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chelsea2020's review
5.0
This book was an epic ride of adventurous and suspenseful proportions. I am not typically someone who enjoys stories of time travel; it’s just never been my cup of tea. But this book captivated me from the very start and never let my attention waver from its word-mastery. It was a work of fictional art. I may have to readjust my stance on time-travel books after this one.
Saira is an independent, strong-willed, and open-minded character. She is seemingly blindly loyal to those she meets and possesses a scarily accurate ability to immediately read people upon meeting them. Her endurance is nearly unmatched and the extent of her abilities is still being discovered. These qualities will aid her in the battles she will face against forces determined to see her destroyed. And those forces are not short in supply; this evil is timeless.
I highly recommend Marking Time to those who enjoy a tale of self-discovery, romance, edge-of-your-seat anticipation, and history told anew. May your journey through time be everything you won’t expect and cannot begin to imagine.
Saira is an independent, strong-willed, and open-minded character. She is seemingly blindly loyal to those she meets and possesses a scarily accurate ability to immediately read people upon meeting them. Her endurance is nearly unmatched and the extent of her abilities is still being discovered. These qualities will aid her in the battles she will face against forces determined to see her destroyed. And those forces are not short in supply; this evil is timeless.
I highly recommend Marking Time to those who enjoy a tale of self-discovery, romance, edge-of-your-seat anticipation, and history told anew. May your journey through time be everything you won’t expect and cannot begin to imagine.
halynah's review
3.0
My impressions from this book are very diverse. On the one hand the idea of the plot was truly brilliant and there were several really awesome characters. On the other hand, the pacing was extremely slow, there were many unnecessary scenes and both Saira and Archer were rather bleak characters, and that's not good for protagonists. Romance was also bleak, like them. I loved Adam, Will, Ringo and Mr. Shaw. I hope the sequel will be more dynamic and main characters will be improved, because it'll be a pity to waste such a great paranormal world-building.
sparkly44's review against another edition
5.0
Time travel, vampires and Jack the Ripper!!!
In a page turner like none I've read for some time, White builds a fascinating tale of families, love and yes, historical fiction! She has the storytelling skills of Rowling; I suspect Harry and Saira would like each other!
In a page turner like none I've read for some time, White builds a fascinating tale of families, love and yes, historical fiction! She has the storytelling skills of Rowling; I suspect Harry and Saira would like each other!
abbiem85's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
DNF @21%. I do not care how "good" the story or series ends up- I will not be going back to this one.
Maybe it's a little unfair to rate it so early on, but I think I read enough to know I hate it.
Opinionated review:
This book is not for me. I CAN read YA fantasy/sci-fi/urban fantasy IF well-written and stomachable. However, I do try to avoid the regular tropes and themes of YA for good reason- they are usually NOT well-written or stomachable.
The first person narrative is of a 17 year old, free-runner, "tagging", occasionally abandoned, independent girl. Simply put: girl stupid. She's incredibly immature for someone who should be 17 and used to being on her own occasionally. She pretends at "tough" and "cool" and her character is written with the surface traits of what someone thinks is super cool (like free-running and tagging with spray paint and dressing like a boy with combat boots), but she's a naive idiot with constant, abrasive, broody teenage vibes of a girl with first-world problems.
The main character does this terrible naming game in her head where she calls people what they look like or make her think of. Instead of, you know, finding out their names like a normal person. Or just not referring to them as anything, because she's not talking to anyone else. It's in her head.
Some reviews have talked about the slow-burn romance or the cute and sweet first love. Very confused by this. The moment she meets love interest #1 (from what I read, I gather there will either be a triangle or multiple love interests because everyone falls in love with special snowflake on sight), she can't take her eyes off of him and wants to push a lock of hair behind his ear. Then he tells her upon second meeting (or third, technically- time stuff) that he fell for her and it tore his world apart. After a brief couple hours of running around a city after her with Jack the Ripper in the past.
He was looking at me in a way that made my heart pound. Something nobody had ever done to me before.
His eyes wouldn't let go of mine and it almost felt like he was trying to memorize my face. Then his gaze moved to my mouth and I covered my embarassment with a last bite of my apple.
There is an entirely pointless, YA, tropey scene of guy-takes-off-shirt, girl-can't-handle.
He stopped suddenly and then pulled off his t-shirt, using it to protect his hand from the heat as he unscrewed the light bulb in a wall sconce.
He paused at the top of the stairs to pull his t-shirt back on and grinned as I looked away - I was vaguely uncomfortable at the sight of toned abs and ripped shoulders.
Really, special snowflake insta-attraction vibes.
"No worries. I like it when hot girls owe me." Ew. "Ew" by author. Not me- though I get it.
Just-the-facts review: This was written very poorly. If the author is an adult, apologies. This feels like it was from the journal of a 13 year old girl (maybe even younger).
"With this?" He mouthed, through the glass. Jerk. "No, with your superpowers, idiot!" - "He" capitalized by author, at least in my ebook.
This from someone who does everything she can to avoid a fight and the attention it brings. What was wrong with me?
I let out a breath, but Floyd held his hand over my mouth. I hate that!
...busted up laughing... - Yah, the author really used that. And I don't get it, because previous to this the author used "burst out laughing". Why does the main character think in proper English and also dumb slang? A mystery I'll never find out.
Maybe I'm a bit picky. Maybe this is someone else's thing and they can forgive the juvenile writing style. Not for me.
Maybe it's a little unfair to rate it so early on, but I think I read enough to know I hate it.
Opinionated review:
This book is not for me. I CAN read YA fantasy/sci-fi/urban fantasy IF well-written and stomachable. However, I do try to avoid the regular tropes and themes of YA for good reason- they are usually NOT well-written or stomachable.
The first person narrative is of a 17 year old, free-runner, "tagging", occasionally abandoned, independent girl. Simply put: girl stupid. She's incredibly immature for someone who should be 17 and used to being on her own occasionally. She pretends at "tough" and "cool" and her character is written with the surface traits of what someone thinks is super cool (like free-running and tagging with spray paint and dressing like a boy with combat boots), but she's a naive idiot with constant, abrasive, broody teenage vibes of a girl with first-world problems.
The main character does this terrible naming game in her head where she calls people what they look like or make her think of. Instead of, you know, finding out their names like a normal person. Or just not referring to them as anything, because she's not talking to anyone else. It's in her head.
Some reviews have talked about the slow-burn romance or the cute and sweet first love. Very confused by this. The moment she meets love interest #1 (from what I read, I gather there will either be a triangle or multiple love interests because everyone falls in love with special snowflake on sight), she can't take her eyes off of him and wants to push a lock of hair behind his ear. Then he tells her upon second meeting (or third, technically- time stuff) that he fell for her and it tore his world apart. After a brief couple hours of running around a city after her with Jack the Ripper in the past.
He was looking at me in a way that made my heart pound. Something nobody had ever done to me before.
His eyes wouldn't let go of mine and it almost felt like he was trying to memorize my face. Then his gaze moved to my mouth and I covered my embarassment with a last bite of my apple.
There is an entirely pointless, YA, tropey scene of guy-takes-off-shirt, girl-can't-handle.
He stopped suddenly and then pulled off his t-shirt, using it to protect his hand from the heat as he unscrewed the light bulb in a wall sconce.
He paused at the top of the stairs to pull his t-shirt back on and grinned as I looked away - I was vaguely uncomfortable at the sight of toned abs and ripped shoulders.
Really, special snowflake insta-attraction vibes.
"No worries. I like it when hot girls owe me." Ew. "Ew" by author. Not me- though I get it.
Just-the-facts review: This was written very poorly. If the author is an adult, apologies. This feels like it was from the journal of a 13 year old girl (maybe even younger).
"With this?" He mouthed, through the glass. Jerk. "No, with your superpowers, idiot!" - "He" capitalized by author, at least in my ebook.
This from someone who does everything she can to avoid a fight and the attention it brings. What was wrong with me?
I let out a breath, but Floyd held his hand over my mouth. I hate that!
...busted up laughing... - Yah, the author really used that. And I don't get it, because previous to this the author used "burst out laughing". Why does the main character think in proper English and also dumb slang? A mystery I'll never find out.
Maybe I'm a bit picky. Maybe this is someone else's thing and they can forgive the juvenile writing style. Not for me.
natastrophe16's review
5.0
I'm writing this after my 4th reread in 5 years. I love this book! I love this series, I love these characters and the mythology, history and even present day details that go into making the Immortal Descendants world. April White is an extremely talented lady and I'm anxiously waiting for more of her stories written in this magical world, with these magical characters.
kate_and_books's review
4.0
I have seen this book on my feed and Amazon for years now. Heck even Elizabeth Hunter recommended it to me in her newsletter, and it seems that I really am quite slow on the uptake. While out on a book buying spree, I picked this up and read the blurb and was taken with it. It has some of my favourite plot lines in books.
1. Time travel? Check.
2. Victorian England in combination with Jack the Ripper? Frigging double check here peeps.
3. A mystery to die for? Check.
Five families from five Immortals are the descendants of Time (the Clockers), Fate (the Seers), Nature (Shifters), War (Mongers) and Death (Suckers). For the descendant’s things are about to get complicated.
Saira Elian, a 17-year-old American is in a spot of trouble her Mum has disappeared and there are some seriously strange people after her. To avoid child services, she contacts the one person she really doesn’t want to her Grandmother Millicent in England. But here things just get weirder. Thrust into a world she has no idea how to navigate her skills are tested to the limit.
But with the help of Archer in 1888, as well as Ringo the urchin and some new friends in the present she will find her mother and kick Jack the Ripper’s arse.
I really enjoyed this book although YA ain’t always my jam this totally worked for me. Ms. White has written an exceptional story which is gripping and engaging. The attention to detail is amazing and AW has really done her research regarding the historical aspects of this book.
This is unique and captivating, and I would love for all you to take the time to read this book and series.
