Book Review: The Clockwork Three

The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby tells the intertwining story of three children trying to make their way in a city designed to take them down. Guiseppe, a street musician, longs to escape from his ruthless padrone and return home to Italy, but his hopes seem futile until he comes across an enchanted green violin. Frederick, an orphaned apprentice clockmaker, hopes to become a journeyman by building the greatest clockwork man the world has ever seen. Hannah, a hotel maid struggling to provide for her poor family, dreams of adventure that seems more achievable than ever when she encounters a strange guest and a secret treasure. When the three children meet, they soon realize that each holds a piece of the other's puzzle and that only by trusting each other will they get what they want.

For a children's novel, this book is a delightful read that I'm sure readers of all ages would enjoy. It never felt too young for me, and the writing is lovely. The descriptions paint such beautiful pictures. Each character is so rich and intriguing, and the way they fit together highlights each of their strengths and how they compensate for each other's weaknesses. They all seemed so different, but it was instantly clear how much they needed each other when they came together.

I can't think of anything I didn't like about this book. Some of the children's decisions felt utterly idiotic, but I blamed that on them being children. Overall, it was still believable and a fun read.

Despite the dark circumstances and dangers in the book, this is one of those stories that makes you believe in people and hope they will all make the right choices. Even when things seemed grim, I knew it would all work out in an unexpected yet satisfying way.

I rate The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby 5/5 stars. If you're looking for an uplifting and page-turning read, take a look.