Keys of Time

Soul Dominion #1

by Georgiana Kent

No one can escape the call of Time

Erica Shylocke is your average University student, in debt and chasing deadlines. She also has a secret—a curse. One she’s kept hidden her entire life. She was doing a damn good job too, until she was attacked by a Lost Soul, a creature hell-bent on consuming her most valuable commodity: her soul.

Saved by Michael Nicholas, a Time traveller who’s as sexy as he is mysterious, her whole life is about to unravel, and it’s only a matter of time before her secret unravels too...

No longer content to lurk in the shadows, the Lost Souls are readying themselves to battle for dominion over the souls of Earth. When they do, their vengeance will be swift and brutal.

Chosen by Time itself, Erica works with Michael to uncover the truth behind their rise, and it quickly becomes apparent that her secret might give them the edge they desperately need.

As a band of unlikely heroes comes together to face off the army of Lost Souls, the fate of the world rests in Erica’s hands. Can she make the necessary sacrifices, and will they be in time to save the souls of billions?

Soul Dominion is an epic urban fantasy with Time travel, mystery, found family and love. Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments and Annette Marie's The Guild Codex!

This series is for you if you love:

mysteries galore with twists and turns...
a wide array of supernaturals from vampires to kitsune, Chinese painted skin
demons to angels, shifters and more!
Time travel shenanigans
snarky Faeries, sassy best friends, and found family fun
British humour and sarcasm
love triangles with slow burn romantic tension
Global destinations with East Asian influences
Diverselit with LGBTQ+ representation

NB: This is the first part of a trilogy - one story over three books - and not a standalone book

Genres: Time Travel, Paranormal, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Ebooks

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 2, 2021

About the author

Fantasy to die for. Characters to ship.

Georgiana Kent is a writer of fantasy romance and urban fantasy. She has always been creative and loves telling stories of enchanting worlds brimming with magic, mystery, and romance. Her novels are richly detailed fantasies on an epic scale marked by unique world-building, and a host of strong, diverse characters waiting for you to fall in love with.

Georgiana writes profound emotional journeys that delve into the intricate interplay of love, loss, and personal growth.

For fans of contemporary fantasies featuring mystery, shifters, time travel, and slow-burn romance, the Soul Dominion series is a must-read. But if you prefer steamy fantasy romances with 'who did this to you' morally grey characters, you'll love her Warring Hearts series of standalone retellings.

You can follow Georgiana on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram @authorgeorgianakent

FOLLOW me on BookBub! https://bit.ly/BookBubGeorgianaKent

All other socials, ARCs and newsletter signups: https://beacons.ai/georgianakentbooks

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bold and exciting debut:

I've been on Georgiana's mailing list for almost a year and when she offered me the chance to receive an ARC of her debut book, I jumped at it! I'd enjoyed her prequel novella and couldn't wait to read more.

Whilst some urban fantasy novels now throw in loads of sex and romance, Keys of Time focuses more on plot and the mystery at hand: how are Lost Souls getting through to Earth undetected and what are they planning?

This is PG all the way, beyond a few grisly deaths there is no offensive language or gratuitous scenes. Certainly suitable for younger readers starting out in urban fantasy whilst being more than gripping enough for older readers too. The pacing is quick and the story tight, with loads of breadcrumbs thrown in to keep the mystery going.

Keys of Time is action-packed with a sprinkling of romance. Georgiana has created a host of diverse, multidimensional characters who are memorable and intriguing in their own way - even the side characters! As well as representative of race and the LGBTQ community. You can just sense the epicness she's going for in her KeyMaster world, much like Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter books. But with less angst! Michael isn't as annoying as Jace either - definite plus!

There are two protagonists: Erica Shylocke and Michael Nicholas. Erica is a likeable university student with a secret—see if you can guess it before it's revealed! She's believable and has been given some real human qualities and weaknesses that drew me in. Whilst Michael is suitably mysterious, a perfect 'guide' for Erica as she learns about this 'new' world. In my head I kept seeing the Duke of Hastings from the Netflix Bridgerton! Swoonworthy! Though their romance is definitely a subplot — Michael only realises his feelings towards the end of the book! I can't wait to see how it'll grow in Book Two.

The book is edited and the dialogue on point with some great moments that got me chuckling. The interactions between Erica and her friends are natural and fun — Marc is hilarious! Love the bit between him and Michael! Georgiana has successfully weaved aspects of her prequel novella into Book One, like Michael's jade bracelet and Anatole and Yophiel's forbidden romance. Perfect for those who've read Inner Demons.

With some excellent world building, Georgiana's KeyMaster universe introduces vampires and werewolves, quondams, with some unique and appealing twists, alongside Soul Gatherers, Lost Souls, KeyMasters, Færies and Fæ. Though, the quondams are only touched upon in Keys of Time — I have a feeling they'll be explored more in Book Two. The take on time travel is really interesting and introduced well, but isn't the focal point of the story, just like Erica's secret. They're just part of the KeyMaster world. I loved her take on Færies as elemental beings. A bit about their history with Man is introduced and is fascinating. Xerxes is a brilliant addition and balances Erica perfectly.

Whilst the book does end on a cliffhanger, some loose ends are tied up and left me quite satisfied whilst leaving more than enough intrigue for Book Two. I'm desperate to see what will happen to Guy and Lizzie and then there's Nathaniel, how does he know Erica? What secrets is Erica's mum hiding? And what's going to happen to Xerxes? Can't wait!

This is urban fantasy on an epic scale! If you love action-packed stories, intricate world building, strong and diverse characters, mystery and intrigue then you're going to love Keys of Time!

[Jessica Traver cashen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome read! Fantastic world building and I love the magic system. There is time travel it's just an intriguing read. Can't wait for the next one!

[Micki_1989 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but not my cup of tea

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and the way it ended had me dying to know what happens next! Georgiana Kent knows how to up the stakes and carry the suspense throughout the novel. She is SO creative with her magic system and world building. I can see so many ways to create novellas in addition to the series she has planned. Can’t wait for it all!

I loved the main character Erica. She’s such a strong character already and I enjoyed how she was so accepting of this world she didn’t even know existed. Despite her fears, she faced them head on and agreed to train as a KeyMaster under Michael, while also not losing sight of her own personal goals. She definitely has many gifts and talents, and I’m excited to see them grow and develop throughout the series! I also liked that she was so caring and accepting of others (like her first friend—Little Reggie). She has this welcoming spirit about her that draws me to her character.

I also loved the diversity in the novel! You can tell Georgiana values diverse relationships and cultures, which are all represented and woven into her novel. The setting was also to die for! I love London and to read it as the backdrop for this story has me itching to visit again soon! The time travel elements within the story also pulled me in, and how detailed KeyMastery works. I absolutely loved reading Erica’s gift for seeing auras and witnessing their trails in time, and how this will likely impact the future.

The reason I gave my review 4 stars is that sometimes I was left confused by certain magical elements in the novel and a few plot points. There are also a lot of characters to keep track of, which may not be a problem for everyone—likely just me! I also felt that the romance between Erica and Michael was lacking, and I honestly didn’t feel any chemistry between the two. However, the romance is not the main plot point of the novel, which is also refreshing!

I also feel the story could benefit with more development of Erica’s best friend Lizzie. She’s only sprinkled into the story, yet plays a key role towards the end of the book. There are a few things left unanswered, but will likely (hopefully!) be answered in the upcoming books!

All in all, if you love fantasy, fantastic world building, strong characters, and diverse representation—this book is for you!

[Bethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last year, I have had the pleasure of reading Georgiana’s prequel novella as well as being one of her Beta readers. I have been hooked on the story and the diverse world that Georgiana has created from the moment I began reading, so I jumped at the chance to receive an ARC of her completed debut book.
The story is perfect urban fantasy and escapism, which builds tension effectively. There is a good balance between the description of her intriguing universe of spirits, mediums, soul gatherers and faeries through Erica’s introduction to it and the varied and multi-layered characters, alongside the mystery and danger scenes. I have always loved stories linked to time travel and, although this is only one part of the adventure, it adds even more depth to the carefully woven world that Georgiana has created.
The two protagonists, Erica and Michael, are relatable and I enjoyed how their relationship developed as the book progressed. In particular, I felt Erica was a multi-faceted character, who many readers would identify with. I found her ability to see colourful auras, as well as spirits, very intriguing and I’m interested to discover what further impact her powers have on the whole series. All characters in the story are likeable and natural, with different races, cultures and the LGBTQ community represented within the book. The interactions between the characters are natural, and often funny, with relevant friendship and family dynamics incorporated effectively.
This book is suitable for younger readers, from the ages of 11+, and is packed with action, mystery and humour … with a sprinkling of romance. When reading, I can see the whole book playing out as a film (in my head with Rege Jean Page as Michael Nicholas!)
I can’t wait for Book Two to find out more about the secrets Erica’s mum has been hiding as well as the link between her family and the magical world of Key Masters and, of course, see how the budding romances develop. This is a perfect book for lovers of fantasy, the spirit world, time travel and magic.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Just Wow. This book was so intriguing. A little romance, bad things, time travel and all kinds of other cool stuff. I definitely need to read the next one!

