The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley: The spellbinding BBC Between the Covers book club pick Paperback – 11 May 2023

Loved the book, the style, descriptions and all the information about the automata. I was surprised this was his debut novel, it is going to be a hard act to follow. From the beginning with Abel's wife dying in childbirth, I was gripped. This book is just up my street. The characters were vibrant and I could actually picture them. The author is a great storyteller. He has obviously put a lot of research into the book and I cannot recommend this book enough. Rare for me to give a book five stars.

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley is a wonderfully imaginative and enchanting novel that transports readers to a world filled with magic, mystery, and adventure. While it didn't quite reach five-star perfection for me, it is still a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would recommend.The story centres around Zachary Cloudesley, a young boy with a unique gift of second sight, who embarks on a journey filled with intriguing characters and fantastical elements. Lusk’s writing is richly descriptive, painting vivid pictures of the settings and bringing the characters to life in a way that is both charming and captivating.One of the standout aspects of this book is its originality. The blend of historical fiction with elements of magic creates a unique and engaging narrative. The plot is well-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers hooked. I particularly enjoyed the way Lusk weaves together the threads of Zachary’s past and present, creating a tapestry of mystery and intrigue.The characters in the novel are well-developed and endearing. Zachary, with his innocence and bravery, is a protagonist you can’t help but root for. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic Mr. Cloudesley and the various individuals Zachary encounters on his journey, add depth and richness to the story.However, I felt that some parts of the novel could have been explored in greater depth. Certain plot points and character arcs seemed to resolve a bit too quickly, leaving me wanting more detail and development. Additionally, while the magical elements were delightful, at times they felt a bit underutilised, and I would have loved to see them play a more central role in the story.Despite those issues, it is a beautifully written and thoroughly enjoyable book. Sean Lusk has created a magical world that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. It’s a novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy a mix of historical fiction and fantasy, with a touch of whimsy and wonder.It is a delightful read that offers a unique and magical journey. While it falls just short of to-tier for me, it is still a highly recommended book that will leave readers enchanted and eager for more.

This is a fabulous read. It ticks all the boxes needed to keep the reader enthralled. Highly recommend this book. Loved it.

A really unusual book which is well worth a try. It throws up numerous terrific characters and storylines without ever quite fulfilling their potential. There are almost too many elements that are thrown into the melting pot. You want to learn more about all of them but it is just a taster before the story changes direction again. This becomes A little frustrating. Quite a few diversity boxes ticked as well for some reason. A slightly contrived Hollywood ending doesn't do the story justice either.However, a nice read and I look forward to seeing where the author takes us next.

Beautifully written. Even I , a chap not much given to ruminations, found the thread of clockwork and descriptions of Constantinople, informative and intriguing.

Loved everything about this book- the characters, the story, the history - all drawn with masterly use of the English language.

Unique, wonderful, kept me reading into the small hours. Just the right touch of magical realism expertly wielded. Great historical details, yet the novel was not overwhelmed by them. Although set in the 18th century, the story had plenty of strong female characters. It also celebrated many kinds of relationships, including romantic relationships between people of the same sex.I can't wait to read more from this author.

Lots of really strong and varied characters and a lively and interesting plot involving automatons, spying in Constantinople, and the strange (but not too annoying) gifts of a rather nice young man. It's really well written and the author avoids all number of irritating cliches to produce a satisfying story of love between father and son and a number of other good, solid relationships. The automatons and Zachary's second sight add a delightful layer of colour and complex beauty to a really well structured tale. I loved it and would definitely recommend.

Clever, resourceful, entertaining, funny, oh just a super read, don't miss it

Given the title, I was looking for more of a magical focus to THE SECOND SIGHT OF ZACHARY CLOUDESLEY. Author Sean Lusk has created a pleasurable read with quirky, beautifully described characters. I loved that Zachary's father is a skilled maker of automata, and that the story travels from London to an English country estate to a remote island of hardscrabble fishermen to the vividly described Sultan's court in Constantinople. Every page was enjoyable, but at the end I felt as though I'd consumed a lemon mousse -- flavorful, but not filling.