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Maiden of Time #3
Timeless
Time is the enemy.
In 1771, Alexia had everything: the man of her dreams, reconciliation with her father, even a child on the way. But she was never meant to stay. It broke her heart, but Alexia heeded destiny and traveled five hundred years back to stop the Soulless from becoming.
In the thirteenth century, the Holy Roman Church has ordered the Knights Templar to exterminate the Passionate, her bloodline. As Alexia fights this new threat—along with an unfathomable evil, and her own heart—the Soulless genesis nears. But none of her hard-won battles may matter if she dies in childbirth before completing her mission.
Can Alexia escape her own clock?
In 1771, Alexia had everything: the man of her dreams, reconciliation with her father, even a child on the way. But she was never meant to stay. It broke her heart, but Alexia heeded destiny and traveled five hundred years back to stop the Soulless from becoming.
In the thirteenth century, the Holy Roman Church has ordered the Knights Templar to exterminate the Passionate, her bloodline. As Alexia fights this new threat—along with an unfathomable evil, and her own heart—the Soulless genesis nears. But none of her hard-won battles may matter if she dies in childbirth before completing her mission.
Can Alexia escape her own clock?
254 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2016
1005 people want to read
About the author
Crystal Collier
5 books184 followersCrystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids. (The clean kind.) She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, five littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 18, 2016
I've read the other books in the trilogy and was looking forward to this final adventure. This is not a stand-alone, since the story and characters build on the happenings of the other books.
To stop the evil Soulless from existing, Alexia goes back 500 years in time, leaving the love of her life behind and knowing that she will not return. While searching/waiting for the moment to complete her mission, she finds herself leading her people as they attempt to survive eradication. When another world is discovered, one which guarantees a life of safety and peace, it might be the solution they all have dreamed for--if they can find a way to get there, that is.
The writing in this book immediately blew me away. The author does an amazing job of bringing the first battle scenes into beautiful harmony with the magical aspects, creating a deadly dance. Alexia has matured in so many ways, having little to do with the scared girl she was in book one. Her self-assured attitude carries so much strength that the power radiates from her, making her a
true heroine. As the plot thickens, doubt creeps in but that's exactly what she needs to make her sympathetic. The emotions come across clearly, drawing in until every tear, smile and heart-breaking defeat is tangible.
The romance is quite a clever twist. Of course, Alexia has one love in her life, but the author still finds a way to bring the tension back as if there were a first love all over again. Some moments became a bit repetitive and the reasoning behind secrets grew thin, but not enough to ruin the increasing tension. The hero is as wonderful as before, even when both don't see eye to eye.
Emotional scenes are packed in between action packed battles and layers of intrigue. There's never a boring moment as one threat after the other rolls in, promising a demise. The evil side is easy to dislike and digs in like a knife. Every victory is coated with defeat, making this a story not to put down until the last page. Only toward the end did the situation grow a little fuzzy around the edges. But the last scene is as epic as it has to be, placing an end to a lovely trilogy.
I received an ARC from the author.
To stop the evil Soulless from existing, Alexia goes back 500 years in time, leaving the love of her life behind and knowing that she will not return. While searching/waiting for the moment to complete her mission, she finds herself leading her people as they attempt to survive eradication. When another world is discovered, one which guarantees a life of safety and peace, it might be the solution they all have dreamed for--if they can find a way to get there, that is.
The writing in this book immediately blew me away. The author does an amazing job of bringing the first battle scenes into beautiful harmony with the magical aspects, creating a deadly dance. Alexia has matured in so many ways, having little to do with the scared girl she was in book one. Her self-assured attitude carries so much strength that the power radiates from her, making her a
true heroine. As the plot thickens, doubt creeps in but that's exactly what she needs to make her sympathetic. The emotions come across clearly, drawing in until every tear, smile and heart-breaking defeat is tangible.
The romance is quite a clever twist. Of course, Alexia has one love in her life, but the author still finds a way to bring the tension back as if there were a first love all over again. Some moments became a bit repetitive and the reasoning behind secrets grew thin, but not enough to ruin the increasing tension. The hero is as wonderful as before, even when both don't see eye to eye.
Emotional scenes are packed in between action packed battles and layers of intrigue. There's never a boring moment as one threat after the other rolls in, promising a demise. The evil side is easy to dislike and digs in like a knife. Every victory is coated with defeat, making this a story not to put down until the last page. Only toward the end did the situation grow a little fuzzy around the edges. But the last scene is as epic as it has to be, placing an end to a lovely trilogy.
I received an ARC from the author.
September 30, 2016
Being reacquainted with these characters and reemerging in this story was great fun. I was greeted by Crystal Collier's magical way with words that I admired while reading Moonless and Soulless.
In the third and final installment of this trilogy, Alexia has gone back in time (500 years) to stop the Soulless from becoming. The Soulless were once Passionate, but now they are "undying monsters who live in the darkness" and drain the Passionate of their vitality, turning them into Soulless creatures. Alexia is also eight weeks away from giving birth, and it's said that her life will end once her daughter is born. She's running out of time, and the future hangs in the balance. If she can't stop the Soulless from becoming, so many will be lost.
Alexia learns of a world where the Passionate live freely. This world could be the only safe place for the Passionate, if they can find it. Alexia and her comrades search for the gateway while battling men who keep hunting them down. In this story, Alexia is tougher than ever. It was nice seeing her grow.
Crystal has a way of storytelling that makes me sad and heartbroken along with her characters. Or swoon and smile at lighter moments. Not many authors' writings have that impact on me.
Timeless is a story of love...true and forbidden love. There's mystery with secrets finally coming to light (and they are mind-boggling), tension, action...everything.
There were moments that frustrated me a tad, such as the characters repeating their inner desires or debating over a romantic conflict in nearly the same way every time. I also kept screaming in my head, "Tell him. Tell him!" But when this romantic conflict plays out fully, it's worth it.
This story is everything you could ever want or expect with the Maiden of Time as the main character. A fantastic end to a great trilogy!
I highly recommend this trilogy!
*I received a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
In the third and final installment of this trilogy, Alexia has gone back in time (500 years) to stop the Soulless from becoming. The Soulless were once Passionate, but now they are "undying monsters who live in the darkness" and drain the Passionate of their vitality, turning them into Soulless creatures. Alexia is also eight weeks away from giving birth, and it's said that her life will end once her daughter is born. She's running out of time, and the future hangs in the balance. If she can't stop the Soulless from becoming, so many will be lost.
Alexia learns of a world where the Passionate live freely. This world could be the only safe place for the Passionate, if they can find it. Alexia and her comrades search for the gateway while battling men who keep hunting them down. In this story, Alexia is tougher than ever. It was nice seeing her grow.
Crystal has a way of storytelling that makes me sad and heartbroken along with her characters. Or swoon and smile at lighter moments. Not many authors' writings have that impact on me.
Timeless is a story of love...true and forbidden love. There's mystery with secrets finally coming to light (and they are mind-boggling), tension, action...everything.
There were moments that frustrated me a tad, such as the characters repeating their inner desires or debating over a romantic conflict in nearly the same way every time. I also kept screaming in my head, "Tell him. Tell him!" But when this romantic conflict plays out fully, it's worth it.
This story is everything you could ever want or expect with the Maiden of Time as the main character. A fantastic end to a great trilogy!
I highly recommend this trilogy!
*I received a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2017
Buckle up for another journey into the Maiden of Time Series! In this third installment of the trilogy, Alexia travels through time, battling the forces of the Knights Templar, all the while worrying about her child to-be and the balance between the forces of the Soulless and the Passionate. I found the plot lively and engaging. Some of the shorter chapters were a bit different from what I’m accustomed to in novels, but it gives the story more of a movie-scene feel, which may appeal to readers. It was a quick read for me, because I simply couldn’t put it down!
All in all, 5 stars for Timeless! Looking forward to reading more from Crystal Collier in the future!
All in all, 5 stars for Timeless! Looking forward to reading more from Crystal Collier in the future!
November 4, 2016
If you are new to the Maiden of Time series—DO NOT read Timeless. Not because it isn’t fantastic in every sense—it is. Not because it has serious flaws in plot, pace, or characterization—it doesn’t. But because you deserve the whole experience. And you’re SO much luckier than me. I had to wait for each new volume to come out, wondering what was happening with my series friends. In my review of the first book of this series, Moonless, (and yes, I’m sorry, but you really should read Book 1 first), I explained that until she turns sixteen in 1768, Alexia Dumont leads a life of aristocratic privilege and expectations. But she knows herself to be beyond unattractive, an ugly child whose parents have sheltered her from the world. She’s unprepared for the shock on her sixteenth birthday when her appearance changes to unearthly beauty.
This metamorphosis signals her discovery that she actually descends from a mysterious race called the Passionate. Their compelling beauty and other gifts make them targets of their enemies—the Soulless—whose endless hunger drives their prowl for victims on moonless nights. Alexia falls in love with Kiren, the blue-eyed man from her nightmares, but the cost is the devastating loss of almost everyone and everything she’s ever loved, including the aunt she views as sister.
Book 2 picks up the story as eighteen-year-old Alexia’s wedding is disrupted when the Soulless attack, stealing the only weapon Kiren has been able to wield against them. In the ensuing confrontations, Alexia struggles to make sense of her relationship with Kiren, her feelings of friendship and responsibility for the other Passionate, and her guilt over the loss of Sarah—aunt/sister/best friend.
As I said in my review of Soulless, Crystal Collier’s densely gorgeous prose fits beautifully within her victorian-gothic setting without directly mimicking Jane Eyre or other Brontë heroines. But that venue changes in Timeless, when Alexia moves back in time to a brutally medieval world.
