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Predestination Unknown
Luther is almost enjoying a rainy day in Salem, Massachusetts on All Hallow’s Eve when his pursuit of a light-haired, light-skinned guy in a Pilgrim costume sends him crashing back in time to Salem 1692 and the start of the Salem witchcraft trials.
Ezekiel was only going about his chores when a gay, bi-racial man from the future dropped into his life. He doesn’t know Luther is from 2017, not from Boston. He doesn’t know that it’s OK to feel about a man the way he’s coming to feel about Luther. And he has no idea that the wealthy men running Salem are about to hang twenty people for the trumped-up crime of witchcraft.
Ezekiel has a lot to learn, both in bed and out, and he’s going to have to get up to speed fast if he and Luther are going to prevent a Colonial American tragedy, one that has already kind of happened. Is our future predestined? Or can Luther and Ezekiel change the course of their country for the better?
Predestination Unknown is a full-length M/M time travel romance.
Content warning: Some unsympathetic secondary characters hold and express racist views. Most of these are immediately refuted by other characters, but a few comments go uncorrected.
Ezekiel was only going about his chores when a gay, bi-racial man from the future dropped into his life. He doesn’t know Luther is from 2017, not from Boston. He doesn’t know that it’s OK to feel about a man the way he’s coming to feel about Luther. And he has no idea that the wealthy men running Salem are about to hang twenty people for the trumped-up crime of witchcraft.
Ezekiel has a lot to learn, both in bed and out, and he’s going to have to get up to speed fast if he and Luther are going to prevent a Colonial American tragedy, one that has already kind of happened. Is our future predestined? Or can Luther and Ezekiel change the course of their country for the better?
Predestination Unknown is a full-length M/M time travel romance.
Content warning: Some unsympathetic secondary characters hold and express racist views. Most of these are immediately refuted by other characters, but a few comments go uncorrected.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2017
21 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Chris
60 books295 followersTanya writes in a variety of romantic and erotic genres, being an avid follower of many of these genres herself. Some of her favorites are M/M romance, MFM threesomes, and BDSM with male submissives.
Tanya lives in New England with her boyfriend and her cat and has participated in many of the activities about which she writes, but not all of them. It's left to the reader to decide which are which.
Tanya lives in New England with her boyfriend and her cat and has participated in many of the activities about which she writes, but not all of them. It's left to the reader to decide which are which.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 26, 2018
The premise of this story is clever-man goes back in time to an awful event in American history and convinces some myopic people to use their collective heads for more than just hat placement and averts a tragedy. The old adage don't believe everything you hear/read/see strikes again. Predestination Unknown is not your average time travel romance. Count on some cultural and potentially triggery issues including racism, bigotry, sexism, and religious extremism.
Luther is in a mirror maze with some friends on Halloween in Salem and keeps spotting a cute blonde but is bedeviled by all the mirrors until finally he happens upon a portal that lands him in 1692 just prior to the Salem witch trials. An enlightened Black man in the 17th century? Expect some off-putting terminology. Upside is the blonde is there and likes what he sees in Luther so... glass half full?
Luther tells the entire story and parts of it do require some suspension of disbelief including his finding himself in a Puritanical and culturally repressed society without indoor plumbing or electricity 325 years prior to his in stride then not turning over every conceivable pebble to find the portal again. Predestination Unknown addresses many relevant topics to varying degrees and Chris doubled down on the subtext that mirrors the current sociopolitical climate, complete with a Trump clone in Corwin who is a bigot that taps into base fears and is a polarizing voice.
Corwin uses his considerable influence to root out "evil" in Salem, through whatever means necessary, usually by invoking the "will of God" and engendering fear. There were times when the narrative was overtaken by the historical aspects and the subtext got a little heavy handed making it dry at times. On the other hand, I enjoy and believe in the concept that one person can spur change and Luther is nothing if not a change agent.
The romance between he and Ezekiel is chaste through much of the story due in large part to Ezekiel's lack of experience in all things romance/sex related, but also, his faith which has ingrained in him the notion that homosexuality is a sin that automatically precludes him from being "chosen" to enter heaven. His Puritanical ideology being paired with Luther's enlightened 21st century one made this subject matter palatable for me, particularly with regard to Christianity and homosexuality not being mutually exclusive. Luther is tenacious and logical and logic is hard to argue against when presented with confidence. Armed with his newfound knowledge Ezekiel embraces the true meaning of Christianity and he breaks the shackles of predestination that have been so oppressive. Along with Ezekiel's progressive enlightenment their romance gains traction as the story evolves with more heat and an undeniable chemistry, but this story is not especially sexy.
The epilogue is very sweet and overall that is how I would categorize their relationship. I didn't enjoy this as much as I enjoyed Aftercare but Chris brings a certain authenticity to her characters that I appreciate. I especially liked Abigail and the precocious Tom who probably turns out to be the first polyamourous Puritan or maybe libertine is a more apropos descriptor.
Obviously, this will only appeal to some, but I don't regret having read it and would recommend it to those who enjoy a romance read that's outside the lines, so to speak.
A review copy was provided.
Luther is in a mirror maze with some friends on Halloween in Salem and keeps spotting a cute blonde but is bedeviled by all the mirrors until finally he happens upon a portal that lands him in 1692 just prior to the Salem witch trials. An enlightened Black man in the 17th century? Expect some off-putting terminology. Upside is the blonde is there and likes what he sees in Luther so... glass half full?
Luther tells the entire story and parts of it do require some suspension of disbelief including his finding himself in a Puritanical and culturally repressed society without indoor plumbing or electricity 325 years prior to his in stride then not turning over every conceivable pebble to find the portal again. Predestination Unknown addresses many relevant topics to varying degrees and Chris doubled down on the subtext that mirrors the current sociopolitical climate, complete with a Trump clone in Corwin who is a bigot that taps into base fears and is a polarizing voice.
Corwin uses his considerable influence to root out "evil" in Salem, through whatever means necessary, usually by invoking the "will of God" and engendering fear. There were times when the narrative was overtaken by the historical aspects and the subtext got a little heavy handed making it dry at times. On the other hand, I enjoy and believe in the concept that one person can spur change and Luther is nothing if not a change agent.
The romance between he and Ezekiel is chaste through much of the story due in large part to Ezekiel's lack of experience in all things romance/sex related, but also, his faith which has ingrained in him the notion that homosexuality is a sin that automatically precludes him from being "chosen" to enter heaven. His Puritanical ideology being paired with Luther's enlightened 21st century one made this subject matter palatable for me, particularly with regard to Christianity and homosexuality not being mutually exclusive. Luther is tenacious and logical and logic is hard to argue against when presented with confidence. Armed with his newfound knowledge Ezekiel embraces the true meaning of Christianity and he breaks the shackles of predestination that have been so oppressive. Along with Ezekiel's progressive enlightenment their romance gains traction as the story evolves with more heat and an undeniable chemistry, but this story is not especially sexy.
The epilogue is very sweet and overall that is how I would categorize their relationship. I didn't enjoy this as much as I enjoyed Aftercare but Chris brings a certain authenticity to her characters that I appreciate. I especially liked Abigail and the precocious Tom who probably turns out to be the first polyamourous Puritan or maybe libertine is a more apropos descriptor.
Obviously, this will only appeal to some, but I don't regret having read it and would recommend it to those who enjoy a romance read that's outside the lines, so to speak.
A review copy was provided.
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November 4, 2019
2.5 stars
The main characters were so sweet and loving together in this story, but i struggled with the plot—heavily inserting the MCs in a real historical event. For me as a European, the trial details got too much page time compared to the romance. But I did like the ending, and the epilogue too.
P.S. I think the older book cover did a much better job at depicting both of the MCs than the updated 2019 version.
The main characters were so sweet and loving together in this story, but i struggled with the plot—heavily inserting the MCs in a real historical event. For me as a European, the trial details got too much page time compared to the romance. But I did like the ending, and the epilogue too.
P.S. I think the older book cover did a much better job at depicting both of the MCs than the updated 2019 version.
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October 8, 201910/8/19 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075QKCBVC?...
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October 4, 2017DNF (maybe indefinitely? TBD) @ 15%
It may be me, it may be the book, it may be the timing... Something definitely wasn't working. I'm sad, cause the premise sounded great. It's just not happening right now.
*ARC provided by the author*
(I really try not to DNF ARCs, but when you have to do it, you have to do it).
It may be me, it may be the book, it may be the timing... Something definitely wasn't working. I'm sad, cause the premise sounded great. It's just not happening right now.
*ARC provided by the author*
(I really try not to DNF ARCs, but when you have to do it, you have to do it).
October 31, 2019
This was such a sweet and unexpectedly good read.
A few things to know going into this book if you couldn’t figure it out from the blurb.
This is a bi-racial, time travel romance, in which our modern day hero of color travels to Salem during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. So for those that can’t figure it out before hand, there will be racism, bigotry and discussions of slavery, the women will still be in the kitchens and making baby, gay men are still called sodomites and religion still runs the town.
With that said if you don’t think you can handle those topics I would skip this book.
On another note this book is also about two men that find friendship and love, they throw the rules out the window and live for both god and the good of people, and in the end this book is about two men that change history.
I did think it got a little wordy toward the end and I thought about rating a 3.5 star but the story was so well put together I just bumped it to a solid 4.
I was such an idiot. And this man I loved was such a miracle. And we were both going to die.
“Witches come from Satan,” Ezekiel explained with measured patience, “and though I have not always known from whence you came, always have I known it was from God.”
A few things to know going into this book if you couldn’t figure it out from the blurb.
This is a bi-racial, time travel romance, in which our modern day hero of color travels to Salem during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. So for those that can’t figure it out before hand, there will be racism, bigotry and discussions of slavery, the women will still be in the kitchens and making baby, gay men are still called sodomites and religion still runs the town.
With that said if you don’t think you can handle those topics I would skip this book.
On another note this book is also about two men that find friendship and love, they throw the rules out the window and live for both god and the good of people, and in the end this book is about two men that change history.
I did think it got a little wordy toward the end and I thought about rating a 3.5 star but the story was so well put together I just bumped it to a solid 4.
I was such an idiot. And this man I loved was such a miracle. And we were both going to die.
“Witches come from Satan,” Ezekiel explained with measured patience, “and though I have not always known from whence you came, always have I known it was from God.”
November 28, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
I am a huge fan of time travel stories so I was eager to check out Predestination Unknown. The twist to this story is that it is not just a time travel book, but one where Luther travels to witness real events in history. Author Tanya Chris does a great job integrating the Salem witch trials into the story. We get to see it all first hand through Luther’s eyes as the town is whipped up into a frenzy, lead by those who are seeking to scapegoat the poor and underprivileged. It is an interesting perspective as Luther (and the reader) knows how things are going to go catastrophically wrong here. Many of the good people of Salem are convinced that things will all settle down before innocent people are killed, but Luther knows the truth. In fact, he knows exactly who is going to die. Chris does a nice job giving us the history of the events, while also weaving them into the fictional story and putting our MCs in the middle of the action.
