A review by amy_alwaysreading
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

4.0

Many thanks to my friends at @avidreaderpress and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  

Hysterical.  Unique.  Genre bending.  

What an original concept!  With engaging writing, I gave myself fully to this wholly unexpected storyline, and I was rewarded with a humorous and thought-provoking narrative that delighted.

My favorite part of the read was its motley group of quirky and diverse characters.  Fastidiously crafted and brilliantly layered, there was a richness to each.  They were so easy to love, and I was completely enthralled by them.  

Beyond the characterization, the way the author mixed (embellished) historical figures with completely fictional ones from the current time created an interesting dynamic- often funny but always provocative.  The number of times I laughed out loud!  This unique dichotomy fascinated me, and I found it to greatly enhance the overall plot.  It also made my heart swell as I watched them become an unlikely family unit.

At times, I felt as though I was missing vital information, particularly regarding the time travel, and wished for a bit more definition.  But even when I didn’t quite understand what was happening, I remained entertained and dedicated to the unfolding.  

Brimming with wit and altogether creative, this was a banger debut.  I’ll be eager to see what Bradley produces next.  

🎧 The British accent is one of my favorites, and I could listen to it all day.  So, the dual narration by George Weightman and Katie Leung delighted from the onset.  But also, they did a spectacular job of bringing to life the characters and storyline.  It was an all-around engaging performance. I’d recommend partnering the audio with the print for a full-fledged experience.