It is 1901 when clockmaker and brilliant tinker Sydney Forrester inherits Blakely House, the eclectic estate of an estranged uncle she’s never met. The well-known but mysterious industrialist has left behind a stunning array of peculiar inventions–and a couple of nephews intent on removing this interloper from the estate. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle’s death, the late master’s nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.
Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate’s butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master’s brilliance as well as his property–or someone else will.
My Review:
New favorite book! I’ve always loved Joanna Davidson Politano’s atmospheric and poignant stories, but this one is my new favorite, even though The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple is right after it! The description is so lyrical and beautiful. The author has a way with words that is none other than an amazing, God-given gift. The raw, heart-striking faith throughout the character arc is amazing. There are little whispers of “I am here” and “believe in me” throughout the entire book, all of which point to Jesus and how He is revealed through all of Creation. I’ve never read any book like this that equally ministers to the reader through allegory that is also both deeply written and eccentric.
The gadgetry, hydraulics, and other science-related aspects were extremely well-researched and a lot of fun to learn about! I won’t spoil anything, but Blakely house was a character in its own! I’m a huge fan of gothic literature, and it is so amazing to see some Edwardian gothic elements in there! Please go read this title, and the rest of Politano’s books as well if you love strong Christian historical fiction with a touch of pirates, steampunk, and a main character whom you will find is a little bit of all of us, in our cores. Seriously, go read this book! (and the author’s note at the end)
I suppose I could add that I LOVED the main character’s name too!
Quotes:
“It was an illusion of a dead end. So many illusions at Blakely House. So many false perceptions.”
“Some are not satisfied with what is real, he’d told Sydney that night, with less than what is real.”
“They call you odd, and perhaps you are. Or perhaps…perhaps the scope of normal is wider than any of us believed.”
-Sophie’s letters to Emmett
“I’m not a pirate you know, not truly.”
“I had missed the point once. I wasn’t doing it again.”
“HE is the point.”
Happy Reading!
-Sydney