[quote:] Dirty faces twisted about her.
Always dirty.
Her own hands were covered in grime, the nails corroded black. What she wouldn’t give for a bath in Father’s estate. But Father’s estate had not been built yet, and it would not be for another several hundred years. The best she could hope for was a warm rain or chilly river. At least to staunch the smell.
[end quote]
One of my concerns about the first book was that we didn’t find out enough about the hero, Kiren. In the second book, his self-doubts and mistakes surface, along with glimpses of what proves to be both his strength and his flaws—the conviction that he is responsible for everyone else, and that he has the right to withhold information when he thinks it will only upset them. Alexia is the one who grows in strength and purpose, forged into a leader and a warrior, all of which serves her well when she travels back in time to prevent the creation of the Soulless. As a character-driven story, this works particularly well when we meet the younger Kiren, and at last discover the missing pieces that shaped the long centuries of his existence.
A truly nice metaphor is the juxtaposition of the developing baby Alexia carries even as she struggles to prevent the birth of their enemies, the Soulless. We see the beginnings of the rich cast of supporting characters we’ve gotten to know in later books, explanations for their strengths and flaws, and how that affects their future selves.
One measure of a work is its villains, and in contrast to the earlier books, in Timeless the monsters are for the most part all too human. The pace is a steadily increasing march to a desperate, hopelessly black moment of truth. As Alexia and Kiren’s epic story moves to its inevitable conclusion—one Alexia accepts she is not destined to survive—they are forced to consider whether the evil that has taken so much over the centuries is, in fact, still a better solution than the one that awaits them.
As I’ve said before: if you like character-driven YA fantasy-thrillers, atmospheric romances, brave heroines who grow into their strength, flawed heroes, and beautifully written prose, you can’t do better than this epic trilogy. But take my advice: do NOT read TIMELESS until you’ve read MOONLESS and SOULLESS. Meanwhile, I’m still lucky. I get to read her upcoming novella about the irresistibly psychotic demonic child Bellezza.
**I received this book from the publisher or author to facilitate an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
This metamorphosis signals her discovery that she actually descends from a mysterious race called the Passionate. Their compelling beauty and other gifts make them targets of their enemies—the Soulless—whose endless hunger drives their prowl for victims on moonless nights. Alexia falls in love with Kiren, the blue-eyed man from her nightmares, but the cost is the devastating loss of almost everyone and everything she’s ever loved, including the aunt she views as sister.
Book 2 picks up the story as eighteen-year-old Alexia’s wedding is disrupted when the Soulless attack, stealing the only weapon Kiren has been able to wield against them. In the ensuing confrontations, Alexia struggles to make sense of her relationship with Kiren, her feelings of friendship and responsibility for the other Passionate, and her guilt over the loss of Sarah—aunt/sister/best friend.
As I said in my review of Soulless, Crystal Collier’s densely gorgeous prose fits beautifully within her victorian-gothic setting without directly mimicking Jane Eyre or other Brontë heroines. But that venue changes in Timeless, when Alexia moves back in time to a brutally medieval world.
[quote:] Dirty faces twisted about her.
Always dirty.
Her own hands were covered in grime, the nails corroded black. What she wouldn’t give for a bath in Father’s estate. But Father’s estate had not been built yet, and it would not be for another several hundred years. The best she could hope for was a warm rain or chilly river. At least to staunch the smell.
[end quote]
One of my concerns about the first book was that we didn’t find out enough about the hero, Kiren. In the second book, his self-doubts and mistakes surface, along with glimpses of what proves to be both his strength and his flaws—the conviction that he is responsible for everyone else, and that he has the right to withhold information when he thinks it will only upset them. Alexia is the one who grows in strength and purpose, forged into a leader and a warrior, all of which serves her well when she travels back in time to prevent the creation of the Soulless. As a character-driven story, this works particularly well when we meet the younger Kiren, and at last discover the missing pieces that shaped the long centuries of his existence.
A truly nice metaphor is the juxtaposition of the developing baby Alexia carries even as she struggles to prevent the birth of their enemies, the Soulless. We see the beginnings of the rich cast of supporting characters we’ve gotten to know in later books, explanations for their strengths and flaws, and how that affects their future selves.
One measure of a work is its villains, and in contrast to the earlier books, in Timeless the monsters are for the most part all too human. The pace is a steadily increasing march to a desperate, hopelessly black moment of truth. As Alexia and Kiren’s epic story moves to its inevitable conclusion—one Alexia accepts she is not destined to survive—they are forced to consider whether the evil that has taken so much over the centuries is, in fact, still a better solution than the one that awaits them.
As I’ve said before: if you like character-driven YA fantasy-thrillers, atmospheric romances, brave heroines who grow into their strength, flawed heroes, and beautifully written prose, you can’t do better than this epic trilogy. But take my advice: do NOT read TIMELESS until you’ve read MOONLESS and SOULLESS. Meanwhile, I’m still lucky. I get to read her upcoming novella about the irresistibly psychotic demonic child Bellezza.
