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Timeless #2
Timekeeper
When Philip Walker appears as a new student in Michele Windsor's high school class, she is floored. He is the love she thought she lost forever when they said goodbye during her time travels last century. Overjoyed that they can resume the relationship they had a lifetime ago, Michele eagerly approaches him and discovers the unthinkable: he doesn't remember her. In fact, he doesn't seem to remember anything about the Philip Walker of 1910.
Michele then finds her father's journals, which tell stories of his time-traveling past. As she digs deeper, she learns about his entanglement with a mysterious and powerful organization called the Time Society and his dealings with a vengeful Windsor ancestor. Michele soon finds herself at the center of a rift over 120 years in the making, one whose resolution will have life-or-death consequences.
Alexandra Monir's Timekeeper combines breathtaking romance with a tale of complex magic in a sequel that will have every reader believing in the transcendent power of love.
Michele then finds her father's journals, which tell stories of his time-traveling past. As she digs deeper, she learns about his entanglement with a mysterious and powerful organization called the Time Society and his dealings with a vengeful Windsor ancestor. Michele soon finds herself at the center of a rift over 120 years in the making, one whose resolution will have life-or-death consequences.
Alexandra Monir's Timekeeper combines breathtaking romance with a tale of complex magic in a sequel that will have every reader believing in the transcendent power of love.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Alexandra Monir
9 books1,691 followersAlexandra Monir, Iranian-American author and recording artist, has published seven popular young adult novels to date, beginning with her internationally-bestselling debut, TIMELESS (a Barnes & Noble Bestseller and an Amazon.com “Best Book of the Month”). She published the hit sci-fi novel THE FINAL SIX with HarperCollins in 2018, with Sony Pictures optioning the film rights in a major pre-empt deal. A sequel, THE LIFE BELOW, followed in 2020 and the series has been published in numerous countries and languages.
Alexandra was recently selected to write the first-ever YA novel about DC Comics superhero Black Canary, joining global bestsellers Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Sarah J. Maas and Matt de la Peña as the fifth author writing for the New York Times-bestselling DC Icons series, published by Penguin Random House. BLACK CANARY: BREAKING SILENCE was released on December 29th, 2020 to rave reviews from critics and comic book fans alike, and a new paperback edition arrives in December 2021. Alexandra was also selected by Disney to write a historical fantasy YA novel about Princess Jasmine, which will publish in Fall 2022 as the third book in The Queen's Council series.
Alexandra is additionally a screenwriter, recording artist and composer, with both screenplay and musical adaptations of her own work in development. Her musical roots run deep, as she is the granddaughter of the late Monir Vakili, Iran’s foremost opera singer. She is a frequent public speaker at book festivals and literary conferences, fan conventions and schools. Alexandra currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, toddler son, and one fluffy Shih Tzu, where she is at work on her next novel.
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AUTHOR LINKS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraMon...
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/TimelessAlex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AlexandraMonir
Alexandra was recently selected to write the first-ever YA novel about DC Comics superhero Black Canary, joining global bestsellers Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Sarah J. Maas and Matt de la Peña as the fifth author writing for the New York Times-bestselling DC Icons series, published by Penguin Random House. BLACK CANARY: BREAKING SILENCE was released on December 29th, 2020 to rave reviews from critics and comic book fans alike, and a new paperback edition arrives in December 2021. Alexandra was also selected by Disney to write a historical fantasy YA novel about Princess Jasmine, which will publish in Fall 2022 as the third book in The Queen's Council series.
Alexandra is additionally a screenwriter, recording artist and composer, with both screenplay and musical adaptations of her own work in development. Her musical roots run deep, as she is the granddaughter of the late Monir Vakili, Iran’s foremost opera singer. She is a frequent public speaker at book festivals and literary conferences, fan conventions and schools. Alexandra currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, toddler son, and one fluffy Shih Tzu, where she is at work on her next novel.
---
AUTHOR LINKS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraMon...
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/TimelessAlex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AlexandraMonir
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
January 12, 2013
I want MORE PHILIP!
November 28, 2023
-Young Adult
-Time travel, fantasy, romance. -A girl discovers a key that allows her to travel through time and with it she discovers secrets about her family and also meets a boy she has literally always dreamed of, basically.
-It’s a super super easy plot to understand, super fast-paced and quite entertaining.
-One of the few bearable protagonists of the YA genre. I loved her. She is my idol, and the other characters are… oooof. The romance is super cute, and I don't even like super cheesy things.
-As I said, the plot keeps you invested and makes the book go by very quickly.
-If you are looking for an easy to read book about time travel and soulmates, read this.
-Duology
-The truth is I expected to be super annoyed just from the first book but to my surprise I enjoyed it a lot. Both of them.
-Second fictional man that I admire so far this year. Philip Walker, thank you for existing.
-"There is nothing in this life that can destroy you except yourself. Bad things happen to everyone, but when they do, you can't just fall apart and die. You have to defend yourself. If you don't, in the end you are the one who loses. But if you continue and fight, you will win." 😭
-Plot: 4/5
-Characters: 4/5
-Time travel, fantasy, romance. -A girl discovers a key that allows her to travel through time and with it she discovers secrets about her family and also meets a boy she has literally always dreamed of, basically.
-It’s a super super easy plot to understand, super fast-paced and quite entertaining.
-One of the few bearable protagonists of the YA genre. I loved her. She is my idol, and the other characters are… oooof. The romance is super cute, and I don't even like super cheesy things.
-As I said, the plot keeps you invested and makes the book go by very quickly.
-If you are looking for an easy to read book about time travel and soulmates, read this.
-Duology
-The truth is I expected to be super annoyed just from the first book but to my surprise I enjoyed it a lot. Both of them.
-Second fictional man that I admire so far this year. Philip Walker, thank you for existing.
-"There is nothing in this life that can destroy you except yourself. Bad things happen to everyone, but when they do, you can't just fall apart and die. You have to defend yourself. If you don't, in the end you are the one who loses. But if you continue and fight, you will win." 😭
-Plot: 4/5
-Characters: 4/5
Want to read
June 12, 2011Timeless left me breathless, touched, and enamored with this series. I mean after the cliffhanger that literally had me bugging out and almost gave me a heart attack, who wouldn't!? I need to know what happens to one of my favorite male love-interests, Phillip, noww! But, of course, as it is with all of the books I love to death, it takes over a year for her to publish :( Please, Monir, let it come out sooner! Please! You can't leave us hanging out to dry for this long! This is like a slow, very cruel torture :(
Phillip *swoons* (t was between him, Chase crawford, and Zac Efron but Ian is sooo sexyy! *double swoon*
Phillip *swoons* (t was between him, Chase crawford, and Zac Efron but Ian is sooo sexyy! *double swoon*
December 13, 2014
Oh dear. I can't find my words.
I've waited for this book for so long, wishing for it to be mind-blowing, full of twits and mystery and magical history and so I got to read it and then...
I hate myself for not loving this book, I hate myself for setting up such high expectations - that's the perfect recipe for disappointment! But truth being told I felt that there was noting really new to it, or very exciting, or extremely romantic *sigh*
If you've been following my reviews you should easily make the distinction between the books I love to pieces and the ones I.. like?. Because sometimes I just feel the need to smash my keyboard over my head trying to find the perfect words to describe a story and my feelings for it, but sometimes I do the same only trying to understand what in the world was missing that made me not love it as much as I hoped.
I've waited 2 years for "Timekeeper", I've been dreaming about it, I read the short novella "Secrets of the Time Society" (which I loved to pieces) and thought that the aftermath of the events from it would turn my world upside down. And yes, there was a bit of suspense in this book, a bit of action and a bit of ache, but I missed feeling my heart do weird flip-flops out of the blue, I missed the connection between Michele and Philip, I missed the connection between the past and the present... I wanted to find some related events that could leave me in awe, you know.. like all the puzzle pieces that made the first book "whole" at the end of it, so beautiful and unforgettable. And now I hate myself for making comparisons between the 2 books, as it is not really fair.
Oh.. Don't think that this is not a good story, because my rating is my witness here and it can tell you that I did enjoy the story - so you might as well. It's just that I can't overlook the things that bugged me.
In fact, maybe if I haven't read the novella I would have liked it a lot better too. Because you see, I knew what was coming and I never got to be surprised. I wanted the world to explode when Michele's and Rebecca's worlds were to collide, but all I got was this quick resolution that filled me with an emptiness that I can barely describe.
Such a bittersweet taste: to have the things you wanted and still not be enough. *sigh*
On the good side:
I liked Michele's father, his story, his journal entries that let us know more about him and his relationship with Michele's mother.
In the first book we saw Michele go back in time, trying to adapt somehow to that past life. Here we got to see things differently, in this one Michele's father realised how technology has evolved over the past century and it was heartwarming to see and feel his amazement. Yes he was a bit naive and selfish, but i understood his need to see the future, to be part of it.
Not sure how getting back to the past got to help Michele's mother though, but I'll just skip that part altogether.
Also it was great to go back to a world I loved so much, the magical world Alexandra has created in Timeless, where you can travel through time and find things you thought that have been long lost.
But on the other side of the coin...
The new love story:
I won't lie to myself saying that the 'old' love story was perfect (I mean the one from Timeless), it was love at first sight and if I stop to think about it there was not much of a base for those (very) strong feelings, but there was this magic surrounding our young couple: the dreams, the music, the atmosphere from the past century. It was all so magical and I fell for it all.
But this new story between Michelle and the new guy (that might or might not be her Philip).. it just didn't work. It was awkward, it was too quick, there were sparks missing and I just couldn't make myself care.
I had this feeling at some point, while reading a teaser, that Michele will become this angsty girl pining for the new boy, and he will be that new guy involved with the popular girl, and it will all be too cliché for my taste. I can't say that I was wrong. Not to mention that he ignored her half this story and then he just believed in half the page all she had to say.
Also, truth being told, I might not be able to come up with a different (or better) solution for , but it was just too convenient. Like the drop filling up the glass, you know. I overlooked many things before, but this time I just wanted more.
The suspense:
I read Rebecca's story and thought that she will have a big, big role in this book. Silly me. Did no one ever told me that high expectations are only meant to crush my heart?
She was like this bad wolf in a cage, that scared everyone but never got the chance to bite them, you know what I mean? No?! I'll explain then: she was waaaaay to easy to defeat (interesting concept, yes, but I so wished for some confrontation between them, for a bit of fight, for a bit of danger.. I don't know, something more. Why all the suspense if the resolution was so easy? Right?).
Still, now I might understand Philip's conviction that he will find a way, it kind of makes sense how sure he was about it in the last book.
CONCLUSION:
Anyways, the fans of the first book might like this one.
I deeply suggest not to read the novella, as the things from it will be revealed at some point in Timekeeper as well - it might keep up the suspense and you might get to enjoy it a lot more.
Happy midnight reading!
* This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com
____________________________________________
Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO)
____________________________________________
Before reading:
Oh, I need to find a way to make a trick and travel through time to read this book, I just can't wait for it now.
(Top image source.)
I've waited for this book for so long, wishing for it to be mind-blowing, full of twits and mystery and magical history and so I got to read it and then...
I hate myself for not loving this book, I hate myself for setting up such high expectations - that's the perfect recipe for disappointment! But truth being told I felt that there was noting really new to it, or very exciting, or extremely romantic *sigh*
If you've been following my reviews you should easily make the distinction between the books I love to pieces and the ones I.. like?. Because sometimes I just feel the need to smash my keyboard over my head trying to find the perfect words to describe a story and my feelings for it, but sometimes I do the same only trying to understand what in the world was missing that made me not love it as much as I hoped.
I've waited 2 years for "Timekeeper", I've been dreaming about it, I read the short novella "Secrets of the Time Society" (which I loved to pieces) and thought that the aftermath of the events from it would turn my world upside down. And yes, there was a bit of suspense in this book, a bit of action and a bit of ache, but I missed feeling my heart do weird flip-flops out of the blue, I missed the connection between Michele and Philip, I missed the connection between the past and the present... I wanted to find some related events that could leave me in awe, you know.. like all the puzzle pieces that made the first book "whole" at the end of it, so beautiful and unforgettable. And now I hate myself for making comparisons between the 2 books, as it is not really fair.
Oh.. Don't think that this is not a good story, because my rating is my witness here and it can tell you that I did enjoy the story - so you might as well. It's just that I can't overlook the things that bugged me.
In fact, maybe if I haven't read the novella I would have liked it a lot better too. Because you see, I knew what was coming and I never got to be surprised. I wanted the world to explode when Michele's and Rebecca's worlds were to collide, but all I got was this quick resolution that filled me with an emptiness that I can barely describe.
Such a bittersweet taste: to have the things you wanted and still not be enough. *sigh*
On the good side:
I liked Michele's father, his story, his journal entries that let us know more about him and his relationship with Michele's mother.
In the first book we saw Michele go back in time, trying to adapt somehow to that past life. Here we got to see things differently, in this one Michele's father realised how technology has evolved over the past century and it was heartwarming to see and feel his amazement. Yes he was a bit naive and selfish, but i understood his need to see the future, to be part of it.
Not sure how getting back to the past got to help Michele's mother though, but I'll just skip that part altogether.
Also it was great to go back to a world I loved so much, the magical world Alexandra has created in Timeless, where you can travel through time and find things you thought that have been long lost.
But on the other side of the coin...
The new love story:
I won't lie to myself saying that the 'old' love story was perfect (I mean the one from Timeless), it was love at first sight and if I stop to think about it there was not much of a base for those (very) strong feelings, but there was this magic surrounding our young couple: the dreams, the music, the atmosphere from the past century. It was all so magical and I fell for it all.
But this new story between Michelle and the new guy (that might or might not be her Philip).. it just didn't work. It was awkward, it was too quick, there were sparks missing and I just couldn't make myself care.
I had this feeling at some point, while reading a teaser, that Michele will become this angsty girl pining for the new boy, and he will be that new guy involved with the popular girl, and it will all be too cliché for my taste. I can't say that I was wrong. Not to mention that he ignored her half this story and then he just believed in half the page all she had to say.
Also, truth being told, I might not be able to come up with a different (or better) solution for , but it was just too convenient. Like the drop filling up the glass, you know. I overlooked many things before, but this time I just wanted more.
The suspense:
I read Rebecca's story and thought that she will have a big, big role in this book. Silly me. Did no one ever told me that high expectations are only meant to crush my heart?
She was like this bad wolf in a cage, that scared everyone but never got the chance to bite them, you know what I mean? No?! I'll explain then: she was waaaaay to easy to defeat (interesting concept, yes, but I so wished for some confrontation between them, for a bit of fight, for a bit of danger.. I don't know, something more. Why all the suspense if the resolution was so easy? Right?).
Still, now I might understand Philip's conviction that he will find a way, it kind of makes sense how sure he was about it in the last book.
CONCLUSION:
Anyways, the fans of the first book might like this one.
I deeply suggest not to read the novella, as the things from it will be revealed at some point in Timekeeper as well - it might keep up the suspense and you might get to enjoy it a lot more.
Happy midnight reading!
* This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com
____________________________________________
Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO)
____________________________________________
Before reading:
Oh, I need to find a way to make a trick and travel through time to read this book, I just can't wait for it now.
(Top image source.)
June 4, 2013
Posted a review on my blog
October 23, 2017
4 stars❤
Phillip is baaack!!
I enjoyed this book so much :')
It is such a beautiful book❤
Michele's dad's journals were one of the best things in this book..
They broke my heart💔..
Im not really sure I liked the ending though..
But I loved this book❤
Phillip is baaack!!
I enjoyed this book so much :')
It is such a beautiful book❤
Michele's dad's journals were one of the best things in this book..
They broke my heart💔..
Im not really sure I liked the ending though..
But I loved this book❤
August 5, 2013
I can't wait for timeless 2, the timekeeper!!! I just want to see the cover and the plot :)
Read
October 30, 2015I was asked to blurb this book so here is the official blurb.
Alexandra Monir’s gift for description has wrought me a gift—a book reminiscent of Somewhere in Time. I pined for the wandering hero, got lost amidst the New York glitter and opulence, and impatiently read on, hoping the lost lovers would reunite. TIMEKEEPER is a haunting, mysterious dream of an era gone by. A book you don’t want to miss!
Alexandra Monir’s gift for description has wrought me a gift—a book reminiscent of Somewhere in Time. I pined for the wandering hero, got lost amidst the New York glitter and opulence, and impatiently read on, hoping the lost lovers would reunite. TIMEKEEPER is a haunting, mysterious dream of an era gone by. A book you don’t want to miss!
January 10, 2013
“The Natural Timeline is another word for Fate. This is life without the interference of time travelers; where Timekeepers may observe events out of sequence on the Natural Timeline, but they do not affect it.
If a Timekeeper does somehow effect change, have they altered Fate? Or did Fate intend on the Timekeeper’s actions all along?
This question is still up for debate –though I have to admit, my belief leans toward the latter.”
ME TOO!!
There’s nothing better than to identify with an author and feel that you two are on the very same page.
In Timeless and Timekeeper, no matter what’s your take on the books, there’s one thing you just can’t deny: Alexandra Monir cares about what she writes and goes the whole extra mile to make it as authentic and believable as much as she can. Thank You. Often when a question poses itself to me, Monir manages to offer a reliable answer; clearly an outcome of going over and over again with relentless quest to present something whole. Something, sadly to note, not all of YA authors pay much attention and time to. I don’t know how many times I’ve read something and got frustrated and sidetracked by questions popping up in my mind –admittedly, some of them are pretty trivial but grate on my nerves nonetheless- with no answers to satisfy me. So far, Timekeeper was blessedly void of that; to me at least. Also, the clear fact that Alexandra obviously put a lot of time and effort in coming up with real to life details. (Note to Alexandra Monir: You’ll make a terrific Director if you had a mind to be).
Since the parting scene of Timeless my mind was reeling with how this can be a possibility (Philip I mean)?
It was obvious that Philip somehow managed to keep his promise. How did he find a way to do it despite his real aging is death? I had all thoughts running through my mind from a deal with the devil to another theft. I was sure that Monir will surely tell it all, but I sat up myself for a tragedy, a solution that comes with a hitch. Phew! Glad that was not the case. The explanation, though not very thorough or fully explored, is satisfactory nonetheless. Monir even backed it up with real facts and resources to make it all the more plausible.
Better yet. I get my much missed ANTAGONIST! =D yaaaaaaaay.. and it’s none other than Rebecca Windsor, who comes with even more reasons to hate her for in this book! *I’m not gonna curse in this review though =D.. last time was pretty enough*
The bridge scene just begs to be filmed! The whole time I’m reading the alternating shots I can totally picture it in mind and how that will culminate in a movie.. complete with heart speeding and increasing tracks! Though this might be the Climax of the story, I have to admit I don’t really understand how this came to be?
If a Timekeeper does somehow effect change, have they altered Fate? Or did Fate intend on the Timekeeper’s actions all along?
This question is still up for debate –though I have to admit, my belief leans toward the latter.”
ME TOO!!
There’s nothing better than to identify with an author and feel that you two are on the very same page.
In Timeless and Timekeeper, no matter what’s your take on the books, there’s one thing you just can’t deny: Alexandra Monir cares about what she writes and goes the whole extra mile to make it as authentic and believable as much as she can. Thank You. Often when a question poses itself to me, Monir manages to offer a reliable answer; clearly an outcome of going over and over again with relentless quest to present something whole. Something, sadly to note, not all of YA authors pay much attention and time to. I don’t know how many times I’ve read something and got frustrated and sidetracked by questions popping up in my mind –admittedly, some of them are pretty trivial but grate on my nerves nonetheless- with no answers to satisfy me. So far, Timekeeper was blessedly void of that; to me at least. Also, the clear fact that Alexandra obviously put a lot of time and effort in coming up with real to life details. (Note to Alexandra Monir: You’ll make a terrific Director if you had a mind to be).
Since the parting scene of Timeless my mind was reeling with how this can be a possibility (Philip I mean)?
It was obvious that Philip somehow managed to keep his promise. How did he find a way to do it despite his real aging is death? I had all thoughts running through my mind from a deal with the devil to another theft. I was sure that Monir will surely tell it all, but I sat up myself for a tragedy, a solution that comes with a hitch. Phew! Glad that was not the case. The explanation, though not very thorough or fully explored, is satisfactory nonetheless. Monir even backed it up with real facts and resources to make it all the more plausible.
Better yet. I get my much missed ANTAGONIST! =D yaaaaaaaay.. and it’s none other than Rebecca Windsor, who comes with even more reasons to hate her for in this book! *I’m not gonna curse in this review though =D.. last time was pretty enough*
The bridge scene just begs to be filmed! The whole time I’m reading the alternating shots I can totally picture it in mind and how that will culminate in a movie.. complete with heart speeding and increasing tracks! Though this might be the Climax of the story, I have to admit I don’t really understand how this came to be?
November 27, 2018
Writing this review is painful not only because I have to confess I read (and really liked) the first book, Timeless, but also because I don't feel Timekeeper is nearly as good in comparison. For fans of Michele and Phillip, yeah, there's a happy ending, but they're not the reason Timeless was such a great book for me. No, what I loved was the historical aspect - because there was just something magical about the way Alexandra Monir handled Michele's story as she explores a century's worth of her family's, and by extension New York's, history.
And unfortunately, that magic has been lost. I was concerned that Secrets of the Time Society was taking the focus of this series off the history and onto Michele's ancestor Rebecca as the villain, and it looks like my concerns are well founded. Because sure, Michele does more time traveling and revisits some of the same time periods she's been to before, but that spark from the first time, like Monir had this meticulously researched plan that brought all these different periods, the end of the Gilded Age, the Roaring Twenties, the Second World War, to life, well, that spark's gone. I loved Timeless because it was atmospheric, it was exciting, it made the history literally come alive, but this time around, I just can't say the same. I don't think I feel nearly the same way about the history, about the different time periods, or even about Monir having the same goal of exploring the past like she did before, because, instead, it seems Michele does all her time traveling in this sequel simply because she needs to stop Rebecca, and it's absolutely disappointing that the same ancestors she visits before (plus Past Phillip) get shallow cameos rather than the more in depth scenes I remember, with the one barely meaty scene reserved for Michele's visit with her father.
As for the actual plot to stop Rebecca, I think I would've enjoyed it more had I not read Secrets of the Time Society, because a lot of Timekeeper just rehashes what I learned from the novella - well except now Michele obviously prevails over her nemesis. In fact, there are even excerpts from Millicent August and The Handbook of the Time Society scattered between the chapters, which is a nice touch explaining the time travel concepts brought up by the story, at least until I (rather quickly) realize that it's just Michelle learning the exact same things Rebecca learned in the novella, the story behind the Timekeepers, the Society, the Keys, and how everything works. And then Michele discovers her father's journal which fills in the back story behind Rebecca and why she's antagonizing Michele, except it's really just another rehash of Secrets of the Time Society, only difference is this time it's Henry Irving telling the story of why Rebecca hates Michele so much rather than me seeing it directly from Rebecca's point of view. But when it's the same story just told in a slightly different way, how can I be surprised by any of the plot developments when I've seen them all already?
So between the sparkless time travel and the plot that's basically a rehash of a novella, Timekeeper is already very thin, far thinner than Timeless ever was. The only other thing going for this book, and I suppose the sole reason why anyone would actually read this given how lame and/or shallow the rest of the book is, is to find out what happens between Michele and Present Phillip. Since their relationship is the only part of the story that's remotely new, I won't give spoilers, except to say be prepared for Michele acting like an insecure, angsty girl until twu love bashes the two of them over the head whack a mole style and they... well, it's so obvious I'll just say the romance between Michele and Past Phillip was done so much better in Timeless than the stuff between Michele and Present Phillip here and leave it as that. Then we have a couple of weird scenes with Caissie that did nothing for me, a reconciliation between Michele and her father that was mildly good despite the unaddressed broken Time Society Cardinal Laws, and a final confrontation with Rebecca that's good in concept but really needed a bit more juice in execution, and... it's over.
Frankly, I was prepared to cut Timekeeper some slack because I was pretty sure it wouldn't meet my expectations after Timeless, and looking at my rating, I probably did. But that doesn't excuse how disappointingly shallow this sequel is compared to the first book, and I really hope the next book, if there is one, returns to the style of the first and isn't a sequel just for the sake of being a sequel.
And unfortunately, that magic has been lost. I was concerned that Secrets of the Time Society was taking the focus of this series off the history and onto Michele's ancestor Rebecca as the villain, and it looks like my concerns are well founded. Because sure, Michele does more time traveling and revisits some of the same time periods she's been to before, but that spark from the first time, like Monir had this meticulously researched plan that brought all these different periods, the end of the Gilded Age, the Roaring Twenties, the Second World War, to life, well, that spark's gone. I loved Timeless because it was atmospheric, it was exciting, it made the history literally come alive, but this time around, I just can't say the same. I don't think I feel nearly the same way about the history, about the different time periods, or even about Monir having the same goal of exploring the past like she did before, because, instead, it seems Michele does all her time traveling in this sequel simply because she needs to stop Rebecca, and it's absolutely disappointing that the same ancestors she visits before (plus Past Phillip) get shallow cameos rather than the more in depth scenes I remember, with the one barely meaty scene reserved for Michele's visit with her father.
As for the actual plot to stop Rebecca, I think I would've enjoyed it more had I not read Secrets of the Time Society, because a lot of Timekeeper just rehashes what I learned from the novella - well except now Michele obviously prevails over her nemesis. In fact, there are even excerpts from Millicent August and The Handbook of the Time Society scattered between the chapters, which is a nice touch explaining the time travel concepts brought up by the story, at least until I (rather quickly) realize that it's just Michelle learning the exact same things Rebecca learned in the novella, the story behind the Timekeepers, the Society, the Keys, and how everything works. And then Michele discovers her father's journal which fills in the back story behind Rebecca and why she's antagonizing Michele, except it's really just another rehash of Secrets of the Time Society, only difference is this time it's Henry Irving telling the story of why Rebecca hates Michele so much rather than me seeing it directly from Rebecca's point of view. But when it's the same story just told in a slightly different way, how can I be surprised by any of the plot developments when I've seen them all already?
So between the sparkless time travel and the plot that's basically a rehash of a novella, Timekeeper is already very thin, far thinner than Timeless ever was. The only other thing going for this book, and I suppose the sole reason why anyone would actually read this given how lame and/or shallow the rest of the book is, is to find out what happens between Michele and Present Phillip. Since their relationship is the only part of the story that's remotely new, I won't give spoilers, except to say be prepared for Michele acting like an insecure, angsty girl until twu love bashes the two of them over the head whack a mole style and they... well, it's so obvious I'll just say the romance between Michele and Past Phillip was done so much better in Timeless than the stuff between Michele and Present Phillip here and leave it as that. Then we have a couple of weird scenes with Caissie that did nothing for me, a reconciliation between Michele and her father that was mildly good despite the unaddressed broken Time Society Cardinal Laws, and a final confrontation with Rebecca that's good in concept but really needed a bit more juice in execution, and... it's over.
Frankly, I was prepared to cut Timekeeper some slack because I was pretty sure it wouldn't meet my expectations after Timeless, and looking at my rating, I probably did. But that doesn't excuse how disappointingly shallow this sequel is compared to the first book, and I really hope the next book, if there is one, returns to the style of the first and isn't a sequel just for the sake of being a sequel.
January 8, 2013
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Dawn
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
I rarely give 5 star reviews. I don’t come across many books that merit it. I loved Timeless, the first book in the series.
I recently finished Secrets of the Time Society (novella). Alexandra Monir is a damn good writer – and that is the best way to say it.
Monir begins by giving a short recap. It’s been a while since I read Timeless and I needed the refresher. I appreciated that it wasn’t an information dump. She seamlessly picks up and furthers the story-line while also recapping through memories.
Michele’s emotional growth is fascinating, remarkable. She deals with some serious problems: a friend’s betrayal, a stalker/killer, Philip and much more.
The excerpts from The Time Society Handbook were a perfect fit. Weaving their cardinal laws into the story was genius. There are consequences for breaking those laws.
The best part of the book is getting to know Irving Henry through his diaries. Michele is hungry to know more about him especially since her mom is gone.
I enjoyed the introduction of Lisa, an old high school friend of Marion. Lisa provided support at a much needed time. It felt almost like mother/daughter and I know Michele missed having her mom to talk to.
Rebecca is the woman scorned. She’s gone mad with her vengeful plot but she will not give it up. She got what she deserved!!
I love a good happily ever after story. I’m a cheese ball at heart. I’m hearing Celine Dion’s The Power of Love in my head. Timekeeper is a must read for all!
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ti...
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
I rarely give 5 star reviews. I don’t come across many books that merit it. I loved Timeless, the first book in the series.
I recently finished Secrets of the Time Society (novella). Alexandra Monir is a damn good writer – and that is the best way to say it.
Monir begins by giving a short recap. It’s been a while since I read Timeless and I needed the refresher. I appreciated that it wasn’t an information dump. She seamlessly picks up and furthers the story-line while also recapping through memories.
Michele’s emotional growth is fascinating, remarkable. She deals with some serious problems: a friend’s betrayal, a stalker/killer, Philip and much more.
The excerpts from The Time Society Handbook were a perfect fit. Weaving their cardinal laws into the story was genius. There are consequences for breaking those laws.
The best part of the book is getting to know Irving Henry through his diaries. Michele is hungry to know more about him especially since her mom is gone.
I enjoyed the introduction of Lisa, an old high school friend of Marion. Lisa provided support at a much needed time. It felt almost like mother/daughter and I know Michele missed having her mom to talk to.
Rebecca is the woman scorned. She’s gone mad with her vengeful plot but she will not give it up. She got what she deserved!!
I love a good happily ever after story. I’m a cheese ball at heart. I’m hearing Celine Dion’s The Power of Love in my head. Timekeeper is a must read for all!
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ti...
June 16, 2015
Michele Windsor feels the luckiest girl in the world when Philip Walker appears in her 2010 life, and understandingly, assumes that they'll resume their relationship. Wrong! And to make matters worse, there's someone lurking in the shadows...
There are few sequels that are as good as its predecessors, and "Timekeeper" is one of them. After reading some disappointing sequels, it's a relief to find that the sequel to the guilty pleasure that was "Timeless" keeps its promise of romance without forgetting the thrills of time-travelling.
The book was a quick read but, nonetheless enjoyable. The time travelling scenes were smoothly incorporated in the story, with the addition of some details ()that don't overwhelm the reader and have a purpose. The characters are the same we loved of Timeless, though the presence of secondary characters () kind of felt flat for me. There were there for the sake of being there.
The historical aspect of the novel is what I loved the most, glimpses of a long gone era in New York. Although I wished they'd been longer, you still get wonderful descriptions of places, people and activities in older times. Not to mention Michele's interactions ;)
Now, the romance. As someone who likes a spark of tragedy in her romance, it satisfied me. However, some may consider that the we can't be together angsty teenagers, and the Shakespearean wrongly attributed hell hath no fury like a woman scorned relationships in the book () are a little bit too much. For my part, the second was the one that in the last chapters started to bug me off.
Veredict: Quick read with romance and time-travelling. If you've read and liked the first one, you'll like the details on the Time Society.
There are few sequels that are as good as its predecessors, and "Timekeeper" is one of them. After reading some disappointing sequels, it's a relief to find that the sequel to the guilty pleasure that was "Timeless" keeps its promise of romance without forgetting the thrills of time-travelling.
The book was a quick read but, nonetheless enjoyable. The time travelling scenes were smoothly incorporated in the story, with the addition of some details ()that don't overwhelm the reader and have a purpose. The characters are the same we loved of Timeless, though the presence of secondary characters () kind of felt flat for me. There were there for the sake of being there.
The historical aspect of the novel is what I loved the most, glimpses of a long gone era in New York. Although I wished they'd been longer, you still get wonderful descriptions of places, people and activities in older times. Not to mention Michele's interactions ;)
Now, the romance. As someone who likes a spark of tragedy in her romance, it satisfied me. However, some may consider that the we can't be together angsty teenagers, and the Shakespearean wrongly attributed hell hath no fury like a woman scorned relationships in the book () are a little bit too much. For my part, the second was the one that in the last chapters started to bug me off.
Veredict: Quick read with romance and time-travelling. If you've read and liked the first one, you'll like the details on the Time Society.
February 11, 2013
Rating: 2.5 Stars
When I give a book three stars, it simply means indifference; I enjoyed it, but ultimately, it is a forgettable read. Thus, I am unable to remember why I picked up Timekeeper in the first place when its predecessor, Timeless, was equally as unremarkable for me. I suspect it has something to do with that cliffhanger ending and possibly my thirst for more historical fiction in YA. Whatever it may be, I read Timekeeper in a matter of hours, skimming through this short story and enjoying it, knowing that fans of Timeless would be more than pleased but also knowing that, unlike most, Monir hasn’t improved greatly as an author or a storyteller from her debut piece.
Timekeeper picks up directly where Timeless left off, with Philip Walker, the man Michele fell in love with decades ago, somehow finding a way back to Michele’s present-day existence. In an unlikely turn of events, however, Philip remembers nothing of Michele. Yet, as much as Michele desperately wants Philip to remember her, a new evil is on the horizon. A spirit from the past, one who holds a grudge against her and is responsible for all the wrong in Michele’s life, has made a new plan, one that will kill her, for Michele is the product of a human from the present and one from the past and really shouldn’t even exist in the first place. As Michele races against time – once again – and fights for her love, she comes to know about who she – and her father – really are and ultimately embrace her abilities as time traveler.
I have to give Monir props by making this duo one with such an interesting set-up. As an avid fan of Doctor Who, I love time travel stories and Timeless definitely wow-ed me in that sense. Its time travel theories were impeccable and the rich history of the Gilded Age that colored every page kept me riveted. With Timekeeper, on the other hand, Michele doesn’t do as much time traveling as she does reading the pages of her father’s journal, coming to learn who he is and uncovering an organization dedicated to time travel. In my eyes, all these new rules and regulations that were put place by this time society took away from the thrill and excitement of the time travel element previously present in the novels. Furthermore, I found myself missing Michele’s actual adventures in the past and while her father’s voice through his diary entries was unique and recognizable, it wasn’t as riveting as it could have been, causing me to skim the pages quite a few times.
In addition to that, the romance element was dealt with in a very unique manner. Philip Walker, the new kid in Michele’s school, feels something for Michele, but he fails to remember their past. It was sweet to see them nearly fall back in love with one another, joined by their love for music, and while the semi-insta-love in Timeless clearly bothered me, I was less concerned about it in this story. I will say that the ultimate reason to explain Philip’s presence in Michele’s world is a little far-fetched, though believable. It requires a little suspension of belief, although it does make complete sense, so I was a little skeptical, but pleased, and the ultimate conclusion of this romance.
What make Timekeeper a novel that is forgettable, though, is that it builds up to an obvious confrontation with the villain, only to solve it with a small action that renders this novel practically pointless. If it was so easy to kill the villain, why not do it years ago when Michele’s life wasn’t in danger? Plus, the story ends off very neatly, but I would have liked something more to see how Michele dealt with her newfound responsibilities, not to mention the fact that her friendships which I so adored in the first novel took a backseat in this one. Timekeeper is a very short story, which is why I read it in the first place, but it really isn’t a series I’d completely recommend. It’s enjoyable, interesting, and the concept is intriguing, but more than that, this series unfortunately does not have to offer.
You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.
When I give a book three stars, it simply means indifference; I enjoyed it, but ultimately, it is a forgettable read. Thus, I am unable to remember why I picked up Timekeeper in the first place when its predecessor, Timeless, was equally as unremarkable for me. I suspect it has something to do with that cliffhanger ending and possibly my thirst for more historical fiction in YA. Whatever it may be, I read Timekeeper in a matter of hours, skimming through this short story and enjoying it, knowing that fans of Timeless would be more than pleased but also knowing that, unlike most, Monir hasn’t improved greatly as an author or a storyteller from her debut piece.
Timekeeper picks up directly where Timeless left off, with Philip Walker, the man Michele fell in love with decades ago, somehow finding a way back to Michele’s present-day existence. In an unlikely turn of events, however, Philip remembers nothing of Michele. Yet, as much as Michele desperately wants Philip to remember her, a new evil is on the horizon. A spirit from the past, one who holds a grudge against her and is responsible for all the wrong in Michele’s life, has made a new plan, one that will kill her, for Michele is the product of a human from the present and one from the past and really shouldn’t even exist in the first place. As Michele races against time – once again – and fights for her love, she comes to know about who she – and her father – really are and ultimately embrace her abilities as time traveler.
I have to give Monir props by making this duo one with such an interesting set-up. As an avid fan of Doctor Who, I love time travel stories and Timeless definitely wow-ed me in that sense. Its time travel theories were impeccable and the rich history of the Gilded Age that colored every page kept me riveted. With Timekeeper, on the other hand, Michele doesn’t do as much time traveling as she does reading the pages of her father’s journal, coming to learn who he is and uncovering an organization dedicated to time travel. In my eyes, all these new rules and regulations that were put place by this time society took away from the thrill and excitement of the time travel element previously present in the novels. Furthermore, I found myself missing Michele’s actual adventures in the past and while her father’s voice through his diary entries was unique and recognizable, it wasn’t as riveting as it could have been, causing me to skim the pages quite a few times.
In addition to that, the romance element was dealt with in a very unique manner. Philip Walker, the new kid in Michele’s school, feels something for Michele, but he fails to remember their past. It was sweet to see them nearly fall back in love with one another, joined by their love for music, and while the semi-insta-love in Timeless clearly bothered me, I was less concerned about it in this story. I will say that the ultimate reason to explain Philip’s presence in Michele’s world is a little far-fetched, though believable. It requires a little suspension of belief, although it does make complete sense, so I was a little skeptical, but pleased, and the ultimate conclusion of this romance.
What make Timekeeper a novel that is forgettable, though, is that it builds up to an obvious confrontation with the villain, only to solve it with a small action that renders this novel practically pointless. If it was so easy to kill the villain, why not do it years ago when Michele’s life wasn’t in danger? Plus, the story ends off very neatly, but I would have liked something more to see how Michele dealt with her newfound responsibilities, not to mention the fact that her friendships which I so adored in the first novel took a backseat in this one. Timekeeper is a very short story, which is why I read it in the first place, but it really isn’t a series I’d completely recommend. It’s enjoyable, interesting, and the concept is intriguing, but more than that, this series unfortunately does not have to offer.
You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.
September 2, 2016
I have terrible luck, whenever I get excited for something it gets messed up. I wish I could say this book was amazing and that it was worth it but it wasn't. This book was disappointing. It was so disappointing that I feel like pretending that the first was a stand alone and that the ending never happened. Okay I may be overreacting according to some people but I am so disappointed it hurts.
The author had two years to work on this and if this is what she came up with.. well I don't even know what to say. The first one was magical, it had this musical flow to it which made you love it so much and things made so much more sense in the first one. Also the historical concept was so much more better. I am not one for historical fiction but sometimes I'll come across one that I love, Timeless was one of them but Timekeeper failed to do the time era's it was referring to justice.
Aside from that it also seemed rushed, the author never focused on anything, just kept on throwing bits of stuff at us. One second she would say one thing and the other she would mention another, she kept on jumping from idea to idea never telling us enough about what she was talking about. For example, Lisa was mentioned once in the book when Michele had to go to her for help. Lisa disappeared from the book after that. She used to be her mother's best friend. I would have loved to know something about her but there was nothing.
I got the ending I was hoping for but not in the way I wanted, some of the things don't even make sense with the whole Philip thing. Monir took the easiest and the most obvious way out of the problem and it disturbed me because it wasn't what I wanted. I was even more disappointed with how easily Philip accepted things, it was so sudden you don't see the change happening. Did I mention how obvious her solution was? I am going to repeat it to put emphasis on the obvious part because half of the people already guessed it.
I guess it's not only the romance that disappointed me because the romance wasn't the only thing that captivated me in the first book- although it was part of it, it was the how the author weaved in the historical concepts and Michele's way of dealing with things. This book was a jumbled puzzle. The pieces didn't fit together perfectly. The whole book was all over the place.
I feel like I am being easy on this book because despite what I said it breaks my heart to see how Timekeeper turned out. I cannot make myself give it a worse rating because despite being not as good as I hoped, it wasn't horrible. In most situations a horrible sequel would make me dislike the first book but it didn't happen in this case probably because I felt so detached in this one. I never got involved with the characters. I was sitting there trying to figure out where the characters I loved disappeared because in this book, they were flat. There was no depth to them.
I really do hope that people don't find it as disappointing as I did because I know a lot of people have been waiting for it longer than I have and I hope that it makes them happier than it made me. I think the worst part is that this was the book I was most excited about for this year and seeing how it wasn't nearly as good as I hoped, I lost hope for all the other books I had been waiting for.
The author had two years to work on this and if this is what she came up with.. well I don't even know what to say. The first one was magical, it had this musical flow to it which made you love it so much and things made so much more sense in the first one. Also the historical concept was so much more better. I am not one for historical fiction but sometimes I'll come across one that I love, Timeless was one of them but Timekeeper failed to do the time era's it was referring to justice.
Aside from that it also seemed rushed, the author never focused on anything, just kept on throwing bits of stuff at us. One second she would say one thing and the other she would mention another, she kept on jumping from idea to idea never telling us enough about what she was talking about. For example, Lisa was mentioned once in the book when Michele had to go to her for help. Lisa disappeared from the book after that. She used to be her mother's best friend. I would have loved to know something about her but there was nothing.
I got the ending I was hoping for but not in the way I wanted, some of the things don't even make sense with the whole Philip thing. Monir took the easiest and the most obvious way out of the problem and it disturbed me because it wasn't what I wanted. I was even more disappointed with how easily Philip accepted things, it was so sudden you don't see the change happening. Did I mention how obvious her solution was? I am going to repeat it to put emphasis on the obvious part because half of the people already guessed it.
I guess it's not only the romance that disappointed me because the romance wasn't the only thing that captivated me in the first book- although it was part of it, it was the how the author weaved in the historical concepts and Michele's way of dealing with things. This book was a jumbled puzzle. The pieces didn't fit together perfectly. The whole book was all over the place.
I feel like I am being easy on this book because despite what I said it breaks my heart to see how Timekeeper turned out. I cannot make myself give it a worse rating because despite being not as good as I hoped, it wasn't horrible. In most situations a horrible sequel would make me dislike the first book but it didn't happen in this case probably because I felt so detached in this one. I never got involved with the characters. I was sitting there trying to figure out where the characters I loved disappeared because in this book, they were flat. There was no depth to them.
I really do hope that people don't find it as disappointing as I did because I know a lot of people have been waiting for it longer than I have and I hope that it makes them happier than it made me. I think the worst part is that this was the book I was most excited about for this year and seeing how it wasn't nearly as good as I hoped, I lost hope for all the other books I had been waiting for.
January 10, 2013
I have been waiting for this sequel for forever and I'm imagining all this constant time travel of Michele and I am soooo happy that she and Philip finally find their way back to each other in her own time. I was quite horrified at first when Philip can't seem to recognize Michele the first time he saw her at school. And that evil Rebecca just give me the shivers! She was so consumed with her jealousy and hate and heartbreak that its no wonder she did what she did :( I feel that this story could have been longer, maybe develop more to a more intricate plot. the plot is quite simple surrounding the cause and effect of Rebecca's murderous actions. there is a lot of info dump here about the secret time society and thru Michele dad's diary we learned about the history between rebecca and her dad. I am confused though of that particular part when Philip of 2010 got a "tip" from Philip of 1950s I felt like it was just inserted there so that it will lead to the demise of Rebecca. That part was really vague or am I just missing something. So I cannot fully rate this a 5 star, maybe around 4.6 :)
I hope there will be more sequel from this series though since Michele is just realizing her real ability as a time traveler. And what happened to that missing key of millicent and if the body of Rebecca was ever found or are we just gonna assume that she really is gone. so many questions and that this book haven't really fully tied up the loose ends.
I hope there will be more sequel from this series though since Michele is just realizing her real ability as a time traveler. And what happened to that missing key of millicent and if the body of Rebecca was ever found or are we just gonna assume that she really is gone. so many questions and that this book haven't really fully tied up the loose ends.
Want to read
June 13, 2011ahhhh cant wait until this one comes out! philip!
February 1, 2013
I haven't read the first book in this series, but one look at this cover and I knew I couldn't wait to read this one. So I did!
Philip walks into Michele's classroom and she's completely floored. Everything about Philip is exactly like the guy she fell in love with in the first book, right down to his name. The only problem? Philip lives in 1910 and it's 2010. How is it possible that Philip is here now? This new Philip has no idea who Michele is, which hurts her more than she could ever imagine. On top of that, a ghost from her father's past has traveled to Michele's time to kill her. She has seven days to figure out how to stop this ghost before she can finish Michele off and ruin the life of time traveling she was just coming to love.
Despite the fact that I missed the first book, I absolutely loved this one. Everything I needed to know was recapped in the beginning and caught me up on where Michele is now. Michele is such a likable character and I loved how she wasn't too whiny about her whole situation, but rather took it in stride and tried to solve her problems herself. And then there's Philip. I'm really sad I didn't get to see them fall in love in the first book, but knowing him in this book was still pretty awesome. He's so confused on why he has this pull towards a girl he has never met before, and it's so adorable how he deals with that whole situation.
In this book, we learn more about Michele's dad and the mysterious Time Society. There was a lot of mystery that Michele had to solve, along with very cool elements of time travel. I haven't read that many time travel books before, but this one definitely makes me wish I had! There's nothing like falling for someone who lives in a whole other time.
If you read the first book in this series, you definitely have to pick up Timekeeper to see what happens next to Michele and Philip. If you haven't, I would recommend picking up the first one before you read this one. But if you can't wait, you can still read Timekeeper without feeling like you missed too much. Either way, you have to read this one!
Philip walks into Michele's classroom and she's completely floored. Everything about Philip is exactly like the guy she fell in love with in the first book, right down to his name. The only problem? Philip lives in 1910 and it's 2010. How is it possible that Philip is here now? This new Philip has no idea who Michele is, which hurts her more than she could ever imagine. On top of that, a ghost from her father's past has traveled to Michele's time to kill her. She has seven days to figure out how to stop this ghost before she can finish Michele off and ruin the life of time traveling she was just coming to love.
Despite the fact that I missed the first book, I absolutely loved this one. Everything I needed to know was recapped in the beginning and caught me up on where Michele is now. Michele is such a likable character and I loved how she wasn't too whiny about her whole situation, but rather took it in stride and tried to solve her problems herself. And then there's Philip. I'm really sad I didn't get to see them fall in love in the first book, but knowing him in this book was still pretty awesome. He's so confused on why he has this pull towards a girl he has never met before, and it's so adorable how he deals with that whole situation.
In this book, we learn more about Michele's dad and the mysterious Time Society. There was a lot of mystery that Michele had to solve, along with very cool elements of time travel. I haven't read that many time travel books before, but this one definitely makes me wish I had! There's nothing like falling for someone who lives in a whole other time.
If you read the first book in this series, you definitely have to pick up Timekeeper to see what happens next to Michele and Philip. If you haven't, I would recommend picking up the first one before you read this one. But if you can't wait, you can still read Timekeeper without feeling like you missed too much. Either way, you have to read this one!
January 3, 2013
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
*A copy was provided by Delacorte Press for review purposes*
After reading the first book in this series, Timeless , I was pretty excited to find out how the love story of Michelle and Phillip would continue. Timeless left off on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I couldn’t wait to read the next book. And, in fact, I think that this book is actually better than Timeless . I felt like more happened in this book. It was a really good continuation to the series, and more complex than the first book. Timeless was focused completely on the romance between Michelle and Phillip developing, but I loved that Monir spiced it up a bit. Timekeeper had much more action, was faster paced, but still had really good writing. Pretty much the only thing I can say bad about it is I feel the ending, which should have been really thrilling, well, wasn’t. It was over way to fast, and it was kind of a too-easy solution to the problem, if you understand what I mean.
I really loved Michelle and Phillip in Timeless , and I really liked them again in this book. Even though Phillip was a little different, I still enjoyed him falling in love with Michelle (again). He was really sweet, handsome, and just a nice guy. I’m glad that Michelle wasn’t a weak character, because sometimes in books like these the main female character relies on the guy, but Michelle didn’t. She was feisty, smart, and strong, which I really appreciate.
This book was much more fast-paced and exciting than Timeless , and for that I like it a bit more than the first book. There was more going on, and the story line was a bit more complex. I can’t wait to see what Monir comes up with next!!
*A copy was provided by Delacorte Press for review purposes*
After reading the first book in this series, Timeless , I was pretty excited to find out how the love story of Michelle and Phillip would continue. Timeless left off on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I couldn’t wait to read the next book. And, in fact, I think that this book is actually better than Timeless . I felt like more happened in this book. It was a really good continuation to the series, and more complex than the first book. Timeless was focused completely on the romance between Michelle and Phillip developing, but I loved that Monir spiced it up a bit. Timekeeper had much more action, was faster paced, but still had really good writing. Pretty much the only thing I can say bad about it is I feel the ending, which should have been really thrilling, well, wasn’t. It was over way to fast, and it was kind of a too-easy solution to the problem, if you understand what I mean.
I really loved Michelle and Phillip in Timeless , and I really liked them again in this book. Even though Phillip was a little different, I still enjoyed him falling in love with Michelle (again). He was really sweet, handsome, and just a nice guy. I’m glad that Michelle wasn’t a weak character, because sometimes in books like these the main female character relies on the guy, but Michelle didn’t. She was feisty, smart, and strong, which I really appreciate.
This book was much more fast-paced and exciting than Timeless , and for that I like it a bit more than the first book. There was more going on, and the story line was a bit more complex. I can’t wait to see what Monir comes up with next!!
January 30, 2013
I have to say Alexandra Monir's timeless was one of my favorite book of 2011. So my expectations relating to it's sequels was pretty much high. After reading the novella "Secrets of the Time Society" I knew what to expect. More time travel but this time, "time" is not the only villain. The author introduces a new evil into the timeless family (as if Michele and Philip were not star crossedenough).
In "Timekeeper" you have Michele back in her real world trying to come to terms with the loss of Philip Walker, the boyfriend she had to let go in the past only to encounter a Philip look alike in the future. Unfortunately for Michele this Philip does not have a clue to who she is let alone their timeless love leaving Michele with the task of jolting his memory. Assuming of course he is the Philip she fell in love with. Then you have Rebecca Windsor the spoiled evil daughter of the Windsor family and Michele's father's arch nemesis who would stop at nothing to wipe out Michele's existence. Basically the story has too many parallel moving story lines with complicated time zones and frequent time jumps. To top it all of this book suffers highly from one of those flaws the author avoided in the previous books which is that the book goes overboard with descriptions. Which led to another problem , "failing to keep the readers attention". There are just too many thing's going on at the same time that you will feel a bit exhausted after each chapter. Even though the book is only 184 pages it feels long and the ending is kind of forgetful. But still it did give me what I came for and that was an end to Michele's story. "Timekeeper" is not a bad book but it does fall short of expectations. Read it with out any preconceived notions and you will find yourself thoroughly entertained.
In "Timekeeper" you have Michele back in her real world trying to come to terms with the loss of Philip Walker, the boyfriend she had to let go in the past only to encounter a Philip look alike in the future. Unfortunately for Michele this Philip does not have a clue to who she is let alone their timeless love leaving Michele with the task of jolting his memory. Assuming of course he is the Philip she fell in love with. Then you have Rebecca Windsor the spoiled evil daughter of the Windsor family and Michele's father's arch nemesis who would stop at nothing to wipe out Michele's existence. Basically the story has too many parallel moving story lines with complicated time zones and frequent time jumps. To top it all of this book suffers highly from one of those flaws the author avoided in the previous books which is that the book goes overboard with descriptions. Which led to another problem , "failing to keep the readers attention". There are just too many thing's going on at the same time that you will feel a bit exhausted after each chapter. Even though the book is only 184 pages it feels long and the ending is kind of forgetful. But still it did give me what I came for and that was an end to Michele's story. "Timekeeper" is not a bad book but it does fall short of expectations. Read it with out any preconceived notions and you will find yourself thoroughly entertained.
January 9, 2013
What it's about: In the first book, Timeless, Michele travels back in time and falls in love with a man named Philip Walker. She thought they had forever said goodbye when she came back to her time period only to have him walk into her high school as a new student. The problem is that he doesn't remember who she is or anything about 1910. Michele begins to dig deeper into her and her father's past (also a time traveler) and discovers secrets and organizations, power plays, and a rift over 120 years old.
Why you should read it: When I read Timeless, I thought it was a stand-alone novel and was ticked off at the ending (why, oh, why did she go back to her own time?). So when I heard about Timekeeper, I knew it had to be on my TBR. This book was a quick and fun read filled with romantic suspense and mystery. Alexandra makes her heroes so swoon-worthy and the characters' conflicts almost impossible (i.e., a century apart, a not-so-great Time Society and vengeful ancestors). I love fun, romantic mystery books, and the paranormal element of time travel was a definite plus.
