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Island of Time #1
Island of Time
A mind-bending time heist novel that will appeal to fans of V.E. Schwab's 'Shades of Magic' series.
"There was no murder . . . Because they never existed."
The Geneva branch of Interpol - the international agency tasked with policing magic and the arcane arts - is where careers go to die. Action is rare as Switzerland banned magic seven hundred years ago. That's how Agent Jackson Burnett likes it.
But then reports of an explosion lead Jackson to the home of businessman Bernard Bouchon. What's there is The family and their possessions have vanished into ash.
Jackson's enigmatic new partner Luca Tami, a blind Talent able to perform magic, suspects powerful supernatural forces are at play. The family weren't killed . . . they've been erased from time. With all traces of the family disappearing, the case is hours away from being forgotten.
How can Jackson solve a crime no one remembers happening? He must find a way to remember. He must discover who is behind the spell and why. Dangerous magics are in use, and it's clear those controlling them won't let anyone stand in their way.
"There was no murder . . . Because they never existed."
The Geneva branch of Interpol - the international agency tasked with policing magic and the arcane arts - is where careers go to die. Action is rare as Switzerland banned magic seven hundred years ago. That's how Agent Jackson Burnett likes it.
But then reports of an explosion lead Jackson to the home of businessman Bernard Bouchon. What's there is The family and their possessions have vanished into ash.
Jackson's enigmatic new partner Luca Tami, a blind Talent able to perform magic, suspects powerful supernatural forces are at play. The family weren't killed . . . they've been erased from time. With all traces of the family disappearing, the case is hours away from being forgotten.
How can Jackson solve a crime no one remembers happening? He must find a way to remember. He must discover who is behind the spell and why. Dangerous magics are in use, and it's clear those controlling them won't let anyone stand in their way.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2022
22 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Davis Bunn
112 books1,043 followersDavis Bunn is an internationally-acclaimed author who has sold more than eight million books in twenty languages.
Honored with four Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, Davis was inducted into the Christy Hall of Fame in 2014.
His bestsellers include The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt. A sought-after lecturer in the art of writing, Bunn was serves as Writer in Residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University.
Davis Bunn also writes under the names Thomas Locke (for his epic fantasy and techno-thriller novels) and T. Davis Bunn (for books published prior to 2002).
Honored with four Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, Davis was inducted into the Christy Hall of Fame in 2014.
His bestsellers include The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt. A sought-after lecturer in the art of writing, Bunn was serves as Writer in Residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University.
Davis Bunn also writes under the names Thomas Locke (for his epic fantasy and techno-thriller novels) and T. Davis Bunn (for books published prior to 2002).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 1, 2025
I found this to be rather confusing; I read through it once, and didn’t quite understand it, only to try again and be just as puzzled. This author has many great books, but this novel is not one of them.
June 10, 2022
I am always amazed that Davis Bunn can write so many different genres and they're all good! Although he's written some other fantasy and speculative fiction, this new book is really different. I wouldn't say it's my favorite Davis Bunn book (I'm more a Book of Hours and MIramar Bay lover), but it's definitely well-written and sucked me right in to the story. I stayed up way too late to finish it. The characters are relatable, even in a very un-relatable setting.
September 16, 2024
Excellent. Did not expect such a sci-fi thriller from Davis, and I'm already signed up for next in series!
September 16, 2022
Book was hard to read and follow.
April 13, 2022
I chose this book at my local library, expecting a "hard science" type of time travel mystery ... which is NOT what this is. This book is fantasy, with all sorts of weird magic going on ... not what I like to read. I muddled through the first 10 chapters or so & just couldn't get interested, so created a "Did Not Finish" shelf, just to remind myself that I did try to read this book (so I won't waste my time checking it out again). This author is highly rated, so maybe I will like his other books better. Will try one & see.
August 22, 2023
Jackson Burnett is an agent with Interpol stationed in Switzerland. He's called in to help local police deal with a crime that is extra taboo, as magic is illegal in Switzerland and this crime definitely involves magic. A man and his family have disappeared from their house. There's nothing in the house but ash, a desk, and a vault. There aren't even any bodies, just imprints of where the bodies had been. But all is not as it seems, and a special agent, Luca Tami, is called in to help Jackson investigate a crime that threatens to rewrite the world as they know it.
I normally like Davis Bunn's writing, but I feel like this one should have been twice the length it was. I wanted a LOT more world building. I think he was trying to build the mystery by just feeding you as much as you needed to know for the moment about the rules of this world, but I think it backfired by not getting me as invested in the story as I would have been had there been even just a prologue giving a bit more of a setting for the world and the magic system and the politics of normals vs magic users. As it was, it felt like even Bunn didn't know all the rules of this world when he started writing and it built as he went along. The characters were interesting, but a mystery in themselves as they all have secrets to be revealed over the course of the book. Another Interpol agent named Krys joins the investigation, and I found her the most likable character. I believe there's a 2nd book in this series and I've got a feeling I'll like it more now that I know the characters and world more.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sex scenes. It is mentioned that one character was assaulted but fended off her attacker by bashing him with magic and then tasing him a good number of times. One evil character is said to use sexual allure to ensnare men, but no details about what she does with them other than having power over them. Jackson lost his wife in an incident that isn't fully described but he thinks might have been murder. There's a couple magical battles that results in people getting magically vaporized or burned or stabbed with poison, some do not survive while others come away with injuries that are only somewhat described. Some alcohol consumption, but not to excess.
I normally like Davis Bunn's writing, but I feel like this one should have been twice the length it was. I wanted a LOT more world building. I think he was trying to build the mystery by just feeding you as much as you needed to know for the moment about the rules of this world, but I think it backfired by not getting me as invested in the story as I would have been had there been even just a prologue giving a bit more of a setting for the world and the magic system and the politics of normals vs magic users. As it was, it felt like even Bunn didn't know all the rules of this world when he started writing and it built as he went along. The characters were interesting, but a mystery in themselves as they all have secrets to be revealed over the course of the book. Another Interpol agent named Krys joins the investigation, and I found her the most likable character. I believe there's a 2nd book in this series and I've got a feeling I'll like it more now that I know the characters and world more.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sex scenes. It is mentioned that one character was assaulted but fended off her attacker by bashing him with magic and then tasing him a good number of times. One evil character is said to use sexual allure to ensnare men, but no details about what she does with them other than having power over them. Jackson lost his wife in an incident that isn't fully described but he thinks might have been murder. There's a couple magical battles that results in people getting magically vaporized or burned or stabbed with poison, some do not survive while others come away with injuries that are only somewhat described. Some alcohol consumption, but not to excess.
February 13, 2022
Jackson Burnett along with his new colleague Krys works in the Geneva branch of Interpol tasked with policing magic which is a bit of a dud job as magic has been illegal in Switzerland for years. So, it is a bit of a shock to be paired up with Luca Tami, a blind talent, in solving the murder of a family and then finding that the crime has been magically written out of existence.
Now Jackson has to work with Luca, a man he does not trust to solve a crime that no longer exists, with magic that is illegal and try to survive.
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opnion
The story is told from Jackson’s point of view in the third person and he was a character I could root for brave, loyal, honest and sensible. I could empathise with him when he encounters each new and weird twist. You can understand how he inspires friendship and loyalty in the people around him.
The story is fast paced with plenty of action and magic. I loved the world-building. The story is set in our world where magic is real and commonplace. The ‘talents’ and ‘adepts’ are people who can use magic and are trained in Institutes around the world. Except for Switzerland where magic has been banned for centuries.
The magical system isn’t particularly original but when embedded within a police procedural and heist story it takes a more interesting turn compared to other urban fantasies.
The secondary characters are well-drawn and interesting, especially Simeon, the Swiss Detective who helps put when he can.
I would have learned more about Bouchon and the Peerless’s motivations- the antagonists in the story.
I found the ending particularly heart-warming, and it did leave me with a smile.
Content warning
Description of sexual assault-off page
I’m not sure if this is the first book in the series but I hope there are more books featuring Jackson and his friends.
Now Jackson has to work with Luca, a man he does not trust to solve a crime that no longer exists, with magic that is illegal and try to survive.
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opnion
The story is told from Jackson’s point of view in the third person and he was a character I could root for brave, loyal, honest and sensible. I could empathise with him when he encounters each new and weird twist. You can understand how he inspires friendship and loyalty in the people around him.
The story is fast paced with plenty of action and magic. I loved the world-building. The story is set in our world where magic is real and commonplace. The ‘talents’ and ‘adepts’ are people who can use magic and are trained in Institutes around the world. Except for Switzerland where magic has been banned for centuries.
The magical system isn’t particularly original but when embedded within a police procedural and heist story it takes a more interesting turn compared to other urban fantasies.
The secondary characters are well-drawn and interesting, especially Simeon, the Swiss Detective who helps put when he can.
I would have learned more about Bouchon and the Peerless’s motivations- the antagonists in the story.
I found the ending particularly heart-warming, and it did leave me with a smile.
Content warning
Description of sexual assault-off page
I’m not sure if this is the first book in the series but I hope there are more books featuring Jackson and his friends.
May 20, 2022
In a time similar to our own, Interpol - Geneva office is tasked with policing Magic and the Arcane Arts. This shouldn't be too difficult since Switzerland has outlawed all Magic for over 500 years. Agent Jackson Burnett is called to an explosion at the home of a wealthy businessman. The family and all their possessions have been vaporized. Another agent is called in when the evidence begins to disappear. He tells Jackson there is no murder because the family never existed. The explosion is a result of a magical happening in time. Thus starts an intricate and thrilling investigation into this arcane event.
This book is totally different from Bunn's usual style and type of writing. He usually writes science and fantasy fiction under his pen name Thomas Locke.
This is a strange and fantastic story with action that makes it hard to put down. I enjoyed this new diversion in his writing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book is totally different from Bunn's usual style and type of writing. He usually writes science and fantasy fiction under his pen name Thomas Locke.
This is a strange and fantastic story with action that makes it hard to put down. I enjoyed this new diversion in his writing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 13, 2023
This is a fantasy, the first in a series, set in present-day Europe in a world in which significant magical powers exist. Those powers, housed at seven Institutes, are spread pretty evenly around the world, creating a fragile equilibrium. When that equilibrium is threatened, Interpol agents Jackson Burnett and Krys Duprey, working with magical consultant Luca Tami, hurry to try and restore order before it is too late.
I enjoyed this fast-moving, action-packed story. The author wrote it with a movie deal in mind. That deal feel through, but maybe another one will come along.
I enjoyed this fast-moving, action-packed story. The author wrote it with a movie deal in mind. That deal feel through, but maybe another one will come along.
May 2, 2022
It's a mix of fantasy and hard sci and, even if I love these two genres, it wasn't a favorite of mine as I found it a bit confusing.
I'm curious about the next book in this series as there's a lot of potential.
This one wasn't my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I'm curious about the next book in this series as there's a lot of potential.
This one wasn't my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 1, 2022
This is a story that incorporates magic into society as if it's always been there but not accepted by every country. I was interested in each character's personal stories and enjoyed how their stories became entangled in the main plot. This book was the perfect length to read by my library due date and delivered a story I couldn't stop reading!
February 7, 2023
Wow! A gripping read set in a world that is both alarmingly different yet also familiar. Together with the main character we slowly begin to unravel how magic works and how to safely use it, discovering he has some hidden talents in the process.
Taut action, vivid descriptions, and the constant tension of not knowing who can be trusted all make for a delightfully inventive page-turner.
Taut action, vivid descriptions, and the constant tension of not knowing who can be trusted all make for a delightfully inventive page-turner.
July 1, 2022
Magic—Malevolent or Marvelous?
A great yarn about a time when man and magic exist together but as enemies. Three friends unite. Will they have the foresight and strength to fulfill their quest? Five stars. A great Davis Bunn novel.
A great yarn about a time when man and magic exist together but as enemies. Three friends unite. Will they have the foresight and strength to fulfill their quest? Five stars. A great Davis Bunn novel.
June 4, 2023
Good versus evil…magic
Although not a genre I enjoy reading, Davis Bunn writes excellent books, so I read this one. It’s exciting and action packed from beginning to end. An Interpol agent and friends use magic…instead of guns to fight evil. I enjoyed it.
Although not a genre I enjoy reading, Davis Bunn writes excellent books, so I read this one. It’s exciting and action packed from beginning to end. An Interpol agent and friends use magic…instead of guns to fight evil. I enjoyed it.
June 22, 2023
What a trip
I am amazed at the work and creativity it took to put this story together. I enjoyed it. Loved the 'adrenaline rush' it provided. Really liked the principle characters as well. A good read if you like something different.
I am amazed at the work and creativity it took to put this story together. I enjoyed it. Loved the 'adrenaline rush' it provided. Really liked the principle characters as well. A good read if you like something different.
August 14, 2025
a detective and magic
It’s like no book I ever read before. It reminds me of Asian martial arts movies that have magic in them. It’s also a little like a cartoon. It’s a very wild ride.
It’s like no book I ever read before. It reminds me of Asian martial arts movies that have magic in them. It’s also a little like a cartoon. It’s a very wild ride.
April 22, 2022
I read this a while ago but didn't know quite how to rate it. I guess I'll go with it had potential but didn't quite get there. Interesting world of magic but too short for true world building.
May 21, 2022
Short read with an nostalgic and futuristic feel at the same time.
June 21, 2022
Odd combination of magic, mystery & adventure. Couldn’t really get into the plot or characters, ended up jumping ahead to finish it.
July 7, 2022
I can’t decide if this was a 3- or 4-star book for me. I liked the fast pace and clever concepts, and felt like so much was unexplained, like a movie that covers up plot holes with explosions.
July 13, 2022
Bad. Great idea and that is as far as it goes. Do not waste your time with this book. Gave a 1 Star rating because I do not have the option to give a 0.
July 28, 2022
An unexpected good and enjoyable read. Started slowly, then it began fascinating. I like the characters, especially Jackson… I hope that there is a second book…
July 31, 2022
Island of Time
This book needs to be the first of a series. It is riveting reading and satisfying but leaves me hoping for more.
This book needs to be the first of a series. It is riveting reading and satisfying but leaves me hoping for more.
August 23, 2022
Read it. A short book. The 2nd half grabbed me and I couldn't put it down.😁
January 2, 2023
Just not for me.
January 6, 2023
Wonderful and truly entertaining. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the continuation of the series.
February 6, 2023
Mostly good, though the last bit seemed to happen very quickly and didn’t quite feel like it fit the rest of the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2023
interesting
Interesting plot and characters however details flushed out more would’ve made this better. Mostly with respect to the magic in the world of magic.
Interesting plot and characters however details flushed out more would’ve made this better. Mostly with respect to the magic in the world of magic.
August 27, 2023
Intriguing story! looking forward to the sequel !
January 1, 2024
Not the type of book I usually read but it sure is action packed. Definitely a fight between good and evil.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews