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Looking for a suspenseful Steampunk read that will suck you right into 19th century London? Check out the following review to decide if The Watchmaker’s Daughter could be your next favorite book.
Title: The Watchmaker’s Daughter
Author: C. J. Archer
Pages: 293 (E-Book)
Point of View: 1st person (India Steele)
Genre(s): Steampunk
Installment: Book 1 in the Glass and Steele series
Tropes: Office Love (Employer & Employee)
After the death of her father and the betrayal of her ex-fiancé, twenty-seven-year-old India Steele is out on the streets looking for employment. A watchmaker’s apprentice for many years, she knows her craft as well as any man, perhaps even a bit better. However, as a woman, she is denied employment at any such workshops. She’s barely got any money and belongings left when she meets Mister Matthew Glass, who’s in search of one particular horologist to fix his watch. Employed as an assistant for her knowledge of most shop owners in town, India finds herself among the strange group of Mister Glass and his American ruffian friends. But can she trust the mysterious strangers, who seem to keep secrets and own a watch that can rejuvenate Matthew when sick?
When there’s talk about an American criminal on English soil, India is certain the wanted man is Mister Glass himself. Will she rat him out for the reward money?
Historical Fiction with A dash of Magic
London in 1890 can be quite difficult for any woman to muster, but for someone like India who has no family left? No-one who could provide for her? I hate to think about the way women had to live back then with barely any freedoms, most having to rely on men to live. After watching Bridgerton on Netflix, I was ready for some sort of historical fiction to read and what better than to mix it in with a dash of magic. This Steampunk book is highly enjoyable. It is gripping, it is suspenseful, it makes you feel all the right emotions at the right times.
Flush inducing tension
The tension between Miss Steele and Mister Glass is captivating and flush inducing. You find yourself wondering whether he’s being genuine in his flirtation and if they trust each other or whether it is all a ruse. The whole group is as unique as they come and the writing sets you straight into the mood of Victorian England. It is the perfect balance of dark reality and light fantasy. The Watchmaker’s Daughter is all about mystery, romance, crime and magic. And what do you desire more?
There’s more!
Reading through this book in one sitting shows that C. J. Archer is just one more independent author who is very talented. Her work should be well-known and more appreciated. Amusing, attractive and suspenseful, this is just the beginning of a magical adventure through 19th century London.
If this book review of The Watchmaker’s Daughter whetted your interest you can buy it here: Thalia
