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A review by bookforthought
Time Watcher by Kate Serzenta
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.
Fabienne Beaumont wakes up in 1864 Connecticut with no memory of how she got there nor anything that happened after she was shot in New York City two years earlier. Her husband is a complete stranger to her, and she is consumed by grief and guilt at discovering her siblings both died on the day she was shot as they were trying to secure passage to France in a last-ditch effort to leave a country ravaged by the Civil War.
In 2008 Georgia, Emily is trying hard to keep up with her studies when she stumbles upon an old diary while doing research for a history assignment on the Civil War. A diary which, it turns out, was written by none other than her ancestor Fabienne and contains the secrets of time travel - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Emily to attempt saving her dying mom. But danger lurks in every corner, and Emily's present efforts might just tear Fabienne's past life apart.
Time Watcher builds a fascinating story following these intersecting dual timelines to deliver a captivating read which is sure to keep readers guessing right up until the very end. Both Fabienne and Emily are compelling protagonists, each facing some truly heartbreaking choices while dealing with extremely painful circumstances, accompanying readers on a reflection on love, loss and the lengths to which people might go to get it back.
As with most novels centred around time travel, the plot is intricate and requires some attention on the reader's part not to miss the clues the author cleverly disseminates throughout the novel. Still, the author did a great job in making even the most complex temporal twists and turns easy to follow, with clear explanations seamlessly woven through the narrative mostly avoiding excessive reliance on exposition. The historical background of the American Civil War perfectly conveys the sense of urgency and the climate of mistrust which allows the story to develop, while the contrast with the modern setting allows for some "fish out of water" type humour that balances the overall more dramatic tone. The romance is also sweet and works well within the story, complementing but never overshadowing it.
Overall, Time Watcher is a twisty read combining time travel, romance, history and family which is likely to appeal to readers seeking a multilayered story reminiscent of The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Fabienne Beaumont wakes up in 1864 Connecticut with no memory of how she got there nor anything that happened after she was shot in New York City two years earlier. Her husband is a complete stranger to her, and she is consumed by grief and guilt at discovering her siblings both died on the day she was shot as they were trying to secure passage to France in a last-ditch effort to leave a country ravaged by the Civil War.
In 2008 Georgia, Emily is trying hard to keep up with her studies when she stumbles upon an old diary while doing research for a history assignment on the Civil War. A diary which, it turns out, was written by none other than her ancestor Fabienne and contains the secrets of time travel - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Emily to attempt saving her dying mom. But danger lurks in every corner, and Emily's present efforts might just tear Fabienne's past life apart.
Time Watcher builds a fascinating story following these intersecting dual timelines to deliver a captivating read which is sure to keep readers guessing right up until the very end. Both Fabienne and Emily are compelling protagonists, each facing some truly heartbreaking choices while dealing with extremely painful circumstances, accompanying readers on a reflection on love, loss and the lengths to which people might go to get it back.
As with most novels centred around time travel, the plot is intricate and requires some attention on the reader's part not to miss the clues the author cleverly disseminates throughout the novel. Still, the author did a great job in making even the most complex temporal twists and turns easy to follow, with clear explanations seamlessly woven through the narrative mostly avoiding excessive reliance on exposition. The historical background of the American Civil War perfectly conveys the sense of urgency and the climate of mistrust which allows the story to develop, while the contrast with the modern setting allows for some "fish out of water" type humour that balances the overall more dramatic tone. The romance is also sweet and works well within the story, complementing but never overshadowing it.
Overall, Time Watcher is a twisty read combining time travel, romance, history and family which is likely to appeal to readers seeking a multilayered story reminiscent of The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Car accident, War, and Injury/Injury detail