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Tyme's End
B. R. Collins
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
5 people are currently reading
880 people want to read
About the author
B.R. Collins
9 books80 followersB.R. Collins is a graduate of both university and drama school. Her first novel The Traitor Game was published to much acclaim and was both winner of the Branford Boase Award 2009 and longlisted for the 2009 Carnegie Medal. Bridget lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
A Trick of the Dark, published by Bloomsbury in September 2009 and in paperback in September 2010, is her extraordinary, electric and tautly thrilling second novel.
Tyme's End, published by Bloomsbury in January 2011, is a psychological thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seats.
Gamerunner, published by Bloomsbury in July 2011, is a stunning departure into a future world of computer gaming.
The Broken Road, published by Bloomsbury in February 2012, is a powerful new novel based around the Children’s Crusades.
Read B R Collins's blog here
Watch the book trailer for Gamerunner
A Trick of the Dark, published by Bloomsbury in September 2009 and in paperback in September 2010, is her extraordinary, electric and tautly thrilling second novel.
Tyme's End, published by Bloomsbury in January 2011, is a psychological thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seats.
Gamerunner, published by Bloomsbury in July 2011, is a stunning departure into a future world of computer gaming.
The Broken Road, published by Bloomsbury in February 2012, is a powerful new novel based around the Children’s Crusades.
Read B R Collins's blog here
Watch the book trailer for Gamerunner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 22, 2012
Ok, so this book left me frustrated. Why, you may ask? Because I really enjoyed the first third of this book and wanted to know what happened to Bibi and Oliver. Having said that, I didn't much like Bibi but it's easy to dislike teenagers of that age. Liking the characters in books is not a prerequisite for me as long as they are consistent and believable and, to be fair to Bibi, she had reasons for why she was a bit of a whiny brat.
I really enjoyed the development of Bibi and Oliver's relationship though it did confuse me as to the genre of the book. In many ways it read like a YA book, but the attraction between 16 year old Bibi and 27 year old Oliver was what confused me. I think I may have enjoyed the developing relationship more if they would have been closer in age.
I don't usually read ghost stories but I quite liked the premise of this one, so I was disappointed when the story I wanted to read more of ended after one third and then went back in time and followed the story of Oliver's early childhood. I actually quite enjoyed this bit but I was anxious for the present-day story of Bibi and Oliver to continue. When it then went back even further in time to 1936 I just got plain cheesed off. Even at this point I believed that Collins would come back to the present-day to end the book and I was annoyed and felt somewhat cheated and misled when she didn't. If she had I would have given this book 3 stars because it was well written and engaging in parts.
I really enjoyed the development of Bibi and Oliver's relationship though it did confuse me as to the genre of the book. In many ways it read like a YA book, but the attraction between 16 year old Bibi and 27 year old Oliver was what confused me. I think I may have enjoyed the developing relationship more if they would have been closer in age.
I don't usually read ghost stories but I quite liked the premise of this one, so I was disappointed when the story I wanted to read more of ended after one third and then went back in time and followed the story of Oliver's early childhood. I actually quite enjoyed this bit but I was anxious for the present-day story of Bibi and Oliver to continue. When it then went back even further in time to 1936 I just got plain cheesed off. Even at this point I believed that Collins would come back to the present-day to end the book and I was annoyed and felt somewhat cheated and misled when she didn't. If she had I would have given this book 3 stars because it was well written and engaging in parts.
January 28, 2015
Perhaps this would be a good read if you're immortal, so you don't feel you've lost anything from spending the time to read something that's 90% superfluous description. That kind of redundancy can probably only be appreciated by someone who enjoys literary poetry. (That's clearly not me.) If you can see past that, your next challenges will be the barely-moving plot, and the infuriating teenage narrator of the first section. She's the iconic self-entitled teenager (who insists she's not a kid but continues to act like one) that nobody likes to be around, must less read about.
December 30, 2015
I read the blurb of this book and I thought to myself, 'Aww, cool a horror story with someone called Bibi in it, promisingly scary, with a touch of romance!' And that was exactly was I got.
Yeah; in the first 1/3 of the story!! If this had been just a story of Bibi and Oliver I would have probably have given it four stars, because I loved that part, but then suddenly their story ends and they're never mentioned of together again. Sucks! Instead we go further into the past and it gets more and more booooorrrriiiinnggg. For the last 2/3 of the story, would have given it about one star, just because I wasn't enthralled by it. As for the last bit of the blurb 'A darkly compulsive tale that will have the reader reaching for the lightswitch...'; what on earth?!? Ok, people who where 'reaching for the lightswitch', please tell me what I missed, because I just wanted to turn off the light so I wouldn't be able to read the boring drivel I was assauleted with as I read this book.
Admittedly, Edie was a good character and there were brief flashes of an OK story coming through, but truthfully, I had to will myself to finish this book.
Yeah; in the first 1/3 of the story!! If this had been just a story of Bibi and Oliver I would have probably have given it four stars, because I loved that part, but then suddenly their story ends and they're never mentioned of together again. Sucks! Instead we go further into the past and it gets more and more booooorrrriiiinnggg. For the last 2/3 of the story, would have given it about one star, just because I wasn't enthralled by it. As for the last bit of the blurb 'A darkly compulsive tale that will have the reader reaching for the lightswitch...'; what on earth?!? Ok, people who where 'reaching for the lightswitch', please tell me what I missed, because I just wanted to turn off the light so I wouldn't be able to read the boring drivel I was assauleted with as I read this book.
Admittedly, Edie was a good character and there were brief flashes of an OK story coming through, but truthfully, I had to will myself to finish this book.
February 16, 2013
[BEWARE~ There might be SPOILERS]
I found a lot of positive reviews for this book, as well as disappointed readers who wished the book hadn't been divided into three parts, who wished for the writer to just focus on the relationship between Bibi and Oliver and just get rid of the other two parts.
My problem with this book is not that it is divided into three parts, because I think the book is a lot more interesting that way. Instead, I found my problem lies with the characters. Actually, the whole reason for me not liking the book more is because of the characters.
In the first part of the book, we are reading through Bibi's POV. She is a sixteen years old girl who feels out of place everywhere she goes, except for Tyme's End. I have to say I'm very annoyed with her. I couldn't connect with Bibi at all despite all the emotions and tantrums she's throwing all around the pages. Her little crush on Oliver makes it much more unbearable for me to read that I have to force myself to finish the first part alone. And Oliver is boring too, despite the mysterious aura he keeps emanating, or Bibi thought he keeps emanating... But then I do some thinking and hey, Bibi is one lonely girl, and she sees another person who seems to be lonely. So I kinda understood the intimation between the both of them. So I conclude to myself that I just find the way Bibi looked at life is tedious and monotonous. I don't feel Bibi and I are going to get along.
The second part is Oliver's POV. I enjoyed this part more than the first part. He's a troubled young boy desperate for the love of his estranged father who has an ongoing issue with his grandfather. He grew up being bitter in life, but gets along really well with his grandfather, whom he loved very much. But though I enjoyed the second part more because of the mystery about H.J. Martin begins to unravel, I find it very hard to sit through Oliver's POV. For one thing, he is as bitter as Bibi and pretty much irrational. Alright, let me knock myself on the head for writing that; since teenagers are (in most YA)- somehow- supposed to be irrational all the time. I know YA novel is to appeal to the young people, but... come ooonnn...
The third part is from Oliver's granddad's POV. The grandfather's name is also Oliver (maybe that's why I found a lot of people on the internet saying the book is confusing.. lol). OK, let me just say the third part is exactly what I have been expecting of this book. This is the only part of the whole book that I love. The other two I can appreciate, but to love the stories is beyond me. In the third part, I finally feel the suspense that I am supposed to feel in the first two parts (in which I spent most of my time being confused as to why they are important at all). Unlike Bibi and Oliver the grandson, Oliver is actually the more interesting and complicated character. I can feel his struggles and difficulties better than I could feel Bibi's and Oliver the grandson's, the two whom I thought spend most of their times being brats. Although Oliver is being a brat himself, at least his pain and confusion seemed genuine. I cannot understand why everyone lashed out the third part being the most boring of all. The third part should have consume the whole book. It is the only part and the only character I can feel for.
But another aspect of the book that disappoint me greatly is how little time is given to explain the mystery behind Tyme's End. I mean, yeah sure I understood about everything towards the end but come on, the ending is just- it just end so suddenly. The whole mystery is supposed to be about a manipulative, scheming man whom all I know of is that he did some kind of evil thing in the past and- well, just that. Just the whole thing on the cover and nothing more. So I lay myself down and do more thinking, so the author is trying to convey about how evil this guy is that his actions affect other people greatly. But I'm not satisfied with the way the story ended or the way the antagonist is handled. I want to know MORE about this evil traits he possessed. I don't want to just hear that he "did some evil things in the past" and a little hint or two about his evilness. His manipulative nature is vague at best. Yes he showed symptoms of a sociopath, but just in that one scene where he tortured a bug to dead. I mean, I'm not really convince of his "insanity", or of his evilness. Apparently I don't give a damn about the antagonist at all to even care about his behavior.
I found a lot of positive reviews for this book, as well as disappointed readers who wished the book hadn't been divided into three parts, who wished for the writer to just focus on the relationship between Bibi and Oliver and just get rid of the other two parts.
My problem with this book is not that it is divided into three parts, because I think the book is a lot more interesting that way. Instead, I found my problem lies with the characters. Actually, the whole reason for me not liking the book more is because of the characters.
In the first part of the book, we are reading through Bibi's POV. She is a sixteen years old girl who feels out of place everywhere she goes, except for Tyme's End. I have to say I'm very annoyed with her. I couldn't connect with Bibi at all despite all the emotions and tantrums she's throwing all around the pages. Her little crush on Oliver makes it much more unbearable for me to read that I have to force myself to finish the first part alone. And Oliver is boring too, despite the mysterious aura he keeps emanating, or Bibi thought he keeps emanating... But then I do some thinking and hey, Bibi is one lonely girl, and she sees another person who seems to be lonely. So I kinda understood the intimation between the both of them. So I conclude to myself that I just find the way Bibi looked at life is tedious and monotonous. I don't feel Bibi and I are going to get along.
The second part is Oliver's POV. I enjoyed this part more than the first part. He's a troubled young boy desperate for the love of his estranged father who has an ongoing issue with his grandfather. He grew up being bitter in life, but gets along really well with his grandfather, whom he loved very much. But though I enjoyed the second part more because of the mystery about H.J. Martin begins to unravel, I find it very hard to sit through Oliver's POV. For one thing, he is as bitter as Bibi and pretty much irrational. Alright, let me knock myself on the head for writing that; since teenagers are (in most YA)- somehow- supposed to be irrational all the time. I know YA novel is to appeal to the young people, but... come ooonnn...
The third part is from Oliver's granddad's POV. The grandfather's name is also Oliver (maybe that's why I found a lot of people on the internet saying the book is confusing.. lol). OK, let me just say the third part is exactly what I have been expecting of this book. This is the only part of the whole book that I love. The other two I can appreciate, but to love the stories is beyond me. In the third part, I finally feel the suspense that I am supposed to feel in the first two parts (in which I spent most of my time being confused as to why they are important at all). Unlike Bibi and Oliver the grandson, Oliver is actually the more interesting and complicated character. I can feel his struggles and difficulties better than I could feel Bibi's and Oliver the grandson's, the two whom I thought spend most of their times being brats. Although Oliver is being a brat himself, at least his pain and confusion seemed genuine. I cannot understand why everyone lashed out the third part being the most boring of all. The third part should have consume the whole book. It is the only part and the only character I can feel for.
But another aspect of the book that disappoint me greatly is how little time is given to explain the mystery behind Tyme's End. I mean, yeah sure I understood about everything towards the end but come on, the ending is just- it just end so suddenly. The whole mystery is supposed to be about a manipulative, scheming man whom all I know of is that he did some kind of evil thing in the past and- well, just that. Just the whole thing on the cover and nothing more. So I lay myself down and do more thinking, so the author is trying to convey about how evil this guy is that his actions affect other people greatly. But I'm not satisfied with the way the story ended or the way the antagonist is handled. I want to know MORE about this evil traits he possessed. I don't want to just hear that he "did some evil things in the past" and a little hint or two about his evilness. His manipulative nature is vague at best. Yes he showed symptoms of a sociopath, but just in that one scene where he tortured a bug to dead. I mean, I'm not really convince of his "insanity", or of his evilness. Apparently I don't give a damn about the antagonist at all to even care about his behavior.
April 12, 2014
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, as I hadn’t heard about it before and was pleasantly surprised when I received it in the mail. It’s also hard to describe what ‘genre’ this one fits in, as it’s part gothic thriller and mystery.
This one is set in three time periods, three generations. 2006, 1996 and 1936. My favourite portion of the story was definitely Bibi’s because I really enjoyed the relationship between her and Oliver II. Even though he was 27 and she was only 16, you could really feel their chemistry and you wanted them to be together. I was actually quite disappointed when Bibi and Oliver weren’t revisited in the end.
The main object of this novel is the sprawling estate of Tyme’s End. I really enjoy stories that centre on the history of a house and this one certainly delivers. There’s a great mystery about this house and it’s first owner that isn’t unravelled until the end. Still, I didn’t feel like the ‘death’ of H. J Martin really justified the ‘haunting’ of this house. I’m not sure why but I expected a greater revealation than what was given to us.
For some reason we’re expected to believe this house is dark, stifling and intoxicating. It’s dangerous. It’s not until we go back to 1936 with Oliver II’s grandfather meeting H. J Martin that we see just how ‘evil’ and overpowering this man was. You can tell straight away there’s something creepy about him, something controlling, but to be honest I thought it would’ve worked out to be some sort of demonic influence rather than plainly a cruel man.
I did like this story, but it didn’t capture my interest enough to read it in one sitting. I found myself putting it down and picking it back up a few hours later, only to complete one chapter and do the same. I wasn’t particularly attached to any of the characters and as soon as the relationship between Bibi and Oliver was deemed ‘over’ by the first part, my main point of interest was extinguished. I only kept reading to find out the root of the mystery and quite frankly that left me disappointed.
However, I think this story will appeal to a lot of people. There’s no complaint by me for the writing or prose, B. R. Collins is a great writer, but simply the idea of this story didn’t ‘stick’ with me enough to deem it a favourite. I would have liked to understand the falling out between Oliver’s grandfather and his father, would have liked to understand more about why Oliver was haunted in the house even though he never met Martin… there is a lot that could’ve been explained and tied up but simply wasn’t.
Recommended to: I recommend it to anyone who likes a darker sort of read.
Read
August 4, 2013This ....
..was a confusing piece of shit like her other books (or at least the ones I've read). The plot just didn't go anywhere for me, not to mention the fact I almost gave up on this! Was this supposed to be some sort of ghost story? If it was it was the lamest one I've EVER read. So what really happens? Generations of Oliver's family find themselves attracted to this old house? Then the evil owner who was killed many years ago doesn't let Oliver (when he was young) leave? And because of what??? NOTHING was explained, and the publishing companies go on about sustainable paper. About how they're printing wisely without using too many resources... Well fuck all that! This "novel" was a complete waste of paper and an insult to all the trees that were ever cut down for paper!!
I had initially given this one star but then I asked myself what I enjoyed about this book, the answer nothing! So I removed the one and only star cause this crap doesn't even deserve that!
I'm REALLY glad this isn't a series!
Good fucking riddance!!!
..was a confusing piece of shit like her other books (or at least the ones I've read). The plot just didn't go anywhere for me, not to mention the fact I almost gave up on this! Was this supposed to be some sort of ghost story? If it was it was the lamest one I've EVER read. So what really happens? Generations of Oliver's family find themselves attracted to this old house? Then the evil owner who was killed many years ago doesn't let Oliver (when he was young) leave? And because of what??? NOTHING was explained, and the publishing companies go on about sustainable paper. About how they're printing wisely without using too many resources... Well fuck all that! This "novel" was a complete waste of paper and an insult to all the trees that were ever cut down for paper!!I had initially given this one star but then I asked myself what I enjoyed about this book, the answer nothing! So I removed the one and only star cause this crap doesn't even deserve that!
I'm REALLY glad this isn't a series!
Good fucking riddance!!!
January 14, 2026
First, this book had been misshelved as children's. Definitely not a children's book. Second, this is not horror, maybe mystery, but not horror.
The first third was a bit cringe. Bibi is 16 and Oliver is 27. There should be zero attraction. Their relationship felt somewhat natural in development (outside of the age difference) other than the short time frame. The foreshadowing was a bit too obvious to make the end (of this section) shocking. A little implication of supernatural happenings. Not horror.
The middle third was better. The suspense and mystery grew, some questions being answered and more arising. Learning Oliver's past drew me in better. Still not horror, but did have a couple intense scenes with supernatural elements.
The last third was best, in my opinion, because we got to see what we were right about, what we were wrong about, and the things that connect it all. Still not horror.
Some things were contradictory (for example, Oliver asks Bibi what time the train is. She doesn't tell him. Later in the conversation, a page later, she asks him what time the train is and he tells her a time. When did he learn this and how?)
Not bad, but not great.
The first third was a bit cringe. Bibi is 16 and Oliver is 27. There should be zero attraction. Their relationship felt somewhat natural in development (outside of the age difference) other than the short time frame. The foreshadowing was a bit too obvious to make the end (of this section) shocking. A little implication of supernatural happenings. Not horror.
The middle third was better. The suspense and mystery grew, some questions being answered and more arising. Learning Oliver's past drew me in better. Still not horror, but did have a couple intense scenes with supernatural elements.
The last third was best, in my opinion, because we got to see what we were right about, what we were wrong about, and the things that connect it all. Still not horror.
Some things were contradictory (for example, Oliver asks Bibi what time the train is. She doesn't tell him. Later in the conversation, a page later, she asks him what time the train is and he tells her a time. When did he learn this and how?)
Not bad, but not great.
May 30, 2020
I felt more frustration from this book than anything else. I got a little confused with the jump between characters, but got there within a few lines. But I just wanted so much more. What happened with Bibi? I feel like she could be a whole book on her own. I missed out on a huge chunk of both Oliver’s lives. I just have so many unanswered questions. I did love the Authors extremely descriptive accounts of the environment; the leather, the floorboards, the cigarette smoke - it was all so endearing.
November 7, 2021
In all honesty, I don't know how I managed to finish this. It was a very long and not because I was busy with other stuff but when I get the time to continue reading I was completely lost. I was fine with the first part but I was so annoyed when we continue to dive deep into the past.
Felt like this was a rant on how I don't get 80% of the plot because I was so lost. The characters were a meh for me. The only one I like was Edie period. I find Bibi annoying at some point too. Not my typical read but I did get spooked at some part.
Felt like this was a rant on how I don't get 80% of the plot because I was so lost. The characters were a meh for me. The only one I like was Edie period. I find Bibi annoying at some point too. Not my typical read but I did get spooked at some part.
July 18, 2022
Strange but captivating storyline. Still many questions left, but definitely worth reading!
Read
February 12, 2023DNF.
February 16, 2011
Tyme’s End offered something I adore…a gothic setting, an old mansion and a spine chilling mystery. I love settling down to a book such as this. If it’s cold and dark outside and the fire’s blazing indoors then all the better. And so I was expecting a bit of a treat with this one.
In actual fact though, the book proved to be a little on the disappointing side. I wasn’t gripped with the beginning at all, yet throughout the book there were definite high points. When I turned the last page it was with a feeling of having enjoyed the book enough, but not being completely overwhelmed and slightly dissatisfied.
Tyme’s End tells a story spanning over eighty years and in three parts. Beginning in the present from Bibi’s point of view then switching to 1996 where Oliver Jnr takes over and finally ending with 1936 and Oliver Snr’s story. Bibi certainly isn’t the most favourite character I’ve come across, and for most of her section I found myself irritated by her. Adopted and feeling like she doesn’t fit in with her small village life, she’s prickly, childish and rude. She escapes to the abandoned mansion, Tyme’s End where she eventually runs into its reluctant owner, Oliver Jnr. Over the period of 24 hours an intense and sinister relationship developes between the pair which at times I found a little uncomfortable, forced and not completely believable. I was pretty sure after fifty pages I wasn’t going to enjoy this book at all, then all of a sudden things changed and I found myself intrigued by the mysteries of Tyme’s End, if not particularly enamoured by the characters themselves.
Moving onto the second part of the book, I finally got what I was hoping for. Oliver and his Grandfather’s relationship had me hooked with its dark secrets. In this section BR Collins really shines as a storyteller, dripping in just the right amount of tension and atmosphere to have the hairs on the back of your neck prickling. I was completely involved in this section, reading with held breath and speeding through the pages desperate to know what was happening. I really liked young Oliver too in this section, feeling desperately sorry for this lonely and sad young man and thought that Tyme’s End itself became as much a character here as any of the humans.
The intriguing and atmospheric feeling continues into the final section, set in 1936 and Collins evokes the period wonderfully. At one point I looked up from the book and was almost surprised to find myself in a modern coffee shop and not in the grounds of an eerie mansion in the English countryside back in the thirties. With Oliver’s grandfather, we slowly discover the truth about the house and it’s evil owner, and just how it ended up belonging to the naïve and orphaned student. I was all set for a fantastic finale having enjoyed this part of the book the best. Sadly things became a little confused for me. Collins introduced some spooky and disturbing ideas, but in my opinion didn’t expand enough on them, leaving them very vague, and a lot of the terror was lost for me. I was also disappointed that the house, Tyme’s End didn’t seem as alive and evil as it had previously and that many questions seemed left unanswered.
Overall I did enjoy reading this book, and after a slow start I did find myself gripped and speeding through this book very quickly. At times the atmosphere and tension are absolutely electric and deliciously creepy. The descriptions transported me back in time with such vividness I felt I’d become part of the story. I liked how by the end of the book the connection between Bibi, Oliver Jnr and Oliver Snr became clear and I could understand why all three had been drawn to the house and how similar they were despite being very different people from different times. However I felt that I’d like to have seen more of a connection between the three while reading the novel, perhaps by alternating past and present rather than moving backwards which resulted in the three stories being individual rather than entwined. I was also left feeling disappointed at the drop in tension at the end and frustrated with the questions which were left unanswered. There was a fantastic story there, somewhere in this book…I just couldn’t help feel it could have been much more. I’d recommend as a quick read if this type of story is your thing, but be prepared for not being completely blown away by it.
In actual fact though, the book proved to be a little on the disappointing side. I wasn’t gripped with the beginning at all, yet throughout the book there were definite high points. When I turned the last page it was with a feeling of having enjoyed the book enough, but not being completely overwhelmed and slightly dissatisfied.
Tyme’s End tells a story spanning over eighty years and in three parts. Beginning in the present from Bibi’s point of view then switching to 1996 where Oliver Jnr takes over and finally ending with 1936 and Oliver Snr’s story. Bibi certainly isn’t the most favourite character I’ve come across, and for most of her section I found myself irritated by her. Adopted and feeling like she doesn’t fit in with her small village life, she’s prickly, childish and rude. She escapes to the abandoned mansion, Tyme’s End where she eventually runs into its reluctant owner, Oliver Jnr. Over the period of 24 hours an intense and sinister relationship developes between the pair which at times I found a little uncomfortable, forced and not completely believable. I was pretty sure after fifty pages I wasn’t going to enjoy this book at all, then all of a sudden things changed and I found myself intrigued by the mysteries of Tyme’s End, if not particularly enamoured by the characters themselves.
Moving onto the second part of the book, I finally got what I was hoping for. Oliver and his Grandfather’s relationship had me hooked with its dark secrets. In this section BR Collins really shines as a storyteller, dripping in just the right amount of tension and atmosphere to have the hairs on the back of your neck prickling. I was completely involved in this section, reading with held breath and speeding through the pages desperate to know what was happening. I really liked young Oliver too in this section, feeling desperately sorry for this lonely and sad young man and thought that Tyme’s End itself became as much a character here as any of the humans.
The intriguing and atmospheric feeling continues into the final section, set in 1936 and Collins evokes the period wonderfully. At one point I looked up from the book and was almost surprised to find myself in a modern coffee shop and not in the grounds of an eerie mansion in the English countryside back in the thirties. With Oliver’s grandfather, we slowly discover the truth about the house and it’s evil owner, and just how it ended up belonging to the naïve and orphaned student. I was all set for a fantastic finale having enjoyed this part of the book the best. Sadly things became a little confused for me. Collins introduced some spooky and disturbing ideas, but in my opinion didn’t expand enough on them, leaving them very vague, and a lot of the terror was lost for me. I was also disappointed that the house, Tyme’s End didn’t seem as alive and evil as it had previously and that many questions seemed left unanswered.
Overall I did enjoy reading this book, and after a slow start I did find myself gripped and speeding through this book very quickly. At times the atmosphere and tension are absolutely electric and deliciously creepy. The descriptions transported me back in time with such vividness I felt I’d become part of the story. I liked how by the end of the book the connection between Bibi, Oliver Jnr and Oliver Snr became clear and I could understand why all three had been drawn to the house and how similar they were despite being very different people from different times. However I felt that I’d like to have seen more of a connection between the three while reading the novel, perhaps by alternating past and present rather than moving backwards which resulted in the three stories being individual rather than entwined. I was also left feeling disappointed at the drop in tension at the end and frustrated with the questions which were left unanswered. There was a fantastic story there, somewhere in this book…I just couldn’t help feel it could have been much more. I’d recommend as a quick read if this type of story is your thing, but be prepared for not being completely blown away by it.
February 23, 2011
I started this book with hesitation because I didn't really know what to expect as I'd never read this type of book before. At the beginning, we meet Bibi, an adopted teenager who feels that she doesn't belong in her family or in England. She often goes to the dilapidated old mansion called Thyme's End near her home when she wants to escape from troubles at home because she feels accepted and safe there. It was owned by the much acclaimed author of The Owl Of The Desert, H.J Martin but no one has seen the current owner for 10 years. Bibi came across to be very bratty girl who doesn't appreciate what she has and I found it very hard to like her at first. However, trouble starts she is discovered in Thyme's End by the twenty seven- year old owner, Oliver who is finally visiting from America. Over one day special day spent together,they develop a friendship and find that they have a unique understanding of each other and their feelings. The day that they spent together was lovely because although they only knew each other for a short time, I felt their relationship was believable as the bonding process was slowly built up. I would have liked to see more of their relationship because I love a bit of romance but I understand that would have undermined the impact of the book.
The next part of the book jumps back in time to when Oliver was ten years younger in 1996 and some of the mysteries about the house that were raised by Bibi were unravelled. We also learn the reasons behind Oliver's troubled feelings and problems in the first part, which helped me to understand and get to know his character a lot more. There was a lot of suspense in this part because an element of ghost stories slips in but it didn't capture my imagination although I can't place my finger on why because it was very well written. My favourite part of this section was learning about the history of the house.
The final part of the novel is set in 1936 and is told through the eyes of Oliver's Grandfather also by the same name), who we met in part 2 as an older man. I don't want to give too much away about it but it explores the relationship between Oliver and the author H.J Martin, who is known by him as Jack and reveals the true nature of who he was.
I thought that the idea of telling the novel in three parts was really clever and interesting and at the end, I briefly looked back through the first section with fresh eyes when I knew the truth about Thyme's End and saw the trail of hints left by the author. Another thing that I thought particularly effective was the way that the house was used as a kind of 'prop' or 'symbol' in the plot because it means something different to each characters and has a real presence throughout. Without the house, there would be no story!
Verdict: It's not at all that this book was bad, because it truly wasn't- but I couldn't immerse myself in the characters and story so I didn't enjoy it that much. However, I think that those who like Gothic types of books might like it because I believe that if you can really get into it, the atmosphere would be very spine chilling and tense.
The next part of the book jumps back in time to when Oliver was ten years younger in 1996 and some of the mysteries about the house that were raised by Bibi were unravelled. We also learn the reasons behind Oliver's troubled feelings and problems in the first part, which helped me to understand and get to know his character a lot more. There was a lot of suspense in this part because an element of ghost stories slips in but it didn't capture my imagination although I can't place my finger on why because it was very well written. My favourite part of this section was learning about the history of the house.
The final part of the novel is set in 1936 and is told through the eyes of Oliver's Grandfather also by the same name), who we met in part 2 as an older man. I don't want to give too much away about it but it explores the relationship between Oliver and the author H.J Martin, who is known by him as Jack and reveals the true nature of who he was.
I thought that the idea of telling the novel in three parts was really clever and interesting and at the end, I briefly looked back through the first section with fresh eyes when I knew the truth about Thyme's End and saw the trail of hints left by the author. Another thing that I thought particularly effective was the way that the house was used as a kind of 'prop' or 'symbol' in the plot because it means something different to each characters and has a real presence throughout. Without the house, there would be no story!
Verdict: It's not at all that this book was bad, because it truly wasn't- but I couldn't immerse myself in the characters and story so I didn't enjoy it that much. However, I think that those who like Gothic types of books might like it because I believe that if you can really get into it, the atmosphere would be very spine chilling and tense.
June 25, 2011
Bibi feels alone in the world, having been adopted by family friends after her parents died. And although they love her and she loves them, she’s not theirs, and they’re not hers, not really. She doesn’t feel at home anywhere, longing for her birthplace in the Middle East. Nowhere, that is, apart from Tyme’s End, the old house in the village where she lives. There she feels safe, she feels as if she belongs. And so, when the mysterious owner, Oliver, appears and claims he is going to sell that house, she just has to change his mind.
But why? What enchantment does Tyme’s End have over her and what possibly could have happened there for Oliver to be so desperate to get rid of it? And what scared him enough to stay away for ten years? As the first part of the story goes on, Bibi’s and Oliver’s lives become entwined, as they experience the beauty of first love. But all the while, through all the magic, there’s Tyme’s End, hanging over the story remotely, hinting at the darkness to come... For Tyme’s End has a sinister past that involves death, betrayal, and an evil, manipulative owner, H. J. Martin... (See why it had me hooked?)
Tyme’s End is made up of three parts, that start in 2006 and end up in 1936, the year of the events leading up to the murder of H. J. Martin. Each of the three narrators feels real; each has their own unique voice, and I found it incredible that the tale slipped so smoothly between the generations. I must admit, the first part of the tale is a little slower than the rest of it, but it’s so beautiful you really don’t care. And, besides, from the first page, even if you don’t really notice at first, B. R. Collins winds up the suspense, tempting you with snippets that make it impossible to stop until you know the reason of the house’s evil: this book is absolutely addictive! I also love the way the story started at the end and slowly went backwards to the core of the tale; the reason the house is malevolent and evil, the death of the owner. Beautifully written, Tyme’s End had me hooked from the first page, and haunting and scary, I knew that B. R. Collins could make me believe anything after the first few paragraphs. A psychological thriller, with a side of ghosts; it builds suspense from the first page, tightening its grip on you with every chapter. Managing to both shock me by the twists and causing me to be riveted by the evil of the house, I needed to get to the end, to find out who killed H. J. Martin. An absolute page turner that promises to both chill and absorb you, this book is a must read for all readers who want to be on the edge of their seats for an entire story. With a killer ending – literally! – this book is absolutely sensational!
But why? What enchantment does Tyme’s End have over her and what possibly could have happened there for Oliver to be so desperate to get rid of it? And what scared him enough to stay away for ten years? As the first part of the story goes on, Bibi’s and Oliver’s lives become entwined, as they experience the beauty of first love. But all the while, through all the magic, there’s Tyme’s End, hanging over the story remotely, hinting at the darkness to come... For Tyme’s End has a sinister past that involves death, betrayal, and an evil, manipulative owner, H. J. Martin... (See why it had me hooked?)
Tyme’s End is made up of three parts, that start in 2006 and end up in 1936, the year of the events leading up to the murder of H. J. Martin. Each of the three narrators feels real; each has their own unique voice, and I found it incredible that the tale slipped so smoothly between the generations. I must admit, the first part of the tale is a little slower than the rest of it, but it’s so beautiful you really don’t care. And, besides, from the first page, even if you don’t really notice at first, B. R. Collins winds up the suspense, tempting you with snippets that make it impossible to stop until you know the reason of the house’s evil: this book is absolutely addictive! I also love the way the story started at the end and slowly went backwards to the core of the tale; the reason the house is malevolent and evil, the death of the owner. Beautifully written, Tyme’s End had me hooked from the first page, and haunting and scary, I knew that B. R. Collins could make me believe anything after the first few paragraphs. A psychological thriller, with a side of ghosts; it builds suspense from the first page, tightening its grip on you with every chapter. Managing to both shock me by the twists and causing me to be riveted by the evil of the house, I needed to get to the end, to find out who killed H. J. Martin. An absolute page turner that promises to both chill and absorb you, this book is a must read for all readers who want to be on the edge of their seats for an entire story. With a killer ending – literally! – this book is absolutely sensational!
July 22, 2012
I originally bought this bought for someone's Christmas, but after seeing the cover and the blurb, decided they weren't getting it and kept it for myself.
What a mistake that was. Once I finally got around to reading this, I was actually looking forward to it. I'd just read a good, but time consuming book (11.22.63 by Stephen King) and just wanted a nice easy read. This LOOKED nice and easy.
I won't go into the storyline, as you can read the blurb for yourself, but within the first few pages, you discover that the lead character, Bibi, is a little brat. You'd think she was the only person in the world who had been adopted. If she wasn't mouthing off at her adoptive parents, she was storming off in the huff. Yawn. And then she gets to the spooky old house shown on the cover ...
The first 100 or so pages are good. I sped through them in no time. But then I discovered the book is split into three parts: 2006, 1996, and 1936. But it's like the author started writing the book, and then discovered they had finished the entire book, but it was only just over 100 pages long. So they decided to keep writing. So the rest of the book feels completely unrelated (even though it is) and definitely feels tacked on and ever so slightly rushed, as if the author has no idea what they're writing about, or where they are wanting to go with the book.
I ended up skimming from about 200 pages into the book. I couldn't be bothered with it anymore. I wanted to put it down, and move onto the next book on my list, but I was so close to finishing it. And it feels like a waste of a couple of days reading.
Also, my main quibble with the book (apart from Bibi, who you'll be glad to know, doesn't appear again after the first segment of the book), is it reads very much like a YA book. That's all very well and good if you enjoy reading YA books (I do), but from the cover, I wasn't expecting a YA book, I was expecting a thriller. More or less.
A secondary quibble, is the author seemed to focus a lot on the smells in the book. There was a new smell every other page it felt like, and I got severely fed up with it. Yes, I know smells exist in the world, but I don't need to know that a certain item smells like this. I KNOW what it smells like!
