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Arthur Slade
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Mission Clockwork Kindle Edition

by Arthur Slade (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 275 ratings
See all formats and editions

He's the greatest spy of the Victorian era, but he's met his match...

Almost since birth, Modo has been schooled as a secret agent. His master, a British Lord, took advantage of Modo’s unique shape-shifting talents, training him to morph from his unsightly, hunchbacked-self into any other human. When Modo is teamed up with the beautiful Octavia, his reasons for wanting to shape-shift become, well, more complicated. He never wants her to see his true appearance.

Then urchins disappear from London streets, a high-ranking British Lord gets assassinated, and Modo comes face to face with a ruthless woman with a metal hand. It's clear that a deadly, secret organization has the British Empire in its sights. It will take every ounce of skill, guts, and luck for the pair to survive.

Mission Clockwork is a steampunk-powered, action-packed adventure featuring brilliant heroes and bloody brilliant villains. It's the first novel in the award-winning series from bestselling author Arthur Slade.

This novel was previously published as The Hunchback Assignments.

"A brilliant sci-fi mystery set in old-world London." - The Calgary Herald

"An excellent start to a promising new series." - Kirkus

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    12 - 18 years
  2. Book 1 of 4
    Mission Clockwork
  3. Print length
    262 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Publication date
    March 14, 2018
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★ "This is a cracking scary steampunk adventure yarn, with a hint of attraction between brave and funny teens in my beloved old London." --AnOdd1, Goodreads Reviewer★★★★★ "A compelling read, that kept me turning the pages almost faster than I could read them." --Nicola, Goodreads Reviewer★★★★★ "One of my favourite books of the year - an exciting read from start to finish." --Mel Z, Goodreads Reviewer★★★★★ "This was a great little action-packed story with a lot of mystery and adventure." --Cindy, Goodreads Reviewer★★★★★ "Arthur Slade is an author that few can rival when it comes to magical "steampunk" novels...simply said."--Rick, Goodreads Reviewer

From the Author

Mission Clockwork is my lifework in many ways. I love reading action and adventure, science fiction, horror and history, so this series was my way of combining all of those elements into one collection of novels. I'm pleased with the worldwide response to the series. The first book is in development for a live-action movie, so I'm crossing my fingers that everything comes together for that. The script was excellent!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07BH3GZ9Z
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dava Enterprises (March 14, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 14, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2165 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 262 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 275 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Arthur Slade

Arthur Slade

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I was raised by hobbits. And dwarves. And a dragon named Smaug. It was a strange, boisterous family, but always entertaining and always an adventure.

My uncle was a Jedi. He took me to a desert planet to hone my lightsabre skills. And there I met my cousin, who was the Muad’Dib from Dune. We travelled the worlds together: It was an adventure, always an adventure.

Others, who I went to school with, might say I grew up on a ranch in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan, Canada. That I rode horses and chased cows, but always had a book in my hand. I later went to university and worked in advertising. They may be right, but I still crave second breakfast every day. And have a burn scar from trying to open a can of beans with my lightsaber.

I’ve spent my life living in and creating other worlds. Places where spies can shape-change to defeat their enemies, hero assassins can rise to defeat an empire, or dragons can breathe fire and snark at the same time. They are worlds of great fun, humour and heroism. You’re welcome to visit at anytime. You deserve an adventure.

http://www.arthurslade.com

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
275 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

reflective thought projection machine
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book for your son who doesn't like to read.
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great young adult book. Pros: interesting characters, character development - left me wanting to know more about all of the characters, fast paced writing, no fluff, I loved the death scene (will not tell you who's), closing scene could've been a little more detailed concerning their feelings, but once again; no fluff. Every chapter moves the story forward. You can tell that he doesn't write with a thesaurus lying open next to him. I did enjoy Slade's use of English (British) words to describe something. Not overly used, just enough to give the story that London feeling.
Cons: I'm wanting more - just bought book 2, even though I said there is no fluff, there were times when I would like to have had a little more description, just a sentence or two, nothing to bog down his fast paced story telling,
This is a book to get for your child who doesn't like to read, especially boys. Slade's writing style is much more "male" friendly. Every chapter moves the story, then onto the next. NO FLUFF. Guys like stories like this.
3 people found this helpful
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A. E. Drury
4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting combination of spy thriller, steampunk, and young adult adventure
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2019
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I enjoyed this book, perhaps more as a guilty pleasure than anything. I don't read much Steam Punk, so I am by no means a big fan of the genre. This one, however, could sway me. It's well written, suspenseful, and has very intriguing characters. There is a little something for everyone, and it reads with every bit the urgency of a spy thriller or a mystery pulp fiction. Good stuff!
One person found this helpful
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K. L.
5.0 out of 5 stars review for Mission Clockwork book 1
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2019
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This series starts off really well. I liked how Modo was saved as a child from being shown as a freak with a traveling group and trained to become a spy. His Master is a British Lord of means who has a spy network out there to preserve the British realm. Modo is trained well. He can read, understand the classics and gets combat training too! He learns to control his shape from his misshapen body to become something other than he is. This makes for a perfect undercover agent! I was hooked with the concept this book series is based on and enjoyed the first book thoroughly! I listened to this book on Audible and enjoyed the narrator very much. Thought i would post a review on the book site too!
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Fan reader
3.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2018
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A decent read
One person found this helpful
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Alexander C. Destin
5.0 out of 5 stars Steampunk that doesn't run out of steam.
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2018
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I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. I am a fan of Arthur Slade's works, he has a talent for making seemingly ordinary worlds, extraordinary. With that being said there are a lot of steampunk books that try too hard to be original and don't always get executed well, that is not the case with this series, it is well executed with lots of action and humor that not only will appear to the young adults it's aimed at but also for older readers well. It has an amazing cast of characters and hero that is unique as well as likable. I'm eager to read the other books that come out in this series this one was full of great action and impossible to put down!
3 people found this helpful
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L. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars man on a mission...
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2020
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I really liked the focus of the main character (Modo) on mercy. So often a main character with "powers" uses those powers only to benefit themself instead of those around them. I enjoyed the development of the personalities and the mystery surrounding the different people in the book. Nice mix of alternate history and steam-punk. Very enjoyable read.
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Brenda Chastain
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2022
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Such a great adventure, the characters came alive, the story was easy to follow and no sex. I really enjoyed reading the words that this Author had to write.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Steampunk and spies
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2018
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This the first book I've read by this author. I was pleasantly surprised. Modo is an interesting young man, whose been trained from an early age to become a secret agent. I felt a lot of empathy for him dealing with his disfigurements, especially after he teams up with the beautiful Octavia. This is a fast paced steampunk story which can be enjoyed by teenagers and adults. I say teenagers because the kidnapping and experimentation on children by the villains, could be upsetting to younger kids. I look forward to continuing with the series to see how young Modo develops.
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Top reviews from other countries

Typo 🐶
5.0 out of 5 stars Steampunk at its best
Reviewed in Australia on March 20, 2017
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Steampunk at its best. Modo is a lovely soul in an ugly body, he is disgusted by his appearance but does learn that beauty is only skin deep. Mr Socrates bought Modo from a freak show when he was just a baby and brings him up isolated in a country mansion, Modo is to be the ultimate secret agent as he's able to change his appearance with effort at will. Mr Hyde is given employment in his dream job, allowed to create body parts from mechanical means and creating fabulously strong creatures. Mr Hyde works for the "bad guys".
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Shaun H
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Steampunk for kids!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2011
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Rescued by the wealthy and secretive Mr. Socretes from gypsies at the age of one where he was the star attraction in their travelling show, Modo is hideously deformed. But he also has an amazing ability; he can temporarily at least, change his appearance at will. Subsequently taught for 13 years in martial arts, the sciences, the arts, etiquette and acting, Modo is trained to be the perfect secret agent.

Now those skills are being put to the test for the first time as he helps to investigate the Clockwork Guild who are amongst other things kidnapping children and carrying out monstrous experiments on them. Along the way he teams up with Octavia Milkweed, ex-pick pocket and another of Mr. Socretes' young agents.

Taking inspiration from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Sherlock Holmes and others, this is a really enjoyable little yarn. I love books set in Victorian London, whether a factual version or as in this case Steampunk fictional version. The two main characters of the hideously deformed Modo and the beautiful Octavia Milkweed work really well together. The villians are great too, complete with such things as metal hands, steam powered legs and dogs with steel jaws! The story is also well plotted and the ending is nicely balanced.

Kindle presentation is pretty good, but there are a few strange formatting errors here and there, but not enough to spoil the story.

Overall: 5 stars - The Steampunk version of Victorian London is nicely done without being too heavy on technology, the story has enough twists and turns to keep it interesting right to the end, and the blossoming relationship between Modo and Octavia is fun to watch. A good read for kids aged up to around 14 or adults like me who enjoy a good Steampunk tale!
4 people found this helpful
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Mrs. Bruce
4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining book for any age group
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2018
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At 70 I am probably not the age group that this book was aimed at, but I still enjoyed it!
It was good that there was no swearing, sex and only a wishful hint of romance on the part of Modo.

Modo is rescued, aged 1, from a travelling freak show. He has a hideous face and is a hunchback - but he
can shape-shift to look normal, if only for a short time. Mr. Socrates (a master spy) does not save him out of
kindness, but keeps him locked in a room for the next 13 years so he can have him trained as one of his many
agents. Modo's only company is his governess, who loves him, and Tharpa, his Indian weapons trainer, with occasional visits from Socrates to test his abilities. I thought Socrates was almost as bad as the mad professor who
experimented on animals and children! Modo craves, but rarely gets any word of praise from Socrates.

Aged 14, Socrates turns Modo loose in London. This was a test of survival, but a bit silly as if the boy had been
killed by cutthroats, it would have been a waste of 13 years of training! Anyway, he does survive and teams up
with Octavia to try and thwart the evil professor and the Guild that are financing his experiments. I didn't
understand the science involved, but it was all about a plot to destroy the government.

Poor Modo has to wear a mask to hide his "monster" face, so can only dream about the beautiful Octavia who
has no idea how terrible he looks. I would read another in the series.
One person found this helpful
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Comic Reader since the 70's
5.0 out of 5 stars A cracking good Victorian steampunk novel aimed at the YA market but ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 3, 2018
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A cracking good Victorian steampunk novel aimed at the YA market but a great read for adults, our hero, Modo, is a hunchback, ugly as sin but can mold his features at will holding the new face for hours,, he's found as a child by the mysterious Mr Socrates, who trains him up to be a secret agent.
When Modo reaches the tender age of fourteenish,, he's an orphan unsure of his exact age, Mr Socrates abandons.him tto the streets of London to make his own way. A test to see if he can survive on his wits, Modo manages very well until Olivia comes along and they team up to help uncover a menace to England.
The characters are well written, the action entertaining and it kept me awake until 3.30 a,m, as I wanted to finish it.
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nixlyn
3.0 out of 5 stars Kids or adults?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2012
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What is the difference between an adult book and a childrens' book? The answer should be none!

A good book is a good book regardless who it is aimed at. I like all types of genre and this is a good read with interesting characters - even a sexy villain for the older male children.

There are a lot of minor criticism about plot development and, as with any fantasy, the suspension of belief factor.

I felt that it all rolled along nicely, good pace and interesting, inventive story. It even had some quite bleak moments although, obviously with kids in mind, these moments were not as bad as they might have been.

I shall certainly read the next one.
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