Take a photo of a barcode or cover
funny
reflective
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Grief
Minor: Cannibalism
challenging
emotional
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:
No
While this book does have some fun stuff, especially as friendships develop, it is one of those books that’s a little bleak/cynical in outlook. The very end has a hopeful tone, which saved it for me, but the bulk was a bit harder to get through, which is why it has a slightly lower rating from me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Infidelity, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation, Pandemic/Epidemic
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
Loved this charming romance meets adventure - less sci-fi (a good thing) than advertised and more a reflection on humanity through all ages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Cannibalism
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Racism, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m not usually one to be influenced by blurbs on book covers, but this one having eight on the cover and more inside (from big-name outlets) caught my eye. It kinda ended up being the downfall of my reading experience, though.
This book is described on the cover (mashing up the blurbs here) as a sexy, escapist sci-fi romcom. I even read articles after finishing the book to see if full reviews were using the same language (they were). Also, I specifically want to note that Emily Henry holds the spot of the singular author’s blurb. So, I don’t feel like I was delusional in thinking this would be… more romantic?
There are definitely swoon-worthy parts to this story, but (to me at least) it literally didn’t feel like romance was at all a notable aspect of the book until around the 75% mark. I think this was intentional in trying to build a slow-burn of sorts but, as a big slow-burn girl… I was not into it.
Now, the reason I brought up the blurbs, is because if I had gone into this book expecting a sci-fi and also happened to get a little romance, it would have been a pleasant surprise within an otherwise interesting story. Because this is markets so heavily as a Romance though, I just kept looking for something that wasn’t there. Or at least, I couldn’t find it.
To the book’s credit, I found the three lead expats very endearing and the social commentary very engaging, especially in the context of time travel. The expat’s relationships and mundane navigation of the 21st century was maybe the most enjoyable part of the book for me.
I just didn’t always love the writing (so many bizarre similes), and I’d definitely recommend going into it not expecting a complete time travel rom-com lol.
This book is described on the cover (mashing up the blurbs here) as a sexy, escapist sci-fi romcom. I even read articles after finishing the book to see if full reviews were using the same language (they were). Also, I specifically want to note that Emily Henry holds the spot of the singular author’s blurb. So, I don’t feel like I was delusional in thinking this would be… more romantic?
There are definitely swoon-worthy parts to this story, but (to me at least) it literally didn’t feel like romance was at all a notable aspect of the book until around the 75% mark. I think this was intentional in trying to build a slow-burn of sorts but, as a big slow-burn girl… I was not into it.
Now, the reason I brought up the blurbs, is because if I had gone into this book expecting a sci-fi and also happened to get a little romance, it would have been a pleasant surprise within an otherwise interesting story. Because this is markets so heavily as a Romance though, I just kept looking for something that wasn’t there. Or at least, I couldn’t find it.
To the book’s credit, I found the three lead expats very endearing and the social commentary very engaging, especially in the context of time travel. The expat’s relationships and mundane navigation of the 21st century was maybe the most enjoyable part of the book for me.
I just didn’t always love the writing (so many bizarre similes), and I’d definitely recommend going into it not expecting a complete time travel rom-com lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence
Minor: Gun violence
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
I really loved the concept of this book, and thought the different elements individually were very strong (the romance, the social commentary, the sci fi, the spy thriller ??)
However when it all came together, it felt at times like it was trying to do slightly too much in one, which could create some tonal whiplash (particularly in the final act, where all the action suddenly kicked off at once, seemingly out of nowhere).
Each individual element/subplot of the book was so so good, any one of them could have been the main focus, which was slightly it's downfall. When putting everything together, the different parts didn't quite get enough breathing space each. However, this did always leave me with the nice feeling of wanting more!
The characters were fantastic to follow - particularly the side ones. I defo need more books in their world to learn what happens to them next.
A enjoyable read which some truly stand-out moments, that occasionally get lost in ambition.
Also, the author really loves a metaphor.
However when it all came together, it felt at times like it was trying to do slightly too much in one, which could create some tonal whiplash (particularly in the final act, where all the action suddenly kicked off at once, seemingly out of nowhere).
Each individual element/subplot of the book was so so good, any one of them could have been the main focus, which was slightly it's downfall. When putting everything together, the different parts didn't quite get enough breathing space each. However, this did always leave me with the nice feeling of wanting more!
The characters were fantastic to follow - particularly the side ones. I defo need more books in their world to learn what happens to them next.
A enjoyable read which some truly stand-out moments, that occasionally get lost in ambition.
Also, the author really loves a metaphor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Colonisation
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Cannibalism
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
I'm sorry, but this book tries so many genres, from romance to comedy to sci-fi to spy thiller, that it ended up overall being a mess. The prose felt off, with many metaphors/similes that just didn't make sense that got in the way of the actual narrative.
I was also bored throughout most of this, in a way that I feel that the book was falsely advertised. There's very little sci-fi to be seen in this with little regard to how the time travel works in this world, I didn't find it humorous enough to be considered comedic, the spy elements felt tacked on last minute and the romance simply did nothing for me.
I kinda wish that this book could have just focused more on the characters that are out of time. My favourite parts of the book were Graham, Arthur and Maggie hanging out and experiencing the 21st century together(I would also be totally down for reading a book solely focused on Maggie, love the idea of a lesbian from the 17th century being able to exist as herself in modern times).
I also found the narrator to be rather dislikable and I was rather irritated with how obtuse and manipulative she was to other characters and how she really doesn't experience much growth or consequences for her actions(and don't get me started on Adela being her from the future, that raises so many plot holes I don't want to spend time covering)
I did find the exploration of her hertitage of being British-Cambodian and the child of a refugee interesting, but with how much this book tried to cover I would have prefered to have a whole book to focus solely on that. Also I must say the way the narrator and the plot treat Simellia, the only black character in the book, felt really off to me both in how the narrator dismisses Simellia's challenges with racism as one of the only black employees at the ministry and especially how it turns outshe's the traitor who, to be honest, was right considering how in the future the narrator makes things so much worse globally but while the narrator gets off bascially scott free for her actions, Simellia will be killed if she appears in public again.
I especially wasn't fond of the romance between her and Graham Gore, there was a very apparent imbalance in the relationship where she felt rather controlling about him, almost trying to mold him into the type of person she would date that just put me off the idea of it. It made the ending whereGraham realises he's being manipulated and leaves her only then to send a note saying that he still loves her while she has basically learned nothing feel completely unearned.
There's also something about writing an explicit romance with an historical figure who died horribly that just gives me the ick. It comes off as in poor taste. I kept thinking throughout how I wish Graham could have been the main character instead, as the small chapters we see from his perspective are very introspective.
In all, this is a book that tries so many things and yet fails at being an engaging narrative.
I was also bored throughout most of this, in a way that I feel that the book was falsely advertised. There's very little sci-fi to be seen in this with little regard to how the time travel works in this world, I didn't find it humorous enough to be considered comedic, the spy elements felt tacked on last minute and the romance simply did nothing for me.
I kinda wish that this book could have just focused more on the characters that are out of time. My favourite parts of the book were Graham, Arthur and Maggie hanging out and experiencing the 21st century together(I would also be totally down for reading a book solely focused on Maggie, love the idea of a lesbian from the 17th century being able to exist as herself in modern times).
I also found the narrator to be rather dislikable and I was rather irritated with how obtuse and manipulative she was to other characters and how she really doesn't experience much growth or consequences for her actions
I did find the exploration of her hertitage of being British-Cambodian and the child of a refugee interesting, but with how much this book tried to cover I would have prefered to have a whole book to focus solely on that. Also I must say the way the narrator and the plot treat Simellia, the only black character in the book, felt really off to me both in how the narrator dismisses Simellia's challenges with racism as one of the only black employees at the ministry and especially how it turns out
I especially wasn't fond of the romance between her and Graham Gore, there was a very apparent imbalance in the relationship where she felt rather controlling about him, almost trying to mold him into the type of person she would date that just put me off the idea of it. It made the ending where
There's also something about writing an explicit romance with an historical figure who died horribly that just gives me the ick. It comes off as in poor taste. I kept thinking throughout how I wish Graham could have been the main character instead, as the small chapters we see from his perspective are very introspective.
In all, this is a book that tries so many things and yet fails at being an engaging narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Cannibalism, Murder, Lesbophobia
Minor: Genocide, Slavery, War
adventurous
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Cannibalism, Lesbophobia
Minor: Animal death, Genocide, Slavery, Colonisation
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
The premise was interesting and I enjoyed the first half of the book, but kinda lost interest once the romance started, I found it cringe tbh for some reason
I will say that I didn't see that plot twist coming, but the ending was messy and it got annoying that the narrator was feeling sorry for herself for so long 🤷♀️
Also didn't care for the chapters about Gore, so ended up skipping them every time, sorry not sorry!
I will say that I didn't see that plot twist coming, but the ending was messy and it got annoying that the narrator was feeling sorry for herself for so long 🤷♀️
Also didn't care for the chapters about Gore, so ended up skipping them every time, sorry not sorry!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Deportation