Helpful Score: 5
This is the first book I've read by Mary Jo Putney and I'm sorry to say it's most likely the last. Every page is a repeat of the previous page. The main characters keep repeating the same scenes just in different places. I normally finish a book in 2-3 days. This one took me over a week and if I had another book handy to read, I would have given up about half way through. I love unrealistic stories. Magic, vampires, witches, you name it. But this was a REALLY bad read. Very disappointing.
Helpful Score: 4
I thought the book would be more about magic...but it was not... it's about two people who travel through time to abolish slavery...and I thought it was a little repetative and boring to say the least.
"A room without books is like a body without a soul." Cicero
"A room without books is like a body without a soul." Cicero
Helpful Score: 3
After reading & enjoying the other books in the guardian series, this was a major disappointment. There were 2 different storylines competing with each other in this book. Consequently this made for a mess of a novel. I was surprised that an editor let this get printed. Hopefully if there is another book in this series it will be much better than this one.
Helpful Score: 3
This book was a disappointment. While I thought it was a good story, it was told in more of a didactic, dull way than I would have liked. I try to finish every book I start, and I finished this one, but it took great effort to do so.
Helpful Score: 2
I have to say I enjoyed the begining of this book very much, but it really became a chore for me towards the middle and end. There is a lot of history regarding the slavery, which some may find interesting (I did) but it becomes more about the history lesson than the story and interaction between the characters. Or perhaps I have read so many paranormal books I am becoming jaded? Not the worst book I read, but not a personal favorite.
Helpful Score: 1
I actually listened to this as an Audio CD and it tends to really slow down about 1/2 way through the book. I enjoyed the first two books in the Guardian series, but this book just drags. I had read the other reviews before getting it, but thought I would give it a shot. I think if I had been reading a paper copy of it versus doing the audio I would have actually given up on the book. Normally I enjoy this author. I like her Lost Lords series which is why I went back to read some of her other works. This book will not discourage me from this author, however I think I will stick with more of her recent works or listen to the reviews more.
The book was exciting, with some fresh, interesting ideas. I picked it up at a dollar store, and didn't necessarily have high expectations for it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't realize that this book was part of a series until I was already a few chapters in. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had read the other Guardian novels first...this one seems to be the most recent of the series. I had no trouble following the storyline or connecting with the characters without the background, but I still wish I'd read the other novels first; I might still do so.
There's a little something for everyone in this story: romance, time travel, and even some social and historical commentary about slavery. I recommend it, especially if you've read "A Kiss of Fire" and "Stolen Magic."
There's a little something for everyone in this story: romance, time travel, and even some social and historical commentary about slavery. I recommend it, especially if you've read "A Kiss of Fire" and "Stolen Magic."
This book worked very well to me as a history rather than a romance; bringing to light a period I was not familiar. I had never heard of Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce, or the importance of women in getting slavery abolished in England. I enjoyed learning about this with a background of romance and magic. Mary Jo Putney did an excellent job.