We don’t just get the modern perspective on the witch trials here, but also a modern spin on issues of race, religion, and homosexuality. Luther arrives in Salem at a time when slavery is still legal, and he is pretty much the only black man in town. He faces discrimination and wariness from many of the townspeople in a way much more significant than he has at home. The other big hurdle is religion, as Ezekiel and his family are Puritans who believe some people are predestined by God to go to Heaven before they are even born. Ezekiel is certain he is not among the chosen due to his interest in men. He has been taught to follow along with the church Elders and not to question their authority. So Luther struggles here with his modern day perspective, trying to open up Ezekiel’s eyes to more liberal views on religion and homosexuality, but also aware that Ezekiel is a product of his time. Luther also recognizes his own complacency in his old life, including his willingness to sit back while others fight for what is right and just. Chris does a nice job tying all of these elements together, particularly as the men try to change history with the trials. How much of life is predestined? Can the future be changed or is it already decided? There are a lot of interesting issues brought up here and I think Chris handles them well.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
I am a huge fan of time travel stories so I was eager to check out Predestination Unknown. The twist to this story is that it is not just a time travel book, but one where Luther travels to witness real events in history. Author Tanya Chris does a great job integrating the Salem witch trials into the story. We get to see it all first hand through Luther’s eyes as the town is whipped up into a frenzy, lead by those who are seeking to scapegoat the poor and underprivileged. It is an interesting perspective as Luther (and the reader) knows how things are going to go catastrophically wrong here. Many of the good people of Salem are convinced that things will all settle down before innocent people are killed, but Luther knows the truth. In fact, he knows exactly who is going to die. Chris does a nice job giving us the history of the events, while also weaving them into the fictional story and putting our MCs in the middle of the action.
We don’t just get the modern perspective on the witch trials here, but also a modern spin on issues of race, religion, and homosexuality. Luther arrives in Salem at a time when slavery is still legal, and he is pretty much the only black man in town. He faces discrimination and wariness from many of the townspeople in a way much more significant than he has at home. The other big hurdle is religion, as Ezekiel and his family are Puritans who believe some people are predestined by God to go to Heaven before they are even born. Ezekiel is certain he is not among the chosen due to his interest in men. He has been taught to follow along with the church Elders and not to question their authority. So Luther struggles here with his modern day perspective, trying to open up Ezekiel’s eyes to more liberal views on religion and homosexuality, but also aware that Ezekiel is a product of his time. Luther also recognizes his own complacency in his old life, including his willingness to sit back while others fight for what is right and just. Chris does a nice job tying all of these elements together, particularly as the men try to change history with the trials. How much of life is predestined? Can the future be changed or is it already decided? There are a lot of interesting issues brought up here and I think Chris handles them well.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
October 26, 2017
Blogger's Note: I want to start by saying that when you read historicals you have to keep in mind the times and setting the story is taking place in, you can't go in expecting the story to be told with today's morals, emotions, and conversations. If you go in expecting today's thinking then you will be disappointed and probably offended. For me, if the author uses present day phrases and morals for eras gone by than I am going to be offended and put off.
Now as for Predestination Unknown, the author is new to me and that can always be a bit scary for some but I always find it thrilling. Will this writer take my breath away? Will they keep me interested to the very end? Will I want to read more from them? Well as for Tanya Chris I can safely say that I am definitely intrigued to visit her backlist and keep an eye on future tales.
I think it was the time frame that Luther suddenly found himself in that appealed to me the most. I haven't read a huge number of time-travel stories but those I have read have never sent an African-American back to Salem on the eve of the witch trials. So that alone made this story unigue and a big yes for me. As for Ezekiel, how can you not love his naivity or genuine appreciation for Luther even if he doesn't understand it at first.
Predestination Unknown may not be perfect but I was entertained and hooked from beginning to end which is all I ask when I turn on my Kindle or open the cover. I'm not looking for a history lesson but I do want true to the times when reading a historical and that is what I got. All in all, Tanya Chris has brought a great read with lots of love, passion, drama, and definitely a bit of paranormal with the time-travel. Some might see time-travel as more sci-fi or fantasy than paranormal but however you label it, its certainly worth a look.
Now as for Predestination Unknown, the author is new to me and that can always be a bit scary for some but I always find it thrilling. Will this writer take my breath away? Will they keep me interested to the very end? Will I want to read more from them? Well as for Tanya Chris I can safely say that I am definitely intrigued to visit her backlist and keep an eye on future tales.
I think it was the time frame that Luther suddenly found himself in that appealed to me the most. I haven't read a huge number of time-travel stories but those I have read have never sent an African-American back to Salem on the eve of the witch trials. So that alone made this story unigue and a big yes for me. As for Ezekiel, how can you not love his naivity or genuine appreciation for Luther even if he doesn't understand it at first.
Predestination Unknown may not be perfect but I was entertained and hooked from beginning to end which is all I ask when I turn on my Kindle or open the cover. I'm not looking for a history lesson but I do want true to the times when reading a historical and that is what I got. All in all, Tanya Chris has brought a great read with lots of love, passion, drama, and definitely a bit of paranormal with the time-travel. Some might see time-travel as more sci-fi or fantasy than paranormal but however you label it, its certainly worth a look.
September 24, 2017
Wow, just wow! I really didn't know what to expect when I read this book. Period set books are a love of mine, but it takes a special author to get them correct. Tanya Chris REALLY got this right! I can only imagine the research she put into this book. (and it's very appreciated)
I pretty much loved everything about this book. I felt like I was with Luther in 1692. I hope there is more to Zeke and Luther's story, maybe a novella!!! (hint hint) I'm not going to give anything away, you really should read it yourself. If you are a lover of MM and history this is a great read!!!
I'm definitely going to read more from Tanya Chris!!!
I pretty much loved everything about this book. I felt like I was with Luther in 1692. I hope there is more to Zeke and Luther's story, maybe a novella!!! (hint hint) I'm not going to give anything away, you really should read it yourself. If you are a lover of MM and history this is a great read!!!
I'm definitely going to read more from Tanya Chris!!!
September 19, 2017
Wow, just wow! I really didn't know what to expect when I read this book. Period set books are a love of mine, but it takes a special author to get them correct. Tanya Chris REALLY got this right! I can only imagine the research she put into this book. (and it's very appreciated)
I pretty much loved everything about this book. I felt like I was with Luther in 1692. I hope there is more to Zeke and Luther's story, maybe a novella!!! (hint hint) I'm not going to give anything away, you really should read it yourself. If you are a lover of MM and history this is a great read!!!
I'm definitely going to read more from Tanya Chris!!!
I pretty much loved everything about this book. I felt like I was with Luther in 1692. I hope there is more to Zeke and Luther's story, maybe a novella!!! (hint hint) I'm not going to give anything away, you really should read it yourself. If you are a lover of MM and history this is a great read!!!
I'm definitely going to read more from Tanya Chris!!!
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April 12, 2018Predestination Unknown. You've Been P-U'd.
I can't review this ARC for Gay Book Reviews because it's a DNF, but I can review it for my Goodreads friends.
I don't do closeted racism, tacit racism, the perpetuation of racist stereotypes, unwitting racism via ignorance, or ignorance period. Search the words "white" and "black" and "negros" in this book. I dare you not to be pissed when you do. I. Dare. You. The double-dog variety. Good luck with that. Here's a sample or four.
"Nothing good ever came from chasing white boys, but this had to be the worst result ever."
What. The. Actual. Frickity-Frack-Fuck. Is. That. Bullshit. Supposed. To. Mean. Exactly?
Yeah, because all the white boys are gonna cause you all kinda trouble because they must want your:
Ohhhh if only your ego was less inflated than your balloon monster cock. The guy from this century isn't the one who's allowed to be a racist asshole. Motherfucker. It gets worse.
"This many strangers made me nervous. White strangers. All of them white. A sea of white people in funny clothes whose eyes followed as I passed."
Exhibit A: So sayeth a smart modern "negro". (Book's word, not mine.)
Hmph. HAHRRMPH! Repulsed yet? No. Okay. Here we go again:
"Her skin tone was lighter than mine and her features suggested Native American rather than African-American, but I felt an instant kinship with the only other non-white person in the room [...] I'd always been taught she [Tituba] was black. This woman wasn't black."
You idiot fuck! 'Cuz revisionist history, the color of her fucking skin and the shape of her godsdamned features are more important than the fact that the bitch is an evil pot-stirrer trying to get rid of a bunch of little girls and various other innocent people—most of them women—in a most heinous way. How many "white dudes" is she spreading her legs for, I wonder? Killing off the competition is okay as long as they're white women though, huh? You freaking racist misogynist hypocrite. 'Kinship' away dumbass.
Exhibit B: So sayeth bald "white dude" in the modern age. (Again, book's words, not mine.)
Oh, and my personal favorite:
"Bigotry never did look good when a light was shone on it, and bullies were always cowards."
Are you fucking shitting me right NOW?!
DNmotherfuckin'F!
If the internet can be believed, this image is a photo of the hands of an interracial gay couple. Perpetuate love, people, not hate. This is what it's all about, not the utter bullshittery in this title.
Images may be subject to copyright.
Galley copy of Predestination Unknown provided by the author via Gay Book Reviews in exchange of an honest review.
How's that for honesty?
More reviews by NeRdyWYRM can be found here.
I can't review this ARC for Gay Book Reviews because it's a DNF, but I can review it for my Goodreads friends.
I don't do closeted racism, tacit racism, the perpetuation of racist stereotypes, unwitting racism via ignorance, or ignorance period. Search the words "white" and "black" and "negros" in this book. I dare you not to be pissed when you do. I. Dare. You. The double-dog variety. Good luck with that. Here's a sample or four.
"Nothing good ever came from chasing white boys, but this had to be the worst result ever."
What. The. Actual. Frickity-Frack-Fuck. Is. That. Bullshit. Supposed. To. Mean. Exactly?
Yeah, because all the white boys are gonna cause you all kinda trouble because they must want your:
Ohhhh if only your ego was less inflated than your balloon monster cock. The guy from this century isn't the one who's allowed to be a racist asshole. Motherfucker. It gets worse.
"This many strangers made me nervous. White strangers. All of them white. A sea of white people in funny clothes whose eyes followed as I passed."
Exhibit A: So sayeth a smart modern "negro". (Book's word, not mine.)
Hmph. HAHRRMPH! Repulsed yet? No. Okay. Here we go again:
"Her skin tone was lighter than mine and her features suggested Native American rather than African-American, but I felt an instant kinship with the only other non-white person in the room [...] I'd always been taught she [Tituba] was black. This woman wasn't black."
You idiot fuck! 'Cuz revisionist history, the color of her fucking skin and the shape of her godsdamned features are more important than the fact that the bitch is an evil pot-stirrer trying to get rid of a bunch of little girls and various other innocent people—most of them women—in a most heinous way. How many "white dudes" is she spreading her legs for, I wonder? Killing off the competition is okay as long as they're white women though, huh? You freaking racist misogynist hypocrite. 'Kinship' away dumbass.
Exhibit B: So sayeth bald "white dude" in the modern age. (Again, book's words, not mine.)
Oh, and my personal favorite:
"Bigotry never did look good when a light was shone on it, and bullies were always cowards."
Are you fucking shitting me right NOW?!
DNmotherfuckin'F!
If the internet can be believed, this image is a photo of the hands of an interracial gay couple. Perpetuate love, people, not hate. This is what it's all about, not the utter bullshittery in this title.
Images may be subject to copyright.
Galley copy of Predestination Unknown provided by the author via Gay Book Reviews in exchange of an honest review.
How's that for honesty?
More reviews by NeRdyWYRM can be found here.
