Clockwork Dagger PB - (Clockwork Dagger Novel) by Beth Cato (Paperback)

About the Book

Full of magic, mystery, and romance, an enchanting steampunk fantasy debut in the bestselling vein of Trudi Canavan and Gail Carriger.

Orphaned as a child, Octavia Leander was doomed to grow up on the streets until Miss Percival saved her and taught her to become a medician. Gifted with incredible powers, the young healer is about to embark on her first mission, visiting suffering cities in the far reaches of the war-scarred realm. But the airship on which she is traveling is plagued by a series of strange and disturbing occurrences, including murder, and Octavia herself is threatened.

Suddenly, she is caught up in a flurry of intrigue: the dashingly attractive steward may be one of the infamous Clockwork Daggers the Queen s spies and assassins and her cabin-mate harbors disturbing secrets. But the danger is only beginning, for Octavia discovers that the deadly conspiracy aboard the airship may reach the crown itself."

Book Synopsis

Full of magic, mystery, and romance, an enchanting steampunk fantasy debut in the bestselling vein of Trudi Canavan and Gail Carriger.

Orphaned as a child, Octavia Leander was doomed to grow up on the streets until Miss Percival saved her and taught her to become a medician. Gifted with incredible powers, the young healer is about to embark on her first mission, visiting suffering cities in the far reaches of the war-scarred realm. But the airship on which she is traveling is plagued by a series of strange and disturbing occurrences, including murder, and Octavia herself is threatened.

Suddenly, she is caught up in a flurry of intrigue: the dashingly attractive steward may be one of the infamous Clockwork Daggers--the Queen's spies and assassins--and her cabin-mate harbors disturbing secrets. But the danger is only beginning, for Octavia discovers that the deadly conspiracy aboard the airship may reach the crown itself.

From the Back Cover

Orphaned as a child, Octavia Leander was doomed to grow up on the streets until Miss Percival saved her. Gifted with incredible powers, the young healer is about to embark on her first mission, visiting suffering cities in the far reaches of the war-scarred realm. But the airship on which she is traveling is plagued by a series of strange and disturbing occurrences, including murder, and Octavia herself is threatened.

Suddenly, she is caught up in a flurry of intrigue: the dashingly attractive steward may be one of the infamous Clockwork Daggers--the Queen's spies and assassins--and her cabinmate harbors disturbing secrets. But the danger is only beginning, for Octavia discovers that the deadly conspiracy may reach the crown itself.

Review Quotes

"The Clockwork Dagger was an immensely fun and entertaining novel... and kept me hooked into the narrative and turning the pages at a dogged pace.... I'm looking forward to picking up Octavia and Alonzo's story in The Clockwork Crown." - SFFWorld
"[The Clockwork Dagger takes an] intriguing approach, and a rewarding one. [It] is set in a completely fabricated universe rather than an alternate version of our own. This makes for some dazzling, uniquely detailed backdrops. It also frees Cato from having to haul around the Victorian Era's real-world baggage-and it helps level the playing field for those who aren't as familiar with steampunk's particulars." - Entertainment Weekly
"A light read that ... may offer an interesting new world to readers who enjoy the flavor of steampunk fantasy and soap-opera intrigue." - Kirkus Reviews
"As a piece of genre fiction, The Clockwork Dagger works on two levels: It doesn't assume that the reader has any familiarity with steampunk, yet it hits all the high notes that steampunk fans crave. Then it pokes those tropes to just the right degree. It's an action tale that's as thought-provoking as it is rollicking - and a statement about how heroes don't always fit our definitions, nor should they." - NPR
"This rousing tale... keeps itself grounded with a story as disarming and forthright as its appealingly capable heroine. ...Ample action and a delectably delayed romance propel the story toward a riveting finale, marking Cato as an author to watch." - Publishers Weekly
"Beth Cato handles this heady mix with a fine sense of language, emotion, and event, making the whole thing flow more like a force of nature than the work of a first novelist." - Locus
"[A] captivating read with fantastic contraptions, an intricate plot, and imagery so colorful and vivid it will make readers wish the internal combustion engine had never been invented." - Arizona Daily Star
"The Clockwork Dagger was just what I needed: A steampunk adventure with an uncommon heroine, a fascinating magic system, and a young gremlin! I'm hooked and can't wait for more Octavia and Leaf!" - New York Times bestselling author Kevin Hearne
"Full of magic and steampunk adventure, Beth Cato's Clockwork Dagger will delight fans of Meljean Brooks Iron Seas Series." - Nicole Peeler
"The Clockwork Dagger had me at hello and kept me with unexpected twists, intriguing magic and splendid betrayals. At the satisfying conclusion, my immediate impulse was to enquire in tones of gentle inquiry, when do I get to read the sequel!?!?" - C. E. Murphy
"Not only does Cato create an intriguing universe, but she also develops a one-of-a-kind, kickass heroine who is determined to forge her own path. Adventure, magic, unexpected romance and heart-breaking betrayal all combine for a thrilling tale." - RT Book Reviews
"The action is pretty much nonstop in this debut steampunk fantasy....Although readers will enjoy the satisfying climax of this adventure, there is plenty to the plot for a sequel from promising novelist Cato." - Library Journal (starred review)
"DR. QUINN meets DREADNOUGHT in this thrilling, delightful tale combining the political stakes of epic fantasy, the airships and corsets of steampunk, and the heartwarming joy of romance. Excellent fun for lovers of Cherie Priest and Scott Westerfeld." - Michael R. Underwood, author of GEEKOMANCY
"Airships, assassins, pulp writers, and an independent, appealing heroine: THE CLOCKWORK DAGGER is an exciting debut full of mysterious magic, forbidden romance, and adventure at 5,000 feet." - Tina Connolly, author of IRONSKIN