The Wickwire Watch

The Riverfall Chronicles, Book 1

By: Jacquelyn Hagen

Narrated by: Wayne Farrell

Winner of the 2023 Realm Award for Best Debut Novel

SPFBO 9 finalist

Awarded the Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion

Trust no one.

It's the first and greatest rule Inkwell Featherfield ever learned. It's also the only way he knows how to survive—besides picking pockets, dodging the law, and using every ounce of his plucky charm. But none of this will be enough to save him now.

If only he'd never snooped around a dead man's house. If only he'd never found that pocket watch full of strange magic. If only he'd known the old man had snuffed it at the hands of the ghostly Spektors, or that such dark spirits even existed, because now they're after him.

When Ink is approached by an enigmatic group offering to keep him safe, he accepts—only to discover his rescuers are a band of infamous fugitives. Who knew they had a flair for winemaking? Or a penchant for sing-a-longs?

Thrust into a world of arcane horrors, powerful politicians, and dangers on every side, the boy has no choice but to finally break his rule and decide who to trust. But with all the secrets, magic, and mystery thickening around him—and the stakes so much higher than he ever imagined—it might just be downright impossible.

The Wickwire Watch is the first book of the epic fantasy series The Riverfall Chronicles. For more information, visit jacquelynhagen.com.

©2022 Jacquelyn Hagen (P)2023 Jacquelyn Hagen

Great book, Just grabbed the second one!

My friend read this book and loved it. I love audio books so when I found out that it had an audio book I had to get it. The story is kind of a timepiece mystery fantasy. I go through on average at least one audio book a week and can say this was a lot more enjoyable than many. I found this to be one that could keep my attention to the point that I just finished it at 2 AM. The narrator also did a great job bringing the story to life! About the only complaint I have about the book is it ended with a cliffhanger. Guess I better wait until tomorrow to start the next book!

Wonderful new world and characters

This book grabs you from the first sentence:

“Had Mr. Bash known this was the night he was going to die, he would have stayed at home.”

This book just keeps getting better from there. We are given an inconspicuous introduction to the main character in the second chapter with the world and the plot being steadily revealed as the story progresses. The pacing is excellent with several action scenes followed by downtime in between to explore and deepen the characters along with the world. I don’t want to spoil any of the story. Do yourself a favor and at least listen to the sample. Jacquelyn Hagen is a wonderful new author and Wayne Farrell does an excellent job as the narrator. Give Jacquelyn Hagen the chance to envelop you in her world. You won’t be sorry.

WOW! This was a surprise!

The Wickwire Watch was recommended to me so I expected to like it but I didn’t anticipate absolutely loving it. These characters immediately jump out of the story. They are nuanced and I know there is still much to be revealed. The plot never lets up though it is confusing at first. That’s alright. Allow yourself to be confused and just keep going. The payoff is all the better for it. This is a traditional fantasy in all the best ways but benefits from modern pacing just enough. The setting is also a standout even though it is only sketched in lightly outside the village. I was entirely enchanted by The Wickwire Watch and immediately jumped into The Spider Key. Highly recommended!

mystery

this was a fun read. I especially enjoyed the mystery that is slowly revealed as the book goes on, leaving you with more questions at every turn.
there were a couple of times I tuned out during an important conversation and had to go back. this isn't one where you can skip and still know what's going on.

Variations on interesting concepts

I really enjoyed the creativity that went into this story. It was a mashup of many concepts that left me intrigued by where we were going. Ink is a wonderful character with a distinct voice, but I did find his motive reveal slightly out of nowhere. Likewise, the last few chapters made me question many of the things I read in the beginning and wondered if it was worth it. I am still curious to see where this goes in the second book.

The narrator was fantastic and breathed life into all of the characters and made the author's words leap off the page.