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Angenga: The Disappearance Of Time
When Rick Hughes receives a relic as a gift from an old friend, he has no idea what he's getting himself into. Drawn to an old excavation site, Rick stumbles upon a portal that takes him back to the 8th century, in the middle of a Viking invasion.
After discovering a shocking link to the present, Rick is determined to intervene and save the village from devastation - and to find a scientific explanation for what is happening.
With the perils of 8th century England surrounding him, can Rick save his new friends and live to tell the tale?
★★★★★ - "A great romp through a time vortex into Anglo-Saxon Lincolnshire. Loved it."
★★★★★ - "I love the blend of Sci-Fi and Historical Fiction this novel offers. It’s a time-travel novel, but the settings and lifestyle of the time period our main character, Rick, finds himself in, feel real and well-researched. Highly recommended."
★★★★★ - "A sympathetic, convincing portrayal of this neglected period in history."
After discovering a shocking link to the present, Rick is determined to intervene and save the village from devastation - and to find a scientific explanation for what is happening.
With the perils of 8th century England surrounding him, can Rick save his new friends and live to tell the tale?
★★★★★ - "A great romp through a time vortex into Anglo-Saxon Lincolnshire. Loved it."
★★★★★ - "I love the blend of Sci-Fi and Historical Fiction this novel offers. It’s a time-travel novel, but the settings and lifestyle of the time period our main character, Rick, finds himself in, feel real and well-researched. Highly recommended."
★★★★★ - "A sympathetic, convincing portrayal of this neglected period in history."
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2019
12 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
John Broughton
114 books21 followersJohn Broughton was born in Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire, studied at the local grammar school and went on to take an honours degree in Medieval and Modern History at the University of Nottingham, where he also studied Archaeology.
John retired in January 2014 and chose the period that fascinates him most – the Anglo-Saxon period – as the setting for his first historical novel. Since then, he has had 28 novels published by Next Chapter Publishing. Most are historical novels, but he also writes murder mysteries, fantasy and sci-fi.
John retired in January 2014 and chose the period that fascinates him most – the Anglo-Saxon period – as the setting for his first historical novel. Since then, he has had 28 novels published by Next Chapter Publishing. Most are historical novels, but he also writes murder mysteries, fantasy and sci-fi.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 30, 2019
I LOVE everything about Angenga! It’s fast-paced, addicting, and it kept me reading from start to finish in one night. And when it was over, I was really sad and wanted more – which is not a critique, but a compliment. The book wasn’t missing anything, I just wanted to go back into the world John Broughton created and never leave! So good.
I love the blend of Sci-fi and Historical fiction this novel offers. It’s a time-travel novel, but the settings and lifestyle of the time period our main character, Rick, finds himself in, feels real and well-researched. John Broughton didn’t just throw his characters into a time-period without knowing what life was like back then. He did his research and created a wonderfully real feeling experience. Which is awesome in a Sci-fi novel – when you can really engross yourself because everything feels possible.
I love the characters. Rick, Esme and Gary feel real. They are very well-rounded and developed, and I never had trouble differentiating between them. I love the characters they meet as well. Everything about John Broughton’s writing style, really brings this novel to life.
I could go on forever, but that would prevent you from picking up this book and experiencing it for yourself. Highly recommended!!
I love the blend of Sci-fi and Historical fiction this novel offers. It’s a time-travel novel, but the settings and lifestyle of the time period our main character, Rick, finds himself in, feels real and well-researched. John Broughton didn’t just throw his characters into a time-period without knowing what life was like back then. He did his research and created a wonderfully real feeling experience. Which is awesome in a Sci-fi novel – when you can really engross yourself because everything feels possible.
I love the characters. Rick, Esme and Gary feel real. They are very well-rounded and developed, and I never had trouble differentiating between them. I love the characters they meet as well. Everything about John Broughton’s writing style, really brings this novel to life.
I could go on forever, but that would prevent you from picking up this book and experiencing it for yourself. Highly recommended!!
