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Timekeeper #3
Firestarter
The crew of the Prometheus is intent on taking down the world's clock towers so that time can run freely. Now captives, Colton, Daphne, and the others have a stark choice: join the Prometheus's cause or fight back in any small way they can and face the consequences. But Zavier, leader of the terrorists, has a bigger plan--to bring back the lost god of time.
As new threats emerge, loyalties must shift. No matter where the Prometheus goes--Prague, Austria, India--nowhere is safe, and every second ticks closer toward the eleventh hour. Walking the line between villainy and heroism, each will have to choose what's most important: saving those you love at the expense of the many, or making impossible sacrifices for the sake of a better world.
As new threats emerge, loyalties must shift. No matter where the Prometheus goes--Prague, Austria, India--nowhere is safe, and every second ticks closer toward the eleventh hour. Walking the line between villainy and heroism, each will have to choose what's most important: saving those you love at the expense of the many, or making impossible sacrifices for the sake of a better world.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 2019
54 people are currently reading
4071 people want to read
About the author
Tara Sim
19 books1,438 followersTara Sim is a YA and adult fantasy author found in the wilds of the Bay Area, California. When she's not writing about magic, murder, and mayhem, she drinks tea and wrangles cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 381 reviews
February 26, 2019
UPDATE; I’M FINISHED. My only coherent thoughts right now are: FUCK IT. So you should know this was a good ride.
Also, I want to applaud Tara Sim for actually making the characters suffer and not making it easy for them, because that’s realistic.
But also I would like to NOT thank Tara Sim because she made the characters suffer and didn’t made it easy for them. How fucking dare you?
AFTER FINISHING CHAINBREAKER:
Dear Tara Sim,
I hope that you have mercy with your readers feelings, please don’t kill Colton or Danny or Daphne. And I also hope this book comes out tomorrow.
Thank you.
Also, I want to applaud Tara Sim for actually making the characters suffer and not making it easy for them, because that’s realistic.
But also I would like to NOT thank Tara Sim because she made the characters suffer and didn’t made it easy for them. How fucking dare you?
AFTER FINISHING CHAINBREAKER:
Dear Tara Sim,
I hope that you have mercy with your readers feelings, please don’t kill Colton or Danny or Daphne. And I also hope this book comes out tomorrow.
Thank you.
March 11, 2019
Yes I took forever to read this as I savoured every bit of it. I even almost came to tears twice near the end which is really not like me. Those two things alone are indicative of how much I love this series. It has so many amazing elements: gods, weird time, gay boys in love, great friendships, spirits, magic (of sorts), terrorists, family and a cast of characters to adore.
Plot
I can't say much here about Firestarter as it is the third in the series. This is one trilogy where it's really important to read all three books in order. The entire story arc begins in the first 100 pages of Timekeeper (book 1). I love that it's clear that Tara Sim had the whole story thought-out in advance. Or at least she faked it well if she didn't (lol). All three books feel cohesive across each novel and at no time did it feel like there was filler.
Characters
Be prepared. That's really all I can say. But have some tissues ready because, like any good series, everyone does not make it. The choices made by Sim of those who do or don't make it are well placed. Each character that finds love, dies or discovers a new life by the end of Firestarter has a purpose and tells a morale that Sim has chosen.
Just Amazing
Did I mention that I love this series?
I know I'm a broken record on this one but I really do adore it and cannot wait for Sim to release more books! If this is what she can do with her first YA trilogy I can't even begin to imagine what her next might be like. I hope she's fiercely writing so we all get another magical treasure from her.
Plot
I can't say much here about Firestarter as it is the third in the series. This is one trilogy where it's really important to read all three books in order. The entire story arc begins in the first 100 pages of Timekeeper (book 1). I love that it's clear that Tara Sim had the whole story thought-out in advance. Or at least she faked it well if she didn't (lol). All three books feel cohesive across each novel and at no time did it feel like there was filler.
Characters
Be prepared. That's really all I can say. But have some tissues ready because, like any good series, everyone does not make it. The choices made by Sim of those who do or don't make it are well placed. Each character that finds love, dies or discovers a new life by the end of Firestarter has a purpose and tells a morale that Sim has chosen.
Just Amazing
Did I mention that I love this series?
I know I'm a broken record on this one but I really do adore it and cannot wait for Sim to release more books! If this is what she can do with her first YA trilogy I can't even begin to imagine what her next might be like. I hope she's fiercely writing so we all get another magical treasure from her.
September 20, 2025
Rollercoaster!!!
I had all the emotions with this trilogy, especially this book, mainly sadness and frustration, very well written, the plot was so intriguing, the characters were rich, every moment was a new emotion, I was holding my breath multiple times, congratulation to Tara Sim, it was a superb work!
I have this book on audible too, Gary Furlong gave a marvellous job, his acting was on point, every intention was correct, the emotion, and a beautiful voice of course, very relaxing! High praises for this spectacular performance!!!!
5⭐️
I had all the emotions with this trilogy, especially this book, mainly sadness and frustration, very well written, the plot was so intriguing, the characters were rich, every moment was a new emotion, I was holding my breath multiple times, congratulation to Tara Sim, it was a superb work!
I have this book on audible too, Gary Furlong gave a marvellous job, his acting was on point, every intention was correct, the emotion, and a beautiful voice of course, very relaxing! High praises for this spectacular performance!!!!
5⭐️
January 23, 2019
"I don't know what came over me. Forgive me please."
"I always do."
4.5 stars rounded up. I love this series and Firestarter was a fucking amazing finale to this trilogy that solidified it's place in my all time favorites list. I seriously think this trilogy is massively underrated and that more people should read it, because honestly? It's leagues above most other YA fantasy. I will admit though, that this trilogy has a very special place in my heart because it has my exact aesthetic and honestly, is a book plucked straight out of my dreams: a sprawling steampunk epic fantasy (about TIME!! MANIPULATION!!!) story set in the Victorian Era with diverse characters, discussions of colonialism, and compelling mythology with a gay love story at its center. There is just so much to love about this book (and series in general) including great writing, an AMAZING found family, and moral questions that give the reader to chew on.
But honestly? My favorite thing about this whole series is without a doubt, the romance between Danny and Colton . I will admit that in the first book of this trilogy, their romance is kind of based on insta-love: however, it makes sense logistically within the lore of the story as well as Colton's character . Insta-love not withstanding, the way their relationship develops in the next two books is nothing short of amazing . As the plot thickens and deepens, their relationship is put to the test more and more, to the extent where their love is pushed to the breaking point . In spite of that, they continue to communicate with one another and respect one another, asking each other for forgiveness when the other wrongs them and vice-versa. They fought (for good reason) in this book, and my god, I wanted to cry out of frustration because I hate seeing the two of them fight because that is just how invested I am . Their lines and dialogue? Absolutely I-fucking-conic and swoonworthy . And in all honestly, they're just really fucking cute together?
Now for the characters. I love most, if not all of them . It is a given that I love Danny, Colton, Daphne, Meena, and Akash but Tara Sim managed to do the impossible and make me sympathize with Zavier? That was the last thing I expected from this book, but wow. It happened and I'm not mad about it. Two characters, at least for me, shined in this book: Colton (his character development. *cries*) and Zavier (not for his character arc, but the way he acts as the perfect foil for Danny). Colton... Colton, my sweet child, I am so proud of you sweetie. It is no question that Danny is the main protagonist of this novel and that his actions drive most of the plot forward, but in this book, Colton's actions have game-changing impact and it makes me so proud . There was moment in particular about how he was going to act as the voice for all of the rest of the Clock Spirits and ugh I almost cried . As for Zavier, I literally did say he could choke on a tide pod at one point, and while I did not like him persay, I appreciated how he was a mirror for Danny and how I could sympathize with him in this book.
Now the moral questions asked in this book: I am so into the idea of exploring the idea of what you would do if you were forced to choose between the world and the person you love . As someone who definitely internalizes the media he reads, I can say that question got me thinking and helped me realize that there is no easy answer to that . I know myself and understand that at the core of my being due to my loyalty and selfishness, I will always choose my loved ones over strangers; seeing Danny and Colton (especially considering their relationship) agonize over this question was so compelling and provided amazing food for thought .
Lastly, one of the best parts of this book: it's a finale that doesn't hesitate to rip your heart out. Tara Sim did not come to play with this finale, and the death toll racks up in the last third and you're left gasping because you're left wondering what the hell just happened? . This finale is about a war, with a battle between gods at its center: Tara Sim doesn't hesitate to explore the cost of war and it makes this finale, especially considering it is a YA fantasy, so much more amazing. The deaths, especially wow . The last third of this book was wild as a finale should be.
Now why not a perfect rating in spite of the fact that I rounded up anyway oof ? The writing, while amazing, does show some signs of amateurism . While the writing has definitely approved since Timekeeper and is perfect for most of the time , there's just one main way that it sucks: the sex scenes. Now, this is YA so I don't expect any overt erotica. However, some of the descriptions of the scenes that occur made me scratch my head and ask myself "Did I just read a sex scene? It's gotten better since last book, but the scenes still suffered from vague descriptions of feelings and movement. The only other flaw I can think is some of the characters were under-utilized: Cassie in particular doesn't seem to have any real bearing on the plot as she is so divorced from it for most of the time .
But overall, would I recommend this book (and trilogy by extension)? Yes. Without a doubt, yes. This is one of my all time favorite trilogies and I want so many more people to read it because it deserves more hype than it gets.
"I always do."
4.5 stars rounded up. I love this series and Firestarter was a fucking amazing finale to this trilogy that solidified it's place in my all time favorites list. I seriously think this trilogy is massively underrated and that more people should read it, because honestly? It's leagues above most other YA fantasy. I will admit though, that this trilogy has a very special place in my heart because it has my exact aesthetic and honestly, is a book plucked straight out of my dreams: a sprawling steampunk epic fantasy (about TIME!! MANIPULATION!!!) story set in the Victorian Era with diverse characters, discussions of colonialism, and compelling mythology with a gay love story at its center. There is just so much to love about this book (and series in general) including great writing, an AMAZING found family, and moral questions that give the reader to chew on.
But honestly? My favorite thing about this whole series is without a doubt, the romance between Danny and Colton . I will admit that in the first book of this trilogy, their romance is kind of based on insta-love: however, it makes sense logistically within the lore of the story as well as Colton's character . Insta-love not withstanding, the way their relationship develops in the next two books is nothing short of amazing . As the plot thickens and deepens, their relationship is put to the test more and more, to the extent where their love is pushed to the breaking point . In spite of that, they continue to communicate with one another and respect one another, asking each other for forgiveness when the other wrongs them and vice-versa. They fought (for good reason) in this book, and my god, I wanted to cry out of frustration because I hate seeing the two of them fight because that is just how invested I am . Their lines and dialogue? Absolutely I-fucking-conic and swoonworthy . And in all honestly, they're just really fucking cute together?
Now for the characters. I love most, if not all of them . It is a given that I love Danny, Colton, Daphne, Meena, and Akash but Tara Sim managed to do the impossible and make me sympathize with Zavier? That was the last thing I expected from this book, but wow. It happened and I'm not mad about it. Two characters, at least for me, shined in this book: Colton (his character development. *cries*) and Zavier (not for his character arc, but the way he acts as the perfect foil for Danny). Colton... Colton, my sweet child, I am so proud of you sweetie. It is no question that Danny is the main protagonist of this novel and that his actions drive most of the plot forward, but in this book, Colton's actions have game-changing impact and it makes me so proud . There was moment in particular about how he was going to act as the voice for all of the rest of the Clock Spirits and ugh I almost cried . As for Zavier, I literally did say he could choke on a tide pod at one point, and while I did not like him persay, I appreciated how he was a mirror for Danny and how I could sympathize with him in this book.
Now the moral questions asked in this book: I am so into the idea of exploring the idea of what you would do if you were forced to choose between the world and the person you love . As someone who definitely internalizes the media he reads, I can say that question got me thinking and helped me realize that there is no easy answer to that . I know myself and understand that at the core of my being due to my loyalty and selfishness, I will always choose my loved ones over strangers; seeing Danny and Colton (especially considering their relationship) agonize over this question was so compelling and provided amazing food for thought .
Lastly, one of the best parts of this book: it's a finale that doesn't hesitate to rip your heart out. Tara Sim did not come to play with this finale, and the death toll racks up in the last third and you're left gasping because you're left wondering what the hell just happened? . This finale is about a war, with a battle between gods at its center: Tara Sim doesn't hesitate to explore the cost of war and it makes this finale, especially considering it is a YA fantasy, so much more amazing. The deaths, especially wow . The last third of this book was wild as a finale should be.
Now why not a perfect rating
But overall, would I recommend this book (and trilogy by extension)? Yes. Without a doubt, yes. This is one of my all time favorite trilogies and I want so many more people to read it because it deserves more hype than it gets.
May 17, 2019
Objectively, if such a thing is possible with books, this should probably be 4 stars, but anything that can get me this invested in the plot and characters, despite some very obvious flaws and some truly TSTL moments, deserves 5 stars.
I muttered aggressively at the audiobook while taking my afternoon walks and actually yelled during my morning and afternoon commutes, y'all. I lectured at the characters hard time. Good thing there weren't any people around.
This is the final book in the trilogy and Ms. Sims actually manages to make Xavier somewhat likable and certainly relatable. Danny and Colton are constantly in peril because they're magnets for danger. Akash, Mina, and Daphne all play parts in the unfolding story between the crew of the Prometheus, intent on freeing Iotas, the god of time, and the Builders, intent on making more clocktowers to maintain time, including all that entails.
Danny goes through quite the journey here. He's still a bit innocent in this and still clinging to his morals, even when it's really not a good idea. It was hard to see life knock him about. He grows up in this book, and learns some hard lessons, as does Xavier. As much as I hate some of the things Xavier's done, he did at the very least only have the betterment of humanity in mind. Some of his methods were questionable, true, and he learns to accept his role in things.
There was a bit too much repetition of events, and there's a pretty significant plot point that hinges on what is unfortunately a huge plot hole. I could do mental gymnastics to attempt to make the plot hole make sense, but I shouldn't have to.
Gary Furlong's narration continues to be amazing, though there were a few times that his voices didn't shift quite enough and it took a few sentences to figure out who was speaking. But when it comes to emotions, he really shines. He gets to the heart of each character and makes them feel real.
I muttered aggressively at the audiobook while taking my afternoon walks and actually yelled during my morning and afternoon commutes, y'all. I lectured at the characters hard time. Good thing there weren't any people around.
This is the final book in the trilogy and Ms. Sims actually manages to make Xavier somewhat likable and certainly relatable. Danny and Colton are constantly in peril because they're magnets for danger. Akash, Mina, and Daphne all play parts in the unfolding story between the crew of the Prometheus, intent on freeing Iotas, the god of time, and the Builders, intent on making more clocktowers to maintain time, including all that entails.
Danny goes through quite the journey here. He's still a bit innocent in this and still clinging to his morals, even when it's really not a good idea. It was hard to see life knock him about. He grows up in this book, and learns some hard lessons, as does Xavier. As much as I hate some of the things Xavier's done, he did at the very least only have the betterment of humanity in mind. Some of his methods were questionable, true, and he learns to accept his role in things.
There was a bit too much repetition of events, and there's a pretty significant plot point that hinges on what is unfortunately a huge plot hole. I could do mental gymnastics to attempt to make the plot hole make sense, but I shouldn't have to.
Gary Furlong's narration continues to be amazing, though there were a few times that his voices didn't shift quite enough and it took a few sentences to figure out who was speaking. But when it comes to emotions, he really shines. He gets to the heart of each character and makes them feel real.
August 22, 2016
TARA YOU DEVIL
August 28, 2023
FIRESTARTER is a disappointment, and does not live up to its predecessors. Ultimately, it promised great things, but ended up flat, dull and uncompelling.
For the third and final book in the TIMEKEEPER series, I expected FIRESTARTER to compel me from start to finish, to rip out my heart and tear it asunder. To make me feel, deeply and thoughtfully.
But FIRESTARTER failed to do any of that in big enough capacity. I’d go as far to say it was boring, for most of it. I did not ever want to pick it up and read, which is why it took me so long to get through. I’m not sure if it was the characters or the action, but I just didn’t care at all.
One of the biggest drawbacks is the huge cast that gets introduced pretty much in lump. I don’t know nor care about Zavier’s crew though the book tries to force empathy for them several times, and I don’t remember what any of them look like. I didn’t care when certain members died.
Spending so much time with them seemed like such a waste when all I wanted to do was go back to Danny and friends. Except even worse is that Colton felt like an entirely different character, so much so that I struggled to relate to his perils anymore. Granted, everything that’s happened would change a man, but to become almost an entirely different character meant I could no longer connect with him.
The ending really dragged on, to the point where the drama from the climax wore off and it seemed only like it was being unnecessary stretched to fill the void. Danny suddenly contracting fever and then losing his arm did not have the same impact because it was rushed, forced, and came right after the high point. It doesn’t even feel like a spoiler because it wasn't treated as important!
If there was one thing that did get me, it was the shocking twists. One particular character does not make it, and that hurt.
Disappointed by FIRESTARTER. Ultimately, I wanted so much more, but it ended up flat and terribly dull.
WILL I READ MORE BY THIS AUTHOR? Yes.
LAST REVIEW
1: TIMEKEEPER ★★★☆☆
2: CHAINBREAKER ★★★★☆
1: THE CITY OF DUSK ★★★☆☆
2: THE MIDNIGHT KINGDOM ★★★☆☆
For the third and final book in the TIMEKEEPER series, I expected FIRESTARTER to compel me from start to finish, to rip out my heart and tear it asunder. To make me feel, deeply and thoughtfully.
But FIRESTARTER failed to do any of that in big enough capacity. I’d go as far to say it was boring, for most of it. I did not ever want to pick it up and read, which is why it took me so long to get through. I’m not sure if it was the characters or the action, but I just didn’t care at all.
One of the biggest drawbacks is the huge cast that gets introduced pretty much in lump. I don’t know nor care about Zavier’s crew though the book tries to force empathy for them several times, and I don’t remember what any of them look like. I didn’t care when certain members died.
Spending so much time with them seemed like such a waste when all I wanted to do was go back to Danny and friends. Except even worse is that Colton felt like an entirely different character, so much so that I struggled to relate to his perils anymore. Granted, everything that’s happened would change a man, but to become almost an entirely different character meant I could no longer connect with him.
The ending really dragged on, to the point where the drama from the climax wore off and it seemed only like it was being unnecessary stretched to fill the void. Danny suddenly contracting fever and then losing his arm did not have the same impact because it was rushed, forced, and came right after the high point. It doesn’t even feel like a spoiler because it wasn't treated as important!
If there was one thing that did get me, it was the shocking twists. One particular character does not make it, and that hurt.
Disappointed by FIRESTARTER. Ultimately, I wanted so much more, but it ended up flat and terribly dull.
WILL I READ MORE BY THIS AUTHOR? Yes.
LAST REVIEW
1: TIMEKEEPER ★★★☆☆
2: CHAINBREAKER ★★★★☆
1: THE CITY OF DUSK ★★★☆☆
2: THE MIDNIGHT KINGDOM ★★★☆☆
October 21, 2021
absolutely ruined my day i don't know joy anymore !!
January 28, 2020
CW: torture, violence and deaths
When I started reading this trilogy in part due to our Stars and Sorcery book club, I never thought I would be binge reading the whole thing in the same month. But once I began, I really wanted to know what was going to happen next and couldn’t help but stay up late nights to finish it all. And wow was that an intense finale.
As far as final books in a fantasy series go, we all have a few standard expectations - lots of tense moments, action sequences, major revelations and realistic consequences - and this book delivered them all and how. I can’t believe that this is the same story that took place in a small town in Timekeeper because of the way this world has expanded, and the unbelievable implications of clock towers and time on innocent people. The author just ramps up the pacing and action many notches here, with the story spanning rebels fighting for freedom, terrorists seeking destruction and control, desperate youngsters fighting for family and love, gods fighting gods for supremacy, and an extremely intelligent megalomaniac villain pulling the strings behind it all. The story and writing was equal parts exciting, horrifying and heartbreaking and I just couldn’t put it down. There were parts where I thought it dragged a little or instances where I thought it was all too convenient, but it was great writing overall.
I don’t know how the author manages to make me care about Danny so much, even when I’m infuriated with him. There is an inherent loneliness in him that I relate to so much, and he cares a lot about his friends and family which all make him a great protagonist to root for. But his single minded obsession with Colton unnerved me at times, especially when he wouldn’t let Colton grieve or feel anger properly for what was done to him, and felt jealous Colton’s feelings about the people from his past. But he also suffers greatly throughout the book, both mentally and physically and considering his already traumatic history, I couldn’t hold any grudge against him for too long. He is really put through the wringer this time but when it’s really necessary, he puts out all the stops to do what’s important for the greater good and I just kept wishing that things turn out better for him towards the end.
But it was definitely Colton and Daphne who stole the show for me. Colton’s trauma is truly unimaginable and I was in awe of the way he tried to process it all while also struggling with the intense situations he is put in constantly and having to make choices with high a price. His journey from being a happy positive clock spirit to someone who can feel the full rage of human emotions and care for so many people, and then make more sacrifices though he has already done so much - he has a great character arc and I really loved reading about him. Daphne on the other hand has a different kind of evolution, understanding to let go of the past and finding a new home and future for herself, while also doing whatever she can for the greater good.
I really don’t want to talk more about these three or the remaining wonderful cast of side characters who all have their own unique journeys and leave a memorable impression on the reader, because the author doesn’t shy away from making them all suffer and also killing some of them. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen so many significant character deaths and other consequences in a YA fantasy and I have to hand it to the author for making such bold choices.
In the end, all I want to say is that this was an intense finale to a fun and interesting fantasy series and I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. It’s a great feeling when you discover a wonderful new author (to me) in the first month of the new year. And if you are someone who likes the idea of an alternate Victorian England, time controlling clock towers and spirits, lots of Greek mythology influences, an angsty forbidden love story and lots of POC and queer characters - then you should totally checkout this series. And now that I’ve finished the author’s entire backlist in a month, I guess I have no choice but to find another wonderful author!!
When I started reading this trilogy in part due to our Stars and Sorcery book club, I never thought I would be binge reading the whole thing in the same month. But once I began, I really wanted to know what was going to happen next and couldn’t help but stay up late nights to finish it all. And wow was that an intense finale.
As far as final books in a fantasy series go, we all have a few standard expectations - lots of tense moments, action sequences, major revelations and realistic consequences - and this book delivered them all and how. I can’t believe that this is the same story that took place in a small town in Timekeeper because of the way this world has expanded, and the unbelievable implications of clock towers and time on innocent people. The author just ramps up the pacing and action many notches here, with the story spanning rebels fighting for freedom, terrorists seeking destruction and control, desperate youngsters fighting for family and love, gods fighting gods for supremacy, and an extremely intelligent megalomaniac villain pulling the strings behind it all. The story and writing was equal parts exciting, horrifying and heartbreaking and I just couldn’t put it down. There were parts where I thought it dragged a little or instances where I thought it was all too convenient, but it was great writing overall.
I don’t know how the author manages to make me care about Danny so much, even when I’m infuriated with him. There is an inherent loneliness in him that I relate to so much, and he cares a lot about his friends and family which all make him a great protagonist to root for. But his single minded obsession with Colton unnerved me at times, especially when he wouldn’t let Colton grieve or feel anger properly for what was done to him, and felt jealous Colton’s feelings about the people from his past. But he also suffers greatly throughout the book, both mentally and physically and considering his already traumatic history, I couldn’t hold any grudge against him for too long. He is really put through the wringer this time but when it’s really necessary, he puts out all the stops to do what’s important for the greater good and I just kept wishing that things turn out better for him towards the end.
But it was definitely Colton and Daphne who stole the show for me. Colton’s trauma is truly unimaginable and I was in awe of the way he tried to process it all while also struggling with the intense situations he is put in constantly and having to make choices with high a price. His journey from being a happy positive clock spirit to someone who can feel the full rage of human emotions and care for so many people, and then make more sacrifices though he has already done so much - he has a great character arc and I really loved reading about him. Daphne on the other hand has a different kind of evolution, understanding to let go of the past and finding a new home and future for herself, while also doing whatever she can for the greater good.
I really don’t want to talk more about these three or the remaining wonderful cast of side characters who all have their own unique journeys and leave a memorable impression on the reader, because the author doesn’t shy away from making them all suffer and also killing some of them. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen so many significant character deaths and other consequences in a YA fantasy and I have to hand it to the author for making such bold choices.
In the end, all I want to say is that this was an intense finale to a fun and interesting fantasy series and I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. It’s a great feeling when you discover a wonderful new author (to me) in the first month of the new year. And if you are someone who likes the idea of an alternate Victorian England, time controlling clock towers and spirits, lots of Greek mythology influences, an angsty forbidden love story and lots of POC and queer characters - then you should totally checkout this series. And now that I’ve finished the author’s entire backlist in a month, I guess I have no choice but to find another wonderful author!!
May 11, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up.
I might have seriously considered suing Tara Sim for emotional distress by the end of this.
March 28, 2023
I'm so glad I decided to start reading this trilogy.
This world is a marvel in itself and the characters are the wheels that make the whole story move smoothly and helplessly to its destination.
I will definitely read more from the author.
This world is a marvel in itself and the characters are the wheels that make the whole story move smoothly and helplessly to its destination.
I will definitely read more from the author.
November 29, 2022
Work has been busy, so I didn't get to finish the audiobook as quickly as I'd hoped. This was... wow. Staggering. There's so many things happening, it's crazy. Tara Sim really didn't go easy on the characters, and really broke me in places. How dare she. Also I just want to say how diverse this was. I wish every historical novel was like this.
Rep: gay main characters, British Indian side character, Indian side characters, trans side character, sapphic side characters, disabled characters
Rep: gay main characters, British Indian side character, Indian side characters, trans side character, sapphic side characters, disabled characters
April 5, 2019
I'm waffling on whether to give this book 4 stars or 5 stars, but I'm going with 5 stars even though I thought it had some issues.
First, this book is significantly sadder than the previous two books, so be ready for that. Not everyone who starts the book makes it to the end. I don't like this in a book (I'm a big marshmallow), so this detracted from my personal enjoyment of the book, but I understand that this doesn't actually make a book bad (there's a reason Game of Thrones is such a hit).
Second, Colton changes a lot as a character throughout the book, and I don't think that this was addressed enough in how much this would impact his relationship with Danny. In a very real way, how much he was the same as a person was questionable. I actually liked Colton a lot better in this book than I did in the first book, but I didn't fall in love with Colton in the first book. If I had my feelings about Colton in the third book might not have been so positive.
I continued to really enjoy the world building. It felt very immersive, original, organic, and in-depth. I also felt like the characters were pretty realistic in their motivations. They were unfailingly altruistic or good or evil. There was a mix.
I didn't understand the thing being thrown in at the end with (major spoiler here) though. What was the point of that? If it was going to happen, why happen for such a short period? Why would . I was baffled.
But I really did enjoy the book a lot. Given that I was looking forward to it as much as I was, there was a lot of danger that my high expectations would make it unable to live up to those expectations. However, I still enjoyed it immensely.
First, this book is significantly sadder than the previous two books, so be ready for that. Not everyone who starts the book makes it to the end. I don't like this in a book (I'm a big marshmallow), so this detracted from my personal enjoyment of the book, but I understand that this doesn't actually make a book bad (there's a reason Game of Thrones is such a hit).
Second, Colton changes a lot as a character throughout the book, and I don't think that this was addressed enough in how much this would impact his relationship with Danny. In a very real way, how much he was the same as a person was questionable. I actually liked Colton a lot better in this book than I did in the first book, but I didn't fall in love with Colton in the first book. If I had my feelings about Colton in the third book might not have been so positive.
I continued to really enjoy the world building. It felt very immersive, original, organic, and in-depth. I also felt like the characters were pretty realistic in their motivations. They were unfailingly altruistic or good or evil. There was a mix.
I didn't understand the thing being thrown in at the end with (major spoiler here) though. What was the point of that? If it was going to happen, why happen for such a short period? Why would . I was baffled.
But I really did enjoy the book a lot. Given that I was looking forward to it as much as I was, there was a lot of danger that my high expectations would make it unable to live up to those expectations. However, I still enjoyed it immensely.
April 29, 2019
I really loved Timekeeper. It was an imaginative, well-written steampunk featuring a gay romance. I loved how cute the romance was, and the world-building wasn't too overwhelming. Danny and Colton were absolutely adorable together.
Unfortunately, many of the things I enjoyed about Timekeeper didn't hold up in this book. The world-building is almost overwhelming. Characters go on large info dumps about gods and mythology every 10 pages it seemed. It, for me at least, detracted from the story.
I love the addition of Mina and Akash to the crew, but Zavier was, I'm sorry, the absolute worst part of this story. Every time the viewpoint shifted back to Danny, we had another long monologue from a side-character on how much Zavier had saved them, and how awesome he was. Meanwhile, Zavier has just about the least intelligent plan to destroy the clock towers and free time imaginable. Plus the kidnapping/escape attempts every third chapter, and this book just became repetitive.
The plot falls apart a little at the end, and Colton has serious issues with characterization at points. Once you take into account Colton's in the span of what felt like the last ten pages, and this was not an enjoyable conclusion to the trilogy.
I like Tara Sim's writing, but I think that this book needed a much stronger hand at editing. Honestly, even the tone of this book felt wildly different from the last two. Plus, the astronomical page count, and I think that there was a really good novel here that just needed another round of editing.
Unfortunately, many of the things I enjoyed about Timekeeper didn't hold up in this book. The world-building is almost overwhelming. Characters go on large info dumps about gods and mythology every 10 pages it seemed. It, for me at least, detracted from the story.
I love the addition of Mina and Akash to the crew, but Zavier was, I'm sorry, the absolute worst part of this story. Every time the viewpoint shifted back to Danny, we had another long monologue from a side-character on how much Zavier had saved them, and how awesome he was. Meanwhile, Zavier has just about the least intelligent plan to destroy the clock towers and free time imaginable. Plus the kidnapping/escape attempts every third chapter, and this book just became repetitive.
The plot falls apart a little at the end, and Colton has serious issues with characterization at points. Once you take into account Colton's in the span of what felt like the last ten pages, and this was not an enjoyable conclusion to the trilogy.
I like Tara Sim's writing, but I think that this book needed a much stronger hand at editing. Honestly, even the tone of this book felt wildly different from the last two. Plus, the astronomical page count, and I think that there was a really good novel here that just needed another round of editing.
February 11, 2019
2.5, maybe, because of queers?
Oy, I don't even know where to start with this mess of a book. The worldbuilding sort of fell apart in this one. The characters were whatever they needed to be. Zavier is a terrible villain and an even worse 'good guy' like, which one is he even supposed to be? I'd say he's a grey in between but he's not even that convincingly. The whole plot took fifteen hundred hours to do anything and where I'd been able to deal with the meandering of book 2 this was just a pile of endless nothing and dramatic inner monologue followed by arguments that resolved as incongruously and conveniently as they started.
AS FOR THE ENDING. Fuck this shit. This is not a good end. Spoilers ahead as to why I'm saying that.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
okay you're still here? Here is why I'm pissed. The main queer couple of the book has one of them have to sacrifice HALF HIS LIFE so he can be with the guy he loves. Yes, that's right ladies and gentlemen and non-binary friends, the queers still can't have the same happiness as the straight couple in this book! No, no, instead we get HALF THE HAPPY because PLOT and IDEK this book made no sense. A book, where we have a queer MC, and STILL we can't fucking get the same happiness as the straights. IDEC if she'd have pulled some WEIRD MAGIC SHIT because we had Greek gods have an anime fight over a prison in the ocean so I think weird magic that brings back Colton to life without it costing anyone anything is the least we goddamned deserved.
Yikes but I wanted to like this book and now I am just A N G R Y.
Oy, I don't even know where to start with this mess of a book. The worldbuilding sort of fell apart in this one. The characters were whatever they needed to be. Zavier is a terrible villain and an even worse 'good guy' like, which one is he even supposed to be? I'd say he's a grey in between but he's not even that convincingly. The whole plot took fifteen hundred hours to do anything and where I'd been able to deal with the meandering of book 2 this was just a pile of endless nothing and dramatic inner monologue followed by arguments that resolved as incongruously and conveniently as they started.
AS FOR THE ENDING. Fuck this shit. This is not a good end. Spoilers ahead as to why I'm saying that.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
okay you're still here? Here is why I'm pissed. The main queer couple of the book has one of them have to sacrifice HALF HIS LIFE so he can be with the guy he loves. Yes, that's right ladies and gentlemen and non-binary friends, the queers still can't have the same happiness as the straight couple in this book! No, no, instead we get HALF THE HAPPY because PLOT and IDEK this book made no sense. A book, where we have a queer MC, and STILL we can't fucking get the same happiness as the straights. IDEC if she'd have pulled some WEIRD MAGIC SHIT because we had Greek gods have an anime fight over a prison in the ocean so I think weird magic that brings back Colton to life without it costing anyone anything is the least we goddamned deserved.
Yikes but I wanted to like this book and now I am just A N G R Y.
June 23, 2022
So. Many. Feels. Ahhh, I love this trilogy!
October 14, 2021
4.5 Stars
Review:
Wow! I was not expecting to be hit with this much intensity and emotion. I have a lot to say, a lot of feels, this time.
I was NOT expecting all the emotion in this book. I nearly cried like eight times. For sad reasons. For happy reasons. For touching reasons. For “I know this is gonna work out, but oh gosh I just feel so bad for the characters right now” reasons. For “what these characters are going through is terrible” reasons. This story got fairly dark at times. It was intense. I really did feel for these characters.
The author did such a great job of showing how all these terrible things going on affected all the characters, but especially Danny. The way everything changed him, even broke him, in a way. I just felt so incredibly awful for him throughout the book.
The author also did a great job of writing complex characters. Antagonists who weren’t all bad. People who did bad things but also good things. People who did things that might’ve been good or bad, depending on how you looked at it. People who did bad things out of love and desperation rather than cruelty. And characters had complicated relationships with them. They felt anger, hurt, betrayal, maybe even hate, but they also still cared, because sometimes relationships and feelings are complicated like that.
The emotion between Danny and Colton was so painful and heartbreaking and heartwarming and good. Ugh, the struggle. I felt so bad for them. I hated the rift between them. But the masochist reader part of me also loved it. And of course I also loved the sweet, tender moments between them. The happiness and comfort.
I also loved Daphne and Akash’s relationship. I was rooting for them too. They were also cute.
The story itself was great too. Everything really came together. Not where I thought the story would go after a first book that was mostly about a sweet, cute romance with a bit of action and mystery, but it was a direction that actually suited my own personal tastes more. And it got increasingly more unpredictable. I really didn’t know what would happen.
Once again, the audiobook narration by Gary Furlong was also great. It sounded natural, it suited the characters, and it had all the right emotion.
When this series started, it was an enjoyable, cute romance with some heavier moments here and there and interesting time magic, but it got so much more emotional and intense as the series went on. This finale really hit it out of the park for me. I felt so much for these characters. This was a bittersweet but amazing ending to a unique and wonderful series!
Trigger/Content Warnings: List of trigger/content warnings can be found on the author's website.
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Tara Sim's Timekeeper Series. Anyone who likes sweet romance, mystery, characters you can feel for, complex characters who aren't all good or bad, and series that get more intense and emotional as they go on. Anyone who wants to read a unique, magical take on time.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
Wow! I was not expecting to be hit with this much intensity and emotion. I have a lot to say, a lot of feels, this time.
I was NOT expecting all the emotion in this book. I nearly cried like eight times. For sad reasons. For happy reasons. For touching reasons. For “I know this is gonna work out, but oh gosh I just feel so bad for the characters right now” reasons. For “what these characters are going through is terrible” reasons. This story got fairly dark at times. It was intense. I really did feel for these characters.
The author did such a great job of showing how all these terrible things going on affected all the characters, but especially Danny. The way everything changed him, even broke him, in a way. I just felt so incredibly awful for him throughout the book.
The author also did a great job of writing complex characters. Antagonists who weren’t all bad. People who did bad things but also good things. People who did things that might’ve been good or bad, depending on how you looked at it. People who did bad things out of love and desperation rather than cruelty. And characters had complicated relationships with them. They felt anger, hurt, betrayal, maybe even hate, but they also still cared, because sometimes relationships and feelings are complicated like that.
The emotion between Danny and Colton was so painful and heartbreaking and heartwarming and good. Ugh, the struggle. I felt so bad for them. I hated the rift between them. But the masochist reader part of me also loved it. And of course I also loved the sweet, tender moments between them. The happiness and comfort.
I also loved Daphne and Akash’s relationship. I was rooting for them too. They were also cute.
The story itself was great too. Everything really came together. Not where I thought the story would go after a first book that was mostly about a sweet, cute romance with a bit of action and mystery, but it was a direction that actually suited my own personal tastes more. And it got increasingly more unpredictable. I really didn’t know what would happen.
Once again, the audiobook narration by Gary Furlong was also great. It sounded natural, it suited the characters, and it had all the right emotion.
When this series started, it was an enjoyable, cute romance with some heavier moments here and there and interesting time magic, but it got so much more emotional and intense as the series went on. This finale really hit it out of the park for me. I felt so much for these characters. This was a bittersweet but amazing ending to a unique and wonderful series!
Trigger/Content Warnings: List of trigger/content warnings can be found on the author's website.
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Tara Sim's Timekeeper Series. Anyone who likes sweet romance, mystery, characters you can feel for, complex characters who aren't all good or bad, and series that get more intense and emotional as they go on. Anyone who wants to read a unique, magical take on time.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
May 17, 2022
A conclusion that had to collect too many threads, introducing another few along the way. For me this resulted in a series ending that was just okay.
Without spoilers, I can say that a lot of the directions this took felt very arbitrary - almost as if the author wrote herself into a corner, so to speak. I didn't have a good feel for the power of the main characters - could Danny control time threads or not? If blood was so powerful, why couldn't the villains exert the same sort of control? Just what were they trying to do with Big Ben - control it? Just what is the level of steampunk technology here? - it seems too modern at times. Another reviewer pointed out that the ending dragged a lot, and I agree.
Ending on a positive note, I still think the author's creation is really interesting. Time is a heck of a tricky subject to factor into work, and Danny's fugue towards the end is well written. I wanted to see a bit more structure and a few less factions - and a lot less torture. I'm glad I read the series and want to try something else from this author. Overall series rating rounds to 3 stars - I liked it.
Without spoilers, I can say that a lot of the directions this took felt very arbitrary - almost as if the author wrote herself into a corner, so to speak. I didn't have a good feel for the power of the main characters - could Danny control time threads or not? If blood was so powerful, why couldn't the villains exert the same sort of control? Just what were they trying to do with Big Ben - control it? Just what is the level of steampunk technology here? - it seems too modern at times. Another reviewer pointed out that the ending dragged a lot, and I agree.
Ending on a positive note, I still think the author's creation is really interesting. Time is a heck of a tricky subject to factor into work, and Danny's fugue towards the end is well written. I wanted to see a bit more structure and a few less factions - and a lot less torture. I'm glad I read the series and want to try something else from this author. Overall series rating rounds to 3 stars - I liked it.
January 3, 2019
I was provided an ARC by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Firestarter stars right where we left our beloved characters in Chainbreaker, meaning in deep shit. I really can't say more because it would be way too much of a spoiler if you haven't read Chainbreaker. (and you should. Now. Go! I said, GOOOOO!)
This book made me fall even more in love with Tara Sim's writing. Her characters are pure gold and the girls are just ... I have no words. I cried a fucking lot reading this and I didn't see most of the twists coming. I read it in less than two days, it was just so great. It both broke my heart and put it back together. I was half screaming, half crying while reading and I just couldn't stop reading. I think I even dreamt of the characters. It simply made me feel so much and surprised me a lot too. The only slight sour note for me was that I wished we could have seen more of Cassie whom I love a whole lot.
Basically, this book was an amazing ending to a great series and I cannot wait to see what Tara is working on next.
Firestarter stars right where we left our beloved characters in Chainbreaker, meaning in deep shit. I really can't say more because it would be way too much of a spoiler if you haven't read Chainbreaker. (and you should. Now. Go! I said, GOOOOO!)
This book made me fall even more in love with Tara Sim's writing. Her characters are pure gold and the girls are just ... I have no words. I cried a fucking lot reading this and I didn't see most of the twists coming. I read it in less than two days, it was just so great. It both broke my heart and put it back together. I was half screaming, half crying while reading and I just couldn't stop reading. I think I even dreamt of the characters. It simply made me feel so much and surprised me a lot too. The only slight sour note for me was that I wished we could have seen more of Cassie whom I love a whole lot.
Basically, this book was an amazing ending to a great series and I cannot wait to see what Tara is working on next.
January 28, 2019
Action-packed & emotion-packed.
Because of the amount of action scenes and characters in this book, it felt a little messy at times. However I couldn't put the book down. I needed to know what the hell was happening and how my babies were possibily going to make it out of this MESS, alive and happy. Oh my heart... It turned out to hurt but i loved it anayway.
I've said this for the other two book but i have to say it once more, I love this world and the idea behind this story.
Clocktowers controlling time for their towns and those same towers being dependant on clocktower spirits. A clock mechanic falling for a clock spirit. Great female characters. Morally grey characters on each side and not being sure who to trust, who to stick with and who's doing the right thing. Because sometimes, there isn't one right thing to do... Just a lesser evil.
The whole history and mythology behind how the towers were made was also very interesting (and devastating).
As much as I enjoyed Timekeeper, Firestarter felt so much richer in content and action and emotions. This trilogy is going to remain one of my faves.
Because of the amount of action scenes and characters in this book, it felt a little messy at times. However I couldn't put the book down. I needed to know what the hell was happening and how my babies were possibily going to make it out of this MESS, alive and happy. Oh my heart... It turned out to hurt but i loved it anayway.
I've said this for the other two book but i have to say it once more, I love this world and the idea behind this story.
Clocktowers controlling time for their towns and those same towers being dependant on clocktower spirits. A clock mechanic falling for a clock spirit. Great female characters. Morally grey characters on each side and not being sure who to trust, who to stick with and who's doing the right thing. Because sometimes, there isn't one right thing to do... Just a lesser evil.
The whole history and mythology behind how the towers were made was also very interesting (and devastating).
As much as I enjoyed Timekeeper, Firestarter felt so much richer in content and action and emotions. This trilogy is going to remain one of my faves.
September 4, 2021
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
This was better than the second book, but still not nearly as strong as the first. I feel like this was a standalone story that got extended into a series. But there wasn't a real reason to do that and the way it was done wasn't super well executed. I would recommend reading the first book and pretending that is all there is to it.
This was better than the second book, but still not nearly as strong as the first. I feel like this was a standalone story that got extended into a series. But there wasn't a real reason to do that and the way it was done wasn't super well executed. I would recommend reading the first book and pretending that is all there is to it.
March 17, 2020
5 / 10
I still think that this would've been way better having only the first book, which I completely enjoyed. The intrigue and enjoyment were killed because of the second book, but this one at some point was better.
I still think that this would've been way better having only the first book, which I completely enjoyed. The intrigue and enjoyment were killed because of the second book, but this one at some point was better.
January 25, 2019
content warnings: violence, loss of a loved one, murder, kidnapping, torture,
representation: gay protagonist, bi/pan main character, m/m main relationship, biracial (indian-white) main character, indian sikh main characters, amputee side character, mute side character, sapphic trans side character, lesbian indian side character, interracial f/f side relationship,
“‘I’m not just Colton anymore,’ he said. ‘I am also Evangeline, and Ben, and every clock spirit in the world. I speak and fight for them, because they can’t.’”
Review may contain spoilers for Timekeeper and Chainbreaker.
Tara Sim is an evil genius, and I can’t decide whether I hate her or want to worship her. I love this entire trilogy, and I think this final book might be my favourite, something which doesn’t happen very often.
The conclusion of the Timekeeper series follows almost immediately from where the last book left off, with Danny, Daphne, Meena and Colton all kidnapped. The directions this book went were very unexpected, from the twists and turns to the character decisions, and I loved it for that.
Without any spoilers, I’ll just say that the mythology of the world plays a much greater role in this book than the others, both in terms of general worldbuilding and the directions the plot goes in. I wasn’t expecting the angle it took but I liked the way it went. I also loved how much more brutal and emotional this book is than the others; the stakes are far higher in this one, and there are times when it does ‘go there’, which I loved as a reader and hated as someone who loves all these characters.
Speaking of, there are several side characters introduced in this book, most notably Zavier, Dae, Jo, Astrid and Archer. The first four make up part of the crew of the Prometheus, and I love the direction that Sim took their characters. There’s also a lot that hasn’t been explored with them and I would be 100% down for another book, or even just a novella, following a lot of those characters, whether it was a prequel or sequel.
Archer is a bit different, and functions as the primary villain. In general, she and the Builders are only there to be a threat. Yes, there’s some personal issues there between them and the main characters, but on the whole they really are only there as an obstacle for the heroes to defeat. That probably won’t work for people who don’t love this series as much as I do and aren’t as willing to lay their lives down for the characters, but I don’t think it’s too much of a detriment to the book as a whole.
People who didn’t like the fact that Danny and Colton were apart for majority of the last book definitely aren’t going to be disappointed in that aspect with this one. They’re together fairly quickly, and there’s so much angst and love it was literally murdering me. They also get their fair share of steamy scenes in this, which was greatly appreciated ;)
Daphne is my wife and I love her so much. She’s easily my favourite character of the whole series. Seeing her grapple with her identity as a biracial woman, as well as with the morality of the things she does to save the ones that she loves, is sometimes heartbreaking to read but, oh god, so fulfilling. There’s also more about her past and family in this one, which was almost amazing to read about.
Part of me is really sad because I’ve been reading this series from the start (I bought and read Timekeeper the month it came out) and it’s quickly become one of my all-time favourite series. I never want a series I love to end, but I’m so glad that this trilogy had such a satisfying and emotional ending. I can’t wait for Tara Sim’s next series, and everything she does past that; she has well and truly solidified herself as one of my all-time favourite authors.
15/01/19: I AM HOLDING THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND AND I. AM. NOT. OKAY.
representation: gay protagonist, bi/pan main character, m/m main relationship, biracial (indian-white) main character, indian sikh main characters, amputee side character, mute side character, sapphic trans side character, lesbian indian side character, interracial f/f side relationship,
“‘I’m not just Colton anymore,’ he said. ‘I am also Evangeline, and Ben, and every clock spirit in the world. I speak and fight for them, because they can’t.’”
Review may contain spoilers for Timekeeper and Chainbreaker.
Tara Sim is an evil genius, and I can’t decide whether I hate her or want to worship her. I love this entire trilogy, and I think this final book might be my favourite, something which doesn’t happen very often.
The conclusion of the Timekeeper series follows almost immediately from where the last book left off, with Danny, Daphne, Meena and Colton all kidnapped. The directions this book went were very unexpected, from the twists and turns to the character decisions, and I loved it for that.
Without any spoilers, I’ll just say that the mythology of the world plays a much greater role in this book than the others, both in terms of general worldbuilding and the directions the plot goes in. I wasn’t expecting the angle it took but I liked the way it went. I also loved how much more brutal and emotional this book is than the others; the stakes are far higher in this one, and there are times when it does ‘go there’, which I loved as a reader and hated as someone who loves all these characters.
Speaking of, there are several side characters introduced in this book, most notably Zavier, Dae, Jo, Astrid and Archer. The first four make up part of the crew of the Prometheus, and I love the direction that Sim took their characters. There’s also a lot that hasn’t been explored with them and I would be 100% down for another book, or even just a novella, following a lot of those characters, whether it was a prequel or sequel.
Archer is a bit different, and functions as the primary villain. In general, she and the Builders are only there to be a threat. Yes, there’s some personal issues there between them and the main characters, but on the whole they really are only there as an obstacle for the heroes to defeat. That probably won’t work for people who don’t love this series as much as I do and aren’t as willing to lay their lives down for the characters, but I don’t think it’s too much of a detriment to the book as a whole.
People who didn’t like the fact that Danny and Colton were apart for majority of the last book definitely aren’t going to be disappointed in that aspect with this one. They’re together fairly quickly, and there’s so much angst and love it was literally murdering me. They also get their fair share of steamy scenes in this, which was greatly appreciated ;)
Daphne is my wife and I love her so much. She’s easily my favourite character of the whole series. Seeing her grapple with her identity as a biracial woman, as well as with the morality of the things she does to save the ones that she loves, is sometimes heartbreaking to read but, oh god, so fulfilling. There’s also more about her past and family in this one, which was almost amazing to read about.
Part of me is really sad because I’ve been reading this series from the start (I bought and read Timekeeper the month it came out) and it’s quickly become one of my all-time favourite series. I never want a series I love to end, but I’m so glad that this trilogy had such a satisfying and emotional ending. I can’t wait for Tara Sim’s next series, and everything she does past that; she has well and truly solidified herself as one of my all-time favourite authors.
15/01/19: I AM HOLDING THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND AND I. AM. NOT. OKAY.
January 20, 2019
E così si conclude una delle trilogie più belle che io abbia mai letto.
In questo libro c'è tutto ciò che piace a me. Personaggi meravigliosi, tantissima azione, una romance LGBT costruita benissimo, tanto angst, ma anche tante soddisfazioni.
Firestarter è un libro che ti spinge ad andare avanti pagina per pagina, ti riempie d'ansia, ma anche di piccoli momenti di gioia. Sinceramente credo che Tara Sim sia stata una delle scoperte migliori del 2018 e so già che mi mancherà tantissimo questo mondo.
Spero che la Sim decida di scrivere qualche novella su Colton, Danny e Daphne, perché non sono sicura di potermi già lasciare tutto alle spalle. Davvero porterò questa trilogia sempre nel cuore.
In questo libro c'è tutto ciò che piace a me. Personaggi meravigliosi, tantissima azione, una romance LGBT costruita benissimo, tanto angst, ma anche tante soddisfazioni.
Firestarter è un libro che ti spinge ad andare avanti pagina per pagina, ti riempie d'ansia, ma anche di piccoli momenti di gioia. Sinceramente credo che Tara Sim sia stata una delle scoperte migliori del 2018 e so già che mi mancherà tantissimo questo mondo.
Spero che la Sim decida di scrivere qualche novella su Colton, Danny e Daphne, perché non sono sicura di potermi già lasciare tutto alle spalle. Davvero porterò questa trilogia sempre nel cuore.
April 3, 2021
I really liked the first two books in this series, but not this one. I couldn't sympathize with any of the newly introduced characters, and none of them had any reasoning that even made sense when they finally deigned to explain themselves. Danny and Colton were also having relationship trouble for most of the book, so their interactions couldn't even save the rest of it. Usually we get through audiobooks quickly, but this one took us ages because we just didn't want to continue it. My advice is pretend this book doesn't exist and just read the first two.
May 13, 2024
The first book was good and original. The second book started to get bogged down with bad decisions and too many characters and plot threads. I couldn't finish this one. The amount of times the characters were drugged and hit over the head would make them all addicts or brain damaged. I couldn't tell if the author expected us to sympathize with the crew of the Prometheus and Colton conveniently forgot some of his magic for plot reasons. I just got tired of everyone being self-centered and whiny.
January 19, 2019
Who hurt you, Tara??????
January 20, 2019
3.5 stars
That was a goddamn rollercoaster ride and I am not okay.
That was a goddamn rollercoaster ride and I am not okay.
January 16, 2019
Warnings: torture (including electrocution), gun violence, physical assault, death of family member, self-harm, bloodletting for use in magic
3.5 stars
I was very excited for the finale of the Timekeeper series, and with the slow-moving, but expansive sophomore novel, I was hoping that Firestarter would jump into things right away and move us towards a build-up that would be exhilarating enough for a finale. Granted, you can't expect a 500+ pages book to keep the momentum up throughout, but my initial reservations about this book had less to do with pacing, and more with plot progression.
The first half of the book took me more than a week to get through - there was action, and lots of things going on, but in the grand scheme of things they felt inconsequential as they were circling around the same thing: the impasse between the Prometheus crew and Danny's group of friends. Also, Daphne is avoiding Akash because she has learned that he was allied with the rebels of Kalki ship, and Colton and Danny are at odds as to how much to comply with Zavier's wishes. They don't want to reveal the secret of the clock towers because of the fear he will use it to free Aetas and thus causing all the clock spirits to fade away. Not great for Colton, but there's only so much they could stall, you know? Plus, people getting kidnapped, a clock tower being planned for destruction, then characters freed, then kidnapped again was wearing me out.
But then around the midpoint of the novel, a new antagonist emerged and the novel really kicked into gear. Suddenly the plot felt like it was moving forward in a definite direction, the promises of the synopsis finally coming to fruition. The second half of the novel actually felt like it was worthy of the finale label, as we race towards a climax that has your nerves screaming "oh god oh god what is going to happen?". That (and the deaths, some of which I didn't feel were entirely justified) was heartbreaking, and the subsequent move toward the ending was filled with so much pain with just a smidgen of hope.
Looking at it as a whole, I feel there were ways the first half could have been trimmed to keep the pace and plot progression consistent. The writing was otherwise very tight - the characterization was on point, the different desires of the characters and their motives and actions making and breaking set plans, the raw emotional power of some scenes, the action-packed battles - all of it was done well. But that first half is the reason I have to give it a lower rating: it just took a lot of patience to get through.
Is it diverse? Two of the main characters are gay men, and the third main character is biracial. There is a sapphic interracial couple; and several secondary Indian characters, as well as some secondary and minor queer characters. One of the secondary characters has a prosthetic arm.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Sky Pony, via Edelweiss.
3.5 stars
I was very excited for the finale of the Timekeeper series, and with the slow-moving, but expansive sophomore novel, I was hoping that Firestarter would jump into things right away and move us towards a build-up that would be exhilarating enough for a finale. Granted, you can't expect a 500+ pages book to keep the momentum up throughout, but my initial reservations about this book had less to do with pacing, and more with plot progression.
The first half of the book took me more than a week to get through - there was action, and lots of things going on, but in the grand scheme of things they felt inconsequential as they were circling around the same thing: the impasse between the Prometheus crew and Danny's group of friends. Also, Daphne is avoiding Akash because she has learned that he was allied with the rebels of Kalki ship, and Colton and Danny are at odds as to how much to comply with Zavier's wishes. They don't want to reveal the secret of the clock towers because of the fear he will use it to free Aetas and thus causing all the clock spirits to fade away. Not great for Colton, but there's only so much they could stall, you know? Plus, people getting kidnapped, a clock tower being planned for destruction, then characters freed, then kidnapped again was wearing me out.
But then around the midpoint of the novel, a new antagonist emerged and the novel really kicked into gear. Suddenly the plot felt like it was moving forward in a definite direction, the promises of the synopsis finally coming to fruition. The second half of the novel actually felt like it was worthy of the finale label, as we race towards a climax that has your nerves screaming "oh god oh god what is going to happen?". That (and the deaths, some of which I didn't feel were entirely justified) was heartbreaking, and the subsequent move toward the ending was filled with so much pain with just a smidgen of hope.
Looking at it as a whole, I feel there were ways the first half could have been trimmed to keep the pace and plot progression consistent. The writing was otherwise very tight - the characterization was on point, the different desires of the characters and their motives and actions making and breaking set plans, the raw emotional power of some scenes, the action-packed battles - all of it was done well. But that first half is the reason I have to give it a lower rating: it just took a lot of patience to get through.
Is it diverse? Two of the main characters are gay men, and the third main character is biracial. There is a sapphic interracial couple; and several secondary Indian characters, as well as some secondary and minor queer characters. One of the secondary characters has a prosthetic arm.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Sky Pony, via Edelweiss.
February 20, 2019
English/Español review.
I said it many times, but I really love this world and everything that is built. If I have to put an emotion or sentiment to this book was: despair. If you believed, like me, that you suffered enough while reading Chainbreaker, oh my friend, you are very wrong. This book is an up and down of emotions.
I had to keep reading to see how the characters (which are my babies) were going to come out of all this mess.
The only reason why I did not put five stars was because of the characters, especially the characters who were the "villains" or "bad guys" of this story, I mean, in general terms I liked that message that not everything was white and black and not everything is good and bad, but ... I do not like it, I feel it was a little weird. (I say it in general, for the character of Zavier, I did not like his character, at least not the "growth" in this book).
I loved the action-packed scenes, I love Colton and Danny forever. Also to Daphne, although I think her character stayed a bit behind in this book.
Lo dije muchas veces, pero me encanta de verdad este mundo y todo lo que esta construido. Si tengo que ponerle una emocion o sentomiento a este libro fue: desesperación.
Si creyeron, como yo, que habían sufrido lo suficiente con Chainbreaker, oh queridos están muy equivocados. Este libro es un arriba y abajo de emociones.
Tenia que seguir leyendo para ver como los personajes (los cuales son mis bebes) iban a salir de todo este lio.
La unica razon por la cual no le puse cinco estrellas fue por los personajes, en especial los personajes que eran los "villanos" o "malos" de esta historia, osea en términos generales me gustaba ese mensaje que no todo era blanco y negro y no todo es buenos y malos, pero... no me gusto, siento que fue un poco raro. (Lo digo en general, por el personaje de Zavier, no me gusto su personaje, al menos no el "crecimiento" en este libro).
Me encantaron las escenas llenas de accion, amo para siempre a Colton y Danny. Tambien a Daphne, aunque creo que su personaje se quedo un poco atras en este libro.
I said it many times, but I really love this world and everything that is built. If I have to put an emotion or sentiment to this book was: despair. If you believed, like me, that you suffered enough while reading Chainbreaker, oh my friend, you are very wrong. This book is an up and down of emotions.
I had to keep reading to see how the characters (which are my babies) were going to come out of all this mess.
The only reason why I did not put five stars was because of the characters, especially the characters who were the "villains" or "bad guys" of this story, I mean, in general terms I liked that message that not everything was white and black and not everything is good and bad, but ... I do not like it, I feel it was a little weird. (I say it in general, for the character of Zavier, I did not like his character, at least not the "growth" in this book).
I loved the action-packed scenes, I love Colton and Danny forever. Also to Daphne, although I think her character stayed a bit behind in this book.
Lo dije muchas veces, pero me encanta de verdad este mundo y todo lo que esta construido. Si tengo que ponerle una emocion o sentomiento a este libro fue: desesperación.
Si creyeron, como yo, que habían sufrido lo suficiente con Chainbreaker, oh queridos están muy equivocados. Este libro es un arriba y abajo de emociones.
Tenia que seguir leyendo para ver como los personajes (los cuales son mis bebes) iban a salir de todo este lio.
La unica razon por la cual no le puse cinco estrellas fue por los personajes, en especial los personajes que eran los "villanos" o "malos" de esta historia, osea en términos generales me gustaba ese mensaje que no todo era blanco y negro y no todo es buenos y malos, pero... no me gusto, siento que fue un poco raro. (Lo digo en general, por el personaje de Zavier, no me gusto su personaje, al menos no el "crecimiento" en este libro).
Me encantaron las escenas llenas de accion, amo para siempre a Colton y Danny. Tambien a Daphne, aunque creo que su personaje se quedo un poco atras en este libro.
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