October 25, 2019
This was my first Tanya Chris, and she really impressed me as a writer. I will definitely be reading more of hers. It did not go at all where I was expecting, and the last 10% especially kept me on my toes with the time travel resolution! But I loved their decisions at the end, and I really loved her message with this one. The right thing to do is not always easy...but you should DO IT ANYWAY!!! Holy hell, who knew?!?! :)
These guys are going to stick with me a lot longer than I would have expected after what was a pretty light-hearted beginning.
So why just 3 stars? Two reasons:
1. I got pulled away from it around 30% in, and I'm not sure I would have come back to it had it not been picked for me for a challenge. (Glad I did, though!) Mainly because there was a big tonal mismatch for me that lasted til around 60%, but I know that's something I'm much more sensitive to than a lot of people. I just thought the tone of the book and Luther's reaction to the situation were way too light-hearted for the context. He's black and gay in 1692 at the start of the Salem witch trials. DANGER!!!!! It didn't ignore that, but it stayed pretty surface level, and he was way less freaked out than felt realistic. And I know for a lot of people the whole point of reading a book like this is NOT realism, so if that's you, you should definitely ignore this part :) I, however, skew Outlander in my tastes for time-travel realism, so...
I did really love how incredibly odd Luther's skillset was for the time. He was both incompetent in terms of a 1692 farmer and yet highly educated for the time with his 2017 college degree. But he didn't have the financial backing that would have typically come with that education in 1692 in order to easily take advantage of his intelligence. Plus, watching him slowly subvert the gender roles with Ezekiel's parents and siblings was nice.
2. Ezekiel was so genuinely *good* and I loved that his beautiful heart was a huge part of what Luther fell in love with. But I couldn't quite feel Ezekiel's draw to Luther, beyond their physical connection, which was clear. I get it logically and theoretically, I just didn't *feel* it. Possibly just due to the single POV, but it felt like something was missing there. Luther's reaction to some of Ezekiel's Puritan-ness made me slightly uncomfortable in the beginning -- I believe something akin to "I'm not a fan of the shy virgin act" was used -- but I actually really liked where the religious conversation went in the end.
This is one of those that I like more the more I think about it. It just needed to get serious a little quicker for my taste. A little more depth and realism would have made it perfect for me.
These guys are going to stick with me a lot longer than I would have expected after what was a pretty light-hearted beginning.
So why just 3 stars? Two reasons:
1. I got pulled away from it around 30% in, and I'm not sure I would have come back to it had it not been picked for me for a challenge. (Glad I did, though!) Mainly because there was a big tonal mismatch for me that lasted til around 60%, but I know that's something I'm much more sensitive to than a lot of people. I just thought the tone of the book and Luther's reaction to the situation were way too light-hearted for the context. He's black and gay in 1692 at the start of the Salem witch trials. DANGER!!!!! It didn't ignore that, but it stayed pretty surface level, and he was way less freaked out than felt realistic. And I know for a lot of people the whole point of reading a book like this is NOT realism, so if that's you, you should definitely ignore this part :) I, however, skew Outlander in my tastes for time-travel realism, so...
I did really love how incredibly odd Luther's skillset was for the time. He was both incompetent in terms of a 1692 farmer and yet highly educated for the time with his 2017 college degree. But he didn't have the financial backing that would have typically come with that education in 1692 in order to easily take advantage of his intelligence. Plus, watching him slowly subvert the gender roles with Ezekiel's parents and siblings was nice.
2. Ezekiel was so genuinely *good* and I loved that his beautiful heart was a huge part of what Luther fell in love with. But I couldn't quite feel Ezekiel's draw to Luther, beyond their physical connection, which was clear. I get it logically and theoretically, I just didn't *feel* it. Possibly just due to the single POV, but it felt like something was missing there. Luther's reaction to some of Ezekiel's Puritan-ness made me slightly uncomfortable in the beginning -- I believe something akin to "I'm not a fan of the shy virgin act" was used -- but I actually really liked where the religious conversation went in the end.
This is one of those that I like more the more I think about it. It just needed to get serious a little quicker for my taste. A little more depth and realism would have made it perfect for me.
