Annie Sky : Shattered in Time

by Bettina Szedlak

Annie had it all. A smart, beautiful fencing superstar, she adored fantasy books and never lost a swordfight. But when her mom dies in a tragic car accident, all of that changes, and she vows to never touch another blade again. Now, it’s the week of her 16th birthday—another birthday without her mom. All she wants to do is forget her troubles and explore New York City on a school trip with her three best friends: Eva, Bella, and Pixie. When sneaky Eva leads the crew into a forbidden bookstore, they find a hidden passageway to ancient artifacts that hold a dark secret from centuries past. A tarnished, old mirror and a mysterious light send Annie on a fearsome journey to an unfamiliar world where good meets evil. With the captivating young Phoenix as her guide, Annie is forced to trust a supernatural stranger in the battle for her life. But she and this angelic protector have more in common than she knows.… Can she summon the inner strength to fight her demons, redeem both of their past mistakes, and make it back home before it’s too late? Awe-inspiring and spine-tingling, Annie Sky Shattered in Time is a story about a love powerful enough to reach through the barriers of time and space, and things will never be the same again.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2023

About the author

Bettina Szedlak is the author of the Annie Sky Shattered in Time series. Hailing from Hungary, a small European country, Bettina grew up with simple means but a wild imagination fueled by books. Now a proud United States citizen, Bettina considers her faith and family to be most important to her. Outside of work, you can find her frolicking with her goofy Doberman, loyal German Shepherd, and three rambunctious cats. Her perfect night is hot coffee and a book.

Reviews

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Sky is an action-packed young adult fantasy book that has multiple narratives but is mostly told by Annie who just turns 16. Bettina Szedlak has excellent world building. Who knew a high school field trip could go so wrong when a tarnished, old mirror transports her to Diadem which is millions of light years away from Earth. Follow her adventures, will she be able to get back?

What?!? The book ends with me wanting to know more in Annie’s adventure. What’s going to happen with her old friends from Earth and her new friends from Diadem. Hopefully we don’t have to wait too long for the next book in this trilogy.

[Amanda Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book. This was one of my first fantasy books. I really enjoyed it! I read it in two days because I could not put it down. I love the character development throughout the book, small details here and there, making you want more. I enjoyed the riddles and the action of the book. I love that I was so connected with the characters that I laughed and cried while following their stories. This was a book for all ages. I am hoping my pre-teen daughter will read it next so we can discuss it together. Or maybe some of my adult friends too. I am very excited about the next book! Cannot wait to see what happens next.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Sky just turned 16 and embarked on a class field trip to NYC. Little does she know she's in for more than a field trip when she and her friends discover a bookstore with a hidden passageway, which leads to another adventure she’ll never forget. Betina Szediak opens the door to a world like no other, introducing lovable and memorable characters.

Throughout this book, I could not help but think how blessed Annie is to have such amazing friends and live the dream of a 16-year-old. Yes, they're in for a rude awakening, but the time you embark on an adventure is a joyous moment because of all the knowledge, wisdom, and experience you'll gain from it. Yet, not many 16-year-old girls know that. I hope this book is the first installment of a series because it ended on a cliffhanger or Szediak meant for the reader to write their ending.

I found nothing to dislike about the book. The imagery, storyline, characters, climax, and theme were fascinating. This fantasy adventure was unique and original in the best way possible. I recommend this book for those who need a different fantasy perspective and crave adventure. For these reasons, I am awarding this book five stars.