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Synopsis (From Goodreads):
Present day: When a young anthropologist specializing in ancient technology uncovers a terrible secret concealed in the workings of a three-hundred-year-old mechanical doll, she is thrown into a hidden world that lurks just under the surface of our own. With her career and her life at stake, June Stefanov will ally with a remarkable traveler who exposes her to a reality she never imagined, as they embark on an around-the-world adventure and discover breathtaking secrets of the past...

Russia, 1725: In the depths of the Kremlin, the tsar's loyal mechanician brings to life two astonishingly humanlike mechanical beings. Peter and Elena are a brother and sister fallen out of time, possessed with uncanny power, and destined to serve great empires. Struggling to blend into pre-Victorian society, they are pulled into a legendary war that has raged for centuries.

The Clockwork Dynasty interweaves past and present, exploring a race of beings designed to live by ironclad principles, yet constantly searching for meaning. As June plunges deeper into their world, her choices will ultimately determine their survival or extermination.

Review:
I wanted to read this book because I liked the idea of automatons and the meaning of consciousness. These are essential questions we must ask as machines become smarter and inch closer to self awareness.  While I liked the characters, the narrator's performances, and some of the action, I was not thrilled with this book.  I found parts of it confusing, and I didn't feel it addressed some of the most obvious issues that would be present in this situation.

Narrative Style:
I really enjoyed how the narration alternated each chapter between June (in the present day), and Peter (in eighteenth century Russia).  It was fun to anticipate how these two stories would converge.

Narration Performances:
The performances of David Giuntoli (as Peter), and Claire Coffee (as June), were wonderful.  I especially enjoyed how David Giuntoli expressed the angst that Peter experiences.  He is passionate about serving Honor, but begins to question the causes he is asked to defend.  Claire Coffee also brings the sassy June to life with gusto.

Characters:
June is a strong woman who's career is centered on her fascination with automatons.  She is kind of like Indiana Jones, searching the globe for artifacts that support her obsession.  I liked that she is so independent, but has flaws, and is strongly influenced by her Grandfather (a Jewish survivor of WWII).

Peter is one of the ancient automatovs (living machines). He struggles to understand his purpose in life.  He feels a deep need to serve Pravda (honor), but also has a sense of self-preservation that is very human.

Pacing:  
There were a lot of passages that went on too long, and listening to the audio book made me sleepy, at times.  Not a good sign in a book!  I had to rewind several times in order to understand what happened.

Story:
While the story was interesting, I found it confusing at times, and I couldn't feel invested in the outcome of the events.  How ancient are the automatovs?  Who originally created them?  Even when this is revealed, I didn't get the significance. 

It was also kind of creepy that June seems to be attracted to Peter.  He really is a machine.  I wish that June didn't need to romanticize Peter's situation.  If I were her, I would be more drawn to why he was created, and what his purpose is.

While the book was somewhat entertaining, I just couldn't get excited by the plot.

                                                              

Rating: 

Release Date:  August 1st, 2017

Genre:  Science Fiction

Publisher:  Random House Audio

Listening Length:  10 Hours, 45 Minutes

Page Length:  320 Pages

Source:  Public Library

Format:  Audio Book

Narrated by:  David Giuntoli and Claire Coffee 

Recommendation:  While the idea of automatons is fun,  I was not bowled over by this book.  Other people may like this book, but it was not for me.