| Title | : | The Watchmakers Daughter (Glass and Steele, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 302 |
| Publication | : | First published June 28, 2016 |
| Awards | : | eFestival of Words Best Young Adult (2018) |
Matthew Glass must find a particular watchmaker, but he won't tell India why any old one won't do. Nor will he tell her what he does back home, and how he can afford to stay in a house in one of London's best streets. So when she reads about an American outlaw known as the Dark Rider arriving in England, she suspects Mr. Glass is the fugitive. When danger comes to their door, she's certain of it. But if she notifies the authorities, she'll find herself unemployed and homeless again - and she will have betrayed the man who saved her life.
With a cast of quirky characters, an intriguing mystery, and a dash of romance, THE WATCHMAKER'S DAUGHTER is the start of a thrilling new historical fantasy series from the author of the bestselling Ministry of Curiosities, Freak House, and Emily Chambers Spirit Medium books.
The Watchmakers Daughter (Glass and Steele, #1) Reviews
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This one was yet another Kindle freebie, and I've learned to be wary of those - as it turns out, with good reason.
When I think about why I disliked this book, at first I couldn't point to anything that was overtly wrong with it. It was just nothing special; there was nothing in there that grabbed me or moved me or made me want to read more. It felt less like an inspired work, and more like the author was checking off a list of things you're supposed to include when you're writing a Victorian fantasy. Heroine who's newly destitute because her father has died? Check. Oh-so-plain heroine who nevertheless has some Super Speshul power? Check. Obligatory Romance with a Mysterious Stranger? Check. Obligatory Corset Joke? Check. Obligatory - *groan* - Attempted Rape? Obligatory Damsel in Distress moment for the heroine? Check and check. This book would have made for a good round of Historical Fantasy Bingo.
And that's the whole problem, really: this story didn't make me feel anything. We're told that India's former fiance duped her father and stole her business out from under her, but we're never shown even a single scene that gets across that raw sense of hopelessness and betrayal. Instead, the book opens with India throwing a childish tantrum in the middle of the shop, which doesn't exactly serve to make her a more sympathetic character. We're told that India starts getting the hots for Mr. Glass after he removes her corset to help her breathe (which in all honesty is one of the least sexy situations I can imagine, second only to CPR), but the story never bothers to build up any kind of chemistry between them.
(Seriously, this was a much more entertaining scene.)
These two have just met. Their first meeting consisted of him manhandling her because she was in his way. His servants' treatment of her has ranged from rude (yes, even by American standards, don't try to pull that one with me) to overtly intimidating. She has reason to think he might be a wanted outlaw. Absolutely none of this screams "romance". You want me to buy this relationship, you ought to at least put some effort into selling it.
I can't quite put my finger on why, but pretty much all of the side characters also really rubbed me the wrong way. I can't think of a single one of them I genuinely liked. Sure, they were a colorful bunch, but they were all color and no substance. Mr. Glass's various sidekicks were all one-dimensional archetypes with nothing whatsoever to recommend their characters. The villains were all mustache-twirling cliches. We didn't get to see even a single backstory, or genuinely sympathetic moment, or narrative purpose for any of them other than just being there. Anything of substance about any of them, we were always told, not shown.
(Willie in particular deserves special mention on this count, because under any normal circumstances I would be head-over-heels for the gun-toting, crossdressing woman who doesn't give a flip about societal conventions or about what other people think of her - but in this case, I couldn't stand her. Several pro tips for various authors out there: making inexcusably stupid choices against the well-placed advice of a more experienced and more levelheaded male character because she needs to feed her gambling addiction and won't be told what to do by no man does not a Strong Female Character make - it just makes an inexcusably stupid character. Treating other people like crap for no good reason also does not a Strong Female Character make - it just makes a nasty unpleasant character who isn't worth knowing. Just a few things to keep in mind.)
...maybe that's my primary issue with this book. It completely fails in "Show, Don't Tell". "We did this." "I felt this." "I watched Mr. Glass do that." Chessboard storytelling with zero emotional investment. It's not even bad in an entertaining way; it's just flat boring.
Then, about two-thirds of the way through, the book went from being just straight boring bad and took a track into the downright bizarre. The real plot point that got me? When Willie and Duke asked India whether she had magic because Mr. Glass thinks his watch might be responding to her, and India, who clearly didn't have the first clue what they were talking about, responded that she didn't. They then go on to tell her to forget the conversation ever happened and not repeat it to anyone, because magic is supposed to be a secret from everyone. Let me repeat that - magic is supposed to be a secret from everyone. So it never once occurred to them to ask more specific questions? Like whether anything weird ever happened to clocks or watches when she was around? Or whether she'd felt any sort of connection to Mr. Glass's watch in particular? Because maybe, just maybe, it might be possible that India might have magic without knowing what it is?
This is kindergarten-level plot-induced stupidity. Harry Potter understood that someone who grew up in a society that pretends magic doesn't exist would need to be told how it works, and this world, unlike Harry Potter, doesn't seem to have a secret underground network of witches and wizards dedicated to finding those people who were raised Muggles but do in fact have magic. So it never occurred to anyone that maybe, just maybe, someone who had magic could have slipped through the cracks and not know what it entailed?
Even more idiotic was what India dreamed up in order to explain away the evidence for magic that she'd already seen:He must be an opium addict. Or if not opium, some other potent substance that made his veins glow. The watch was a clever device that hid the stubstance in liquid form. It likely also hid a tiny syringe that he used to inject the liquid into himself as he held the watch in his palm[...]
Clearly the device had stopped working properly and so he needed the original maker to fix it. I'd never seen such a watch before, so it most likely required special care. I hadn't yet worked out why he couldn't inject the substance into himself without using the watch, but there must be a reason.
Yes, because opium totally makes people's veins glow. Because drugs are just weird like that, m'kay?
Also, drug addicts totally get special watches made to inject themselves with that can only be repaired by one person, because that's so much easier and more convenient than just, I don't know, injecting themselves.
Usually I reserve the one-star rating for books I couldn't even manage to finish, but literally the only reason I didn't give up on this one halfway through was because I was sick in bed all day and had nothing better to do, and wanted to save all the good reading for when I felt well enough to actually enjoy it.
I'm just glad I didn't spend any actual money on this. -
The Watchmaker’s Daughter is a funny, entertaining and sweet novel that, in between the lines, can also be read as a powerful and spirited feminist hymn.
It follows, in fact, the adventures of 27-year-old India Steele, daughter of one of the most prestigious English watchmakers, who’s trying to take her life back in her hands after her father dies and her unscrupulous ex-fiancé calls off the wedding and gets to keep her family’s shop.
In need of a job and a roof over her head, she’ll start working for the handsome and mysterious Mr Glass who, along with his fellow companions, is looking for a legendary watchmaker and keeping a very huge secret.
India is smart, strong and independent, willing to work her behind off in order to pay her debts and live a dignified life. I found her curiosity to be a bit annoying at times, but she’s overall a great character.
I couldn’t say she experiences a proper character development, but I sure can affirm she’s a fighter.
She has to endure people’s judgment (because she happens to be curvy and not as skinny as the beauty standards of her period require, a bit too old for to still be unmarried, and mainly because she’s simply a woman that wants to affirm herself professionally) through the entire book. She’s often manhandled or laughed at only because she has the courage to speak out for herself or the people who she cares about, but she never loses her temper nor hope.
Sometimes I found her curiosity to be a bit annoying (mind your business for once, I beg of you), but that was nothing compared to all the fierceness we’re rewarded with, in return.
I also adored her growing relationship with Willie (my absolute favorite character, also Mr Glass’ cousin and –according to my studies and research- a lesbian with a big heart and a gambling problem) and how she stood out for Aunt Letitia.
Mr Glass, Matthew, is as charming, sassy and flirty as they come, but he didn’t leave a mark on me like the girls from this book did. Either way, he’s a good character and I really want to see more of him, reason for which I’ll just HAVE TO continue with this series.
The plot and the writing are simple, entertaining and easy to follow. I had no problem squeezing another book’s chapters in between these one’s because everything flowed perfectly and there were zero dull moments.
I only have one complaint about it: there’s some sort of magical element in this novel, I’m sure there is one, but I’ve found it a bit weak for most of the story, except for it to explode in your face in the last three chapters. Very underwhelming and confusing, if you ask me.