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read! I recommend it to people who enjoy fantasy and time travel. I enjoyed reading about Limbo and the whole school of key mastery. Not to mention, the characters were all very diverse... I even noticed a Turkish name in there which made me very happy heheheh.

I found it a little slow to start, but picked up halfway through the book when she started to learn about key mastery and started time-travelling.

Overall 4/5- a fun intriguing read, with a lot of mystery that keeps you hooked.

[lori Updike · Rating 5 out of 5]

she grew up her life was strange cuz she seen people that nobody could see and she had to hide it untill she met someone that changed her like and made her life a better place and her heart went out knowing she cant have him

[FionaH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erica – a mostly normal 19-year old college student – finds herself drawn into a hidden world of time travelling guardians who protect the world from attacks by “lost souls”. Guided through this world by the attractive, but mysterious, Michael, she must learn to utilise her powers quickly in the face of increasingly frequent attacks across the country.

This was an intriguing premise that was somewhat poorly executed. I think the book would have been better with just a touch more editing and a good beta reader.

One of the things I dislike in contemporary fantasy books is when the protagonist – a (mostly) seemingly normal person all their lives – discovers a hidden magical world, and then adapts to it like a duck to water, no disbelief or questioning or struggling to figure out how it works. I prefer a more gradual learning curve/road to acceptance. Unfortunately, Erica is the former. In addition, the magic system, the roles of the various guardians of the peace, and the interpersonal relationships are poorly explored.

That said, I did feel the book ended strongly and I may well continue with the series in the hope that these issues may improve.

[Yael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. I loved the unique magic systems, multiple universes and time travel. Erica and Michael are great MCs, both have depth and flaws making them relatable. Not only are the main characters well written but so are the supporting characters. In this first book in the series we are introduced to the time traveling system and the organization that is tasked in keeping the unaware humans safe, and the trouble brewing at their doorstep.
I’ll mention that I found the beginning confusing and I once or twice I had to check that I’m actually reading book one of the series, it felt as if I have missed something (probably the prequel, will go looking for it), and at one part I found that there was a hint at a conversation that took place, but was edited out of the book and it left me somewhat confused. However, this did not stop me from enjoying the book, and I’ll be reading the next in the series.
If you love to read fantasy with a unique voice, enjoy time travel and low romance I highly recommend this first in a series.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, very unusual but a lot of fun. Erica is a psychic and medium who doesn't advertise her skills, she notices a man but has no idea he is meant be invisible and so begins an adventure where she learns about the keys of time and is drafted in to become a trainee keeper. She doesn't initially expect to do it for long but forces are in motion and she is soon up to her eyeballs in it all and she won't be able to walk away. She does at least gain a new boyfriend!

[Julie Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much intrigue

In this first part of a trilogy we are introduced to Erica, a history student at UCL, as she discovers that she has certain talents as she sees Michael watching her on her daily commute. Erica accepts this new reality and aims to learn what she can to help her new friend.
There is darkness, a developing love story, loss and family secrets.

[Quilting Tangent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ancient Magic!
Battle to save the world from demons in this unpredictable, easy to read, enjoyable magical time travel story. Faeries, ancient magic, romance and so much more is going on in this fast paced interesting book, with wonderful characters and world building. Looking forward to the rest of this series.

[Anna Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story

I like that the story takes place in the UK for a change. Most other books take place in the US. Also the plot is different from what I expected. Makes me want to see what happens next.

[Piper James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally different and new

Omgosh this book starts in our world and then quickly catapults us to several new ones. This book is witty, complicated, and full of heart. By far my favorite so far this year

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dominating Key Piece of Fantasy

This is my first Georgiana Kent Book, and I must say... It's all there:
The wow-factor world building, the charismatic characters, the extra sensory plot twists, and outstanding adventure!
Escapism at its finest!

[Mrs T Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different and original

A totally new take on time travel, magic and fae. Can't wait to see what happens next. Off to download book 2 now.

[Traci Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the plot in this book and the characters - the method of time travel is different than I've seen before, and the working relationship between the Key Masters and the Faeries is interesting. I started reading the next book as soon as I finished this one.

The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that it needs some editing and proofreading. The tense sometimes changes (sometimes in the same sentence), there are typos/wrong words used, some sentence fragments and other things. Also, some of the story was confusing because the chronology was off. Yes, it's a time travel book, but things that happen in "Actualle" (actual) time are told in the wrong order. Thing A happened, then C, then B, where B should have been between A and C. I understand having some things happen at different times to increase the suspense, but the few things I noticed didn't seem related to that. It was a bit awkward sometimes.

But I'm going to continue with the series because I am invested and care about the characters and the problems they're experiencing.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.