Solid start, engaging with superior world-building, but loses steam as the story continues - the plot takes a while to develop, probably because for most of the time understanding the mechanics of Toby's world is top priority, making anything else, like new characters or turn-of-events, quite insignificant in comparison. 
 Overall, Lockstep will keep readers intrigued to learn more about the world that Schroeder has created, complex, original, and unlike anything of the same genre.