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Shadows On The Border

( Lost in Time #2)

A.L. Lester (Goodreads Author)

4.15 · Rating details · 20 ratings · 11 reviews

Sequel to Lost in Time

Newspaper reporter Lew Tyler and his lover, Detective Alec Carter, are working out the parameters of their new relationship. Meanwhile, time traveler Lew is trying to decide whether he wants to stay in the 1920s or find a way to get back to 2016, and Alec doesn’t know if he can bear the vulnerability of being in love with someone who uses such ...more

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Published March 9th 2019 by JMS Books, LLC

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Mar 20, 2019 Lillian Francis rated it really liked it

I have to hope that this series isn’t finished. For now it’s at a suitable pause but I need to know what happened to Will and Fenn, even if it’s only in another short story. I’d also like more about the couple from The Gate and how Arthur’s book (because I have to believe that is Arthur’s book) ended up in junk shop for Mira to find. And I want to know if Lew and Alec manage to track down any of the descendants of Kelly’s acquaintances.

Obviously, none of what I’ve said above will make any sense I have to hope that this series isn’t finished. For now it’s at a suitable pause but I need to know what happened to Will and Fenn, even if it’s only in another short story. I’d also like more about the couple from The Gate and how Arthur’s book (because I have to believe that is Arthur’s book) ended up in junk shop for Mira to find. And I want to know if Lew and Alec manage to track down any of the descendants of Kelly’s acquaintances.

Obviously, none of what I’ve said above will make any sense to you if you’ve not read the books in this series, but hopefully it will show the impact these stories have had on me that I want to know more about these people.

This story, Shadows on the Border, is not a standalone and can’t under any circumstances be read that way. It’s a part two, to Lost in Time’s part one, and I honestly believe that they should have been produced as one novel. Neither are particularly long in themselves, and this would have prevented the cliffhanger in both mystery and relationship that end the first book. That said I read them one after the other (starting with The Gate, although that isn’t entirely necessary) and without reading anything else in between.

I liked the pretty much everything about these books. The characters, the premise, the murder storyline, the 1920’s post war setting and even the gentle love story between Alec and Lew and the even subtler one between Fenn and Will Grant. That said, the books aren’t without their issues. The cliffhanger at the end of book 1 I personally find infuriating but might not bother others. There were quite a few typos in both books, not just the ARC, but I find this is the norm for that publisher. My biggest issue was with the timeline in both books. It read as though additional chapters had been added at a later date but the timeline not adjusted. However all of these things are minor irritations.

If you’re looking for an interesting time travel story with an urban fantasy (or is it scifi, I’m not great with the distinctions in this sort of situation) storyline and a gentle, low key gay romance then you need look no further. ...more

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Apr 03, 2019 Isabelle Adler rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019

I enjoyed this even more than the first one! Full review to come soon.

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Mar 08, 2019 Maryann Kafka rated it really liked it

In 2016, the world has split and “The Border” is a protection against “The Outlands” where “Creatures” seeking energy lurk. Certain humans have an ability called “The Pull” and are known as “Workers”. Workers keep “The Border” repaired. “The Border” is power and danger, if misused a person could find themselves in situations beyond their control.

Ellison “Lew” Tyler crossed “The Border” in 2016 in search of his foster sister Mira, he found himself in the year 1919 in London. Three years later Lew In 2016, the world has split and “The Border” is a protection against “The Outlands” where “Creatures” seeking energy lurk. Certain humans have an ability called “The Pull” and are known as “Workers”. Workers keep “The Border” repaired. “The Border” is power and danger, if misused a person could find themselves in situations beyond their control.

Ellison “Lew” Tyler crossed “The Border” in 2016 in search of his foster sister Mira, he found himself in the year 1919 in London. Three years later Lew is still in London and still works for The Pictorial Examiner and also the police. With the help of Kelly Finn, Lew has become more knowledgeable about early 1900’s in England and he’s also learned that there’s more to “The Pull” than he thought. Lew still finds himself adjusting to the past but he’s well aware of what’s to come in the future. He’s formed new friendships in this strange new era and one happens to be with the brooding Detective Inspector Alec Carter. Their first meeting did not go so well. As time has gone by they’ve become closer, but there’s still a fragility to their slow growing and secretive relationship. Along with homicides caused by the creature “Carnas”, Alec is still worried that Lew will leave and go back to 2016. He also fears Lew because of “The Power” and what he’s experienced since the police force now has a division called “The Peculiar” that he oversees.

