When a life-changing accident happens to Zachary, Abel blames himself but, it leaves Zachary with yet another gift, one where he can see the future. To protect his son Abel makes a bad choice that is jumped upon by someone in high government and puts Abel in a terrible position. As I said, it’s an ambitious story, with so much in it that I think it could have been broken up into a couple of books. Zachary, plagued by visions, knows he has to find his father. An adventure begins that will also take him to Constantinople. The writing style takes some getting used to, and it wasn't a book I could read when I was tired! But I loved the writing, as it comes through as extremely authentic from the time.

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley - Independent Book Reviews The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley - Independent Book Reviews

This beautiful novel with a touch of magic, well-developed characters and set in the 18th century England and Constantinople was a real treat for me. Zachary, a motherless boy receives all love he can have from those who surround him and develops an amazing gift that is not always a blessing. 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.The year is 1754. He has had an interesting life already, having spent time in Constantinople, and as the story progresses, he ends up there again. But first, the baby. Zachary. His mother, Alice, dies as she delivers him. Abel doesn’t know what to do.

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley by Sean Lusk - Waterstones The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley by Sean Lusk - Waterstones

Please feel free to leave a comment to this book review below. Or even leave your own review if you like. A beautifully crafted historical mystery that will take the reader from 18th century London, across Europe and, finally, to the bustling city of Constantinople." also isn't entirely accurate because Constantinople again plays a fairly minor role in the grand scheme of the book. It's not finally ends in Constantinople, mystery solved and the story wraps up. That's almost a mid point and after they return to England. I would say the book spends more time discussing Mrs Morley on Lundey than in Constantinople.The blurb sounded fabulous, and whilst there is an enjoyable introduction to him, I did find myself getting a little impatient waiting for the main premise of the story to come through. A beautifully written fairy tale, I loved every wonderful word in this book and found myself in stunned silence throughout. I particularly enjoyed strong female characters and descriptions of the 18th century England and Constantinople. Highly-recommended! But then a near-fatal accident will take Zachary away from the workshop and his family. His father will have to make a journey to Constantinople that he will never return from. And, years later, only Zachary can find out what happened.

The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley - Penguin Books UK

Before we start on the content of the book – let’s just say I LOVE the cover of the proof – so can only imagine the beauty of the finished article. His father will have to make a journey to Constantinople that he will never return from" which is not entirely true and doesn't happen until just over the halfway point in the book. "And, years later, only Zachary can find out what happened." but the readers find out well before Zachary does. It is unusual yet totally captivating with an interesting plot and good pacing. All the characters were intriguing and although the main focus is on Zachary Cloudesley and his father Abel the side characters also had such intetesting and different tales to tell and yet their lives were inextricably linked.When Zachary’s father, Abel, is forced to travel to Constantinople, Zachary is troubled. He can sense the betrayal and danger his father will find amongst the city’s bazaars, palaces and mosques. But Abel has no choice. He must leave London and his beloved son. And soon, letters cease to arrive and whispers reach Zachary that his father has disappeared within the city’s walls. Abel takes him and holds him, looking into his fierce dark blue eyes, their gaze fixed and penetrating, as unnerving as some creature wrenched from another universe entire. . . “

Sean Lusk - Penguin Books UK

I was mesmerised by this whole story, Zachary and his second sight and the inventions that were part of his life. There are so many personal stories going on in the book. Yet because each of these characters is so unique, it never became overpowering or confused. Set in the mid to late 18th century, this historical fiction book has a hint of magical realism coupled with a fairy tale whiff about it. Abel Cloudesley, knowing his son to be well-cared for takes on a dangerous job in Constantinople, which is going to change his life and that of his son. For me the book came to a natural conclusion as Zachary returned to England but Lusk kept giving us more involving a will and it dragged.When his father, Abel, has no choice but to travel to the enigma of a place far away, Constantinople, Zachary cannot help but worry and feel troubled for he can sense betrayal, anger, danger and fear that await his father, hidden amongst the city’s bazaars, palaces and mosques. Abel has no say and no choice, he must leave London and his beloved Zachary. Soon, much treasured and anticipated letters cease to arrive and whispers reach Zachary that his father has gone missing within the city. In the beginning, I really liked this story and read the first half in a few days, but I felt it lost it's way about halfway through and it took me over a month to finish it off. Abel is devoted to Zachary but doesn’t understand him at all. His unusual young apprentice, Tom, tries to explain the boy in a language Abel will understand.