The Clockwork Dynasty by Daniel H. Wilson

Present day: When a young anthropologist specializing in ancient technology uncovers a terrible secret concealed in the workings of a three-hundred-year-old mechanical doll, she is thrown into a hidden world that lurks just under the surface of our own. With her career and her life at stake, June Stefanov will ally with a remarkable traveler who exposes her to a reality she never imagined, as they embark on an around-the-world adventure and discover breathtaking secrets of the past...

Russia, 1725: In the depths of the Kremlin, the tsar's loyal mechanician brings to life two astonishingly humanlike mechanical beings. Peter and Elena are a brother and sister fallen out of time, possessed with uncanny power, and destined to serve great empires. Struggling to blend into pre-Victorian society, they are pulled into a legendary war that has raged for centuries.

The Clockwork Dynasty seamlessly interweaves past and present, exploring a race of beings designed to live by ironclad principles, yet constantly searching for meaning. As June plunges deeper into their world, her choices will ultimately determine their survival or extermination. Richly-imagined and heart-pounding, Daniel H. Wilson's novel expertly draws on his robotics and science background, combining exquisitely drawn characters with visionary technology--and riveting action.

 Opening line:
"The age of the thing is in the feel of it."

I wasn't sure how much I would like this book but I then I couldn't put it down so I guess it's safe to say I did like.
The story is told in the past and present from two different viewpoints: Peter the avomat, or robot and June, the human. I liked the back and forth of the chapters and the telling of the history of our world. It intrigued me how the author wove our world and the avomat world together. He did a great job at world building.
Though I think the characters cold have been written with more depth, the way the avomats "lived" was detailed. I remembered the characters names and what place they had in the story. Spoiler: there is no romance. I just realized this as I was writing. Obviously, the story didn't need any. lol
I felt the ending came too quickly and maybe there will be another book? I'm not sure...

Thanks to netgalley for the early read!