**I received this book from the publisher or author to facilitate an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
November 1, 2016
With this final instalment in the Maiden of Time trilogy, events for Alexia come full circle in a way that, without wanting to give too much away, feels very satisfying. I love time travel stories, and the way this wraps up was very nicely done, although at no point does it feel like anything is guaranteed. I definitely feel this was the strongest book of the series, with a sense of urgency that hardly lets up throughout, fuelled by several motivating factors: Alexia's mission to prevent the birth of the Soulless; her need to ensure the safe birth of her own daughter without dying in the process; and her fight against bonding with Kiren, her husband in her own timeline but who has never met her in this earlier time (because this would mean his own demise when she dies). Yes, most of the book takes place 500 years before the action of the first two, something that I feel really breathes fresh life into proceedings. We get to see several characters before they have undergone key changes and learn how those changes transpired (Kiren's scar, Mae's blindness, Amos becoming Soulless). I love medieval history and rewriting the Crusades to include a war against the Passionate, and having them as pawns in a political game, felt very convincing. I felt there was a different tone to this book as well. While the first two instalments were fantasy/historical, I would classify this more as sci-fi/historical, with the time-based elements being much more heavily explored and a portal to another world playing a key part in the plot. In both cases, the historical stuff serves as a backdrop to the main action, but there's enough detail to make the settings seem real.
Of course, at the heart of all this is a love story that spans centuries. Things are certainly awkward for the most part, as you know these two belong together, but they both have reasons to keep their distance - Alexia for the reasons mentioned above, Kiren because he believes she is already bonded to someone else - and I really felt the despair of both. This made the ending very uplifting, and it wasn't something that I saw coming.
Having said all that, I had a few quibbles with the book, but they might not matter to anyone else. I sometimes had trouble following what was going on at every moment. That just shows the level of complexity and invention in the story, though. There were a lot of minor characters among the Passionate and some are only mentioned in passing, as if we already know them. It was slightly confusing and I would have appreciated just a bit more detail on these people.
None of this took away from my enjoyment of this book, though. It was definitely the fastest-paced of the series, and the most intense. Collier really made me root for things to work out for the two main characters. I thoroughly recommend this series and I can't wait to see what the author does next!
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *
Of course, at the heart of all this is a love story that spans centuries. Things are certainly awkward for the most part, as you know these two belong together, but they both have reasons to keep their distance - Alexia for the reasons mentioned above, Kiren because he believes she is already bonded to someone else - and I really felt the despair of both. This made the ending very uplifting, and it wasn't something that I saw coming.
Having said all that, I had a few quibbles with the book, but they might not matter to anyone else. I sometimes had trouble following what was going on at every moment. That just shows the level of complexity and invention in the story, though. There were a lot of minor characters among the Passionate and some are only mentioned in passing, as if we already know them. It was slightly confusing and I would have appreciated just a bit more detail on these people.
None of this took away from my enjoyment of this book, though. It was definitely the fastest-paced of the series, and the most intense. Collier really made me root for things to work out for the two main characters. I thoroughly recommend this series and I can't wait to see what the author does next!
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *
November 26, 2016
Note: This book was provide by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review is part of the Timeless blog tour.
Synopsis:
Alexia is a heroine unlike any other. She is a hybrid of a human man and a woman of a race called the Passionate. Passionate are nearly immortal creatures. Each has special powers: the ability to heal, the ability transport people, the ability to influence minds. Alexia controls time itself. She could turn the clock back a little to prevent a calamity. She could stop time and dodge a killing blow. Now her abilities will be put to the ultimate test.
Heavy with child, she had to leave the man she loved and travel five hundred years back in time. A time just before the Soulless were created. Her goal, save people she loves by stopping an evil force that creates the Soulless. The Soulless turn people into tormented monsters who devour souls. Each moonless night they must hunt, creating more Soulless. Here, she meets people she counted friends, five hundred years before she was born. It is a time complicated by the Holy Roman Church which has been tricked by unscrupulous men to declare war on the Passionate. Time is now the Maiden of Time’s enemy. She is at risk of capture by the Church or a deadly encounter with the force the created the Soulless. All this at a time when even the strongest woman could die in childbirth.
Review:
This is the final book in Crystal Collier’s Maiden of Time Trilogy. In all honesty, I’ve never been a huge fan of time travel stories. Dr. Who was interesting since most of his stories took place in one setting before moving onto the next point in time. As Alexia made ready to journey back five hundred years, the various temporal paradoxes ran through my head. Could she somehow prevent herself from being born? How would she interact with those Passionate comrades at a time before she knew them? Could preventing the genesis of the Soulless create even more temporal headaches than it solved.
