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Timekeeper: The World in the Watch
Monique Johnson wakes up on a dirt road with no recollection of how she got there; or recollection of anything at all, for that matter. Though scenarios of a potential kidnapping - or even the simple notion of "it's all just a dream" - bustle about in her mind, she soon finds that the reason for this occurrence is something far stranger...
...and an antique, time-halting pocket watch is the key to it all.
In the first installment of the TIMEKEEPER Trilogy, Monique has been entirely wrenched from the world she once knew, and into the land of Mundreló a world driven by clockwork and steam. As she anxiously makes every attempt to find what she has lost, she finds solace in the workshop of inventor Ivan Abraham III and his fox-shifter son and daughter, Leif and a soft-spoken apprentice and a buoyant little girl with an insatiable craving for toffees. And once she discovers that she possesses the Power of Timekeepers, Monique finds herself in a race against time to discover the secrets of this strange world, the origins of her power, and her way home.
The World in the Watch is the first installment of the long-arc trilogy, The Timekeeper Of Mundrelóg . If you enjoy cozy, low-stakes narratives, lost memories, and found family in a fantasy steampunk setting, then this book is for you!
...and an antique, time-halting pocket watch is the key to it all.
In the first installment of the TIMEKEEPER Trilogy, Monique has been entirely wrenched from the world she once knew, and into the land of Mundreló a world driven by clockwork and steam. As she anxiously makes every attempt to find what she has lost, she finds solace in the workshop of inventor Ivan Abraham III and his fox-shifter son and daughter, Leif and a soft-spoken apprentice and a buoyant little girl with an insatiable craving for toffees. And once she discovers that she possesses the Power of Timekeepers, Monique finds herself in a race against time to discover the secrets of this strange world, the origins of her power, and her way home.
The World in the Watch is the first installment of the long-arc trilogy, The Timekeeper Of Mundrelóg . If you enjoy cozy, low-stakes narratives, lost memories, and found family in a fantasy steampunk setting, then this book is for you!
- GenresSteampunk
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2024
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 6, 2024
A cute lovely read! The cozy gas lamp with Ghibli vibes reminded me of my childhood. The characters are sweet and endearing. Leif was my favorite. I’d recommend it for readers looking for a light magical read.
Some quotes I just loved:
“Sometimes the coldest, most hateful hearts, were once hearts that loved more than anything.”
“Each [book] grants me a glimpse of the world through someone else eyes. It is like my soul leaves my body in favor of another’s. Even as I stand here, I can witness wonders-miracles. I get to explore places I have never dreamed of.”
Some quotes I just loved:
“Sometimes the coldest, most hateful hearts, were once hearts that loved more than anything.”
“Each [book] grants me a glimpse of the world through someone else eyes. It is like my soul leaves my body in favor of another’s. Even as I stand here, I can witness wonders-miracles. I get to explore places I have never dreamed of.”
January 19, 2024
-Positives:
-Great intro to steampunk. I have never read anything remotely related to steampunk, and I instantly got the vibe for this genre in writing, and I have to say the writer did it very well.
-The world-building instilled in this novel is very well thought out, and as an author myself, I can tell the writer put much time into developing this adorable YA novel!
-I loved all the unique elements that went into the world-building, such as the concealing cloaks, Hugo, and the cool owl in the library. It was very immersive, and I felt a part of it!
-One of my favorite elements of the book was the descriptions. The imagery used was very illustrative, and Shelly melded a lot of the character emotions into these descriptions in order to create the great book The Time Keeper: The World in the Watch.
-Another thing I absolutely loved about this story was how well and naturally Leif and Monique bonded. Leif was definitely my favorite character, which I did not expect (Because I didn’t know what Foxfolk were before this), and their flow and romantic energy are very innocently and cleanly crafted, which is something I personally love.
-A favorite part was on page 14, where Monique calls Leif a cat boy–there I burst into laughter.
I also loved page 284, and that whole chapter where Monique opens up about her feelings about losing her loved one, and Leif is simply there for her. This scene was another great example of character bonding, which I thought Shelly did naturally, and it made me tear up a bit.
-Critiques:
-There isn’t a whole lot I could critique on this book because it was pleasantly amazing! However, there is one thing, in particular, that ground at the back of my head while reading this book that I just could not get past Tallulah.
-I understand this character is meant to be adorable, but I feel like she isn’t for everyone. For me, she felt like that little girl anime protagonist who always ruins everything.
-Her speech was one thing that is definitely a unique way to go writing-wise–it gave Huckleberry Finn vibes, but that wasn’t what really irritated me about her character. It was that Tallulah was just so utterly self-serving the entire story. With modification and growth to her character, I could rate this story 5 Stars in a heartbeat, but she was so infuriating to me that I could not get past it.
-One example of many is whenever Leif, Monique, and Tallulah start their adventure to the Time Keepers, she instantly almost gets Leif killed because she thinks it's a great idea to run off for Toffees, whenever Foxfolk are hated by society.
-Here, I can understand that she may be a child and children make stupid decisions, but to me, she just came off as more annoying than anything.
-There was a part in the story where she kind of redeemed herself to me, which is when she helped cheer up a few strangers, but then she did something utterly stupid that disarrayed everything, and I just couldn’t.
-The only other thing was that the ending of the novel was incredibly slow. In this part of the story, I would expect to pick up in pace, but I found it was kind of slow. Great! But slower compared to how the novel started.
Overall, this story is a 4-star from me! It is absolutely adorable, and I definitely recommend it! My critiques are more personal things to my liking, so I wouldn’t let those sway you, and I would definitely get this book!
-Great intro to steampunk. I have never read anything remotely related to steampunk, and I instantly got the vibe for this genre in writing, and I have to say the writer did it very well.
-The world-building instilled in this novel is very well thought out, and as an author myself, I can tell the writer put much time into developing this adorable YA novel!
-I loved all the unique elements that went into the world-building, such as the concealing cloaks, Hugo, and the cool owl in the library. It was very immersive, and I felt a part of it!
-One of my favorite elements of the book was the descriptions. The imagery used was very illustrative, and Shelly melded a lot of the character emotions into these descriptions in order to create the great book The Time Keeper: The World in the Watch.
-Another thing I absolutely loved about this story was how well and naturally Leif and Monique bonded. Leif was definitely my favorite character, which I did not expect (Because I didn’t know what Foxfolk were before this), and their flow and romantic energy are very innocently and cleanly crafted, which is something I personally love.
-A favorite part was on page 14, where Monique calls Leif a cat boy–there I burst into laughter.
I also loved page 284, and that whole chapter where Monique opens up about her feelings about losing her loved one, and Leif is simply there for her. This scene was another great example of character bonding, which I thought Shelly did naturally, and it made me tear up a bit.
-Critiques:
-There isn’t a whole lot I could critique on this book because it was pleasantly amazing! However, there is one thing, in particular, that ground at the back of my head while reading this book that I just could not get past Tallulah.
-I understand this character is meant to be adorable, but I feel like she isn’t for everyone. For me, she felt like that little girl anime protagonist who always ruins everything.
-Her speech was one thing that is definitely a unique way to go writing-wise–it gave Huckleberry Finn vibes, but that wasn’t what really irritated me about her character. It was that Tallulah was just so utterly self-serving the entire story. With modification and growth to her character, I could rate this story 5 Stars in a heartbeat, but she was so infuriating to me that I could not get past it.
-One example of many is whenever Leif, Monique, and Tallulah start their adventure to the Time Keepers, she instantly almost gets Leif killed because she thinks it's a great idea to run off for Toffees, whenever Foxfolk are hated by society.
-Here, I can understand that she may be a child and children make stupid decisions, but to me, she just came off as more annoying than anything.
-There was a part in the story where she kind of redeemed herself to me, which is when she helped cheer up a few strangers, but then she did something utterly stupid that disarrayed everything, and I just couldn’t.
-The only other thing was that the ending of the novel was incredibly slow. In this part of the story, I would expect to pick up in pace, but I found it was kind of slow. Great! But slower compared to how the novel started.
Overall, this story is a 4-star from me! It is absolutely adorable, and I definitely recommend it! My critiques are more personal things to my liking, so I wouldn’t let those sway you, and I would definitely get this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 11, 2023**Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the novel via Booksprout. Thank you to M. B. Shelley for the book!
Timekeeper is a fantasy isekai that follows the story of Monique, an assisted living facility employee who stumbles upon a magical pocket watch that transports her to the industrial, Victorian England parallel world, Mundrelog. Here, she meets an inventor named Ivan and his two adopted children, Leif and Talullah, who are half human half fox creatures with magical abilities.
This first book follows Monique's curiosity as she explores this new world, gains her lost memories, and learns about the divide between humans and the fox folk. It's a low-stakes novel without a central villain and not much conflict until the last third of the novel. Before that, the story focuses on describing the steampunk world, filled with gears, machines, and all sorts of fun inventions. The world is beautifully described with lots of details that give a clear picture of the environment. I also got sucked into Monique's story leading up to her finding the pocket watch. The emotions displayed made me appreciate her compassion and determination and made me excited to see how her complex character grows even further. I'm also partial to Talullah, the powerful little kid who talks in a cutesy voice and is always looking for adventure. Although she is not the focus of most scenes, it's always a delight to have her pop up.
If I had to give any criticisms, one of them would have to be the writing itself. I feel like an extra pass of editing to tighten up some of the sentences would have done this novel some favors. Like I said too, this is the first novel in a series, so the book feels empty because of it. I also feel like the novel missed an opportunity to provide more intrigue to Monique's story, opting to reveal her backstory all at once instead of spreading it out to provide more tension and mystery.
However, when I look at this story less as an epic adventure to save the world and more as a low-stakes exploration of a foreign world that focuses on character, heart, and unique environments, it keeps me wanting more, and I can't wait for more books in the series to release!
Timekeeper is a fantasy isekai that follows the story of Monique, an assisted living facility employee who stumbles upon a magical pocket watch that transports her to the industrial, Victorian England parallel world, Mundrelog. Here, she meets an inventor named Ivan and his two adopted children, Leif and Talullah, who are half human half fox creatures with magical abilities.
This first book follows Monique's curiosity as she explores this new world, gains her lost memories, and learns about the divide between humans and the fox folk. It's a low-stakes novel without a central villain and not much conflict until the last third of the novel. Before that, the story focuses on describing the steampunk world, filled with gears, machines, and all sorts of fun inventions. The world is beautifully described with lots of details that give a clear picture of the environment. I also got sucked into Monique's story leading up to her finding the pocket watch. The emotions displayed made me appreciate her compassion and determination and made me excited to see how her complex character grows even further. I'm also partial to Talullah, the powerful little kid who talks in a cutesy voice and is always looking for adventure. Although she is not the focus of most scenes, it's always a delight to have her pop up.
If I had to give any criticisms, one of them would have to be the writing itself. I feel like an extra pass of editing to tighten up some of the sentences would have done this novel some favors. Like I said too, this is the first novel in a series, so the book feels empty because of it. I also feel like the novel missed an opportunity to provide more intrigue to Monique's story, opting to reveal her backstory all at once instead of spreading it out to provide more tension and mystery.
However, when I look at this story less as an epic adventure to save the world and more as a low-stakes exploration of a foreign world that focuses on character, heart, and unique environments, it keeps me wanting more, and I can't wait for more books in the series to release!
December 21, 2023
Monique’s life is suddenly turned upside down when she is mysteriously transported to a different dimension with no recollection of why or how she got there. As she tries to put the pieces together, she meets an inventor named Ivan and his two adopted children, Leif and Tallulah. Together, they work to piece together Monique’s sudden appearance into their world and the magical watch she brought along with her.
This was a really nice, YA fantasy read that I really enjoyed! This book is marketed as a Victorian-steampunk which is what initially piqued my curiosity. There are definitely steampunk vibes throughout the book- the inventor, Ivan and his children live in this chaotic, but beautiful, nurturing home and I just imagined papers, books, half finished projects, and bits and bobs strewn all over the house. It is definitely a place I would want to visit!
The worldbuilding was also terrific! I could easily imagine the steampunk/ forest-y world of Mundrelog. I would love to visit the market and take a carriage to the bookstore all the while sharing a bag of toffee with Tallulah! I think that the setting was wonderfully established and everything is perfectly set for the next book in the series. Speaking of the next book… if you aren’t a huge fan of cliffhanger endings, you may want to wait until the next book is available before reading this one.
I think the characters were written well and exactly what you would expect from a YA book- they are funny, awkward, mischievous and sweet! The only thing I wasn’t keen on was Tallulah’s way of speaking- I just found it to be kind of distracting to read, even though I believe it was intended to be endearing. I liked Lief’s character the most and can’t wait to see how he develops personally and how his relationship with Monique changes throughout the rest of the series.
I can see this series taking off in so many directions and I can’t wait to see how the author decides to tell the rest of the story! I am looking forward to finishing the series and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a light, quick fantasy read.
This was a really nice, YA fantasy read that I really enjoyed! This book is marketed as a Victorian-steampunk which is what initially piqued my curiosity. There are definitely steampunk vibes throughout the book- the inventor, Ivan and his children live in this chaotic, but beautiful, nurturing home and I just imagined papers, books, half finished projects, and bits and bobs strewn all over the house. It is definitely a place I would want to visit!
The worldbuilding was also terrific! I could easily imagine the steampunk/ forest-y world of Mundrelog. I would love to visit the market and take a carriage to the bookstore all the while sharing a bag of toffee with Tallulah! I think that the setting was wonderfully established and everything is perfectly set for the next book in the series. Speaking of the next book… if you aren’t a huge fan of cliffhanger endings, you may want to wait until the next book is available before reading this one.
I think the characters were written well and exactly what you would expect from a YA book- they are funny, awkward, mischievous and sweet! The only thing I wasn’t keen on was Tallulah’s way of speaking- I just found it to be kind of distracting to read, even though I believe it was intended to be endearing. I liked Lief’s character the most and can’t wait to see how he develops personally and how his relationship with Monique changes throughout the rest of the series.
I can see this series taking off in so many directions and I can’t wait to see how the author decides to tell the rest of the story! I am looking forward to finishing the series and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a light, quick fantasy read.
August 11, 2023
I received a free copy of this book from BookSprout. This is my honest review.
I just adore the foxfolk. There are 4 main characters in this book. Our FMC is Monique Johnson. She works at an assisted living facility when she comes across one of the residents watches that transports her to another dimension. This seems to be another world in another time, and time doesn’t move at the same rate here. After landing in this strange new world, barely able to even remember her name, Monique meets the inventor and his 2 adopted foxfolk children, Leif and Tallulah. Foxfolk, a combination of human and fox characteristics and magic, are hated creatures in this world. But Leif and Tallulah are sweet and kind and just amazing characters. I honestly fell in love with all of the characters and the this book left me ready to keep reading.
While I love YA Fantasy and am well versed in reading this genre, this more steampunk subcategory was new for me. I am definitely an emotion based reader and the genre I am in the mood to read varies on how I’m feeling.
If I’m being honest, I really wasn’t in the mood for this kind of book when I started reading it, but I wanted to give it a shot anyways. This book thoroughly impressed me and kept me interested even though without receiving a review copy I may not have picked it up to read at this time.
When I first started reading, I was struggling a bit with the authors writing style. There were a lot of “big words” and it felt like reading a thesaurus at times. It felt like the author was almost trying too hard to use words that weren’t as common descriptors or too repetitive. On the other hand it was nice to read something that felt different and NOT the same descriptors. I think for a YA novel, some of the words could have been left more simplistic, simply because it didn’t always flow easy when reading. I am very grateful to the author and BookSprout for this free review copy and I look forward to seeing more of the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I just adore the foxfolk. There are 4 main characters in this book. Our FMC is Monique Johnson. She works at an assisted living facility when she comes across one of the residents watches that transports her to another dimension. This seems to be another world in another time, and time doesn’t move at the same rate here. After landing in this strange new world, barely able to even remember her name, Monique meets the inventor and his 2 adopted foxfolk children, Leif and Tallulah. Foxfolk, a combination of human and fox characteristics and magic, are hated creatures in this world. But Leif and Tallulah are sweet and kind and just amazing characters. I honestly fell in love with all of the characters and the this book left me ready to keep reading.
While I love YA Fantasy and am well versed in reading this genre, this more steampunk subcategory was new for me. I am definitely an emotion based reader and the genre I am in the mood to read varies on how I’m feeling.
If I’m being honest, I really wasn’t in the mood for this kind of book when I started reading it, but I wanted to give it a shot anyways. This book thoroughly impressed me and kept me interested even though without receiving a review copy I may not have picked it up to read at this time.
When I first started reading, I was struggling a bit with the authors writing style. There were a lot of “big words” and it felt like reading a thesaurus at times. It felt like the author was almost trying too hard to use words that weren’t as common descriptors or too repetitive. On the other hand it was nice to read something that felt different and NOT the same descriptors. I think for a YA novel, some of the words could have been left more simplistic, simply because it didn’t always flow easy when reading. I am very grateful to the author and BookSprout for this free review copy and I look forward to seeing more of the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 7, 2023
Timekeeper: The World in the Watch is a cozy, fish-out-of-water story about an average young woman who is thrust into the whimsical steampunk world of Mundrelog. The protagonist, Monique, meets new friends and develops incredible time-altering abilities on her quest to find a way back home.
The fantasy world and its inhabitants are very deep and realistic while the various characters add their own unique flavor. Two of the biggest standouts would be the part-fox, part-human siblings, Leif and Tallulah. The former is an overly shy amateur inventor with a passion for things that tick. Meanwhile, his much smaller sister is a precocious firecracker with a crippling addiction to toffees. Sidenote: Tallulah is so crazy adorable that I wished I could have jumped into the story and squeezed her until her head popped off (in the best possible way, lol).
While the scenes, characters and locales are described in beautiful detail, I did feel that this feature caused the pacing to drag at certain points. I also would have liked to see much higher stakes earlier on in the story, but for those looking for more immersion and less open conflict, this should be an easy read. There are many emotional moments that explore the themes of found family and overcoming loss. Overall, a good first installment for the series and it’ll be interesting to see where the author goes from here.
The fantasy world and its inhabitants are very deep and realistic while the various characters add their own unique flavor. Two of the biggest standouts would be the part-fox, part-human siblings, Leif and Tallulah. The former is an overly shy amateur inventor with a passion for things that tick. Meanwhile, his much smaller sister is a precocious firecracker with a crippling addiction to toffees. Sidenote: Tallulah is so crazy adorable that I wished I could have jumped into the story and squeezed her until her head popped off (in the best possible way, lol).
While the scenes, characters and locales are described in beautiful detail, I did feel that this feature caused the pacing to drag at certain points. I also would have liked to see much higher stakes earlier on in the story, but for those looking for more immersion and less open conflict, this should be an easy read. There are many emotional moments that explore the themes of found family and overcoming loss. Overall, a good first installment for the series and it’ll be interesting to see where the author goes from here.
February 20, 2024
While reading Timekeeper: The World in the Watch by M. B. Shelly, I kept picturing it as a Studio Ghibli animated film. The story follows Monique Johnson who finds herself in a strange world run by clockwork mechanisms and steam. With only odd, jumbled memories of her past life, Monique is luckily taken in by the inventor Ivan Abrahams and his two fox-children, Leif and Tallulah. Enchanted and bemused the family offer to help Monique uncover how she came to the world of Mundrelog and how she might return home. The answers may lie with the mysterious Timekeepers who have a special headquarters in the capitol city but the journey there holds great danger as Fox-people are treated with prejudice and violence.
M. B. Shelly has created a tale of charm and one can't help but root for the characters involved. Mundrelog promises to be an entertaining world which will hopefully be fulfilled in the following books. It does have a very open-ended finish that will rely on further novels to complete the story. So, be prepared for that. There's the beginning of a sweet, no-spice, romance between Monique and Leif and no profanity for readers for whom that is a concern. I recommend this book. Especially if you're a Studio Ghibli fan.
M. B. Shelly has created a tale of charm and one can't help but root for the characters involved. Mundrelog promises to be an entertaining world which will hopefully be fulfilled in the following books. It does have a very open-ended finish that will rely on further novels to complete the story. So, be prepared for that. There's the beginning of a sweet, no-spice, romance between Monique and Leif and no profanity for readers for whom that is a concern. I recommend this book. Especially if you're a Studio Ghibli fan.
April 18, 2025
It’s been a while since I read a book in one day but I devoured this book. One of my friend’s recommended it to me so I came in mostly blind but I loved it.
It’s such a fun and cozy read and it feels like you’re learning the world and rules along with Monique. It was my first step into a steampunk setting and I was worried I wouldn’t like it but I loved it. The world felt very alive and vibrant.
The characters are filled with life and are all unique and recognizable, I already can’t wait to get to see them again in the next book. It has a great pace, the amount of time spent in every setting felt deserved and well-loved.
This first book is definitely setting up the plot and series but it doesn’t lack because of it. I learned about the world and characters at such a natural pace.
Of course, it’s not without it’s little flaws. It’s self-published and there were some moments where I could tell, especially in the quality of writing itself. It could have used one or two more brushes over by another editor, but it only bothered me at certain points. However, despite those moments, I was still captivated.
This is such a fun little book and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
It’s such a fun and cozy read and it feels like you’re learning the world and rules along with Monique. It was my first step into a steampunk setting and I was worried I wouldn’t like it but I loved it. The world felt very alive and vibrant.
The characters are filled with life and are all unique and recognizable, I already can’t wait to get to see them again in the next book. It has a great pace, the amount of time spent in every setting felt deserved and well-loved.
This first book is definitely setting up the plot and series but it doesn’t lack because of it. I learned about the world and characters at such a natural pace.
Of course, it’s not without it’s little flaws. It’s self-published and there were some moments where I could tell, especially in the quality of writing itself. It could have used one or two more brushes over by another editor, but it only bothered me at certain points. However, despite those moments, I was still captivated.
This is such a fun little book and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
August 12, 2023
Timekeeper is a fresh, new idea with a foundation of steampunk and magic. M.B. Shelley has created a unique world filled with colorful characters who are diverse and relatable.
MC, Monique, finds herself in a strange world thanks to a magic pocket watch. As she meets an eccentric inventor, Ivan, and his family, she gets to know this new world as well as uncovers the mysteries surrounding her missing memories and her magic pocket watch.
This book has amazing potential, and in my opinion, is in need of some refining.
It starts out very slow and it took me a while to become invested in the story. Perhaps my expectations were inadequate, but Monique seemed more concerned in the first third of the book with exploring her new surroundings than with recovering her memories or finding out how she was transported to this unknown world.
I forgot that she even had the pocket watch as it was not mentioned again until chapter 7.
There is no central antagonist and is more of an explorative novel with good relationship building between the characters.
M.B. Shelley is true to the steampunk genre so if that is your thing, this elaborate world will be right up your alley.
MC, Monique, finds herself in a strange world thanks to a magic pocket watch. As she meets an eccentric inventor, Ivan, and his family, she gets to know this new world as well as uncovers the mysteries surrounding her missing memories and her magic pocket watch.
This book has amazing potential, and in my opinion, is in need of some refining.
It starts out very slow and it took me a while to become invested in the story. Perhaps my expectations were inadequate, but Monique seemed more concerned in the first third of the book with exploring her new surroundings than with recovering her memories or finding out how she was transported to this unknown world.
I forgot that she even had the pocket watch as it was not mentioned again until chapter 7.
There is no central antagonist and is more of an explorative novel with good relationship building between the characters.
M.B. Shelley is true to the steampunk genre so if that is your thing, this elaborate world will be right up your alley.
September 2, 2024
This was such a fun, cozy read with lovable characters. I enjoyed this world of time travel MB Shelly created. Shelly did a fantastic job while shining a light on grieving. Shelly did a an awesome job expressing those emotions one feels when losing someone he or she loves. Grieving is never easy, but when I read this bit in the story I felt a sense of peace and calmness that hugged my spirit.
Timekeeper is a magical adventureous tale perfect for the age group it was written for.
If you love The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell than you will love this book. In the story, the main character, Monique was trying to get back home like Dorthy and Monique befriended some wonderful friends along the way with elements of surprise. Monique has a special gift and she's delightful. My favorite character was Lief and he was written beautifully because he is the kinda friend everyone wants to have. I enjoyed the banter and the world building was well written and I can't wait to see what eles happens in the series. Last but not least, If you love Beauty and The Beast then this book is for you. I highly recommend it. Job well done Miss Shelly! I can't wait for book two
Timekeeper is a magical adventureous tale perfect for the age group it was written for.
If you love The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell than you will love this book. In the story, the main character, Monique was trying to get back home like Dorthy and Monique befriended some wonderful friends along the way with elements of surprise. Monique has a special gift and she's delightful. My favorite character was Lief and he was written beautifully because he is the kinda friend everyone wants to have. I enjoyed the banter and the world building was well written and I can't wait to see what eles happens in the series. Last but not least, If you love Beauty and The Beast then this book is for you. I highly recommend it. Job well done Miss Shelly! I can't wait for book two
August 14, 2023
TIMEKEEPER is the first book of the TIMEKEEPER Trilogy and as far as world-building goes this one sets everything up for an amazing adventure. I don't want to give anything away. It's set well. The details are wonderful and one of the more unique I've found in recent reads (except for The Poppy War) and as a steampunk YA Fantasy the tension between the people and tribes is there, it happens, but without being graphic.
It starts in a quite dramatic way, and I was very drawn in. After that, I became invested, and couldn’t stop reading! Timekeeper is a fresh, new idea with a foundation of steampunk and magic. M.B. Shelley has created a unique world, the characters are very well-developed and I can’t wait to read the next installments in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It starts in a quite dramatic way, and I was very drawn in. After that, I became invested, and couldn’t stop reading! Timekeeper is a fresh, new idea with a foundation of steampunk and magic. M.B. Shelley has created a unique world, the characters are very well-developed and I can’t wait to read the next installments in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 12, 2023
Monique attempts to stop Horace's watch from ticking, but she is suddenly transported into a new world with no recollection of how or why she's where she is. This reads as a steampunk-inspired Wizard of Oz as Monique attempts to find her way home while finding working alongside Ivan and his children, and eventually discovers her place in this world. The book is written in the present tense so readers read the narrative in real-time. A personal pleasant way to read since nothing in the future can be foreseen and readers learn what happens at the same time as the characters. The writing is animated, reads younger than YA, and the characters spend the majority of the book shouting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 7, 2023
This was a charming YA steampunk novel, beautifully written. I found the beginning of the book quite dramatic, and was very drawn in. After that, I became invested, and I felt the author created a whole world for the reader to escape into.
I believe this book is the first in a series, so I would be interested to find out what happens next to these characters.
Thank you to Booksprout, and to the author, for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I believe this book is the first in a series, so I would be interested to find out what happens next to these characters.
Thank you to Booksprout, and to the author, for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 25, 2023
M. B. Shelly has knocked it out of the park with this inaugural volume of The Timekeeper of Mundrelo’g. Shelly has demonstrated an impressive talent for character development and world development, as well as an excellent imagination.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 29, 2025
This was a sweet fantasy / steampunk vibe story with lots of cozy vibes. The characters were intriguing and had a great dynamic. I especially loved the sweet innocence of Tallulsh, the little foxling and her timid but inventive brother Lief. I’m curious to see where there adventures will continue in the next book.
August 10, 2023
What a fantastic read! This was such an enjoyable, easy book to read and I couldn’t put it down once I started. The characters are the sort you become attached to almost instantly and ensure that you keep turning each page to find out more about them.
I found this a very refreshing take on the fantasy genre, nothing too convoluted or long winded. Instead, an easy read with a story you are desperate to know more about.
Very excited to continue the adventure when the next book is released. Highly recommend to fans of fantasy and those who maybe aren’t so keen on the genre, this is a lovely read and I guarantee it will make you smile as well as keep you wanting more.
I found this a very refreshing take on the fantasy genre, nothing too convoluted or long winded. Instead, an easy read with a story you are desperate to know more about.
Very excited to continue the adventure when the next book is released. Highly recommend to fans of fantasy and those who maybe aren’t so keen on the genre, this is a lovely read and I guarantee it will make you smile as well as keep you wanting more.
September 24, 2023
In reading this, I felt pulled into the world M. B. Shelly has created. The slowly forming relationship between Monique and Leif is sweet without being too much so. Ivan is such a loving devoted father, and Tallulah is...well, Tallulah.
As far as world building goes, this has been one of the more unique I've found in recent reads and the tension between (not to be spoilery) communities is teased out without being graphic in any way.
The characters are perhaps not as well rounded, but hopefully each will be fleshed out in future books.
This is a book that middle grade readers (ambitious elementary school readers possibly) could easily enjoy. Touching on themes of strife between communities in an unthreatening way.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As far as world building goes, this has been one of the more unique I've found in recent reads and the tension between (not to be spoilery) communities is teased out without being graphic in any way.
The characters are perhaps not as well rounded, but hopefully each will be fleshed out in future books.
This is a book that middle grade readers (ambitious elementary school readers possibly) could easily enjoy. Touching on themes of strife between communities in an unthreatening way.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 10, 2023
*I received a free copy from M.B Shelly
'Timekeeper: The World in The Watch' is a Steampunk Fantasy book that keeps all it's promises. When the story opens to an amnesiac girl stranded into a strange, victorian-esque world of magical engeenering and foxfolk, I had certain expectations. What was my surprise to find that all of them would be met in just the first book?
A charming ensemble of magical residents? Check.
Intriguing set up and developing mystery? Check.
Found family, slowburn romance and an interesting magic systemn? Check, check, check!
Not only does the story manage to quickly warm you up to the characters, but it very much clearly treasures them. Each and every one of the lead and supporting characters alike get consistent screentime and development. I was particularly found of Leif, the young foxboy that was quick to steal my heart. And perhaps Monique's as well...!
I had a lot of fun getting to meet the ever optimistic Monique, and get to watch her adventures in a world that is a lot more than it seems. I'm excited to see where her next adventures will lead her, so I need this sequel asap!!!
'Timekeeper: The World in The Watch' is a Steampunk Fantasy book that keeps all it's promises. When the story opens to an amnesiac girl stranded into a strange, victorian-esque world of magical engeenering and foxfolk, I had certain expectations. What was my surprise to find that all of them would be met in just the first book?
A charming ensemble of magical residents? Check.
Intriguing set up and developing mystery? Check.
Found family, slowburn romance and an interesting magic systemn? Check, check, check!
Not only does the story manage to quickly warm you up to the characters, but it very much clearly treasures them. Each and every one of the lead and supporting characters alike get consistent screentime and development. I was particularly found of Leif, the young foxboy that was quick to steal my heart. And perhaps Monique's as well...!
I had a lot of fun getting to meet the ever optimistic Monique, and get to watch her adventures in a world that is a lot more than it seems. I'm excited to see where her next adventures will lead her, so I need this sequel asap!!!
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