Clockwork, or, All Wound up

* "Pullman, the consummate storyteller, offers a deliciously spooky story combining elements of Frankenstein, the Sorcerer's Apprentice, and Faust."
Booklist, starred review
* "In this tightly wound tale by the author of The Golden Compass and Count Karlstein...a delectably spooky train of events is set in motion when the novelist Fritz sets out to entertain the villagers with his most recent work: the tale of Prince Florian, the deceased local ruler's son, whose fate is linked to a brilliant clockmaker."
Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Pullman manages to weave together the threads from both the story and the story within the story in a book filled with tension, menace, and suspense."
School Library Journal, starred review
* "An intricate little novel [that] ticks along to a gratifying conclusion that is more fable than fantasy." Kirkus, pointer review
"Pullman's deft evocation of atmosphere stands him in good stead here, keeping suspension of disbelief alive as he tells the story within the story and brings his characters round the full, magical circle of his plot."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"A suspenseful story-within-a-story richly woven by the award-winning author of The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife, Clockwork has all the elements of a great fantasy for adults as well as for kids: a despicable villain, a brave heroine and a heart in need of rescue. Pullman's setting may be vaguely historical, but his characters are decidedly updated: It's a young prince who needs to be saved, and it's a brave girl who does the saving."
TimeOut New York
"The tale is seamless, resolving happily and convincingly, with both the good and brave and the craven and cowardly receiving appropriate rewards. Pullman laces his tale with subtle humor while maintaining the suspense until the end. Misty, moody, and atmospheric black-and-white drawings by Leonid Gore make a perfect fit for this gothicl