Set in 1974, Abel is a maker of clocks destined to raise his son alone. Zachary is a highly intelligent a curious child and Abel feels his son will be safer raised away from the dangers of his workshop and so sends him to live with his eccentric Aunt. While Zachary is living with his Aunt, Able must travel to Constantinople. When he doesn’t return the world assumes him dead but Zachary doesn’t believe this and with the first chance he gets, he makes his way across the globe to search for his father.

I was already excited to read this from the blurb and from @zubscovered early review but then the legend that is @bonnie_garmus_author recommended it as one of her top reads and I knew I had to push it to the top of my TBR.

I really enjoyed the depth of the characters this author created and the different settings we got to explore as readers in a time period that I haven’t read much about. There were beautiful moments of tenderness combined with humour and a firm set of adventure throughout.

I love the descriptions of the automata, they really added a layer of magic to the story and reminded me a night circus. There was also trans and gay rep with some great conversations around this which means I kicked of pages of pride successfully!

Thank you @doubledayukbooks for my review copy.