Synopsis:
London, England, 1860
When Clara’s ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it’s all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society’s prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara’s Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.
Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond haunted by the war, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara’s dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt across Europe. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer’s trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself–at any cost.
What To Expect:
Reminiscent of Around the World in 80 Days, Up (the Disney Pixar movie) and the Nutcracker, this historical adventure tale is a mash up of mystery, whimsy, romance and travel.
Content Warnings:
Language: None
Sexual Content: None – Clean, sweet romance
Violence: Mild
War Violence; vivid dreams (night terrors) of a battlefield; dead bodies and lost limbs
Father Hurt; verbal, emotional and physical abuse
Maternal death
Abduction and restraint/captivity of a woman by a man
Substance Use: None
Prejudices: None
Religious Themes: This book is overtly Christian, and follows the two main characters as they grow in their faith and love for God
Vision of God; One character has a vision/dream/encounter with God, which includes an audible voice
Other Topics: Gambling to the point of Bankruptcy
The cruelty and horrific conditions and practices of 19th century debtors’ prison and ‘insane asylums’.
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