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deedireads's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
All my reviews live at https://deedireads.com/.
The Ministry of Time got a LOT of hype. The back of my advanced reader’s copy, which I received several months ago, said it was “already an international sensation, with rights sold in 17 languages and a TV adaptation in the pipeline after a 21-way auction.” It’s got an incredible lineup of blurbs, including from Eleanor Catton, Max Porter, and…Emily Henry.
Here’s the premise: Our unnamed narrator has been hired by a new branch of the government to live with, guide, and monitor an “expat” who was pulled from their home — the past. Our MC is assigned Lieutenant Graham Gore, an arctic explorer from the 1800s. And then they fall in love. (WOW.)
So, does it deliver on all that promise? I’ve seen mixed reviews, but as for me, I say yes — IF you go into it with the right expectations.
This book fits best in the literary fiction genre, given the interiority of the main character (although the end reads more like a sci-fi thriller). But it’s still doing a lot of different things at once — time travel, a romance plotline, history, a little dystopia, humor, not to mention themes like moving through the world as a white-passing Asian person, survivor’s guilt, and kind of growth required for a character to jump from a period of colonization to our present-day understanding of race and civil rights. So go into this book knowing that it’s not going to have the space to focus on any one of those things in depth. Also, time travel is HARD and full of plot holes by nature, so take that in stride. If you do, I think you’ll have a lot of fun with it.
Some have said this book tries to do too much and delivers on none of it. But I found it to be like the best kind of meal you make from whatever’s in your refrigerator — a ton of ingredients you love, not too much brain power required, and a tasty result in the end. Call it the literary beach read of the summer.
The Ministry of Time got a LOT of hype. The back of my advanced reader’s copy, which I received several months ago, said it was “already an international sensation, with rights sold in 17 languages and a TV adaptation in the pipeline after a 21-way auction.” It’s got an incredible lineup of blurbs, including from Eleanor Catton, Max Porter, and…Emily Henry.
Here’s the premise: Our unnamed narrator has been hired by a new branch of the government to live with, guide, and monitor an “expat” who was pulled from their home — the past. Our MC is assigned Lieutenant Graham Gore, an arctic explorer from the 1800s. And then they fall in love. (WOW.)
So, does it deliver on all that promise? I’ve seen mixed reviews, but as for me, I say yes — IF you go into it with the right expectations.
This book fits best in the literary fiction genre, given the interiority of the main character (although the end reads more like a sci-fi thriller). But it’s still doing a lot of different things at once — time travel, a romance plotline, history, a little dystopia, humor, not to mention themes like moving through the world as a white-passing Asian person, survivor’s guilt, and kind of growth required for a character to jump from a period of colonization to our present-day understanding of race and civil rights. So go into this book knowing that it’s not going to have the space to focus on any one of those things in depth. Also, time travel is HARD and full of plot holes by nature, so take that in stride. If you do, I think you’ll have a lot of fun with it.
Some have said this book tries to do too much and delivers on none of it. But I found it to be like the best kind of meal you make from whatever’s in your refrigerator — a ton of ingredients you love, not too much brain power required, and a tasty result in the end. Call it the literary beach read of the summer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cannibalism
bessadams's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Violence, Suicide, Racism, Kidnapping, Death, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cannibalism
shay43geek's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence and Murder
kimveach's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
This was a quirky and strange story, but I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Sexual content, Death, Sexism, Confinement, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Violence, War, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
fluffles's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.0
Would have given it 4 stars if I didn’t have to be reminded every chapter about the MC’s race and that she’s “white passing” and how marginalized she is and how horribly she’s treated because of her race. but no example of mistreatment due to her race is ever shown so idk man…… it’s a bit much, like she wrote the book and decided to pad it afterwards by adding those portions into it for the check boxes.
Also I agree with other reviewers who say this reads like a self-insert.
Anyways,
The rest of the book was wonderful, with a very unique premise. Writing was good. Would buy a sequel of the author writes one.
Also I agree with other reviewers who say this reads like a self-insert.
Anyways,
The rest of the book was wonderful, with a very unique premise. Writing was good. Would buy a sequel of the author writes one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexism and Misogyny
eed8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Racism, Vomit, and Racial slurs
Minor: War and Colonisation
kylosten's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was well written but something about the "present day" story just wasn't for me. I think I just didn't find myself caring about what was happening to any of the characters or rooting for any of them and some of the slice of life parts felt long and drawn out.
If you like the parts of the TV show/comics where Loki is an agent of time dealing with the bureaucracy of the Time Variance Authority or the Temps Commission agents on Umbrella Academy then you might enjoy this.
Also, has long chapters so if you're someone who is put off by that maybe skip this one.
I think maybe it felt more like a screenplay than a book.
Still giving 4 stars because even though it wasn't for me I can acknowledge it was well written and the themes were good.
If you like the parts of the TV show/comics where Loki is an agent of time dealing with the bureaucracy of the Time Variance Authority or the Temps Commission agents on Umbrella Academy then you might enjoy this.
Also, has long chapters so if you're someone who is put off by that maybe skip this one.
I think maybe it felt more like a screenplay than a book.
Still giving 4 stars because even though it wasn't for me I can acknowledge it was well written and the themes were good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Misogyny, Cannibalism, and Sexual content
jenvogel80's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Do you like mystery? Intrigue? Time-travel? Assassins? Soul crushing emotions that will leave you lying on the floor sobbing? Then this book is for you. 5 stars, recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Cannibalism
Minor: Sexual content
m_a_j's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Gun violence
Moderate: Racism and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs and Genocide
booksemmahasread's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, Homophobia, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Slavery, Drug use, Sexual content, Colonisation, Alcohol, Cannibalism, and Suicidal thoughts