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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fantastic YA steampunk-ish historical fiction. Lgtbqa+. Boy falls in love with a clock and saves 2 frozen towns. (Contains homosexual kissing\fondling. No nudity)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Confinement, Mental illness
4.5/5 Stars
When I heard the premise for Timekeeper by Tara Sim, I knew I needed to read it ASAP! With clock towers that control time, an alt-Victorian setting, and a lonely boy looking to find his place in the world, I fell desperately in love with this narrative and its characters. Danny Hart's journey is a sweet, emotional tale which Sim's writes brilliantly and I just cannot stop thinking about it.
Let's start with how freaking cool this world was! I mean, clock towers that are in control of time. Brilliant! The intricacy of how mechanical issues impacts the time in a community was so riveting to discover. From skipping hours to a Stopped town, mechanics are pivotal to time running smoothly but I appreciated the dissenters who were concerned with their power. I also loved Victorian London as the setting and the steampunk elements that were mixed in.
Danny Hart was the soul of this story and I'm so glad I connected with him. He was struggling at home with a missing father and distant mother but also at work after a serious accident. Danny persevered though and his experiences at home and at work were extremely relatable. And then there's my sweet clock spirit Colton. He's so understanding and wants to experience more than just his tower. These two give me so many feels, I can barely keep from squealing.
Sim really does impress with this debut. Her writing pulled me right in and it was so easy to read that I finished it in about five hours. There's just so much to discover within this book. From a little mystery to life threatening situations, the action and adventure never stops but Sim so expertly weaves poignant emotion into her story. I cannot wait to see where she takes this series next!
Overall Tara Sim's Timekeeper was a beautiful story that I just could not put down. Danny and Colton were such compelling characters and I was emotionally invested right from the start. Plus the world was so inspired and unique that I want to live inside these pages. I will definitely recommend this book, until my last breath if necessary, and want to dive back in and reread to my heart's content.
Originally posted on Hopeful Reads
When I heard the premise for Timekeeper by Tara Sim, I knew I needed to read it ASAP! With clock towers that control time, an alt-Victorian setting, and a lonely boy looking to find his place in the world, I fell desperately in love with this narrative and its characters. Danny Hart's journey is a sweet, emotional tale which Sim's writes brilliantly and I just cannot stop thinking about it.
Let's start with how freaking cool this world was! I mean, clock towers that are in control of time. Brilliant! The intricacy of how mechanical issues impacts the time in a community was so riveting to discover. From skipping hours to a Stopped town, mechanics are pivotal to time running smoothly but I appreciated the dissenters who were concerned with their power. I also loved Victorian London as the setting and the steampunk elements that were mixed in.
Danny Hart was the soul of this story and I'm so glad I connected with him. He was struggling at home with a missing father and distant mother but also at work after a serious accident. Danny persevered though and his experiences at home and at work were extremely relatable. And then there's my sweet clock spirit Colton. He's so understanding and wants to experience more than just his tower. These two give me so many feels, I can barely keep from squealing.
Sim really does impress with this debut. Her writing pulled me right in and it was so easy to read that I finished it in about five hours. There's just so much to discover within this book. From a little mystery to life threatening situations, the action and adventure never stops but Sim so expertly weaves poignant emotion into her story. I cannot wait to see where she takes this series next!
Overall Tara Sim's Timekeeper was a beautiful story that I just could not put down. Danny and Colton were such compelling characters and I was emotionally invested right from the start. Plus the world was so inspired and unique that I want to live inside these pages. I will definitely recommend this book, until my last breath if necessary, and want to dive back in and reread to my heart's content.
Originally posted on Hopeful Reads
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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:
Yes
I'm so happy I've finally decided to read Timekeeper ! Indeed after side-eyeing this novel for the past couple of years, the glowing reviews for the sequel convinced me and I couldn't be happier they did : I really, really liked this. But let's start with what I loved the most about it, shall we ?
There comes a moment when time seems to slip faster, running long then short, shadows shrinking as the sun climbs. It's the moment, he decided, when you're no longer a child. When the concept of time and the need for more of it come together and make you powerless. Make you yearn for the longer days, the lazy days, before you knew what time passing actually meant.
I won't beat around the bush : Tara Sim created an imaginative and thoroughly fascinating world in which Time needs magical towers to flow smoothly, and whose mechanics are given a highly important task, that is to say : repair and take care of the towers of time. I won't lie, but my biggest fear starting Timekeeper was my usual... distaste... for steampunk. I know, I know. Who hates steampunk?? Well. Me? I'm not sure if I was very unlucky, but almost all of these kinds of books left me utterly bored and uninterested. No such thing with Timekeeper : from the beginning I was enchanted by all the details Tara Sim incorporated into her world, and I cannot wait to learn more about it in the sequel (I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS OKAY?).
I was in an accident. I got out. I'm safe now.
Was he really ?
First of all : I really liked Danny. A lot. Once again, because somehow I love being wrong, or something, I had convinced myself I wouldn't enjoy him after reading reviews saying he was one-dimensional. I strongly disagree. On the contrary I was pleasantly surprised by all the layers his character slowly showed, and I really appreciated the representation on PTSD and anxiety. Indeed Danny, the youngest mechanic of London, has been struggling to handle the aftermaths of both a working accident and his father's disappearance. He starts so sad and withdrawn, so riddled with guilt that I couldn't help but cherish every one of his smiles. Truly, I did not expect to care so much about him, but by the end I wanted to hug and protect that boy.
Moreover, in my opinion the dynamics between the characters were really well-done, especially when it comes to friendships and family (I'll talk about the romance later). His special bond with Cassie, his best-friend, and his complicated relationship with his mother were well explored and seemed genuine. And what can I say about his father, for whom I felt so strongly despite his absence ?
Several secondary characters could have benefited from gaining more layers, though, and did appear a bit stereotypical. However, I've heard that the sequel took care of this flaw, and it makes me even eager to read it (when the kindle version will be cheaper, though /sad face/).
Time is the language of all things. It is everything you see, hear, touch. Treat it carefully.
I enjoyed the way the story enfolded for the most part : thanks to the simple but compelling writing, I was easily engrossed and never felt the need to put away my book. That's rare these days, alright ? The plot managed to surprise me when I thought I knew where the story was going, especially in the second half. I don't quite know what I expected, but "being hooked and breathless all of a sudden" wasn't it. Good job, Tara Sim. You definitely got me here. *bows*
My only complain through the book was the (m/m) romance that I found rushed and a bit unconvincing. Nevertheless, I wouldn't say that Danny and Colton's relationship resorts to instalove either, and I won't say why because that's a spoiler *winks*. All the same, it took me a lot of pages to actually care about them as a couple but in the end, it didn't matter. The emotions I felt in the end - they baffled me. Truly. I might not have been the number one stan of their romance, but they convinced me and I cannot wait to see them grow together in the next book.
Finally, I did feel like Timekeeper relied a little too-much on Deus ex-machina, especially in the end, but... the possibilities, friends! That particular development created so many interesting opportunities for the sequel that I can't be bitter about it. It's been so long since I've read about such refreshing world-building that I really couldn't care less if some actions seemed guided. I enjoyed it all the same.
Bottom word : albeit not flawless, [b:Timekeeper|25760792|Timekeeper (Timekeeper, #1)|Tara Sim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478538580l/25760792._SX50_.jpg|45605689] was fun and offered me a few hours of escape so if it looks like your thing, please give it a chance. 4 stars out of 5.
TW - PTSD, anxiety
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alas my unconditional love for #Dolton was not enough for this book to sway me off my feet. cute book, but lacks enough whimsicality and prose to blow me away.
It honestly hurts to write this review because I actually liked our main character Danny and I loved his love interest Colton. However their romance wasn't enough to keep me entertained. With 414 pages this shouldn't have been Insta love. Even though I didn't mind their interactions they didn't get nearly enough page time.
This book was just so boring. I read 76% and then skimmed to the end because I just couldn't do it.
