For readers of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, an enchanting, bestselling novel that sweeps readers into a magical Victorian London inhabited by a clockwork octopus and a mysterious watchmaker who is not at all what he first appears.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 … 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.The Watchmaker of Filigree Street is a sweeping, atmospheric narrative that takes the reader on an unexpected journey through Victorian London, Japan as its civil war crumbles long-standing traditions, and beyond. Blending historical events with dazzling flights of fancy, it opens doors to a strange and magical past.
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Slow starter, but it really pulled me into the world further on… loved the character development and the unexpected (though wholly realistic) ways in which characters interacted. Great choice.
This book was so good, I was quite surprised at the end, It was so beautiful.
Fantastic from start to finish. The characters are likeable, have real chemistry, and make you want to keep reading.
Reading comparisons to Night Circus, I was disappointed. Night Circus is one of the best books I have ever read.
The author has one of the most original minds in fiction. Great steampunk vibe.
It’s a beautiful book in every way.
worth reading but a little slow. I really liked the scenes set in Victorian times and Japan, they made me feel like I was there
The author did a lot of jumping from place to place and time to time which made the book a bit difficult to get into. As I went along though, the quirky nature of the 2 main characters, Keita and Thaniel, made me want to keep reading. I now have another favorite author to follow.
Didn’t care for this one
Very disjointed.
Very interesting and unusual book. Wonderful characters, quirkiness, and a surprise ending. A little wordy in spots. I plan to read other books by this author.
A bit of a slow start but the story picked up the pace a little with better engagement with the main characters.
I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book, but I ended up enjoying it very much. Great story, some of which comes out in dribs and drabs to keep you guessing.
This book is beautiful, and Katsu is awesome. It’s got some great characters.
I found this book to be a welcome relief from my normal SF and fantasy reading. Whimsical yet believable characters and a bit of magic realism kept me turning the pages.
Unusual and interesting. Set in Victorian England which adds to the mood!
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street is an East meets West story, where science meets mysticism. As feudal Japan is dismantled and transitions to a modern government Mori heads to England. He is an expert at clockwork and automatons, and has the ability to “remember the future”.
Mori befriends Thaniel, a pianist and telegrapher, who ends up working with the foreign ministry after the bombing of Scotland Yard. The story has many elements: nationalism, music, bomb forensics, cultural differences, women’s rights, and the discussion of ether in science and the supernatural.
Above all, it is a story of loyalty and friendship. I loved how so many possibilities had to line up for an event to happen. I hope things line up and a copy of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street finds its way to you. It is a great escape and worth the read.
Really enjoyed this book. Would definitely read more by this author!
It was fun to read and though written in a light tone was a bit darker than it first appeared. The characters and action were not predictable, at least not by me. It definitely kept my interest.
Another PC bore by some college professor. I was hopeful and interested for a while, but the author just wasn’t good enough to maintain interest. If you want all your PC beliefs confirmed and are willing to plow through 300 pages, you will love it.