The Watchmaker of Filigree Street A bewitching tale of historical fantasy, magic, love and a clockwork octopus

My favourite read of 2024! An excellent debut.

Bewertet: Buch (Taschenbuch)

"The Watchmaker of Filigree Street" is a novel packed with immersive world building, loveable characters, clever humour and friendly banter that had me cackling out loud multiple times. Pulley's way with words immediately pulled me in - especially the description of the "supernatural aspects" (to avoid any spoilers) was so easily digestible - like: "Oh yes, of Course that's how that works!" But not only her style of writing captivated me - you can tell how much research went into this novel, it manages to really transport you into 19th century London. All in all a brilliant novel, especially considering it's her debut. I could hardly put it down and immediately went and bought the follow-up "The Lost Future of Pepperharrow". Highly recommend!

A gentle adventure!

Bewertet: Buch (Taschenbuch)

Leading the mundane life of a Home Office telegraph clerk in London around 1880, Thaniel Steepleton is slightly amused when he notices that one night a stranger has broken into his home, done the washing up (!) and left a mysterious watch behind. However, as the watch saves his life a few months later, his normal daily life is not only turned upside down but takes a marvelous spin for the adventurous. Through her characters, Natasha Pulley brilliantly evokes the time and atmosphere of Victorian England and Samurai Japan in the late 19th century. Her narrative combines a perfectly balanced mix of mysterious steampunk, gentle adventure and a highly accurate historical touch. The story's in-depth development and tone make up for a most entertaining and exciting read without any need for over-dramatic bloodshed or pseudo-cruel psychothriller elements. There are not many others with this kind of narrative talent.