Anna Thatcher is a black market medical technician working outside the law to keep her secret community of outcasts alive. Nathaniel Fremont is the son of the tyrannical Commissioner, whose anti-tech zealotry causes more harm than good. Anna and Nathaniel are nothing alike, save for one thing: the illegal clockwork hearts beating in their chests. Anna hunts him, seeking answers; Nathaniel hunts her, seeking to earn the love of his abusive father. The balance in their game of cat-and-mouse is tipped when Eliza, an ambitious spy for the Queen under the guise of being Nathaniel’s betrothed, arrives. The trio form an uneasy alliance to discover the Commissioner’s darkest secrets, and will stop at nothing to bring him down. Thor has created a unique world full of political intrigue, diverse characters, steampunk-in-space aesthetics, and protagonists with more heart than you can shake a stick at — clockwork or otherwise. It’s also delightfully refreshing to have an aro/ace character coming to terms with themselves portrayed with such sincerity and realism.
The Lunar Chronicles meets Rook in this queer #OwnVoices science-fantasy novel, perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer and Sharon Cameron. A secret beats inside Anna Thatcher's chest: an illegal clockwork heart. Anna works cog by cog -- donning the moniker Technician -- to supply black market medical technology to the sick and injured, against the Commissioner's tyrannical laws.
Nathaniel Fremont, the Commissioner's son, has never had to fear the law. Determined to earn his father's respect, Nathaniel sets out to capture the Technician. But the more he learns about the outlaw, the more he questions whether his father's elusive affection is worth chasing at all.
Their game of cat and mouse takes an abrupt turn when Eliza, a skilled assassin and spy, arrives. Her mission is to learn the Commissioner's secrets at any cost -- even if it means betraying her own heart.
When these uneasy allies discover the most dangerous secret of all, they must work together despite their differences and put an end to a deadly epidemic -- before the Commissioner ends them first.
About the Author
Rosiee Thor began her career as a storyteller by demanding that her mother listen as Rosiee told bedtime stories instead of the other way around. She lives in Oregon with a dog, two cats, and four complete sets of Harry Potter, which she loves so much, she once moved her mattress into the closet and slept there until she came out as queer. Follow her online at rosieethor.com and on Twitter @rosieethor.
