Into The Dim by Janet B. Taylor: A Book Review

Into The Dim
Author: Janet B. Taylor
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Pages: 432
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: When fragile, sixteen-year-old Hope Walton loses her mom to an earthquake overseas, her secluded world crumbles. Agreeing to spend the summer in Scotland, Hope discovers that her mother was more than a brilliant academic, but also a member of a secret society of time travelers. And she's alive, though currently trapped in the twelfth century, during the age of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Hope has seventy-two hours to rescue her mother and get back to their own time. Passing through the Dim, Hope enters a brutal medieval world of political intrigue, danger, and violence. A place where any serious interference could alter the very course of history. And when she meets a boy whose face is impossibly familiar, she must decide between her mission and her heart—both of which could leave Hope trapped in the past forever. 
     
     Addictive, romantic, and rich with historical detail, Into the Dim is an Outlander for teens.

     My Review: When Hope Walton’s mother has been disappeared for months, it is presumed that she is dead. In her grief, Hope spends the summer with her aunt in Scotland. When she arrives, she finds that her aunt has secrets. She learns that her mother and her aunt are part of a secret organization called the Time-Slippers, who have found ways to travel back in time. Hope realizes that her mother is stuck in time during the reign of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and is determined to go back to the past to rescue her. Can Hope save her mother and return back to the present?

     Hope is not a very likable protagonist. She comes across as a smartalec. She is very condescending and talks back to those around her. She can be judgmental, and thinks bad things about other people. She is also a Mary Sue. She is good at everything she does. I also did not think of her as a strong protagonist. She came across to me as very weak. I think she paled in contrast from all the characters around her.

     Overall, this story is about love, friendship, family, and trust. While I did not like Hope, I did think all the other characters were fun. I also thought the villain was mysterious and intriguing. I also loved the portrayal of Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was a fascinating character. The story starts out slow, but it gradually picks up speed. I loved the setting of medieval London. This novel is full of adventure, suspense, and action. This book leaves you excited to read the sequel. I recommend this novel to fans of fantasy, time-travel, and to those interested in Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars