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In the City of Time #2
For the Stolen Fates
In this heart-pumping sci-fi sequel to In the City of Time, two people have to work together to prevent the cataclysm that will soon break the laws of physics and render Earth uninhabitable.
Now in possession of the most dangerous book ever scribed, Willa and Saudade settle into the nineteenth century and start planning how to avert the cataclysm that will soon break the laws of physics and render Earth uninhabitable.
Faraz only wants his best friend, Leo, to have the time to come to terms with the death of his father—even if his father was a power-hungry villain who had to be stopped. But someone has stolen the editbook again, and now Faraz and his friends must track down Willa and challenge her for control of the editbook.
Meanwhile, Leo’s older brother Aris contemplates a path toward redemption after using the editbook to destroy the city of Napoli. Can he salvage his remaining relationships, after a lifetime of following their father?
But as far as Willa and Saudade are concerned, all these people are suspects in a crime that hasn’t happened yet.
Now in possession of the most dangerous book ever scribed, Willa and Saudade settle into the nineteenth century and start planning how to avert the cataclysm that will soon break the laws of physics and render Earth uninhabitable.
Faraz only wants his best friend, Leo, to have the time to come to terms with the death of his father—even if his father was a power-hungry villain who had to be stopped. But someone has stolen the editbook again, and now Faraz and his friends must track down Willa and challenge her for control of the editbook.
Meanwhile, Leo’s older brother Aris contemplates a path toward redemption after using the editbook to destroy the city of Napoli. Can he salvage his remaining relationships, after a lifetime of following their father?
But as far as Willa and Saudade are concerned, all these people are suspects in a crime that hasn’t happened yet.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2024
5 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Gwendolyn Clare
27 books257 followersGwendolyn Clare's debut novel -- INK, IRON, AND GLASS -- is the first in a steampunk duology about a young mad scientist with the ability to write new worlds into existence, out now from Imprint. Her short stories have appeared in Clarkesworld, Asimov's, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies, among others, and her poetry has been nominated for the Rhysling Award. She holds a BA in Ecology, a BS in Geophysics, a PhD in Mycology, and swears she's done collecting acronyms. She lives in North Carolina with too many cats, too many ducks, and never enough books.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 20, 2024
3.5*
My one problem with For the Stolen Fates was that I did not really remember a ton about its predecessor. And since we kind of jumped right into the action, I did feel a wee bit lost. For a good portion of the story, actually. But that is on me, isn't it? Though like I said in that review, I still don't fully get the world, because this is a companion to another series. And while you don't have to read that one to enjoy this one (I didn't read it!), I have a feeling it would all make more sense if I had. I digress, as I didn't know it was a companion series at the time.
Anyway, we're thrown right back into the action, with a bunch of characters, and again, I did not remember too many of them aside from Willa and Saudade. I did enjoy that we were back in the past, can you imagine how trippy that must be!? Honestly this book just made me want to jump around in time, I'll certainly give it that! I also liked that the characters had to like, use the time travel as a strategic device, makes it fun. We're not spending time with the characters that Willa grew close to in the first book, which is a bit sad because she had this found family situation, but she finds a whole new crew of characters to hang out with so there's that! And they are trying to save all of humanity and earth, so obviously the stakes are high and there is quite a bit of action and excitement.
Bottom Line: Different time and some different characters, but still a very adventurous take on time travel!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
My one problem with For the Stolen Fates was that I did not really remember a ton about its predecessor. And since we kind of jumped right into the action, I did feel a wee bit lost. For a good portion of the story, actually. But that is on me, isn't it? Though like I said in that review, I still don't fully get the world, because this is a companion to another series. And while you don't have to read that one to enjoy this one (I didn't read it!), I have a feeling it would all make more sense if I had. I digress, as I didn't know it was a companion series at the time.
Anyway, we're thrown right back into the action, with a bunch of characters, and again, I did not remember too many of them aside from Willa and Saudade. I did enjoy that we were back in the past, can you imagine how trippy that must be!? Honestly this book just made me want to jump around in time, I'll certainly give it that! I also liked that the characters had to like, use the time travel as a strategic device, makes it fun. We're not spending time with the characters that Willa grew close to in the first book, which is a bit sad because she had this found family situation, but she finds a whole new crew of characters to hang out with so there's that! And they are trying to save all of humanity and earth, so obviously the stakes are high and there is quite a bit of action and excitement.
Bottom Line: Different time and some different characters, but still a very adventurous take on time travel!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
April 9, 2024
Oh. My. Gosh. This. Book. And I mean that in a good way.
Maybe I should process before I write this, but I like writing reviews while the book is fresh lol, so here we go.
In the author's note of In The City of Time the author says that if you don't like spoilers, you should read the original duology, starting with Ink, Iron and Glass , before reading For the Stolen Fates. I would highly suggest doing so. A lot of the characters from the original dulogy turn up here, and things won't make much sense without understanding what's already happened.
Overall, I loved this book. I do have a complaint though, and I'll address that first. It was a small scene, lasted not even a page, but left me disturbed. Trigger warning for gore/medical violence? Again, the scene was very short, but it felt repulsive. I understand it was to give insight into why Aris is the way he is, but I can't say I liked it.
Now that that warning is out of the way, on to the things I did like. I've said it when I reviewed the other books, and I'll say it again: all the characters are wonderful. They all felt unique and like their own person, and I loved each for their strengths and flaws. The way they banter with each other is also hilarious.
If you're looking for a diverse sci-fi, this is the book for you. We see a trans woman, a nonbinary character, gay relationships (both mlm and wlw), poly characters and poc characters.
My personal favorite part was Ari's povs. In the original duology, I really wanted to explore his and Vincenzo's dynamic, and I'm so glad we got to do that here. I'm so invested in these two, I tell you.
The author did a great job of blending the two duologies into one story. I had a few ah ha! moments as I put together things that I hadn't previously connected. The time travel and world building also felt solid, which is saying a lot.
Bottom line is, I'd been waiting a year for this book, and it was worth it. I loved it. I find I can't help but hope for more...
Maybe I should process before I write this, but I like writing reviews while the book is fresh lol, so here we go.
In the author's note of In The City of Time the author says that if you don't like spoilers, you should read the original duology, starting with Ink, Iron and Glass , before reading For the Stolen Fates. I would highly suggest doing so. A lot of the characters from the original dulogy turn up here, and things won't make much sense without understanding what's already happened.
Overall, I loved this book. I do have a complaint though, and I'll address that first. It was a small scene, lasted not even a page, but left me disturbed. Trigger warning for gore/medical violence? Again, the scene was very short, but it felt repulsive. I understand it was to give insight into why Aris is the way he is, but I can't say I liked it.
Now that that warning is out of the way, on to the things I did like. I've said it when I reviewed the other books, and I'll say it again: all the characters are wonderful. They all felt unique and like their own person, and I loved each for their strengths and flaws. The way they banter with each other is also hilarious.
If you're looking for a diverse sci-fi, this is the book for you. We see a trans woman, a nonbinary character, gay relationships (both mlm and wlw), poly characters and poc characters.
My personal favorite part was Ari's povs. In the original duology, I really wanted to explore his and Vincenzo's dynamic, and I'm so glad we got to do that here. I'm so invested in these two, I tell you.
The author did a great job of blending the two duologies into one story. I had a few ah ha! moments as I put together things that I hadn't previously connected. The time travel and world building also felt solid, which is saying a lot.
Bottom line is, I'd been waiting a year for this book, and it was worth it. I loved it. I find I can't help but hope for more...
March 26, 2024
This is a pretty good conclusion of Clare’s two duologies; I like the themes and resolutions at the end. Even though it felt like this story took a bit to get going and I wasn’t sure what to think of the chapters that were written from different characters’ perspectives than we’ve ever seen before (especially Aris’), I can see how it all made sense in the end. I think that part of it is just that I’m really attached to Leo and Elsa, haha. I even missed having more of Riley and Jaideep in this one!
I definitely think novels like this are prominent today in the heavy focus on (and potential danger of) AI. And, you know—the humour was fun! It is very unique to be arguing with a villain in sign language. And my favorite quote was, “No, but I’m fluent in the language of stabbing people who try to hurt my friends.”
Overall, Gwendolyn Clare is really cool at fleshing out scientific theory into whole, original worlds that are captivating, and I think that she’s pretty awesome!
I definitely think novels like this are prominent today in the heavy focus on (and potential danger of) AI. And, you know—the humour was fun! It is very unique to be arguing with a villain in sign language. And my favorite quote was, “No, but I’m fluent in the language of stabbing people who try to hurt my friends.”
Overall, Gwendolyn Clare is really cool at fleshing out scientific theory into whole, original worlds that are captivating, and I think that she’s pretty awesome!
March 4, 2024
I tried so hard with this book, but unfortunately, it wasn't for me. I did read In the City of Time, and also found that book hard to understand. For the Stolen Fates picked up right where In the City of Time left off, and I still had no idea what was happening. I don't understand the world or how the time travel works at all. The writing itself is lovely, the time travel concept is fun, and the story itself seems interesting, but it's not explained well enough in my opinion.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 9, 2023
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this title! Time travel shenanigans are a lot of fun especially when that time travel is in an older time. Using that time travel to actually solve problems while coming back minutes after they leave is so good. All in all a really good sequel to the first title.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews