The Watchmaker's Daughter by C.J Archer --- Book Review

 

Victorian London is all well and good with its corsets and carriages. But what happens when the residents of its twisted alleyways radiate magic? The Watchmaker’s Daughter by C.J. Archer follows a spinster, India Steele, who is as bold and courageous as her name. But what she doesn’t predict is that heartbreak, grief over her father’s death and poverty will give her an ultimatum. Forced to live in a cheap attic, she musters up the courage to face her ex-fiance, Eddie Hardacre. Matthew Glass enters looking all sick and handsome but doesn’t prove to be worth thinking about, until he proposes to her with a means to earn a living. The story starts on a sad note describing India’s state with no one to support her. Recently denied guild membership due to her being a woman, she is forced to walk away from her watchmaking legacy but her knowledge comes to the rescue of the dying male lead, Matthew Glass. As they scour London for the watchmaker who built Matt’s watch, India gets accepted in Matt’s little group of misfits from the West. But what made this book better than the others was the independence of the main character, India, who was not under the pressure of society to marry into a respectable household nor was she some illiterate maid. As we dive deeper into the book, Matt’s hysterical but sharp Aunt who symbolizes the generation gap comes into the picture, unveiling her vain attempts to understand magic, free women and Willie. The character of Willie poses identity questions to the readers and proves that everything can be dealt with if you are surrounded by the right people. This book subtly deals with the question of women representation by comparing the free women of America and the ‘gossiping’ women of England. And while free women were at that time seen as repulsive, Matthew Glass admires her and lets India be herself at the same time trying to protect her. The beautiful cover also resonated with the book well adding to the magic of the story. Everything considered, I’m not shy of stating that this book has now officially become my comfort book and I’m surely waiting for some free time in my hectic schedule to continue their story with The Mapmaker’s Apprentice. 

My Ratings - 💗💗💗💗💗/💗💗💗💗💗

This book introduced to me the beautiful Steampunk Victorian London. I have loved strong female leads with all my heart but they're strong because either they're an assassin (in case of an enemies-lovers trope) or they have superpowers. In this book, India is shown as a strong and outspoken woman in a very subtle and different way. The strength is bestowed to her by her friends. This book just have the perfect male lead who loves India with all his heart. This relationship starts with a misunderstanding (the plot of this book) and grows into something so much more. It has a slow burn (flirtatious) kind of a romance which starts from the first page itself. You'll have the privilege of listening to the American perspective of England and to the eccentric character, Willie. If I'm being honest, apart from India and Matt, I love the banters and the small yet cute conversations between Cyclops, Duke and Willie. And every time my ebook is loading and I get a glimpse of myself on my Ipad's screen, I'm always smiling.

Later, into the story we have Matt's aunt enter and she just increases the fun in the story...so much more. She transforms from a wet cat into a lioness and its heartwarming to watch her have a perfect family.

Matt is very overprotective and we bookworms don't like our protagonists otherwise. But Matt in particular gives very realistic boyfriend goals. Not those Rowan-level standards. Just simple admiration and pure, simple love is what this book series is all about. You'll keep waiting for Matt's responses to whatever has transpired with India, I can guarantee you this. 

It follows India's POV and the way she observes and describes him, an example - 'He looked at me with his hooded eyes' - ah! You just wait and watch you'll be under his thrall just like I am.

My request, don't read those comments on Goodreads. All I can see are negative reviews, even though this is a simple masterpiece. It has just launched its last and thirteenth book, The Spymaster's Scheme; but its legacy will be continued with Archer's spin-off series - The Librarian of Crooked Lane. Here's a glimpse ↓

Its so beautiful, isn't it? And yes, I would surely recommend this series and anyone and everyone who asks for a Gaslamp Fantasy recommendation and even otherwi. And I'm sure that I have surely convinced you to read it.

Waiting for you always at the end of the series. Surely you'll be a part of the Matthew Glass and India Steele fan club soon!

Happy overthinking!!!