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A review by mikkareads
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
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.