Step into the thrilling world of Clockwork Century, where steam-powered machines, zombies, and a prolonged Civil War collide in a dazzling steampunk adventure! Cherie Priest’s groundbreaking series reimagines 1880s America as a gritty, alternate history playground, blending historical drama with fantastical inventions and horror. It’s a wild ride that’s captivated fans with its vivid world-building and unforgettable characters.
From airships soaring over a fractured nation to rotters—zombies born from a toxic gas—lurking in walled-off Seattle, Clockwork Century offers a fresh take on steampunk that ditches Victorian England for the rugged American frontier. Priest’s cinematic storytelling and diverse cast make this series a must-read for anyone craving action, mystery, and a dash of the undead.
How Clockwork Century Began
Cherie Priest launched the Clockwork Century series with a bold mission: to prove American steampunk could rival its British counterparts. Inspired by a challenge on a message board claiming steampunk had to be Victorian, Priest crafted Boneshaker, the series’ debut, set in an alternate 1880s Seattle. Published in 2009, it was a response to skeptics and a love letter to the genre, blending pulp fiction vibes with modern sensibilities. Her background in gothic horror and passion for alternate history shaped a series that’s both thrilling and thought-provoking.
The Heart of Clockwork Century
The series kicks off with Boneshaker, where Briar Wilkes chases her son Zeke into a zombie-infested Seattle, walled off after a catastrophic drilling accident unleashed the blight gas. This fast-paced tale sets the tone with its mix of survival horror and steampunk tech, like airships and gas masks. Dreadnought (2010) follows nurse Mercy Lynch on a cross-country journey aboard an armored train, dodging zombies and wartime intrigue. Ganymede (2011) dives into New Orleans, where a submarine mission unveils more of the series’ rich lore. Fiddlehead (2013) wraps up the saga, tying together spies, war machines, and a calculating engine that could change history.
Priest’s world is a tapestry of themes: resilience, identity, and the cost of progress. Her strong female leads, like Briar and Mercy, defy stereotypes, navigating a war-torn landscape with grit and heart. The prolonged Civil War, fueled by steam and diesel tech, reflects a society grappling with division and innovation. Zombies add horror, but it’s the human stories—family, betrayal, and survival—that drive the narrative. The series’ Wild West flavor, with dirigibles and Gatling guns, makes it a standout in steampunk’s often corset-clad world.
Why Clockwork Century Resonates
Clockwork Century redefined steampunk by rooting it in American history, earning nods for the Hugo and Nebula Awards and winning the 2010 Locus Award for Boneshaker. Its inclusive cast, featuring people of color and marginalized groups, brought diversity to a genre often steeped in nostalgia. Fans adore its blend of action, horror, and heart, with Priest’s vivid prose painting a world that feels alive. The series’ influence lingers in steampunk’s growing embrace of supernatural elements and non-European settings, inspiring writers to push boundaries.
- Publication Years: 2009–2013
- Books: Six novels, one novelette
- Awards: 2010 Locus Award for Boneshaker
Grab Boneshaker and dive into Clockwork Century’s steampunk spectacle—where airships, zombies, and fearless heroes await!