Synopsis from Amazon:
Iris Jacobs wants to be taken seriously. She’s a newly minted college grad, ready to take on the world of historical research. What she finds instead is high rent and a job posting on a tacky flyer. Soon, she’s blowing bubbles while leading songs she doesn’t know, and calling BINGO games while breaking up fights between elderly dementia patients in a nursing home. She’s immersed in a world where you can’t believe a word anyone says. Except one man. There’s something different about him. Psychiatrists have declared him incompetent because, although he appears to be in his eighties, he claims to be a twenty-four year old master craftsman from Scotland. Strangest of all, his story checks out… about a hundred years too early. If Iris chooses to believe him, their unlikely alliance will test everything she believes about faith, love, friendship, and most of all, herself. Her quest to bring about his freedom will shake the very foundations of Time itself… and could cost her everything.
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My Review:
Wowee!
What a trip and a half that was!
I
love a good time travel story, and I am absolutely an enthusiast of All
Things Scotland. So if you give me a book that involves both of those
things, you've got my attention; do it well, and you have my
unflagging adulation.
I
began reading Diana Gabaldon's series Outlander
(and
also watching the show) at the recommendation of a friend. Two things
I will say about it: yes, the rumors you've heard about it are true;
no, it wasn't a complete turn-off--I've read worse in novels that
don't even warn you ahead of time. I appreciated Gabaldon's style,
and she's dealt with the subject far better than a lot of other
authors.
But
that's not what this review is about. I'm just giving you context for
where my tastes for "Time Travel and Scotland" have led me.
BUT
THEN ALONG CAME A TIME TREE.
What
a novel concept for a time travel device! A tree that is carved into
something useful, but ends up serving as a portal into another
world... Sure sounds like a classic favorite of mine! Morris takes
after the masters of fantasy and portal fiction, setting up both
worlds in very realistic detail, balancing two timelines, two main
characters--and then melding their lives together in ways that will
have you gasping, giggling, and cheering all the way through!
I
love the way we get to know absolutely every
character,
but it doesn't feel like too many names to keep track of, since each
one comes with their own batch of quirks and characteristics, even
the Three Irenes--senior ladies who share the same name, but not the
same manner of interacting with other people! (On that note: I should
probably mention that Ms. Morris is a dear friend of mine, so there
are a few characters that I happen to know
are
based on mutual friends--which made it all the more entertaining to
see them in this story!!) Not a single beat or moment was wasted,
even the smallest of instants have an impact further along in the story, or contributing overall to the character's arc. I loved the way
that even though Morris included some characters who had a more
omniscient view of things, she still managed to maintain the
mystique, doling out clues and hints carefully, not spoiling too much
all at once, but allowing the reader to try and put two and two
together themselves. It made for a much more engaging and enthralling
story, than if she'd just had those characters directly stating
everything!
Time
Tree: The Emergence truly
emerges as
a stellar fiction debut for Lisa Rae Morris! Without an ounce of
reservation I give it a full *****5
STAR***** rating and
add in an Upstream
Writer Certified WHOLEHEARTEDLY RECOMMENDED
endorsement. This book was everything I ever wanted to see in a "time
travel with Scotland" adventure! The
beginning caught my imagination at once, the middle kept me occupied
and flipping pages frantically, wondering how
on earth these
characters were going to solve all these complex issues without
causing even more
problems
(Grandfather Paradox, anyone? How about the Butterfly Effect?) and
the ending came with a rousing sense of immense satisfaction...
Followed by an epilogue that really kicked things up a notch and gave
a definite sense of more to come! I think we're in for a series,
folks, and I. Am.
Here. For. It! Pick
up a copy at your earliest convenience (especially
if
you're pining for more Outlander!)
and don't miss a single glorious moment!
Further Reading: (Celtic Influenced/Time Travel/Vivid Characters/Enthralling Adventures)
The Fair Folk Chronicles--Jeffrey Cook and Katherine Perkins
-Foul is Fair
-Street Fair
-A Fair Fight
-All's Fair
-Foul is Fair
-Street Fair
-A Fair Fight
-All's Fair
I 100% agree with this awesome review. I absolutely LOVED this book and cannot wait for Book 2.
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