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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
informative
tense
fast-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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
History may be just one damned thing after another, but the plot of a book, fairly or not, is expected to be a bit more structured than that. This one is, but only just barely. The book starts off as a variation on Willis’s Oxford time travel series - lacking the endearing writing quirks of that series, while doing other things better, including more rational and well-defined characters. But then, it’s not clear what’s driving the focus of St. Mary’s: why, for example, the sudden decision to investigate the Cretaceous?
More broadly, I was never convinced of the criticality of this organization’s goals. What exactly are they learning that’s so important to necessitate such risk and sacrifice? Maybe I should just go with it and not take it so seriously, but that’s the next problem I had with the book: the tone was uneven for me. If it had kept things light-hearted, a lot could be forgiven, but it seemed to take itself too seriously for that. There’s some clever silliness, but then it descends back into darkness, at times horrific, at other times just grim.
The “romance” (okay, sex) aspect was a bit over the top, and seemed out of place for me. The interlude with Max in the depths of despair was likewise jarring within the context of the book, and I had trouble believing that her colleagues would have completely abandoned her for such an extended time.
The final sequence with Alexandria was nicely done, and tied neatly back to the action in the Cretaceous, but again, this angle seemed to come out of nowhere without any foreshadowing that this was to come, making it more transparently structured by the author, and therefore less satisfying.
I see there are many more entries in the series; can’t say I’ll seek them out, but might try others if I come across them.
More broadly, I was never convinced of the criticality of this organization’s goals. What exactly are they learning that’s so important to necessitate such risk and sacrifice? Maybe I should just go with it and not take it so seriously, but that’s the next problem I had with the book: the tone was uneven for me. If it had kept things light-hearted, a lot could be forgiven, but it seemed to take itself too seriously for that. There’s some clever silliness, but then it descends back into darkness, at times horrific, at other times just grim.
The “romance” (okay, sex) aspect was a bit over the top, and seemed out of place for me. The interlude with Max in the depths of despair was likewise jarring within the context of the book, and I had trouble believing that her colleagues would have completely abandoned her for such an extended time.
The final sequence with Alexandria was nicely done, and tied neatly back to the action in the Cretaceous, but again, this angle seemed to come out of nowhere without any foreshadowing that this was to come, making it more transparently structured by the author, and therefore less satisfying.
I see there are many more entries in the series; can’t say I’ll seek them out, but might try others if I come across them.
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
inspiring
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a fast-past, plot driven time travel adventure set in contemporary (probably) England. An unconventional historian is drafted into a secret time war, causing catastrophic outcomes for herself and her workplace. This was a fine read, although disappointing for me because I usually enjoy time travel. I didn't become attached to any of the characters, and the world building was rather sparse. It also had an unexpected mystical element at the end that felt out of place. But, if you're looking for a page turning story that's internally consistent (mostly) this might be for you. I added an extra half star for the miscarriage reveal that was one of the only times the characters felt real to me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced