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Firestone Key
Mind blowing time travel sci fi fantasy.What power would you use to change the past?Humanity is dying, ravaged by a mysterious plague, our only hope the invention of a scarred genius.The vortex blasts its traveller into a medieval past bearing no relation to the history books. A land of monsters and magic. A land living in fear of the infamous Firestone and the hideous Queen wielding its power.What is the Firestone? And what if it lies closer than you know?For every action has a consequence and every evil an origin.Praise for Firestone Key
An intelligent, galloping tale of forbidden magic and twisted science.
Brilliantly crafted, genre bending, epic and awe inspiring.
It will immerse you in its world, turn you upside down, shake you, then deposit you on the other side of the pages in absolute awe.
A soul crushing, chuckle inducing, get in your head, magical jaunt through time.
I guarantee you won't see those twists and turns coming.
And the ending... oh, my!About the Author
Caroline Noe lives in London, juggling the writing of fantasy and science fiction with her other great photography. When she's not scratching holes in notebooks, she can be found, standing on her head, straining for the best shot.
An intelligent, galloping tale of forbidden magic and twisted science.
Brilliantly crafted, genre bending, epic and awe inspiring.
It will immerse you in its world, turn you upside down, shake you, then deposit you on the other side of the pages in absolute awe.
A soul crushing, chuckle inducing, get in your head, magical jaunt through time.
I guarantee you won't see those twists and turns coming.
And the ending... oh, my!About the Author
Caroline Noe lives in London, juggling the writing of fantasy and science fiction with her other great photography. When she's not scratching holes in notebooks, she can be found, standing on her head, straining for the best shot.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2018
6 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 13, 2020
'We all making things worse, sometime.'
No. I haven't forgotten how to speak proper English and I guarantee you the above statement will make perfect sense by the time you've reached the end of this book. :)
Firestone Key is one of the most original, charming, heartbreaking and fun-filled books I've read this year.
The blurb gives you a pretty good idea of what the story is about.
Elaine survives an abusive childhood that leaves her with a scarred face and an exceptional mind. In order to save humanity from a terrible fate, she devises The Project: an impossible manipulation of time.
The notion was relatively simple: travel back in time to trace the origin of the plague that's threatening to wipe humanity out, then travel forwards in time to trace it's evolution.
And the Project works. Albeit not in the way anyone would have suspected.
Elaine suddenly finds herself alone in a medieval society that bears no relation to the history books. A technological black hole full of curiously human animals, foul monsters and violent magic. A land living in fear of the infamous Firestone and the hideous Queen that wields its power. One where everyone seems to know Elaine's name and swordsmen with a funny way of speaking want to take her prisoner.
Realizing that she had no idea where she was or how to escape, Elaine, the organised, logical scientist has to shelf her cynicism and follow a smelly, flea-ridden mutt wherever he wanted to lead. That would be Drevel - whom I loved from the very first moment I met - ripping farts included. :D
The oppressed villagers of that world, along with the stinky self-appointed protector bestow upon Elaine's damaged soul the closest feeling to peace she had ever experienced. And it is among these kind-hearted people that she finds the family she had always craved.
Trying to return to her time and escape the clutches of the hideous queen, Elaine is plunged headlong into a dangerous and intriguing adventure that will have you at the edge of the seat either sighing or chuckling, and even laughing out loud.
Accompanied by a motley collection of furry and scaly friends, she will try to make things right. But every action bears a consequence, especially when time is in flux. And that is something Elaine will find out in the hardest way.
Despite abounding qualms, Elaine begins a relationship with a young wizard - Harlin - even more broken than herself; a relationship that will tragically alter future, present and past.
'Somehow, in this mutilated young man, Elaine recognised a little of herself.'
and as far as Harlin is concerned,
'The woman was nothing but trouble. But damned if he didn't like her and he hadn't liked anyone in years.'
I won't tell you more because I do not want to spoil, but I guarantee you won't see those twists and turns coming. They are brilliantly done!
The story is fast paced, unique, original and absolutely intriguing. The first few chapters are written in a seemingly fast and sparse manner and provide a sort of intro for the main tale. The one that begins with Elaine's jump into the mysterious world. Here you will have a dialect to get used to, because those people speak in a manner alike that of the quote at the top of my review. It may seem a bit difficult to adjust to at first but after just a few pages it becomes a permanent fixture and seems a perfect and absolutely fitting way of speech.
I honestly can't decide on the best highlight of this tale for me, the story itself, the fun and originality, or the characters and the feeling.
The shenanigans of the scaly and furry cast as well as the interaction between characters had me not only chuckling but even laughing out loud at times.
The description of not only Elaine's broken soul, but also that of Harlin, and the way both of them start to experience and get adjusted to simple things we usually take for granted - like a touch or a hug - damn! that went straight to my heart!!
'There was an electric moment in which two tortured souls somehow came to an agreement, without the slightest element of trust or understanding.'
The way a tortured and shunned young man is stunned that anyone would still want to be kind to him.....
The simply offered explanation that a certain old man had had many years at blaming himself for the sins of others...
and the slow, reluctant love blooming between two broken souls...
These are only few of the things I absolutely loved here.
Great characters, nicely fleshed out, complete with their own individual voice and distinct personality, representing a quirky mix of both persecutors and persecuted; wonderful word-building; fast-paced edge-of-the-seat action and an intriguing plot full of unexpected revelations. The Firestone Key has it all.
If you're in a mood for a great and ingenious read, give this one a try!
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
No. I haven't forgotten how to speak proper English and I guarantee you the above statement will make perfect sense by the time you've reached the end of this book. :)
Firestone Key is one of the most original, charming, heartbreaking and fun-filled books I've read this year.
The blurb gives you a pretty good idea of what the story is about.
Elaine survives an abusive childhood that leaves her with a scarred face and an exceptional mind. In order to save humanity from a terrible fate, she devises The Project: an impossible manipulation of time.
The notion was relatively simple: travel back in time to trace the origin of the plague that's threatening to wipe humanity out, then travel forwards in time to trace it's evolution.
And the Project works. Albeit not in the way anyone would have suspected.
Elaine suddenly finds herself alone in a medieval society that bears no relation to the history books. A technological black hole full of curiously human animals, foul monsters and violent magic. A land living in fear of the infamous Firestone and the hideous Queen that wields its power. One where everyone seems to know Elaine's name and swordsmen with a funny way of speaking want to take her prisoner.
Realizing that she had no idea where she was or how to escape, Elaine, the organised, logical scientist has to shelf her cynicism and follow a smelly, flea-ridden mutt wherever he wanted to lead. That would be Drevel - whom I loved from the very first moment I met - ripping farts included. :D
The oppressed villagers of that world, along with the stinky self-appointed protector bestow upon Elaine's damaged soul the closest feeling to peace she had ever experienced. And it is among these kind-hearted people that she finds the family she had always craved.
Trying to return to her time and escape the clutches of the hideous queen, Elaine is plunged headlong into a dangerous and intriguing adventure that will have you at the edge of the seat either sighing or chuckling, and even laughing out loud.
Accompanied by a motley collection of furry and scaly friends, she will try to make things right. But every action bears a consequence, especially when time is in flux. And that is something Elaine will find out in the hardest way.
Despite abounding qualms, Elaine begins a relationship with a young wizard - Harlin - even more broken than herself; a relationship that will tragically alter future, present and past.
'Somehow, in this mutilated young man, Elaine recognised a little of herself.'
and as far as Harlin is concerned,
'The woman was nothing but trouble. But damned if he didn't like her and he hadn't liked anyone in years.'
I won't tell you more because I do not want to spoil, but I guarantee you won't see those twists and turns coming. They are brilliantly done!
The story is fast paced, unique, original and absolutely intriguing. The first few chapters are written in a seemingly fast and sparse manner and provide a sort of intro for the main tale. The one that begins with Elaine's jump into the mysterious world. Here you will have a dialect to get used to, because those people speak in a manner alike that of the quote at the top of my review. It may seem a bit difficult to adjust to at first but after just a few pages it becomes a permanent fixture and seems a perfect and absolutely fitting way of speech.
I honestly can't decide on the best highlight of this tale for me, the story itself, the fun and originality, or the characters and the feeling.
The shenanigans of the scaly and furry cast as well as the interaction between characters had me not only chuckling but even laughing out loud at times.
The description of not only Elaine's broken soul, but also that of Harlin, and the way both of them start to experience and get adjusted to simple things we usually take for granted - like a touch or a hug - damn! that went straight to my heart!!
'There was an electric moment in which two tortured souls somehow came to an agreement, without the slightest element of trust or understanding.'
The way a tortured and shunned young man is stunned that anyone would still want to be kind to him.....
The simply offered explanation that a certain old man had had many years at blaming himself for the sins of others...
and the slow, reluctant love blooming between two broken souls...
These are only few of the things I absolutely loved here.
Great characters, nicely fleshed out, complete with their own individual voice and distinct personality, representing a quirky mix of both persecutors and persecuted; wonderful word-building; fast-paced edge-of-the-seat action and an intriguing plot full of unexpected revelations. The Firestone Key has it all.
If you're in a mood for a great and ingenious read, give this one a try!
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
March 16, 2019
It’s been a while since I’ve read science fiction and I was looking forward to this immensely, having heard nothing but good things about it. However, I would quibble about the genre it’s been placed in, to me the book fits more neatly in a fantasy bracket, as it’s not set in space or the future, there aren’t any aliens involved, and it’s not heavy on the science side. Instead, it’s the story of brilliant loner Elaine. Abused by her father and with a miserable childhood behind her, she’s headhunted into a research facility for the highly intelligent, along with her only two friends from university.
There they embark on a mission to invent time travel, little realising a novelty pendant Elaine has owned since childhood holds the answer to what they are looking for. A freak accident sends Elaine spinning through time to another era where she is accused of witchcraft and literally has to run for her life.
The opening chapters of the book set in modern times were sparsely written, with the author not wasting any words unnecessarily, and there was the sense this was just a precursor to the main plot, almost a prologue, and that the stage was being set as quickly and economically as possible. Once Elaine has time tripped, the style and pace of writing changes taking on a more descriptive tone and it’s then one feels the author really relaxes into her story and starts to enjoy herself.
The characters that Elaine meets are an eclectic and quirky mix of oppressed and oppressors, living in an apparently feudal system ripe with forbidden magic. The author even invents a dialect for these people, which took me a few pages to pick up but then it clicked with me and I found it a nice, authentic touch.
There was so much I liked about this book and only one thing that jarred very slightly, the pace was headlong, full on, for the whole book and I desperately wanted things to slow down every now and then to give me time to catch my breath. Personally, I found it just a little too intensely fast all the time and I feel the odd respite, maybe a paragraph or so of reflectiveness would have added balance to the book. However, this is only my personal opinion and in no way detracts from the very solid five stars I’m awarding it.
