“I had trouble putting it down … highly recommend this book to all ages.” – Robin Bunting, Amazon reviewer
“Beautiful, vivid descriptions … adventure that is full of twists and turns.” – Robert Provence, Amazon reviewer
“Interesting take on Pompeii’s last days.” – Deanna Mosier, Amazon reviewer
Experience the final days of Pompeii in book two of the TimeDrifter Series. This harrowing … This harrowing historical fantasy unfolds through the eyes of the doomed city’s inhabitants, along with a trio of time traveling misfits. Their old nemesis, known as Basilius in Pompeii, charms others as he counters their every attempt. The fate of another relies on their ability to dodge Basilius’s efforts and escape before time runs out for Pompeii. Will they be willing to forfeit a future for what they hold most dear? Sometimes great risk is required to achieve a greater calling.
Looking for books that edify and entertain? Read the TimeDrifter Series — and be transported.
THE VEIL OF SMOKE is the second book in the TimeDrifter Series.
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So, I am not the best ‘Book Reviewer’, and I have a bad habit of letting really good books just sit there… for MONTHS!!! Like this book… The author of this amazing book, sent her TimeDrifter series to ME FOR FREE!!!! And I just let the 2nd and 3rd books sit there for months… (I am sooooooo sorry Lauren!!!!)
Well anyways, yesterday I found the series again, and decided to read it. AND I FORGOT HOW AWESOME IT IS!!!!! Think of Narnia, but instead of them going to another world they go BACK IN TIME TO MEET THEIR ANCESTORS!!!!!! I am telling you guys READ THIS BOOK!!!! You can get it off of Amazon for $10, and read it by Saturday! (I love this book a little too much)
I personally think this is a great Family book to read as well. My cousins and I used to listen to my Grampy, while he read Narnia, and now I want him to read these books too!!! They are very Kid-friendly with little to no violence. (Except for the part where they’re in Pompeii…)
Over all, love it, Love It, LOVE IT!!!! And now you have-to read it. This is a wonderful series, and I’m gonna go get the 3rd book and read it RIGHT NOW!!!! (Thank you Lauren Lynch for sending me these books, and I am really loving them!!!!) -The Young Llama Reader.
Pros
It is like a Narnia book… but better!
Kid-friendly
Is a great book to read as a family!!!
Cons
It is about Pompeii…
http://www.jamiswords.com/the-veil-of-smoke-by-lauren-lynch-review/
If you read my review of Book 1, The Place of Voices, you likely saw how I came to read the TimeDrifter series. I won’t repeat myself, but I will say that author Lauren Lynch has continued her trend of writing a really good time-travel story. The Veil of Smoke is a book that can be easily read as a stand-alone as well as part of the series, and most readers will appreciate that. This second novel uncovers the disaster at Pompeii. I have always been intrigued by the mystery and the tragedy behind Pompeii, and I was overjoyed to find that Lauren was using that setting.
The story begins with the tale of Marcus, a young man about to embark on a life of adulthood, albeit reluctantly. Marcus isn’t interested in finding a job or continuing education and is offended by his mom’s pressure for him to take on some responsibilities. Soon Marcus finds himself in a situation out of his control, and he wishes that he’d listened to Mom.
Book One introduced the readers to Anna and Brendan, both whom have traveled from the ’20s and the ’50s, respectively. Anna and Brendan return to Book Two and both are well-traveled time travelers in The Veil of Smoke. Once arriving in Pompeii, they realize that they are there to help someone, but they have to figure out who that is.
Narnia-like in style, The Veil of Smoke is a book that has Christian allegory but isn’t super preachy. Additionally, it has a clear good versus evil theme along with moral values and a focus on making good decisions. Over time, the characters experience personal growth that Lauren builds into the story in a seamless fashion.
I was very impressed with the depth of Lauren’s research into the events around the disaster at Pompeii. Her descriptions of the city, their celebratory festivals and worship of the gods was very focused and painted brilliantly in my mind. She clearly is very gifted with description and research.
The characters—primary AND secondary—are very well fleshed out and the scenes played out like a movie in my mind. I had a very hard time putting down The Veil of Smoke!