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usnebojemesa's review against another edition
4.0
I just fell in love with this Order and Time Guarding thing! It's just fascinating. But something troubled me as I read it. I don't know probably the way Marianne written their point of view, probably.
aggressive_nostalgia's review against another edition
Very slow to get into. It failed to capture me, which was something of a disappointment after the last Marianne Curley book I read (Old Magic). I think the plot was fairly well-done, although (at least it seemed to me) some of the details were a little foggy and inconsistent, and explanation was lacking in certain parts where it couldn't afford to be. The basic premise was fairly unoriginal; the characters were interesting enough, although they too failed to really grab my attention. I never felt like I really connected with any of them, and sometimes Ethan and Isabel were outright annoying, instead of valiant heroes I'd want to cheer on. (I admit, I did really like Arkarian. I wish he'd gotten some more spotlight time so we could learn more about him.) The last twenty pages or so were the only part where I really felt immersed in the story, when random people began very suddenly turning out to be completely different from who everyone thought they were. Ethan's powers also threw in a few interesting twists, as well, I will admit.
Honestly, I'm not sure precisely what it was, but this book seemed very flat to me. I seriously doubt I'll dig up and drag through the subsequent books in the series, but I probably will look at more of Marriane Curley's other works.
Honestly, I'm not sure precisely what it was, but this book seemed very flat to me. I seriously doubt I'll dig up and drag through the subsequent books in the series, but I probably will look at more of Marriane Curley's other works.
wintergirl94's review against another edition
2.0
I really really wanted to like this book, and I didn’t hate it to be fair. I think the story idea was a really good one and there were snippets of good moments, but they were a bit few and far between for my liking.
The writing style felt a little clunky and I couldn’t lose myself in the story the way you always hope you will with a great book.
I may continue on to read the rest of the series but I won’t rush into it.
Overall: a little clunky and convoluted for me but I can see how others might really like the fresh and original idea!
The writing style felt a little clunky and I couldn’t lose myself in the story the way you always hope you will with a great book.
I may continue on to read the rest of the series but I won’t rush into it.
Overall: a little clunky and convoluted for me but I can see how others might really like the fresh and original idea!
mad_magzz's review against another edition
5.0
Amazingly captivating trilogy. Is sadly underated, one to compete with the twilight and harry potter series.
tpeirona's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the world building and the characters were likable but I never felt like I truly got INTO the story. I loved Curley’s Old Magic when I was growing up so figured I’d try this out when I came across it at the bookstore. Will still continue with the series but just felt like something was missing.
milamaassa's review against another edition
3.0
I remember being obsessed with Arkarian as a kiddo when I first read these books. Now… I dont know, borderline creep?
I’m not sure which to blame, if it’s the original, if it’s the finnish translation or if it’s just the audience, but the author doesn’t trust readers at all. Everything is so spelled out and explained to detail, as if readers didn’t have any braincells.
So yeah, I guess couple of stars for nostalgia
I’m not sure which to blame, if it’s the original, if it’s the finnish translation or if it’s just the audience, but the author doesn’t trust readers at all. Everything is so spelled out and explained to detail, as if readers didn’t have any braincells.
So yeah, I guess couple of stars for nostalgia
lia_trn's review against another edition
3.0
Intriguing plot. Brilliant ideas of a new world. An ending somewhat satisfied.
BUT ...
The world building is lacking ... The explanation on time, on the 2nd world and on how things come to be is not very well done. We get to know things on the surface,and I hate that! I like to know everything there is to know and more.
The character's development is also lacking for lots of characters. So far, Ethan the main boy is the only one I like, mostly because his actions made senses. The rest, they aren't really relateable ...
And the romance department? gosh... soul-FREAKING-mates.. for everyone!!
"I don't know. I get the feeling, that's all, as if we know each other or something."
That is pretty much the lovestory line ...
I just want to scream : "NO dude! you're supposed to get to know her THEN fall in love! If all you see is her pretty face, then that your hormones talking! not destiny!!!" And it happens to every single character ...
BUT ...
The world building is lacking ... The explanation on time, on the 2nd world and on how things come to be is not very well done. We get to know things on the surface,and I hate that! I like to know everything there is to know and more.
The character's development is also lacking for lots of characters. So far, Ethan the main boy is the only one I like, mostly because his actions made senses. The rest, they aren't really relateable ...
