Shadow of Time
by Jen Minkman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have to say, this was not what I expected when I picked up Shadow of Time
Description
Hannah is back at her parents’ log cabin for her summer break from teaching, and her and her brother Ben have the place all to themselves. But her time off is anything but relaxing.
Seeing her brother’s childhood friend, Josh, all grown up puts her in a tizzy. He’s handsome, sensitive, and has earned a special place among his Navajo people, but he’s burdened and distant at times, which throws her off.
On top of it, she’s having nightmares that feel real about an ancient time, in which she’s an integral player, and she’s being harassed by different people.
It’s a summer full of so much promise — if she can get past all the hurtles in her way.
Review
So, for my expectations. I frequently get books but can’t read them right away, so when I looked at the cover (which I did both when I purchased the book and before I read it), I was surprised by the Native American theme in a very fantasy type cover. But it’s pretty, so in that respect I suppose it’s working.
I started reading, and the writing was decent, but it smacked of a first book, which made me nervous. I almost gave up at that point, but I decided to give it a little more time. The Navajo setting had me hooked, and I’m so glad.
The romance is very hot and cold. Hannah doesn’t quite seem like a 21 year old, so her falling for a “more mature” 17 year old doesn’t seem too far off base. Hannah definitely looses sight of the age difference as the book progresses, but we get gentle reminders from the author, which was a nice touch. (I think at one point it said the age difference is 6 years, but it’s only 4 years, and from the sounds of it, not quite that.) The author did a great job with pulling the emotional strings with the romance.
I was a bit bummed about the ending though. Shadow of Time ends on a pretty dramatic note – not necessarily a cliff-hanger, but definitely not a comfortable close. So I suppose I’ll have to put the next book on my reading list to get my resolution, but overall, not a bad book.
I can’t vouch for the Native American bits, since I’m admittedly ignorant, but they felt authentic. There was a lot of nice detailing, and quite a few Native American words and such. I hope to add more Native American stories to my library, so this was a fun start.
**This book was clean. Yay!
