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Watch City Trilogy #1
Watch City: Waltham Watch
Professor Tess Alset must choose liberation over love in order to emancipate her city from power-hungry despots. Verdandi, the professor’s apprentice, could hold the life saving key to the lock of time. If the city falls before the clocks are set right, the professor’s quest to rescue her true love will be destroyed. As will her dreams of scones and jam.
- GenresSteampunk
307 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
9 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Lucci
40 books90 followersJessica Lucci writes about modern issues while maintaining historic integrity. She is the winner of the IHIBRP 5 Star Award, and received Honorable Mention for the LesFic Bard Book Awards 2019. She makes her home in Massachusetts, USA, where she is currently writing a historical fiction love triangle.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 19, 2020
My first foray into Steampunk was a doozy with this beautifully described and inventive tale of alternate-universe Waltham, Mass. Professor Tess and the other colorful, well-drawn characters bring this story to life, but the unique and unexpected world-building take it to another level. You'll never sip tea and stare at a clock the same way again after reading this one-of-a-kind, time- and mind-bender. Jessica Lucci is an author to WATCH!
April 2, 2019
An excellent example of the Steampunk Genre. The Characters are distinct and charming.
July 29, 2020
I found Ms. Lucci's tale to be fantastical and a fast, entertaining read. It's a decent start into the steampunk world, and filled with interesting characters. However, I did think the characters could be much better developed. The plot is a little confusing in places, and some sub-plot lines seem under explored. All in all however, it's an easy read, and suitable for YA audiences.
March 7, 2021
So, let’s start by judging a book by its cover. I purchased a physical copy of this book. The cover is better than other physical copies I’ve seen. Instead of a pixelated generic steampunk cover, I have a wonderfully designed cover. I was delighted by the thickness, but disappointed by how the pages are used. The words are around size 70 font and double or triple spaced. I felt this used too much paper. On top of this, roughly a quarter of the pages are…. Extras? Thanks-yous, about the authors, and other such extras. In the end, I must give it credit and assume that this is deliberate in the name of accessibility and was done as a form of “large print”. Therefore, I will give it the benefit of the doubt that it was on purpose and with good intent.
The setting is Waltham MA. It is both specific and vague. The train ride in was described in such horrific detail I was shocked we never get a description of anywhere else in the story. It is said that the Watch City floats or whatever. However, this is never brought up again, ever, as for the rest of the story Waltham might as well be a normal city. Are they floating? Are they underneath a floating city? Who are the subtonians? Those who live in the original city? Are they fish people? It never becomes important. On the same page streets and locations are named with confidence, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were real locations in Waltham MA. I was confused as to how the politics of this city worked in this world. Why is a mayor queen allowed to sick a private army on the citizens? It is unclear why the state government, never mind the U.S. Military, wouldn’t have intervened at several points. The unique dynamic of citizens and their factions are name dropped without any set up. It left me confused. I feel like I wasn’t given enough information to connect with this city. We never get enough description to get to know it and it feels we are not there long enough to care.
Now the characters. So, this book suffers from severe Mary-Sue-Syndrome. The main character, Professor Tess, is not really introduced or described besides telling us she is a professor, but nothing is explained about what she teaches or where. We’re told she is some amazing inventor who invented hover-tech, but this feels only mentioned to make her a celebrity to everyone she meets and explain how she can be super knowledgeable regardless of scientific field. Throughout the story she is able to perform anything the story needs with ease. She also feels like she changes temperament to fit the story. In the beginning she acts like an educated, semi royal Victorian lady only to become overly motherly, loving, and rebellious later in the story. Leaving the main character, we have a variety of side characters. Each one is not described (or barely described), not fleshed out, and barely used. I feel it is amazing that so many of these characters are diverse. I feel you can tell great effort was put into ensuring characters went across race, physical handicap, sexual orientation, etc. However, since we spend so little time developing them, learning about them, or even learning what they look like, I am afraid they end up being nothing more than tokens, only best being described by stereotypes. Where we spend loads of time on Tess’ outfits and her attraction to most citizens of Waltham, we spend no time with these characters as relationships form. I felt we skip entire development sections in a single sentence. I feel everything I wanted to see to learn about these characters are either skipped in a “And then they bonded” sentence, happens off screen in a time jump, or is conveniently remembered or said in a “We’re lucky I spent a summer doing ____ for this exact situation.”
I must say this book barely has a plot. The main character’s motivations are vague if they are explained at all. She also is quick to drop her own goals to hang out with her new lovers in Waltham before deciding to get involved fighting Queen Mayor Satan. Leaps in logic abound for the sake of plot. Items are introduced and not explained only to be ex-machinaed in later on. Everything we want to see as readers is skipped over. For all the pages we have in this book, I wish they decreased the font and lowered the spacing and spent some words explaining the mechanics of this reality so we can all share in the marvel of the world. The worst is the villains. Their goals are not just vague, they are downright none-existent. I was wondering why the villains were villains, until they had to put in a 2 page chapter from their point of view literally showing them killing a puppy. That’s it. It serves no purpose but to be the first time we see them as villains. For all future appearances of this villain has them being looney-toons levels of evil to just make us hate them. This makes me feel cheated as a reader. In the end, this story ends up not really having a plot. It’s a series of scenes and fantasies as the main character flirts her way through the residents of Waltham until they decide to take out the ‘villain’.
The writing feels like someone fast-forwarding through a movie. Dialogue is awkward. There are several scenes where it feels like a room of characters trying to out modern-major-general each other and then those same characters will get super casual and modern with their speech later on. You can tell the author spent time with a thesaurus and old Victorian slang dictionaries trying to make their characters feel smart or historical. And the villain dialogue? Cringey.
Some positive is that this book shows a lot of effort. Knowing the author and knowing the Waltham steampunk community I feel I can see the love put into this. In the end I feel like I missed the intention. I couldn’t escape my own questions as new twists and turns were introduced.
In the end, I feel this book is in desperate need of editing and tone. I didn’t understand why it’s important for people to drink jugs of milk at bars but it’s fine to describe women’s cleavage in sexual detail. Is this censored for children? Or is this meant for an all-audiences situation? I also feel it tries to introduce a flurry of interesting, steampunk topics but in the end explains none of them. I was lost as to how does time work in this world? Are the subtonians fish people? Why wasn’t that explored?
In the end, there’s stuff to like about this book. However, I was left feeling it was unfinished, unedited, and it felt rushed to me. Maybe it wasn’t for me, but I had a hard time connecting to this book like I have with other steampunk books.
The setting is Waltham MA. It is both specific and vague. The train ride in was described in such horrific detail I was shocked we never get a description of anywhere else in the story. It is said that the Watch City floats or whatever. However, this is never brought up again, ever, as for the rest of the story Waltham might as well be a normal city. Are they floating? Are they underneath a floating city? Who are the subtonians? Those who live in the original city? Are they fish people? It never becomes important. On the same page streets and locations are named with confidence, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were real locations in Waltham MA. I was confused as to how the politics of this city worked in this world. Why is a mayor queen allowed to sick a private army on the citizens? It is unclear why the state government, never mind the U.S. Military, wouldn’t have intervened at several points. The unique dynamic of citizens and their factions are name dropped without any set up. It left me confused. I feel like I wasn’t given enough information to connect with this city. We never get enough description to get to know it and it feels we are not there long enough to care.
Now the characters. So, this book suffers from severe Mary-Sue-Syndrome. The main character, Professor Tess, is not really introduced or described besides telling us she is a professor, but nothing is explained about what she teaches or where. We’re told she is some amazing inventor who invented hover-tech, but this feels only mentioned to make her a celebrity to everyone she meets and explain how she can be super knowledgeable regardless of scientific field. Throughout the story she is able to perform anything the story needs with ease. She also feels like she changes temperament to fit the story. In the beginning she acts like an educated, semi royal Victorian lady only to become overly motherly, loving, and rebellious later in the story. Leaving the main character, we have a variety of side characters. Each one is not described (or barely described), not fleshed out, and barely used. I feel it is amazing that so many of these characters are diverse. I feel you can tell great effort was put into ensuring characters went across race, physical handicap, sexual orientation, etc. However, since we spend so little time developing them, learning about them, or even learning what they look like, I am afraid they end up being nothing more than tokens, only best being described by stereotypes. Where we spend loads of time on Tess’ outfits and her attraction to most citizens of Waltham, we spend no time with these characters as relationships form. I felt we skip entire development sections in a single sentence. I feel everything I wanted to see to learn about these characters are either skipped in a “And then they bonded” sentence, happens off screen in a time jump, or is conveniently remembered or said in a “We’re lucky I spent a summer doing ____ for this exact situation.”
