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Hourglass Door #3
The Forgotten Locket
The only way to rescue the future is to alter the past.
When Abby stepped through the hourglass door, leaving her beloved Dante blind and bleeding on the other side, it was in full faith that she could find a way to repair the damage to the river of time and restore him—as well as her family. It was a desperate chance that seemed worth taking.
But Zo had other plans.
Now Abby is trapped in a full-fledged battle for her own mind and life and heart. Even worse, Zo's evil intent reaches beyond simple revenge against her and Dante. The whole world is in danger of collapsing unless Abby can summon her courage and undertake a journey that will lead her beyond the origins of the hourglass door.
When Abby stepped through the hourglass door, leaving her beloved Dante blind and bleeding on the other side, it was in full faith that she could find a way to repair the damage to the river of time and restore him—as well as her family. It was a desperate chance that seemed worth taking.
But Zo had other plans.
Now Abby is trapped in a full-fledged battle for her own mind and life and heart. Even worse, Zo's evil intent reaches beyond simple revenge against her and Dante. The whole world is in danger of collapsing unless Abby can summon her courage and undertake a journey that will lead her beyond the origins of the hourglass door.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 9, 2011
49 people are currently reading
3036 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Mangum
29 books897 followersLisa Mangum has loved and worked with books ever since elementary school, when she volunteered at the school library during recess. Her first paying job was shelving books at the Sandy Library. She worked for five years at Waldenbooks while she attended the University of Utah, graduating with honors with a degree in English. An avid reader of all genres, she has worked in the publishing department for Deseret Book since 1997.
Besides books, Lisa loves movies, sunsets, spending time with her family, trips to Disneyland, and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh raspberries. She lives in Taylorsville, Utah, with her husband, Tracy. She is the author of the Hourglass Door trilogy and After Hello.
Besides books, Lisa loves movies, sunsets, spending time with her family, trips to Disneyland, and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh raspberries. She lives in Taylorsville, Utah, with her husband, Tracy. She is the author of the Hourglass Door trilogy and After Hello.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 615 reviews
November 21, 2011
I kept reading this because I had read the first two and wanted to see how it resolved... but it was just like a series of superfluous conflicts that were all resolved in ridiculous ways. Like, "There is this huuuuge problem! The world is going to end. How about I pull an illogical answer out of thin air and try it? Oh, wow! It worked! Because I'm SPECIAL!" Lather, rinse, repeat. And seriously, this is the end of the book: "I made a wish, and I knew in my core it would come true. So I wished that all of our problems would disappear and everything would be perfect. And of course it worked, the end." If I had to map this plot out on one of those plot graphs they had us do in Jr High, my head would explode. There is no rising and falling action, it seriously ALL CONFLICT.
My biggest beef is that this book didn't need to be written... there was so much filler (that added nothing, in my opinion) to get to the resolution, I kept asking myself why it couldn't have all been done in one book. It seems like it was a trilogy for trilogy's sake, more to make extra money than anything else.
And there are way too many adjectives in this series. It didn't bug me so much in the first book, but by the third, I was wishing I had an editor's pen in my hand.
My biggest beef is that this book didn't need to be written... there was so much filler (that added nothing, in my opinion) to get to the resolution, I kept asking myself why it couldn't have all been done in one book. It seems like it was a trilogy for trilogy's sake, more to make extra money than anything else.
And there are way too many adjectives in this series. It didn't bug me so much in the first book, but by the third, I was wishing I had an editor's pen in my hand.
June 1, 2011
The Forgotten Locket is an incredible, beautiful ending to the Hourglass Door Trilogy. With the ending of The Golden Spiral, I was more than anxious to read the sequel, to see what would happen, and finally have everything come together. Lisa Mangum created an intricate, timeless tale with her story of Dante and Abby. It flows with the breath of time, circling into my mind, taking root, becoming one with me. She created the possible out of the impossible, by using the echoes of time, the chime of the past and future, Mangum crafted a story that is at once confusing, as it is readily believable.
With this conclusion of Abby and Dante’s story, their lives come full circle, ending where it began, with a promise of a bright future, with their past behind them, but still a part of them. In the beginning of this novel, they travel through time to Dante’s past, and there begins the end, where they fix what has been unraveled, save what has been lost, and ultimately, binding their hearts together in an unbreakable bond. The entire concept of this trilogy, of time travel is so intriguing, and it boggles my mind. But as I felt before when I first read The Hourglass Door, Mangum makes it so easy to believe, and I was left with no confusion or doubts. It’s incredible really, how she does it, and how she ties everything together, taking the reader into the future by going to the past, watching things unfold that will lead to the future events in The Hourglass Door and so on.
When I read her books, I can feel time like Abby does, the flow of it, the in between of the words and moments, can feel their lives intertwining and mixing with time. The rhythmic cadence flows smoothly through Mangums writing as she weaves her tale of darkness and light with characters that just breathe life onto the pages. Each character was built with such finesse, given the time to ease into their true roles that Mangum envisioned. Orlando may be my favorite character. I love his strength and love, I love how Mangum created his story and background that shows us the man he will become in The Hourglass Door, and I loved how the Lady of the Light came to be. It was actually surprising what he felt towards her, but it makes sense that he would. And this created that timeless bond that formed between them, that let them trust each other completely and to honor their vows. And Abby and Dante’s love is beautiful, everlasting, shining though and beyond time where it will never end. True love, that made their whole journey and triumph possible.
The cover of the oval locket doesn’t make sense until the end, and after understanding what it was and what it meant, the story became that much more meaningful to me, putting that last perfect touch to the start of Abby and Dante’s life together. I am blissfully satisfied with the way this story ended. And while their story for us may be over, it will still live inside me showing what love is and what it can accomplish, and how time surrounds us, breathing music and possibilities into us, daring us to seize the time we do have, and make the most of it with what we can.
With this conclusion of Abby and Dante’s story, their lives come full circle, ending where it began, with a promise of a bright future, with their past behind them, but still a part of them. In the beginning of this novel, they travel through time to Dante’s past, and there begins the end, where they fix what has been unraveled, save what has been lost, and ultimately, binding their hearts together in an unbreakable bond. The entire concept of this trilogy, of time travel is so intriguing, and it boggles my mind. But as I felt before when I first read The Hourglass Door, Mangum makes it so easy to believe, and I was left with no confusion or doubts. It’s incredible really, how she does it, and how she ties everything together, taking the reader into the future by going to the past, watching things unfold that will lead to the future events in The Hourglass Door and so on.
When I read her books, I can feel time like Abby does, the flow of it, the in between of the words and moments, can feel their lives intertwining and mixing with time. The rhythmic cadence flows smoothly through Mangums writing as she weaves her tale of darkness and light with characters that just breathe life onto the pages. Each character was built with such finesse, given the time to ease into their true roles that Mangum envisioned. Orlando may be my favorite character. I love his strength and love, I love how Mangum created his story and background that shows us the man he will become in The Hourglass Door, and I loved how the Lady of the Light came to be. It was actually surprising what he felt towards her, but it makes sense that he would. And this created that timeless bond that formed between them, that let them trust each other completely and to honor their vows. And Abby and Dante’s love is beautiful, everlasting, shining though and beyond time where it will never end. True love, that made their whole journey and triumph possible.
The cover of the oval locket doesn’t make sense until the end, and after understanding what it was and what it meant, the story became that much more meaningful to me, putting that last perfect touch to the start of Abby and Dante’s life together. I am blissfully satisfied with the way this story ended. And while their story for us may be over, it will still live inside me showing what love is and what it can accomplish, and how time surrounds us, breathing music and possibilities into us, daring us to seize the time we do have, and make the most of it with what we can.
September 30, 2011
I'm so relieved this series is over! I pushed through this last one and was just saddened by so much wasted potential. The author really has a way of illustration so you feel like you are there and you can vividly see the imagery in your head. Her writing can be beautiful. Also her particular concept of a river of time and traveling to the bank of the river was new and original to me. I felt she really could go far.
However, I was left frustrated by too many connections she made without explanations - like you were supposed to just accept it without wondering how or why, even if it didn't make sense at all. And I kept thinking move on move on, lets get back to the point, while I was reading. There was too much drama going on to make it exciting rather than wrapping it all together.
