I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Barbara has quite obviously carried out a lot of research into the legends of ancient Ireland, and it is enjoyable to see them come to life. This is not time travel as such, as Grayce MacCarthy doesn’t go back in time when she falls through the ‘crack’; she lands in a different dimension into a land that has been hidden from the world for centuries. It feels like another time because the people have to do everything for themselves, so they wear an ancient style of clothing, made from linen or wool,the only fabrics they have, and they have no modern gadgets. The fae magic that set up this hidden world is set so that when a leader dies a young female from modern Ireland falls into the hidden world there is a strenuous contest between the young unmarried men, the four overall winners have the right to court her until she decides which one she will marry. Of course this is a bit of a minefield, she has lost family, friends and a modern lifestyle, but the system does work quite well as it prevents inbreeding. Married couples have one child, always a son. But the people are worried because the magic is beginning to fail, and they are unsure what will happen to them.
Grayce has always been a rebel, with a somewhat troubled past. She has partly fae blood from an ancestor, and she has ‘the sight’, she sees things that will happen, never for herself though. So when she falls backwards into this other dimension she is not at all pleased. Brian finds her, and takes her back to his family home, and it is not long before she is passionately in love with him, which worries her because she is determined to get back to her own world, and with the fae blood running in her family she is sure it will happen. But dastardly deeds are afoot, not all the villagers are as good natured as Brian and his family, and it gets unpleasant and dangerous for other residents.
It all comes good in the end though, a practical solution is found that will make life better for the hidden villagers, and Grayce gets her man! A good read for a lazy day!