Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a clever , original story, with a satisfying plot and very likeable characters. There was a good sense of place and i thought overall it was a well rounded novel.

This was an excellent read. A historical, magical realist novel with twists and turns and a great sense of pace. The characters were eccentric and brilliantly realised. I enjoyed the celebrations of diversity and difference in the book and the fact that they are treated as matter of fact things rather than the main drive of the book. Well written, engaging and captivating.

I very much enjoyed this witty atmospheric historical novel with its cast of quirky English eccentrics
The story was fast paced and amusing and I was quickly immersed in the story and found myself caring deeply for the characters .I found the story bright funny and intelligent and had me laughing aloud in places .i hadn’t expected this much humour from the description of the book
I enjoyed the fact that the characters were never as straightforward as they first seemed which made them all the more memorable
I have read the story of a clockwork animated chess player before in several books but enjoyed it’s part in this story

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley is a remarkable and whimsical book full of charm.

When Zachary's mother dies in childbirth Zachary is left in the care of his father Abel, a clockmaker who is capable of remarkable things. Still grieving from the loss of his much-loved wife Abel is assisted in raising Zachary by a wet nurse and by his mother's aunt.

As Zachary grows it is clear there is something out of the orginary about him, not least his abiltity to see into the future and the past.

Then a near-fatal accident causes his father to doubt his parenting skills further and to flee to Constantinople and never return. Can Zachary ever discover what happened to the only parent he has left?

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley is one of those books that absorbs you to the point you feel like you personally know the characters. I have no doubt that this will be a hit.

"He is like a clock that tells of time to come and of time past and missed, yet is driven by blood and a beating heart, not by mainsprings and bobs of steel and brass."

This one drew me in right away, despite a tragedy in the first chapter. It was well-written and the characters distinctive, most of them easy to like. I did start to have waning interest when a political situation entered the plot, but thankfully there were time jumps that spared me much of the detail of that.

Zachary is an unusual child. An intellectual prodigy with a gift for seeing the future or even unknown things in the present. His father, Abel, seems to go from one tragedy to another and I did sometimes find it difficult to keep reading because it was so depressing! He's a likeable character who didn't deserve any of what he got from life.

The female characters were strong for this era, yet explained through their eccentricities. Mrs. Morley in particular was a favourite.

The story did keep my interest and the sequences through Turkey were rich with historical atmosphere. I would definitely read this author again but hope he's a little kinder to future characters.

Thank you to #netgalley and #Transworldpublishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book needed reading slowly in order to appreciate not only the plot, but also the richness of the prose. Other reviewers have commented on the ‘Dickensian’ feel that the novel has and I too identified that element within its pages. The magical realism is something that gripped me
Because I was reading slowly, this became a book I picked up and put down a lot, reading in small bites rather than huge chunks which was a bit of a frustration and at one point I considered ditching the read. However I persevered and am pleased that I did.
I wonder if the use of automaton might recommend it to a Steampunk fan base.

I loved this book. A powerful opening, a great sense of time and place, and a wonderful cast of characters.

A very unusual tale, part Dickensian, part steampunk, part historical, part magical, with eccentric characters and a journey from 1700’s London to Constantinople, it is a tale of tragedy and triumph.

Atmospheric, intriguing and skilfully written, I found it hard to put down and as this was a debut by Sean Lusk, I cannot wait to read more from him. 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley by Sean Lusk was a delightful tale from start to finish. From the very first page I was caught up in the story and characters, and they held my interest throughout. The fantastical elements wove neatly through the tale, with excellent world building, while the story moved at a good pace that kept me turning the pages. There were moments of sadness, but the ending was satisfying. Based on the strength of this debut work, I would definitely be keen to read more from Sean Lusk in the future.

My thanks to Sean Lusk, Random House UK, and Net Galley for the ARC of THE SECOND SIGHT OF ZACHARY CLOUDESLEY.
I have been fortunate to have read some unusual and unique novels lately and this is one of them. The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesly takes us from London to Constantinople and back again, on a journey for a son to find the father he loves but doesn't know well. He admires him because of his obvious talent in making automatons which became so popular in the 1700s. Part adventure and part magical, Zachary has second sight and can see into the future just by looking at a person. He is a forward, clever child, but is raised by an aunt who spoils him and doesn't encourage his intellect. to grow, so he underachieves. His travels help him find love in a most unusual place. An intriguing read.

This book began with such promise: an intriguing subject and beautiful, evocative prose. However I found the tale subsequently becoming a rambling, convoluted saga. I was interested enough to see where it lead, but ultimately it left me unsatisfied. It will undoubtedly appeal to many who love fantasy and magic - but it just wasn't for me.

A wonderful historical tale set in the mid eighteenth century, travelling from London to Constantinople. This is a thoughtful, beautifully written story with an atmospheric setting. The historical details are clearly well-researched. It is a story of love and as such a range of emotions are covered, from despair to jubilation. With excellent and unusual characters, it is a gentle, yet compelling read.

Wow! Talk about emotional rollercoaster! This book drew me in from the start and I fully engaged with the indepth characters throughout. The environment is intense, lively and glorious on all corners of the globe. Very well crafted. Never a dull moment.

What an absolutely delightful, beautifully written novel! Reminiscent of Dickens (but in my opinion less dense and more accessible) Sean Lusk skilfully tells the story of Zachary Cloudesley and his father, Abel. Set in the 18th century in a clockmaker’s shop in Leadenhall, London and then sweeping across to Tring in Hertfordshire, then France, Italy, Turkey and Egypt, this wonderful novel is primarily one of love. It’s possibly the reason why I was so captivated with it. The love of a parent, a child, a sibling, a lover, oneself, a career - it’s all covered here. And whilst I felt some of the sensibilities were very 21st century, I embraced them; it’s refreshing to see such acceptance and love in a historical novel. In short, I loved this book. It’s a modern classic and I can’t wait to read Lusk’s next offering. Thoroughly recommend.

Set partly in Constantinople during the Seven Years War (1756-63), this is a complex and well-researched novel with some unusual characters. Zachary is a special child who sees future events with great clarity. His father makes elaborate automatons and is sent to the Sultan's palace on a dangerous mission. A great read.

3.5 stars

I mostly felt as if I was on a proper old school adventure with this story.
The thrill of the workshop and its creations,the quest to find a father.
Filled with characters you can't help but become attached to,all of then slightly eccentric in their own way.
Istanbul was mysterious and exotic.
It was all very charming.
The ending ,for me,felt like an overlong epilogue,and not quite as thrilling as the rest of the book.
Mostly though,it was a bit lovely.

I found this a beautifully written story with almost hidden comments poking fun at society appearing unexpectedly. It is well researched and includes interesting facts about the times and the geography. I really enjoyed it but I must admit that I got a bit bogged down in the period in Constantinople.
While I sometimes feel disappointed when the end of a story tidies up loose ends, I was delighted at the final chapter and was pleased that that particular loose end had been finished off.
Recommended

Wonderful
What a magical story!
The world is one of clocks, automata, clockwork creatures and so much more.
An accident leaves our main character with the gift of second sight and what follows is just one amazing story wonderfully told.

Highly recommended!

I enjoyed this book and the insights it provided. It was different from the usual historical novel and pleasurable to read

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks Netgalley and the Penguin Random House for the ARC.

I feel extremely lucky to have received an Advance Copy of this book. It's such a multi-layered, intricate story with so many moving parts. Sometimes Dickensian, sometimes Shakespearean and sometimes a little bit steampunk, this adventure detailing the life of an incredible man and his singular son is set to be an instant classic.

The characters are so real and the writing is so evocative that I fully immersed myself in this strange, mystical tale. There's tragedy and loss, but at it's centre, the story is about hope and love of all different kinds. A true treasure of a book.