A young woman of mixed heritage (part Cambodian refugee, part British) has a secret mission: she will be "a bridge" for a 19th-century British explorer and naval officer who is rescued through a time portal shortly before his presumed death during an Arctic expedition. There are other "time refugees" like him, all taken moments before they died in their original timelines.
The pair live together in a house where the woman gradually introduces him to modern inventions and historical events. Regular inspections monitor his adjustment and health. Some of the other time-displaced individuals exhibit strange anomalies—such as not appearing in modern cameras or being undetectable by technological equipment (a somewhat implausible detail that feels more magical than scientific).
However, there seem to be darker forces at play. The project is sabotaged, and the lives of those involved become endangered. Amid this tension, the inevitable happens: when a young woman and a ruggedly handsome, exceedingly polite naval officer live together long enough, romance blooms. Despite the officer’s determination to protect the woman’s virtue at almost any cost—eventually to her frustration—feelings grow.
Overall, it's a pretty good book, particularly the first half. The latter part, involving various conspiracies, was at times a bit confusing—but time travel often leads to perplexing situations, like encountering an older version of yourself. The writing was solid, although the romantic scenes were occasionally syrupy and, at times, quite explicit. That said, the characters felt real and well-developed.
368 pp
No comments:
Post a Comment