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elevingston1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
dear_old_world's review against another edition
Thought it would be more fun and fast paced!
elke_go_read's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lmcg614's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
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? No
3.25
shelbyyyyrenee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.0
fed's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
tkuchta's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
scarlatte16's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Wanted to stomp on it and then use the time door to stomp on it again
beckybingbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
4.0
Rating: 4 / 5 💙
This story was a unique blend of historical fiction, sci-fi, romance and a bit of a spy thriller. It focuses on Graham Gore, who was pulled out of time from an ill fated arctic expedition into modern day, where an unnamed biracial British-Cambodian woman acts as his "bridge," a government service role to help their assigned time traveler adjust and assimilate into the current century.
Graham Gore was a real life explorer part of the doomed 1845 arctic exploration (he's on Wikipedia). I enjoyed this twist where the author pulled bits of actual history and incorporated it into the story. Obviously the Graham Gore in this book is fictionalized, but the history behind the expedition wasn't and it's always fascinating learning about history through historical fiction.
The book isn't fast paced. I would say be patient with it. There are other time traveling figures in the book, though they aren't based on any real person, I believe. However, each character touches upon social issues of their time. A woman from 1665 who had so much less freedom in her century and had to hide her lesbian identity and outgoing nature.
Environmental themes are also touched upon and evident by the reactions of these time traveling figures who come from times of much smaller populations and are ushered into London with its current population of 9 million. Themes of colonialism are also present throughout the book through the experiences of the FMC and her family, as well as through the Franklin expedition.
And, of course, there's a slow burn romance. I really liked the character of Graham Gore in this book. His personality and humor were very dry and self deprecating . The banter between him and his "bridge" was amusing, and the friendship between them and the other "expats" was heartwarming.
This story was a unique blend of historical fiction, sci-fi, romance and a bit of a spy thriller. It focuses on Graham Gore, who was pulled out of time from an ill fated arctic expedition into modern day, where an unnamed biracial British-Cambodian woman acts as his "bridge," a government service role to help their assigned time traveler adjust and assimilate into the current century.
Graham Gore was a real life explorer part of the doomed 1845 arctic exploration (he's on Wikipedia). I enjoyed this twist where the author pulled bits of actual history and incorporated it into the story. Obviously the Graham Gore in this book is fictionalized, but the history behind the expedition wasn't and it's always fascinating learning about history through historical fiction.
The book isn't fast paced. I would say be patient with it. There are other time traveling figures in the book, though they aren't based on any real person, I believe. However, each character touches upon social issues of their time. A woman from 1665 who had so much less freedom in her century and had to hide her lesbian identity and outgoing nature.
Environmental themes are also touched upon and evident by the reactions of these time traveling figures who come from times of much smaller populations and are ushered into London with its current population of 9 million. Themes of colonialism are also present throughout the book through the experiences of the FMC and her family, as well as through the Franklin expedition.
And, of course, there's a slow burn romance. I really liked the character of Graham Gore in this book. His personality and humor were very dry and self deprecating . The banter between him and his "bridge" was amusing, and the friendship between them and the other "expats" was heartwarming.