I'm sad because I hate to rate LGBTQIAP+ books lower. Especially ones with good representation and healthy relationships. I honestly loved Danny and Colton. I loved that Danny was gay and Colton Pansexual but it just wasn't enough. I was bored to tears.
The idea that the Victorian era meets Greek mythology was good and I liked the sort of happy ending. I may or may not read the sequel. I'm gonna wait for reviews and see if the second one has more action!
This book was just so boring. I read 76% and then skimmed to the end because I just couldn't do it.
I'm sad because I hate to rate LGBTQIAP+ books lower. Especially ones with good representation and healthy relationships. I honestly loved Danny and Colton. I loved that Danny was gay and Colton Pansexual but it just wasn't enough. I was bored to tears.
The idea that the Victorian era meets Greek mythology was good and I liked the sort of happy ending. I may or may not read the sequel. I'm gonna wait for reviews and see if the second one has more action!
The premise and story of this book were great, but it really was hindered (for me) by the protagonist beeing a teenager making teenage typical choices. I would've definitely liked it more if I read it when I was a teen, but then again queer books like this didn't exist when I was a teen. Good on today's teens
I'll probably read the sequel if I get my hands on it on sale tho, I'm interested to see where this is going
I'll probably read the sequel if I get my hands on it on sale tho, I'm interested to see where this is going
Reread 3/7/18: still loved it! it did seem slower the second time around too though.
Immediate reaction: okay I LOVED this! it's kind of a slower paced book but I loved Danny and Colton and how cool was the alternate London! fascinated with the clock towers and clock spirits and the audio IS AMAZING.
My Review:
I really didn't know much about Timekeeper going into it but oh I was so pleasantly surprised as I got swept up in this story! It ended up being my FIRST five star read of the year! I'm also so glad I listened to it on audio because the narration was so amazing! I seriously loved it.
In Timekeeper we are in an alternate London where there are clock towers that regulate time -- literally. If something happens to a clock tower, time can skip, slow or even stop. If time stops, the whole town controlled by the clock tower is frozen. There are clock mechanics that take care of and fix the clock towers and keep them (and time!) running smoothly. Danny is one such mechanic but he's been struggling ever since a scary accident he was involved in.
I absolutely loved getting to know Danny and his best friend Cassie and most of all the developing relationship with Colton. Totally amazing shippable ship! Meanwhile, there are little excerpts of the clock spirit mythology which I personally found fascinating. It all was just so unique. The pacing is slower but I felt it was more character focused and I enjoyed every single aspect of it. I highly recommend if you're looking for something unique and want something shippy!
Immediate reaction: okay I LOVED this! it's kind of a slower paced book but I loved Danny and Colton and how cool was the alternate London! fascinated with the clock towers and clock spirits and the audio IS AMAZING.
My Review:
I really didn't know much about Timekeeper going into it but oh I was so pleasantly surprised as I got swept up in this story! It ended up being my FIRST five star read of the year! I'm also so glad I listened to it on audio because the narration was so amazing! I seriously loved it.
In Timekeeper we are in an alternate London where there are clock towers that regulate time -- literally. If something happens to a clock tower, time can skip, slow or even stop. If time stops, the whole town controlled by the clock tower is frozen. There are clock mechanics that take care of and fix the clock towers and keep them (and time!) running smoothly. Danny is one such mechanic but he's been struggling ever since a scary accident he was involved in.
I absolutely loved getting to know Danny and his best friend Cassie and most of all the developing relationship with Colton. Totally amazing shippable ship! Meanwhile, there are little excerpts of the clock spirit mythology which I personally found fascinating. It all was just so unique. The pacing is slower but I felt it was more character focused and I enjoyed every single aspect of it. I highly recommend if you're looking for something unique and want something shippy!
Oh my gosh, such an enjoyable read!
Layered and bittersweet, full of scars and hope for the future despite the pain of the past. Danny's relationships are so real and complex, and the time mythology is fascinating!
Can't wait for book 2!
Layered and bittersweet, full of scars and hope for the future despite the pain of the past. Danny's relationships are so real and complex, and the time mythology is fascinating!
Can't wait for book 2!