I found myself often forgetting what Abby and Dante were even supposed to be doing because so much was unexplained that I was confused as to why what was happening was even important. I felt that if Mangum would have kept the reader more aligned with the main plot-line and explained the connections better, rather than presenting the same imagery of the river over and over - no matter how beautiful, I would have enjoyed it more. As it is now, I just lost focus and interest.
I will say the ending was better than I thought it would be, but I still just felt a monumental relief that I made it through.
However, I was left frustrated by too many connections she made without explanations - like you were supposed to just accept it without wondering how or why, even if it didn't make sense at all. And I kept thinking move on move on, lets get back to the point, while I was reading. There was too much drama going on to make it exciting rather than wrapping it all together.
I found myself often forgetting what Abby and Dante were even supposed to be doing because so much was unexplained that I was confused as to why what was happening was even important. I felt that if Mangum would have kept the reader more aligned with the main plot-line and explained the connections better, rather than presenting the same imagery of the river over and over - no matter how beautiful, I would have enjoyed it more. As it is now, I just lost focus and interest.
I will say the ending was better than I thought it would be, but I still just felt a monumental relief that I made it through.
November 29, 2011
This isn't really a review because I just don't have the energy to think about and articulate everything that was wrong with this book. Usually I devour books like this in one sitting, but I had to read this book over the course of a couple weeks because I JUST COULDN'T TAKE ANYMORE... You know the feeling.
Anywho~
Since I don't want to write a full review of this book, instead I will list the shelves I am tempted to create on my account just so I can put this book on them:
shelf name: Holy Plotholes, Batman!
WHAM! KA-POW!! That's the sound of common sense karate-chopping your willing suspension of disbelief in the face. Forget 4-wheel drive, you're going to need a suspension bridge to get over these babies.
shelf name: Simile And The World Similes With You
Everyone knows how profound one good simile can be, so THOUSANDS of similes equals a plethora of profundities, right? RIGHT? I don't have my book with me or I'd insert some of my favorite gems of awkwardness. Seriously, though, similes were used in this book like hair product was used in the '80s.... At least similes aren't damaging to the ozone layer.
shelf name: Deus Ex Machina
Wow. Who knew love was SO powerful? Especially for special people.
And last, but not least....
shelf name: Don't Waste Your Time
Ha ha! Get it? It's a book about time travel! And you shouldn't bother reading it... Get it? So don't waste your... oh, nevermind.
I really may have to create these shelves after all...
Anywho~
Since I don't want to write a full review of this book, instead I will list the shelves I am tempted to create on my account just so I can put this book on them:
shelf name: Holy Plotholes, Batman!
WHAM! KA-POW!! That's the sound of common sense karate-chopping your willing suspension of disbelief in the face. Forget 4-wheel drive, you're going to need a suspension bridge to get over these babies.
shelf name: Simile And The World Similes With You
Everyone knows how profound one good simile can be, so THOUSANDS of similes equals a plethora of profundities, right? RIGHT? I don't have my book with me or I'd insert some of my favorite gems of awkwardness. Seriously, though, similes were used in this book like hair product was used in the '80s.... At least similes aren't damaging to the ozone layer.
shelf name: Deus Ex Machina
Wow. Who knew love was SO powerful? Especially for special people.
And last, but not least....
shelf name: Don't Waste Your Time
Ha ha! Get it? It's a book about time travel! And you shouldn't bother reading it... Get it? So don't waste your... oh, nevermind.
I really may have to create these shelves after all...
November 29, 2011
Abby stepped through the hourglass door at the end of the last book and the story picks right up from there. She and Dante continue to try and save the river of time, which Zo has changed and broken. If they are not successful time will break completely.[return][return]This book just didn’t do it for me. I just wasn’t able to get a cohesive sense of how the story connected. It didn’t seem that there was a strong plot arc, where every piece would eventually connect to form the story. It was more like interludes of running away from Zo and then chasing Zo and then something bad would happen and they would have to try and recover from that as well and then hope for the best. Then some how it was all supposed to work and make sense. Well, it didn’t work for me. [return][return]Another irritation; I don’t really like when a character doesn’t understand their powers and continues to make last ditch efforts to save things and they work simply because good must triumph over bad and the main characters must win. It felt like this story had a lot of that. The chemistry between Abby and Dante was flat, mostly relying on their past history together. Overall I was disappointed by this series.
June 8, 2011
3.5 for this one. It’s better than the second book, but not as good as the first. I guess it’s a satisfying ending for the series, but I was bothered by a lot here. First, there were lots of convenient bending/breaking of rules with the river/bank that confused me. Also, way too much garbage with Zo and not enough interaction with the past IMO. And, there seemed to be some weird inconsistencies in this series--with weird resolutions (or non-resolutions) in this book (e.g. the Sofia thing was oddly resolved (see SPOILERS section below)).
I did enjoy the interaction with Dante’s family and there were some incredibly tense “how will they get out of this?” moments. I have always liked the characters--especially Abby, Dante, and Leo, so it was good to have resolution for them. Overall, I’m glad this series is finished and I was generally happy with the ending and some aspects of this book, but I thought the first book had such great potential and I ended up feeling like that potential never came close to what it could have been--which was really disappointing…
**SPOILERS**: Something that REALLY bothered me: I thought there should have been more coordination with Abby and Dante’s wishes/decisions at the end because they came across as seeming kind of selfish to me--like they both chose to possibly ditch the other person to an eternity of loneliness so they could personally be healed (since neither knew the other had made that wish/decision when they did). Yay for true love!! I’m glad it worked out for them, but it seemed strange that they’d do something that would ultimately separate them and make things so ghastly sad for the other person--if they truly loved the other person. Unless somehow Abby knew from looking into the future that it would work out the right way? But, if so, that wasn’t conveyed well at all! Also, just because she knew doesn’t mean Dante did. Weird!!
Also INCREDIBLY irritating: Why didn't Abby have more interaction with the past? Why didn’t she meet Da Vinci?! And, I really wanted more interaction with past Dante--him falling in love with Abby in the past. This would have better explained his interest in her in the first book. (This is the idea I had at the beginning that I’ve hung onto throughout the entire series and I am very disappointed that it didn’t pan out… I really think the whole series would have played out better if it had progressed along these lines instead. )
Regarding Sofia, I really thought she was a past girlfriend from the way she was discussed and I didn’t understand making her a possible child instead. Or was Dante trying to secretly name a future child after an old girlfriend? Yuck! Also, wasn’t a former “lover” mentioned for Dante at the very beginning of these books? Why wouldn’t she have been a factor in a trip to the past? (I always assumed the lover--Sofia--was Abby (following my idea). So, if not her, than who was it??).
And the locket thing seemed really stupid on Dante’s part--particularly when he saw that Abby had lost her memory. Why not say, ”Let me keep that safe for you until you get your memory back” and hold onto it himself? Really dumb!
Finally, I was really confused about the time travel with Abby. How was she able to return to her home time so easily (and without a return door)? I thought that was the big issue in the first book with Dante, Zo, etc. that they couldn’t return to their original time without the return door… Another inconsistency? Or did I miss something…? I really never understood the river/time travel in these books anyway--how they could just fall into the river and end up at an exact and ideal place/time. Sometimes it seemed modifiable--other times not.
I did enjoy the interaction with Dante’s family and there were some incredibly tense “how will they get out of this?” moments. I have always liked the characters--especially Abby, Dante, and Leo, so it was good to have resolution for them. Overall, I’m glad this series is finished and I was generally happy with the ending and some aspects of this book, but I thought the first book had such great potential and I ended up feeling like that potential never came close to what it could have been--which was really disappointing…
**SPOILERS**: Something that REALLY bothered me: I thought there should have been more coordination with Abby and Dante’s wishes/decisions at the end because they came across as seeming kind of selfish to me--like they both chose to possibly ditch the other person to an eternity of loneliness so they could personally be healed (since neither knew the other had made that wish/decision when they did). Yay for true love!! I’m glad it worked out for them, but it seemed strange that they’d do something that would ultimately separate them and make things so ghastly sad for the other person--if they truly loved the other person. Unless somehow Abby knew from looking into the future that it would work out the right way? But, if so, that wasn’t conveyed well at all! Also, just because she knew doesn’t mean Dante did. Weird!!
Also INCREDIBLY irritating: Why didn't Abby have more interaction with the past? Why didn’t she meet Da Vinci?! And, I really wanted more interaction with past Dante--him falling in love with Abby in the past. This would have better explained his interest in her in the first book. (This is the idea I had at the beginning that I’ve hung onto throughout the entire series and I am very disappointed that it didn’t pan out… I really think the whole series would have played out better if it had progressed along these lines instead. )
Regarding Sofia, I really thought she was a past girlfriend from the way she was discussed and I didn’t understand making her a possible child instead. Or was Dante trying to secretly name a future child after an old girlfriend? Yuck! Also, wasn’t a former “lover” mentioned for Dante at the very beginning of these books? Why wouldn’t she have been a factor in a trip to the past? (I always assumed the lover--Sofia--was Abby (following my idea). So, if not her, than who was it??).
And the locket thing seemed really stupid on Dante’s part--particularly when he saw that Abby had lost her memory. Why not say, ”Let me keep that safe for you until you get your memory back” and hold onto it himself? Really dumb!
Finally, I was really confused about the time travel with Abby. How was she able to return to her home time so easily (and without a return door)? I thought that was the big issue in the first book with Dante, Zo, etc. that they couldn’t return to their original time without the return door… Another inconsistency? Or did I miss something…? I really never understood the river/time travel in these books anyway--how they could just fall into the river and end up at an exact and ideal place/time. Sometimes it seemed modifiable--other times not.
October 12, 2013
This book is also reviewed on my blog Books: A true story
I think the best way to describe The Forgotten Locket was melodramatic. Meaning that it felt so dramatic that I was disconnected from it. It was more entertaining when I read it in my head with a super dramatic voice.
I was honestly kind of bored while reading this. Abby is rescued from her problems too quickly so they didn't seem that dire to me. It was also painfully obvious how things would resolve since the really big threats were taken away too fast. There seemed to be no rules and if there were rules they quickly found ways to "break" them to do the "impossible." So everything seemed possible and it made it feel like there were no problems because there will always be a magical solution. Not only that but EVERY problem was completely solved with a very nice bow on top.
I hated that most of the world building was unexplained. "Impossible" things happen (though since the rules are extremely loose a better word than impossible would be "new"). And the explanation for events was mostly "who knows just cuz." That was the answer more often than I allow for a story to be interesting. This world kind of feels like it was made up as it went along. And I could have driven a DeLorean through all those plot holes in the way time travel worked.
I felt like I didn't have to think or imagine for this whole book. This whole series.
And oh the romance. It was nice I guess to read about a guy who always stood by his girl and did the right thing but it was highly unrealistic. They never fought. Ever. Except maybe about who loved the other person more. Gag.
I know one star is a harsh rating and I usually only give it for books that I didn't finish, but I really should have put this one down and walked away. I knew exactly what was going to happen so the only reason I finished is because of my need not to quit on books. I know a lot of people liked this series but it was really not for me.
Overall, poor world building and an extremely predictable ending really dragged this story down.
Wow that conclusion had plot holes so big I could drive my delorean through it. (Get it? From back to the future?)
I think the best way to describe The Forgotten Locket was melodramatic. Meaning that it felt so dramatic that I was disconnected from it. It was more entertaining when I read it in my head with a super dramatic voice.
I was honestly kind of bored while reading this. Abby is rescued from her problems too quickly so they didn't seem that dire to me. It was also painfully obvious how things would resolve since the really big threats were taken away too fast. There seemed to be no rules and if there were rules they quickly found ways to "break" them to do the "impossible." So everything seemed possible and it made it feel like there were no problems because there will always be a magical solution. Not only that but EVERY problem was completely solved with a very nice bow on top.
I hated that most of the world building was unexplained. "Impossible" things happen (though since the rules are extremely loose a better word than impossible would be "new"). And the explanation for events was mostly "who knows just cuz." That was the answer more often than I allow for a story to be interesting. This world kind of feels like it was made up as it went along. And I could have driven a DeLorean through all those plot holes in the way time travel worked.
I felt like I didn't have to think or imagine for this whole book. This whole series.
And oh the romance. It was nice I guess to read about a guy who always stood by his girl and did the right thing but it was highly unrealistic. They never fought. Ever. Except maybe about who loved the other person more. Gag.
I know one star is a harsh rating and I usually only give it for books that I didn't finish, but I really should have put this one down and walked away. I knew exactly what was going to happen so the only reason I finished is because of my need not to quit on books. I know a lot of people liked this series but it was really not for me.
Overall, poor world building and an extremely predictable ending really dragged this story down.
Wow that conclusion had plot holes so big I could drive my delorean through it. (Get it? From back to the future?)
August 29, 2013
Oh. My. Where to start?
They say the beginning is a very good place, so I guess we'll start there.
The title: possibly the most inaccurate title I've ever come across. Unless I've already forgotten another locket that played an integral(ish) part in the plot (except not really), the locket of the title is never forgotten. In fact, it's mentioned consistently and repeatedly throughout all three books. I think that whole mess was a really bad attempt at a Chekov's gun thing. I hope it wasn't.
All the time in the world: every metaphor that has ever been used to describe time is employed. And made at least semi-literal. Every. Last. One. If one were to set out to redefine the word ridiculous, one would very likely end up with this book.
Originality: what started off as a bad Twilight rip-off has now ripped off everything from Harry Potter to Inception and back again. Yes, I know, all writers steal ideas. When the good ones do it you don't realize it, or if you do it's later, not while you're reading. Speaking of . . .
The chosen one: Harry Potter is the chosen one because he was marked as such. Anakin was the chosen one because his circumstances adhered to the prophecy. Neo was the chosen one because the Matrix designed him that way (or something like that). Percy Jackson was the chosen one because he was the son of a god AND fulfilled prophecy. Katniss was the chosen one because she was LITERALLY chosen at the reaping. Why is Abby the chosen one? Why can she do all these things that aren't supposed to be possible? All the things all these time travelers had never even guessed was possible? Apparently merely because she's a pretty girl who happened to get caught in a classic time travel looping paradox. There's no reason or explanation for what she can do, she can just do it. And it's AWFULLY convenient that she's so powerful - in fact, every time they reach a point where it looks like they're out of options Abby goes, "well I wonder if I can do this" and POOF! She can do something else! And they're saved again! Kisses from love interests all around! On that note -
Threeways: okay, not actually, but Really? He couldn't do everything out of love for his brother and platonic friendship-love for Abby? Did we have to bring in a love triangle yet again? However briefly? Really?
Things not possible: back on the paradox thing, can I just say I hate how this whole series ended up being Like, I know this whole book was about Abby closing the loop to save the day but did there really have to be so many loops?
I AM A METAPHOR AND SO CAN YOU!: I ended the book feeling like the time I'd spent reading had actually been spent being pummeled to the ground by the blatant metaphors and symbolism. Everything is all light and love and time and rivers and stories and music and these things all have powers and uses and layers and meanings and deeper meanings and hidden meanings and deeper layers and hidden layers and . . . and it's just kind of like, dude. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, you know?
Rushed ending: speaks for itself. What about all the "unimportant" characters who were soooooooooooooo important in the first book only to be conveniently disposed of in the second? Where was the timeline put back? Does Natalie still know about the whole time travel thing? Does Jason wonder what happened to the big "scholarship project" Abby needed help with? If the timeline was truly put back just the way it was presented in the first two books then those things still happened, and should have been addressed. I'm okay with loose ties at endings, but everything for the main characters was tied off such overly-shiny bows that the loose strings for the minor characters make the whole package feel incomplete. Or, dare I say, throws off the balance that this whole book revolved around restoring?
In short: every potential redeeming thing that could have happened in all three books to turn things around went exactly the opposite of the way it should have. There are a lot of words that could be used to describe this series and its writing. Which would I use? Lazy. Shoddy. Inconsistent. Ridiculous. Cliche. Disappointing. Don't even get me started . . .
Two last notes:
1) I feel like there was supposed to be some sort of poignancy to the idea of Dante and Beatrice finally together after half a millennium. Too bad that allusion is probably lost on 95% of the target audience . . .
2) I do indeed appreciate the irony of the virtual shelf I had ready and waiting for this book to be placed on. It's almost as if I already knew . . .
Addendum: I was hoping to never think of this series again, but no such luck. The thought popped into my mind today of another gaping, glaring plothole - And just when I thought that the one thing these books had going for them was the part where Dante wasn't as skeevy and creepy and all around undesirable as Edward Cullen. Downgraded to half a star.
They say the beginning is a very good place, so I guess we'll start there.
The title: possibly the most inaccurate title I've ever come across. Unless I've already forgotten another locket that played an integral(ish) part in the plot (except not really), the locket of the title is never forgotten. In fact, it's mentioned consistently and repeatedly throughout all three books. I think that whole mess was a really bad attempt at a Chekov's gun thing. I hope it wasn't.
All the time in the world: every metaphor that has ever been used to describe time is employed. And made at least semi-literal. Every. Last. One. If one were to set out to redefine the word ridiculous, one would very likely end up with this book.
Originality: what started off as a bad Twilight rip-off has now ripped off everything from Harry Potter to Inception and back again. Yes, I know, all writers steal ideas. When the good ones do it you don't realize it, or if you do it's later, not while you're reading. Speaking of . . .
The chosen one: Harry Potter is the chosen one because he was marked as such. Anakin was the chosen one because his circumstances adhered to the prophecy. Neo was the chosen one because the Matrix designed him that way (or something like that). Percy Jackson was the chosen one because he was the son of a god AND fulfilled prophecy. Katniss was the chosen one because she was LITERALLY chosen at the reaping. Why is Abby the chosen one? Why can she do all these things that aren't supposed to be possible? All the things all these time travelers had never even guessed was possible? Apparently merely because she's a pretty girl who happened to get caught in a classic time travel looping paradox. There's no reason or explanation for what she can do, she can just do it. And it's AWFULLY convenient that she's so powerful - in fact, every time they reach a point where it looks like they're out of options Abby goes, "well I wonder if I can do this" and POOF! She can do something else! And they're saved again! Kisses from love interests all around! On that note -
Threeways: okay, not actually, but Really? He couldn't do everything out of love for his brother and platonic friendship-love for Abby? Did we have to bring in a love triangle yet again? However briefly? Really?
Things not possible: back on the paradox thing, can I just say I hate how this whole series ended up being Like, I know this whole book was about Abby closing the loop to save the day but did there really have to be so many loops?
I AM A METAPHOR AND SO CAN YOU!: I ended the book feeling like the time I'd spent reading had actually been spent being pummeled to the ground by the blatant metaphors and symbolism. Everything is all light and love and time and rivers and stories and music and these things all have powers and uses and layers and meanings and deeper meanings and hidden meanings and deeper layers and hidden layers and . . . and it's just kind of like, dude. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, you know?
Rushed ending: speaks for itself. What about all the "unimportant" characters who were soooooooooooooo important in the first book only to be conveniently disposed of in the second? Where was the timeline put back? Does Natalie still know about the whole time travel thing? Does Jason wonder what happened to the big "scholarship project" Abby needed help with? If the timeline was truly put back just the way it was presented in the first two books then those things still happened, and should have been addressed. I'm okay with loose ties at endings, but everything for the main characters was tied off such overly-shiny bows that the loose strings for the minor characters make the whole package feel incomplete. Or, dare I say, throws off the balance that this whole book revolved around restoring?
In short: every potential redeeming thing that could have happened in all three books to turn things around went exactly the opposite of the way it should have. There are a lot of words that could be used to describe this series and its writing. Which would I use? Lazy. Shoddy. Inconsistent. Ridiculous. Cliche. Disappointing. Don't even get me started . . .
Two last notes:
1) I feel like there was supposed to be some sort of poignancy to the idea of Dante and Beatrice finally together after half a millennium. Too bad that allusion is probably lost on 95% of the target audience . . .
2) I do indeed appreciate the irony of the virtual shelf I had ready and waiting for this book to be placed on. It's almost as if I already knew . . .
Addendum: I was hoping to never think of this series again, but no such luck. The thought popped into my mind today of another gaping, glaring plothole - And just when I thought that the one thing these books had going for them was the part where Dante wasn't as skeevy and creepy and all around undesirable as Edward Cullen. Downgraded to half a star.
February 13, 2012
This book has made me realize that I'm either in a reading slump or maybe getting pickier about the books I read. I'm also 9 months pregnant so my mind is probably a little more sensitive than normal.
On the positive side, these books were a great fictional read. At first I was worried it was going to turn into a "twilight-esce" book. I was happy to discover it was not about vampires. I was intrigued to discover it was about time travel. It is another young adult fiction series, which sometimes makes me hesitate. However, I appreciated the development of the characters and their relationships. It wasn't too sappy, too high-school, or at all inappropriate. I liked that. It was more focused on telling a great story. I also liked the different settings in this series. I was fascinated when they travel back to Italy 1501. How cool that would be. The ideas in this book are fun, even if far fetched. If you want a quick, simple, fictional book, you may enjoy his series.
On the negative side, I really struggled with the details. Sometimes the author would be describing a scene or a moment, and I found myself completely lost in descriptive words that I had no idea what was going on. The author describes things with so many senses that often I just didn't get it. It's also very difficult to follow the time (river) vs. timelessness (bank), and understand how the characters could manuver to and from, and in between. I found it strange that the characters could summon magical healing powers, drops of sunlight, by focusing on a word, a poem, or a song. Ultimately, at the end of the series I was happy with the way it ended, I just didn't walk away actually understanding much of it - but c'mon, its time travel. Who actually understands that, right? I couldn't explain it to someone if I tried.
I'd really be interested in other peoples point of view on this series. It was recommended by a friend of mine. If you give it a chance, let me know what you think.
On the positive side, these books were a great fictional read. At first I was worried it was going to turn into a "twilight-esce" book. I was happy to discover it was not about vampires. I was intrigued to discover it was about time travel. It is another young adult fiction series, which sometimes makes me hesitate. However, I appreciated the development of the characters and their relationships. It wasn't too sappy, too high-school, or at all inappropriate. I liked that. It was more focused on telling a great story. I also liked the different settings in this series. I was fascinated when they travel back to Italy 1501. How cool that would be. The ideas in this book are fun, even if far fetched. If you want a quick, simple, fictional book, you may enjoy his series.
On the negative side, I really struggled with the details. Sometimes the author would be describing a scene or a moment, and I found myself completely lost in descriptive words that I had no idea what was going on. The author describes things with so many senses that often I just didn't get it. It's also very difficult to follow the time (river) vs. timelessness (bank), and understand how the characters could manuver to and from, and in between. I found it strange that the characters could summon magical healing powers, drops of sunlight, by focusing on a word, a poem, or a song. Ultimately, at the end of the series I was happy with the way it ended, I just didn't walk away actually understanding much of it - but c'mon, its time travel. Who actually understands that, right? I couldn't explain it to someone if I tried.
I'd really be interested in other peoples point of view on this series. It was recommended by a friend of mine. If you give it a chance, let me know what you think.
October 10, 2011
This series really disappointed me. The first book was good and had so much potential but unfortunately the author forgot that truly remarkable books have truly developed characters and relationships. Instead, the last two books focused on the weird "bank" and river. But even though the author spent so much time describing these areas, as well as the antagonist, Zo, they were quite forgettable in the end.
The "magic" didn't quite feel real because there were almost no limitations to the magic. Limitations and rules that govern magic are what make the magic believable. But Zo seemed to be able to do anything and go anywhere. Whereas, the others characters were inept, confused or stuck in some ambiguous part of the bank.
Which leads me to my biggest frustration with these series... the complete failure to develop Dante as a character. Dante had the potential to be the most interesting and lovable character and hero. But in the last two books he is pushed to the background and we hardly see him. We read that he and Abby "love" each other so much. But there is absolutely no basis for their deep love. Are we supposed to believe that him seeing her once, briefly, in some dark dungeon is the foundation for his "deep" love for her?!
