Author: Michelle Madow
Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing
Publication Date: 2012
Series: “Transcend Time” (book 3 of 3)
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Historical, Young Adult, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Historical, Young Adult, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review: Drew
and Lizzie are now secure in their future. Much to the resentment of Chelsea,
they changed the course of the past… or they thought they did. Happy as they
are now, both are unaware that Chelsea has campaigned to unleash a horrible
curse obtained by a witch that will alter all of their realities. Lizzie soon
realizes that in order to be with the man she’s loved twice now, something will
have to be done. To hold onto the future… changing the past is key.
From a reader’s perspective, I don’t
think I’d have imagined Michelle changing the character’s future using
the means she did. Instead of keeping the story only in present day, she takes
her characters out of their “comfort zone,” so to speak and puts them into the
era they are reincarnated from. Snapping pretty bits of inspiration from elements this series was inspired from (Pride & Prejudice, Taylor Swift), it's something that works for the story. Time travel aside, once the reader breezes past
the first three to five chapters, things get more complicated than we bargained
for.
Travelling back into the 1800’s for this
trio doesn’t happen until ¾ of the way through the pages and it astonished me
greatly! Here I was all set to go back in time with these characters and enjoy
a quaint regency novel with an overshadow of danger and mystery. Alas, that
wasn’t to be the case. Instead of crafting a new story and “forgetting” what’s
already transpired, too much of the novel prior to that is a look back at what
happened to lead Lizzie until this juncture in her life. Many of the passages
are her memories and conversations that recall to mind the events of Remembrance. It wasn’t done in poor
taste but could have been better condensed. Fortunately, making up for that
there is a trip to England and the eventual blast from the past when the reader
gets to meet the past selves of Lizzie, Drew and Chelsea. Any reader expecting
to encounter an era-exact time period will be disappointed as everything from
the language to the descriptions still hold a “modern” narrative. Minor flaws
aside, Timeless is a sweet way to end
the “Transcend Time” saga. The characters are fun and learn the true value of
friendship while recognizing that sometimes the greatest things in life are the
only moments worth fighting to preserve.
Needless to
say, I am beyond excited for the readers and Michelle (selfishly, it's mostly
the readers!) to have read that she has inked a deal with Harlequin Teen to
release a series in 2014. CONGRATS, Michelle. This reader is anxious to see
where that journey leads.
In Summary: The first-time author whose series was originally inspired by Taylor
Swift’s pretty, “Love Story” ballad four years ago, ends the series in a
sweet-natured, happy way that is absent from writing today – although the
romantic in me wouldn’t have minded that promise of “I do.”
I've been meaning to read this series...kinda because of how gorgeous the covers are :P I didn't know they were inspired by "Love Story" though! I will definitely need to try and get these from my library :) So this book is mainly set in modern times? And the first was 1800s or whatever? Sierra
ReplyDeleteKeep growing beautiful!
It's a sweet series that is worth reading, Sierra. Yes, Michelle was inspired by the song, 'Love Story.' Reading her entire "publication" story was interesting since she started out writing the first book for only a school project and it became a series!
DeleteActually, no the entire series is set in contemporary times - this is the only one that re-visits the 1800's for a brief period of time. Lizzie (the heroine) comes from that era along with Drew and Chelsea. It's an interesting premise and one that surprised me with how sweet the prose was.
Hope you enjoy if/when you see it. :)
Ahh... That clears some things up. I guess I need to read it to fully "get" it :) really? That is an interesting starting story :) I hope to get it soon!
DeleteYeah, it's a reincarnation plot. To be honest, when I first read that, I went, "this does not sound promising." Once I read the book, I was quite charmed by it and Michelle handles it really well.
DeleteI think it's in the back of the first book(?) that the author shares the story. It was inspiring to an aspiring author to be sure. Hope you enjoy, Sierra! I'll be watching to see if you are able to review it. :)
I can get that feeling sometimes...glad it worked out though :)
DeleteI will definitely make sure to check in the back and read it :D
Sometimes that feeling is justified and other times, a book takes us by surprise. Fortunately, this was the latter. :)
DeleteEnjoy, Sierra!!!
I love time travel stories! Thanks for bringing this one to my attention. I'll have to check out the other two in the series. :-)
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad to hear that, Gwendolyn. This one lacks the same finesse as some books but it boasts something MUCH better: A wholesome story. And with that, the author will go far. Or in the book circle I'm in that will hold true. :)
DeleteHere's hoping you can get a hold of them!