This book is fast and funny, and I enjoyed it immensely, so much so that I have already bought another book by the same author.
There they embark on a mission to invent time travel, little realising a novelty pendant Elaine has owned since childhood holds the answer to what they are looking for. A freak accident sends Elaine spinning through time to another era where she is accused of witchcraft and literally has to run for her life.
The opening chapters of the book set in modern times were sparsely written, with the author not wasting any words unnecessarily, and there was the sense this was just a precursor to the main plot, almost a prologue, and that the stage was being set as quickly and economically as possible. Once Elaine has time tripped, the style and pace of writing changes taking on a more descriptive tone and it’s then one feels the author really relaxes into her story and starts to enjoy herself.
The characters that Elaine meets are an eclectic and quirky mix of oppressed and oppressors, living in an apparently feudal system ripe with forbidden magic. The author even invents a dialect for these people, which took me a few pages to pick up but then it clicked with me and I found it a nice, authentic touch.
There was so much I liked about this book and only one thing that jarred very slightly, the pace was headlong, full on, for the whole book and I desperately wanted things to slow down every now and then to give me time to catch my breath. Personally, I found it just a little too intensely fast all the time and I feel the odd respite, maybe a paragraph or so of reflectiveness would have added balance to the book. However, this is only my personal opinion and in no way detracts from the very solid five stars I’m awarding it.
This book is fast and funny, and I enjoyed it immensely, so much so that I have already bought another book by the same author.
September 10, 2019
i had my doubts about enjoying this book, simply because sci-fi is, largely, not my thing.
But I was very happy to be wrong about any misgivings. This wasn't a space-opera featuring multitudes of interchangeable alien races with impossible-t0-pronounce names. There were no lower-orbit spacecraft battles. if anything, the sci-fi tag is a little ill-placed.
I would more confidently label this (and i dislike labels anyway) as a time-slip, or as speculative fiction. And in both those categories it would be an absolute winner. What happens when you take a strong and likeable main lead and thrust her into an academy for the exceptionally gifted? time-travel, thats what. With the help of an inherited pendant, what follows is a full on action tale which streams through time and never lets up, dragging the reader happily along for a wonderful ride.
What I enjoyed most was Noe's dedication to world-building. much thought and careful design has gone into the world our heroine finds herself cast into, from the politics to the linguistic quirks, and it makes for a rich and well-realised backdrop against which the fast-paced plot can unfold.
With a host of memorable characters, each with their own strong voice, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an intelligent, galloping tale of forbidden magic and twisted science.
But I was very happy to be wrong about any misgivings. This wasn't a space-opera featuring multitudes of interchangeable alien races with impossible-t0-pronounce names. There were no lower-orbit spacecraft battles. if anything, the sci-fi tag is a little ill-placed.
I would more confidently label this (and i dislike labels anyway) as a time-slip, or as speculative fiction. And in both those categories it would be an absolute winner. What happens when you take a strong and likeable main lead and thrust her into an academy for the exceptionally gifted? time-travel, thats what. With the help of an inherited pendant, what follows is a full on action tale which streams through time and never lets up, dragging the reader happily along for a wonderful ride.
What I enjoyed most was Noe's dedication to world-building. much thought and careful design has gone into the world our heroine finds herself cast into, from the politics to the linguistic quirks, and it makes for a rich and well-realised backdrop against which the fast-paced plot can unfold.
With a host of memorable characters, each with their own strong voice, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an intelligent, galloping tale of forbidden magic and twisted science.
July 22, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this brilliant book. Full of action, intrigue and plot twists, this story had me rooting for the characters in their battles. Cleverly written, this book surprised me with the twists and turns, and the ending was the biggest twist of all. I’m looking forward to reading This fabulous authors newest release.
January 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this read but a very talented author. It has time travel, magic and great characterisation. The story plots well and has a strong female lead character who is very easy to root for. Definitely worth a read!
August 9, 2019
This book was such a delightful surprise! It really is like nothing I’ve ever read before; a bit of sci-fi and a lot of fantasy all combined in an unpredictable and complex tale of time-travel.
Like the very best episodes of Doctor Who, it delved into the complexities of travelling in time, and how tampering with the past to change something in the present might deliver completely unexpected consequences.
There was a great moment in the book where two timelines collided; I enjoyed going back to reread a couple of earlier chapters just to see how perfectly the intricate plot fitted together.
The interesting protagonist Elaine, who is scarred both physically and emotionally, finds herself transported ‘back’ in time to a feudal society that bears very little resemblance to anything in the history books. This world is peopled by a host of likeable and funny characters who speak an odd dialect (it takes a couple of pages to get used to but is very effective at taking the reader somewhere we’ve never been before). We’re also introduced to the nightmarish villain who seems utterly evil until we later discover that she has good reasons for being the way she is.
After a wonderfully enjoyable ride with plenty of surprises, the ending was quite perfect. I had a big smile on my face as I finished the last page. Firestone Key is an easy five stars for me and highly recommended!
Like the very best episodes of Doctor Who, it delved into the complexities of travelling in time, and how tampering with the past to change something in the present might deliver completely unexpected consequences.
There was a great moment in the book where two timelines collided; I enjoyed going back to reread a couple of earlier chapters just to see how perfectly the intricate plot fitted together.
The interesting protagonist Elaine, who is scarred both physically and emotionally, finds herself transported ‘back’ in time to a feudal society that bears very little resemblance to anything in the history books. This world is peopled by a host of likeable and funny characters who speak an odd dialect (it takes a couple of pages to get used to but is very effective at taking the reader somewhere we’ve never been before). We’re also introduced to the nightmarish villain who seems utterly evil until we later discover that she has good reasons for being the way she is.
After a wonderfully enjoyable ride with plenty of surprises, the ending was quite perfect. I had a big smile on my face as I finished the last page. Firestone Key is an easy five stars for me and highly recommended!
June 3, 2019
WOW! WOW! WOW!
I knew this was going to be in interesting and unique story when I bought it months ago, but this book completely blew me away.
Elaine has a scarred face and has trouble connecting to people. She is one of three very intelligent people assigned to do something impossible: build a time machine. Humanity is slowly being destroyed by some strange disease that can't be stopped, so they need to go back in time and try to stop the disease from ever existing. Can it be done?
When Elaine is sucked into the time vortex she thinks she done it...except this medieval world is not true to history. The dialect is strange and animals are acting like people! A dog saves her from soldiers trying to capture her and a squirrel keeps throwing nuts at them to warn them of danger! Where has Elaine gone?! What world is this? Elaine soon finds out that SHE is the most wanted person in this strange new land and she doesn’t even know why. But she finds allies in these villagers that are all terrified of a wicked queen that uses her terrible magic to punish them. They become the family she never had.
And THAT is only the beginning.
I really loved getting to know all these characters. The animals and people alike. They are brilliantly flawed, their physical features as well as their personalities. They are REAL people that you can connect with. I was on pins and needles with every adventure, every twist that Noe threw my way and still left reeling after I finally figured it out. I was reading so quickly I had to go back and reread just so I could savor the revelation she'd just uncovered for me!
Brilliant read. You won't be disappointed. This is probably in my top 3 time travel stories I've ever read/seen and I love the fantastical elements she's created for the strange world that Elaine discovers in her trip through the vortex.
This book is a clean read. Only one or two kisses really, no language and only insinuations of sex behind closed doors. Great for teens or adults! Brilliant. I'll be reading it again for sure!
I knew this was going to be in interesting and unique story when I bought it months ago, but this book completely blew me away.
Elaine has a scarred face and has trouble connecting to people. She is one of three very intelligent people assigned to do something impossible: build a time machine. Humanity is slowly being destroyed by some strange disease that can't be stopped, so they need to go back in time and try to stop the disease from ever existing. Can it be done?
When Elaine is sucked into the time vortex she thinks she done it...except this medieval world is not true to history. The dialect is strange and animals are acting like people! A dog saves her from soldiers trying to capture her and a squirrel keeps throwing nuts at them to warn them of danger! Where has Elaine gone?! What world is this? Elaine soon finds out that SHE is the most wanted person in this strange new land and she doesn’t even know why. But she finds allies in these villagers that are all terrified of a wicked queen that uses her terrible magic to punish them. They become the family she never had.
And THAT is only the beginning.
I really loved getting to know all these characters. The animals and people alike. They are brilliantly flawed, their physical features as well as their personalities. They are REAL people that you can connect with. I was on pins and needles with every adventure, every twist that Noe threw my way and still left reeling after I finally figured it out. I was reading so quickly I had to go back and reread just so I could savor the revelation she'd just uncovered for me!
Brilliant read. You won't be disappointed. This is probably in my top 3 time travel stories I've ever read/seen and I love the fantastical elements she's created for the strange world that Elaine discovers in her trip through the vortex.
This book is a clean read. Only one or two kisses really, no language and only insinuations of sex behind closed doors. Great for teens or adults! Brilliant. I'll be reading it again for sure!
December 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. A bit out of my comfort zone, as far as the genre goes, but I'm really glad I gave it a go. It features some of my favourite characters that I've come across for a long time. Including Drevel the farting but lovable dog, and Melith, the amazing woman who made me think of that friend's mum that everyone knows in school. that everyone is slightly afraid of but also really wants to impress!
I won't go into the other characters as I don't want to give too much away, but lets just say I kept changing my mind about who I liked and trusted the whole way through! And felt awful when I was wrong about one of them. There are so many twists and turns with this one, it is really unpredictable, right until the end. I'd definitely recommend it, whether or not fantasy is your usual style!
I won't go into the other characters as I don't want to give too much away, but lets just say I kept changing my mind about who I liked and trusted the whole way through! And felt awful when I was wrong about one of them. There are so many twists and turns with this one, it is really unpredictable, right until the end. I'd definitely recommend it, whether or not fantasy is your usual style!
April 22, 2019
This story had me captivated! Time travel can be confusing if not well-executed, and the author did a fantastic job building a believable fantasy world filled with quirky lovable and not so lovable characters, all flawed in their own unique ways. How fun this would be on the big screen, particularly a scene involving a TRex/dragon hybrid, an air balloon, and a plump, feisty Melith that I just loved! The dialogue did take some getting used to, but didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the story. There’s humor and heart and a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming but in hindsight saw the breadcrumbs the author had cleverly left. I’d absolutely read more from this talented author!
December 22, 2018
What an exhilarating adventure through time travel! Action, tragedy, and love surrounding complex and charming characters make for an enjoyable read. This is such an inventive tale, expertly crafted with a bit of science and a lot of magic. It takes a while to get through to the language structure, but it eventually elevates the material by taking the reader to a different time and place. For quite a dark story, it has a cozy feel to it, full of characters you can’t help but love. I finished the story completely amazed and would really encourage everyone to pick it up and read it. ❤️
January 24, 2020
A fast-paced, well-crafted novel that effortlessly blends sci-fi and fantasy genres. With the world stricken by a devastating plague, Elaine works with an elite group of super-brains to try and find a way to travel back through time to stop it. She is successful with the time travel but finds herself in mortal danger from an evil queen and those who support her. Luckily there's a band of brave and quirky villagers who will help her - accompanied by some animals with peculiarly human traits, including a dog, squirrel and fox. But how will she ever get back to her own time and save the world? The solution may be closer than she realizes... There is real darkness at the heart of this story but it is constantly balanced by the warmth and humour of the good characters, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
January 27, 2021
A great standalone book from the writer of the Canellian Eye trilogy. Plenty of action but with rounded, believable characters as well.