I kept waiting to read about how Dante met and got to know Abby in his time, before he was imprisoned and went through the door. I kept hoping we would see how Dante fell in love with Abby there so that we could understand his devotion to her in her time period. I kept waiting for the kiss that would happen to explain why Dante told Abby she was the one that taught him how to kiss her. But in the end I was disappointed and left with a sense of what should have been.
In the end this was a forgettable and unremarkable series because I was not attached to any of the characters.
The "magic" didn't quite feel real because there were almost no limitations to the magic. Limitations and rules that govern magic are what make the magic believable. But Zo seemed to be able to do anything and go anywhere. Whereas, the others characters were inept, confused or stuck in some ambiguous part of the bank.
Which leads me to my biggest frustration with these series... the complete failure to develop Dante as a character. Dante had the potential to be the most interesting and lovable character and hero. But in the last two books he is pushed to the background and we hardly see him. We read that he and Abby "love" each other so much. But there is absolutely no basis for their deep love. Are we supposed to believe that him seeing her once, briefly, in some dark dungeon is the foundation for his "deep" love for her?!
I kept waiting to read about how Dante met and got to know Abby in his time, before he was imprisoned and went through the door. I kept hoping we would see how Dante fell in love with Abby there so that we could understand his devotion to her in her time period. I kept waiting for the kiss that would happen to explain why Dante told Abby she was the one that taught him how to kiss her. But in the end I was disappointed and left with a sense of what should have been.
In the end this was a forgettable and unremarkable series because I was not attached to any of the characters.
September 6, 2012
Ok this needs to be 3.5 stars. She didn't tie in everything. This book was action packed and it was a page turner. It had to be, it had to follow the first two books, or this last book would be boring and it was anything but that.
Yes Abby and Dante saved the world along with family and friends but what happen to Leo, and Valerie? How did they moved on with their lives?
I felt like she changed some things like in the first book The Hourglass Door Dante said that he had a lover and her name was Sophie. Now in this book Sophie is the name of his daughter? That was a problem for me. Next who was this Giovanni that was mentioned in The Golden Spiral? When did he go through the Time Machine? Was that part about how to developed photographs the old way was something she through in just to make The Golden Spiral a bigger book, there wasn't a real point to that, or did she deliberately changed some of her rules?
I loved how she wrote Zo's character; brilliant. He is possibly the best antagonist that was ever written. Valerie's character was also brilliantly written. Showing her one way, then having her loose sanity. Valerie's new character, her insane character was just brilliant!
I didn't liked the love triangle. At the end of this book Mangum had a choice, she could have let Valerie stay with Leo in the past. Leo and Valerie was forming an attachment, but she chose to keep them friends, little disappointed there, but not much.
I also didn't understand why Dante and Abby would throw-a-way his heart. It was his heart, so why throw it in the river, that was just stupid.
Yes Abby and Dante saved the world along with family and friends but what happen to Leo, and Valerie? How did they moved on with their lives?
I felt like she changed some things like in the first book The Hourglass Door Dante said that he had a lover and her name was Sophie. Now in this book Sophie is the name of his daughter? That was a problem for me. Next who was this Giovanni that was mentioned in The Golden Spiral? When did he go through the Time Machine? Was that part about how to developed photographs the old way was something she through in just to make The Golden Spiral a bigger book, there wasn't a real point to that, or did she deliberately changed some of her rules?
I loved how she wrote Zo's character; brilliant. He is possibly the best antagonist that was ever written. Valerie's character was also brilliantly written. Showing her one way, then having her loose sanity. Valerie's new character, her insane character was just brilliant!
I didn't liked the love triangle. At the end of this book Mangum had a choice, she could have let Valerie stay with Leo in the past. Leo and Valerie was forming an attachment, but she chose to keep them friends, little disappointed there, but not much.
I also didn't understand why Dante and Abby would throw-a-way his heart. It was his heart, so why throw it in the river, that was just stupid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2011
To be fair, I was interested enough in this book to read it pretty quickly. However, I had to stifle my laughs and eye rolls as I read it. The writing attempts to be more important than the story warrants, with a staccato, poetry-like style that is difficult to get past. The constant metaphors for "darkness" and "pain" are distracting ("as dark as eyes closed as midnight", or "...a sharp pain racing from my hip to my ankle, like someone had stretched a rubber band next to my bone and then lit it on fire.") What??
Additionally, after reading the entire trilogy, I STILL don't understand all the business with the "river of time" and the "bank" and how some people are "tied to the bank" and others can't go through the "black door" again. It's very convoluted, and never seems to be explained very well. And the things that Abby is able to do with time in this book? Let's just say that you'll really have to use your imagination to see how that is supposed to work.
It's an interesting concept, but a disappointing read.
Additionally, after reading the entire trilogy, I STILL don't understand all the business with the "river of time" and the "bank" and how some people are "tied to the bank" and others can't go through the "black door" again. It's very convoluted, and never seems to be explained very well. And the things that Abby is able to do with time in this book? Let's just say that you'll really have to use your imagination to see how that is supposed to work.
It's an interesting concept, but a disappointing read.
September 6, 2011
Lisa's a wonderful writer. She can truly weave magic with words and, in many places both in this concluding volume and "The Golden Spiral" before, I enjoyed the poetry of her prose.
However, I found the plot dragging in this volume, as well as in "The Golden Spiral," and sensed that she was grabbing to remain in control of the whole time travel element. I would be very surprised if she outlined this whole series in advance, because it really began to seem as if she was making it up as she went along...having to explain away every new development in their time travel. It didn't seem as if she had all the rules down from the beginning for this "world."
Also, sometimes the romance seemed way overdone (as in "Twilight"). However, I'll be the first to admit that romance is just not my thing and that I'm probably in the minority among women when it comes to that. Still, I loved the fact that we finally got to go to Italy, even if it didn't seem to be for very long. And I look forward to her next project because, as I said, she can really write!
However, I found the plot dragging in this volume, as well as in "The Golden Spiral," and sensed that she was grabbing to remain in control of the whole time travel element. I would be very surprised if she outlined this whole series in advance, because it really began to seem as if she was making it up as she went along...having to explain away every new development in their time travel. It didn't seem as if she had all the rules down from the beginning for this "world."
Also, sometimes the romance seemed way overdone (as in "Twilight"). However, I'll be the first to admit that romance is just not my thing and that I'm probably in the minority among women when it comes to that. Still, I loved the fact that we finally got to go to Italy, even if it didn't seem to be for very long. And I look forward to her next project because, as I said, she can really write!
November 22, 2011
SPOILER . . . Even though I liked the book . . . there were several irritating parts to it.
The constant reference to how confusing time can be - yeah, we get it, you are in multiple places at once. If we can follow the story of several characters being doubled up, why can't they just follow their own?
The fact that even though they looked down the river (Dante's gift??) . . . they couldn't see what Zo saw? To be able to plan ahead like he did?
And the ever obvious ... If Zo could go back in time (as a Time Master) and obliterate/change upcoming events to obliterate people/change history . . . Why can't Dante(also a Time Master)? Couldn't Dante have just gone back to Zo's cell and killed him before he went into the machine? Then Abby could appear before Dante, he goes into the machine . . . and all is well. Right? But it seems many times authors never go for the obvious, maybe cause they don't see it . . . or maybe because they need to make the story last longer.
But . . . I still appreciate the story as a nice read and would recommend it.
The constant reference to how confusing time can be - yeah, we get it, you are in multiple places at once. If we can follow the story of several characters being doubled up, why can't they just follow their own?
The fact that even though they looked down the river (Dante's gift??) . . . they couldn't see what Zo saw? To be able to plan ahead like he did?
And the ever obvious ... If Zo could go back in time (as a Time Master) and obliterate/change upcoming events to obliterate people/change history . . . Why can't Dante(also a Time Master)? Couldn't Dante have just gone back to Zo's cell and killed him before he went into the machine? Then Abby could appear before Dante, he goes into the machine . . . and all is well. Right? But it seems many times authors never go for the obvious, maybe cause they don't see it . . . or maybe because they need to make the story last longer.
But . . . I still appreciate the story as a nice read and would recommend it.
July 1, 2011
I'm not even sure how I feel about this book. I read it because I was interested in seeing how it all panned out and in hopes that things made sense to me at the end. It really didn't. There is all this talk about closing the loop and preserving time but in the end they actually had to do this far flung thing to do it that made no sense.
I still don't understand how the bank/river work and how exactly they get to and from these places and why they can't just jump into the river at all and travel wherever the want... I know this has something to do with being a "master of time" but that also didn't make sense to me.
In the end because this book deals with time and time travel I just don't think there were any rules laid out and things could change from one moment to the next. And since I don't believe any of the characters understood what was happening everyone was just making things up as they go.
I still don't understand how the bank/river work and how exactly they get to and from these places and why they can't just jump into the river at all and travel wherever the want... I know this has something to do with being a "master of time" but that also didn't make sense to me.
In the end because this book deals with time and time travel I just don't think there were any rules laid out and things could change from one moment to the next. And since I don't believe any of the characters understood what was happening everyone was just making things up as they go.
July 23, 2011
OMFG. GAHHHHHHHH THE FORGOTTEN LOCKET BY LISA MANGUM WAS SO FING GOODDDDDD ive been obsessed with it.... i read this book in one day cuz i literally could not put down the book. everytime i wanted to go do something, i just couldnt stop reading cuz it was just intense chapter by chapter... i read the hour glass door 4 times (more than twilight which is pretty suprising) the golden spiral 2 times cuz im currently re reading it to read the forgotten locket another itme.. maybe its just me but the book was kinda confusing.. but stil TOTALLY AWESOME! I LOVE YOU LISA MANGUM FOR WRITING SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SERIES... damn.. i want a hot italian boyfriend.. from the past... o.O lol usually i dont do reviews on here a lot unless i really really like the book... so i think my opinion is clear.. lol i love love love love love it. :DDDDD
August 31, 2011
So....I think the author actually wanted to be a poet. But I struggle with poetry.
This whole book, I was suffocating. I was waiting to burst through the top of the smoke into reality where the story would actually start. My head was filled with clouds or spider webs and I was digging my way through, wondering when I could breathe fresh air again. (that's as poetic as I get)
How many things could go wrong before we got to the point? What in the world are they actually trying to accomplish? Is there a plan? No....just random wandering in a dream world until suddenly, they just know the answer and everything ends happily ever after.
I liked the series in general. But, it just all got a little too...beautiful....for me.
This whole book, I was suffocating. I was waiting to burst through the top of the smoke into reality where the story would actually start. My head was filled with clouds or spider webs and I was digging my way through, wondering when I could breathe fresh air again. (that's as poetic as I get)
How many things could go wrong before we got to the point? What in the world are they actually trying to accomplish? Is there a plan? No....just random wandering in a dream world until suddenly, they just know the answer and everything ends happily ever after.
I liked the series in general. But, it just all got a little too...beautiful....for me.
May 31, 2011
More like a 3.5. I enjoyed the book and probably would have enjoyed it more if I had reread the second book before starting this one. The book was action packed and it did tie back to many of the things from the first 2 books. However, keeping all of the time traveling stuff straight did get confusing at times. Also, I didn't like how the story ended (or didn't end) for Orlando. He obviously fell in love with Abby and was then forced to wait 500 years for his brother to show up so that Orlando could watch them fall in love - LAME! And then, once he is no longer tied to the bank, you don't hear anything more about him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2017
A happy ending! I love it when everything works out in the end. I wasn't positive that it all would end up ok. Our hero was in peril for most of this book, and it seemed that the villain had the upper hand. But our heroine... nothing can stop her! At one point she looked at all of the work ahead of her to defeat the bad guy and put everything to rights, and she broke down. She lost faith for a minute because it seemed to be an insurmountable mountain to climb, but the consequences of her giving up were too much to pay. I thought that it was a really great life lesson. Even though this is a work of fiction, and I doubt that anyone will ever have to hunt down a bad guy that is intent on destroying time, I think it is definitely something worth teaching. No matter how dull the immediate future looks, no matter how much work it's going to take, it will be worth it in the end. You have to put in the work to make your future better. Great lesson, and great story! Five out of five stars to The Forgotten Locket!
August 10, 2021
The amount of times I wanted to throw this book out the window is unreal. But here we are still alive(unlike one character). Also freakin Orlandooooo! What a sweet bean❤
Love this series, kinda sad this was the last one but it was a perfect ending!
Love this series, kinda sad this was the last one but it was a perfect ending!
August 31, 2019
While this was an amazing finish to the series, the thing that popped into my mind first was that Abby cried WAY too much in this book. Other than that, I really and truly loved it 🖤
July 4, 2023
1.75 stars. 😑
March 24, 2024
A good series for a preteen reader.
August 24, 2015
For the record, I'm rating this a 3.8. Read below to see why.
As the last of the Hourglass trilogy, The Forgotten Locket does much to satisfy the readers as well as it can. It starts immediately after Abby steps through the door in The Golden Spiral. She lands in Italy right at the moment where Orlando steps onto the bank the very first time. Abby, Orlando/Leo, Dante, and Valerie all come together in a whirlwind of adventure to stop Zo, the psychopath musician who wants to control time or destroy it.
Long story short, I feel like The Forgotten Locket wasn't as good as the Golden Spiral, and I think I know why. In The Golden Spiral, I was amazed and glad to see Mangum develop Abby's character into a brave protagonist. She wasn't a weak rag doll who cried 25/8 in the absence of her supernatural boyfriend. However, in this book, Dante is back. Despite how much I love toe-curling romantic scenes (clean but still sweet) between the two, I'd gotten used to reading Abby the solo protagonist. I actually prefer it that way. Also, to be nitpicky, . Actually, the end was a little difficult to swallow, but I think that was just me being a fangirl. I think the ending was, in a way, satisfying to end this trilogy but also bittersweet.
There were good things to mention. The Forgotten Locket was better than The Hourglass Door but not as good as to warrant a 4 star rating. I liked the setting here. For the most part, the entire book was placed in Italy during the time of beautiful paintings, courtly romances, and Leonardo da Vinci. I loved the development of Orlando, who eventually becomes Leo five hundred years later. We finally learn the secret behind his enigmatic behavior in the present and why he calls Abby his "lady of the light." Again, I loved to see how Mangum fused all the clues dropped by Leo in The Hourglass Door and brought them forward into this book. We also got a lot more of the bank and the door and how everything was going to pieces. Zo was the perfect villain; you wanted to shoot his face every time he was in the picture, but you also found his parts in the book to be the most interesting, where the most action and adventure takes place. I still have a hard time imagining the bank and the river, but I think that's just my tendency to gloss over important details.
Overall, it was a nice ending to the trilogy. It had a perfect balance of those sweet scenes between Dante and Abby and the heated action involving Zo and the river. But something just seemed a little off to me. I was left a little disappointed by the end. However, the series itself, IMO, is still an underrated fantasy series. If anything, I would recommend it for a person not looking to seriously commit to a series but still wants to be entertained.
As the last of the Hourglass trilogy, The Forgotten Locket does much to satisfy the readers as well as it can. It starts immediately after Abby steps through the door in The Golden Spiral. She lands in Italy right at the moment where Orlando steps onto the bank the very first time. Abby, Orlando/Leo, Dante, and Valerie all come together in a whirlwind of adventure to stop Zo, the psychopath musician who wants to control time or destroy it.
Long story short, I feel like The Forgotten Locket wasn't as good as the Golden Spiral, and I think I know why. In The Golden Spiral, I was amazed and glad to see Mangum develop Abby's character into a brave protagonist. She wasn't a weak rag doll who cried 25/8 in the absence of her supernatural boyfriend. However, in this book, Dante is back. Despite how much I love toe-curling romantic scenes (clean but still sweet) between the two, I'd gotten used to reading Abby the solo protagonist. I actually prefer it that way. Also, to be nitpicky, . Actually, the end was a little difficult to swallow, but I think that was just me being a fangirl. I think the ending was, in a way, satisfying to end this trilogy but also bittersweet.
There were good things to mention. The Forgotten Locket was better than The Hourglass Door but not as good as to warrant a 4 star rating. I liked the setting here. For the most part, the entire book was placed in Italy during the time of beautiful paintings, courtly romances, and Leonardo da Vinci. I loved the development of Orlando, who eventually becomes Leo five hundred years later. We finally learn the secret behind his enigmatic behavior in the present and why he calls Abby his "lady of the light." Again, I loved to see how Mangum fused all the clues dropped by Leo in The Hourglass Door and brought them forward into this book. We also got a lot more of the bank and the door and how everything was going to pieces. Zo was the perfect villain; you wanted to shoot his face every time he was in the picture, but you also found his parts in the book to be the most interesting, where the most action and adventure takes place. I still have a hard time imagining the bank and the river, but I think that's just my tendency to gloss over important details.
Overall, it was a nice ending to the trilogy. It had a perfect balance of those sweet scenes between Dante and Abby and the heated action involving Zo and the river. But something just seemed a little off to me. I was left a little disappointed by the end. However, the series itself, IMO, is still an underrated fantasy series. If anything, I would recommend it for a person not looking to seriously commit to a series but still wants to be entertained.
September 8, 2011
I gave this book three stars, not because it wasn't great, but because I began to have a seriously problem with the unraveling and turning of the plotline. Personal taste, totally subjective, but again, I am a logically-driven person. If it's too far away from anything resembling logic (this was) then I have trouble thoroughly enjoying it. I sincerely hope Mangum will write something a *little* more mainstream next. I hope she stays in fantasy as she is fabulous, but this book, well, I felt like the first 3/4 of the setting was in the same room in the Apothecary shop. It felt so stagnant, even though plenty happened. I think the whole story was extremely ambitious for a first-time writer and I applaud her efforts.
The other thing that put a huge damper on my ability to enjoy this book, was the way she resolved it in the end. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't appreciate the "all-magical mysterious time power" of Abby's that magically fixed everything in the end. There are about 100 other ways that I could have thought to fix the story that didn't involve inventing something pinch-hit-like at the end. To name a few:
1. DO SOMETHING TO ZO'S PAST. If he can kill Dante back in time, why can't Abby do the same to Zo's past? If not she herself, have DANTE do it!? So silly. This was the #1 obvious choice on fixing the timeline. But whatever.
2. PREVENT ZO GOING THROUGH THE DOOR THE SECOND TIME. This was still never EVER logically explained away. Why it was better to have him GO through the door. I mean, come on, if you're going to write a time book, what is the point of a time travel story if you CAN'T go back in time and change anything. Change Dante getting blinded, Change V getting killed by Zo... THERE'S SO MUCH to fix and change that she never even threw that in as a possibility. Yes they went back in time, but they changed things by accident and as the opportunity arose--not due to intention.
So.. inevitably, she painted her plot into a corner and the only way out was Abby's magical powers. Uh huh. I can't express enough my disappointment. I really wish she would have explained better how one determines WHEN in time one travels when going through the door. It was implied that this was done through the Roman Numeral tattoos on the wrists. But Abby never had those tattoos. Perhaps that was why she went to the beginning of when the door was built, but she didn't exactly, she only went as far back as when Orlando RETURNED through the door--how he did that we never found out either.
In the end, I found this a very engaging, interesting read, but the 2nd two books were so irritating to me that I don't intend to read them again. I think I will quite enjoy reading Book 1 again now that I know the entire story. Extremely creative no doubt, but time travel suggests logical puzzles that CAN'T be solved. I should've known better.
Oh yeah.. and the title was totally silly. Has absolutely nothing to do with the mass of the book. A better title would've been something like "Fixing the River" or "Murky River" or "The Unraveling Bank" or "Closing the Loop."
The other thing that put a huge damper on my ability to enjoy this book, was the way she resolved it in the end. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't appreciate the "all-magical mysterious time power" of Abby's that magically fixed everything in the end. There are about 100 other ways that I could have thought to fix the story that didn't involve inventing something pinch-hit-like at the end. To name a few:
1. DO SOMETHING TO ZO'S PAST. If he can kill Dante back in time, why can't Abby do the same to Zo's past? If not she herself, have DANTE do it!? So silly. This was the #1 obvious choice on fixing the timeline. But whatever.
2. PREVENT ZO GOING THROUGH THE DOOR THE SECOND TIME. This was still never EVER logically explained away. Why it was better to have him GO through the door. I mean, come on, if you're going to write a time book, what is the point of a time travel story if you CAN'T go back in time and change anything. Change Dante getting blinded, Change V getting killed by Zo... THERE'S SO MUCH to fix and change that she never even threw that in as a possibility. Yes they went back in time, but they changed things by accident and as the opportunity arose--not due to intention.
So.. inevitably, she painted her plot into a corner and the only way out was Abby's magical powers. Uh huh. I can't express enough my disappointment. I really wish she would have explained better how one determines WHEN in time one travels when going through the door. It was implied that this was done through the Roman Numeral tattoos on the wrists. But Abby never had those tattoos. Perhaps that was why she went to the beginning of when the door was built, but she didn't exactly, she only went as far back as when Orlando RETURNED through the door--how he did that we never found out either.
In the end, I found this a very engaging, interesting read, but the 2nd two books were so irritating to me that I don't intend to read them again. I think I will quite enjoy reading Book 1 again now that I know the entire story. Extremely creative no doubt, but time travel suggests logical puzzles that CAN'T be solved. I should've known better.
Oh yeah.. and the title was totally silly. Has absolutely nothing to do with the mass of the book. A better title would've been something like "Fixing the River" or "Murky River" or "The Unraveling Bank" or "Closing the Loop."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2011
The Hourglass Door Trilogy has slowly become one of those series I couldn't wait to read the next book in. When I read the first novel, The Hourglass Door, I was a little taken aback. I loved the characters and the plot but there were some elements, mainly the time traveling and river, that left me a little confused.
Jump ahead to the second book, The Golden Spiral, and things really picked up. There was action, adventure, and the characters continued to grow and develop right before my eyes. The one downside? It ended in a cliffhanger and like every fantasy reader cliffhangers just make me want to read the next book immediately.
So now, we've come to the end of the Hourglass Door Trilogy and I have to say that The Forgotten Locket is the perfect ending to a wonderful and amazing series.
Lisa Mangum absolutely knows how to take a story, develop it right before your eyes and wrap it up with no loose ends. Everything that I loved about the previous two books, mainly the characterizations and plot line, continued throughout The Forgotten Locket. Abby, Dante, Zo and Valerie continued to become fleshed out characters that are multi-dimensional. So many authors get wrapped up in ending the series that they forget to let the characters continue to grow. Luckily for readers, Lisa Mangum seized the opportunity to let her characters grow while finishing the series.
The Forgotten Locket is just as much a page turner as the previous books in the series. However, I did start to feel the novel drag a little towards the end but this could be because things were wrapping up and the plot was starting to come full circle.
One of the elements that I was still a little confused about, the river of time, really did come together in the end. After reading all three books it makes sense. It still might be a little confusing if you just take it at face value in the first or second book, but when you put all three together it just fits.
While I really enjoyed the characters and plot development, what I absolutely loved about The Forgotten Locket was the way that Lisa Mangum tied everything together. Little clues that were dropped in previous novels are brought back and explained in further detail. I thought this was a nice touch and a great way to acknowledge the previous novels without rehashing everything for the readers.
Overall, I thought this was a perfect way to end the series. In fact, I couldn't think of a better way to end it if I had written it. There was just the right blend of sweet romance between Abby and Dante, and heart pounding action between Dante, Zo and Abby.
I really believe that because this series bares the stigma of "YA romance/fantasy" it is overlooked by many people who would enjoy it. Lisa Mangum is an amazingly gifted author who really hit the fantasy scene with an outstanding debut. While the door for this series comes to a close, I really can't wait to see what new door opens for Lisa Mangum as I am almost certain that this will not be the last we hear from her.
Jump ahead to the second book, The Golden Spiral, and things really picked up. There was action, adventure, and the characters continued to grow and develop right before my eyes. The one downside? It ended in a cliffhanger and like every fantasy reader cliffhangers just make me want to read the next book immediately.
So now, we've come to the end of the Hourglass Door Trilogy and I have to say that The Forgotten Locket is the perfect ending to a wonderful and amazing series.
Lisa Mangum absolutely knows how to take a story, develop it right before your eyes and wrap it up with no loose ends. Everything that I loved about the previous two books, mainly the characterizations and plot line, continued throughout The Forgotten Locket. Abby, Dante, Zo and Valerie continued to become fleshed out characters that are multi-dimensional. So many authors get wrapped up in ending the series that they forget to let the characters continue to grow. Luckily for readers, Lisa Mangum seized the opportunity to let her characters grow while finishing the series.
The Forgotten Locket is just as much a page turner as the previous books in the series. However, I did start to feel the novel drag a little towards the end but this could be because things were wrapping up and the plot was starting to come full circle.
One of the elements that I was still a little confused about, the river of time, really did come together in the end. After reading all three books it makes sense. It still might be a little confusing if you just take it at face value in the first or second book, but when you put all three together it just fits.
While I really enjoyed the characters and plot development, what I absolutely loved about The Forgotten Locket was the way that Lisa Mangum tied everything together. Little clues that were dropped in previous novels are brought back and explained in further detail. I thought this was a nice touch and a great way to acknowledge the previous novels without rehashing everything for the readers.
Overall, I thought this was a perfect way to end the series. In fact, I couldn't think of a better way to end it if I had written it. There was just the right blend of sweet romance between Abby and Dante, and heart pounding action between Dante, Zo and Abby.
I really believe that because this series bares the stigma of "YA romance/fantasy" it is overlooked by many people who would enjoy it. Lisa Mangum is an amazingly gifted author who really hit the fantasy scene with an outstanding debut. While the door for this series comes to a close, I really can't wait to see what new door opens for Lisa Mangum as I am almost certain that this will not be the last we hear from her.
June 6, 2011
Absolutely amazing!! I have loved this story from the first book. It just keeps getting better and better with each book, if that's possible. I love the premise of the story, time travel through a time machine made by Da Vinci, brilliant! The world that Mrs. Mangum creates on the bank of the river and the river it's self was wonderful. I could picture this amazing river, flowing and rumbling with the pictures of time. Now however the river of time is in danger and Abby, and Dante need to heal it and close the circle of time. This final book in the Hour Glass series takes us on the complex journey of saving time, and all the things that our favorite characters; Abby, Dante, Orlando,Val, Lorenzo(not so favorite/with wrong goals in mind, he is a great villain I have to admit) will go through and what sacrifices they will make to accomplish their goals. From the first page I was riveted and so anxious this story just plows through were it left off. I love Abby and Dante's love and caring nature for each other, the author does a great job showing us how much they love and care for each other. Abby is still that strong and vivacious, girl willing to do what ever to save those she loves. Dante is strong, confident, amazing, and gentle with Abby so swoon worthy. They have the love that dreams are made of. Orlando was great in this story too, and some things are revealed to help round out his character and fill in the lope holes or questions I had about him. Great description throughout story as well felt like I was there for all these wonderful and anxious moments that happend. I am actually sad to leave these characters that I enjoyed so much! I loved how it all ended,it was wonderful! Thanks Lisa for such an amazing journey through the Hourglass Door!
language o
Romance clean
language o
Romance clean
August 1, 2011
Reading the final book of this series was like going on a long awaited vacation - you plan for it, you wait, you enjoy every minute it, and then when it's almost over [if you're like me...] you start to get a little sad and a bit depressed because it's coming to an end! I almost didn't want to finish the last few chapters because I didn't want it to be done - yeah, so I'm a dork!
I have enjoyed the development of the story over the course of the three books. One of my favorite characters is still Valerie - she is crazy, but 'sees' what others can't or don't. I enjoyed meeting the young Leo/Orlando. I am always amazed at authors who are able to weave storylines and characters throughout a series of books so well that while you are reading you keep saying, "What does that mean? Why did they do that? Etc...", but after reading the series everything makes sense and my questions are answered. I tend to read neurotically and have a hard time waiting for things to make sense. I actually wrote the author after The Hourglass Door and listed my questions. She was sweet enough to write back and basically say, "Be patient, they will be answered later." [Although my original questions about the dates on their wrist not being correct is still off - but not mentioned in the subsequent books]
There was a couple of moments during the book that I thought, "Hmmm, this is weird/confusing", and I quickly read over it to get to the next part. I still think that the second is my favorite, but I was glad that as The Forgotten Locket ended it felt finished.
Good Job, first time author, Lisa Mangum. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!!
I have enjoyed the development of the story over the course of the three books. One of my favorite characters is still Valerie - she is crazy, but 'sees' what others can't or don't. I enjoyed meeting the young Leo/Orlando. I am always amazed at authors who are able to weave storylines and characters throughout a series of books so well that while you are reading you keep saying, "What does that mean? Why did they do that? Etc...", but after reading the series everything makes sense and my questions are answered. I tend to read neurotically and have a hard time waiting for things to make sense. I actually wrote the author after The Hourglass Door and listed my questions. She was sweet enough to write back and basically say, "Be patient, they will be answered later." [Although my original questions about the dates on their wrist not being correct is still off - but not mentioned in the subsequent books]
There was a couple of moments during the book that I thought, "Hmmm, this is weird/confusing", and I quickly read over it to get to the next part. I still think that the second is my favorite, but I was glad that as The Forgotten Locket ended it felt finished.
Good Job, first time author, Lisa Mangum. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!!
February 1, 2015
As with most series I have been reading lately, I feel the last one isn't nearly as good as the first.
There were some major problems for me in this book, though. First, I felt like she did some foreshadowing in the first two books that were never answer in the final book. For instance, why spend so much time and heavy emphasis on taking pictures to preserve time in the second book when it barely receives one or two lines of attention in the 3rd book. Also, she kept mentioning Sofia int he first two books. All that came out of that is a one-liner that indicates Sofia is a future daughter. What's with that?
Because these books were so different, I really felt like I was reading after-thought sequels rather than one compelling story that was broken into three different books. The books had the same characters and kind of the same story, but the plots were so vastly different. It seems to me that she thought up the stories as she went along rather than knowing the whole plot line at the beginning. That leads to very disjointed work.
If authors insist on writing sequels, they still need to do the work of making one complete story line before they ever publish the first book.
There were some major problems for me in this book, though. First, I felt like she did some foreshadowing in the first two books that were never answer in the final book. For instance, why spend so much time and heavy emphasis on taking pictures to preserve time in the second book when it barely receives one or two lines of attention in the 3rd book. Also, she kept mentioning Sofia int he first two books. All that came out of that is a one-liner that indicates Sofia is a future daughter. What's with that?
Because these books were so different, I really felt like I was reading after-thought sequels rather than one compelling story that was broken into three different books. The books had the same characters and kind of the same story, but the plots were so vastly different. It seems to me that she thought up the stories as she went along rather than knowing the whole plot line at the beginning. That leads to very disjointed work.
If authors insist on writing sequels, they still need to do the work of making one complete story line before they ever publish the first book.
October 12, 2015
This book had so much wrong with it, I'm not sure where to start. But I feel that a one-star rating deserves some explanation, so here are a few of the lowlights:
- A plot that runs in meandering circles with no sense of momentum or direction
- A main character that seems to lose personality as the series goes on instead of develop one
- A villain that is seemingly all-powerful, but spends most of his time in clichéd evil banter
- A world and system of supernatural that is confusing and inconsistent
- A hero that is nauseatingly perfect
- Numberless descriptions of long looks and special kisses
- The unexplainable tendency of everyone to fall in love with the main character
- A writing style that lacks emotional connection or clear direction
I know many people have rated this book much higher, and I'm sorry to be so harsh. I can only understand your rating if I assume that it's been so long since you read a good book you've forgotten what it's like. Please take the time to read something wonderful, and then you'll stop hating me for this review.
- A plot that runs in meandering circles with no sense of momentum or direction
- A main character that seems to lose personality as the series goes on instead of develop one
- A villain that is seemingly all-powerful, but spends most of his time in clichéd evil banter
- A world and system of supernatural that is confusing and inconsistent
- A hero that is nauseatingly perfect
- Numberless descriptions of long looks and special kisses
- The unexplainable tendency of everyone to fall in love with the main character
- A writing style that lacks emotional connection or clear direction
I know many people have rated this book much higher, and I'm sorry to be so harsh. I can only understand your rating if I assume that it's been so long since you read a good book you've forgotten what it's like. Please take the time to read something wonderful, and then you'll stop hating me for this review.
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