I must say this book barely has a plot. The main character’s motivations are vague if they are explained at all. She also is quick to drop her own goals to hang out with her new lovers in Waltham before deciding to get involved fighting Queen Mayor Satan. Leaps in logic abound for the sake of plot. Items are introduced and not explained only to be ex-machinaed in later on. Everything we want to see as readers is skipped over. For all the pages we have in this book, I wish they decreased the font and lowered the spacing and spent some words explaining the mechanics of this reality so we can all share in the marvel of the world. The worst is the villains. Their goals are not just vague, they are downright none-existent. I was wondering why the villains were villains, until they had to put in a 2 page chapter from their point of view literally showing them killing a puppy. That’s it. It serves no purpose but to be the first time we see them as villains. For all future appearances of this villain has them being looney-toons levels of evil to just make us hate them. This makes me feel cheated as a reader. In the end, this story ends up not really having a plot. It’s a series of scenes and fantasies as the main character flirts her way through the residents of Waltham until they decide to take out the ‘villain’.
The writing feels like someone fast-forwarding through a movie. Dialogue is awkward. There are several scenes where it feels like a room of characters trying to out modern-major-general each other and then those same characters will get super casual and modern with their speech later on. You can tell the author spent time with a thesaurus and old Victorian slang dictionaries trying to make their characters feel smart or historical. And the villain dialogue? Cringey.
Some positive is that this book shows a lot of effort. Knowing the author and knowing the Waltham steampunk community I feel I can see the love put into this. In the end I feel like I missed the intention. I couldn’t escape my own questions as new twists and turns were introduced.
In the end, I feel this book is in desperate need of editing and tone. I didn’t understand why it’s important for people to drink jugs of milk at bars but it’s fine to describe women’s cleavage in sexual detail. Is this censored for children? Or is this meant for an all-audiences situation? I also feel it tries to introduce a flurry of interesting, steampunk topics but in the end explains none of them. I was lost as to how does time work in this world? Are the subtonians fish people? Why wasn’t that explored?
In the end, there’s stuff to like about this book. However, I was left feeling it was unfinished, unedited, and it felt rushed to me. Maybe it wasn’t for me, but I had a hard time connecting to this book like I have with other steampunk books.
September 24, 2018
What a Marvelous Adventure!
Jessica Lucci spins an intriguing tale in Watch City:Waltham Watch. Using her natural poetic quality was the perfect marriage for this genre!
Loved the visual images she painted and the fantastic journey she created.
Recommend for Steam Punk Devotees! 💕
Jessica Lucci spins an intriguing tale in Watch City:Waltham Watch. Using her natural poetic quality was the perfect marriage for this genre!
Loved the visual images she painted and the fantastic journey she created.
Recommend for Steam Punk Devotees! 💕
November 10, 2018
This book is an adventure set in the late 1800s New England and features a variety of strong women who work together to save their city. There were some comical parts and I got a kick out of the local accents. This would be a great book for young teenagers since it has a little romance but nothing heavy. I am looking forward to the next installment.
November 22, 2020
I have never read Steam Punk before this book, and found this to be a fun read! The characters are very vivid and the setting imaginative.
February 3, 2019
Watch City: WALTHAM WATCH
by Jessica Lucci
Waltham Watch explores a world of the past infused with elements of science fiction that brings to mind the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. A town has grown into a city with the inhabitants possessing an endearing obsession with time and clocks, including their greeting to one another.
Tess is a brilliant inventor testing the principles of gravity and time. These laws of science are questioned by the creative mind and good prose of the author. Caught in town by a freak accident, she discovers the possible path to her life’s mission on the other side of evil. Strong, independent women fight against a tyrannical, heartless government (sound familiar?) willing to sacrifice for ideals and freedom.
With an unfamiliar, yet enchanting style, the author redefined the art of scene setting with vivid details of multiple dimensions. Dashes of color, smells, tastes, and textures flow into heart-pounding action with pauses for tender compassion between friends and lovers. You’ll want to take plenty of time (time is important) to absorb every phrase, every odd contraption, and every stinging phrase of political commentary.
Waltham Watch is a study in style and imagination worthy of future adventures.
by Jessica Lucci
Waltham Watch explores a world of the past infused with elements of science fiction that brings to mind the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. A town has grown into a city with the inhabitants possessing an endearing obsession with time and clocks, including their greeting to one another.
Tess is a brilliant inventor testing the principles of gravity and time. These laws of science are questioned by the creative mind and good prose of the author. Caught in town by a freak accident, she discovers the possible path to her life’s mission on the other side of evil. Strong, independent women fight against a tyrannical, heartless government (sound familiar?) willing to sacrifice for ideals and freedom.
With an unfamiliar, yet enchanting style, the author redefined the art of scene setting with vivid details of multiple dimensions. Dashes of color, smells, tastes, and textures flow into heart-pounding action with pauses for tender compassion between friends and lovers. You’ll want to take plenty of time (time is important) to absorb every phrase, every odd contraption, and every stinging phrase of political commentary.
Waltham Watch is a study in style and imagination worthy of future adventures.
September 26, 2021
Watch City: Waltham Watch is a beautiful journey into steampunk prose, intelligent reading, strong women and local lore. Tess Alset is a genius combination of calculation and subdued emotions wrestling with those who would bastardize her greatest invention. Along with her internal and external adventures, we are introduced to a growing repertoire of women in science and Victorian mannerisms. As if that weren't appreciable enough, I feel the greatest contribution to the novel is the historical and social nuances of real-life Waltham, Massachusetts (albeit with a grand steampunk flair). Jessica Lucci is definitely in the zone in this work, and I will most assuredly be following the rest of this fine series. Booklovers and retropunks, please dig in!
July 3, 2019
This book is SO full of the writer's incredible imagination!
She creates a city rich in history, that you feel you can walk right into. From the streets, to the various inventions, to the beautiful clothing details and the richness of each character
- let this story make you escape every day life and be transformed to a wonderful time during the industrial revolution!
Jessica is a talented poet as well, and has many other books published. Worth checking her work out!
I'm proud that know she's from the Boston area...
She creates a city rich in history, that you feel you can walk right into. From the streets, to the various inventions, to the beautiful clothing details and the richness of each character
- let this story make you escape every day life and be transformed to a wonderful time during the industrial revolution!
Jessica is a talented poet as well, and has many other books published. Worth checking her work out!
I'm proud that know she's from the Boston area...
August 10, 2020
Waltham Watch is the first book in the Watch City trilogy; a fast paced, YA steampunk tale. While the setting and characters are interesting, I found the plot a little hard to follow. The characters and world building definitely have potential, but do require more depth. Overall however, it's a good start into the steampunk world, and suitable for all audiences.
July 4, 2024
Jessica Lucci has a delightful way of describing lush Victorian attire, Steampunk mechanics, and the details of Afternoon Tea. The book is a fast-paced read, and though I found the romantic adventures a bit too contived, overall it was fun and had a good ending. I especially enjoyed the historic local references to such things as NECCO wafers, Moxie, and the Great Molasses Flood.
August 9, 2019
Jessica Lucci is an imaginative writer who combines historical research with great flights of fancy. This book is based on a — very different — alternate history/Steampunk version of the Watch City. What happens when a brave, intelligent woman challenges the status quo? Read in to find out!
February 26, 2026
I enjoyed the story. I got a good feel for the characters. They felt well-developed. There is a passion for invention and science, some time-travel aspects, and some very strong female characters. I probably won't read it a second time, but I would recommend it to others for a quick fund read.
December 21, 2020
OH...I think I love steam punk now!
This was such a great imaginative story and I loved how the characters were described in such a poetic way!
This was a great escape for a winter weekend!
This was such a great imaginative story and I loved how the characters were described in such a poetic way!
This was a great escape for a winter weekend!
February 13, 2023
Could not finish. I got to chapter 14 and realized this is absolutely not the book for me.
December 21, 2019
A Glittering example of Steampunk fiction.
I really enjoyed this book, Jessica Lucci’s energetic story telling brings her strong female characters into sharp focus. Her detailed descriptions of clothing, jewellery, fabrics, hairstyles are alluring, and her mirrors, gas lights, gear wheels, magnets and mechanical bots root us firmly in the Steampunk world. Her writing is clear the language slightly Victorian, which helps with the feel of Watch City: Waltham Watch. And while there is a suspiciously large amount of detail pertaining to tea, cakes and preserves, still one can smell the sweat and smoke in the battle scenes. In this world, where steam locomotives exist side by side with time travel technology, one could expect to catch a glimpse of Jules Verne taking tea with Stephen Hawking, at a corner table in a gas-lit tea shop. May her clocks continue to chime.
I really enjoyed this book, Jessica Lucci’s energetic story telling brings her strong female characters into sharp focus. Her detailed descriptions of clothing, jewellery, fabrics, hairstyles are alluring, and her mirrors, gas lights, gear wheels, magnets and mechanical bots root us firmly in the Steampunk world. Her writing is clear the language slightly Victorian, which helps with the feel of Watch City: Waltham Watch. And while there is a suspiciously large amount of detail pertaining to tea, cakes and preserves, still one can smell the sweat and smoke in the battle scenes. In this world, where steam locomotives exist side by side with time travel technology, one could expect to catch a glimpse of Jules Verne taking tea with Stephen Hawking, at a corner table in a gas-lit tea shop. May her clocks continue to chime.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews