Century Portal: A YA Historical Urban Fantasy Academy Book

by Barbara Hartzler

Go Back to the Future where Downton Abbey meets Shadowhunters ...We thought the battle for the Seer was over, but there’s a new threat vying for control of the Guardians. An old enemy who can now travel through time …

Bella
I thought my days of wielding Sacred Stone powers were over. Then a strange portal appears in my dorm room and a couple from 1924 is asking for my help ...

To stop an old villain from controlling the Seer's family tree and changing the future.

If it means I have to navigate time portals, debutante balls, and speakeasies, so be it ...

Lucinda
Yesterday, my biggest problem was fighting my parents for control of my own destiny amid a sea of suitors.

Then I witness a display of supernatural powers on the streets of New York. Have my Seer powers come early?

I turn eighteen next month and have big plans for my future. It’s 1924 and women are slowly gaining their freedom. Even though I’m next in line to be the Seer, I want to control my own destiny.

Except, there's a new Lothario seeking my hand, and the boy next door trying to distract me. It's all a game of cat and mouse.

Can I navigate the sea of powerful suitors, and keep my burgeoning Seer powers a secret?

I guess we're about to find out ...

Century Portal is book 1 in a new YA time travel historical series by bestselling Urban Fantasy Academy author Barbara Hartzler. Think Downton Abbey meets Shadowhunters with some Back to the Future like time travel for teens and young adults.

***AUTHOR'S This is a spin-off series to the Sacred Stones Academy Universe. You don't have to read the Montrose Paranormal Academy, Shadowstone Academy, or Genesis Academy series to understand this book, but you might want to check them out for extra context.***

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2024

About the author

Barbara Hartzler is an Urban Fantasy Academy author writing about Seers, Chosen Ones, sacred stones, and secret societies ... oh my!

Her stories are full of snarky heroines, supernatural shenanigans, dreamy guys, and normal teens taking on larger-than-life quests to save the world.

As a former barista and graphic designer, she loves all things sparkly and purple and is always jonesing for a good cup of joe.

So grab a cup of coffee and peruse her website at www.barbarahartzler.com. You can read her blog, explore all the behind-the-scenes extras in The Seer’s Vault, or learn more about her writing journey, fun facts, and The BARBARA awards for best fiction (mostly YA).

Or look for Barbara on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Reviews

[Shirley Bostock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to the Future with Magic
What a brilliant concept to keep the Sacred Stones Saga going.
Bella and Patrick go back in time 100 years to help the parents of Lucinda the next Seer from being targeted by Ricardo who is an old enemy from the Watcher Sapphire Wars, he has found a way to create a portal back 100 years he needs to woo Lucinda to use her to keep the Seer line in the Montrose family, this will change the future forever and obviously not for the good.
Lucinda’s Parents also find a way to create Portals and ask Bella and Patrick for help as they are the only ones to keep their Powers after the Watcher Sapphire Wars. I love the way the story develops and how they fit in with the ways 1924, although Lucinda is busy trying to find an escort for the debutante ball she is also beginning to think like an independent woman and not wanting to conform to the idea of young women in 1924 society, little does she know what the future holds especially now her powers seem to have come early.
I received an ARC copy of this book via Book Sprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review

[Robert A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hartzler does it again! A fantastic first book in what I suspect will be an Outstanding series.

In Century Portal, you see a dramatic change in the storyline that has taken us across three series’ and over a dozen books. Talk about plot shift, going through time! I will be honest; Bella and Patrick are not my favorite characters. But as the book progresses I find that they were the perfect and only ones to travel through time to the ”Roaring Twenties” and change/change back the course of history. I am sure we will see more of this time period and perhaps maybe having to go into Bella and Patrick’s future?
As always, Barbara develops the characters incredible well and supplies us with very nice twists and turns. I can not wait for the next book. Well done Ms. Hartzler!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one in this new series and it is off to a flying start. Patrick and Bella find themselves travelling back to the rip roaring 20’s to save the seer's line from being taken over by the evil Montrose's. Told with a blend of the here and now and back in time, the author does a fantastic job shifting us through space and time including the consequences. Incredible world building that will draw you in and make you feel as though you are actually there along for the ride, fantastic and likeable characters and a storyline that’s intriguing, exciting and full of surprises and twists and turns. This looks to be a captivating series and I look forward to reading more!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a continuation to the Sacred Stones series, but can be standalone. Although you will enjoy it even more if you have read the other books, but it is great on its own. In this book we are following Patrick and Bella as they end up time-traveling back to the 1920’s to save Lucinda from making a bad decision about the wrong guy. Choosing him will change history and create horrible changes to the future. The historical aspects are fascinating as they are woven into the story. This story is a great addition to the series and a very enjoyable read!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Century Portal (Sacred Stones Portal Series 1) by Barbara Hartzler Loved this book I definitely recommend. Another great book by this writer. They thought the battle for the Seer were over but there's a new threat vying for control of the Guardians.. An old enemy that can now travel through time.. Bella thought her days of wielding Sacred Stone powers until a strange portal appears in her dorm room and she is asked for help from a couple from 1924.. I LOVED the book. Expected release in a few days

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was lovely to read with lots of action. I thought this group or series was over with the last group of books but Barbara has thought up a new twist. I’m hoping that as much as I’m enjoying this book that maybe this will be the last group in this series. I love the fact that the books are clean and faith based but maybe another story line coming up?
Free ARC copy with voluntary review.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit out in left field for me and the flow of the story seemed stilted in several places. Perhaps it's just me, though. The characters are interesting, the plot was crazy different, and the premise was getting the time line back to normal. After several tries this was established. I do recommend this book.

[Jennifer Laird-Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific, I normally don't read time travel books but since I read the other series I had to. I'm glad I did. The interesting way the plot moved back and forth ,the characters. It's a great read. I would recommend this book.

[Debi Mozingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick and Bella travel back in time to save the seer's line from being taken over by the evil Montrose's! This clever time traveling fantasy cleverly mixes 2024 with Speakeasys and the roaring 20's, debutante balls with crystal wars. This is a clever addition to the sacred stone series. Loved it!

[Lisa Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to future books.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.***
Lisa