July 15, 2023
A girl from the future must find her way through the past in this sequel to Breaking Time (2022). When Klara Spalding is sent soaring back in time after the shocking battle at the Ring of Brodgar that took the life of demigod Llaw, her adversary, as well as Callum, her lover and protector, she is thrown together with someone from Callum's past. Caught between enemies and allies and with no real way to tell which is which, Klara must figure out how to make her way back to the future and harness her power as one of the last remaining Pillars of Time, tools of the goddess Arianrhod. However, unbeknownst to Klara, her past and future are hurtling toward someone she thought she'd left behind and myriad secrets that threaten to upend it all. It's difficult not to root for Klara, though her quippiness can occasionally be a bit over-the-top and some contemporary references can feel jarring. The Scottish setting is sumptuous and well realized, making it easy to become fully immersed in Klara's journey. With a quick-moving plot that will keep readers guessing, the storyline is neatly woven across centuries, and the inclusion of mythological gods like Arianrhod and Cernunnos add a nod to age-old stories that Alsberg uses in a refreshing manner. All main characters are cued white. A sparkling conclusion to a story that spans centuries. (Fantasy romance. 13-18)
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