Reviews

Grey Dawn by Nyri A. Bakkalian

smyth21's review

5.0

4.5/5 stars.

Historic Fiction - Lesbian Military Time Travel.

I wasn’t sure I’d like this but I was wrong, this was an interesting read, very different from anything I’ve read before and I enjoyed it greatly! Time jumping - from 1863 to 2020 (minus the epilogue) to be exact! Both Leigh and Chloë are in both times. This really reminded me of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (Time Travelling) and Sleepy Hollow (TV show - Crane a double agent for Washington etc) in a weird way.

This story mostly focuses on Cholë a (female abolition) Union Solider from 1863 and Leigh, a trans-woman who works for the Joint Temporal Integrity Commission, (JTIC), in 2020.

Chloë, who is trying to abolish slavery is thrust forward in time to 2020. What could go wrong?

I’d enjoyed this more than I expected and Chloe was possibly my favourite character, especially with her old way of speaking. I also enjoyed Leigh’s cousin, who gives off the BEST of friends vibes.

I’d highly recommend this book, it’s essentially. Historical Sapphic Military fiction book that has Trans and Lebian representation. As I mentioned previously, I didn’t think I’d like this but boy was I wrong.

jaelisp's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

 

It’s a fairly short and light romance focusing on the time-displaced bond of the lovers rather than anything focused on the sci-fi element itself, which I appreciate. It carries a lot of commentary on the horrors of history and present, notably those related to government fuckups, through their shared bond of PTSD and sense of justice.

It’s an enjoyable, casual read though not something that really hides any twists or turns. It is forward about everything and largely focuses on the emotional journey. While I am tempted to say there could have been more explored it actually feels quite nice as an easy romantic tale across time.

Also, never thought I'd read so much dirty talk using army puns. 

ceramicdove's review

informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

amiablespecter's review

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Do you ever come across a book that seemed like it was tailor made for you? I devoured this story over a weekend and it left me wanting more. I could have used a little more time with the characters, both

prior to and during the early stage of Leigh and Chloë having a relationship before their truths cause a division

, but even without that, the characters felt incredibly real. 

I can’t wait to read more of Dr. Bakkalian’s work.

loonarune's review

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

stillinbeta's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

cluckenbook's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

girvinia's review

4.0

Chloe enlists in the army in the US Civil War, but then is transported to modern times. There in 2020, she meets Leigh, a trans woman with the same name and a lot of similarities to the cis woman she loved in the 1860s.
.
Lots of queer characters – yay! Pretty much anyone who is on-page for more than two scenes is queer. Leigh of 2020 is Japanese American, and is not the only non-white character.
.
Both Chloe and 2020-Leigh are veterans, and the author is a military historian. So there's more on-page battles than I like, even though it wasn’t actually that much. I feel like there were a number missed opportunities to investigate the characters, but OTOH I feel like if they felt real enough for me to want to see into their heads more, that’s a good sign.

Honestly, my only true beef with the book is that Chloe has apparently been in 2020 for six months before anyone offers her coffee!
.
This is a solid addition to any f/f romance reading list, and we all need more trans stories with happy endings.

matth's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I extremely loved this book. It’s a love story with a twist: time travel. People fall through time. In this case they move forward.