Boneshaker Audiobook - Clockwork Century, Book 1

Summary

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey through the pages of this captivating audiobook. Whether you’re an avid reader or a newcomer to the world of audiobooks, this unique listening experience is sure to leave a lasting impression. With a perfect blend of engaging storytelling and skilled narration, this audiobook transports you into a realm where the boundaries between reality and fantasy seamlessly blur.

Audiobook Info

Author: Cherie Priest
Narrator: Kate Reading, Wil Wheaton
Duration: 14 hours and 47 minutes
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Series: Clockwork Century
Book: 1

Review

It’s not every day that an audiobook brings together steampunk ingenuity, zombie horror, and top-tier narration – but Boneshaker by Cherie Priest delivers all this with exhilarating flair. Before delving into the alternate Civil War Seattle Priest has conjured, it’s worth spotlighting one of this production’s greatest strengths: its narrators.

Kate Reading’s performance here is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her expressive voice doesn’t simply recite lines; she inhabits Briar Wilkes – bringing out every nuance of grief, grit, and determination as Briar braves the gas-choked streets searching for her son Ezekiel. Reading masterfully conjures dread with subtle vocal shifts and expertly modulates tone to immerse listeners in the eerie atmosphere of Seattle’s quarantined wasteland. Paired with Wil Wheaton’s dynamic supporting narration, these two create a vivid soundscape that pulls listeners deeper into both character emotion and environmental tension.

Priest’s story itself is a riveting tapestry woven from historical imagination and speculative invention. When Dr. Blue’s audacious machine – the Boneshaker – unleashes chaos upon Seattle in pursuit of gold beneath the mountains, catastrophe transforms the city into a haunted enclosure teeming with undead horrors. Within these walls, survival isn’t just about evading zombies but reckoning with legacy and resilience. Briar’s quest to rescue Ezekiel becomes more than a plot device; it’s a deeply human journey against impossible odds.

What makes Boneshaker stand out among genre blends is its immersive setting: steam-powered contraptions rumble beneath broken streets while poisonous gas creeps through abandoned corridors. Priest’s attention to atmospheric detail draws listeners straight into her world – a place equal parts mechanical wonderland and chilling nightmare. Despite moments where pacing slows or motivations blur (as noted by some reviewers), the narrative rewards patience with well-developed characters whose choices linger long after the final chapter.

For fans of inventive worldbuilding and emotional storytelling – or anyone eager for something beyond traditional zombie fare – Boneshaker is essential listening. The bonus interview with Cherie Priest offers further insight into her creative process, enriching appreciation for both story and craft.

Download & Listen

Ready to brave Seattle’s steam-filled ruins alongside Briar Wilkes? Download Boneshaker today from KTAudiobooks.com and let Kate Reading and Wil Wheaton guide you through one of speculative fiction’s most memorable landscapes. Dive headfirst into clockwork contraptions, perilous tunnels, and relentless suspense – all brought vividly to life in this award-winning adventure!

Status: Completed Version: Unabridged Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy Author: Cherie Priest Narrator: Kate Reading, Wil Wheaton Updated: 21/11/2025 Series: Clockwork Century Listening Time: 13 hrs and 42 mins