Lincoln Crisler

… read this NAO:

“A mechanically inclined orphan who lives in the basement of a sanitarium is urged to “make new friends.” A doddering scientist shares his living space, and he encourages the effort — providing all the assistance his weakening mind will permit.So the orphan makes a friend … with the materials that lie immediately at hand. Unfortunately, the resulting automaton would rather cause chaos than keep him company.”

It’s set in Cherie Priest’s new Clockwork Century world. Consider pre-ordering the book if you like what you see.