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Starry Child #2
Circle of Time
The lone survivor of a plane crash in Scotland journey's through time into the past, where he uncovers the keys to his wife's and daughter's happiness, a secret that leads his daughter on an epic quest in search of her destiny. Original.
313 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 5, 2022
When I started reading this I had no idea that it was book 2 in a series. It didn't really matter as I was quickly hooked on the story and style. I wasn't too far in before I ordered books 1 and 3 because I knew that I would want the whole story. It is a book that delves into legend of Vikings and fairies and more. I loved the characters who quickly became familiar friends. There is quite a bit of Gaelic in the story and I found myself looking for online pronunciation tools to help with that. My Gaelic speaking grandfather would have been delighted! I would have loved a glossary with phonetic pronunciation. I think that had I read this in sequence I might have given it 5 stars but as a stand alone there were a few places where a bit more background might have been helpful. I see I started reading this way back in 2018 though I don't think I could have read far. This year it was a quick read for me because I didn't want to put it down!
May 5, 2012
Although I enjoyed Circle of Time, I enjoyed The Starry Child more. The ending leaves you hanging ready for the third book, however I have search and search with no luck of a third book which was to be out in the Fall 2011. I am hoping this is just a delay and the third book will be out soon.
December 9, 2017
Intense, mystical & amazing! Matt finds himself in great danger, but the women he loves most come to his rescue with a new friend in Kyle. Wonderful addition to an awesome series! Kept me up all night!
September 21, 2013
My review of this novel is going to be a bit different from almost all the other reviews thus far. Most people apparently loved this novel, but I didn't. Having read this novel right after the first in the series, I was a little disappointed. I found it to be somewhat formulaic, compared against The Starry Child. The writing itself was fine, but the content just wasn't as strong. For those who don't like any plot elements revealed, there are spoilers ahead.
By formulaic, I mean many elements of this book are almost identical to the first book. For one, there seems to be just one type of relationship that Hanna writes: girl meets boy; girl dislikes boy (sometimes for no apparent/logical reason); boy simultaneously falls immediately in love and can think of nothing but having his way with her and spending the rest of his life with her because she's the most amazing woman ever; girl finally realizes she's madly in love and needs boy and they make a lifelong commitment after having known each other for only a few days. This happened with Rainey and Matt, and in this novel, with Sasha and Kyle. It wasn't believable the first time, and definitely wasn't the second. Even Emma and Malcolm practically fell in love at first sight.
Other ways it's the same as the Starry Child: 1. young characters miraculously begin speaking ancient languages (in this case, Carrie can speak ancient Norse, while Sasha spoke ancient Gaelic; how Carrie can speak Norse, or even why she in particular needs it is never revealed and is one of my pet peeves throughout the book); 2. the family is connected to and partially reenacts yet another legend/myth (although this one is Norse as opposed to Celtic); 3. the youngest family member is overly fond of the new male before anyone else (Carrie loves Kyle, like Sasha loved Matt, although Carrie admits to wanting Kyle to eventually marry her, while Sasha's love was familial); and 4. Rainey is still weak, needy, and annoying (not so formulaic as apparently just a part of her character - what Matt sees in her I will never know. I would have thought she'd gain some strength having learned she's the current reincarnation of an ancient queen.). While reading, I know I picked out more similarities, but I can't remember them all right now.
Anyways, I could carry on with why I didn't like this novel, but there are elements I did like, and I should get to those. The opening scenes, and almost all the scenes with Matt until he is reintroduced to Rainey are all quite interesting and were enjoyable sections to read. I also enjoyed the fairies again, and the legends that are presented. I wouldn't say they were as strong as the ones we met in The Starry Child, though. (And speaking of legends, I couldn't understand why a family so closely tied to an ancient legend wouldn't have tried to research it more (especially since Matt is a researcher at a university) and were instead schooled by Kyle about a story of Rainey's ancestral mother.)
Long story short, I probably won't be reading the next novel in this series (although other reviewers of Circle of Time have complained that they can't find it anywhere, so maybe it's not actually out yet).
By formulaic, I mean many elements of this book are almost identical to the first book. For one, there seems to be just one type of relationship that Hanna writes: girl meets boy; girl dislikes boy (sometimes for no apparent/logical reason); boy simultaneously falls immediately in love and can think of nothing but having his way with her and spending the rest of his life with her because she's the most amazing woman ever; girl finally realizes she's madly in love and needs boy and they make a lifelong commitment after having known each other for only a few days. This happened with Rainey and Matt, and in this novel, with Sasha and Kyle. It wasn't believable the first time, and definitely wasn't the second. Even Emma and Malcolm practically fell in love at first sight.
