jenbsbooks's review
3.0
3.5 stars. After loving "The Legacy" series, I figured I'd give other books by this author a try. I liked this, didn't love it. The constant switching back and forth from the present to the past was a little grating on me (another recent read "The Boy Who Dared" had a similar set-up, although not much was happening in the present, it was mostly all the past). Although it was pretty clearly labeled (with spacing/date) there was a time or two when it shifted time frames and I got a little confused.
There wasn't a lot of introduction to the basic storyline, we had to figure it out. The whole "hall of clocks" and the clock keeper (so, they are just watching over the clocks, but not really doing anything?) and the Guild and founding families keeping time intact ... other than this one "Anna incident" had there been any other possible time disruptions? I was just never quite sure of what all they were doing, and why ...
So, it's my assumption that this author is a Brit. Although all her books I've read have been about Americans, set in America ... the alternate (and I admit, accepted) British spellings of words abound. To me, even something as simple as spelling sets a tone. I guess I feel if the characters are American and this is taking place in the US, that should affect the spelling. If the characters were British, and/or this was taking place in the UK, then the alternate spelling would make sense, and even add to the ambiance. (sleight, specialises, fibre, organisation, meagre, realised, jewellery, cancelled, prise, favourite, harboured, centre, pyjamas, publicise, scrutinising, sombre, recognising, neighbourhood, humour, manoeuvre, galvanised) same for descriptions of items (torch, mobile, notes). These British alternatives seem out of place and they break up the continuity and feel for me.
I liked the little non de plume "Hope Foreman" (that's clever) and the simile "Her hairline and eyebrows pull together as it there's a party they're both desperate to attend" ;)
There wasn't a lot of introduction to the basic storyline, we had to figure it out. The whole "hall of clocks" and the clock keeper (so, they are just watching over the clocks, but not really doing anything?) and the Guild and founding families keeping time intact ... other than this one "Anna incident" had there been any other possible time disruptions? I was just never quite sure of what all they were doing, and why ...
So, it's my assumption that this author is a Brit. Although all her books I've read have been about Americans, set in America ... the alternate (and I admit, accepted) British spellings of words abound. To me, even something as simple as spelling sets a tone. I guess I feel if the characters are American and this is taking place in the US, that should affect the spelling. If the characters were British, and/or this was taking place in the UK, then the alternate spelling would make sense, and even add to the ambiance. (sleight, specialises, fibre, organisation, meagre, realised, jewellery, cancelled, prise, favourite, harboured, centre, pyjamas, publicise, scrutinising, sombre, recognising, neighbourhood, humour, manoeuvre, galvanised) same for descriptions of items (torch, mobile, notes). These British alternatives seem out of place and they break up the continuity and feel for me.
I liked the little non de plume "Hope Foreman" (that's clever) and the simile "Her hairline and eyebrows pull together as it there's a party they're both desperate to attend" ;)
casseyt's review
4.0
This book is a solid good read. And while I was reading it I was all I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuv it forever, but once I finished it I wasn't as sure. I think this is a book where my rating and love thereof is affected by my mood. But I digress.
We're getting the story from the point of view of Clarke; she is on a quest to right a disastrous chain of events set into motion by her sister. And righting that wrong has lead to her doing some questionable things...but she is not alone in that doing of questionable things. The chain of events set into motion by her sister involve a guy -of course it does - and that guy, Fletcher has not dealt with things as well as Clarke [big surprise there].
The story is told in the present with vignettes of the past to fill in details. It's a great way to do show, not tell. But at times the way in which it was used was not for me.
Did I mention that Clarke - well her family - is part of an organisation of seven families tasked with protecting time? I didn't...well okay, now you know. And it was with that part of the story and world building, and all the events that I got all kinds of feelings. See one thing I've learnt from my enjoyment of geeky pop culture is that, time is a "wibbly wobbly thing" and there are just things you don't tamper with.
All in all this is another great read from Melissa Delport, but guys it's just not Guardians of Summerveld. And that's probably going to get in the way of all my reading of her tales - Drake 4eva :)
We're getting the story from the point of view of Clarke; she is on a quest to right a disastrous chain of events set into motion by her sister. And righting that wrong has lead to her doing some questionable things...but she is not alone in that doing of questionable things. The chain of events set into motion by her sister involve a guy -of course it does - and that guy, Fletcher has not dealt with things as well as Clarke [big surprise there].
The story is told in the present with vignettes of the past to fill in details. It's a great way to do show, not tell. But at times the way in which it was used was not for me.
Did I mention that Clarke - well her family - is part of an organisation of seven families tasked with protecting time? I didn't...well okay, now you know. And it was with that part of the story and world building, and all the events that I got all kinds of feelings. See one thing I've learnt from my enjoyment of geeky pop culture is that, time is a "wibbly wobbly thing" and there are just things you don't tamper with.
All in all this is another great read from Melissa Delport, but guys it's just not Guardians of Summerveld. And that's probably going to get in the way of all my reading of her tales - Drake 4eva :)
mierke's review against another edition
5.0
I devoured this book. There was just something really special about the adventure Delport takes the reader on. I thought Clarke was a really relatable hero, and the way her backstory was shown through flashbacks really sucked you into the story.
The book is divided into two parts; the first has an undercurrent of the waiting game that Clarke has been playing for 100 years, and really gives you a sense of how this has been going on for seemingly forever. The adventure really kicks off in the second part, which has a sense of urgency that you won't be able to shake.
I loved every single character in this one; from Clarke and Fletcher, the main couple the book is built around, to Anna, the sister whose rash, lovesick actions put this all into motion, to every single side character that aids Clarke on her quest (clock keeper Vincent, aunt Elizabeth, Truman; such a huge cast of characters and still they all felt so real).
I would really recommend this to anyone who's looking for an adventure with a side dish of romance.
The book is divided into two parts; the first has an undercurrent of the waiting game that Clarke has been playing for 100 years, and really gives you a sense of how this has been going on for seemingly forever. The adventure really kicks off in the second part, which has a sense of urgency that you won't be able to shake.
I loved every single character in this one; from Clarke and Fletcher, the main couple the book is built around, to Anna, the sister whose rash, lovesick actions put this all into motion, to every single side character that aids Clarke on her quest (clock keeper Vincent, aunt Elizabeth, Truman; such a huge cast of characters and still they all felt so real).
I would really recommend this to anyone who's looking for an adventure with a side dish of romance.
friedatweehuysen's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful story! I LOVED the ending, so wonderful!
I read the article on which the story came from and HOW did your brain go there from that?!?
I read the article on which the story came from and HOW did your brain go there from that?!?
dozylocal's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. And the bite-sized chapters meant it worked well with the ad hoc way I find time to read eBooks.
The story tells the tale of Clarke, who is hunting down a person from her past on behalf of the secret organisation she is a member of - an organisation responsible for guarding time. The story jumps between past (about 100 years ago) and present. It's fairly fast paced and I found it quite original and was very happy with the way it all concluded.
The story tells the tale of Clarke, who is hunting down a person from her past on behalf of the secret organisation she is a member of - an organisation responsible for guarding time. The story jumps between past (about 100 years ago) and present. It's fairly fast paced and I found it quite original and was very happy with the way it all concluded.
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