To see what Alexandra has to say about Timekeeper check out the HEA Blog
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
Why you should read it: When I read Timeless, I thought it was a stand-alone novel and was ticked off at the ending (why, oh, why did she go back to her own time?). So when I heard about Timekeeper, I knew it had to be on my TBR. This book was a quick and fun read filled with romantic suspense and mystery. Alexandra makes her heroes so swoon-worthy and the characters' conflicts almost impossible (i.e., a century apart, a not-so-great Time Society and vengeful ancestors). I love fun, romantic mystery books, and the paranormal element of time travel was a definite plus.
To see what Alexandra has to say about Timekeeper check out the HEA Blog
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
March 31, 2013
Yayyyy! Totally floored about the ending. Is this the final book of the series? I certainly hope not. I still want to see more adventures of Michele and Philip across time. Great twist in the story, by the way. Stories about time-crossed lovers and time traveling really piques my interest. I love the idea of loving a person from a different timeline/era and being able to conquer evil all at the same time, across centuries! The book also showed us the love of family and of friends. So glad that there is a reincarnation of Philip and the tension between him and Michele is still there. Please, please let this not be the last book. I still want more of them!
Want to read
March 31, 2012AHHHHHHH!!!!! NO WAY. OMG. NO. WAY.
IS THAT PHILLIP!!!!!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!
Three words. LOVE. THE. COVER.
YES. CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS!!!! Going to be so interesting! I would love to see how this resolves with it still including time traveling.
IS THAT PHILLIP!!!!!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!
Three words. LOVE. THE. COVER.
YES. CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS!!!! Going to be so interesting! I would love to see how this resolves with it still including time traveling.
January 14, 2013
Can't wait wish it would come out sooner the 1st book was amazing I read it and still read It over and over again. The book made me cry at times and smile a lot.
Want to read
November 1, 2011I actually need to read this book. My heart just broke a little bit reading the synopsis but I also just want to read the book so much more. Please, pleaaaase can this have a happy ending?
Want to read
March 27, 2011I can't wait for this book ti come out!!!
January 13, 2013
3.5/5 stars - is almost on par with book 1.
January 31, 2013
I want this book right now. For now I’ll settle for re-reading timeless over and over again,
Oh and it makes me want to add all of you guys since you love timeless so much
WHAT DECEMBER?!
UPDATE WILL BE LEFT THERE. REVIEW BELOW
Cover: I actually really love it.
POV:Third. Past Tense. Michele, Irving, Philip.
Rating:3.79 Stars.
Waiting is something we all have to do for a series. Sometimes a yearlong wait for the sequel or for the trilogy to conclude. Though the wait for this book isn’t like the one for Game of Thrones it was still extensive
; but I did it. Three long years! For that long of the wait I’m vastly and immensely disappointed in Alexandra Monir. Perhaps she became bore or simply out of love with her story and just wrote because of the deadline or awaiting fans. This story lacked everything that made timeless so special and memorable.
It pains me to no end to rate it a three point five star after Timeless is rated five. The truth is it didn’t carry through. I’d like to ask Alexandra, “What happened? Was the three years that bad for you?” I ruefully shake my head at the book.
Admittedly, I didn’t read the Novella and I’m glad I didn’t as I am seeing that it was just a reiterate story in this book. Though it was nicely executed, I was left wanting. The book was short, a mere 288 page book. Perhaps if it had been a lengthy book with good details and more of the Timeless magic this would be a different review.
I won’t go into details for the fear that I’ll let my wounded reading heart get a hold of my temper and ruin it for you.
One of the most anticipated part of this book was Philip and Michele. Michele had to have a heartbreaking break-up with the love of her life Philip. Only to go back to her time and see him standing in her time soil and at her school no less. Then there is another twist! Philip has no recollection of who Michele is, nor that they love each other. Their transcending and timeless love shows in this book in more ways that one, for that it earns its star. Though I do weep for them is all I can say. The parts that I immensely enjoyed above all others are the-past Philip. For some reason I just didn’t feel for this Philip. Also, I hate how the cliche plot of guy-you-know-not-knowing-you and then the guy going for a new girl. New Philip had been there for less than 7 days when already he was slumming-just kidding, but still, with a new girl. Perhaps if it had been over more than 7 day course things might have been different; again I point out. It is beautiful that their love transcends time, but it lacked the magic I came to expect. For that I mourn, but I did look for the Michele and Philip’s moments. Trilogy? I say yes, with at least 360+ pages.
Another major action for this book was Irving’s history. Now that is what captivated me; how he came too and the whole excerpts and how they tied in. Though I found his leaving quite inane of him. For him being this intelligent man he ran too soon. He didn’t even warn Marion. Irving obviously didn’t have a careful and thought-out plan. It makes me a bit mad to be truthful. In that part it should have been tied up a bit better, though for the fate stuff to actually carry through it was needed. SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!-When Michele finally meets her father it lacked emotional response. Short and curt, that’s what I gathered from their climatic meeting. Everything had been building up to their meeting and, again, I was left with my hands in mid air-hanging in question.
The Plot, I’m not quite decided on how I feel about it. Yes, it was interesting but I think it felt short. Everything happen to quick and resolved to easily. I felt as though the excerpts and the entries took away too much pages. The time-traveling didn’t feel like last time as well. She didn’t meet new people. Not to mention the action scene.
Overall, I think what I’m trying to say is that it felt short to my expectations. And I had a right for this expectation; THREE years! Alexandra Monir would be making a wise decision if she throughly thought out her next book and she should write another Timeless book. I don’t think Michele’s nor Philip’s journey is over. It is just the mere beginning.
Time-traveling that is the base of this book. Michele is this rare human being that can time travel and that’s how she meets Philip and we all wide-eyed with amazement, but this book made me narrow my eyes. For one it talked all about the Time Society, they different “Timekeepers,” their rules, their abilities, and such. The have the ‘Gene’ but they need the key. Maybe Monir needed the key in order for Rebecca’s wrath and plot to take hold, but it made me just upset. Basically any one can time-travel, so long as you have a key. So why do you need the Gene? It would have been drastically better if you needed both, The Gene and The Key, The Key just tapped in to your powers and activated them. That was explained, but later on not only Rebecca, but Caissie travel. Yeah, you should have thought it out a bit more Monir.
What I liked:
Philip (The past-Philip more)
Notes: Time to go re-re-re-read Timeless.
Oh and it makes me want to add all of you guys since you love timeless so much
WHAT DECEMBER?!
UPDATE WILL BE LEFT THERE. REVIEW BELOW
“Time and death are nothing but illusions.”
Cover: I actually really love it.
POV:Third. Past Tense. Michele, Irving, Philip.
Rating:3.79 Stars.
Waiting is something we all have to do for a series. Sometimes a yearlong wait for the sequel or for the trilogy to conclude. Though the wait for this book isn’t like the one for Game of Thrones it was still extensive
; but I did it. Three long years! For that long of the wait I’m vastly and immensely disappointed in Alexandra Monir. Perhaps she became bore or simply out of love with her story and just wrote because of the deadline or awaiting fans. This story lacked everything that made timeless so special and memorable.
It pains me to no end to rate it a three point five star after Timeless is rated five. The truth is it didn’t carry through. I’d like to ask Alexandra, “What happened? Was the three years that bad for you?” I ruefully shake my head at the book.
Admittedly, I didn’t read the Novella and I’m glad I didn’t as I am seeing that it was just a reiterate story in this book. Though it was nicely executed, I was left wanting. The book was short, a mere 288 page book. Perhaps if it had been a lengthy book with good details and more of the Timeless magic this would be a different review.
I won’t go into details for the fear that I’ll let my wounded reading heart get a hold of my temper and ruin it for you.
“It was as though Time was playing a particularly cruel trick.”
One of the most anticipated part of this book was Philip and Michele. Michele had to have a heartbreaking break-up with the love of her life Philip. Only to go back to her time and see him standing in her time soil and at her school no less. Then there is another twist! Philip has no recollection of who Michele is, nor that they love each other. Their transcending and timeless love shows in this book in more ways that one, for that it earns its star. Though I do weep for them is all I can say. The parts that I immensely enjoyed above all others are the-past Philip. For some reason I just didn’t feel for this Philip. Also, I hate how the cliche plot of guy-you-know-not-knowing-you and then the guy going for a new girl. New Philip had been there for less than 7 days when already he was slumming-just kidding, but still, with a new girl. Perhaps if it had been over more than 7 day course things might have been different; again I point out. It is beautiful that their love transcends time, but it lacked the magic I came to expect. For that I mourn, but I did look for the Michele and Philip’s moments. Trilogy? I say yes, with at least 360+ pages.
