Clock Hands

Edition excerpt from CLOCK HANDS (2026): Twelve-year-old Vale is guildless, and there are two things the guildless of Siannerra fear most of all. First, an injury or illness that prevents them from working. And second, losing their homes. When Vale’s Nonno breaks his ankle and is unable to work, Vale is afraid their family will soon be evicted. How will Vale be able to support their family with the meager coins the guildless make working at the docks? Luckily for Vale, there is a new maestro in town. Maestro Giuseppi and his daughter, Stella, don’t care that Vale is guildless. In fact, they don’t care about the rules of the guilds at all. They are here to build Siannerra’s first astronomical clock, and they aren’t asking for the guild’s permission. Better yet, Giuseppi wants Vale to be his apprentice! Could this be the answer to all Vale’s dreams? Or the start of all their problems? After all, the city doesn’t take breaking the rules lightly. With nuanced and instantly loveable characters and a fully realized, vibrantly illustrated setting, bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and breakout illustrator Sylvie Bi show once again how anyone—no matter their age—can change their world. An excellent choice for fans of the Lightfall and Wingbearer series.