January 25, 2021
I usually do not read Time Travel novels, but this one intrigued me as the main character was returning to a specific time during the age of the Anglo-Saxons and Norsemen. I discovered it had quite a few twists to distinguish it. Rick discovered his double in 871. Not only his double, but a double for the love of his life and his best friend. It turns out they too can travel with him as long as they possess an item or reproduction from 871. Rick tries desperately to find an explanation of how this is possible when science says it is now. Because he is well-known in his field he is able to connect with one of the imminent scientists in the physics field. Does anything in quantum mechanics or the theory of general relativity help explain how this is possible? The current answer is no. The theory is they have gone through a wormhole, but there is no way this possible as the wormhole would be too small. Rick, his love Esme, and friend Gary keep returning to help those who resemble them. Their purchase of a map from the 18th century even takes them back to the 1700’s when trying to escape a group of marauding Norsemen. Will they be able to save the small Saxon villagers? Will they be able to return to their own time? And if they do return how do they tell their tale? Loved the explanation for the last sentence.
July 24, 2019
Time travel, Anglo Saxons and physics problems, there is so much going on in this book that it can be quite dizzying. Happily, there is always a date given at each section, which is useful as there is quite a lot of visiting two periods in history. Of course, as one of the subtitles is “When time no longer exists”, this book is not just about time travel, as the main character devotes much effort to the study of time as a concept. Another subtitle is “The disappearance of time”, as Rick tries to work out how he can cope with Cambridge in the twenty first century, as well as visit a village full of Anglo Saxon people. There is adventure, excitement and all sorts of emergencies as Rick and his friends try to do so much in discovering exactly what is going on in life or death situations. Fast paced, generously written and impeccably researched, this book maintained my interest throughout, and is generally a fantastic read. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this exciting book.
The book opens very firmly in the twenty first century in Cambridge. Rick Hughes is a Phd student specialising in Anglo Saxon languages, with a friend who is a part time metal detecting fanatic. Gary gives him an artifact, a pendant, which he has conserved by an archaeologist Dr Esme Drake, with whom he starts a relationship. Unfortunately as their respective academic careers progress, they grow apart. It is only five years later, that Dr Rick is persuaded to visit the site where Gary found the pendant, and they both dress in Anglo Saxon costume for a display. Before long, Rick finds himself in 870AD, in the Anglo Saxon village that once stood on the site. He discovers many things, as he uses his rather esoteric knowledge to speak the language well enough to appear as a mysterious stranger or seer visiting the settlement. Confused by finding his apparent double in a man called Rinc, he manages to return to Cambridge in 2016, to try and track down an explanation for his apparent journey into the past. As a complete novice in the field of physics and the question of Time, he takes the reader along as he meets a Professor of Physics and tries to work out if he has in fact travelled back in time. Meanwhile, his detailed knowledge of the history of the region makes him realise that the community which he has now been welcomed is in danger from the invading Vikings. As he returns to the settlement he does not go alone, and he discovers a lot about the daily life of the community. Thus the reader learns a lot about Anglo Saxon people, especially when tested, and finds that a less complicated lifestyle still has its challenges and life threatening situations.
This is a book which has many avenues of thought well presented. Funny and often charming, the relationships between the characters are well drawn and dynamic, and make for compelling reading. Though a fictional book there are many points at which I learned a great deal about the scientific questions that are being actively studied which makes many assumptions about the nature of time and historical progression. The world of the Anglo Saxons and indeed some of the Vikings is carefully presented in a lively and engaging way. This is a historical novel with other elements carefully added, and while I am no expert in scientific matters, the arguments seem well established. I enjoyed reading this book, and suggest that will appeal to many people who relish an absorbing adventure.
The book opens very firmly in the twenty first century in Cambridge. Rick Hughes is a Phd student specialising in Anglo Saxon languages, with a friend who is a part time metal detecting fanatic. Gary gives him an artifact, a pendant, which he has conserved by an archaeologist Dr Esme Drake, with whom he starts a relationship. Unfortunately as their respective academic careers progress, they grow apart. It is only five years later, that Dr Rick is persuaded to visit the site where Gary found the pendant, and they both dress in Anglo Saxon costume for a display. Before long, Rick finds himself in 870AD, in the Anglo Saxon village that once stood on the site. He discovers many things, as he uses his rather esoteric knowledge to speak the language well enough to appear as a mysterious stranger or seer visiting the settlement. Confused by finding his apparent double in a man called Rinc, he manages to return to Cambridge in 2016, to try and track down an explanation for his apparent journey into the past. As a complete novice in the field of physics and the question of Time, he takes the reader along as he meets a Professor of Physics and tries to work out if he has in fact travelled back in time. Meanwhile, his detailed knowledge of the history of the region makes him realise that the community which he has now been welcomed is in danger from the invading Vikings. As he returns to the settlement he does not go alone, and he discovers a lot about the daily life of the community. Thus the reader learns a lot about Anglo Saxon people, especially when tested, and finds that a less complicated lifestyle still has its challenges and life threatening situations.
This is a book which has many avenues of thought well presented. Funny and often charming, the relationships between the characters are well drawn and dynamic, and make for compelling reading. Though a fictional book there are many points at which I learned a great deal about the scientific questions that are being actively studied which makes many assumptions about the nature of time and historical progression. The world of the Anglo Saxons and indeed some of the Vikings is carefully presented in a lively and engaging way. This is a historical novel with other elements carefully added, and while I am no expert in scientific matters, the arguments seem well established. I enjoyed reading this book, and suggest that will appeal to many people who relish an absorbing adventure.
June 27, 2019
Rick Hughes is contacted by an old friend, he wants to show him something….Gary, a metal detectorist, has found many treasures and reported them to the correct authorities, but he has found something special….a reliquary pendant ( a reliquary is a container for holy relics)….he gives it to Rick who wants it cleaned properly by a professional.
So we meet Esme, who cleans the ivory pendant…..it is from approximately 870 AD. Rick is immediately smitten by Esme and so a little romance begins.
The story then jumps 5 years ahead ( I have to admit it felt a bit odd to just jump 5 years mid chapter with no real reason for that amount of time)…
Rick and Esme are still together but only just, and Gary invites Rick to an Anglo-Saxon re-enactment event, so off the two of them go all dressed in costume and for a touch of realism, Gary wears the pendant….
Then the story really starts, Rick just touches the pendant and he wakes up a bit groggy 1100 years in the past….he meets local people and his double, Rinc and his wife, who is the double of Esme….this was real wasn’t it? Or is he losing his mind ?
Well it’s real and the adventure begins, he takes Gary and Esme back too and they become friends with the villagers. Gary learns how to make parchment, Esme helps a woman give birth by caesarean, Rick meets Vikings and convinces them he’s a seer…….but they then realise the Vikings are about to arrive and destroy the village and enslave or kill everyone…….So they make a plan to save them…
I loved this, the characters are so engaging and well rounded, and it feels like historical fiction due to the factual elements, which I found to be very interesting, but with the sci-fi of time travel. Does time actually exist……? Well that’s a question to ponder…..I have to admit the science part went over my head, as quantum mechanics is beyond me, but this didn’t detract from this marvellously entertaining read. The epilogue is just brilliant.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book and this is my honest, unbiased review
So we meet Esme, who cleans the ivory pendant…..it is from approximately 870 AD. Rick is immediately smitten by Esme and so a little romance begins.
The story then jumps 5 years ahead ( I have to admit it felt a bit odd to just jump 5 years mid chapter with no real reason for that amount of time)…
Rick and Esme are still together but only just, and Gary invites Rick to an Anglo-Saxon re-enactment event, so off the two of them go all dressed in costume and for a touch of realism, Gary wears the pendant….
Then the story really starts, Rick just touches the pendant and he wakes up a bit groggy 1100 years in the past….he meets local people and his double, Rinc and his wife, who is the double of Esme….this was real wasn’t it? Or is he losing his mind ?
Well it’s real and the adventure begins, he takes Gary and Esme back too and they become friends with the villagers. Gary learns how to make parchment, Esme helps a woman give birth by caesarean, Rick meets Vikings and convinces them he’s a seer…….but they then realise the Vikings are about to arrive and destroy the village and enslave or kill everyone…….So they make a plan to save them…
I loved this, the characters are so engaging and well rounded, and it feels like historical fiction due to the factual elements, which I found to be very interesting, but with the sci-fi of time travel. Does time actually exist……? Well that’s a question to ponder…..I have to admit the science part went over my head, as quantum mechanics is beyond me, but this didn’t detract from this marvellously entertaining read. The epilogue is just brilliant.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book and this is my honest, unbiased review
March 5, 2021
The concept of time?