There’s some romance, too, of course. It’s super cheesy (really really really cheesy), but not as substantial and distracting as many of these things usually go. It won’t bother those reader who couldn’t care less about romance and ships, but at the same time, make the sappiest ones happy.
In short,
The Watchmaker's Daughter is a really good book and really good first installment, nonetheless.
I can't wait in how many troubles India and Mr Glass are going to get into in the future!
Ps. THAT COVER *___________*
ACTUAL RATINGS 3,5/5 -
I just discovered a thirteen book series of historical fantasy written by an Aussie author. Brilliant! I must have been hiding under a rock because she has written a lot of books which all get good ratings.
This first book in the Glass and Steele series is set in London in 1890, one of my favourite historical times. It involves magic - even better! The main characters have some serious chemistry going on plus the ability to engage in entertaining banter. Add all this to the fact that the author writes well and the secondary characters are well structured and interesting, and you have a very good book.
India Steele is the watchmaker's daughter and we meet her shortly after said watchmaker has died leaving his business to someone else. India has trained in watchmaking but cannot work because women are not able to join the Guild. She is at a very low point when she meets the mysterious Matthew Glass. You must read the rest for yourself.
I really enjoyed this and book two is on my reading list already. -
4,75 - English Ebook 🦋🦋🦋
WoW what a ride this book was. I sure did not like to put it down. Do to tasks I had to do it took me langer than I have wanted. This is a book you want to read in one gasp of air. A Historical mystery with a twist of magic. When you like this type of books this one is surely one for you. 🌹🌹🌹 -
THE WATCHMAKER’S DAUGHTER is the first in the series, Glass and Steel. The story opens in 1890’s London and Matthew Glass is a customer inside The Hardacre Watchmaker’s establishment making an inquiry. India Steel enters the shop and abruptly interrupts the exchange to call out the conduct of the proprietor, Eddie Hardacre. The events that subsequently take place find Glass and Steel thrown together in a mutually beneficial relationship. Things are not quite as they seem and secrets abound. Will they be revealed?!
This book was a fast-paced book and easy to read. I found the characters engaging and interesting as they were introduced. A bit of fantasy was added to whet the reader’s appetite, but not too much.
I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend. -
I was mislead by the cover & GR shelvings into thinking this was steampunk or at least had a tinge of steampunk, but it's not. This book is however, woodenly written, with unengaging characters and a plot that is just plain odd!
Life is too short and all that.
DNF at 24% -
This was a 3-star read, I liked it but it wasn't mind-blowing. Still, it left me curious enough to want to continue with this series.
This first book basically set the world and the characters for us, I found the premise interesting but the story got a little bit boring sometimes and the main female character was annoying in some parts. But there was something about this story that made me want to keep reading and I'm curious to know what will happen in the next books. I hope it gets better because I think it has potential to be really good. -
I didn't realise this was the first of a series - so when it ended that way I was literally gasping for air -but yay! I can keep reading about this wonderful world. It is nothing super fantastically genius but it has everything you want in a book - adventure, mystery, romance and good characters. Looking forward to reading the next book!
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Quirky characters, an intriguing mystery, and a dash of romance...I LOVED this book!
This book is set in Victorian times and contains a sweet romance between the heroine, Miss Steele, and the hero, Mr. Glass (love the names, LOL). Certainly there was no mistake as the author named them, for Mr. Glass is anything but transparent in this book. Rather dark mystery follows him until the very end. As for Steele, this female protagonist abounds with mettle.
I loved the plot and how the author teased us throughout with the growing attraction between the two that was sweet and innocent. The plot kept me engaged and the climax will have me buying the next installment. -
↠ 3-
This book is not a masterpiece but it was so fun to listen to. I finished it in one day because I wanted to see how it all ends and the pages just flew by. As I said it’s not a masterpiece, the story was simple but at the same time it wasn’t smoothly told, it has some bumps that I noticed and didn’t particularly like. It’s a fun read and I’m glad I read it.
Also, calling this steampunk is misleading. There's nothing steampunk-y or maybe since I'm not familiar with that sub-genre I expected too much. -
The f*** did I just read? It started out OK, hence the 2 stars and the Goodreads reviews were over the moon with this book so I was excited when I got it as a daily deal. I love historical fiction and I do love a good mystery but this book completely fails at both genres. It felt like the author had a really good synopsis but everything fell apart after the first chapter. None of the characters are believable and the world they move in is totally unplanned chaos. And then it ended like *THIS*.
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I normally don't review books that I wouldn't give more than three stars to, but here I wanted to give a little warning because from the vaguely YA'ish cover to the blurb to even the first several chapters, there was nothing to suggest there would be so much allusion to sexual assault. Like nothing explicit happens on the page (except for some unwanted touch/bridging on groping which is gross but I can usually read over it with a mild cringe), but there is some pretty clear implications and instances like a man unbuckling his belt and telling a woman to get on her knees under duress (she does escape, but still, that's pretty dark).
I'm not against themes of sexual assault handled tastefully (I don't prefer to read them and will avoid them, but I think they have a place in fiction because people DO deal with that sort of awful stuff), but this whole book had a very proper/prim persona, a very light and cheerful cover, and overall an almost younger YA tone. Like I do not expect deep, dark, gritty themes in a book where the villain is literally named "The Dark Rider." I expect serial adventure levels of escapism and good fun.
The characterization is okay. The plot and themes are mildly predictable/tropey but could be fun but they are also stuff I would (again) expect in a lighter, more escapist story aimed at younger readers. Like I stopped another Steampunk novel because it had a high level of rape related content, but that one at least started out with a pretty gritty feel and definite "out of the gate" understanding of what sort of world this was and the level of darkness you could expect. In other words, I was warned. This did not offer any such foreshadowing and for the most part it WASN'T that dark and gritty. The tonal clash made the scenes that were there even more icky. -
“Every unattached man is a prospect.”
Shades of Jane Austen. A fun, lightweight Victorian romance with just a touch of magic. No, really, magic. Not really steampunk or paranormal, closer to urban fantasy light.
Engaging story and characters. Paradoxically some of its Englishness seemed off. As an American I’m hardly one to judge, but Archer hails from Australia, so …
Unfortunately, the book stops before the story finishes. A common flaw of contemporary series. It’s possible to bring each tale to a satisfying conclusion while setting the hook for continued adventures. Archer sets the hooks but doesn’t give satisfaction with this volume.
Nice cover image.
“Things tend to fall into perspective when your life hangs in the balance.” -
4.5 stars. CJ Archer does the best brain candy! So pleased to start another long series after really enjoying the Ministry of Curiosities.
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I grabbed The Watchmaker's Daughter based on the review of a friend and it delivered as promised.
This story is well worth the read. Easy to follow. Well thought out and written characters with rich personality. The pace of each arc within the story helped the characters keep me reading.
Mystery? Check.
Good characters? Check.
No breaking issues? Check.
Thrills and surprises? Check.
I will definitely read the next one in the series. -
I stumbled across this book trolling Amazon for free books one day. I'll admit, I'm a serious sucker for free books, and all because of little gems like The Clockmaker's Daughter; a book that was free, self-published, and very enjoyable. In my experience, those are hard to find.
There was plenty of mystery in this book. Enough that it kept me intrigued and reading. Honestly, there was not one single thing I was disappointed about. The characters were great, all of them. The story was great. The way it all wrapped up was perfect. It's a fun read and easy to follow. I'm looking forward to reading book two, which I plan on downloading tonight. I cannot wait to see what Archer has in store for Mr. Glass and Miss Steele. -
Sleepless nights require light entertainment and this did the trick really well. It is sold as steampunk but it is not, I wonder why publishers do that? It will disappoint readers looking for steampunk, leading to bad reviews which have nothing to do with the book. This book is set in Victorian Britain and has a fantasy aspect to it. If I had to assign a genre to it, I would say: Victorian Urban fantasy. Bit of romance. Good female characters. Light, fluffy fun.
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This is an entertaining period piece set in the late 1800s London. There is a large mystery that is accompanied by a little magic. The loud and brash Americans stand out in the more refined London, but they get the job done. The little English sparrow is actually a hawk with claws. The relationship between H and h is germinating, but doesn't reach the level of romance - yet.
I'm not a big fan of fantasy or powerful magic, but the subtle presence here works well for me.