November 12, 2017
I’m not really sure what I was expecting when I agreed to read and review this book, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t what I got (not in a bad way). I think I was expecting this was going to be some light-hearted Halloween time travel short story – cute and quirky. Instead, this was a full-fledged story complete with a comprehensive history lesson about the Salem witch trials and a time when many prejudices existed among people.
Stories that have a heavy historical theme aren’t typically my cup of tea; however, I have to say that I found myself doing a little Wikipedia research right alongside reading this book to try to determine the degree of historical accuracy vs. creative license. I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few things!
One controversial aspect of the book was the bi-racial MCs. I would love to see more of this in M/M books; however, in this context, it felt as though things were almost too smooth given the time period. Yes, there was a degree of angst around a black man showing up out of the blue in 1692 and having uncommon abilities as compared to what most people knew, but it felt like this should have been bigger somehow. Similarly, Ezekiel didn’t seem to require too much heavy convincing to accept Luther’s claim that homosexuality was not wrong at a point in time when it was clearly forbidden.
The ending of the story was definitely a surprise for me. I won’t go into details since half the fun of reading is the discovery of twists and turns, but yeah; I would have bet money on a different outcome. Definitely different!
Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review through ...
- 3 1/2 hearts
Stories that have a heavy historical theme aren’t typically my cup of tea; however, I have to say that I found myself doing a little Wikipedia research right alongside reading this book to try to determine the degree of historical accuracy vs. creative license. I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few things!
One controversial aspect of the book was the bi-racial MCs. I would love to see more of this in M/M books; however, in this context, it felt as though things were almost too smooth given the time period. Yes, there was a degree of angst around a black man showing up out of the blue in 1692 and having uncommon abilities as compared to what most people knew, but it felt like this should have been bigger somehow. Similarly, Ezekiel didn’t seem to require too much heavy convincing to accept Luther’s claim that homosexuality was not wrong at a point in time when it was clearly forbidden.
The ending of the story was definitely a surprise for me. I won’t go into details since half the fun of reading is the discovery of twists and turns, but yeah; I would have bet money on a different outcome. Definitely different!
Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review through ...
- 3 1/2 heartsOctober 15, 2017
Fascinating
So much going on in this story that I couldn't put it down. Loved the religious and gender discussions as much as getting to know Luther and Zeke. Sweet story, great read
So much going on in this story that I couldn't put it down. Loved the religious and gender discussions as much as getting to know Luther and Zeke. Sweet story, great read
December 3, 2017
Not what I expected
I read the reviews and decided to try it out and I have to say -wow. Nothing like I expected, it's really well balanced: the history, the romance, the struggle, the characters are all compelling and well thought out. Nice.
I read the reviews and decided to try it out and I have to say -wow. Nothing like I expected, it's really well balanced: the history, the romance, the struggle, the characters are all compelling and well thought out. Nice.
November 25, 2018
Good writing and character development but it was too sad for me. I don't think it was meant to be and a lot of people will enjoy it - just checked some personal boxes I'd rather not have had checked.
December 3, 2018
Inspirational
4 1/2* A sweet nand wonderfully inspirational story of love and hope. I know it's fiction but believe the loves have a long wonderful, happy and prosperous and healthy life!! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novel.
4 1/2* A sweet nand wonderfully inspirational story of love and hope. I know it's fiction but believe the loves have a long wonderful, happy and prosperous and healthy life!! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novel.
October 18, 2023
3.5 stars
I've been thinking about reading this for a long time, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. I think I'm satisfied with the ending, but I'll probably need to sit with it for a while to really know.
I've been thinking about reading this for a long time, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. I think I'm satisfied with the ending, but I'll probably need to sit with it for a while to really know.
August 19, 2018
Unexpectedly good!
October 29, 2019
Fun, fast read with a time travel twist. The love story between Luther and Ezekiel is sweet and uplifting.
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