The title of this book intrigued me and I thought it would quickly be explained as I began reading but no, the author cleverly keeps us dangling like a fish on a hook until right at the end, when at last we learn what Angenga means. The book is so well written that it's hard to know how much is real and how much is the product of the author's imagination.
When Rick finds himself suddenly waking up to find himself in 9th century Lincolnshire it takes him a little time to realise he's not dreaming. This is real. Realising the key to this time travel is a 9th century artifact in his possession he embarks on a quest to prove that he has travelled through time. With difficulty he manages to convince his friends Gary and Esme that he isn't going mad and they eventually accompany him to the 9th century village where he is accepted as a seer. The problem he faced is, with his knowledge of history he realises the village and his new friends will soon be attacked and destroyed by Viking invaders.
I hate spoilers so I don't want to reveal much about the plot, but I can say that I know other readers will be as engrossed as I am in the way the story is related and the way the author manages to include such brilliant theories about time and the ability to visit the past and the future in such a way as to make them appear totally believable and factual.
I can only imagine at the time he must have taken to formulate the ideas that have gone into making this story so compelling and a real page turner. There's plenty of action and some tantalising paradoxes on show in the book which is definitely a slice of literary excellence.
I can wholeheartedly recommend it to readers of both historical and contemporary fiction. I loved it.
The title of this book intrigued me and I thought it would quickly be explained as I began reading but no, the author cleverly keeps us dangling like a fish on a hook until right at the end, when at last we learn what Angenga means. The book is so well written that it's hard to know how much is real and how much is the product of the author's imagination.
When Rick finds himself suddenly waking up to find himself in 9th century Lincolnshire it takes him a little time to realise he's not dreaming. This is real. Realising the key to this time travel is a 9th century artifact in his possession he embarks on a quest to prove that he has travelled through time. With difficulty he manages to convince his friends Gary and Esme that he isn't going mad and they eventually accompany him to the 9th century village where he is accepted as a seer. The problem he faced is, with his knowledge of history he realises the village and his new friends will soon be attacked and destroyed by Viking invaders.
I hate spoilers so I don't want to reveal much about the plot, but I can say that I know other readers will be as engrossed as I am in the way the story is related and the way the author manages to include such brilliant theories about time and the ability to visit the past and the future in such a way as to make them appear totally believable and factual.
I can only imagine at the time he must have taken to formulate the ideas that have gone into making this story so compelling and a real page turner. There's plenty of action and some tantalising paradoxes on show in the book which is definitely a slice of literary excellence.
I can wholeheartedly recommend it to readers of both historical and contemporary fiction. I loved it.
June 26, 2019
If you enjoy your sci-fi type stories with time travel and a fast paced style that keeps you enthralled and thoroughly entertained from start to finish, then this is certainly one to pick up ASAP!
The story moves along at a wonderful pace, neither too fast nor too slow. It keeps you glued with the changes to situations, but what makes it wonderfully captivating is the historical aspect. This manages ti be thoroughly entertaining, whilst creating a realistic view of life in the time we are given. It wasn’t over done, it just felt honest and very well researched. This is clearly an Author who has done his homework, and enjoyed it every step of the way!
The people and scenarios were brilliantly suited to the tale. They were intriguing and kept me wanting to know them better. I was so engrossed in this that I devoured the whole thing in one night, then despite how wonderful an ending this actually has I was devastated that the book had come to a close: so I started again 🤣🙈
I loved the dual timelines, I often find this hard work but it was all so cleverly done that instead I just enjoyed myself! I didn’t find myself retracing my steps to see what had happened, I didn’t feel like I was missing out, rather it felt like I was getting the whole picture.
I would have LOVED for this to be a longer book, HOWEVER I have to be honest and say that is purely because I was enjoying it so much and really want to read more from the Author, the want is certainly not down to the book which was fast paced, addictive and easily going on my favourites pile!
The story moves along at a wonderful pace, neither too fast nor too slow. It keeps you glued with the changes to situations, but what makes it wonderfully captivating is the historical aspect. This manages ti be thoroughly entertaining, whilst creating a realistic view of life in the time we are given. It wasn’t over done, it just felt honest and very well researched. This is clearly an Author who has done his homework, and enjoyed it every step of the way!
The people and scenarios were brilliantly suited to the tale. They were intriguing and kept me wanting to know them better. I was so engrossed in this that I devoured the whole thing in one night, then despite how wonderful an ending this actually has I was devastated that the book had come to a close: so I started again 🤣🙈
I loved the dual timelines, I often find this hard work but it was all so cleverly done that instead I just enjoyed myself! I didn’t find myself retracing my steps to see what had happened, I didn’t feel like I was missing out, rather it felt like I was getting the whole picture.
I would have LOVED for this to be a longer book, HOWEVER I have to be honest and say that is purely because I was enjoying it so much and really want to read more from the Author, the want is certainly not down to the book which was fast paced, addictive and easily going on my favourites pile!
March 12, 2020
Agenga: The Disappearance of time, by John Broughton
Historian Rick Hughes finds himself thrown back in time to the 8th century, to a Viking Village on the verge of invasion. Concerned by the plight of his newfound Viking friends, he enlists the help of his present day best friend Gary, and his unsuspecting girlfriend, Esme to help him save the villagers.
Before reading the book I had read Broughton´s author page, so I knew that he had studied Mediaeval History at university. However, it was more than obvious that he had also done his homework and had thoroughly researched the possibilities of time travel. The characters discuss Quantum Physics, the String Theory and the actual concepts of time; all explained in layman´s terms so that even the least scientifically minded reader (me!) could easily understand it. And in my opinion, the clever mix of time travel with ancient history worked exceedingly well.
I love the way that the reader is introduced to life in a Viking village. I was given the opportunity to learn how they lived, dressed and ate in those days. This is a history book that comes alive with each new page.
A thought provoking book with an unexpected end - the only outcome there could possibly be under the circumstances, yet original, resourceful and adroit.
Historian Rick Hughes finds himself thrown back in time to the 8th century, to a Viking Village on the verge of invasion. Concerned by the plight of his newfound Viking friends, he enlists the help of his present day best friend Gary, and his unsuspecting girlfriend, Esme to help him save the villagers.
Before reading the book I had read Broughton´s author page, so I knew that he had studied Mediaeval History at university. However, it was more than obvious that he had also done his homework and had thoroughly researched the possibilities of time travel. The characters discuss Quantum Physics, the String Theory and the actual concepts of time; all explained in layman´s terms so that even the least scientifically minded reader (me!) could easily understand it. And in my opinion, the clever mix of time travel with ancient history worked exceedingly well.
I love the way that the reader is introduced to life in a Viking village. I was given the opportunity to learn how they lived, dressed and ate in those days. This is a history book that comes alive with each new page.
A thought provoking book with an unexpected end - the only outcome there could possibly be under the circumstances, yet original, resourceful and adroit.
May 29, 2019
Time travel to the Viking invasions of ‘Angle-land’!
A fun read, and in an easy and conversational manner that made it flow jauntily from page to page. I had a lot of fun with it. The characters were well flushed out, enjoyable, and with some surprisingly personable antagonists for a change of pace. It ended a little too fast for my liking, as I would have enjoyed a more satisfying reconciliation to the interactions of the main characters. But that’s mostly because they were written in a way that you found them so very likeable!
A fun read, and in an easy and conversational manner that made it flow jauntily from page to page. I had a lot of fun with it. The characters were well flushed out, enjoyable, and with some surprisingly personable antagonists for a change of pace. It ended a little too fast for my liking, as I would have enjoyed a more satisfying reconciliation to the interactions of the main characters. But that’s mostly because they were written in a way that you found them so very likeable!
November 16, 2020
It's a short book, fun and quick to read, but to me it lacked a bit of depth.
Situations that the protagonist, Rick, and his friends, find themself in are resolved all too quickly and fortuity in my opinion.
However, overall I enjoyed the story and I recommend Angenga, especially if you are a fan of time travel books.
Situations that the protagonist, Rick, and his friends, find themself in are resolved all too quickly and fortuity in my opinion.
However, overall I enjoyed the story and I recommend Angenga, especially if you are a fan of time travel books.
May 31, 2019
A unique fiction that someday may be a reality. Totally interesting, well written. A lot of medieval history and time travel. Just what is time? Do you think you know?A must read for inquiring minds. Very enjoyable, the ending is really special.
July 10, 2019
Fascinating and exciting story. I loved all the detail about the period. If you can suspend belief and accept the premise of time slip, you'll love this.
September 24, 2022
Good book. Fast paced, lots of fun.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews