Étienne Lacroix and I had a fire I thought would never die. Our love was timeless. An irreversible decision sent me back to the present day with a family I barely recognize, but I am determined to find a way back to Étienne. I can survive time. But I can’t survive life without him. Time bends to no one’s demands, so I must fight with everything I have to return to the past. However, I am … However, I am terrified that the past I once knew might not look the same, and the man who once called me his surviving trace will no longer be waiting for me.
Time bends to no one’s demands but sometimes love does…
The Reigning and the Rule is book two in The Surviving Time Series.
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This was AMAZING. ADDICTING. Edge of my seat kind of read. The way my heart skipped and twitched was the best feeling ever!
I absolutely loved book 2 of this trilogy. I fell even more in love with Etienne than should be possible. Serene, Nat and Livingston I LOVE THEM ALL!!!!
This story has taken me on an intense and fabulous ride. Crushing my theories left and right. LOL! That’s a good thing.
I’m definitely diving right into book 3!
I did not find book 1 in this series until it had been released for a while. Once I read this book, I NEEDED book two. This story and more importantly this installment are breath taking. You will immediately be pulled into to this story, it will over take your mind and heart. Nothing will matter to you except this story. And it’s a beautiful story. At times it feels like it may break you and other times it gives such hope. This author has done an exceptional job of taking us on a journey that is timeless. I am on pins and needles awaiting book 3.
Calia Read continues the saga in book two of the Surviving Time series. The Reining and The Rule is amazing, heart wrenching, soul searching continuation of were book 1 left off. You again will be sucked into this world. Calia writes mystery, drama, wit, angst, romance, so very well. I have re-read my scenes after finishing because I just can’t let this story go. This series has it all. It really needs to be made into a Masterpiece Theater miniseries. I look forward to book 3 and what Calia writes next for these beloved characters. If you want to be sucked into a world of “Love fights all time” then this book is for you.
SERIOUSLY. MIND. BLOWN.
I’m still processing. This was one of those books that I’ve been DYING with anticipation to read since I finished The Surviving Trace and then once I got it I was like.. I need to drag this out because I know Calia is going to totally wreck my emotions. Plus there’s a third book so I know this ending is going to devastate me.
Stick a fork in me, I’m done. I mean sweet Jesus this woman can write! The whole time I was thinking any little thing could be a clue and what something could have a double meaning about. These characters will always be some of my favorites. Ètienne and Serene are even better in TRaTR. I mean Ètienne can never do wrong in my eyes *swoons* and Serene is SO FIERY!!
MUST READ! Just do it!
Once again I am speechless. Yes, Calia Read has woven her writing spell upon me and I am beyond in awe of her imagination. It goes without saying that this series is time travel like I’ve never experienced before as I have become completely captivated by each and every word.
I thought The Surviving Trace had me all twisted up but The Reigning and the Rule (book two in the Surviving Time series) has put me in a tailspin I’m not sure I can fully fathom. And to be honest, I don’t want to.
Picking up right where we left off in a cliffhanger that had my stomach in knots, it’s Serene’s heart that continues to lead her astray. Not that is necessarily a bad thing but her worlds continue to collide and as much as it always seems to be a race against time, this part of her journey is filled with even more trepidation and uncertainty than ever before.
But it’s the love, the unexpected, soul-consuming kind of love she has for Etienne that will continue to not only haunt her but have her wildly desperate for more. Serene’s decisions are fraught with worry that she is making the right choices between her time and Etienne’s and during many moments it was extremely hard to just sit back and watch it all happen.
But the wonderfully descriptive way that Read crafts this story-line and charms her readers is just one reason I can’t seem to look away or stop myself from savoring every single line of this saga. I feel as if I am a part of the adventure as I have come to adore the headstrong and fiery nature of this heroine. Serene tells it like it is whether or not the other person wants to know and despite her way with words, she manages to find her place even among the most difficult of situations. I am as enamored with her penchant for the dramatic as I am with her curiosity to find a way to make things right.
I encourage you to go into this story with an open mind and enough time to truly grasp every subtle nuance and clue since you’ll be scratching your head and often merely trying to keep up with each new revelation. But it’s an experience that is more than worth the effort because this is writing at its very best and I’m now sitting here extremely anxious as to when book 3 will be here. Because, oh yeah, there’s yet another cliffhanger Read just couldn’t help but thrust upon us, the evil genius that she is.
