Reviews

The Clockwork Witch by Michelle D. Sonnier

jesslynh's review against another edition

4.0

This was a delightful little story. In fact, the only issue I had was that the ending came a bit abruptly and I felt (still feel) like there is a lot more to the story.

Nice work and I look forward to more from Ms Sonnier.

cjdawn236's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this book, but it felt like only half of the story. There are threads left hanging, and it felt like it was just building up to something when it ended. I’m guessing the author must have another planned - if not, that would make this really disappointing.

wolfsbane26's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Arabella is the 7th daughter of the most powerful witch in the UK. So because of this, everyone was expecting her to be a powerful witch as well. As it turns out, Arabella has shown no signs of any kind of powers. 

Arabella and her family attended an event where they were introduced to a big machine that can do calculations on its own. As soon as Arabella sees this machine, her magic kicks in. She sees magic in the machines. 

Usually magic and technology do not mix but somehow Arabella can make it work.

This book hit all of the witch tropes with a splash of historical steampunk. The author took two popular topics and mashed them together. There were too many tropes. It was like the author purposely tried to hit them all right down to the names. The concept was great on it’s own so all the tropes were kind of overkill.

roxsannel's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 

Arabella Sortilege is a young witch who lives in Victorian England, she is the youngest of a large family, a seventh daughter of a seventh daughter to be exact but she is the only one out of all her female relatives who has not shown an ounce of magical talent. She is known as a “brown bud” and she is a disappointment to those around her, leading to her being shunned because of it, her family make her complete the mundane tasks so that they don’t have to get their hands dirty and can spend more time practicing their art and interact with her as little as possible, all apart from one who is her best friend and the closest in age as well. 

 

One day, the Sortilege family are invited to an event where an invention is unveiled and Arabella is fascinated with it, especially when she can see it all shining with an inner glow, all apart from an area in the centre, when she asks her sister about it, she finds out that it is magic she can sense, but not in any way which would be classed as normal, her sister advises her to stay quiet about what she has seen until they return home. 

 

As the days go on, Arabella begins to notice that she can see other aspects of technology shining like magic, however, this leads to trouble and Arabella begins to feel like she finally understands what her sisters feel, apart from it is with an element, which is not natural. As events continue, Arabella’s secret comes out and she is even more trouble than before, she now has to face the judgement of those around her and the Trials which every young witch has to go through, to enable her to declare her Technomancy and the fact that she both understands and can manipulate machinery. 

 

Will Arabella be able to stay out of harms way long enough to pass the Trials and be finally accepted into the family and develop her talents, or will the danger she faces stop her in her tracks, or will the judgement she faces be the most severe possible? This is a sci-fi fantasy where magic and technology combine in a coming of age tale of one young witch finding her place within a world where the rules are absolute and anything outside of them is considered an abomination. 

mrsguk14's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 I really enjoyed the world building and descriptions in this book. The idea of blending magic and technology is a new approach, and the theory of it is very interesting.

Where I had issues was the bullying and snarkiness in this book. Whether it be towards witches, sisters, daughters, neighbors, etc, there was a lot of nastiness towards people in this book. That treatment also led to Arabella being meek and immature, which would realistically be how an abused person could be...but it was to the point that it sometimes it was distracting from an otherwise very intriguing storyline and beautiful descriptions.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and think it is a wonderful idea to blend magic and technology. The descriptions of how Arabella saw magic and that that is how other witches see it made it easy to picture in my head, exactly how the author envisioned it in their writing. I'll follow future additions to this series!

1 like

 

aims2read's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and the way the author has woven the idea of magic and technology together to enhance witches around the world abilities. Arabella has a harder time proving herself to her Mother, who is the Grand Dame, than those of mundane society. I felt a connection to her, as the main character, as in my mind, she is the black sheep of her family, and really, of witches all together. She wants to make everyone proud, and happy to call her daughter, sister, friend, and will do everything to see to it that that is the case. It can feel a little long-winded at times, though.
 
 The way the author wove new ideas with old ideas was brilliant, and the way she built up the characters throughout the novel was well done. I found that just when I felt a character was starting to lack sustenance, more information came to light, and the reader is pulled right back into this historical treat. You have some thoughts by the end of it that lead you to believe you’re in for another enjoyable adventure next time round too, which is nice. Truly a fun read, I held my breath on more than one occasion, and I look forward to reading the next installment. Well done! 

_clquiles_06_'s review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I absolutely loved the plot of this book.

The idea that the author had for this was amazing HOWEVER,I don’t think it came together in a good way.

I felt very disconnected with the characters but I loved the power.

I have always been addicted to witchcraft and this was very original.

The plot of a young witch coming into her power after being destined to stay mortal.

Luckily the female main character is the first of her kind and that was very intriguing.

This story started out slow for me but it is a quick and easy read.

Not a huge fan of the book overall but it does have amazing points.

I need to read more from this author to recommend in the future.

I liked this book, I did expect to love it.

shellyk51's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

 This was an interesting book. Kick-ass women, like Arabella, in the form of witches in a power struggle over who gets to be in the society of witches. If you're not, you are dead, that is all. Now, I can't tell you much, you're going to have to read it. The characters are very relatable. Many sisters to annoy you, who can't relate? An older brother to help keep an eye on things. The plot has a couple of choppy spots. It's a quick weekend read that will make you smile and maybe even giggle. I recommend this. 

arthistorygirl's review

3.0

The Clockwork Witch is the first book in The Clockwork Chronicles series. I enjoyed the Steampunk fantasy setting with the main character, Arabella, discovering that she does not have any typical witchcraft power but instead the power of technomancy. The book is written for a YA audience, but adults can enjoy it. The story is good, and I liked the concept. I enjoyed this book and am curious about where the story will go in the second book in the series. 

piperkitty's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

In all honest I wanted to love this book. The premises is brilliant and I was looking forward reading it. I unfortunately couldn't find connect with the characters and they had little substance to them. I will say the authors descrptive style was canny but would be better with a bit more embraliahment.