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adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A wonderfully, poetically written story about love, longing, and introspection.
An intriguing debut novel, with obvious self insterts by the author and an unusual obsession with an obscure Arctic explorer (but who am I to judge anyone’s obsessions?). This was the second book I reserved at the library, and I had to wait a month to get my hands on it. (I'm still waiting in line for the first one.) Although I can’t remember why I placed the reservation, it must have been because this novel was voted Readers' Favorite Science Fiction at the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards.
My point is that, in terms of sci-fi, I would classify this novel as "sci-fi light." It didn’t exactly fulfill my sci-fi cravings.
Still, I found myself mesmerized by the unusual metaphors and the quiet longing between the two main characters, although I wouldn't exactly call it a romance either. What I appreciated most about this story weren’t the advertised themes of romance and sci-fi, but the careful examination of contemporary issues like the modern workplace and present-day racism, which I found quite insightful.
This wasn’t the perfect story, and I feel slightly melancholic about that because it seems like the author was so close to writing a truly poignant one.
An intriguing debut novel, with obvious self insterts by the author and an unusual obsession with an obscure Arctic explorer (but who am I to judge anyone’s obsessions?). This was the second book I reserved at the library, and I had to wait a month to get my hands on it. (I'm still waiting in line for the first one.) Although I can’t remember why I placed the reservation, it must have been because this novel was voted Readers' Favorite Science Fiction at the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards.
My point is that, in terms of sci-fi, I would classify this novel as "sci-fi light." It didn’t exactly fulfill my sci-fi cravings.
Still, I found myself mesmerized by the unusual metaphors and the quiet longing between the two main characters, although I wouldn't exactly call it a romance either. What I appreciated most about this story weren’t the advertised themes of romance and sci-fi, but the careful examination of contemporary issues like the modern workplace and present-day racism, which I found quite insightful.
This wasn’t the perfect story, and I feel slightly melancholic about that because it seems like the author was so close to writing a truly poignant one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Racism, Cannibalism, Murder
Minor: Genocide, Homophobia, Slavery, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Deportation
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I found myself laughing at the conversations between the characters and the observations of the expats. It was more layered than I expected, with twists I certainly did not see coming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Cannibalism
Minor: Death, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Murder
Minor: Vomit
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting premise with piss poor execution and very boring
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Colonisation
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual content
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was interesting, but definitely was nothing close to what I was expecting and it felt like I got lost in the plot a bit because it went all over the place very suddenly about halfway through. I think I was expecting this to be more romance forward and it definitely was not. It felt more like a science fiction category book with a romance subplot. The time travel was really interesting in the beginning and vague enough for me to follow with ease and as the story went on it felt like everything went off the rails in an effort to make the plot more intense, which felt pretty unnecessary to me.
I didn't dislike the book, but I also didn't love it, hence the 3 stars.
I didn't dislike the book, but I also didn't love it, hence the 3 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Murder
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of the slowest, most boring books I've ever read. When the plot does finally start (last 100 pages) its incredibly pretentious.
I honestly found the whole book quite creepy and pathetic
I honestly found the whole book quite creepy and pathetic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Drug use, Blood, Cannibalism, Alcohol, Classism, Deportation
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After seeing the reviews and reading the blurb, I really wanted to love The Ministry of Time, as it seemed like a novel that I would really enjoy, as it apparently combined history, time travel and romance into one novel. I thought we would get to explore some complex topics, such as colonialism and morally grey ethics, such as taking people outisde of their time period. Unfortunately, this was not what I encountered when reading this novel and it left me a little disappointed.
The Ministry of Time follows an unnamed woman who has recently started a new job as a 'bridge' within a government department conducting an experiment focussed on time travel. The main character is tasked with helping Commander Graham Gore, a member of the failed Franklin expedition, adjust to modern life, whilst reporting back to the department. Along the way, the narrator struggles to reconcile her feelings for Gore with the actions she undertakes for the governement. As the novel progresses, she discovers that she may not been told the complete truth of what is going on and she must decide between her career, her morals and her heart.
On paper, that sounds like a great novel but in practice it devolved into a frustrating experience. Firstly, the novel couldn't work out whether it wanted to be a time-travelling themed sci-fi story, an espionage themed thriller or a romantic tale about two people with opposing world views. The Ministry of Time tries to be all three of these and then struggles to give each plot thread the attention it deserves. Instead of getting a fully fleshed out plot, satisfying character development or interesting romantic relationship, ithe book rushes through each of these threads, becoming tropey in places. I feel like if the book had been fleshed out by another 100 to 200 pages, it might have been a more satisfying read.
My other issue was the main female character. I did not like her. In fact, I loathed her. She was a hypocrite, self centered and very stupid, something that was pointed out by multiple characters in the book. I also had an issue with her relationship with Gore. For most of the novel, it did not feel like her feelings would be reciprocated and in fact, I thought Gore had more chemistry with another character, Arthur, than he did with the narrator. In addition the power dynamic with her being in charge and Gore having basically been kidnapped, made me feel like their relationship was not romantic at all but actually quite toxic. I just did not feel any sort of connection with the main character nor did I feel any symapthy for her.
That being said, I loved a number of the other characters, in particular the ones that were brought to the present: Graham Gore, Arthur and Maggie. I found all three very endearing and I wished that we spent more time with them, experiencing their journey navigating modern society. I feel like a story told through their perspective would have been a more engaging and entertaining experience.
Overall, The Ministry of Time had an interesting premise which it did not quite deliver. The supporting characters were more interesting than the main character, the romantic subplot was unnecessary and the opportunity to explore the ethics of tearing people away from their time periods was missed. The Ministry of Time was an OK read that had promise but at times was frustrating.
The Ministry of Time follows an unnamed woman who has recently started a new job as a 'bridge' within a government department conducting an experiment focussed on time travel. The main character is tasked with helping Commander Graham Gore, a member of the failed Franklin expedition, adjust to modern life, whilst reporting back to the department. Along the way, the narrator struggles to reconcile her feelings for Gore with the actions she undertakes for the governement. As the novel progresses, she discovers that she may not been told the complete truth of what is going on and she must decide between her career, her morals and her heart.
On paper, that sounds like a great novel but in practice it devolved into a frustrating experience. Firstly, the novel couldn't work out whether it wanted to be a time-travelling themed sci-fi story, an espionage themed thriller or a romantic tale about two people with opposing world views. The Ministry of Time tries to be all three of these and then struggles to give each plot thread the attention it deserves. Instead of getting a fully fleshed out plot, satisfying character development or interesting romantic relationship, ithe book rushes through each of these threads, becoming tropey in places. I feel like if the book had been fleshed out by another 100 to 200 pages, it might have been a more satisfying read.
My other issue was the main female character. I did not like her. In fact, I loathed her. She was a hypocrite, self centered and very stupid, something that was pointed out by multiple characters in the book. I also had an issue with her relationship with Gore. For most of the novel, it did not feel like her feelings would be reciprocated and in fact, I thought Gore had more chemistry with another character, Arthur, than he did with the narrator. In addition the power dynamic with her being in charge and Gore having basically been kidnapped, made me feel like their relationship was not romantic at all but actually quite toxic. I just did not feel any sort of connection with the main character nor did I feel any symapthy for her.
That being said, I loved a number of the other characters, in particular the ones that were brought to the present: Graham Gore, Arthur and Maggie. I found all three very endearing and I wished that we spent more time with them, experiencing their journey navigating modern society. I feel like a story told through their perspective would have been a more engaging and entertaining experience.
Overall, The Ministry of Time had an interesting premise which it did not quite deliver. The supporting characters were more interesting than the main character, the romantic subplot was unnecessary and the opportunity to explore the ethics of tearing people away from their time periods was missed. The Ministry of Time was an OK read that had promise but at times was frustrating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cannibalism
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A phenomenal read. Cast of characters is just as diverse as the time periods they come from.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Outing, Classism
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Slavery