Spiral

Spiral in Time #1

by Judith Schara

Spiral, a new historical time travel novel begins a tale of genetic destiny...

England 2006.When a midnight explosion at a clandestine Druid burial blasts a deep hole into the heart of an ancient hillfort, a rare Celtic scabbard is revealed that hints more treasures may be concealed. Desperate to salvage her troubled career, archaeologist Germaine O’Neill rushes to excavate and unearths the rich burial chamber of an Iron Age Celtic queen, and makes discoveries that will change lives and the history of prehistoric Britain.

But the hastily excavated site collapses on her, catapulting a comatose Germaine back through time into the 5th century BC and the life of Sabrann ap Durot—the woman whose burial she has just discovered and Germaine’s far distant ancestor, for the two women are joined across time by identical mitochondrial DNA.

Branded by a prophetic spiral tattoo on her face, Sabrann ap Durot lives in a pagan world lit by torchlight, where only memory rules. Clairvoyant and feared for her ability to see into people’s lives, she is hunted by political assassins and captured by ruthless tin explorers from the fabled Phoenician city of Carthage, where her life and death hang in the balance.

It is a time of Druid magic and vengeful queens, a time of love with a young Herodotus, first scribe of modern history, and a time to discover the many meanings of love and sacrifice that will transform Germaine O’Neill’s life in the distant future.

Germaine discovers her own past and it will change her life forever.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Time Travel

452 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2014

About the author

Judith Schara writes historical fiction based on research that blends history and archaeology with adventure, and the mysteries of time and time travel.
Her love of history ignited in the sixth grade when she looked deep into a textbook illustration of a crowded courtyard in an ancient Egyptian temple and felt she was there as a story unfolded—her first realization that imagination could transport her back in time. A lifelong fascination with history began and continues, along with her passion for the grand universe of reading and books. After two careers, first as a Montessori teacher and then as a corporate fundraiser for Public Broadcasting, she returned to her first love and began writing historical fiction
She has recently published Spiral, a novel of two women’s shared genetic destiny, set in the 5th century worlds of ancient England, the fabled Phoenician city of Carthage, and the current time.
A native of Buffalo, New York, and the long, cold winters of western New York’s Snowbelt, she now lives in the sun and seemingly endless heat of south Texas. Judith writes in a small, book-lined cottage, works daily in her way-too-big garden, and feels being surrounded by the beauty of nature helps keep her grounded in reality—a necessary thing for writers who spend so much time in their heads conjuring up other worlds.

Reviews

[Stephanie Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was immediately drawn into this time-slip novel and found I couldn't put it down. I was excited each evening to dive into the book and to see where it went. The tale goes between 2006 England and the Iron Age, a time period I'm not usually drawn to, but this novel changes that! I found the story line fascinating, along with the time period details. In addition, there are some wonderful metaphors and similes throughout the book. The protagonist Germanie/Sabrann is interesting and curious, along with her yet to be revealed life purpose. Told in the omnipresent voice it take the reader from present day England to Carthage of old. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series! I highly recommend this novel if you like exotic settings and characters. A must read.

[Julie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The concept of time travel is one I'm drawn to, I'm fascinated by mtDNA and genetic memory, and recently I've become more interested in Celtic Britain, so this was a great match for me right now. Schara has done a fabulous job of bringing 5c Britain to life, and the shift of the story to a Carthaginian naval ship, and thence to Carthage itself, was fascinating.

The time-slip portions of the book give some relief from the breathless adventure and provide some context and another layer of intrigue, but I do think that the 5th century BCE sections could stand on their own: well written, interesting, exciting, peopled with interesting characters, and rife with adventure and danger.

The book ends on an interesting twist, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens to these characters!

[Tinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fast-paced and richly imagined. I enjoyed this unusual tale, for its well-developed characters and its vivid descriptions. It is quite a page-turner. I especially liked Schara's skillful way of showing people from several ancient civilizations coming together and reacting to one another. I look forward to the continuation of the story in the next book.

[Yaaresse · Rating 3 out of 5]

For light summer fiction reading, ti's OK, but it's really a fairly average story with a lot of tropes common to the genre. The writing is uneven, but where it is good (the sections at sea and in Carthage), it makes up for the annoying and cliche modern day characters, especially the female lead.
Apparently, this was to have a sequel, which would explain why some subplots get abandoned and characters are left in a kind of suspended animation mid-step.

[Shawn Small · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much potential but all over the place. The storylines are convoluted, the characters likable but hard to keep up with, and the loose ends abundant. I really wanted to like this one but abandoned ship halfway through.

[Trish Zied · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a little while to really get into the book. Once I got into it, I found it hard to put down. I am so eager to find out why happens in the next book. RIP Judith ♥️

[Richard Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiral is a book which slightly defies categorisation – part historical fiction, part timeslip, part fantasy, and illuminated throughout by Judith’s evident enthusiasm for her subject. Regardless of the other facets, however, it is as historical fiction that it stands out most clearly to me.

Spiral opens in the modern day, following an archaeologist, Germaine, as she becomes involved with a new dig at Iron Age levels at Maiden Castle, in Dorset. Now this is a place I know well, having lived near there some time ago, and finding it in a book brought back happy memories of exploring its steep banks and ditches.

In the story, however, modern Maiden Castle is not just a fun place to roam around, but the focal point of competing ambitions – academic, political, religious, reputational, and monetary. Germaine finds herself caught up in this vortex, but is only dimly aware of it. Driven by her own need for recognition, she puts herself in life-threatening danger – and we are plunged into the world of Iron Age Britain, and the life of a girl called Sabrann.

From here on the story follows dual tracks – for the most part we follow Sabrann and an assortment of companions out of Britain, into northern France and finally to Carthage. There is a lot of voyaging, and neither the travellers nor the reader can spend long at any of the fascinating locations visited. Sabrann is under constant threat, both physical and spiritual, and has to learn how to recognise and trust friends amongst a crowd of enemies. Meanwhile from time to time we return to glimpses of Germaine’s modern world.

Spiral is simply the first book in a series (“Book One of the Spiral in Time“), and so it ends with a great many issues unresolved. Sabrann and her friends have survived great peril, but are separated and do not know what the future will bring. Germaine is recovering, but unsure what to do next. As readers, we have been introduced to some of the deep connections between people of the two time periods, but a great deal remains unknown. One assumes that further revelations will follow in later books.

Now, I must admit that I prefer books which are self-contained, and there is a certain frustration in getting to the end and finding major plot themes not tied up. I can, and do, enjoy, a connected series of books, but not so much a multi-volume work of this kind. Other readers will perhaps appreciate this style of presentation more than I, and Judith makes it quite clear that you only have Book One in your hands.

The fantasy elements enter in a couple of ways. First, there are very occasional overt demonstrations of magical or spiritual power. More commonly though, fantasy enters through the constant level of imminent danger, and Judith’s chosen styles of characterisation. The book’s central characters are quite nicely rounded, but some people that they encounter, especially in Carthage, have the slightly larger than life, archetypal quality of fantasy rather than “straight” historical fiction. In Carthage the standard fantasy trope of “organised religion = bad, personal spirituality = good” is very prominent. Again, readers may differ in their response to this.

I mentioned timeslip, but Judith’s handling of this is innovative. Germaine and Sabrann are connected in a profound way, but it is not altogether clear (at the end of Book One) how much they recognise each other’s reality, or whether they will ever be able to. What we have is a pattern of recapitulation and discovery rather than time travel, and it will be interesting to see how the pattern is further developed.

Technically the Kindle edition I read was well produced and edited, and a pleasure to read.

For me, a strong 4* book. I would have enjoyed longer spells of time at the places visited, especially as Judith has a clear knowledge of and delight in her subject. The continual focus on danger and probable death from any of multiple causes distracted me from simply enjoying and immersing myself in ordinary life. I realised that as a reader (and writer) I tend to enjoy everyday life scenarios more than high profile crises! And, as mentioned, I found the lack of closure within the book a little frustrating. However, I very much appreciated the focus on Iron Age culture outside the Roman experience, along with the multicultural issues faced by the characters. Sabrann herself was a memorable character – more so than Germaine, who has been given less narrative space so far.

I will certainly be looking out for other books in the series.

[BOOKAHOLIC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiral by Judith Schara

Product details
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 4137 KB
Print Length: 452 pages
Publisher: Periplus (12 Mar 2014)

My rating: 4 out of 5


Synopsis

Spiral, a new historical time slip novel begins a tale of genetic destiny... a novel of two women's shared genetic destiny, set in the 5th century worlds of ancient England, the fabled Phoenician city of Carthage, and the current time.

England 2006.When a midnight explosion at a clandestine Druid burial blasts a deep hole into the heart of an ancient hillfort, a rare Celtic scabbard is revealed that hints more treasures may be concealed. Desperate to salvage her troubled career, archaeologist Germaine O’Neill rushes to excavate and unearths the rich burial chamber of an Iron Age Celtic queen, and makes discoveries that will change lives and the history of prehistoric Britain.


My Review:

This is a very well researched and descriptive historical fiction with a time slip, (not a time travel,) between the 21st century back to the 5th century, which includes lots of interesting historical facts.

It is quite evident that lots of research went into this book. It is very intelligently written and it is obvious that the author put her heart and soul into writing this story as she left nothing amiss. You will read about druids, magic, slaves, barbarians, ancient tribes, archeology and mitochondrialDNA. Even a reference to Bryan Sykes in the beginning, which I found fascinating as I am a big fan of his works especially, The Seven Daughters of Eve which is mentioned in this book.

There are wonderful contemporary and historical protagonists in this story, in fact all characters mentioned are descriptive and very well rounded....

The two young, but strong women protagonists, Germaine O’Neill (living in the 21st. Century) and Sabrann ap Durot, (living in the 5th. Century) are unknowingly, BOUND together through their mitocondrial DNA. One is an archeologist of Celtic History, the other a Druid with the gift of a Seer, but both are fighting to survive in a male dominated environment, and who's lives are very much in danger.

As I do not want to give too much of the plot away and spoil it for future readers, I will just say that this is a book full of history, mystery and suspense....Slow at first, but as the plot unfolds, the story really takes off. Once the book takes off, you are hooked as it is so captivating!

Warning: You will become immersed into the story. Your heart will race at times and as you become emotionally attached to the characters, they will become part of you, which will leave you hungry for more! It feels so true to the time and place, that when you stop reading, you feel as if your present time is somewhat dull and unadventurous.

This is an outstanding first novel by Judith Schara. I can not wait to read the next book in this series.

If you enjoy a great historical fiction which is well researched, full of adventure, mystery and suspense, or just someone who enjoys a good read, then I highly recommend this book.

[Viviane Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of dedicated New Druids meet on an ancient hill fort that is believed to be sacred. They meet at night and are about to bury who they believe to be Merlin, an ancient Druid, on this special hill. One of them, however, has a more sinister plan in mind and causes great harm to himself after a tremendous explosion. Their secret mission is now public knowledge and immediately grabs the attention of professional archeologists and historical societies because bones other than the one the group decided to bury are discovered.
Germaine O’Neill is an archaeologist who hopes to make a discovery that will clinch her tenure in a highly competitive field, especially as her supervisor would prefer to see her removed – the old “old boy’s club” scenario. She and her mentor are excited to see what lies beneath the bones that were found, along with several ancient artifacts. Due to illness, Germaine’s now on her own and is about to undergo a phenomenal journey.
As she travels downward into the hole at the site, she falls and realizes she’s discovered what is clearly an ancient burial site. She has heard voices at the most inopportune times and has several times experienced strangely tingling feelings that seem dark and frightening.
After the minor collapse of the walls around her, Germaine is knocked out and wakes up as a 5th Century woman, Sabrann ap Durot, and her wild journey to the city of Carthage as this lady makes for some hair-raising, page-flipping, intense reading! For those fascinated with the ancient past, sacred rites, the vicissitudes that could make one man free and the next a slave, and so much more fill these pages.
In the modern setting, there are some shady doings that could jeopardize the new discoveries and Germaine’s life as well. Love and sacrifice in the past may just create a brand new independent future for Germaine or perhaps something else may emerge. This is a paranormal work of historical fiction that is non-stop thrilling and fascinating as well. Very nicely written, Ms. Schara!

[Juliet Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, this is the start of a series, and as soon as I closed the cover, I was looking forward to the sequel with the further adventures of Sabrann, Celtic seer and daughter of a King. It's obvious that years of work have gone into this novel, initially from the careful research into the late Bronze Age setting, and cumulatively because of the thought that's gone into dialogue and characterization. The book begins in the near-present of 2006, when an archeologist professor down on her luck is engaged for research at Maiden Castle. Modern day Druids, in an attempt to speedily dig a hole in order to inter a deceased leader, have blown a hole into this sacred place. All manner of unexpected, puzzling and bizarre archeological material suddenly comes to light, including the skeleton of a Celtic woman of high status. Hoping to restore a faltering career, Germaine disregards protocol and enters the hole alone. Inside, she finds is gold and enigmas, too, but the unstable pit collapses, nearly killing her and leaving her in a coma. From this point, we begin a time slip. Germaine begins to relive the past life of her own Clan Mother, a life fraught with danger and filled with high adventure. We are introduced to the lost royal child, Sabrann and to warring Celtic clans. We meet travelers: Phoenicians, Greeks, and Egyptians, and there is a detailed depiction of daily life aboard an ancient merchant vessel--all expertly conjured up. Mortal danger stalks the heroine in the present as well as in the past, and I was impressed by the way all transitions were executed without so much as a bump. In all times and places, characters are varied, fully formed and believable; the heroine is sympathetic and strong. The material culture of the past comes across as the "real deal." (Professor Bryan Sykes of the seminal non-fiction work "The 7 Daughters of Eve" is here too, in an important cameo role.)

[Mickey Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're interested in the bronze age you might like this book which mixes history with fantasy. Most of the story takes place around 450 BCE and the settings are very immersive. The book could use some proofreading.