blo Teens Read and Write: Book Review: TIMELESS by Alexandra Monir

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Book Review: TIMELESS by Alexandra Monir


by Alexandra Monir
release: Jan 2011
genre: Teen Fiction/Time Travel/Romance
When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.

Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.

Feel like experiencing the glitz and glamour of New York’s Gilded Age? Pick up TIMELESS.

Reading this romantic adventure I felt like the main character, Michele, magically transported back to 1910 New York. Monir’s attention to detail and brilliant description drops you right in the middle of a high-society’s family drama amidst this luxurious era. But you also get to dabble in the roaring twenties and the war wracked 1940s.

The romance between Michele and Philip is sweet and endearing as they struggle to overcome the daunting chasm of time. But it’s the time travel sequences where Michele interacts with her ancestors in their young and vibrant days that’s the most fun. 

Even in short bursts their personalities shine. Michele sees how and why they made the choices they did, and how their past has shaped her present. Lily, the wild songstress from the Roaring Twenties was my favorite. And how fun would it be to see your old stodgy grandfather as carefree spunky young boy? 

Music and lyrics are cleverly integrated into the plot. The writing has an elegant quality which mirrors the beauty of the past eras. It weaves several smaller stories that help wrap up the larger one and solve a big mystery about Michele’s life. The ending tugs at the heart strings, and then you get a whopping surprise in the final lines.

Enchanting, humorous, heart-wrenching, with vivid settings and endearing characters, lovers of time travel and romantic historical fiction will find TIMELESS an excellent choice. 

And be sure to check out our interview with the lovely and talented Alexandra Monir!



8 comments:

Rummanah Aasi said...

This sounds really interesting! I'll definitely have to be on the look out for it. Thanks for the review, Alyssa!

Missie, The Unread Reader said...

*squee* You've got me sold on the vivid setting, I think the pictures helped. ;)

I love time travel. Can't wait to give this one a try.

Golden Eagle said...

Sounds like a great book! Thank you for the review--this is going onto my TBR list!

Tales of Whimsy said...

Sounds like a splendid trip!

Blodeuedd said...

Sounds pretty good :=) And I sure haven't read a lot of books set in that era

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Yep... I need this one. Putting it on the wishlist now!

Jenny N. said...

I've heard the music that accompanies the book and it makes me want to read Timeless so much more.

Unknown said...

Haven't read too many YA historicals, but this one do sound good! And interesting too... I'll be checking this one out.

Dottie:)

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