I'll read the next book as the main challenge remains unresolved. -
I was nervous going into this one. I just finished C.J. Archer's other series, The Palace of Lost Memories, and I absolutely loved it. I didn't think I would like this one at much. I still prefer her other series, but this one is so good as well! She creates these strong female characters that are seen as weak, but use their intelligence to save the day. It doesn't feel forced, but genuine.
This story follows India Steele whose father has recently died. Her fiance has left her and stolen her father's watch shop. She is destitute and kicked out of her apartment when she takes up an odd job. She is helping a handsome young man (of course) find a watchmaker who helped him in the past. This man is tied to many mysteries and is not all he seems. Nor is the watch that never leaves his side. Add in the fact that he is a cowboy from the wild west and you've got the combination for a great somewhat steam punk romance.
Re-Read 2/1/2021
What is it about C.J. Archer's books that I can just read over and over again?
Anytime I enter her worlds I feel happy. The audiobook narrator does a great job. I really feel like her voice is India's voice. The characters are so lovable! -
Trigger warnings: death of a parent (in the past), gun violence, illness, ostracisation without explanation, gambling.
3.5 stars.
This was recommended to me by a friend a year or so ago and I finally got around to picking it up at the beginning of November. It was a cute story with fantasy/steampunk elements and while it very much feels like the set up for the series rather than a story in its own right, I was left intrigued enough that I might pick up the second book down the track.
I liked India as a protagonist - she's smart and determined and fiercely independent. The supporting cast of characters were fantastic too, and there's enough mystery throughout to keep the reader interested. My one real gripe here is that a LOT of the exposition takes place through India overhearing things she shouldn't. Listening at doors. Standing on stairways. And instead of demanding an explanation, she just...comes to her own conclusions and puts herself in danger or causes some massive misunderstanding.
So ultimately, I enjoyed this but I feel like the story could have been much faster paced if it hadn't had such a heavy reliance on misunderstandings. -
I enjoyed listening this. It was different and fun. The side characters make this book for me. I would recommend this book for the rest of the crew. The main characters are sadly not as interesting.
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It's always satisfying when you pick up a book on impulse and it winds up being as good as you hoped.
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I'm just starting this series. . . .and it captured me when the watch woke up. . . .there's a bit a romance going on, and so far it feels like a lot of backstory to build up this new world.
I like the characters, India Steele and Matthew Glass, and especially Willie Johnson, Matt's lady cousin who is anything but. It is set in Victorian times, 1890's, and feels very much like the first book in a series.
Will continue on, with the next one. -
I do love me an urban fantasy novel with a strong older heroine. This is a fun story with American outlaws, British nobles, and magic watches. I appreciate that the romance didn't devolve into insta-love but stayed slow burn. (And according to my frustrated roommate, stays slow burn for a while.)
Colorful characters and a promising plot leave me excited to pick up the next one in the series! -
It started out awesome and very fast paced. Not sure what happened. Still trying to put the pieces to the puzzle and wondering why they wasted so much on searching. It got nowhere. The guild members acting that way? Why?
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Quit the intriguing magical mystery. I look forward to more in this series and to see where Archer takes this cast a quirky characters.
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I'm reading this series now and loving the characters and completely intrigued by Matt's magical watch. : )
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This book was a freebie on Kindle and a really quick read. It is technically a historical mystery but very light on any historical facts. I'd consider it more of a young adult/fantasy/romance novel with an easy to follow plot. I liked it enough to finish but I probably won't continue on with the series.
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The Watchmaker's Daughter has 380 pages and was published in 2016 by C.J. Archer.
Thank you to Amazon and C.J. Archer for the free digital edition of this book that I received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review belong solely to Plot Monster.
I absolutely adore the cover of this book.
The Watchmaker's Daughter is a fun, quirky read. I specifically liked the premise of this novel which is noticeably void of any Sherlock-wannabe characters. More oft than not those characters greatly irritate me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the characters in this book.
I love the slow-paced romance in this novel. It is truly remarkable that the author is taking her time with the development of this relationship rather than throwing in the insta-love story line that can be so obvious in this type of novel. The attraction builds slowly which adds realism and believability to the plot.
It is a fast, easy read. I would eagerly read the next book in this series.
Recommended for fans of cozy mysteries and historical fiction.
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Plot Monster on 02/11/18.
