The Inexplicables: A Novel of the Clockwork Century (The Clockwork Century, 4)

I've lost track of what volume number in the Clockwork Century Series The Inexplicables represents, but the mind, and pen, of Cherie Priest delivers this installment in a way that is still refreshing. The usual cast of characters is there, plus a new teen protagonist. If this is your first venture into this alternate late nineteenth century, shame on you for not discovering it sooner! No worries, though, as there are enough mild explanations as to who the cast of characters are that you should be up to date in no time. For veterans of this blight filled Seattle, there is more history of revealed.Perhaps because this story comes back inside Seattle, I felt The Inexplicables was the strongest since the original Clockwork Century novel, Boneshaker. The big twist here, without giving away too much, was a guest appearance by Sasquatch. While some may argue that the Sasquatch related elements could be removed without influencing the plot, I have a distinct feeling this character will be back. I've come to appreciate Ms Priest's storytelling and don't think she would introduce such an element unless there was a really good reason to bring that character in.I am also coming to appreciate some of the underlying social commentary that runs through this Time That Never Was. In addition to advancing the Good Guys vs Bad Guys plot, we have a story of redemption. Rector Sherman, the newest character, lives in an orphanage and makes money on the side selling "Sap" . . . when he's not sampling from his latest batch. When we meet Rector, he is at the end of his time in the orphanage and possibly near the end of his life because of the drug usage. Through support of friends he finds physical redemption and by the time we leave him, he is well on the road to physical recovery. My compliments to the author for getting this across, without having to hit the reader over the head with this moral, while still advancing the rest of the plot.The action is well paced and the dialog is well done. The development of the main characters is very well done. The flaws lie in the development of secondary characters. For the most part, they are confined to the wings: they are talked about, but there is no real history revealed about them and not much development of these secondary characters. While the science may be somewhat flawed, you just need to remind yourself, this is Steampunk. Science is reinvented and reconceived as needed to fit the times.Despite these misgivings, The Inexplicables is thoroughly enjoyable and a welcome addition to the Clockwork Century. Overall, I'll go four stars for this work. If you're a fan of this series, you need it for your collection. If you are new to Steampunk, the American twist is refreshing.(Review Originally Published on Librarything)

The Inexplicables returns the Clockwork Century series to Seattle, where zombies roam and the blight can steal a man's life in a breath. On this visit to Seattle the reader sees the city from the viewpoint of a not so noble young man. He's an eighteen year old who's hooked on the sap and doesn't mind getting his hands dirty to get his fix. The problem is that guilt is eating him up, and that guilt has taken on the form of a friend. A while back he told this friend about an opening in the wall, a way to reach the heart of Seattle, a breach into the world of blight, and the undead. The friend hasn't been seen since. That guilt, and having nowhere else to go, and nobody to give him the sap, leads him through the wall, and into a grand adventure that changes him from a shady character into...well, a shady character that will stick to his friends through thick and thin.I've got to admit that at first I didn't care much for Rector. He's not the hero type, as a matter of fact, he's not the sort of person that stories are written about, but as the tale goes on he grows from a self-serving kid into a half-way responsible adult. Oh, he never becomes valiant - that would be pushing the limits of this character's believability, but he does become a hero in his own way. He's a scoundrel from start to finish, but by the time the story ends he's a scoundrel who will stick by his friends.The Inexplicables also brings back a good many characters that those familiar with the Clockwork Century will recognize. Some play small roles, and some are right there with Rector as his adventures take him through the devastated city.As you would expect, there's a good bit of the steampunk tech that I look forward to in all of the Clockwork Century novels. There's also another bit of legend that is woven into the story, but I don't want to say too much about that as it will give away a spoiler.This is a must have for all of those who've read Cherie Priest's other Clockwork Century novels. For anyone looking for a bit of steampunk, zombies, and explosive adventure then this is a story that I would strongly suggest.

My first Cherie Priest book was Boneshaker and I thought it was fantastic. I can almost smell the movie rights now....I bought the Inexplicables and hoped that Cherie would continue to build upon the characters, the lore of the world she created and threads of the plot line. She did although not as aggressively as I had hoped.Don't get me wrong, the book was still a solid "A". I really enjoyed it although I read it in a little under two days. Yes, I am a college educated 47 year old so digesting this shouldn't be a stretch.I liked Boneshaker so much I actually re-read parts of it. Throughout the Boneshaker I thought the imagery was so rich I thought of the Harry Potter series and JK Rowlings ability to paint a scene within my imagination. I liked Boneshaker that much.The Inexplicables was not far off from that however it built upon some characters that were introduced in Boneshaker and cleaned up in the aftermath of the war and Dr. Minnericht plus further definition of the blight and some of its long term effects.Did I like it? Absolutely. It had some well designed action and further detailed out the steam punk Seattle that Ms. Priest has so beautifully laid out. After I read it I wanted a little bit more though. I liked the angle of the blight getting out although the whole idea of the capture and illicit use of the blight got tiresome after a while. It became a drug war with zombies playing a bit part and the real bad guys being other drug manufacturers. Good villains no doubt but short lived ones at best.So was it a good read? 100%. Was it as good as Boneshaker? Not quite. Would I still buy and read it? Absolutely. Was it fun. Unequivocally yes.

Usually, I get through books pretty fast, reading several each month. However, this one has been with me since December last year (through no fault of it), and perhaps that's affected my enjoyment, but it still gets a 4 star rating though, despite the length of time taken to read it.The story, follows Rector, newly turned 18 and kicked out of the orphanage to find his way in life. Rector - a Sap addict - decides to head inside the walled section of the city of Seattle, to try and get a job as a Sap dealer, and feed his addiction. From here, the adventure starts in true Cherie Priest style.I won't say too much more about the plot, in case I give away too much, but there's a lot of familiar faces, a bit of fighting, adventure, explosions, and something else - something Inexplicable.I have to say, I was a bit disappointed with the reveal for The Inexplicable - I had hoped for something a bit more monsterish. that said, the book was enjoyable. Rector was a good character, whom you aren't sure if you should be liking or disliking at the start.If you've read this far in the series, you'll more than likely be reading this regardless of the reviews. I'd recommend reading this, as it is a good addition to the series - just don't expect too much from it - more of a second in trilogy type book.

I have purchased all 4 of the Boneshaker series plus the side story (Clementine) and found all of them to be excellent and would rate all of the previous books at five stars.For some reason this book did not grab me as quickly as all the previous books and It was some time befire I really got into the new character of Rector (Red).Still a very good read and well worth perservering with the book.I would have no reservation in buying any book written by this auther.

Great read

Another cracking adventure

Good book, great service