Skip to main content

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


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki: A Book Review

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post Author: Allison Pataki Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Ballantine Release Date: February 15, 2022 Pages: 381 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Mrs. Post, the President and First Lady are here to see you. . . . So begins another average evening for Marjorie Merriweather Post. Presidents have come and gone, but she has hosted them all. Growing up in the modest farmlands of Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by a few simple rules: always think for yourself, never take success for granted, and work hard—even when deemed American royalty, even while covered in imperial diamonds. Marjorie had an insatiable drive to live and love and to give more than she got. From crawling through Moscow warehouses to rescue the Tsar’s treasures to outrunning the Nazis in London, from serving the homeless of the Great Depression to entertaining Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Hollywood’s biggest stars, Marjorie Merriweath
Post a Comment
Read more

Tituba: The Intentional Witch of Salem by Dave Tamanini: A Book Review

Tituba: The Intentional Witch of Salem Author: Dave Tamanini Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: David F Tamanini Release Date: 2020 Pages: 317 Source: Publisher/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: If you love historical fiction... come revisit Salem's terror in this provocative new telling of enslaved Tituba, no longer a caricature, but a fully human woman with magical powers.      Come! Let Tituba cast its spell with a unique and tantalizing tale that explores the wild emotions driving accusations of witchcraft in 1692.      A Promise and a Hope      Enslaved Tituba has been faithful to a promise to her dying mama in Africa. She has appeased the masters from Barbados to Boston to Salem and waited for her magic.      A Mother’s Agony      When Tituba’s only son dies trying to escape slavery, her life changes forever. After enduring the crush only a mother can feel, she rages and turns to vengeance.      Witches Tear into Salem      The villagers see wi
Post a Comment
Read more

Interview with Tessa Afshar

     It was my honor to do an interview with Tessa Afshar! Ms. Afshar is one of the top-selling Christian fiction authors in the genre. Her books have won numerous awards in the field and her books show the love she has for the roots of Christianity. I asked Ms. Afshar about her latest work, Daughter of Rome . The novel focuses on Priscilla and Aquila, who had once brought Paul into their home  for 18 months. I appreciate Ms. Afshar taking the time for my interview, and I hope you enjoy looking into the latest work by Tessa Afshar, Daughter of Rome ! What attracted you to the story of Aquila and Priscilla? Although we know little about this extraordinary couple, what we do know is spellbinding: they saved Paul’s life, set up house churches in different cities in the Roman Empire, shared the gospel with many Gentiles, and became influential spiritual leaders through some of the most harrowing years of the church’s history. Their marriage must have been remarkable! Ther
Post a Comment
Read more