Clockwork Boys is such a delightful book! I adore the world of The Temple of the White Rat and T. Kingfisher pulls me in every time.

This is a classic quest fantasy with a twist and the usual flare you would expect from this author. I adore the whimsical and at times very dark humour and descriptors throughout their writing. Slade and Caliban are an unlikely pair but their odd and growing cabal has been so fun to watch. Endlessly entertaining and I can’t wait to read the next installment!

I would definitely recommend this to lovers of low fantasy.

So, it looks like T Kingfisher is another of those authors where it's either hit or miss with me, either something I'll love lots or something that leaves me thinking 'well, that was okay' but nothing more. Unfortunately, Clockwork Boys was one of the latter, not leaving me desperate to see what happens in the second half.

The basic premise of the book is that it's your D&D quest narrative, with a variety of characters thrown together (disgraced knight, geeky scholar, etc etc) in order to deal with a problem. In this case, the problem is the eponymous Clocktaurs which are monsters created by a mixture of magic and mechanical means, terrorising a country at war. It's a solid read, though the pacing seems a bit wobbly at times, but definitely not one I'll go back to (unlike some of the author's other books).

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.

I’m going to say it—The Clockwork Boys deserved to be a full-length novel! This novella doesn’t waste time with slow build-up; it dives straight into the action with a ragtag crew of morally grey (and some outright villainous) misfits thrown together on a deadly mission to stop the terrifying "big bad"—the Clockwork Boys. It’s like a fantasy Suicide Squad, full of sharp banter, grudging alliances, and strange, unforgettable worldbuilding. From sentient stone fish to living tattoos that will eat you if you disobey, it’s a wild, darkly funny ride that left me desperate to pick up the sequel.

The Clockwork Boys was truly a joy to read, and it got me out of a reading slump. Throughout the book I could see the influence from different games (Dragon Age) and felt right at home. The characters are fascinating and have fun banter throughout the book. The story has dual POVs, which made it more engaging, and I got to see the story told through the eyes of the paladin. You get to understand him a lot better that way. I really love a slow-burn love story, which hopefully will come to fruition in the second book. This was my first book by T. Kingfisher and definitely won't be the last.

Thanks to Titan Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Kingfisher has done it again. Epic characters, check. Epic setting, check. Epic storyline, check! A journey into a war torn fantasy world as a band of unlikely saviours embark on a quest for answers. Tense, magical and ultimately hilarious this tale gave me Dumas Musketeer vibes and I couldn’t put it down!

Thank you Netgalley, Titan Books and T Kingfisher for the eArc of Clockwork Boys.
This is the first book of the Clocktaur Duology ( Clockwork Boys and The Wonder Engine )

I love T Kingfisher's works, whether it's gothic horror or fantasy, her character development, dynamics and plot lines are wonderfully written. Clockwork Boys is no exception. This book contains everything from atmospheric scenes, dark humourous dynamics between the characters and wonderful world building. Our MC, Slate who was sentenced to Treason gets put on a mission with a demon possessed Paladin, Caliban to find out about the Clockwork Boys, deadly mechanical soldiers who are invading their lands. If they bring back information, a possible pardon and award awaits. On the way, Slate collects a crew with wonderful consequences.

Clockwork boys is beautifully written and I really enjoyed reading of the escapades of Slate and her crew. I just absolutely loved the dynamics between our characters and the multi POV's. I also loved the world building. I could picture all the places they visited on the way to Anuket City. I can't wait to read the Wonder Engine.

I also listened to the audio book. Khristine Hvam did a wonderful job in narrating this book. They have such a wonderful, storytelling voice in which kept all the characters separate and the different moods of the book true to the storyline.

4.5 for Storygraph. 5 starts for other review sites.

CLOCKWORK BOYS is a short quest book full of interpersonal character tension.

This book is a quest-style road trip where the journey itself is full of danger from nature (storms! strange magical mutations!) and the creatures they encounter along the way are not that friendly either (giant deer and rats, not to mention bandits.) I really love quest style books and all the perils a trip can throw at the characters.

And if the trip doesn't kill them, then they might kill each other. There's a lot of friction within the group and the fact the cast is so small (four people) means more time can be spent fleshing them out. Brenner (sarcastic assassin)'s quips amused me as much as I could see why it annoyed everyone else. Seeing the cloistered, sexist scholar slowly come to terms with the realities of the world was quite a nice take on the trope because it wasn't sudden and didn't rely on the others doing anything, other than being themselves.

This book is less than 300 pages, a bit too long to be consider a novella but still short enough to not feel like a novel. It's the first book in a duology that was originally conceived as one book, so perhaps that's why it feels so short?

The romantic subplot between Slate and Caliban (the paladin) also is very clearly part of a two book arc. This one is all slow burn pining and very little acting on it. They are attracted to one another, and naturally the paladin puts his foot into it.

