Publishers Weekly
10/09/2023
Lusk’s passion for history shines in his sprawling and somewhat muddled steampunk fantasy debut. The plot, which spans 18 years, kicks off with Zachary Cloudesley’s birth in 1754 London and his mother’s death during childbirth. Throughout his childhood, Zachary’s mother’s aunt, Lady Frances Peake-Barnes, schemes to take custody of both Zachary and Leonora Morley, the daughter of Zachary’s wet nurse, Grace. Meanwhile, Zachary’s grieving father, clockmaker Abel, is overwhelmed with parenting his gifted son; by age six, Zachary has genius-level intellect and distressing and violent visions about the lives of people he physically touches. Following an accident in his father’s workshop, Zachary loses an eye, and a distraught Abel entrusts his son to Frances at last. From here, time speeds up. Readers get glimpses of Zachary’s childhood and learn how Abel is commissioned to build a chess-playing automaton that will be used to spy on the Ottoman Empire. Years later, with Abel missing in Constantinople, teenage Zachary sets out to find him. Both men face relentless tragedies—abuse, death, fires, illness—as grief and guilt warp their lives. Readers who don’t mind the bleakness will appreciate the rich historical detail, diverse cast, and unusual supernatural elements. It’s bumpy, but there are some good ideas here. (Dec.)
From the Publisher
One of the best books I’ve read this year. Atmospheric, engaging, and elegantly written, this amazing tale of a clockmaker whose son possesses unusual talents is completely unforgettable.”—Bonnie Garmus, New York Times bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry “[A] sweeping novel about a London father and son separated by the shady world of international spies and political machinations . . . . The details sparkle, the characters shine, and the settings are lush. Lusk has crafted a novel that will take you away to another place and time and also, yes, has a sweet happy ending.”—Locus “Inventive, fantastical . . . memorable.”―London Times "A strange, spellbinding, imaginative work of magical realism set in 1700s London and Constantinople, exploring Pinocchio-esque questions about what is real, and the many forms of love. It contains no shortage of tragedy, but always retains a charming sense of wonder. . . . The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley is enchanting."—Shelf Awareness “Packed with intrigue, vividly drawn characters, and heart-stopping emotion, this beautifully written, ingeniously crafted debut is absolutely enthralling.”—Sunday Express “Really transports you to a different time and place.”—Sara Cox, Radio Times “A dashing, magical debut . . . intricately plotted, and peopled with intriguing characters and cunning clockwork.”—Daily Mail “An original coming-of-age tale . . . enjoyable and imaginative debut.”―London Sunday Times (Historical Fiction Book of the Month) “I just fell in love with it within the first two sentences.”—Ruth Jones, author of Love Untold
MARCH 2024 - AudioFile
Bert Seymour and Clare Corbett narrate this delightful historical fantasy, set in the mid-eighteenth century. Abel, a London watchmaker who creates fabulous automata, has disappeared. His son, Zachery, endowed with second sight, is being raised by his eccentric Aunt Franny. Many years later, Zachery sets off to rescue him from a sultan in Constantinople. Seymour, the primary narrator, establishes a quirky collection of great characters. Especially delightful is his presentation of Aunt Franny, who is a force of nature. Corbett narrates the three chapters that give first-person glimpses of Mrs. Morley. Corbett is spot-on with her characterization of this resilient, no-nonsense woman who first appears as Zachery's wetnurse. J.E.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