Other ways it's the same as the Starry Child: 1. young characters miraculously begin speaking ancient languages (in this case, Carrie can speak ancient Norse, while Sasha spoke ancient Gaelic; how Carrie can speak Norse, or even why she in particular needs it is never revealed and is one of my pet peeves throughout the book); 2. the family is connected to and partially reenacts yet another legend/myth (although this one is Norse as opposed to Celtic); 3. the youngest family member is overly fond of the new male before anyone else (Carrie loves Kyle, like Sasha loved Matt, although Carrie admits to wanting Kyle to eventually marry her, while Sasha's love was familial); and 4. Rainey is still weak, needy, and annoying (not so formulaic as apparently just a part of her character - what Matt sees in her I will never know. I would have thought she'd gain some strength having learned she's the current reincarnation of an ancient queen.). While reading, I know I picked out more similarities, but I can't remember them all right now.
Anyways, I could carry on with why I didn't like this novel, but there are elements I did like, and I should get to those. The opening scenes, and almost all the scenes with Matt until he is reintroduced to Rainey are all quite interesting and were enjoyable sections to read. I also enjoyed the fairies again, and the legends that are presented. I wouldn't say they were as strong as the ones we met in The Starry Child, though. (And speaking of legends, I couldn't understand why a family so closely tied to an ancient legend wouldn't have tried to research it more (especially since Matt is a researcher at a university) and were instead schooled by Kyle about a story of Rainey's ancestral mother.)
Long story short, I probably won't be reading the next novel in this series (although other reviewers of Circle of Time have complained that they can't find it anywhere, so maybe it's not actually out yet).
July 24, 2015
Just Finished #23 of the Home Library Project, 'Circle of Time' by Lynn Hanna.
I probably bought this 10 years ago in a used book sale when I was in my full Celtic thrall. I was probably drawn to the bit of tartan ribbon and image of a gold brooch covered in eternal knot patterns on the cover. I highly doubt it was the review 'A superb storyteller' from the Contra Costa Times (CA) next to it. (Where exactly is Contra Costa?)
The book, second in a trilogy, is a hot mess of Celtic myth and romance, including characters who were born in the US but can inexplicably speak Gaelic, fairies, selkies, possession by ancient Viking spirits, a plane crash, an orphan suddenly inheriting riches from an unknown father. And more hoo hah. Much, much more.
It was a load of tosh, but I couldn't stop reading and snorting at the ridiculousness of it. I may even try to find the final installment one day.
There's no accounting for taste.
I probably bought this 10 years ago in a used book sale when I was in my full Celtic thrall. I was probably drawn to the bit of tartan ribbon and image of a gold brooch covered in eternal knot patterns on the cover. I highly doubt it was the review 'A superb storyteller' from the Contra Costa Times (CA) next to it. (Where exactly is Contra Costa?)
The book, second in a trilogy, is a hot mess of Celtic myth and romance, including characters who were born in the US but can inexplicably speak Gaelic, fairies, selkies, possession by ancient Viking spirits, a plane crash, an orphan suddenly inheriting riches from an unknown father. And more hoo hah. Much, much more.
It was a load of tosh, but I couldn't stop reading and snorting at the ridiculousness of it. I may even try to find the final installment one day.
There's no accounting for taste.
September 15, 2010
It really got into the story fast and kept you wishing for more right up until 3/4's through the book. Then it stopped and took a bend in the road of the story. It takes a bit to get back too where you were to begin with but the ending left me wanting to read the next book in the series.
July 11, 2011
I found this to be a delightful quick read. The blending of time and worlds was very interesting, with the historical aspect making the story seem all the more real. The characters were enjoyable, though I wish we had more time to really get to know them. Lots of fun and adventure!
April 7, 2010
I had the privlige of meeting the lovely Lynn Hanna in 1999 at which time I purchased this book. A wonderful story of a family involving the past and the present.
November 4, 2010
Meh. I think you'd really needed to read the previous book in the series to enjoy this one.
February 26, 2012
Good sequel to The Starry Child. Looking forward to the next installment.
June 16, 2012
I was disappointed :( the first book was so magical, however, the first 60% of this book was a boring waste! Finally the story kicked into gear but too late for my liking.
July 10, 2012
The book pulls you in fast, but falls short in the middle. Some of the magic from the first book is lost.
August 7, 2015
Great continuation on the first book. Sad to get to the end and find out the third book isn't out yet, and can't find any info on when/if it will be. Left me wanting to read more.
November 2, 2014
This and Starry Night by Lynn Hanna are 2 of the most beautiful, lyrical books I have ever read. I only hope that she writes many more books inthe future.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews