The Counterclockwise Heart

by Brian Farrey

WINNER OF THE 2023 MINNESOTA BOOK AWARD FOR MIDDLE GRADE LITERATURE

“Entertaining, fast-paced and thoughtful.”
—The New York Times Book Review

In this thrilling fantasy novel from an award-winning author, a prince and a mage must untangle the riddles from their shared past to save the future of the empire--or risk seeing everything they both love destroyed.

Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . .
 
Time is running out in the empire of Rheinvelt.
 
The sudden appearance of a strange and frightening statue foretells darkness. The Hierophants—magic users of the highest order—have fled the land. And the shadowy beasts of the nearby Hinterlands are gathering near the borders, preparing for an attack.
 
Young Prince Alphonsus is sent by his mother, the Empress Sabine, to reassure the people while she works to quell the threat of war. But Alphonsus has other problems on his mind, including a great He has a clock in his chest where his heart should be—and it’s begun to run backwards, counting down to his unknown fate.
 
Searching for answers about the clock, Alphonsus meets Esme, a Hierophant girl who has returned to the empire in search of a sorceress known as the Nachtfrau. When riddles from their shared past threaten the future of the empire, Alphonsus and Esme must learn to trust each other and work together to save it—or see the destruction of everything they both love.
 

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Magic, Childrens, Adventure, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

Brian Farrey writes whatever pops into his head. Sometimes, it's books for children. Sometimes, it's books for adults. Sometimes, it's screenplays. He's never quite sure what will come out next but it's been quite a ride finding out.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Algonquin Childrens books.

The Counterclockwise Heart is a middle grade fantasy novel about a prince called Alphonsus, who was adopted as a baby by his mother, who is the Empress of the land where they live. But Alphonsus is no ordinary Prince; he has a clock in the place where his heart should be. He has been told to ignore the prophecy he was found with as a baby.
One day, his clockwise heart begins to tick Counterclockwise, gradually counting down, but they don't know how, why, or until when.
Alphonsus fate collides with a girl called Esme, who is searching for a sorceress by the name Nachtfrau. Esme is from a magical community and has to find Nachtfrau urgently.
This book was so well blended and had some great little twists. I found it hard to pull away from, and the folklaw style of writing was amazing! There are some dark areas in the book, but I think the age group it is aimed at will enjoy these.

[Amy Imogene Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Ticking clocks, German folklore, and classic storytelling with a self-aware edge...this was a delight.

Concepts: ★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Characters: ★★★★

Y'all, I have been enjoying the heck out of Algonquin's middle grade line of novels these past few years. There is something about the niche of fantasy middle grade coming out of this publishing hosue that I just really, really enjoy. They tend to have that extra something, that extra oomph of world building mixed with lyrical folktale-esque writing structure, and they tend to have writer's humor mixed in with the narrative. I love it every time. The Counterclockwise Heart was no exception.

In this tale we have Alphonsus, a prince with a ticking clock where is heart is supposed to be. Raised by his adoptive mother, the empress of the land, he's told to hide his clock heart from the world and to ignore the prophecy that was attached to his newborn body when the empress found him one night in a gear-filled bassinet. The counterclockwise heart...

Of course, one day Alphonsus's heart stops ticking clockwise like normal. It starts winding backwards, counting down. But to what, and why?

In another thread of the story we have Esme, a young girl from the magical community of Hierophants. She enters Alphonsus's kingdom in search of Nachtfrau, a powerful sorceress. Esme has her own reasons for searching for Nachtfrau, and she has some fate-tied words of her own.

As Alphonsus and Esme twine closer and closer, their fates begin to unravel as well. The clock is ticking... literally.

This was such a fun ride! With the classic spins of a good middle grade adventure folktale, The Counterclockwise Heart surprised me with its self-aware narration, clever twists, and ultimate sense of grounded Germanic-based folktale. It was just a good blend.

I do think that this novel will appeal to certain types of fantasy readers over others—in particular, there were some darker themes and meandering elements to the storytelling that I think are dependent on personal taste. It worked for me, but I'm an adult fantasy reader who likes those things!

Recommended for fans of The Oddmire, Laini Taylor's writing style if she wrote a classic fairytale, and Seanan McGuire's obscure short stories.

Thank you to Algonquin for Young Readers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

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[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Algonquin for my honest review!

Middle-grade books are impressing me lately; I think those who are passing these books by are missing out on some unique literature. I do love a fluffy book sometimes where the protagonists do act their age, but books on the upper end of MG truly hold my heart. It's a mesmerizing thing these authors do where they build their worlds so intricately you'd think you're reading an epic fantasy, but then there's a heart to the stories and characters that make you fall in love.

I had no idea that this was inspired by Germanic folk tales and I tried to find which one(s) but I was unsuccessful. If Brian is reading this, please let me know!

My experience reading this novel was something else entirely. I felt like I was watching a Miyazaki film, that is how magical it felt. But like, like Miyazaki, there are darker undertones, but the author handles the heavier topics in a way younger readers will understand. I think younger readers and even older readers (like myself) will enjoy this one! Also, look at that cover!

Bookstagram

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I loved this sooooo much! What a unique, dark, & imaginative read! I love the magic in this book, & how there has to be a balance. To get magic you have to give something, there’s a price. Using too much upsets the balance as well, & there are consequences. Love that. I loved this worlds backstory with the maiden & this royal family including Alphonsus, & Esme & the Hierophants people backstory. The villain was truly despicable. He had a hard life, yes, but everything bad that happened in his adulthood he did to himself. He let jealousy & anger eat at him. I loved the 2 kids. We read from both Alphonsus & Esme’s POV, & I’ve really been enjoying the multiple POV thing lately. Seeing all sides of the story, & each experience. Esme is a complex, & great kid. Loved both of their character development/growth. So many things just intrigued & gripped me, like-the clock for a heart running counterclockwise, the poem, the Maiden, the Hierophants(& their magic), Nachtfrau, Leichleben, Birgit, & more. The Leichleben itself was such a fascinating “character”. So well done, & I loved what happened there. I read somewhere that parts of this were inspired by German folklore, & I’m going to be googling like crazy to see lol. This is a dark, magical adventure with amazing characters & writing. Highly recommend! STUNNING cover front & back by Rovina Cai as well!💜

[Brandy Painter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed Farrey's books, and they are great to have has recommendations for middle schoolers who can't get enough fantasy. This is a wonderful, twisty tale of family, community, nation, and how the history we are taught forms and shapes us, and therefore can be used to manipulate us. The book is a puzzle where all the pieces lock firmly in place by the end, and though I had figured much of it out, it did not detract from my enjoyment of watching the characters unravel the mysteries of the pasts. It even made me cry a little in the end.

The development of the foil characters of the prince and his antagonist was truly well done.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff)]

4.5 🌟

This imaginative and thought-provoking middle-grade read is so rich and complex that even adults will be enthralled.

On a fateful day, Empress Sabine discovers a small babe hidden away in the palace walls; she raises the boy as her own, Prince Alphonsus. But he is unique - in place of his heart is a ticking clock. On the same day that Alphonsus was found, a huge stone maiden statue appeared in the village square. After an encounter with the maiden, Alphonsus notices his clock has begun to tick backward. Who is he and where did he come from?

Meanwhile, Esme, one of the last Hierophants - possessing magic in the highest order, is searching for the Nachtfrau, the sorceress lurking in the Hexen Woods.

When Esme and Prince Alphonsus meet, they both realize that they each are trying to put together the pieces of their pasts. When the empire falls under attack, Alphonsus and Esme work together to protect what they love.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵…

Set in the fairy-tale-like empire of Rheinvelt, this coming-of-age journey is filled with magic, secrets, quests, and a saving sacrifice. 𝘈𝘵𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤, 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭.

Thank you to @algonquinyr and @brianfarreylatz for a spot on tour and a gifted copy.

[Alyson Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: The Counter Clockwise Heart
Author: Brian Farrey
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Algonquin Young Readers, for providing me with an ARC.

Okay, so let me start out by saying that I have been reading a lot of adult titles this year. It did take me some time to get into the middle grade mindset. However, once I did so, I did have a such a great time with this one. At its heart, it’s an adventure and fantasy story. The is more to it than that; it is about finding yourself and having the courage to do so. There are some dark undertones to this book, but the author doesn’t go too dark-so younger readers will still be okay. It honestly reminded me a lot of JK Rowling’s Ickobog. If you are looking for a book with similar tones and feelings, then this may be the book for you.

Overall, this is just one of those stories that will put you in a good mood. While the characters can be rather difficult for older readers to connect with, you will quickly be able to see that these are the perfect characters for the middle grade audience. We follow Prince Alphonsus, who has a clock in his chest and it has started to run backwards. He has no idea what this means. There is also a statue that just appeared in the village and is needs someone to sit by it and talk to it. This is our set up. If it seems really strange, don’t worry, it is. Again, this whole set up works with both the characters and the middle grade audience. We see the characters thrown into these situations and we get to see them grow and change in the ways that these situations make them. We see a prince who really hasn’t had any experience with the real world and lives pretty much in a bubble. When he starts to talk to the Maiden and is forced out of his comfort zone, we see him change into this character with a lot of courage and drive to do whatever it takes to save both his mother and empire.

We also see curiosity at the forefront as well. For the most part, this curiosity is presented to us in a childlike and innocent way. We start out by given this world that seems, for the most part, pretty innocent. However, as our characters start to grow more curious about it, we start to see just how dark and unforgiven it can actually be. We see the characters discover that not everything out there is actually good and sometimes there can actually be great evil lurking right in front of you. Again, the author doesn’t go too dark on this idea. There is also the idea of being curious about the world around you. No one knows where the Maiden came from or really why it is here. They all fear it and dread the day that it will wake up. This sense of fear drives everyone away from the Maiden and makes them not to want know more about it. Alphonsus is really one of the few people in this world who does express in the Maiden and this allows him to form a special bond with her.

While we do have the themes of sadness, death, grief, and war in this book, I thought the author handled them very well. These are very dark and difficult themes, but they are presented in a way that is not too much for younger readers. I guess that what I’m getting at is they are presented in a way that children will understand. These themes are handled with the dignity, grace, and respect that they deserve. The use of these themes would also be great talking points with children.

Anyway, I did have a great time with this one. Overall, I thought this was a really solid middle grade read.

This book comes out on February 1, 2022.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/BN1kihwpg30

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Counterclockwise Heart is a middle-grade fantasy by Brian Farrey, published by Algonquin Young Readers on 01 February 2022.

The ARC for this book was offered to me, with the words:
"Perfect for fans of Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly and The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill, THE COUNTERCLOCKWISE HEART demonstrates that, in the words of Esme, “stupid compassion must be contagious.” "

Perfect might be overstretching it, but I enjoyed my time with the book, once I sat down and read it. (My fault, I kept pushing the book back onto the virtual #MountARC.) It’s definitely perfect for the kind of middle-grade reader who likes to read more mature books and can handle darker topics of death, grief, violence; those are done gracefully not gory and too dark.

Although I am a native of German, I actually struggled with the German words within the story. They pulled me out of the flow of the story more often than I liked. This might be a problem for younger readers, too. Even more so, since most of the words are not explained or translated. Young readers might not bother about the hidden meaning of those words, but I was wondering what Germanic folklore exactly Farrey was hinting at. So I checked the word “Nachtfrau” (night woman), for example. It’s been out of use for a long time, and I was only vaguely familiar with the term. It used to refer to a female ghost-like creature that was supposed to drain the blood from children’s bodies; a bo(o)geyman story told to children to make them behave well. The Nachtfrau in The Counterclockwise Heart isn’t a ghost, nor does she drink children’s blood, nevertheless she is a figure people are afraid of.

My favourite character is Esme. She’s strong. She was brought up in a small community of Hierophants in the North who blames the Nachtfrau for their problems. Despite having been told to loathe the sorceress, Esme is strong enough to trust her own instincts. She weighs what she learned growing up against what she learned during her travels. She uses her brain and heart to determine whether what she had been told is actually true, and makes an informed decision based on facts, rather than ‘fiction’.

The magic system Farrey came up with is wonderful. It’s a system of balance: if you use energy for your spell that means you have to give back something. Some sort of energy conservation. This way magic actually added to the story, since it couldn’t be used as a panacea for all sorts of problems; using magic carelessly might cause more trouble.

A good middle-grade novel that, since that’s the one I read and liked, fans of Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon will certainly enjoy.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall pretty good but kinda preachy and roundabout.

Prince Alphonsus was found by the Empress and her wife with a clock in his chest. He grows up a happy, curious child until faced with an adversary who craves love, mistaking it for power. As the prince is on the run from the man hunting him down, he runs into a young girl sent on a gruesome task of her own; to kill the supposed evil sorceress in the woods. But absolutely nothing is as it seems, and everyone must learn for themselves just what the truth is.

This was fine. I liked Alphonsus; he was sweet and kind and when he called himself a coward I got sad because I didn't think he was at all. He learns a lot about trust and fear and believing in himself. I liked Esme after a while; she was so annoying and self-righteous up until the end and then I think she learned the biggest lesson and lost the most. I liked everyone else just okay. We don't really get to know much about anyone else. Like, who was the Maiden??? Was she like Guntram and MADE from a spell? Or where did she really come from? And like what happened to Esme's father? And what happens to the Empress after her connection with the Maiden died?

The writing was well done except for a few moments where it just sounds really childlike. Like the book is talking to a child; which is mostly fine because this is geared toward middle schoolers. But it pulled me out of the story because it doesn't talk down to the reader all the time.

Overall, okay for middle schoolers who are fans of fantasy but maybe not the best selection for older kids. Still a good story.

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult, middle grade fantasy is often hit or miss for me, although I generally enjoy it a lot. The Counterclockwise Heart is probably a book I would have enjoyed when I was ten, but I'm honestly not sure. There was a lot I didn't understand or put together even now.

The Counterclockwise Heart is similar to other middle grade fantasy, but it's also very different. It involves a quest and a prophecy, but the premise is unique.

I especially enjoyed the snippets we got of the villain's POV, as well as the two main characters and the anticipation before they met. All of these painted a whole picture of just how many levels there are to this world, and most fantasy worlds. I enjoyed all the worldbuilding and the fact that most questions are answered by the end of the book.

I tried to read this with the mind of a ten year old, and I think I failed. I'm only seeing it as compared to fantasy I've read since. But I think kids who like fantasy would enjoy this.

I will be happy to pass my like-new copy of The Counterclockwise Heart to my friend Brandon, who wants to teach fifth grade. I would love to think of it read by many young minds.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adventure and fantasy story that has steampunk vibes to it. It reminds me of another book I read, which I haven't been able to pinpoint, but another book I do remember that it reminds me of is The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill.
This is about a Prince with a clock for his heart and how he's trying to figure out what that means or how to deal with it and a statue of a maiden that helps him and Esme, who is on a mission searching for a sorceress. The bigger picture with this story is about loving and accepting yourself and others and learning how to have compassion and help others too. This is an uplifting Middle Grade read with some great twists and very imaginative and one of a kind in its telling. It does also have some darker topics in it that it touches on such as death/loss of a loved one/grief. There is also a little bit of violence and war and such so it's the kind of book that would likely be best to be read with a child or before letting them read it.
It has a good message and is enjoyable to read and think about as it is also thought-provoking. Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Michelle Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to pre-read this book and share my opinions on it.

This book is an enchanting example of modern writing inspired by Germanic folk tales, and if you know anything about Germanic folk tales, you know this story is probably gonna be dark. Which, it was, but Farrey also had a deft restraint that kept it from getting too close to "Wow-I-don't-want-my-kid-reading-this" territory. This will be a great title for any middle grade readers who are ready to tackle more mature books without delving too far into grown-up territory. Just know, if you are a parent trying to decide on a book for your child, there is some measure of violence, death, and sadness, and it is all handled with grace and respect.

As a reader of fantasy, I have to tip my hat to the magic system Farrey created for this book. I loved the idea of balance - a common principle in my beloved Celtic folklore - to prevent magic from simply becoming a cure-all. If anything, magic made things more complicated, which was a fantastic way to add tension to the plot.

I did, however, find the characters a little hard to connect with. I never felt drawn back to the book after I set it down and walked away for a bit. While the tonality was a bit more distant, as is typical of books that read like folklore or fairy tales, the characters were certainly developed enough as to not be simple plot vehicles. So I don't know what my problem was. Maybe it's The Times We Live In that is making it hard for me to form connections, but I don't know, I just felt a little distant for some reason.

I will say, however, that Guntram, our antagonist, is one of those bad guys that I generally find somewhat... adorable? If that's the right word? I don't know, I just love ineffectual bad guys who surprise you by eventually becoming genuinely scary. His backstory came a little too late in the pages of the book, I think, because it's hard not to feel for him once you know it.

Maybe that was my issue. Obviously Guntram was supposed to be the bad guy, but for most of the book, I felt kind of like, "Oh look, he's having a tantrum again. Aw, bless him." So, he didn't really feel dangerous to me. At least, not when Alphonsus had a giant stone woman there to flail anyone who got close to him to death.

At any rate, this was an enjoyable read, but I'm not sure I'll ever be in any great rush to read it again.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Counterclockwise Heart

Author: Brian Farrey

Book Series: Standalone for now

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For...: middle grade, fantasy, German folktale inspired

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: MG Fantasy

Recommended Age: 10+ (some dark moments, war, slight violence, slight gore)

Explanation of CWs: There are some dark moments in this book and parents might want to read this book ahead of their child to judge if it’s appropriate for them. The book does discuss war and it’s central to the story. There is also some slight violence and gore.

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Pages: 336

Synopsis: Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . .

Time is running out in the empire of Rheinvelt.

The sudden appearance of a strange and frightening statue foretells darkness. The Hierophants—magic users of the highest order—have fled the land. And the shadowy beasts of the nearby Hinterlands are gathering near the borders, preparing for an attack.

Young Prince Alphonsus is sent by his mother, the Empress Sabine, to reassure the people while she works to quell the threat of war. But Alphonsus has other problems on his mind, including a great secret: He has a clock in his chest where his heart should be—and it’s begun to run backwards, counting down to his unknown fate.

Searching for answers about the clock, Alphonsus meets Esme, a Hierophant girl who has returned to the empire in search of a sorceress known as the Nachtfrau. When riddles from their shared past threaten the future of the empire, Alphonsus and Esme must learn to trust each other and work together to save it—or see the destruction of everything they both love.

Review: I absolutely loved this book! It was so vivid and detailed, but not overbearing with the details. The book did well to convey the story and had me speeding to the end to find out what would happen. The character development was equally as well done and for a darker middle grade fantasy I think the author did well to keep it age appropriate.

The only issues I had with the book are that the German words used might be a bit harder for the younger readers and I felt like the book was too fast paced for me, but it would be excellent for younger readers.

Verdict: It was excellent! Highly recommend!

[Sascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young baby, Alphonsus, is found in the walls of a castle. Upon closer examination by his “mother,” the empress, it’s discovered that he has a clock where his heart should be. That same day a frightening statue appears in a nearby small town. Years later, a young witch, a Hierophant, sets out on a journey to save her people. These stories entwine to lead the reader on a fantastic journey filled with magic, darkness, and knowledge and truths to be discovered in Brian Farrey’s The Counterclockwise Heart.

I have to say that when I got beyond my initial, ugh, it’s a fantasy novel, that I was gripped by this book. It may be written for middle graders, but nonetheless it captured me and held on. I was mesmerized by the story of young Prince Alphonsus. Why did he have a clock as a heart? Why had it begun to go backwards? Would he survive? And, what of young Esme who seems far too young to be traversing the landscape that the community of Hierophants has asked her to travel through with its monsters and dangers.

As I turned pages, I was also very aware that Farrey was also presenting another story, about people who are different and being tolerant, that the stories we are fed may not always be stories that are true. That there comes a time when we must determine what our purpose is while realizing that it is not necessarily the one that others would choose for us. And, the obvious one: seeking power for power’s sake alone can and does corrupt.

I don’t know why but I never thought as I was reading: this is a middle grade book. It was just an engrossing read with tweens as characters, which is why I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story filled with magic and monsters and true-hearted characters as well as concrete lessons that we may all need reaffirming every once in a while.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dana K · Rating 5 out of 5]

When nights pass as hours the same
The end of time will start
A sacrifice is all that saves
The counterclockwise heart

--------------------------

The Counterclockwise Heart is an epically beautiful, magic-filled adventure story in the vein of classic Aesop's fables. It has characters you want to root for, an atmospheric setting and a historic magic feud complete with a mythic villain (or two).

Prince Alphonsus was an orphaned baby adopted by the Empress and her wife as their own. They keep secret from the empire his mysterious origin and the clock embedded where his heart should be. In his bassinet was the poem above and the same day he is found, a massive onyx statue descends on a small village. The villagers believe the statue is an ill-omen until a young boy, Guntram begins to speak to her and the crops begin to flourish. As the years pass, the Empress replaces Guntram with Alphonsus and leaves Guntram with a bitter grudge. Enter Esme, the last of a dying breed of magical people who have been exiled from the empire. She wants nothing more than to free her people and she must steal the heart of the statue to do so. The paths of these three are destined for an epic showdown and not everything is quite what it seems.

I adored these rich characters and the world building was fabulous. I would not have believed that this is aimed at middle grade readers; anyone who enjoys fantasy, especially with some great ethical quandaries. I absolutely loved being transported into this world!

Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Algonquin Young Readers for the eARC! This book releases tomorrow, Feb 1, so be sure to check it out! I thought this was such a fun MG fantasy story and I definitely want to read other books by Brian Farrey now. The chapters in this book ended with big reveals or cliffhangers and kept me wanting to read way past my bedtime 🤣 I really liked how all the characters were somehow connected and I didn't expect some of those connections at all 😮 The worldbuilding was so well done and I thought the concept of magic usage was fantastic. Also yay girl power with the rulers of the country and high-ranking officials being female! This book also has some great messages about compassion and overall, I think it's a great book for kids and adults to read!

4.5/5 Stars

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! @algonquinyr has really had my number this year, because The Counterclockwise Heart ⏱♥️ by @brianfarreylatz feels perfectly suited to me. This magically told, dark tinted tale has a steampunk fairytale feel with inspiration rooted in Germanic folklore.

Alphonse, adopted as a baby by the Empress & her wife & raised to become a kind & compassionate prince, has a ticking clock in place of a heart. He is such an easy to love character that he completely captured my own heart, but you’ll find yourself easily captivated by each of the character’s stories you step into. The magic system with its give & take is so well done. The pacing, world building, & cast work together perfectly. This may be a middle grade story, but it speaks to souls old & new. It shouldn’t be missed. I hope to see this story told & loved for years to come.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a goodreads giveaway.

What a read!

First of all, I have to admit that I did not love this book immediately. In fact, I thought I would hate it, because the beginning read a lot like German classic literature and I do not enjoy that writing style very much (I am from Germany, so I read plenty of literature like that). The story, however, did not stay that way. All of a sudden I found myself extremely invested in the characters and I absolutely loved the messages this novel delivered.
I highly recommend, even thought the beginning is not my favorite.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Counterclockwise Heart
By Brian Farrey

I really enjoy a fun middle grade adventure book based on German fantasy folktale. I enjoyed the immersive narration and storyline with fun twists - with some elements of death and grief, but was still I think a great book for the young readers. I am always in search for middle grade books that I can recommend, and this definitely is super fun and one I will keep on suggesting.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thanks to YABC for providing a copy to review.

I don't know why, but this book kept giving me Howl's Moving Castle vibes, and I LOVED it.

The Counterclockwise Heart by Brian Farrey is a Middle Grade fantasy novel that follows a mage and prince, as they try to come together and save their home. In the empire of Rheinvelt, a strange statue appears overnight, and foretells a great darkness that will soon sweep over the land. All the mages have fled, wanting to save their lives more than their home. While Prince Alphonsus, has been sent by his mother to assure the people that everything be fine. Even though the clock in his chest, has suddenly started counting backwards. When all hope seems lost, Alphonsus runs into Esme, a mage looking for a great sorcerer. But only by working together can Esme and Alohonsus save their home.

I LOVED this book, with it's tie back to Germanic folklore. The whole foreboding aspect of a literal ticking clock. And the whole niche side of fantasy that not many popular titles achieve these days. Especially in the sense that this book, is just the literary form of watching a Studio Ghibli film.

I will certainly be reading more of Brian Farrey's novels, and I will certainly be looking into other novels published through Algonquin Young Readers, because I've heard they won't disappoint. Especially when they've put out titles like this one.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. I found the writing superb and the story fascinating. I was hooked from the get go and it never let up. Just great storytelling

[Amita · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was pretty good I think. maybe I got hit with a brain eating amoeba or something because why do I remember none of it

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a magical, coming of age fantasy middle grade story.

Prince Alphonsus is found in the walls of a palace as a baby. His new found mother, the Empress discovers he has a clock where his heart should be. And one day... It starts counting backwards.

A nearby village finds an onyx statue one day in the square. They send a young man to talk to it each day. Then they have the Prince do this and it moved for him and awakens.

A second story line has Esme, a magical Hierophant sent on a quest for the Nachfrau. She will meet Prince Alphonsus and they will help each other find the truths of their lives.

This was sweet. I've heard it's based on German folktales. There a lot of action and adventure but also some sadness and death. It never gets too scary or too deep so it's perfect for the grade level it's aimed at. I really like the concept of the Balance in magic!

[Escape Into Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I returned from my hiatus in early 2021, I decided to do blog tours. When Algonquin Young Readers approached me to not only be on the blog tour for The Counterclockwise Heart but to read/review it, I almost turned it down. I didn’t (and still don’t) like being tied down to a specific time to have a review done. But, I decided to accept because I wanted to read the book, and if it meant doing a blog tour, I’d do it. I am glad that I accepted because I enjoyed reading this book so much that I went and bought it for my kids.

The Counterclockwise Heart is the story of Alphonsus, the young Prince of the empire of Rheinvelt. He is sent by his mother, Empress Sabine, to the village of Somber End. In Somber End, there is a giant onyx statue named the Onyx Maiden. There is also a young man, Guntram, who has been talking to the Onyx Maiden daily and is bitter about being replaced by Alphonsus. Things change when the Maiden moves when Alphonsus talks to it, and Guntram’s bitterness spirals into hatred and rage. While that is happening, a young Hierophant named Esme has just arrived in Rheinvelt. The Collective of Hierophants has sent her to find the Nachtfrau, who happens to be Esme’s mother. The Collective expects Esme to do is mind-boggling but what she does when she meets the Nachtfrau surprises her more. What will happen when Esme and Alphonsus meet up? Will Guntram get his way?

The Counterclockwise Heart had a fast-paced plotline, even with the 3 (and sometimes 4) different POVs‘. What surprised me more was that the author could keep the book’s flow going and avoid the lag that could happen. That made for a more enjoyable reading experience for me.

I will log a teeny tiny complaint before I go into the rest of my review. Before I get into it, I want to clarify that this had zero effect on my enjoyment of the book, but it did annoy me. The first line of every chapter was abbreviated (see my first line above). I had to guess who it was and what they were doing. As I said, it was annoying but didn’t affect my reading in any way. It seemed more like a formatting issue than an editing mistake.

The Counterclockwise Heart is rated as a middle-grade fantasy. For the most part, I agree, but I would highly recommend that parents read this book if they are planning on letting younger kids (under 10-11) read it. There are several scenes that I feel would scare the little one.

I did feel bad for Alphonsus, but I liked that he rose over all obstacles thrown in his way. I liked that he was written as your typical tween. He was down to earth, a little sheltered, and one of the sweetest characters that I have met. He was able to see through Guntram’s facade, and he did try to warn his mother/guards of what was going on. His connection with the Maiden was sweet, and I laughed when he was trying to teach her to talk. But it was his immediate connection with Esme that I liked. I also liked that he could absorb everything that life threw at him and seemed to come out the other end relatively unscathed. I mean, his whole world was turned upside down, and he processed everything with an understanding that went beyond his years.

I loved Esme, but I felt that she was a little too over the top with her hatred of the Nachtfrau. It did bother me that she refused to listen to her or let the Nachtfrau explain. But, it was meant to be in the grand scheme of things, whether I like it or not. I enjoyed Esme’s gradual awakening to the fact that maybe not everything The Collective had told her. I felt that it fleshed her character out.

I did find her use of magic fascinating. I also found it one of the better explanations of magic in any of the books I have read. Magic was a give-and-take balance. So if Esme were to cast an earth-based spell, she would be thirsty afterward. Using too much magic could kill a user at the worse or the best, making them very sick. It was fascinating, and I enjoyed reading about Esme using it.

I know that Guntram was the villain, but I couldn’t help feel bad for him at first. I understood why he felt betrayed by the Maiden. He spent ten years pouring his heart out to her, and she moved for Alphonsus. I would have been mad too. But to have his betrayal and anger morph into what it became? At that point, I stopped feeling bad for him and thought that he got what he deserved. The Maiden, later on in the book, put it best.

The secondary characters were just as vivid and fleshed out as the main characters. They made the book easier to read and added more depth to the plotline.

The end of The Counterclockwise Heart broke my heart and uplifted me simultaneously. I can’t get into it (spoilers), but every question asked in the book was answered. Nothing was left unanswered (even if it broke my heart). I hope there will be a second book because I would love to read more about Esme and Alphonsus’s adventures.

I would recommend The Counterclockwise Heart to anyone over 11. I would strongly suggest the parents read this book if they have younger kids reading it. There is violence. It is a clean book.

[Shradha · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading so many children's fantasy books, it's rare to find one that keeps me guessing as to how things will turn out to the very end. But "The Counterclockwise Heart" did exactly that.

On a night filled with mysterious events, young baby Alphonsus is found wailing behind the walls of the castle at Rheinvelt with a mysterious clock embedded in his chest and a prophecy written on his bassinet. Adopted by the wise, strong Empress Sabine, the circumstances surrounding his discovery is kept secret from the superstitions of the people. That is, until Alphonsus's tenth year when his clock starts backward, and he is forced to find out what this means for him and his empire, and how he might fulfill the prophecy of his birth. Along the way, he meets Esme, an arrogant Hierophant girl with her own mission: to hunt down the evil sorceress Nachtfrau that cursed her people on their flight from Rheinvelt ten years ago.

Fantasy has come to the point where we are familiar with the standard tropes associated with the genre. In order to stand out in today's time, authors typically have a unique world that sucks the reader in, or they must do their best to subvert tropes that keep the reader engaged. Farrey does the remarkable job of having both present in "The Counterclockwise Heart." While the book starts out with the standard fantasy formula (mysterious orphan, vague prophecy), there are enough additional elements added to create a sense of originality to the story.

For example, in any other fantasy novel, Esme and Alphonsus would perhaps be of enemy peoples, spending pages trying to get along with one another and work together. But this is not the case. Our two protagonists are not friends when they meet, but neither are they enemies. Their interactions as they develop and find their connection read the way of two cordial strangers, which they in fact are as they meet. Not only does this save the reader a lot of time to get invested more in the plot, it also saves the author time to expand their characters in other ways that pay off.

In short, "The Counterclockwise Heart" reads as an exciting and thrilling middle grade fantasy that can entertain even adults if they give it a try. This is my first time reading a work by this author, but I will definitely be on the lookout for others, assuming they are all this engaging.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads giveaways. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tanya Geno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

“Still other villagers asked a far wiser question: “Why did this happen?” These were the people who understood that sometimes whos and hows didn’t amount to nearly as much importance as whys.”

A middle-grade novel with extraordinary literature written by Brian Farrey. Its fast-paced storytelling leaves us wanting more, a true fantasy filled with adventure and heartbreak.

“Its prey lay beyond the symbols. The creature could sense it. There was life to be killed. And then deaths to be erased.”

Young Prince Alphonsus is sent on a journey to save the empire of Rheinvelt. The only things standing between him are Guntram, our antagonist, the maiden, a frightening statue said to bring destruction, an evil sorceress named Nachtfrau, shadowy beasts roaming the Hinterlands and his own fear of acceptance. As Esme, from the lost people of Hierophant, travels to free her people, she struggles with the choice between accepting the truth or killing the person responsible for the disappearance of the Hierophant… The Nachtfrau.

As Alphonsus and Esme worlds collide, will they become enemies or friends?

“He’d forgotten what it was like to live without fear.”

Usually when a novel changes POV at every chapter, I get a lack of interest to continue reading. However, this book was very well written, it brought a new aspect to the story to read the POV of the “bad guy” making you understand why he was acting out.

“Stupid compassion must be contagious.”

The characters’ development throughout this book is done perfectly, not only did they grow has individuals but they were also acting their age (usually a character would act older than what they were). What drove me more into loving this story was the fact that Farrey talked about real-world issues: the acceptance of people being different.

“Now, when dealing with those who’d always treated him with kindness and affection, he peered deeply into their eyes, searching for the secret hatred they might have buried within.”

Overall, I recommend this book to any reader that loves a great adventure filled with mystery and magic.

[Libriamo3116 · Rating 5 out of 5]

War is coming to Rheinvelt. The empire is fading, with its greatest magic users, the Hierophants, leaving for greener pastures. Dark beasts of shadow gather at the edges of the empire, ready to ravage the countryside. The prince, Alphonsus, aims to assuage the fear welling in the hearts and minds of the people. Yet fear also looms in Alphonsus's heart. Well, it would, except there's a clock there. A clock that now is turning back time, a countdown to an end he does not want to meet. Hope and caution spring forth when Esme the Hierophant comes to Rheinvelt seeking the Nachtfrau, and instead finds her way to Alphonsus. Their fates are intertwined far more than they realize, and if they can't work together, Alphonsus will run out of ticks and tocks, and darkness will cover Rheinvelt for all time.

A story that reads like a fairy tale, with a magic system based on balance, and tension derived from within the protagonist's own body? This ticked many boxes for me, and while it's clear that aspects of the tale are derived from Germanic folklore, the magic system had plenty of thought put into it to prevent it from trivializing the characters' struggles, and there is plenty of intrigue along the way. I appreciated that some heavy themes were touched on without becoming overly dark, and perhaps my only quibble is that the antagonist seemed a touch ineffectual, despite other aspects of menace the heroes must face.

 I found the plot compelling, and the questions the heroes faced kept me turning page after page. Effortlessly readable, The Counterclockwise Heart is the story of a young man and woman facing a race against time to save their kingdom, and it arrives with enough twists and turns to avoid being cliché. Recommended for readers who enjoy well-crafted magic systems, interesting stone statues, Germanic folklore, and stories with high stakes and heroic efforts for the sake of others.

Thank you Algonquin Young Readers for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

This review is based on an ARC e-audiobook received for free from Libro.fm. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.

The narration is very slow. I had to speed it up significantly to prevent it from turning soporific.

The story opens with the sudden destruction of a familiar statue and its unexpected replacement with an onyx warrior maiden whose waking would bring danger. This poor village (Somber End) is already beset by mysterious enemies and has a Nachtfrau living in the Hexen Woods nearby. The appearance of the onyx maiden is a bridge too far and those who can flee the town. But not everyone can. Guntram, an imaginative, neglected eleven year old, goes to the statue seeking his own destruction and ends up instead forming an attachment to the horrifying sculpture which eventually earns him a place in the imperial court. Guntram is not our hero though.

It could be argued that our hero is Alphonsus, who was discovered as a baby, ticking behind a wall in the castle armory by Empress Sabine and raised by the Empress and her wife the Imperatrix as their own son. To alleviate his grief upon the death of the Imperatrix, Alphonsus is sent into the world to be the onyx maiden’s guardian, though he had previously been kept safe and sheltered due to his mother’s fear of a prophecy about him and the clock in his chest. His success makes him an enemy: the man who had previously spent ten years performing that task, and who envies the prince’s acclaim despite his new position of authority. Hello, Guntram.*

The story is also about Esmee. Esmee is the magically protected daughter of a pair of hierophants with prodigious powers and pride to match. She’s been sent to find and kill her mother, the Nachtfrau, in the Hexen Woods, who bargains with her and sends her on a quest to fetch the onyx maiden’s heart. Esmee’s story is a lot more interesting than Alphonsus’s, and it could be argued that she is our hero, even though she’s pretty unpleasant and ridiculously overpowered.

To be fair, Farrey does repeatedly emphasize the importance of not valuing people based solely on what they can do for you, and on the fact that using magic to solve every problem is a weakness, though of course by the end of the book most of the problems have, indeed, been solved by using magic. And cleverness and pluck and all the usual things that allow tweens to save the world when adults with experience and training can’t.

There was nothing really wrong with this book, it just wasn’t anything special.

* I’m floored by how petty and awful the bad guy is toward children he barely knows, just because of how insecure he is. Some of it can be blamed on his parents, but many people with neglectful parents don’t actually try to murder young children for getting more praise than they do. It’s sad that an envious adult who is described multiple times as creative can come up with no solution to his problem beyond killing the prince who had shown him up so that he could reclaim his position talking to the onyx maiden.

rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - It was interesting. I liked it.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - It was extraordinary. I really hope the author wrote more things.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Counterclockwise Heart is arguably one of the most unique novels I've read in quite some time. Written by Brian Farrey, it is already clear that this is a novel written to captivate children's imagination (and adults, of course).

Rheinvelt is running out of time. It has been running out of time ever since a mysterious statue appeared overnight. Given the size and sudden appearance of the statue, it is not man-made, which means that everyone has a right to be afraid of the warrior and her ready stance.

In hopes of finding a solution to the problem, Young Prince Alphonsus is sent to tell tales to the statue. His words quell the statue, while his mother works to suppress the rising threat at their borders. But are they merely buying time or saving their empire?

The Counterclockwise Heart was such a fun and endearing novel; I loved every single minute of it. I can also say, with complete sincerity, that I wish this book had been around when I was younger. A younger me would have devoured this book and honestly could have used something like this in her life.

Alphonsus' story is by far my favorite, though I was curious about the statue and everything she foretold (of course). I can easily see different readers picking up different elements as their favorite bits. That's arguably one of the many positives about this book.

Esme's story is the perfect balance for everything Alphonsus is going through. Her tale felt more straightforward (at times), but that helped to counter all of the questions I had about everything else happening in this world.

Long story short, The Counterclockwise Heart is a delightful read. Any young fantasy reader would undoubtedly be captivated by this tale, as a lot of imagination is stuffed into these pages.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Liv Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!!!!
Jumping right into it, a thing that I am really weirdly obsessed with is antagonists who seem somewhat human. The two main ones in this book are Guntram and the Nachtfrau. They’re both pretty stereotypical at a glance. Overly ambitious royal advisor and hermit witch from a cursed forest. But they’re both so complicated, it’s awesome.
Guntram grew up in a not great family and wished for all the riches and power and stuff that he now gets as part of the royal advisor thing. However, he also grew up with the Maiden for company, and a whole lot of fame and glory from it. Now that he’s left all that behind for the riches, though, he’s finally realizing what he did have and grasping to have both. I feel like it’s a pretty common feeling to always be mourning for whatever thing you don’t currently have, and the fact that it drove him to all that stuff shows a whole lot about greed and entitlement.
The Nachtfrau is so evil-seeming all the way up to chapter 24. Then she tells Esme that “No sigil, no cant, can do the wonders simple kindness can.” Stupid me didn’t really pick up on “she might not be super evil” before, so it was so shocking to have that come from her all of a sudden, I actually went back to see if Esme had been the one speaking the whole time and I was just reading it wrong. Turns out, she’s just not completely black and white, just like anybody else. She makes mistakes, but that was such an insightful quote and I all of a sudden realized how little she’d actually done to deserve the “villain” title.
The reason it’s four stars is literally just because I saw “Brian Farrey” and jumped immediately to hilarious Grimjinx shenanigans. This book is awesome, but it’s got a lot more focus on serious stuff and grim people and things than those books, so there really couldn’t be all those jokes. So, yah, definitely read this one!