October 21, 2018
A soul-crushing, chuckle-inducing, get in your head, magical jaunt through time
I love time travel stories. I always have. There’s something about weaving human interactions and actions through time, the cause and effect of life, that has always interested me. I was hooked on Firestone Key from page one and that hold continued through to the very end. Noe does an amazing job of intertwining the story back and forth through time, leaving little clues here and there that are powerful enough to be noticed but easily discarded in the moment of the story, until the end when all is revealed and you’re left revisiting those moments, thinking, “Ah! I should have seen that coming.”
At the heart of the story are the amazingly real characters Noe built. I adore that none of them – not one – are completely good or completely evil. At any given time, the characters you’ve grown to love can do something that makes you cringe. You understand, on some level, how the characters you’ve grown to despise became who they are. Noe’s writing style is just descriptive enough to give you a clear view of the world, the people and their actions but not so descriptive that you get pulled from the story. Her use of a different dialect to indicate a jump in time was absolutely amazing. The amount of care and thought that went into that part of her story shone through. It was just different enough to be noticeable but not so different you spent the majority of the book trying to understand the characters.
Mostly I love that it was more than just a story. It was a discussion about cause and effect – how our actions can sometimes cause the very things we are trying to prevent. How frail and strong, all at the same time, the human connection can be. It was a discussion about love, hate, addiction, pain, suffering, redemption, friendship, family, strength, weakness, fear, and bravery all wrapped up in a sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, time-traveling, magical tale.
I can’t wait to read more from Noe.
I love time travel stories. I always have. There’s something about weaving human interactions and actions through time, the cause and effect of life, that has always interested me. I was hooked on Firestone Key from page one and that hold continued through to the very end. Noe does an amazing job of intertwining the story back and forth through time, leaving little clues here and there that are powerful enough to be noticed but easily discarded in the moment of the story, until the end when all is revealed and you’re left revisiting those moments, thinking, “Ah! I should have seen that coming.”
At the heart of the story are the amazingly real characters Noe built. I adore that none of them – not one – are completely good or completely evil. At any given time, the characters you’ve grown to love can do something that makes you cringe. You understand, on some level, how the characters you’ve grown to despise became who they are. Noe’s writing style is just descriptive enough to give you a clear view of the world, the people and their actions but not so descriptive that you get pulled from the story. Her use of a different dialect to indicate a jump in time was absolutely amazing. The amount of care and thought that went into that part of her story shone through. It was just different enough to be noticeable but not so different you spent the majority of the book trying to understand the characters.
Mostly I love that it was more than just a story. It was a discussion about cause and effect – how our actions can sometimes cause the very things we are trying to prevent. How frail and strong, all at the same time, the human connection can be. It was a discussion about love, hate, addiction, pain, suffering, redemption, friendship, family, strength, weakness, fear, and bravery all wrapped up in a sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, time-traveling, magical tale.
I can’t wait to read more from Noe.
June 14, 2019
Brilliantly crafted, genre bending, epic, and awe inspiring
Elaine’s civilization is dying of an untraceable disease. She and her two best friends have the intellect and resources to find a way to jump through time for a solution the present refuses to yield. After repeated failures, an accident propels only her through the experimental vortex, setting off a circular chain of events, the particulars of which extend mind-blowingly past science fiction, with tendrils of fantasy, action, romance, and so much more.
Such is the masterful tale Noe weaves, as Elaine finds herself amidst conflict both in this new time and her own, as cause and effect bounces between the two, with shocking revelations as the story unfolds. Time travel stories are always uniquely difficult to craft, but the consistency, fluidity, and completeness of this one shines.
The story’s strength comes not only from a clearly carefully planned main storyline but is equally born of the strong characters that live in this world. Elaine herself is scarred physically and emotionally and is thusly drawn to a mysterious young man who bears similar burdens. Their tentative bond and romance is spectacularly subtle and complex. Elaine also forms familial and friendship bonds along the way with a wide range of the land’s inhabitants — the churlish one-legged and loyal Bert, the adorably doting and anthropomorphic dog Drevel, the feisty and mothering Melith. I could go on, because there are so many endearing souls created in these pages. The villains are equally fascinating, their own backstories and motivations showcased in the tangled web of events.
In short, this is not only a thrilling tale of time travel, magic, terrifying beasts, and an epic battle against evil, it is also a story about friendship, family, love, heartbreak, and trust. It’s a brilliant multi-dimensional, genre bending story that will immerse you in its world, turn you upside down, shake you, then deposit you on the other side of the pages in absolute awe.
Elaine’s civilization is dying of an untraceable disease. She and her two best friends have the intellect and resources to find a way to jump through time for a solution the present refuses to yield. After repeated failures, an accident propels only her through the experimental vortex, setting off a circular chain of events, the particulars of which extend mind-blowingly past science fiction, with tendrils of fantasy, action, romance, and so much more.
Such is the masterful tale Noe weaves, as Elaine finds herself amidst conflict both in this new time and her own, as cause and effect bounces between the two, with shocking revelations as the story unfolds. Time travel stories are always uniquely difficult to craft, but the consistency, fluidity, and completeness of this one shines.
The story’s strength comes not only from a clearly carefully planned main storyline but is equally born of the strong characters that live in this world. Elaine herself is scarred physically and emotionally and is thusly drawn to a mysterious young man who bears similar burdens. Their tentative bond and romance is spectacularly subtle and complex. Elaine also forms familial and friendship bonds along the way with a wide range of the land’s inhabitants — the churlish one-legged and loyal Bert, the adorably doting and anthropomorphic dog Drevel, the feisty and mothering Melith. I could go on, because there are so many endearing souls created in these pages. The villains are equally fascinating, their own backstories and motivations showcased in the tangled web of events.
In short, this is not only a thrilling tale of time travel, magic, terrifying beasts, and an epic battle against evil, it is also a story about friendship, family, love, heartbreak, and trust. It’s a brilliant multi-dimensional, genre bending story that will immerse you in its world, turn you upside down, shake you, then deposit you on the other side of the pages in absolute awe.
October 11, 2018
Noe really does a great job of introducing the tormented introvert 12 year-old Elaine and the 13 year-old leggy twins Neil and Leila. Four years at the academy for gifted children pass and the trio is still inseparable. When the genius Leila is given free rein to go in whatever direction she wants she drags her brother and best friend along; another six years pass before the world is in crisis and The Project takes shape. Her transportation back in time is well written and the new land she is thrown into along with the characters she encounters is richly described. The author’s synopsis being as good as any review I could write. The final showdown...well let's just say it doesn't put everything right.
There's enough in this book to give every fantasy lover a great read, classic time travel, good against evil battles, fire-breathing creatures, friendships and loved ones lost. It’s big and heavy with characters speaking with dialect but I happily plodded through it and loved it!
As a side note, I think they should put a sequined tutu on the T-Rex in Jurassic Park.
There's enough in this book to give every fantasy lover a great read, classic time travel, good against evil battles, fire-breathing creatures, friendships and loved ones lost. It’s big and heavy with characters speaking with dialect but I happily plodded through it and loved it!
As a side note, I think they should put a sequined tutu on the T-Rex in Jurassic Park.
January 5, 2019
Something different
A mixture of time travel and fantasy, this was a very good read. It started a little slow but as each chapter unfolded the plot became more and more fascinating. The main character in particular was very appealing. Her growth as she adapts to the situation she finds herself in, is endearing, and cements a strong female role model.
The use of language in conversations, altered to the demands of the new world was clever and believable. The world-building itself was complex, and flowed easily so suspension of disbelief was an easy ask of the reader.
This is a lovely offering from a new author and one well worth experiencing if you want something different, something fresh and something full of adventures, wonderful characters, a little romance, and a lot of humour.
Looking forward to more from this author.
A mixture of time travel and fantasy, this was a very good read. It started a little slow but as each chapter unfolded the plot became more and more fascinating. The main character in particular was very appealing. Her growth as she adapts to the situation she finds herself in, is endearing, and cements a strong female role model.
The use of language in conversations, altered to the demands of the new world was clever and believable. The world-building itself was complex, and flowed easily so suspension of disbelief was an easy ask of the reader.
This is a lovely offering from a new author and one well worth experiencing if you want something different, something fresh and something full of adventures, wonderful characters, a little romance, and a lot of humour.
Looking forward to more from this author.
November 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. It was well written, nicely paced and so very intriguing. The characters I thoroughly got swept up in, particularly Elaine. The themes of time travel and consequence are one of my favourite themes in fantasy literature and the author did it uniquely. Excellent read, would highly recommend.
January 2, 2019
Firestone Key was complex and creative. Full of twists and turns, it will keep the reader guessing. I found the transition between the present and past jarring and the language a bit of a challenge, but the author has created a cast of unique characters and a compelling storyline that comes to a startling ending.
April 14, 2019
Firestone Key is intriguing and clever, and I found myself intoxicated by the storyline of this time-travelling, save-the-world speculative fiction novel. Caroline is an outstanding author of detailed sci-fi/ fantasy novels. Her writing is captivating and engaging, drawing the reader in with descriptive and exciting prose.
May 22, 2019
This turned out to be quite the powerful story! The language took a bit of getting used to, but once you do, the cast of characters will make you laugh and warm your heart, and the plot twists will keep you wanting to turn the page. Perfect for fans of fantasy and time travel.
March 3, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a great storyline and kept me interested to the very last page. I'd definitely recommend it.
January 11, 2021
A beautifully written unique blend of fantasy spliced with sci-fi
I picked up this book last year after coming across the author’s account on Instagram and oh my goodness I am so glad I did. I can truly say I’ve never quite read anything quite like this and I mean that in the best possible way.
The story follows Elaine, a young genius who is thrust into an academy for the gifted to work on a government project alongside a set of twins she befriends at university. As the result of a freak accident Elaine is transported back in time and what ensues is an intriguing adventure in a fantastical medieval world.
Between the story, world-building and characters it’s hard to pick a favourite element but I must say the blend of quirks and flaws each character had felt so real, that for me they stole the show.
Firestone Key is a unique blend of fantasy mixed with sci-fi elements. If you’re not typically a reader of either genre I would still recommend picking up a copy as it’s a fun, fast-paced, eloquently written read. Great for teens or adults alike.
I picked up this book last year after coming across the author’s account on Instagram and oh my goodness I am so glad I did. I can truly say I’ve never quite read anything quite like this and I mean that in the best possible way.
The story follows Elaine, a young genius who is thrust into an academy for the gifted to work on a government project alongside a set of twins she befriends at university. As the result of a freak accident Elaine is transported back in time and what ensues is an intriguing adventure in a fantastical medieval world.
Between the story, world-building and characters it’s hard to pick a favourite element but I must say the blend of quirks and flaws each character had felt so real, that for me they stole the show.
Firestone Key is a unique blend of fantasy mixed with sci-fi elements. If you’re not typically a reader of either genre I would still recommend picking up a copy as it’s a fun, fast-paced, eloquently written read. Great for teens or adults alike.
October 3, 2021
A unique and genre-bending take on time-travel fiction
Firestone Key is a clever tale of time travel, magic, mystery, and adventure! I love how the author so intricately blends elements of science fiction and fantasy, and the characters are all well written, with relationships and romances that feel real and captivating. There are also some especially clever twists in this story that readers aren’t likely to see coming and that tie the whole plot neatly together by the end. I admit I might have preferred a more limited POV than the third-person omniscient narrative, and it took me a while to get used to the “old English” speech of most of the characters, but aside from that, this was an enjoyable read that had me devouring pages by the final act. Overall, I give this book 4.5 stars and recommend it to any fan of science fantasy, genre-bending fiction, and well-executed plot twists!
Firestone Key is a clever tale of time travel, magic, mystery, and adventure! I love how the author so intricately blends elements of science fiction and fantasy, and the characters are all well written, with relationships and romances that feel real and captivating. There are also some especially clever twists in this story that readers aren’t likely to see coming and that tie the whole plot neatly together by the end. I admit I might have preferred a more limited POV than the third-person omniscient narrative, and it took me a while to get used to the “old English” speech of most of the characters, but aside from that, this was an enjoyable read that had me devouring pages by the final act. Overall, I give this book 4.5 stars and recommend it to any fan of science fantasy, genre-bending fiction, and well-executed plot twists!
January 14, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found the beginning a little too sparsely written but it opened up to a well written, well plotted story of what happens when people try to manipulate time. The story is fast paced, action packed and humorous, the characters well drawn, relatable and engaging. It’s the characters I loved most in this story.
The blurb says — every evil has its origin. This proves to be very true.
After an accident with The Project, which is the name of the scientific work Elaine is undertaking to discover time travel, we’re taken with Elaine to a medieval time where an evil queen rules with her fantasy creatures. Elaine and her new friends need to discover what the Firestone is, if they are to live in peace.
I highly recommend Firestone Key. It’s very enjoyable.
The blurb says — every evil has its origin. This proves to be very true.
After an accident with The Project, which is the name of the scientific work Elaine is undertaking to discover time travel, we’re taken with Elaine to a medieval time where an evil queen rules with her fantasy creatures. Elaine and her new friends need to discover what the Firestone is, if they are to live in peace.
I highly recommend Firestone Key. It’s very enjoyable.
June 2, 2020
This is the first time reading Caroline Noe's work, and I was not disappointed. Firestone Key was a thoroughly immersive tale with many twists and turns, from science fiction to fantasy, and of course, magic. The characters came alive, each with a unique trait and quality. What I enjoyed the most was the use of an original dialect, which, did take some time to get used to, but once I got into it, it became like regular speech - but way more expressive. Even with the large cast of characters, none were lost in the background and had their moment, and I became invested in each of their stories. And the ending...Oh, my! Seems our actions definitely do have consequences.
February 9, 2021
An unexpectedly wild ride! An easy five stars.
Caroline Noe's Firestone Key was my first sci-fi read in decades, and I found it to be an unexpectedly wild ride! It's more a story of fantasy, time-travel, and magic than science fiction.
I loved Elaine, the strong female protagonist, and the quirky medieval villagers and human-like animals she befriends as she travels through time to save the planet from being wiped out by disease. These intriguing and charming villagers speak a strange yet unique dialect that, at first, threw me for a loop. It brought me back to the days of reading Shakespeare, which I've always found challenging. I took a little while to click with the language, but once I did, I was in awe of Noe's ability to create such clever and creative dialogue and be consistent with it. I was blown away by her brilliant story-telling and hugely intelligent writing. And I loved the surprise ending, even if my heart broke along the way. What an exciting film this would make—I’d love to see these characters brought to life on the big screen.
If you're looking for a unique and creative read, filled with adventure, intrigue, wild imagination, a touch of romance, and many twists and turns, Firestone Key will take you there. Hands down, five stars all the way.
Caroline Noe's Firestone Key was my first sci-fi read in decades, and I found it to be an unexpectedly wild ride! It's more a story of fantasy, time-travel, and magic than science fiction.
I loved Elaine, the strong female protagonist, and the quirky medieval villagers and human-like animals she befriends as she travels through time to save the planet from being wiped out by disease. These intriguing and charming villagers speak a strange yet unique dialect that, at first, threw me for a loop. It brought me back to the days of reading Shakespeare, which I've always found challenging. I took a little while to click with the language, but once I did, I was in awe of Noe's ability to create such clever and creative dialogue and be consistent with it. I was blown away by her brilliant story-telling and hugely intelligent writing. And I loved the surprise ending, even if my heart broke along the way. What an exciting film this would make—I’d love to see these characters brought to life on the big screen.
If you're looking for a unique and creative read, filled with adventure, intrigue, wild imagination, a touch of romance, and many twists and turns, Firestone Key will take you there. Hands down, five stars all the way.
June 29, 2020
Even if you THINK you don't like fantasy or science fiction, you NEED to read this book. I’ve never been able to suspend disbelief enough to enjoy science fiction or fantasy books or movies (I won’t watch Game of Thrones because there are dragons in it…) but I was really attracted to The Firestone Key because of the premise (eg. the world is on the brink of destruction so let’s go to the past to save the present) and after reading the sample available to view on Amazon, I was hooked; I wanted to know where the story was going. I was also hooked by Noe’s style. On a technical level, this is a beautifully crafted novel; her sentences just seem to flow and wrap around you, drawing you into the world of her characters. I didn’t have to work at suspending disbelief. As a story, it’s amazing. There are so many twists and turns that I never saw coming. At all. The end was a total surprise!!! When I was done reading, I felt like my brain was blown and the concepts of past, present and future were all scrambled.
October 16, 2021
Throw in a pinch of sci-fi, a touch of fantasy and a dollop of time travel and you’ve got a delightful and imaginative apocalyptic tale that will keep you riveted through the twists, turns, ‘oh heck’ and ‘whaaat’ moments until the final twist.
This book made me howl with laughter and shed a tear. There’s some wonderful events that you just do not see coming. Caroline Noe is a master at her craft and weaves memorable characters with very real problems into her tale. To tell you what I mean would give it all away and I’m not going to do that.
As a firm fan of Caroline’s writing, I highly recommend Firestone Key. It keeps you guessing, makes you laugh out loud, and digs deep into the darkness we all carry in our hearts.
Whether you’re into time travel and fantasy or not, pick up this delightful read and enjoy it for what it is. I know for a fact I will reread this book many times for the simple joy of it.
A well-earned five stars for this gem.
This book made me howl with laughter and shed a tear. There’s some wonderful events that you just do not see coming. Caroline Noe is a master at her craft and weaves memorable characters with very real problems into her tale. To tell you what I mean would give it all away and I’m not going to do that.
As a firm fan of Caroline’s writing, I highly recommend Firestone Key. It keeps you guessing, makes you laugh out loud, and digs deep into the darkness we all carry in our hearts.
Whether you’re into time travel and fantasy or not, pick up this delightful read and enjoy it for what it is. I know for a fact I will reread this book many times for the simple joy of it.
A well-earned five stars for this gem.
February 2, 2023
4.7 out of 5
Firestone Key is genre-defying storytelling at its best. This is what indie writing is all about. It is a blend of Scifi, portal Fantasy, and a dash of dystopia and romance. We meet Elaine, a woman with a tragic past who uses her vast intellect to create a time travel project, and succeeds! With the help of twins Leila and Nathan. What happens next, you will have to read yourself as the author guides you through a deliciously complex tale that does not disappoint.
What I liked:
I really enjoy complex genre-bending tales. I took my time reading it so I could appreciate how the threads were laid out and connected later in the book. It really is masterful how each section of the book was woven together. The characters were engaging, and I was rooting for Elaine the entire time. Infused with humor, at times I felt like I was reading a twisted version of a Disney movie. Much more enjoyable than I ever imagined.
What I didn't like:
My only critique is that the beginning feels a bit stiff, but as I read on, I appreciated that we saw Elaine as she was in the beginning, which was a bit stiff and lifeless. When she enters a different time her character goes through a transformation, which was very satisfying to read. Keep reading! It's worth it.
Overall:
This is what indie writing is about. You would not find a story like this in traditional publishing. I highly recommend this book.
Firestone Key is genre-defying storytelling at its best. This is what indie writing is all about. It is a blend of Scifi, portal Fantasy, and a dash of dystopia and romance. We meet Elaine, a woman with a tragic past who uses her vast intellect to create a time travel project, and succeeds! With the help of twins Leila and Nathan. What happens next, you will have to read yourself as the author guides you through a deliciously complex tale that does not disappoint.
What I liked:
I really enjoy complex genre-bending tales. I took my time reading it so I could appreciate how the threads were laid out and connected later in the book. It really is masterful how each section of the book was woven together. The characters were engaging, and I was rooting for Elaine the entire time. Infused with humor, at times I felt like I was reading a twisted version of a Disney movie. Much more enjoyable than I ever imagined.
What I didn't like:
My only critique is that the beginning feels a bit stiff, but as I read on, I appreciated that we saw Elaine as she was in the beginning, which was a bit stiff and lifeless. When she enters a different time her character goes through a transformation, which was very satisfying to read. Keep reading! It's worth it.
Overall:
This is what indie writing is about. You would not find a story like this in traditional publishing. I highly recommend this book.
March 7, 2019
The author nearly lost me in the first few chapters of the book. For me, the beginning was chaotic, not smoothly enough to be an easy read. The use of the language in the other world was clever, but I had to get used to it.
Having said that, after a few chapters the story became very interesting, and the characters all had a good and a bad side, which is a good thing. There are a lot of characters who I loved. The story is complex, has humour, time-travel, hate, love, and in this world a mistakes can be made easily by the characters, which makes them believable, and they pay a hefty prize.
Caroline has written a complex but magical story. Once you are sucked in, it takes you places you have never been before!
Having said that, after a few chapters the story became very interesting, and the characters all had a good and a bad side, which is a good thing. There are a lot of characters who I loved. The story is complex, has humour, time-travel, hate, love, and in this world a mistakes can be made easily by the characters, which makes them believable, and they pay a hefty prize.
Caroline has written a complex but magical story. Once you are sucked in, it takes you places you have never been before!
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