Another major action for this book was Irving’s history. Now that is what captivated me; how he came too and the whole excerpts and how they tied in. Though I found his leaving quite inane of him. For him being this intelligent man he ran too soon. He didn’t even warn Marion. Irving obviously didn’t have a careful and thought-out plan. It makes me a bit mad to be truthful. In that part it should have been tied up a bit better, though for the fate stuff to actually carry through it was needed. SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!-When Michele finally meets her father it lacked emotional response. Short and curt, that’s what I gathered from their climatic meeting. Everything had been building up to their meeting and, again, I was left with my hands in mid air-hanging in question.
The Plot, I’m not quite decided on how I feel about it. Yes, it was interesting but I think it felt short. Everything happen to quick and resolved to easily. I felt as though the excerpts and the entries took away too much pages. The time-traveling didn’t feel like last time as well. She didn’t meet new people. Not to mention the action scene.
Overall, I think what I’m trying to say is that it felt short to my expectations. And I had a right for this expectation; THREE years! Alexandra Monir would be making a wise decision if she throughly thought out her next book and she should write another Timeless book. I don’t think Michele’s nor Philip’s journey is over. It is just the mere beginning.
Time-traveling that is the base of this book. Michele is this rare human being that can time travel and that’s how she meets Philip and we all wide-eyed with amazement, but this book made me narrow my eyes. For one it talked all about the Time Society, they different “Timekeepers,” their rules, their abilities, and such. The have the ‘Gene’ but they need the key. Maybe Monir needed the key in order for Rebecca’s wrath and plot to take hold, but it made me just upset. Basically any one can time-travel, so long as you have a key. So why do you need the Gene? It would have been drastically better if you needed both, The Gene and The Key, The Key just tapped in to your powers and activated them. That was explained, but later on not only Rebecca, but Caissie travel. Yeah, you should have thought it out a bit more Monir.
What I liked:
Philip (The past-Philip more)
“...I love you, Philip. At any age, in any body, in any era...I love you.”
Notes: Time to go re-re-re-read Timeless.
December 13, 2014
Alexandra's Teaser for Timekeeper:
What if I'm the only one who remembers?
What if it's just me who feels the missing touch, hears the sound of laughter long gone, and sees the two of us in a forgotten New York? He looks through me, his expression unfazed and innocent--and it's that ambivalence that cuts like a knife. Could he be playing a role...or did he actually forget me?
I can't look away from the nauseating scene-Philip at the lunch table beside the notoriously flirty Jessica Morgan, his unmistakable blue eyes sparkling as they share a joke. He breaks into that signature smile of his, and for the first time, I find it heartbreaking. But then, isn't that always the case with a smile--when you know it's not meant for you?
I wish I could stop this speeding train of jealousy, but I can't help it, it hurts so much I want to bleed. To have him back, just as he promised-but not remember what we once were? It's as though Time is playing a particularly cruel game.
And then, his glance meets mine. I've been caught staring, but I hold my gaze. And so does he. I catch Jessica touching his arm, trying to regain his focus, but he looks at me longer than he should before turning back to his lunch date.
It's a small victory, but I savor it. He can't have forgotten me completely...
Gosssssssh! I was and still AM hooked with Timeless! 'Sodade' is really the one term that can describe what I'm feeling right now. Just after I read Timeless, I read this teaser. Woooooooooow. I'm really impressed with the author because of this. I so can't wait for December and January to come! Let's just hope the ending won't be another cliffhanger. ;)
What if I'm the only one who remembers?
What if it's just me who feels the missing touch, hears the sound of laughter long gone, and sees the two of us in a forgotten New York? He looks through me, his expression unfazed and innocent--and it's that ambivalence that cuts like a knife. Could he be playing a role...or did he actually forget me?
I can't look away from the nauseating scene-Philip at the lunch table beside the notoriously flirty Jessica Morgan, his unmistakable blue eyes sparkling as they share a joke. He breaks into that signature smile of his, and for the first time, I find it heartbreaking. But then, isn't that always the case with a smile--when you know it's not meant for you?
I wish I could stop this speeding train of jealousy, but I can't help it, it hurts so much I want to bleed. To have him back, just as he promised-but not remember what we once were? It's as though Time is playing a particularly cruel game.
And then, his glance meets mine. I've been caught staring, but I hold my gaze. And so does he. I catch Jessica touching his arm, trying to regain his focus, but he looks at me longer than he should before turning back to his lunch date.
It's a small victory, but I savor it. He can't have forgotten me completely...
Gosssssssh! I was and still AM hooked with Timeless! 'Sodade' is really the one term that can describe what I'm feeling right now. Just after I read Timeless, I read this teaser. Woooooooooow. I'm really impressed with the author because of this. I so can't wait for December and January to come! Let's just hope the ending won't be another cliffhanger. ;)
February 10, 2016
I loved the first book in this duology, the second one was just okay for me.
The thing that I didn't like (and is the reason why I will not give it any higher than 3 stars) is the romance in this book. It's obsessive, the songs that they write are extremely cheesy and it just doesn't feel as right as it did in the first book. The first book had so much charm, but I could not find it in this book. The love that felt so natural in book 1, was awkward in book 2. Phillip ignored Michele for so long and when they finally get together he just instantly believes everything that she tells him.
But what I found most annoying (and actually a bit stunning) is that there is so much focus on the romance while Michele knowns that there is this girl out there who wants to kill her. Not just hurt her, kill her (and if necessary will also hurt Michele's family). I do not understand how Michele can be so obsessed with Phillip while she has this threat hanging around her and her family. And when she gets betrayed by someone she trusts there is barely any thought about this fact, she just continues to obsesses over Phillip.
I was expecting something big when Michelle and her enemy's worlds collided but it all ended rather quickly. For most of the book, Michele is more worried about Phillip than she is about her enemy. It started to frustrate me after a couple of chapters and is the main reason why I will not give this book a higher rating. The rest of the plot is interesting and fun (especially everything about Michele's father) but it doesn't get enough chance to shine and reach its full potential.
The thing that I didn't like (and is the reason why I will not give it any higher than 3 stars) is the romance in this book. It's obsessive, the songs that they write are extremely cheesy and it just doesn't feel as right as it did in the first book. The first book had so much charm, but I could not find it in this book. The love that felt so natural in book 1, was awkward in book 2. Phillip ignored Michele for so long and when they finally get together he just instantly believes everything that she tells him.
But what I found most annoying (and actually a bit stunning) is that there is so much focus on the romance while Michele knowns that there is this girl out there who wants to kill her. Not just hurt her, kill her (and if necessary will also hurt Michele's family). I do not understand how Michele can be so obsessed with Phillip while she has this threat hanging around her and her family. And when she gets betrayed by someone she trusts there is barely any thought about this fact, she just continues to obsesses over Phillip.
I was expecting something big when Michelle and her enemy's worlds collided but it all ended rather quickly. For most of the book, Michele is more worried about Phillip than she is about her enemy. It started to frustrate me after a couple of chapters and is the main reason why I will not give this book a higher rating. The rest of the plot is interesting and fun (especially everything about Michele's father) but it doesn't get enough chance to shine and reach its full potential.
August 6, 2012
GoodReads Synopsis: When Philip Walker appears as a new student in Michele Windsor's high school class, she is floored. He is the love she thought she lost forever when they said goodbye during her time travels last century. Overjoyed that they can resume the relationship they had a lifetime ago, Michele eagerly approaches him and discovers the unthinkable: he doesn't remember her. In fact, he doesn't seem to remember anything about the Philip Walker of 1910.
Michele then finds her father's journals, which tell stories of his time-traveling past. As she digs deeper, she learns about his entanglement with a mysterious and powerful organization called the Time Society and his dealings with a vengeful Windsor ancestor. Michele soon finds herself at the center of a rift over 120 years in the making, one whose resolution will have life-or-death consequences.
My Thoughts: It’s been way too long since I’ve read Timeless! I’m so glad I was able to get a galley copy of Timekeeper!
Before starting Timekeeper, do yourself a favor and make sure you read the novel Monir put out called, “The Secrets of the Time Society”. If you don’t, the beginning of Timekeeper will be very confusing.
This was a sweet conclusion to Michele and Philip’s love story. We learn about how Philip is suddenly enrolled in Michele’s high school, as well as the answers to many other questions. And the story ended in such a way that there could be further time-travel adventures for Michele…but I don’t think so.
Michele then finds her father's journals, which tell stories of his time-traveling past. As she digs deeper, she learns about his entanglement with a mysterious and powerful organization called the Time Society and his dealings with a vengeful Windsor ancestor. Michele soon finds herself at the center of a rift over 120 years in the making, one whose resolution will have life-or-death consequences.
My Thoughts: It’s been way too long since I’ve read Timeless! I’m so glad I was able to get a galley copy of Timekeeper!
Before starting Timekeeper, do yourself a favor and make sure you read the novel Monir put out called, “The Secrets of the Time Society”. If you don’t, the beginning of Timekeeper will be very confusing.
This was a sweet conclusion to Michele and Philip’s love story. We learn about how Philip is suddenly enrolled in Michele’s high school, as well as the answers to many other questions. And the story ended in such a way that there could be further time-travel adventures for Michele…but I don’t think so.
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