1. Time travel? Check.
2. Victorian England in combination with Jack the Ripper? Frigging double check here peeps.
3. A mystery to die for? Check.
Five families from five Immortals are the descendants of Time (the Clockers), Fate (the Seers), Nature (Shifters), War (Mongers) and Death (Suckers). For the descendant’s things are about to get complicated.
Saira Elian, a 17-year-old American is in a spot of trouble her Mum has disappeared and there are some seriously strange people after her. To avoid child services, she contacts the one person she really doesn’t want to her Grandmother Millicent in England. But here things just get weirder. Thrust into a world she has no idea how to navigate her skills are tested to the limit.
But with the help of Archer in 1888, as well as Ringo the urchin and some new friends in the present she will find her mother and kick Jack the Ripper’s arse.
I really enjoyed this book although YA ain’t always my jam this totally worked for me. Ms. White has written an exceptional story which is gripping and engaging. The attention to detail is amazing and AW has really done her research regarding the historical aspects of this book.
This is unique and captivating, and I would love for all you to take the time to read this book and series.
gailyo's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read! I enjoyed it and plan to read the rest of the series.
jen286's review against another edition
3.0
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
I was really hesitant to start reading Marking Time. I know a lot of people who love this story, but they also love some other books they said were similar that I have not cared for. Books dealing with a lot of history and research and stuff and I found them to be quite boring. So I was hesitant to start reading this because I wanted to love it, but was worried I wouldn't.
Well I started reading and the story drew me in right away. The history was not in your face, let's just focus on one thing for the entire book like those other I read. I loved the details in this one. The world the author created was so interesting I just wanted to keep reading more and more. Plus I never even had an issue with the time travel aspects of the story, something that usually trips me up. Then again I usually find that it doesn't make sense, but here it did. It flowed with the story and oh it was fun.
This is the story of Saira. Now Saira could get on my nerves at times. She was very judgmental at times, she acted like a know it all at times, but she is a teenager and really she felt like she was acting like a teenager. Most times when I read a story with younger characters I age them in my head without really thinking about it. Usually high school kids don't feel like high school kids so I think of them in college or something. But Saira felt like a teenager. I did think at the beginning that I hope she grows through the story. I hope I get to see her become more, and we did. By the end I loved her so so much. Once she got a foothold in her new world she was awesome. I loved how she adapted to everything that was thrown at her. I don't want to give away too much as I think part of the fun is finding out what this new world is all about, this book has a bit of everything in it it seems. With another author that might have been too much, but in this story it works. That is just the way the world is.
Through the story you are introduced to a lot of fun characters, like Dodger and Archer. I really enjoyed Archer's story. Watching Saira try and figure everything out while getting to know him was great. Saira learns that she can travel through time, meets Jack the Ripper, and has some pretty crazy people after her. I got to the end of this book and wanted to start reading more right away! So on to book 2. I can't wait to see what fun is in store in that one.
I was really hesitant to start reading Marking Time. I know a lot of people who love this story, but they also love some other books they said were similar that I have not cared for. Books dealing with a lot of history and research and stuff and I found them to be quite boring. So I was hesitant to start reading this because I wanted to love it, but was worried I wouldn't.
Well I started reading and the story drew me in right away. The history was not in your face, let's just focus on one thing for the entire book like those other I read. I loved the details in this one. The world the author created was so interesting I just wanted to keep reading more and more. Plus I never even had an issue with the time travel aspects of the story, something that usually trips me up. Then again I usually find that it doesn't make sense, but here it did. It flowed with the story and oh it was fun.
This is the story of Saira. Now Saira could get on my nerves at times. She was very judgmental at times, she acted like a know it all at times, but she is a teenager and really she felt like she was acting like a teenager. Most times when I read a story with younger characters I age them in my head without really thinking about it. Usually high school kids don't feel like high school kids so I think of them in college or something. But Saira felt like a teenager. I did think at the beginning that I hope she grows through the story. I hope I get to see her become more, and we did. By the end I loved her so so much. Once she got a foothold in her new world she was awesome. I loved how she adapted to everything that was thrown at her. I don't want to give away too much as I think part of the fun is finding out what this new world is all about, this book has a bit of everything in it it seems. With another author that might have been too much, but in this story it works. That is just the way the world is.
Through the story you are introduced to a lot of fun characters, like Dodger and Archer. I really enjoyed Archer's story. Watching Saira try and figure everything out while getting to know him was great. Saira learns that she can travel through time, meets Jack the Ripper, and has some pretty crazy people after her. I got to the end of this book and wanted to start reading more right away! So on to book 2. I can't wait to see what fun is in store in that one.
e_funk44's review against another edition
4.0
*Free on Kindle*
This book really surprised me, in a good way of course.
Saira Elian is just like every other teenage girl, except she is a descendant of one of 5 Immortal families and oh yah, she can travel through time.
This book has action, romance, humor...and while it does have it's flaws (why it's 4 stars not 5) this is overall a great read.
This book really surprised me, in a good way of course.
Saira Elian is just like every other teenage girl, except she is a descendant of one of 5 Immortal families and oh yah, she can travel through time.
This book has action, romance, humor...and while it does have it's flaws (why it's 4 stars not 5) this is overall a great read.