I have been loving reading through T. Kingfisher's backlist as it is being brought into traditional publishing. Clockwork Boys is one that has been recommended to me many times by fellow fans, and I am so glad I took the time to read it now. As you'd expect, Clockwork Boys is a delightful, clever fantasy romp with her signature banter and hint of darkness.

Clockwork Boys is a book that takes place in the same world as the Saints of Steel series - it takes place a few years before Paladin's Grace. Think of it as a cosy fantasy Suicide Squad - we have a rag-tag group of criminals on an impossible mission to earn a second chance at freedom. I absolutely loved the characters in this book - they're complex and delightful and morally grey (like, actually morally grey). Caliban, our disgraced paladin, is mentioned a few times in the Saints of Steel books, and it was great to actually learn his story. Although I loved Slate, our delightfully sneezy forger, Caliban was my favourite character in the book. I really enjoyed his dark backstory and his struggle to (literally) fight his demons and come to terms with his horrible crimes. I'm always a sucker for a muscular cinnamon roll character and Caliban fits that trope perfectly.

My one gripe with this book is that it cuts off right as the action is starting! It feels as though it is just the first part of a book, rather than the first part of a duology (I believe this is actually the case, though I'm not sure why the decision was made to cut the book in half). On a similar note, I'm not sure why we have to wait for 2026 to get the second book, The Wonder Engine, from Titan Books. Fortunately, I have the original eBook on my Kobo, and plan to polish off this duology this summer!

Apparently I can't get enough Kingfisher. You can't either? I'd highly recommend Clockwork Boys as a great place to dive into her books, or as a fantastic next read for those who have already sampled her fantastic fantasy fiction.

T. Kingfisher delivers yet another clever, darkly funny, and emotionally rich fantasy with Clockwork Boys. Her signature blend of dry humor, understated warmth, and sharp character work is on full display here. The dialogue is snappy, the world imaginative without being overcomplicated, and the character dynamics—especially the begrudging camaraderie—are a joy to watch unfold.

While the pacing starts slow, the book gradually builds momentum, balancing absurdity with seriousness in a way that’s both entertaining and meaningful. The humor never undercuts the weight of the story; instead, it enhances it. Kingfisher also writes with a refreshing emotional honesty that sneaks up on you amid the banter and chaos.

The only real drawback is that this feels like half a book—it ends just as things get going. Still, the charm, depth, and sheer readability make it a standout fantasy. You’ll want to have the sequel close at hand.

Absolutely loved this! A read in one sitting book filled with a great cast of characters, high stakes fantasy adventures, humorous shenanigans and a whole lot of heart. I love that Kingfisher has so much humour in her books (much of it laugh out loud) but they never become silly. Her plotting is tight, her world building imaginative and she always creates such a great sense of camaraderie between her misfit bunch of characters

I can’t find no fault in any Kingfisher’s novel and I couldn’t find any in this mix of fantasy and steampunk. I think she could write exciting and gripping shopping list and do not hesitate to buy and read it as it will keep you turning pages

T. Kingfisher is one of those authors I keep meaning to read more of as I know I’ll like their work. 

The Clockwork Boys follows the story of Slate, a criminal forger who has been given the task of finding out more about the terrifying Clockwork army instead of facing prison. 

In order to fulfil her task, she recruits a cocky assassin, a formerly possessed paladin and an uptight monk who accompany her on the dangerous journey to the city where the Clockwork Boys were created. 

I had so much fun reading this little novella. Slate was a compelling main character, and I loved watching her deal with leading a group of difficult men, all whilst dealing with the dangers of travelling into a warzone. (Including the horrors of riding horses 😂)

Each character feels fleshed out, and you get to see their growth as they come up against unfriendly forest dwellers, flighty horses and very strange forests.  By the end of the book, each one has wormed into your heart a little —even the rather misogynistic monk 😂

The dynamic between Slate and Caliban (the paladin) was particularly fun to read and I can't wait to read more of them in the next book.

If you’re looking for an entertaining, humorous and kinda cosy read, definitely pick up this. I will be eagerly waiting for the next book so I can continue the journey with these characters.

I've read Nettle and Bone and Thornhedge by the same author, enjoyng both and this is no exception. Her writing style is very easy for me to read and I find I can visualise it well.

This is only a short book but worth it if you've enjoyed her other works and I look forward to reading the duology.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

Clockwork Boys, we learn in the acknowledgements, was originally the first half of a much longer book. Whilst this leads to a rather abrupt ending, I enjoyed the meandering quest-style narrative (although I have a feeling that the second book may be quite different). My favourite sections were the small details and side characters - the carnivorous tattoos were such an intriguing idea, and I was immensely fond of Grimehug. Overall, I found Clockwork Boys to be surprisingly light-hearted considering the context, with some spots of real humour. It's a fun read, but could do with some work on the pacing. I've already started the second installment!

T Kingfisher is an auto buy author for me and this is a re-release of one of her earlier books.

What she does best is write characters that feel real, they are fleshed out and often hilarious with snappy dialogue.

I’m glad this duology will be read by a whole new audience now!

Clockwork Boys absolutely swept me off my feet—in steel-toed, muddy adventuring boots, no less. From page one, this story moves at a brisk, addictive pace, pulling you into a world that’s cleverly and succinctly built. There’s no info-dump fatigue here—just enough detail to spark the imagination and then it’s off to the races.

What truly makes this book sing, though, is the characters. This is a character-driven story in the best possible way. Instead of heavy exposition or inner monologue marathons, the characters come to life through snappy dialogue and interactions that feel natural, smart, and so entertaining. The banter? Chef’s kiss. The relationships develop with a pace and depth that feels genuine—layered, funny, sometimes awkward, often poignant. It’s like traveling with old friends you haven’t met yet.

As someone who always plays a paladin in games, I’m used to the trope of the grim, righteous, can’t-take-a-joke holy knight. But here? We get a paladin who is nuanced, complex, and (gasp) actually human. It was incredibly refreshing to read a take on the archetype that didn’t feel like a parody or a checklist of clichés. I loved every moment with him and I’m honestly giddy to dive into the second book right away.

Another delightful surprise? The romance subplot. It's subtle, grounded, and—bless—between actual grown-ups. The characters are in their 30s, come with baggage, self-awareness, and the emotional vocabulary to deal with it all. No angst-for-the-sake-of-angst here. Just two people navigating something real amid war, demons, and sarcastic assassins.

If you love fast-paced fantasy with bite, wit, and a whole lot of heart—Clockwork Boys is a ride worth taking.

I'm off to read book two!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

The first (half) of a duology (single book), Clockwork Boys follows a motley suicide squad: Slate, cynical but talented forger; Brenner, somewhat psychopathic assassin; Caliban, former Paladin champion of his God, now left to rot in a cell somewhere; and Learned Edmund, a smart young man so brainwashed by his own religion that he fears even speaking to a woman will liquefy his insides. Their mission: infiltrate their enemy, and discover how the hideous Clockwork Boys are created, or how to stop them, before the brutal siege machines wipe out their entire kingdom.

Despite the constant threat of mortal danger, this is a very fun and lighthearted book. The characters are all very distinct and likable, and there’s enough repetition in the banter between them to make them truly feel like old friends, without going overboard. The plot itself is very short (as I mentioned, half of the true book - of course I immediately bought The Wonder Engine/book 2) and has a decent pace to it. There are new fantastical creatures and a few ongoing mysteries dotted around to keep you curious the whole way through, as well.

My only criticism is littered throughout the previous two paragraphs - it feels like half a book, and ends very abruptly. I hadn’t read the second one yet but I’m fairly sure I’ll feel confident that it should have been published together, as one book, rather than split.

Overall a good read, and enjoys poking fun at the very serious and devout paladin trope. 3.5-4/5.

Three condemned criminals, a forger, an uncouth (but efficient) assassin, and a disgraced paladin in possession of a dead demon, are given a second chance. If they can travel to the neighbouring country and find out how the terrifying clockwork boys (deadly manufactured beings, more siege engine than creature) are made and how to stop them, they'll get a pardon. It's not much of a chance. They all think it's going to be a suicide mission. They are joined on their journey by a scholar, all innocence and preconceived ideas.

This is a quest tale. Four disparate individuals forming some kind of team, but what lifts it well above average is the characterisation and dialogue. Bleakly funny and heartbreaking by turns, I raced through this and immediately bought the second book, The Wonder Engine, because this is a story of two halves. This book deals with the journey, and now i need to know what happens when they arrive.

T. Kingfisher does it again with this superb re-release of one of their older titles. This was a fantastic read from start to finish and I can't recommend it enough!

I love T. Kingfisher's writing, and even though <i>Clocktaur War</i> isn't my favourite read by her I still adored her kind of humour and the unique, very flawed and very loveable characters she introduced us to. It should be mentioned that the ending is rather abrupt, but at least it made me want to read the second book immediately so there's that.

The world Kingfisher builds is once again incredibly intriguing. So are, as mentioned above, the characters: a forger that has to somehow lead this merry band of criminal weirdos, a paladin with a dead demon in his head, an assassin with an uncanny ability to guess a man's clothing size (he's also good at killing) and a scholar with the most misogynist religious beliefs to ever grace the world. Add to that a weird little creature that they meet later in the story and the perfect party for a fun quest is assembled. And then there's also the Suicide Squad situation going on: the first three all have a tattoo that literally eats them alive should they ever go against the orders they were given - to find out more about the menacing titular Clockwork Boys and ways to defeat them. There is a romance simmering that I actually didn't enjoy that much, mostly because it's very instalusty and that's just not my thing as a dedicated connoisseur of slow-as-fuck burns. But I still very much enjoyed the relationships built between the characters, of which I hope there is a bit more development in the second book between some of them.
The story is fun, the stakes are high, the antagonists are scary. All in all, Kingfisher strikes once again. I do feel that she's grown as an author since writing this work and I love her more recent novels more, but if you like her style of stories, this one is definitely a recommendation.