeke and his mom, Briar, was agonizing to read about as it was so distant. But Briar risks everything to save her boy so the ending ties up nicely. In the middle, the rotters threaten both of them. Such fun, lots of action, lots of emotion. A great read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The book was slow developing and opaque.

I had read the second book 'clementine' first. I think 'Steampunk' is just not for me.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

brilliant steampunk book!

This book is superbly written with in depth characters and a strong plot. Those new to the steampunk genre will lve this book as well as those that are already fans. I can't wait for cherie priests next book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Liking this is eazzy

Zombies, gold greaaaat!!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Very little science and facts. All conversation that is random and meaningless.

The concept attracted me but the book was empty. I relied on my favorite authors reccomendations but it was a let down so it must have been a publisher thing to get them to write about this empty story!

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Steampunk and Zombies? What's not to like?!

A terrible accident leads to the walling up of Seattle, as noxious gas turns fleeing citizens to zombies. Trying to resurrect his father's reputation, a young man enters into the walled city and his mother attempts to bring him home alive, holding deep within her own dangerous secret.
I enjoyed the premise and the storyline, although the zombies seemed almost like an afterthought, a way to develop another element of danger to the otherwise exciting tale. The characters were believable and the conflict unrevealed until the end, although you knew that there had to be more to the mother than she let on.
Boneshaker did what I want in a book, though, it made me want more! What happens next?!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Cherie Preist Falls To Disappoint Me Again!

I just finished BONESHAKER this morning. I was late for work, but it was worth it. I have read all of Cherie's novels, and must say that I enjoyed this one the best. It was an action-packed, heart-pounding, rollicking great time. The main characters were so vividly written that I felt they were in the room with me sometimes. I felt the atmosphere was a character in itself, and I was inclined to keep all my lights on. It was a real page-turner, and right up until the last page, my knuckles were white and I had to almost pry my fingers from the covers. It left me wanting more, and am so happy that there will be more stories set in this alternate universe called Clockwork Century. I just hope that she keeps the strong female charaters front and center in the future novels. I loved Lucy and Princess! I know that Cherie heard this already, but if this were made into a movie, I would overcome my fear of theatres, and be the first in line to see it. I am now a fan of steampunk! Great work Cherie. You deserve all the praise and awards that are coming your way. I rave about your writing to all my friends that will listen. I hope it was okay to write my little review here. Cheers and keep writing! A huge fan in Nova Scotia.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Alternate History SteamPunk Zombie Adventure!

There is so little SteamPunk fiction out there that any contribution to the sub-genre is welcome. That being said, Boneshaker is genuinely good. Richly atmospheric and visually striking, it begs to be made into a movie or mini series with a video game companion. Boneshaker's Seattle is a great setting for fiction, but I'm sure glad I don't live there. The characters are believable, even the over-the-top ones. The main characters are actually likeable despite - or because of - their flaws. The zombie action is not the primary focus, for good or ill. Boneshaker is a book about people in an intollerable situation and how they cope. A must for any SteamPunk fan.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

steampunk zombie apocalypse

Cherie Priest puts a new twist on a worn genre. Her take on Steampunk is fresh and terrifying. Boneskaker is chocked full of space pirates,dirigibles, psychotic captains and zombies. Set in Seattle it features many of our famous landmarks in new horrific ways. This book is Preist's breakout novel, smart, fresh and fabulous. Remember her name, she's a celebrity in the making. Tight writing and witty dialog make this novel a must.
Pre-order this book you won't be sorry. Oh and wait til you see the cover..it says it all, for reals!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This was the first of Cherie Priest’s books I read, and le

This was the first of Cherie Priest’s books I read, and let me tell you, she hooked me. If you’re interested in steampunk, zombies, pirates, adventures, horror, alternate history, strong women characters, post-apocalyptic/disaster, science fiction, or Seattle, this is the book for you. Did I mention zombies? Steampunk with zombies. I admit, I mainly picked up this book because 1) steampunk with zombies sounded like it could be spectacular 2) I’d read rave reviews from several sources 3) Scott Westerfeld’s review on the front cover: “A steampunk-zombie-airship adventure of rollicking pace and sweeping proportions, full of wonderfully gnarly details. This book is made of irresistible.” The book definitely lived up to my expectations, and surpassed them. It’s certainly in my top 5 favorite books, and I have a new series to fall in love with. Thank you, Cherie Priest, for this marvelous gem.

Sci-fi history

This was the first of Priest's books that I've read. If you enjoy alternate histories and imaginative gadgets you will love this book as I did. Seeing the events through different characters helped to pull the story together. A great read.

New author I'll deginitely will read again.

Great story, and endearing characters.

Loved it!

Some people might pass this little gem over thinking steampunk and "alternative history" isn't for them. Well think again because the heart of this story is really about the lengths a mother will go to to protect her child, even when that child is pig-headed, foolish 15 year old and even when those lengths include dropping out of a smuggler's dirigible into a walled up "alternative" Seattle and battling flesh-eating zombies and mad scientists to find him and bring him home.

My first Steampunk

Maybe the genre just isn't for me, I found it really slow moving for the first third of the book. Then the zombies were brought in, which revved it up a little, but not enough to keep things interesting. I ended up skimming the last 100 pages, just couldn't get into this one.

More Punk Than Steam...

After finishing the Leviathan series I was told over and over that the Clockwork Century serial HAD to be my next to read. I'm sure that had I read this series first I probably would've found it more exciting and memorable than I do. Alas I did not read it first so I am left to comparisons and regrets whether warranted or not.
1. I found the characters to be as dull as Briar's favorite color. They were all rather heathery-grey.
2. Zeke is supposed to be a 15 yr old. He is fleshed out much more closely to a 13 yr old. I kept waiting for him to just get it over with and call Briar "Mommy".
3. Blight is such a well rounded, full bodied poison. Not only will it zombify one, if stewed up it will also get you high.
4. The characters that were interesting were only minorly fleshed out. (Cly, Lucy, Yaoste)
I realize these are nitpicky things. Which for me means I'm trying to find excuses for not finding the book amazing. Please read and enjoy this, just don't read it on the heels of Leviathan or the Parasol Proctorate series.

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