This entire series is brilliant and exquisite and 100 percent addicting. I couldn’t love it more if I tried and happily give The Reigning and the Rule a huge 5+ stars!!
I read this book in one sitting. Calia Read crafted a WONDERFUL tale with rich, intriguing, and fascinating characters that you quickly love. If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. This book, along with the other two in the series, are impossible to put down and leave you yearning to read them again (which I did!).
I can’t put into words what I thought about this book
without giving too much away,except that it was
truly amazing. I loved getting back into Etienne
and Serene’s story. Seriously,after how the author
left things in “The Surviving Trace”,I didn’t want
want to make assumptions or guess. I took my
time reading and absorbing it because I honestly
didn’t want it to end…and that ending .I’m really
looking forward to the next book in this series..
I am obsessed with this series everything about it is just sublime. The writing is superb I felt myself swept away with the characters and the story. I was living every meeting and separation between them I could imagine myself so clearly in both times.
There is drama and that never ending feeling of time moving too fast. Get ready to feel all the emotion of this passionate love story between Ètienne and Seren.
I got to the end and I realised the story had taken another twist and it’s a trilogy a TRILOGY how did I not know this.
Wow! This story is getting deeper and deeper with so many theories as to whats going on. I love the unconventional approach in the beginning of the book that the author took me in a different direction then what I thought would happen. On top of it another cliffhanger! Gah, I can’t wait for the conclusion.
Love is timeless!
In the continuation of the Surviving Trace, Serena is thrust into a new trajectory for herself and her family‘s lives. She dreams of being pushed over the edge….
Her life in the present is not as before and she is confused and begins to search for answers and her way back to Etienne.
“She’s still my surviving trace“
Calia Read took me on another heartfelt journey through time. I was apprehensive yet so curious and anxious to see where she led me and I was not disappointed, being on the edge of my seat for this exciting ride! I can’t wait for the next installment!
“He may rule the Lacroix‘s, but I reign over all of them. It’s a battle of wills and every person in the room picks up on our energy.”
I had the extreme privilege of receiving an ARC for my honest review.
***ARC REVIEW***
A great sequel to The Surviving Trace!
Once again I enjoyed the whole historical romance. I’m completely intrigued with Serene and Étienne love story. Their was one point I wanted to strangle Étienne so he can come to his senses! The enjoyment of this story is the whole scenario that surrounds Serene and her quest to find truth and make things right all while trying to survive her love for Étienne.
Their were moments that were a little slow during the read.. It picked up and left me fascinated for book 3!
Oh the wait! I hate to wait but I know it will be worth it. I’m positive. Holy hell the last 20% was awesome. So many twists and turns. This is why I love time travel because your actions has consequences and Serene and Étienne knows that. Still they change the timeline because of their everlasting love. They’ll do anything for one another and for family.
I’m crazy about these characters. Not only Serene and Étienne but also Nat, Livingston and Asa. There’s still so much story to be told and with how TRaTR ended the possibilities are endless. I enjoy the historical aspect of the story too and the author captures the atmosphere beautifully.
Whenever I thought I’d figured the timeline and the characters out I was sucker punched. Nothing or anyone is safe and I like that. TRaTR was such an entertaining book and I’m on pins and needles for book 3. I NEED IT.
4 Timeless Stars
“What have we done?” I whisper.
–
OMFG! CALIA READ DID THAT!
I need book 3 pronto!!
Damn. DAMN!
–
I’m keeping my review short for this book. I loved it. I loved the angst, the push and pull. Loved how fierce Serene was, and how she wasn’t afraid to say what was on her mind. Loved how loving, despite me wanting to strangle, Etienne was toward Serene. I loved how we got to see a lot more of the side characters, as well as got to know new ones. AND LASTLY, I LOVED HOW THIS BOOK ENDED. I can’t wait to see how book three will play out.
Truly, I am rendered speechless after reading this book. The emotions and my heart strings were played so well while reading about these characters and their journey. And please please please — I need more
The continuation of this amazing series is everything I was hoping is would be and SO. MUCH. MORE. I absolutely hated putting it down in order to adult!!
The story flowed beautifully and the passion that these characters had was just swoon worthy. It was so fun seeing all of the characters again. I love how strong Serene is and how well she balances Etienne.
Questions were answered and more questions have been asked, but there is no one that can make you want to keep turning the page to find out more like Calia. I was drawn in and hooked from the first sentence.
I cannot recommend this amazing story enough!! You must read this books NOW!!
The Reigning and the Rule is the second book in the Surviving Time trilogy. I never knew I liked time travel stories until I read this series. Ms Read has a way with words that makes the story come to life right in front of your eyes. The picture she paints is so vivid that I can see the images she is describing perfectly. I have fallen in love with Etienne and Serene.
This story gave me all the feels and I literally could not put it down. This book picks up where the first book left off. It was intense at times and made me want to scream. I have a love/hate relationship with Serene’s time traveling. I loved her with Etienne and at times I hated when she came back to her real time. I felt much like Serene did and couldn’t wait for her to get back to his time but then something would happen in his time and I’d think maybe she should be in her real time. It was such a whirlwind but so worth the ride. If you like a love story that is more than just a typical love story you will love this trilogy. I cannot wait for the next book to release.
What has this author done to my heart? This book was just utter perfection.
I cannot say one bad thing AT ALL.
HOW I MISSED SERENE AND ÉTIENNE!
Their banter had me snorting and laughing so loud. The best medicine in the world. So much anger, jealousy, and betrayal. Stolen moments, hidden glances…
SO. MUCH. HAPPENS. IN. THIS. BOOK!
So many words, new mysteries, a new race against time, new characters, that delicious slow burn. I wanted to throw my kindle across the room a few times. I’m serious. I wanted to throttle quite a few people.
The beautifully descriptive writing this author achieves still manages to leave me speechless.
I was transported time and time again—so beautifully—into the 1900’s. The details put into describing every single thing the characters went through seriously made me feel a part of the story. I was able to close my eyes and imagine myself every step of the way. Simply amazing.
Gah! When is the third book releasing? WHAT A WAY TO END THE BOOK!
This series is gearing up to be in my forever favorite pile. I’m going to need all of these in paperbacks, because you simply just can’t not have Étienne and Serene and home with you.
I honestly don’t know if I was anticipating the next book in a series as much as I anticipated this one. I thought I had an idea on what to expect, but I was so wrong. Every chapter gave new insight in to an intriguing story that will leave you guessing. It also gave us a deeper insight in to the love Etienne and Serene have for one another. Theirs is a love that knows no boundaries. they both realize they are on borrowed time but it doesn’t lessen their passion and their love for each other. They also find out they are a quite the force if they work together rather than keep each other in the dark. Sometimes it’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that if you were to be able to travel back in time every single aspect of your current life would be changed forever.
Calia does a superb job at putting you right in the scene with the characters. Her writing is so rich and detailed, you feel it when Serene travels back and forth between present and past. The tone is different. You know where she belongs, and who she belongs with.
The mystery surrounding her family unveils some answers with a whole host of new questions that I can’t wait to get the answers to. The ending will have you cheering and questioning everything you ever thought with the book. I was so confused, but so happy, and sitting her asking myself, how did that just happen??? Why did it happen?? I need to know right now!!
Calia has made me a forever fan of hers with this beautiful love story and I cannot wait for the next book!
Gah. I just can’t. I don’t even know what I feel in this second. This book was everything I was hoping for and so much more. After the end of book one we knew that something big was going to happen and boy did it. This author drew me in and made me more addicted to these characters then I already was. With more time travel, more drama, more surviving and a heck of a curve ball at the end, I can’t wait to see what is going to happen with these characters. 5 stars #2OCCJD
Good lord If I had a whole day to do absolutely nothing this would have been devoured in one day. Calia has done it again! It felt like I was transported back to 1914 and Belgrave when reading this! This has become one of my top 10 reads this year and I have read a lot of books this year.
I have loved this journey of Serene and Etienne as even thought they are from different times they try to figure out how to make things work.
I admire authors who can write these stories and let us live our lives as if we are part of the books. Calia will always be one of those authors that I will read theirs works no matter what.