Content levels
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Synopsis
A paladin, an assassin, a forger, and a scholar ride out of town. It's not the start of a joke, but rather an espionage mission with deadly serious stakes. T. Kingfisher's new novel begins the tale of a murderous band of criminals (and a scholar), thrown together in an attempt to unravel the secret of the Clockwork Boys, mechanical soldiers from a neighboring kingdom that promise ruin to the Dowager's city. If they succeed, rewards and pardons await, but that requires a long journey through enemy territory, directly into the capital. It also requires them to refrain from killing each other along the way! At turns darkly comic and touching, Clockwork Boys puts together a broken group of people trying to make the most of the rest of their lives as they drive forward on their suicide mission.
Tags
Is Clockwork Boys (Clocktaur War) appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This fantasy adventure features a darkly comedic tone with a band of criminals on a suicide mission. Contains moderate violence and morally complex characters making difficult choices.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include death, violence, and betrayal.
Who'll love this
Teens will enjoy the witty banter and unlikely friendships formed between these flawed characters on an impossible quest.