Crystal Collier managed to work through these paradoxes. What’s more she uses them to formulate Alexia’s last chapter. Much of the story takes place in the thirteenth century. The Passionate are fighting for their lives against people who want to control them. There is a traitor in their midst. Alexia’s beloved Kiren further complicates things as a younger version of himself falls madly in love with his future wife. All this while her pregnancy is nearing its end. A pregnancy she could easily die from. All the while, the entity that causes the genesis of the Soulless is brooding, biding its time, and manipulating events like a master chess player.
Crystal Collier’s writing style has certainly matured, especially in her handling of subplots. While all three books were great, this is the best.
This review is part of the Timeless blog tour.
Synopsis:
Alexia is a heroine unlike any other. She is a hybrid of a human man and a woman of a race called the Passionate. Passionate are nearly immortal creatures. Each has special powers: the ability to heal, the ability transport people, the ability to influence minds. Alexia controls time itself. She could turn the clock back a little to prevent a calamity. She could stop time and dodge a killing blow. Now her abilities will be put to the ultimate test.
Heavy with child, she had to leave the man she loved and travel five hundred years back in time. A time just before the Soulless were created. Her goal, save people she loves by stopping an evil force that creates the Soulless. The Soulless turn people into tormented monsters who devour souls. Each moonless night they must hunt, creating more Soulless. Here, she meets people she counted friends, five hundred years before she was born. It is a time complicated by the Holy Roman Church which has been tricked by unscrupulous men to declare war on the Passionate. Time is now the Maiden of Time’s enemy. She is at risk of capture by the Church or a deadly encounter with the force the created the Soulless. All this at a time when even the strongest woman could die in childbirth.
Review:
This is the final book in Crystal Collier’s Maiden of Time Trilogy. In all honesty, I’ve never been a huge fan of time travel stories. Dr. Who was interesting since most of his stories took place in one setting before moving onto the next point in time. As Alexia made ready to journey back five hundred years, the various temporal paradoxes ran through my head. Could she somehow prevent herself from being born? How would she interact with those Passionate comrades at a time before she knew them? Could preventing the genesis of the Soulless create even more temporal headaches than it solved.
Crystal Collier managed to work through these paradoxes. What’s more she uses them to formulate Alexia’s last chapter. Much of the story takes place in the thirteenth century. The Passionate are fighting for their lives against people who want to control them. There is a traitor in their midst. Alexia’s beloved Kiren further complicates things as a younger version of himself falls madly in love with his future wife. All this while her pregnancy is nearing its end. A pregnancy she could easily die from. All the while, the entity that causes the genesis of the Soulless is brooding, biding its time, and manipulating events like a master chess player.
Crystal Collier’s writing style has certainly matured, especially in her handling of subplots. While all three books were great, this is the best.
November 15, 2016
I am going to start by saying there is one AWFUL thing about Timeless, book three in the Maiden of Time series. I hate to be negative, but this just has to be said:
THIS IS THE LAST BOOK IN THE SERIES. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Other than that, this is one fabulous book, and it was well worth the wait. Author Crystal Collier has really grown as a writer and readers are in for a real treat with what she does with her characters and settings. Main character Alexia has turned into an arse-kicking, save-the-day machine -- and all while she's seven months pregnant. The battle scenes were amazingly vivid, and Collier really nailed the descriptions of time being slowed down.
As with the first two books, the chemistry between Alexia and Kiren is still sizzling, but clean and of course, complicated. Readers will find that they are nearly as frustrated as the two characters and will be begging for the internal dialogue to be spoken out loud.
Something that I found to be very satisfying is that in Timeless, the holes and the loose ends from Moonless and Soulless are resolved. There were several "ah-ha" moments where things clicked, which is one of the awesome aspects of having a book about time travel. I suppose you could read the books out of order and start with book three - Collier does an excellent job of bringing readers up-to-date - but where's the fun in that? Now that all three books are out, I'd suggest a binge reading, straight through.
Happily, the book is very-well edited and with short chapters and plenty of plots and sub-plots, it is a smooth and enjoyable reading experience. I highly recommend this series to high schoolers and older.
Thank you to the author for providing me an eBook in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. Review plus special features on Hall Ways Blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
THIS IS THE LAST BOOK IN THE SERIES. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Other than that, this is one fabulous book, and it was well worth the wait. Author Crystal Collier has really grown as a writer and readers are in for a real treat with what she does with her characters and settings. Main character Alexia has turned into an arse-kicking, save-the-day machine -- and all while she's seven months pregnant. The battle scenes were amazingly vivid, and Collier really nailed the descriptions of time being slowed down.
As with the first two books, the chemistry between Alexia and Kiren is still sizzling, but clean and of course, complicated. Readers will find that they are nearly as frustrated as the two characters and will be begging for the internal dialogue to be spoken out loud.
Something that I found to be very satisfying is that in Timeless, the holes and the loose ends from Moonless and Soulless are resolved. There were several "ah-ha" moments where things clicked, which is one of the awesome aspects of having a book about time travel. I suppose you could read the books out of order and start with book three - Collier does an excellent job of bringing readers up-to-date - but where's the fun in that? Now that all three books are out, I'd suggest a binge reading, straight through.
Happily, the book is very-well edited and with short chapters and plenty of plots and sub-plots, it is a smooth and enjoyable reading experience. I highly recommend this series to high schoolers and older.
Thank you to the author for providing me an eBook in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. Review plus special features on Hall Ways Blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
October 30, 2016
Timeless is the third book in the Maiden of Time Trilogy. Nineteen year old Alexia, uses her ability to control time to go back 500 years from the year 1768, where the first book of the series begins. Her goal is to stop the evil Soulless from ever having been created.
As with the previous two books, the world building is well done. The flowery words vividly describe the setting, and the reader can feel the tension of the battle scenes and the emotion involved in all of the conflicts.
While it is best read as part of the trilogy, readers will get a good idea of what has happened in the first three books. This is revealed in the third chapter.
The romance between Alexia and Kiran still sizzles, even though it has been experienced before in a different time. The characters are all well-developed and believable. It is nice to see how Alexia has matured through the series.
There is a surprise twist at the end, which was cleverly done.
Timeless is a book that would appeal to those who enjoy fantasy/romance/adventure. Highly recommended.
As with the previous two books, the world building is well done. The flowery words vividly describe the setting, and the reader can feel the tension of the battle scenes and the emotion involved in all of the conflicts.
While it is best read as part of the trilogy, readers will get a good idea of what has happened in the first three books. This is revealed in the third chapter.
The romance between Alexia and Kiran still sizzles, even though it has been experienced before in a different time. The characters are all well-developed and believable. It is nice to see how Alexia has matured through the series.
There is a surprise twist at the end, which was cleverly done.
Timeless is a book that would appeal to those who enjoy fantasy/romance/adventure. Highly recommended.
September 24, 2016
I can't even begin to explain how I feel about this book. It's been 14 years in the making, the seeds having been planted 9 years before that.
The series is complete.
I should leave it at that, right? But I can't. These characters have been living in my head for decades. Their story is no longer just mine to enjoy. I'm going to miss the sweet romance between Alexia and Kiren, Miles's smug moments, Bellezza's petty rage, Sarah's uppity attitude, John's jolly manner, Lester's crotchety refrains...
But you never know. They may just come back to visit in future works.
I wrote the ending to this book 3 times. From scratch. It had to be just right. So right. There was only ever one way it could end, and when I stopped trying to force the characters into closure, they filled in the blanks. Did they ever fill in the blanks!
This book was a joy and a journey. For me, this story truly is timeless, and I hope readers enjoy it as much as I do.
The series is complete.
I should leave it at that, right? But I can't. These characters have been living in my head for decades. Their story is no longer just mine to enjoy. I'm going to miss the sweet romance between Alexia and Kiren, Miles's smug moments, Bellezza's petty rage, Sarah's uppity attitude, John's jolly manner, Lester's crotchety refrains...
But you never know. They may just come back to visit in future works.
I wrote the ending to this book 3 times. From scratch. It had to be just right. So right. There was only ever one way it could end, and when I stopped trying to force the characters into closure, they filled in the blanks. Did they ever fill in the blanks!
This book was a joy and a journey. For me, this story truly is timeless, and I hope readers enjoy it as much as I do.
November 20, 2016
Timeless is the third in a trilogy of books about Alexia, the Maiden of Time. If you haven't read the first two, I recommend starting with book #1 and going all the way through. You'll want to know the backstory on these characters, even though you can read this one without reading the others. I was drawn into this story of a pregnant, time traveling, kick-butt heroine. Crystal knows how to draw the suspense out to keep you reading all the way to the end. I found myself whipping through the book in record time because I couldn't wait to see what happened next!
November 30, 2016
wow just wow. Normally the trilogy third book can feel rushed and forced to complete but this one is complete. Complete in plot, structure, world building, danger, surprises, twists and turns and character building. We get the characters we know and love such as Alexia and Kiren. We get the soulless but we also get new ones like Deamus. And he is a character. Mysterious but also unusual. Never really know to much abut him. There is time travel, love that spans through time and and a deeper understanding of what it means to be the maiden of time. We see decisions need to be made not because it is what you want but because it was the right one for the greater good.
I love how we get to see how Kiren became the Kiren we knew from the other two books in the series. We saw how the pain came about for him and how he got to feel isolated but also how he learned to redeem himself and why. We learn how the Soulless came to be and what caused them to be needed. We see love in many forms. We see sacrifice and challenge.
The story has so much going on. There are stories within stories. We have the story of Alexia and her determination to stop the Soulless from being created while protecting the passionate. The story of Kiren and how he came to be the man we knew. The story of Kiren and Alexia and how it plays out. We have the story of Deamus. The story of the Black evil and how it came about. We have wonderful descriptive moments and we see the change come about in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you.
We see the strength of Alexia, how lost and frustrated Kiren was at first and how he changed, we see the determination of evil and the hunting of the passionate. The characters are strong, passionate and determined. Their fates can change in the blink of an eye and we see how they change fate as well. So fascinating is the tale of trying to stop the Soulless and what is right. Of love and sacrifice. For me it was Kiren’s story that captivated me. We see him change so much and see all the pain he went through.
A wonderful ending to a great story and it is complete and not rushed. There are still questions but we learn more and get answers to what happened and how fate played a role in the Soulless and their importance.
I love how we get to see how Kiren became the Kiren we knew from the other two books in the series. We saw how the pain came about for him and how he got to feel isolated but also how he learned to redeem himself and why. We learn how the Soulless came to be and what caused them to be needed. We see love in many forms. We see sacrifice and challenge.
The story has so much going on. There are stories within stories. We have the story of Alexia and her determination to stop the Soulless from being created while protecting the passionate. The story of Kiren and how he came to be the man we knew. The story of Kiren and Alexia and how it plays out. We have the story of Deamus. The story of the Black evil and how it came about. We have wonderful descriptive moments and we see the change come about in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you.
We see the strength of Alexia, how lost and frustrated Kiren was at first and how he changed, we see the determination of evil and the hunting of the passionate. The characters are strong, passionate and determined. Their fates can change in the blink of an eye and we see how they change fate as well. So fascinating is the tale of trying to stop the Soulless and what is right. Of love and sacrifice. For me it was Kiren’s story that captivated me. We see him change so much and see all the pain he went through.
A wonderful ending to a great story and it is complete and not rushed. There are still questions but we learn more and get answers to what happened and how fate played a role in the Soulless and their importance.
October 31, 2016
Timeless is the third book of the Maiden of time Trilogy. In this book, Alexia finds herself 500 years in the past. Leaving behind her family and friends to try to stop the evil soulless from ever being created.
The whole trilogy has excellent world building which hooks you in. Filled with plenty of action and adventure as well as some fantastic emotional scenes. I found it very exciting and hard to put down.
I loved seeing how far Alexia has come since we first meet her. While at times I found Kieran frustrating, in end we got to find out his reasons and it began making sense. It was also great seeing a different side to some of the characters we have met before.
Overall a excellent ending to a fantastic trilogy.
I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.
The whole trilogy has excellent world building which hooks you in. Filled with plenty of action and adventure as well as some fantastic emotional scenes. I found it very exciting and hard to put down.
I loved seeing how far Alexia has come since we first meet her. While at times I found Kieran frustrating, in end we got to find out his reasons and it began making sense. It was also great seeing a different side to some of the characters we have met before.
Overall a excellent ending to a fantastic trilogy.
I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.
January 11, 2017
Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?
It's so sad to see this series come to an end. I loved getting to know a younger, different Kiren. Seeing them fall in love all over again? It was intoxicating. This book had a little more of a thriller feel to it than I remember the last books having, which I loved. I think it needed that to truly let you in on the gravity of the situation that these characters are in. It kept me gripping the book right down to the last pages. It was bittersweet in many ways, but Whew! I'm still not sure what to think about that ending! And not in a bad way. Although I do have questions. It still has me thinking.
The ARC of Moonless by Crystal Collier was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.
October 29, 2016
Loved it!
May 22, 2018
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time? I have, thinking how neat it would be to meet my ancestors and see how they lived. Or how about traveling to the future and see what the world would be like hundreds of years from now. Would you still be you in another time? Interesting to think about. If time travel, adventure, magic, and very interesting people intrigue you then take a look at Author Crystal Collier’s latest novel TIMELESS, Book Three in the Maiden of Time Trilogy.
In TIMELESS, nineteen-year-old Alexia is now 500 years in the past, away from her husband, the father of her soon to be born baby. She is back in time to undo the mistakes of the past and of the future.
Kiren, Alexia’s husband in the future, is also there in the past. That is not supposed to be and complicates matters. What follows is a gentle, confusing romance for the two of them as well as danger for them all, including the unborn baby.
Crystal Collier has created a world of interesting characters dealing with life and death and mixed emotions. I love Alexia. She’s brave and smart and concerned for her child’s future if she should die in child birth. She has mixed emotions about Kiren in the future and in the present time. I can not imagine what it would be like to face your husband who did not know you because he had not met you until centuries later. And Kiren? I can see why she loves him. He is human with a slight temper; he’s also gentle and kind and in love with Alexia. I hoped all would work out for them, even in a different century. Yes, I’m a hopeless romantic.
TIMELESS is a fascinating story that will keep you reading to see if Alexia succeeds in her quest and if she and Kiren live happily ever after. Oh, what about the baby? You’ll find out when you read the story. Enjoy.
In TIMELESS, nineteen-year-old Alexia is now 500 years in the past, away from her husband, the father of her soon to be born baby. She is back in time to undo the mistakes of the past and of the future.
Kiren, Alexia’s husband in the future, is also there in the past. That is not supposed to be and complicates matters. What follows is a gentle, confusing romance for the two of them as well as danger for them all, including the unborn baby.
Crystal Collier has created a world of interesting characters dealing with life and death and mixed emotions. I love Alexia. She’s brave and smart and concerned for her child’s future if she should die in child birth. She has mixed emotions about Kiren in the future and in the present time. I can not imagine what it would be like to face your husband who did not know you because he had not met you until centuries later. And Kiren? I can see why she loves him. He is human with a slight temper; he’s also gentle and kind and in love with Alexia. I hoped all would work out for them, even in a different century. Yes, I’m a hopeless romantic.
TIMELESS is a fascinating story that will keep you reading to see if Alexia succeeds in her quest and if she and Kiren live happily ever after. Oh, what about the baby? You’ll find out when you read the story. Enjoy.
November 8, 2016
Too often, by the time an author gets to the third book in a trilogy, the plot becomes a bit redundant and less interesting; and the characters, been-there, done-that stale. Can't say that about THIS book! If anything, I think Ms. Collier's writing skills have gotten even better, and the story has become even more imaginative and interesting.
This book puts less emphasis on the bone-chilling aspects of the Soulless, and more on the heart-warming, selfless, and romantic relationships between friends, allies, and of course, between our time maiden heroine Alexia and her immortal soulmate Kiren. Alexia leaves her beloved husband Kiren to travel 500 years back in time, in a last-ditch effort to of prevent the Soulless from coming into existence. There, she faces threats from noblemen who seek to capture and enslave the Passionate, from knights who wish to see them dead, and from a terrifying shadowy being that thrives on hatred, chaos, and death. Oh, and she's also pregnant. Very pregnant. And then she runs into Kirin... who technically hasn't met her yet... and has no idea that the baby she carries... is his.
See? Lots of interesting twists and turns. Lots of thought-provoking concepts about time. Lots of reasons to read this series.
If you want to read this book as a stand-alone, I suppose you could, because the author does an excellent job providing enough backstory to bring new readers kinda up to speed, without slowing things down for readers who've been with her for the whole glorious journey... but why would you want to do that? Sure, this book brings the series to a satisfactory ending, but why not enjoy the whole tale, starting at the beginning?
This book puts less emphasis on the bone-chilling aspects of the Soulless, and more on the heart-warming, selfless, and romantic relationships between friends, allies, and of course, between our time maiden heroine Alexia and her immortal soulmate Kiren. Alexia leaves her beloved husband Kiren to travel 500 years back in time, in a last-ditch effort to of prevent the Soulless from coming into existence. There, she faces threats from noblemen who seek to capture and enslave the Passionate, from knights who wish to see them dead, and from a terrifying shadowy being that thrives on hatred, chaos, and death. Oh, and she's also pregnant. Very pregnant. And then she runs into Kirin... who technically hasn't met her yet... and has no idea that the baby she carries... is his.
See? Lots of interesting twists and turns. Lots of thought-provoking concepts about time. Lots of reasons to read this series.
If you want to read this book as a stand-alone, I suppose you could, because the author does an excellent job providing enough backstory to bring new readers kinda up to speed, without slowing things down for readers who've been with her for the whole glorious journey... but why would you want to do that? Sure, this book brings the series to a satisfactory ending, but why not enjoy the whole tale, starting at the beginning?
November 15, 2016
I love that this story is about a pregnant woman leading battles and kicking butt. She's gone back in time to save her people, and she's determined to get the job done. There's a sweet romance, too. Collier puts an interesting twist on reviving the romance in a series after the couple have already gotten together. Plus, I just really love how all the characters have different magical powers - the main character manipulates time, others can shield themselves in darkness or travel in mist, etc. Very cool. If you like magic, time travel and strong women, pick it up!
October 31, 2016
I've been waiting for this book, and I wasn't at all disappointed. This story was a satisfying end to a great trilogy. I give Crystal high marks for creating a society of beings inside our world that are both unique and believable. I think it's this aspect of the story that I like most. Each character has powers and limits- character strengths and flaws. Even the heroine is not perfect. She suffers from indecision about the relationship with her true love (which strikes the interesting question- can you cheat on your mate with his past self?) and struggles with all she can and cannot reveal to the people she fighting alongside 500 years in her past. As the Maiden of Time, Alexia is learning just how frustrating the time continuum can be as she realizes our universe isn't just functioning on randomness and chaos. She will come to terms with sacrifice- weighing the greater good against her own heart's wishes.
An excellent read to savor. Try to skim through this story quickly and you will surely miss some delicious morsel. This poignant story- and it's heroine's sacrifices and her eventual understanding that some things must happen for a good reason- will stay with you even after the book is closed.
An excellent read to savor. Try to skim through this story quickly and you will surely miss some delicious morsel. This poignant story- and it's heroine's sacrifices and her eventual understanding that some things must happen for a good reason- will stay with you even after the book is closed.
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