Lew Rogers’s life is pleasantly boring until his friend Mira messes with magic she doesn’t understand. While searching for her, he’s pulled back in time to 1919 by a catastrophic magical accident. As he tries to navigate a strange time and find his friend in the smoky music clubs of Soho, the last thing he needs is Detective Alec Carter suspecting him of murder. London in 1919 is cold, wet, and … cold, wet, and tired from four years of war. Alec is back in the Metropolitan Police after slogging out his army service on the Western Front. Falling for a suspect in a gruesome murder case is not on his agenda, however attractive he finds the other man.
Both men are floundering and out of their depth, struggling to come to terms with feelings they didn’t ask for and didn’t expect. Both have secrets that could get them arrested or killed. In the middle of a murder investigation that involves wild magic, mysterious creatures, and illegal sexual desire, who is safe to trust?
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I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book, but whatever it was I was still surprised. It suck me in from the start even though I didn’t understand what happened in the beginning, I just couldn’t stop listening. We’re treated to a mysterious tale of magic and time travel and we get an interesting peek into life in the time just after WW1, a time period I didn’t think I was interested in, but here I was. There is magic and monsters that the MCs don’t understand that well, so they try to figure it out and take the reader with them on their hunt for knowledge..
Lew and Alec are both interesting, well rounded characters with both strength and faults, and the secondary characters are very interesting. There is no romance in this book, but there is a promise of something developing between Lew and Alec in the second book. I can’t wait until that book is out in audio!
I listened to the audio book and the narration is very good, Callum Hale gives good voices to everyone, though a couple of the secondary characters had the most delightful voices.
I truly enjoyed this story. I loved the Universe created by the author, and I love the characters. The fact that the story is happening just after the end of the WWI is a plus 😛
The relationship between Lew and Mira is lovely; and having him follow her to the past just shows how deep their feelings are. Well, okay, he wasn’t aware that he was following her into the past, but still 😛
The concept of the Border and the creatures following them into this dimension is fascinating, and I want to know more. And I love how people from this time kept popping up, knowing all about the whole thing *laughs*
And, of course, there is also the potential for a romance between Lew and Alec. At least, by the end of the book, we know they will be working together.
Callum Hale does a great job with the narration, but there are some issues with the editing, as chapters 14 and 22 are both twice in the audiobook.
A quirky mixture of magic, monsters and mystery with a nice, slow-burn developing relationship between the two main characters.
In 2016, the world has split. The Border is a protection against the Outlands, where creatures seeking energy lurk. The Border is power and danger; if misused, a person could find themselves in situations beyond their control. Certain humans have an ability called the Pull, and are known as Workers. Workers keep the Border repaired.
Mira is a Worker and has big dreams of being a jazz singer. She has an opportunity to get a job doing just that, and uses her Pull and a book of spells with the intent of getting the job, but the ritual goes awry.
Lew Rogers is Mira’s foster brother. He also has the Pull, and is a Worker at the Border. When he finds his sister is missing, with the intent to find her, he follows the ritual as precisely as he can. Lew finds himself in the year 1919, and knows pretty quickly that something is amiss. After a freak accident, he takes the name of Ellison “Lew” Tyler, and is offered a job as a photographer by Callum McGovern, who is starting a newspaper. Lew knows he doesn’t have the experience, but it eventually leads him to photographing for Scotland Yard, and gives him even more of an opportunity to search for Mira.
Alastair “Alec” Carter has returned from several long years of war. He took the position of uniformed constable, and was promoted to Detective Inspector with the Metropolitan Police. He becomes involved in a strange death at a hospital for Servicemen, and is attacked by something beyond reality. When a vicious murder occurs, Alec watches closely as Lew photographs the body, and, from Lew’s reaction, Alec gets the feeling that Lew knows something. The more Alec pursues Lew, the more he finds himself entangled in a world beyond belief. But even though Alec and Lew have some explosive moments, they also find a forbidden attraction between them.
I didn’t know if I was going to actually like this story, but A.L. Lester had me from the start. I couldn’t put this book down, and I want more. The only way I can describe it is that it’s a modern-day London in the early 1900s fantasy, sci-fi and mystery. The author gives a solid look at the backgrounds of both Lew and Alec. They are strong characters who have somewhat of a rocky beginning, and develop a gradual interest in each other. And, they both have their concerns about not revealing their attraction.
There are so many interesting secondary characters—Mira, Talley, Kelley, Archie, and Grant—who each bring an interesting aspect to the storyline. I highly suggest reading The Gate first, as it’s a short novella that introduces the mysterious Gate as well as Matty, his brother Arthur, Rob and Lin of the Frem, and opens the door for Lost in Time. A.L. Lester also provides a sneak peek at the next installment, Holding the Border, and I can’t wait to see where it will lead and who is willing to stay in the 1900s.
I love the premise, but I wish the chapters were more connected. I felt like some parts was missing, I didn’t understand half of what’s going on, how they get there or who the new characters are. I tried to understand what were the Pull and the Border, but it was really difficult. It really seems some chapters were missing from the audiobook. The worldbuilding was non-existent. Shame, because I really like time travel stories.
The narrator is new to me, but I really enjoyed his narration and I think it was a good fit for the novel.
I recieved this book for free in exchange for a review.
I unfortunately had to DNF it. The language was beautiful, but unfortunately it was not strung together in an engaging way. Add in the narrator’s lack of.. I don’t know…he just lacked.
I had to DNF this book. I don’t usually review books I don’t like but that was the agreement.