And the romance department? gosh... soul-FREAKING-mates.. for everyone!!
"I don't know. I get the feeling, that's all, as if we know each other or something."
That is pretty much the lovestory line ...
I just want to scream : "NO dude! you're supposed to get to know her THEN fall in love! If all you see is her pretty face, then that your hormones talking! not destiny!!!" And it happens to every single character ...
booksong's review against another edition
3.0
I was really excited about this book...it got such a high rating and seemed like such a fantastic premise. Maybe that's why it seemed to fall short.
Ethan is a Guardian of Time; he travels to the past in order to keep evil denizens from the Order of Chaos from changing it, thus affecting the future. Of course Ethan's only a teenager, but he's already very good at what he does. So the Guard decides to test him by giving him the willful Isabel as his new apprentice. But Isabel's initiation brings a whole host of problems to the surface, most of them revolving around an ancient prophecy.
It sounds so wonderful, and so much could have been done with such a concept. Which is why it comes so close to painful to watch the story enacted quite a bit below its potential.
In fact, I think my irritation with this novel stems from the wasted potential. It was enjoyable on some levels, but all I could think was how much better it could have been. Ethan and Isabel have all the seeds of great characters, as do others they interact with; Ethan's wise and ever-youthful mentor Arkarian probably comes closest to being a truly relatable person. But again, they never come to life; they remain flat and stiffly-written, shifting between easy teenage narration and speech too stilted to ever really come out of a mouth. I think this is partly due to the first person narration, something that most authors are either good at...or aren't. Curley unfortunately is not. The emotions are also only vaguely felt.
The story itself also grazes shallowly along the surface of its awesome premise. Plot bumps detract from the realism; it's too obvious how the author hand-waves the various parts of the Guard with magic, illusions, or mysterious powers. It's also a tad misleading; I was expecting the bulk of the story to involve the time traveling missions, but by the end more focus is put on old feuds with evil Chaos denizens then on anything historical. And the few missions sprinkled in do little to actually expose the reader to the time period, barreling through the process and tossing in some random historical figures like King Richard II and Abigail Adams.
The premise saves the story, giving it some decent moments and a pretty good climax and conclusion. I'm not sure I'll be reading the rest of the trilogy right away; it didn't reel me in as I'd hoped it would.
Ethan is a Guardian of Time; he travels to the past in order to keep evil denizens from the Order of Chaos from changing it, thus affecting the future. Of course Ethan's only a teenager, but he's already very good at what he does. So the Guard decides to test him by giving him the willful Isabel as his new apprentice. But Isabel's initiation brings a whole host of problems to the surface, most of them revolving around an ancient prophecy.
It sounds so wonderful, and so much could have been done with such a concept. Which is why it comes so close to painful to watch the story enacted quite a bit below its potential.
In fact, I think my irritation with this novel stems from the wasted potential. It was enjoyable on some levels, but all I could think was how much better it could have been. Ethan and Isabel have all the seeds of great characters, as do others they interact with; Ethan's wise and ever-youthful mentor Arkarian probably comes closest to being a truly relatable person. But again, they never come to life; they remain flat and stiffly-written, shifting between easy teenage narration and speech too stilted to ever really come out of a mouth. I think this is partly due to the first person narration, something that most authors are either good at...or aren't. Curley unfortunately is not. The emotions are also only vaguely felt.
The story itself also grazes shallowly along the surface of its awesome premise. Plot bumps detract from the realism; it's too obvious how the author hand-waves the various parts of the Guard with magic, illusions, or mysterious powers. It's also a tad misleading; I was expecting the bulk of the story to involve the time traveling missions, but by the end more focus is put on old feuds with evil Chaos denizens then on anything historical. And the few missions sprinkled in do little to actually expose the reader to the time period, barreling through the process and tossing in some random historical figures like King Richard II and Abigail Adams.
The premise saves the story, giving it some decent moments and a pretty good climax and conclusion. I'm not sure I'll be reading the rest of the trilogy right away; it didn't reel me in as I'd hoped it would.
amaldae's review against another edition
3.0
Liked in 2010 enough to read through the night, but seems to be one of those books whose charm doesn't last. Perhaps heavy reliance on plot (and airy romance, IIRC) is at fault... Re-read on February 29, 2012.