Christy NicholasCríticas

Time Tourist Outfitters, Ltd.: A Historical Time Travel Adventure (Toronto Time Agents), my second read from author Christy Nicholas. I first heard of this author when I received an email from Green Dragon Press and read An Immigrant's Tale: A Druid's Brooch Prequel Short Story 0.5 (Druid's Brooch Series). Then I received an ARC for Threads of Time: A Historical Time Travel Adventure (Toronto Time Agents) and wanted to read this book before reading it so I went out and got it. Well-written with a well-developed primary character a very good read. I look forward to reading Threads of Time: A Historical Time Travel Adventure (Toronto Time Agents). “I'm voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

Very well written! The (base) setting is Canada in a near alternative time (2027) where the US has dissolved from internecine issues, and other nations are not *quite* the same either. This is only alluded to in terms of the storyline - it is NOT a political novel.

The main character is wonderfully spunky and sarcastic. The other lead characters all bring something to the piece, and in only one instance did I think a character (who appears well on in the book) could have been slightly better drawn. (and that is meant as "slightly", it does not detract from the story or the excellent prose)

While a bit heavyhanded with the "clues that will be relevant later" in the very beginning of the novel, this writer has a deft hand with the plot and creates a very engaging narrative and story. The time-travel settings are very well done, and this author has made a point to get things correct (as much as is possible, esp with some settings)

Bonus the "mystery" and how it is solved is very adeptly done! (no spoilers..don't want to ruin the fun)

A contender for my "best of" for 2020!

in short.. stop reading my comments.. go read this book!!

This is truly a fascinating fantasy book. It is a historical one at that. Maelan is just trying to do what he feels is right. He's so conflicted. You feel his pain and discomfort through the story as he tries to protect his granddaughter. The writing of this story is phenomenal. Don't fret, the author gives a bit of a dictionary to help with the Irish words, so you shouldn't get to lost. The descriptions of the people and the lands totally make you feel like you are there. I came in at this, book 5 of the series. I do plan to go back and start with the first book because there is a brooch involved and I feel a little lost because I don't know the history of how it got back through time. I can really tell the author did her research because things are just so laid out. The plot line comes back together when it takes a twist or turn. An amazing book that I definitely recommend for fantasy or historical readers, or both.

Historical fiction has, in the past couple of years, become one of my favourite genres. Writing like I found in Legacy of Hunger is the reason why!

The author takes readers on a trip through Ireland in 1846. I was blown away at the descriptiveness in this book. I've never been to Ireland, but I feel like I know the land.

This is an example of plain old good writing!

Valentia McDowell isn’t sure of a number of things. Living in 1846, she dreams of her grandmother’s brooch, not knowing just how important it will become to her. The story is very well-researched, focusing on 19th century Ireland and the crippling problems faced by the country during that time. Valentia, coming from money, knows nothing of the blight in Ireland at the start of her journey. Throughout her many trials and tribulations, Valentia becomes stronger until she finds herself at the end of the book.

I really did love this story though I’ll admit it was a little difficult for me to get into at the beginning. It’s obvious though that the author really did her research and this book is the beginning of what I’m sure is a wonderful series. Definitely recommended!

This is the third book in the Druid Brooch Series but a stand alone novel. Ireland, travelers, castles, mystical things and great characters make for an enjoyable read. Eamon is a horse trader and along with his father and siblings are at a fair to trade. Kate and her sister Deirdre are also at the fair, their parents are nasty people and the father arranges for Kate to be married. The traveler's women always have the option to say no to prospective mates but Kate's father doesn't give her the opportunity, so off she goes with her husband. She tells her husband that she will not consummate the marriage until she meets with her father in law and thus starts the tumultuous journey of Kate and Eamon trying to find her and rescue her!

I enjoyed this story, especially the mystical part with the Druid's brooch which Eamon inherited from his father. The characters were well written and the storyline believable, I kind of wish there had been more detail about the brooch and the powers that the brooch had and the history of said brooch. That said, I learned a bit more about the Travelers, not to be confused with Gypsies. Even though they rarely set down roots, their lifestyle is interesting. This is a story that will sweep you away into a time of bygone Ireland. An enjoyable read for sure!

The delicate brooch her grandfather gave her allows her to tell truth from lies. A poor girl, Esme, she is lied to her parents and betrayed by her twin sister. The story is one of toil and hardships as she loses her grandfather, husband, children, and friends. Overall, the historical period seems accurately represented and the characters well described. There are sections where overwhelming detail bogged down the cadence.

I'm not connecting with this story at the moment, so I'm going to stop and maybe come back to it at a later date. Stopped at 10%.

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Two stories of two women told from both of their perspectives. Kirsten’s story begins when she is very young and grows as she does. Not having a father is a big issue in Kirsten’s life and as she gets older genealogy and the search for her father almost becomes an obsession. Julie’s story begins when she is a young adult working as a nanny and tells of her adventures in England, Spain and the United States as she travels and works during the free-love era of the late sixties. Julie meets many interesting people, sketches wherever she finds herself, works hard at various jobs, dates several men and then becomes pregnant and has to make hard decisions. Whether or not she will get her happily ever after is unknown at the time she makes the hardest decision of her life.

This is a story of growth, family, mystery and adventure. It resonated with me as I was close to Julie’s age during the times discussed so the songs, the places, the mindset, the clothes and so much more that were mentioned in the novel brought back memories. The fact that this is in a way autobiographical makes the Author’s Note at the end worth reading and taking to heart.

It took a bit of time for me to adjust to the jumping between Kirsten’s and Julie’s stories but it worked. I believe this is a book that can be read by mature teenagers or adults. There is mention of sex but nothing explicit.

Thank you to the author for the copy of this book to read and review.

In 1846 why would anyone choose to leave a wealthy home in Ohio, USA to visit potato blight infested, oppressed, and suffering Ireland? For some reason Valentia McDowell is drawn there with the thought of finding family roots, a family brooch and whatever it is that compels her to begin the quest.

This novel is well researched and filled with considerable historical insight, local color, and information about Ireland during this traumatic period in its history. The tone of the book is in keeping with the era it refers to and a lot of thought and effort was definitely put into the writing and editing of the story. I have to say that I never really warmed up to Valentia and felt that the rather abrupt ending of the book left me wondering a great deal about her and what, if anything, happened in her life to validate the many losses experienced during her quest. Perhaps this will be revealed in future books of the series.

Thank you to the author for the copy of this book to read and review.