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The Time Before
Rose’s family are time-travellers, so why did they leave her to find that out for herself?
She deserves answers, but first she’ll need to undo her mum’s death. Can Rose save her mum’s life without risking her own?
The Time Before is the second magical instalment in the real-world fantasy Changeling Tree series. If you like Faerie games, time-travel and family sagas, you’ll love Frances Evelyn’s intriguing story.
A low fantasy family saga. Sequel and prequel to the best-seller The Changeling Tree.
She deserves answers, but first she’ll need to undo her mum’s death. Can Rose save her mum’s life without risking her own?
The Time Before is the second magical instalment in the real-world fantasy Changeling Tree series. If you like Faerie games, time-travel and family sagas, you’ll love Frances Evelyn’s intriguing story.
A low fantasy family saga. Sequel and prequel to the best-seller The Changeling Tree.
- GenresMagical Realism
Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2020
3 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Frances Evelyn
10 books29 followersFrances Evelyn was born in Coventry and now lives in Rutland with her husband, two sons, who are - for the moment - too old for stories and magic, and a cockerpoo who protects them from shadows.
After twenty rewarding years of teaching English and an interesting few in management, Frances writes for readers who love real-world fantasy that makes them feel and think.
Her latest book, Bibliomancer, is her favourite thing -- a book about books. Emily, the main character, volunteers to read to patients in a hospice until she's arrested in connection with a series of suspicious deaths.
Across the five books (four out so far) of The Changeling Tree series, Frances combines tangled time-lines, family saga and Faerie. How do you tell a secret no-one will believe?
Visit Frances's website or follow her on social media for competitions and goodies and to find out more about her books and work in progress. Sign up for her mailing list (use the website link) for an exclusive free book, Sarah Ward and the Lyddington Djinn.
(Frances Evelyn is a pen-name)
After twenty rewarding years of teaching English and an interesting few in management, Frances writes for readers who love real-world fantasy that makes them feel and think.
Her latest book, Bibliomancer, is her favourite thing -- a book about books. Emily, the main character, volunteers to read to patients in a hospice until she's arrested in connection with a series of suspicious deaths.
Across the five books (four out so far) of The Changeling Tree series, Frances combines tangled time-lines, family saga and Faerie. How do you tell a secret no-one will believe?
Visit Frances's website or follow her on social media for competitions and goodies and to find out more about her books and work in progress. Sign up for her mailing list (use the website link) for an exclusive free book, Sarah Ward and the Lyddington Djinn.
(Frances Evelyn is a pen-name)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 24, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Time Before,” the next book after Frances Evelyn’s Changeling Tree. As with the first book, I loved the jumps between the fairy world and Rose’s perspective as she navigates her new understanding of reality. The author captures Rose’s teenage angst well, which represents the realistic, or human, aspect of this fantasy novel.
On one level, The Time Before captures the world and its stresses (identity, family, etc.).
However, Rose is in no way normal, and the smooth integration of fantasy, time, and the physical human world makes this novel and dynamic in the best of ways. As a reader, I empathized with Rose and felt her struggles. I also loved reading about the fairy court as they tried to navigate what they consider odd human notions.
On one level, The Time Before captures the world and its stresses (identity, family, etc.).
However, Rose is in no way normal, and the smooth integration of fantasy, time, and the physical human world makes this novel and dynamic in the best of ways. As a reader, I empathized with Rose and felt her struggles. I also loved reading about the fairy court as they tried to navigate what they consider odd human notions.
December 14, 2020
I have to confess a connection: some 35 years ago, I taught GCSE English and A Level Eng. Lit. to the young lady who has now become Frances Evelyn. She remains one of the ablest and most delightful of the students with whom I worked during my career. That said, the above is all irrelevant since, while I might not have been so quick to read these novels, it turns out that I would have relished them just as much had the connection not existed. I read 'The Changeling Tree' earlier this year, as soon as it was available, and greatly enjoyed it. Last night, at 11.50, I finished my "How can I put it down?" read of 'The Time Before' - and loved it. Now I need to go back and re-read 'The Changeling Tree' before moving on to 'The Traitor Within', which I had the good sense to buy at the same time as this one. In that way, I can fully re-immerse myself in the world of Faerie that the author creates, full of wit, dark rivalries, shapeshifting (often whimsical and imaginatively themed). Both novels mingle fantasy (And I enjoy fantasy but only if it is, as here and in the work of, for example, Neil Gaiman, done really well.), folk-lore, contemporary realism and historical fiction: all appeal individually and on their own merits so to have them combined so effectively here is a real treat. The more time I spend with Frances Evelyn's characters, the more I appreciate and enjoy them: the creation of each is thoughtful, consistent and convincing, as are the relationships that develop between them. Equally, the settings - in place and here in more than one period of social history in which I've long had interest - are economically but persuasively evoked. Without wanting to give anything away, the increasing intertwining of the narrative threads was a huge part of what made reading on so imperative and so enjoyable. Thank you, Frances Evelyn, for such marvellous reads and for allowing me to feel just a morsel of pride in helping you along the road.
February 12, 2022
An excellent sequel!
This book is a wonderful follow up to the first. It expands on much of the back story of the first, and deepens Rose’s character, along with some side characters and the main villain. Some new characters are introduced, like Agnes, and she provides an interesting and heartbreaking addition.
Well-written, witty, and now deeper and getting more mysterious with every page turn, this sequel is one you don’t want to miss out on.
This book is a wonderful follow up to the first. It expands on much of the back story of the first, and deepens Rose’s character, along with some side characters and the main villain. Some new characters are introduced, like Agnes, and she provides an interesting and heartbreaking addition.
Well-written, witty, and now deeper and getting more mysterious with every page turn, this sequel is one you don’t want to miss out on.
April 28, 2020
The premise of "The Time Before" drew me in immediately. As a lover of fantasy, it was just the kind of book I hoped I could sink my teeth into.
I wasn't disappointed.
From the characterisation to the descriptions, the author's skill is sublime. The sections set in the fae world have the feel of high fantasy meeting Jane Austen. There is this gorgeous, indulgent sense of intense social intrigue and scrutiny in those chapters that makes a reader feel like they are caught up in a period drama... But with hints of fantastical races and magic.
At first, I thought this might make the transition to Rose and Agnes' initial world jarring. However, that wasn't a problem. The overall writing style remained as immersive, albeit in a different way. Each character's perspective had a unique voice that made them a delight to read. It was so easy to sink into their reality, and to empathise with them.
There were times while I was reading this novel that the descriptions made me let out a sigh of appreciation. Frances Evelyn has a lovely way with words, and her conceptual work and character development were wonderful. If you're wondering whether to read this book, please give it a go. Take your time to read through it and truly enjoy the vivid world that Frances Evelyn has created.
I wasn't disappointed.
From the characterisation to the descriptions, the author's skill is sublime. The sections set in the fae world have the feel of high fantasy meeting Jane Austen. There is this gorgeous, indulgent sense of intense social intrigue and scrutiny in those chapters that makes a reader feel like they are caught up in a period drama... But with hints of fantastical races and magic.
At first, I thought this might make the transition to Rose and Agnes' initial world jarring. However, that wasn't a problem. The overall writing style remained as immersive, albeit in a different way. Each character's perspective had a unique voice that made them a delight to read. It was so easy to sink into their reality, and to empathise with them.
There were times while I was reading this novel that the descriptions made me let out a sigh of appreciation. Frances Evelyn has a lovely way with words, and her conceptual work and character development were wonderful. If you're wondering whether to read this book, please give it a go. Take your time to read through it and truly enjoy the vivid world that Frances Evelyn has created.
April 4, 2020
Ordinarily, I'd have run a mile before reading this book. LeGuin, Shambleu, Tolkien, even Rowling ...you show me a magic world of faeries and suchlike, and I leave town. Quickly.
HOWEVER...
I read The Time Before from cover for cover, and loved it.
No spoilers, but Frances's even, calm, lucid prose gives you a magic world which appears perfectly normal, populated with characters who you understand, who you can believe in, and who you root for.
This is a great read, beautifully written. No hesitation in giving it 5 stars.
READ IT.
HOWEVER...
I read The Time Before from cover for cover, and loved it.
No spoilers, but Frances's even, calm, lucid prose gives you a magic world which appears perfectly normal, populated with characters who you understand, who you can believe in, and who you root for.
This is a great read, beautifully written. No hesitation in giving it 5 stars.
READ IT.
July 1, 2020
Another winner!
I am surprised that a book in a genre that I don't normally read can keep me so engrossed! I find it difficult to put it down and are just as anxious to get to book 3 in the series! I love the how the queen screws up every quote she throws about like 'the kettle calling the kitten black', or 'let's call it today'. It's quite funny! There is a serious side to the book as well and you will find yourself running through a gamut of emotions. Loved it! On to the next!
I am surprised that a book in a genre that I don't normally read can keep me so engrossed! I find it difficult to put it down and are just as anxious to get to book 3 in the series! I love the how the queen screws up every quote she throws about like 'the kettle calling the kitten black', or 'let's call it today'. It's quite funny! There is a serious side to the book as well and you will find yourself running through a gamut of emotions. Loved it! On to the next!
July 18, 2021
The second instalment in The Changeling Tree series was impossibly even better than the first as it expanded upon the world and characters the first book opened with while carrying a beautifully written story along with it.
So far, this series has been rich and saturated with archetype, the symbolic, and fairy lore. It does this while also being modern and completely engrossing. Both books I have read in one sitting (though, due to physical human needs, not the same sitting) and I am really excited to start the third!
I couldn't praise this book enough and I've already begun recommending it to my friends. I just wish I had more friends who read so I could recommend it more!
So far, this series has been rich and saturated with archetype, the symbolic, and fairy lore. It does this while also being modern and completely engrossing. Both books I have read in one sitting (though, due to physical human needs, not the same sitting) and I am really excited to start the third!
I couldn't praise this book enough and I've already begun recommending it to my friends. I just wish I had more friends who read so I could recommend it more!
April 18, 2022
Second verse, same as the first
If you enjoyed The Changeling Tree then you’ll be happy to read book 2 in the series. It answers some questions, and raises enough others to carry into book 3. It was nice to see some character growth for Rose and Peggy. Who knows what awaits them in the sequels?
If you enjoyed The Changeling Tree then you’ll be happy to read book 2 in the series. It answers some questions, and raises enough others to carry into book 3. It was nice to see some character growth for Rose and Peggy. Who knows what awaits them in the sequels?
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews