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carla20's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Murder, Sexual content, Racism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Cannibalism, and Racial slurs
Minor: Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Animal death, Self harm, and Xenophobia
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Body horror, Death, Gun violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Cannibalism
coffeekitaab's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest unedited review.
The "Ministry of Time" by Kaliane Bradley is "A time travel romance, a speculative spy thriller, a workplace comedy, and an ingeniously constructed exploration of the nature of truth and power and the potential for love to change it."
The plot centres around a biracial British-Cambodian translator who is employed by the Ministry of Time, becoming one of 4 other officers responsible for facilitating the integration of historical figures into the modern day world. Specifically, she is assigned to manage Commander Graham Gore, who was part of the failed Franklin expedition to the Arctic in 1847.
The story follows a genre-bending tale that seamlessly merges elements of romantic comedy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction. Central to the plot is a slow-burning romance that addresses and explores topics such as colonialism, slavery, inherited trauma, and racial identity within the narrative.
With the amalgamation of the two worlds, the historical figures from the past acclimatising to present day, there were so many moments where I would burst out into laughter at their bemusement, curiosity an often shock at just how much the world had changed from how they once knew it.
As the story progresses it does take on a more introspective tone and reflects poignantly on life and society.
The use of characters to bring sensitive issues to the fore was well handled and not preachy/crude in any way. The characters all felt relateable, their motivations and apprehensions were understandable and I love how they were fleshed out in the book - Margaret and Arthur, despite supporting characters made up some of my favourite moments in the book.
The aspects I struggled with was the background/history. Although in this book, it is basic education and readers can read up on it, from a purely subjective POV, where I did not have previous knowledge of the event/an understanding of the consequences, it felt like some concepts of the book went over my head and would feel jarring. The dual timeline with Gore during the Expedition made for great and valuable.insight into the experienc of the character but again, sometimes disrupted the flow of the book for me.
Overall, this was such a delightful read and at no point did I want to put it down. "The Ministry of Time" does not disappoint and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys time-travel, romantic comedy, with a underlying tone of substance and reflection. It definitely made for a hilarious and yet thought-provoking read. I applaud Bradley on a fantastic debut!
The "Ministry of Time" by Kaliane Bradley is "A time travel romance, a speculative spy thriller, a workplace comedy, and an ingeniously constructed exploration of the nature of truth and power and the potential for love to change it."
The plot centres around a biracial British-Cambodian translator who is employed by the Ministry of Time, becoming one of 4 other officers responsible for facilitating the integration of historical figures into the modern day world. Specifically, she is assigned to manage Commander Graham Gore, who was part of the failed Franklin expedition to the Arctic in 1847.
The story follows a genre-bending tale that seamlessly merges elements of romantic comedy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction. Central to the plot is a slow-burning romance that addresses and explores topics such as colonialism, slavery, inherited trauma, and racial identity within the narrative.
With the amalgamation of the two worlds, the historical figures from the past acclimatising to present day, there were so many moments where I would burst out into laughter at their bemusement, curiosity an often shock at just how much the world had changed from how they once knew it.
As the story progresses it does take on a more introspective tone and reflects poignantly on life and society.
The use of characters to bring sensitive issues to the fore was well handled and not preachy/crude in any way. The characters all felt relateable, their motivations and apprehensions were understandable and I love how they were fleshed out in the book - Margaret and Arthur, despite supporting characters made up some of my favourite moments in the book.
The aspects I struggled with was the background/history. Although in this book, it is basic education and readers can read up on it, from a purely subjective POV, where I did not have previous knowledge of the event/an understanding of the consequences, it felt like some concepts of the book went over my head and would feel jarring. The dual timeline with Gore during the Expedition made for great and valuable.insight into the experienc of the character but again, sometimes disrupted the flow of the book for me.
Overall, this was such a delightful read and at no point did I want to put it down. "The Ministry of Time" does not disappoint and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys time-travel, romantic comedy, with a underlying tone of substance and reflection. It definitely made for a hilarious and yet thought-provoking read. I applaud Bradley on a fantastic debut!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cannibalism, Gun violence, Animal death, Death, Murder, Racism, Sexual content, and Slavery
asims723's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gun violence, Sexism, Racism, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Cannibalism
lochnessvhs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It has been a very long time since a book has completely torn my heart out and left me weeping, but The Ministry of Time did just that.
I wanted to read this book for a very simple reason. Time travel resulting in people from the past trying to make sense of contemporary things is my favorite trope in fiction. I am endlessly amused by stories that involve this, and have been since I was very young.
What I didn't expect was to feel so incredibly strongly for a group of 4 people (3 of them from the pages of history) that being without them, now with the book finished, would feel like such an incredible loss.
It's February 6th as I write this. Some say it may be too early to name my favorite book of the year, but some would be wrong. This is she.
I was provided access to The Ministry of Time through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is very honest. This book comes out in May. You will NEED to read it.
I wanted to read this book for a very simple reason. Time travel resulting in people from the past trying to make sense of contemporary things is my favorite trope in fiction. I am endlessly amused by stories that involve this, and have been since I was very young.
What I didn't expect was to feel so incredibly strongly for a group of 4 people (3 of them from the pages of history) that being without them, now with the book finished, would feel like such an incredible loss.
It's February 6th as I write this. Some say it may be too early to name my favorite book of the year, but some would be wrong. This is she.
I was provided access to The Ministry of Time through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is very honest. This book comes out in May. You will NEED to read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Cannibalism, War, and Murder
izzyrbell's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Very interesting concept, loved the idea and thought that the characters and writing were nicely developed. Would probably be higher with readers who get more invested in the romance plotline and aren't put off by the violence and character death I wasn't quite prepared for
Essentially it got a little too intense for what I was prepared for, so if that doesn't bother you I can easily see this being a full 4-5 stars for someone else!
Essentially it got a little too intense for what I was prepared for, so if that doesn't bother you I can easily see this being a full 4-5 stars for someone else!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
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