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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Every now and again a book turns up that appears to be everywhere in Goodreads and the blog world. In the past month or so, this was one such book. When I saw it come up on a special offer I thought sure lets give it a go.
Honestly I have no idea why this book has been so popular recently or is getting rated so highly. It started off interesting enough, though honestly from the beginning I never felt hooked. It went down hill from there. My impressions was the author had a somewhat good idea but then got lost half way through. It all became a bit farcical and unbelievable. Part of the problem may be that it seems to fall between two stools in terms of genre. Its not historical fiction (though seems to start out a such) and its not fantasy (though contains clear elements of such). However neither element is strong enough to carry the story.
Honestly I have no idea why this book has been so popular recently or is getting rated so highly. It started off interesting enough, though honestly from the beginning I never felt hooked. It went down hill from there. My impressions was the author had a somewhat good idea but then got lost half way through. It all became a bit farcical and unbelievable. Part of the problem may be that it seems to fall between two stools in terms of genre. Its not historical fiction (though seems to start out a such) and its not fantasy (though contains clear elements of such). However neither element is strong enough to carry the story.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I struggled to get into reading this book but I was already so invested in the characters from the first 100 pages. I switched to audiobook as to not push myself into a slump and it really helped me push through the story. This novel is so mysterious and it's very interesting how Natasha builds this unique cast of characters from all over the world while also ensuring each character has a detailed backstory. This really added to the overall feel of the book as each character had a whole life outside of just the story. This is amazing for anyone into historical fiction mixed with a bit of fantasy!
DNF @ 39%.
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street is not a bad book, in fact I know many of you will adore it - it was just a bit too heavy on the science talk for me.
The mystery side was intriguing and the characters were compelling, especially the samurai watch maker Mori, which is why I powered through to 39%, but I just didn’t have the patience - I don’t wish to know how a clock works or how to test the speed of light; I just want to know why and how the watch saved Nathaniel’s life and what Mori has to do with it.
I hail Mary’ed on this one and skipped to the last 50 pages and it does seem like the story took an interesting turn. The style of writing, tone and some of the themes reminded me of Lessons in Chemistry (which I also DNFed) but with a mystery and magical/fantasy element, so if you enjoyed that I reckon you’d probably enjoy this.
1883. Thaniel Steepleton returns home to his tiny London apartment to find a gold pocket watch on his pillow. Six months later, the mysterious timepiece saves his life, drawing him away from a blast that destroys Scotland Yard. At last, he goes in search of its maker, Keita Mori, a kind, lonely immigrant from Japan. Although Mori seems harmless, a chain of unexplainable events soon suggests he must be hiding something. When Grace Carrow, an Oxford physicist, unwittingly interferes, Thaniel is torn between opposing loyalties.
Thaniel Steepleton is a government clerk, working in the Home Office in London during the 1880s. When he finds a mysterious gold pocket watch on his pillow, however, his all-around ordinary life takes a fantastical turn… He soon discovers that pawnbrokers vehemently refuse to accept the watch, though they immediately recognize it as the work of master watchmaker Keita Mori. Puzzled, Thaniel returns to his tiny appartment and his uneventful life – which soon gets shaken up in more than one sense.
After the watch literally saves his life, Thaniel reaches out to its maker, torn between gratefulness and suspicion. Though the lonely immigrant from Japan seems kind and harmless, Mori knows things that seem to have a sinister undertone… But Thaniel soon realizes that there is much more to this quiet, unassuming man. Meanwhile, Grace Carrow is determined to devote her life to science, but in order to set up a scientific laboratory, she needs to fulfill the terms of an inheritance – and marry.
With beautiful, atmospheric writing, Natasha Pulley draws readers into a magical world like no other. Highly original, the narrative unfolds into a blend of historical fantasy, magical realism, and a touch of mystery with steampunk elements. It explores themes such as love, difficult personal choices, and human relationships.
The characters are well-reveloped and multidimensional, with a charming quirky touch. The friendship between Thaniel and Keita Mori is described as a beautiful, fragile treasure, and their subtle romance is written with a delicate touch. Also, the novel features one of the most delightful sidekicks I've ever read: Katsu, a tiny clockwork octopus that likes to steal socks and develops much more personality than its maker intended to give it.
The pacing is rather slow, which I don't see as a flaw. There's so much discover that I appreciated the time to explore this world! All in all, this was a joy to read, and the characters and their relationships are going to stick with me for a long time. Absolutely a 5-star read.
After the watch literally saves his life, Thaniel reaches out to its maker, torn between gratefulness and suspicion. Though the lonely immigrant from Japan seems kind and harmless, Mori knows things that seem to have a sinister undertone… But Thaniel soon realizes that there is much more to this quiet, unassuming man. Meanwhile, Grace Carrow is determined to devote her life to science, but in order to set up a scientific laboratory, she needs to fulfill the terms of an inheritance – and marry.
With beautiful, atmospheric writing, Natasha Pulley draws readers into a magical world like no other. Highly original, the narrative unfolds into a blend of historical fantasy, magical realism, and a touch of mystery with steampunk elements. It explores themes such as love, difficult personal choices, and human relationships.
The characters are well-reveloped and multidimensional, with a charming quirky touch. The friendship between Thaniel and Keita Mori is described as a beautiful, fragile treasure, and their subtle romance is written with a delicate touch. Also, the novel features one of the most delightful sidekicks I've ever read: Katsu, a tiny clockwork octopus that likes to steal socks and develops much more personality than its maker intended to give it.
The pacing is rather slow, which I don't see as a flaw. There's so much discover that I appreciated the time to explore this world! All in all, this was a joy to read, and the characters and their relationships are going to stick with me for a long time. Absolutely a 5-star read.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was complex and scientific in a way I wasn’t expecting which made a simpler story more complex, but also more difficult to understand as the plot is progressing
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No