Needless to say, in case you haven't already guessed, this book has frustrated me so much, that I won't be keeping it. I was expecting so much, and got so little. Don't get this book unless it's second hand, and very cheap. It's not worth it brand new.
What a mistake that was. Once I finally got around to reading this, I was actually looking forward to it. I'd just read a good, but time consuming book (11.22.63 by Stephen King) and just wanted a nice easy read. This LOOKED nice and easy.
I won't go into the storyline, as you can read the blurb for yourself, but within the first few pages, you discover that the lead character, Bibi, is a little brat. You'd think she was the only person in the world who had been adopted. If she wasn't mouthing off at her adoptive parents, she was storming off in the huff. Yawn. And then she gets to the spooky old house shown on the cover ...
The first 100 or so pages are good. I sped through them in no time. But then I discovered the book is split into three parts: 2006, 1996, and 1936. But it's like the author started writing the book, and then discovered they had finished the entire book, but it was only just over 100 pages long. So they decided to keep writing. So the rest of the book feels completely unrelated (even though it is) and definitely feels tacked on and ever so slightly rushed, as if the author has no idea what they're writing about, or where they are wanting to go with the book.
I ended up skimming from about 200 pages into the book. I couldn't be bothered with it anymore. I wanted to put it down, and move onto the next book on my list, but I was so close to finishing it. And it feels like a waste of a couple of days reading.
Also, my main quibble with the book (apart from Bibi, who you'll be glad to know, doesn't appear again after the first segment of the book), is it reads very much like a YA book. That's all very well and good if you enjoy reading YA books (I do), but from the cover, I wasn't expecting a YA book, I was expecting a thriller. More or less.
A secondary quibble, is the author seemed to focus a lot on the smells in the book. There was a new smell every other page it felt like, and I got severely fed up with it. Yes, I know smells exist in the world, but I don't need to know that a certain item smells like this. I KNOW what it smells like!
Needless to say, in case you haven't already guessed, this book has frustrated me so much, that I won't be keeping it. I was expecting so much, and got so little. Don't get this book unless it's second hand, and very cheap. It's not worth it brand new.
December 28, 2014
When I picked this book up in March from the library I couldn't wait to rush home and read it. You understand it's a ghost story and I absolutely love anything paranormal and supernatural. The blurb states that you will be "reaching for the lightswitch" I'm one of those people where horror films and stories of the paranormal thrill me more than frighten me, may have something to do with watching The Amityville Horror at the age of 7, at that age that film frightened me and for me nothing could compare. It no longer scares me and neither do most films.
Upon reading this book I realized that I had picked this up a few years ago at the same library and had read part of it. The book is split up into three sections. The first contains Bibi and Oliver and is set within present parametres. The second is a retelling of Oliver ten years prior to meeting Bibi when he first came to Tyme's End. The Third section contains Oliver's grandfather and his trip to Tyme's End.
The first section is what grasps your attention the most, troublesome 16 year old Bibi is running away from arguments within her family, always to return to Tyme's end where she keeps some reading material and some food and drink. She then meets 27 year old Oliver,it's his first time back to Tyme's End in ten years and at first he shouts at Bibi for trespassing but then later on they develop a relationship that confuses and intrigues you. This relationship is never to be mentioned again as the first part of the book is quickly ended and moves on.
The second section, although is still somewhat enthralling, this fascination is rather undulating, it either reads as if something amazing will happen, or nothing at all, this section took me quite a while to read and you are always left hoping that Collins will return to the story of Bibi and Oliver. As the main focus is Oliver and his grandfather it tens to bore you as you're just watching the story of a grandfather care for his grandchild.
The final section took me quite some time to get through, I just had lost interest by this point. It was clear Collins wasn't going to mention Bibi and Oliver again however your interest is almost peaked by this last section as it's Oliver's grandfather in 1936 and his first trip to Tyme's End to meet H.J Martin who is essentially what this book revolves around, why he killed himself outside of Tyme's End.
All in all, definitely a disappointment although I would probably read again in the future as I did enjoy certain sections.
Upon reading this book I realized that I had picked this up a few years ago at the same library and had read part of it. The book is split up into three sections. The first contains Bibi and Oliver and is set within present parametres. The second is a retelling of Oliver ten years prior to meeting Bibi when he first came to Tyme's End. The Third section contains Oliver's grandfather and his trip to Tyme's End.
The first section is what grasps your attention the most, troublesome 16 year old Bibi is running away from arguments within her family, always to return to Tyme's end where she keeps some reading material and some food and drink. She then meets 27 year old Oliver,it's his first time back to Tyme's End in ten years and at first he shouts at Bibi for trespassing but then later on they develop a relationship that confuses and intrigues you. This relationship is never to be mentioned again as the first part of the book is quickly ended and moves on.
The second section, although is still somewhat enthralling, this fascination is rather undulating, it either reads as if something amazing will happen, or nothing at all, this section took me quite a while to read and you are always left hoping that Collins will return to the story of Bibi and Oliver. As the main focus is Oliver and his grandfather it tens to bore you as you're just watching the story of a grandfather care for his grandchild.
The final section took me quite some time to get through, I just had lost interest by this point. It was clear Collins wasn't going to mention Bibi and Oliver again however your interest is almost peaked by this last section as it's Oliver's grandfather in 1936 and his first trip to Tyme's End to meet H.J Martin who is essentially what this book revolves around, why he killed himself outside of Tyme's End.
All in all, definitely a disappointment although I would probably read again in the future as I did enjoy certain sections.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2011
This book was a very pleasant surprise! I started reading it without really knowing what to expect, but, as the story progressed I found myself more and more engrossed in the story!
The actual story is split into three parts, each one describing the events that happened in a particular year (mainly over the course of a few days to a few months each). It starts off with Bibi's part in the story, which is set in 2006. As it says in the blurb, Bibi essentially feels at home only when she is at Tyme's End, a deserted house near her home. She has actually set up her own corner in a room in the house, to run to whenever she feels low. There, quite unexpectedly, she meets Oliver, the owner of the house, who has not set his foot in England (or Tyme's End) for 10 years. Through her encounters with Oliver, we learn many scraps of information, which only caused me to want to keep on reading the book, to find out what has happened!
Thus, we get into the second part of the story, which is set in 1996 and is told from Oliver's point of view. That, as you can see is ten years earlier. That leads us to the third - and last - part of the story, which is set in 1936. With these two last parts, we get to find out the exact history surrounding Tyme's End.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the air of mystery that the author enveloped Tyme's End in. The way the story progressed was just right, giving us just the right amount of information to make us speculate about what really happened. The author gives all sorts of information, describing various scenes in such detail, that you end up thinking, 'Ah! Yes! That's it! I knew it all along!'. But in the end you just sit there thinking, 'Wow! Did not see that one coming.'. And that makes a talented author. She makes you go exactly where she wants you to go. That takes some talent.
All in all, this book was a definite surprise! It's one of the best mystery books I have read as of late and I would really love to read Ms Collins' other two books, to see if they're just as good! Definitely recommended!
The actual story is split into three parts, each one describing the events that happened in a particular year (mainly over the course of a few days to a few months each). It starts off with Bibi's part in the story, which is set in 2006. As it says in the blurb, Bibi essentially feels at home only when she is at Tyme's End, a deserted house near her home. She has actually set up her own corner in a room in the house, to run to whenever she feels low. There, quite unexpectedly, she meets Oliver, the owner of the house, who has not set his foot in England (or Tyme's End) for 10 years. Through her encounters with Oliver, we learn many scraps of information, which only caused me to want to keep on reading the book, to find out what has happened!
Thus, we get into the second part of the story, which is set in 1996 and is told from Oliver's point of view. That, as you can see is ten years earlier. That leads us to the third - and last - part of the story, which is set in 1936. With these two last parts, we get to find out the exact history surrounding Tyme's End.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the air of mystery that the author enveloped Tyme's End in. The way the story progressed was just right, giving us just the right amount of information to make us speculate about what really happened. The author gives all sorts of information, describing various scenes in such detail, that you end up thinking, 'Ah! Yes! That's it! I knew it all along!'. But in the end you just sit there thinking, 'Wow! Did not see that one coming.'. And that makes a talented author. She makes you go exactly where she wants you to go. That takes some talent.
All in all, this book was a definite surprise! It's one of the best mystery books I have read as of late and I would really love to read Ms Collins' other two books, to see if they're just as good! Definitely recommended!
January 27, 2015
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book but I found the more I read the more I enjoyed this book.
The thing I loved most about it was that it was in three parts. The first set in 2006, the second in 1996 and the final part in 1936. The charcaters in all three time periods overlapped and I loved jumping back in time to find out more about the story.
The first part part of the story focuses on the story of Bibi a young girl who feels out of place everywhere she is except when she spends time in an old abandoned house called Tyme's End. I found it quite difficult to warm to her intially because she was quite ungrateful and bratty in her outlook but I did start to warm to her as she started to open up a bit more when she met and started to develop a relationship with Oliver the owner of Tyme's end. I loved how their story in that time period ended and certainly didn't see it coming.
The second and third parts follow Oliver 10 years younger and then his grandfather as a young man and develops the story surrounding the mystery of Tyme's End. I loved getting into the mystery behind the house and it's colourful past owner and geniunely found many parts of a bit creepy and not sure what was going to happen next. I loved how the mystery was looked into then built up and up in a very suspenseful way that kept you wanting to read more and more (I finished the whole thing in two sittings).
A pleasant surprise, this book did not turn out how I expected it would especially when reading the first section which made it appear to be a light and fluffy ghosty sort of book. It was so much more and so much better than what I was initially expecting, an awesome read I would definately recommend and nothing like any other YA I have read.
The thing I loved most about it was that it was in three parts. The first set in 2006, the second in 1996 and the final part in 1936. The charcaters in all three time periods overlapped and I loved jumping back in time to find out more about the story.
The first part part of the story focuses on the story of Bibi a young girl who feels out of place everywhere she is except when she spends time in an old abandoned house called Tyme's End. I found it quite difficult to warm to her intially because she was quite ungrateful and bratty in her outlook but I did start to warm to her as she started to open up a bit more when she met and started to develop a relationship with Oliver the owner of Tyme's end. I loved how their story in that time period ended and certainly didn't see it coming.
The second and third parts follow Oliver 10 years younger and then his grandfather as a young man and develops the story surrounding the mystery of Tyme's End. I loved getting into the mystery behind the house and it's colourful past owner and geniunely found many parts of a bit creepy and not sure what was going to happen next. I loved how the mystery was looked into then built up and up in a very suspenseful way that kept you wanting to read more and more (I finished the whole thing in two sittings).
A pleasant surprise, this book did not turn out how I expected it would especially when reading the first section which made it appear to be a light and fluffy ghosty sort of book. It was so much more and so much better than what I was initially expecting, an awesome read I would definately recommend and nothing like any other YA I have read.
November 12, 2014
I'm having a really hard time rating this book overall, because I feel very differently about each of the three parts.
First of all I'd like to mention that going into this book I didn't know what it would be about, seeing as I got it in the monthly book swap I do with my cousin. Didn't even read the blurp.
So I've decided to split this review into 3 parts.
Part one (2006): I really thought that I'd have to give up on this book. The instant romance just annoyed me too much. Overall a bit predictable. I did like Oliver's gesture at the end though . (2/5 stars)
Part two (1996): This part was, I personally think, was better. I liked the narrator a lot more than in the first part. It simply was more exciting and not cheesy at all. And it did spark my interest for what was the mystery surrounding H.J. Martin and his death. It had a more eerie feeling to it and the "horror" parts had me cringing. (2.5/5 stars)
(Just keep reading at Part three if you haven't finished the book)
SPOILER: The part about him feeling at home at Tyme's end did feel a bit repetitive at some point ("I get it, let's move on.")
Also is there any reason he can't take a chair and smash in a window to get out? There was furniture in the house after all.
Part three (1936): The part that I liked best. Firstly because I think the people, as unlikable as they were, were the most intresting ones in the book. Their disfunctional relationship with each other, intriguing. Secondly the overall atmosphere and darker tone of the storyline. And thirdly because I liked the reveal of H.J.'s secret (not quite what I had expected), and the ending (that I did guess). (4/5 stars)
First of all I'd like to mention that going into this book I didn't know what it would be about, seeing as I got it in the monthly book swap I do with my cousin. Didn't even read the blurp.
So I've decided to split this review into 3 parts.
Part one (2006): I really thought that I'd have to give up on this book. The instant romance just annoyed me too much. Overall a bit predictable. I did like Oliver's gesture at the end though . (2/5 stars)
Part two (1996): This part was, I personally think, was better. I liked the narrator a lot more than in the first part. It simply was more exciting and not cheesy at all. And it did spark my interest for what was the mystery surrounding H.J. Martin and his death. It had a more eerie feeling to it and the "horror" parts had me cringing. (2.5/5 stars)
(Just keep reading at Part three if you haven't finished the book)
SPOILER: The part about him feeling at home at Tyme's end did feel a bit repetitive at some point ("I get it, let's move on.")
Also is there any reason he can't take a chair and smash in a window to get out? There was furniture in the house after all.
Part three (1936): The part that I liked best. Firstly because I think the people, as unlikable as they were, were the most intresting ones in the book. Their disfunctional relationship with each other, intriguing. Secondly the overall atmosphere and darker tone of the storyline. And thirdly because I liked the reveal of H.J.'s secret (not quite what I had expected), and the ending (that I did guess). (4/5 stars)
August 30, 2011
Was this book one of the best teenage books I've read this year? Nope.
However it was very well written and thought out. The story is told going backwards in time, so the reader gains hints of what has happened in the past and then finds out the whole story at the end.
The things I liked the most was the atmosphere of Tyme's End house, you can picture it in the present all ruined, near past all dusty, very past a social place full of people. The time and events were definitely captured for each era.
Things I didn't like was never knowing what happened with the first main character Bibi, it took me a while to get into Oliver's third of the story,
I also wanted to know about the ghost. He was there for Oliver's part of the story, and I kind of assumed Having found out how the mysterious owner of H.J. Martin died in the end,
Nice spooky story, wish there was more of a ghost, wish some unanswered questions were answered!
However it was very well written and thought out. The story is told going backwards in time, so the reader gains hints of what has happened in the past and then finds out the whole story at the end.
The things I liked the most was the atmosphere of Tyme's End house, you can picture it in the present all ruined, near past all dusty, very past a social place full of people. The time and events were definitely captured for each era.
Things I didn't like was never knowing what happened with the first main character Bibi, it took me a while to get into Oliver's third of the story,
I also wanted to know about the ghost. He was there for Oliver's part of the story, and I kind of assumed Having found out how the mysterious owner of H.J. Martin died in the end,
Nice spooky story, wish there was more of a ghost, wish some unanswered questions were answered!
July 24, 2011
Okay, so this three is for the first half of the book. Thaats about all I got to and I decided to stop after reading reviews and ratings. I want to cherish the ending between Oliver and bibi because I believe he was a gorgus person who gave her a chance to move on but seriously I don't give a rats tush about the house! I mean seriously it's suppose to be haunted?? That just ruins the story for me how they just dis bibi and then after the second half oliver! The blurb talks only of bibi who is the main character for only one third of the book! They could have mentioned something about that In the blurb that they were dissing the main character!! In all I reckon the first half would have made an amazing short novel that would get from me five stars but the drivel after made it three. It would have been way better if at the last third they did a future with oliver and bibi, but thats just me!
May 27, 2011
I thought that this this book was okay. There wasnt much of a story line and the book kept jumping around times zones going back a generation each time. This made the book quite confusing and it took a good few pages until i was able to work out who's point of view it was from. Also at the begining it started with a girl who had nothing to do with the rest of the story line. It seemed to be a romance at the start however i soon found it was murder mystery or 'house history' than anything else.
In conclusion i would recomend this book to people who can keep concentration easily and are able to follow story lines to the point. Whereas if you are a tad forgetful and dont pay much attention to the small details in the books i think you will find it a bit confusing. Maria.
In conclusion i would recomend this book to people who can keep concentration easily and are able to follow story lines to the point. Whereas if you are a tad forgetful and dont pay much attention to the small details in the books i think you will find it a bit confusing. Maria.
August 15, 2013
I kinda got bored reading this book as when I managed to force myself to read 1996, it then went to 1936 -.-
I think if the book had actually been scary I'd have liked the fact that it was in 3 sections in different eras.... but it wasn't. I was absolutely gutted that Bibi and Olly weren't mentioned again aswell! Why put on the blurb that it's romantic if they didn't do anything romantic!!!! And I thought it was kind of creepy how Bibi was only 16 and Olly was 27. I think that's slightly perverted. I know if I was 16 and I met a 27 year old trying to have a romance with me I would have ran a mile :/
Overall I think it's a good idea but with a closer age gap and more horror it would have made it to 4/5 stars :)
I think if the book had actually been scary I'd have liked the fact that it was in 3 sections in different eras.... but it wasn't. I was absolutely gutted that Bibi and Olly weren't mentioned again aswell! Why put on the blurb that it's romantic if they didn't do anything romantic!!!! And I thought it was kind of creepy how Bibi was only 16 and Olly was 27. I think that's slightly perverted. I know if I was 16 and I met a 27 year old trying to have a romance with me I would have ran a mile :/
Overall I think it's a good idea but with a closer age gap and more horror it would have made it to 4/5 stars :)
March 18, 2012
If you're going to have a problem with this book it seems like it will be because it has different sections which do different things, and you'll only be interested in one. While I did feel a bit of a pang not knowing what happened to Bibi and Oliver after the first part, I got drawn into the other two parts, and really liked how the structure of the book worked. The sections all work together while having their own things going on, and as you go backwards you reveal the different layers to the situation. As I remember Collins' previous book, her strength is in the emotional impact, making you feel the implications of a dynamic or situation, and it's the same here.
March 30, 2012
I loved Tyme's End. The first part was brilliant and kind of romantic and I just loved Olliver's character. I didn't really understand what the whole searching for your light switch thing was about, but then I read on, and I knew. It was so mysterious and At times my heart was punding in my chest and I was thinking 'is this reality or fantasy?' I was so curious as to how Martin actually died, and Olliver's grandad come to that. I think I liked the 1936 part the most, closly tied with the 2006 part. It was just brilliant and strange and at first I was thinking 'aww, a m/m romance!' but I was /so/ wrong. The story got darker and more twisted and I didn't know what to believe. I LOVED IT<3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2012
This book was... well kinda off. There was a great back story to it, with the House and all that had occured there, but the story of the characters wasn'r gripping and i found myself becoming more and more disinterested. So in a way the book wasn't my kinda thing, the idea was really good and the cover is very pretty too :P but the characters just weren't agreeing in with me so after finally having finished the book (because i just can't not finish a book) I've come to the conclusion that it gets two stars, not because it was badly written, just that it wasn't for me hence i didn't like it all that much.
September 1, 2021
Story Description:
Tyme’s End - One country house that holds many secrets & spans over three generations
Go back in time and join Bibi, Oliver and Oliver Snr. as each one of them is drawn to Tyme’s End for different reasons. What exactly draws them to the house? What secrets does the house hold? And how are Bibi, Oliver and Oliver Snr. (three different people from three different generations) linked?
My Thoughts:
I was drawn to this book by its beautiful cover & thought the storyline sounded good. However, I thought it was just an ok read.
Tyme’s End - One country house that holds many secrets & spans over three generations
Go back in time and join Bibi, Oliver and Oliver Snr. as each one of them is drawn to Tyme’s End for different reasons. What exactly draws them to the house? What secrets does the house hold? And how are Bibi, Oliver and Oliver Snr. (three different people from three different generations) linked?
My Thoughts:
I was drawn to this book by its beautiful cover & thought the storyline sounded good. However, I thought it was just an ok read.
February 16, 2012
This had some quite good stuff going on (although Bibi was quite whiney and tiresome, and Oliver's motivations seemed dubious to say the least), but then it just wandered off and became tedious. I have no idea what it was all supposed to be about, or how the latter parts were supposed to be relevant to the first part - ghosts of bad behaviour? History repeating itself? Cycles of abuse? *shrug*
July 4, 2012
Sucked. Totally wasn't the book i though it was. The person i was lead to believe was the main character was only in the book for the first third of it. Totally wasn't what i though it would be. Nothing was resolved. We only were able to understand the mystery behind the house and Oliver's feelings towards it. Other than that? Nada. No resolution. No nothing. Sucked. Sorry, but it did.
August 23, 2015
well, that was a horrible let down. holy snooze fest! i feel very jipped. i almost feel lied to. this book promised terror and evil...where was that at? was the right synopsis printed on the back of the book? the character names were correct, but that's it. I suppose a "bad read" was due. it had been a long time...im sorry to be so brutally honest but this read was lacking and drab.
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