Review: Timekeeper

Timekeeper by Tara Sim
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have very mixed feelings about this book; partly, I guess, because I read it right after a great book and it looked pale in comparison. On the one hand, the story is very interesting, with quite a few unexpected turns; the writing is good; the world-building is good and subtle, doesn't involve data dumps, and results in a sturdy structure; this structure is particularly interesting, because it's new and original, but at the same time touches some mythological part of the soul, which makes it work, makes it make sense.

On the other hand, there were quite a few logical gaps in the narrative, both in the way the characters act and think and in the actual events. And the closer we get to the end, the worse it becomes. Who could steal a clock piece? Mechanics wouldn't, apprentices wouldn't have enough experience, that means the culprit must have bribed a random guy from the town. Who is to blame when a clocks explodes and a boy dies? Another boy who doesn't have anything to do with the bomber, but held a grudge against the deceased. And those are only examples of biases in thinking, logic of events is somewhat worse.

My main disappointment came at the end. I wish I didn't read the last 50 pages or so. Or I wish that the author bothered to resolve the story. I know it's supposed to be at least a trilogy, but the set up for the next book is rather crude. The happy ending, even if it's temporary, is awful. (view spoiler)[The clock spirit and his mechanic live happily ever after... I wonder how long it would take a seventeen-year-old boy to become bitter. Living in a small town with a jealous immortal spirit, in a dusty tower, without any chance to have family, close friends, career, even sex. And the spirit? What will he feel when the boy grows up? Or dies? (hide spoiler)] The ending is completely unresolved, doesn't make any sense, and doesn't even feel "happy" at all.

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