While Sergeant William Grant is searching for a murderer he comes across a strange being that has crossed “The Border”. Zenn, is an Officer of the Law and protector for “The Border”. He has come in search of the creature that’s been causing havoc in London. Zenn is certainly an oddity, elf like and has no gender. Zenn sheds even more interesting facts about what goes on behind “The Border” and “The Power” that he possesses. When it’s brought to forefront what Zenn’s goal is Alec, Lew and Grant have no choice but to help Zenn.

A.L. Lester takes us back in time, to the early 1900’s in London. The descriptions of the streets of London, dress and verbiage really paint a vivid picture of the time period. The storyline is packed with danger, suspense, fantasy, sci-fi and mystery. There’s an abundance of solid characters and each have interesting stories to be told. I thought the author handled Zenns’ non-gender very carefully, with how the others perceived it. The author also focused on the strange and new discoveries about “The Border” and “The Pull” and how all the characters are in some way affected by it.

Although, Alec and Lew’s relationship is sweetly subtle through out the story, there comes a point in the story when the emotions run high and it’s a beautiful moment. I’m very curious about what’s going to happened with William Grant and Zenn as there seems to be more than a connection between them.

I got hooked on the novella, teaser, titled “The Gate”. It’s a short read that introduces the mysterious “Gate”, Matty, his brother Arthur, Rob and Lin of the Frem. From there, the first novel created from “The Gate” is “Lost In Time” where we first meet Lew and Mira and how they find themselves in 1919 London and what power “The Border” and “The Pull” have on people and strange things to come. The cover art for each of these books, tells a story set back in time.

I don’t know what A.L. Lester has planned but I would definitely invest in another novel from “The Border”. There’s so many characters and so much going on, there’s still a great potential for more to come!
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Apr 29, 2019 Anne Barwell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ebook, m-m, lgbtq

Shadows on the Border picks up where Lost in Time left off, so I would suggest reading the series in order. I love the 1920s feel and descriptions of this story—as with the other books in the series. It made for a very visual reading experience, which added to my enjoyment. I also love the fantasy part of this series, and the description of the ‘working’.

I was already invested in Lew and Alec’s story from book 1, and enjoyed seeing Will’s perspective in this story, and learning more about him. Shadows on the Border picks up where Lost in Time left off, so I would suggest reading the series in order. I love the 1920s feel and descriptions of this story—as with the other books in the series. It made for a very visual reading experience, which added to my enjoyment. I also love the fantasy part of this series, and the description of the ‘working’.

I was already invested in Lew and Alec’s story from book 1, and enjoyed seeing Will’s perspective in this story, and learning more about him. I hope we see more of Will in future books as he’s interesting and grows such a lot in this story.

Fenn’s part in this story brought with it more world building about what lies beyond the gate, and in their world, rather than just 1920s London. I thought their fluid sexuality added to the story and also showed the different sensibilities between the 1920s—who want to learn but have no experience to base it in—and time travellers, who of course are a lot more clued up.

I love the time travel element in this, as it gives a different perspective on the story, with Alec’s present day is the 1920s, and Lew is from 2016 which is Alec’s future. I really felt for Alec trying to deal with the fact that Lew is from the future, which also, of course, brings up their different views on their relationship. Alec is very much a closeted man which he needs to be in the 1920s as it’s illegal to be in a homosexual relationship while Lew is used to not having to hide who he is. I also like that Lew is still adjusting to being in his past, rather than just fitting in without any problem. His struggle felt very realistic. I enjoyed the insight into his and Mira’s friendship too, and the flashbacks to their life in 2016. I thought the descriptions in those scenes were very vivid. Alec’s feeling of isolation because he’s not a worker feels very real, and I liked that he didn’t just take it all in his stride.

I also liked that the Camas’ perspective is included in this story. It gives a very alien point of view, and I could feel its urge to survive.

I thought this book was very much about choices. Mira needs to choose between her voice and being a worker. Fenn has choices to make, although they have been put in an impossible situation by those who sent them to retrieve the Camas. Lew has to choose between returning to his own time, and his life in the past with Alec. As an aside on that one, those guys really needed to talk to each other! I thought both their character flaws added a lot to them as characters, and I loved both of them for their fears and doubts.

I’d recommend Shadows on the Border to readers who enjoy historical based fantasies, time travel, in depth world building, and realistic characters. I got invested in their story very quickly, and hope there are more books to come in this series.
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Nov 09, 2019 Heather rated it it was amazing

Shelves: halloween-time

So I'm not going to say too much about Shadows on the Borders because not only do I not want to spoil this story I don't want to risk spoiling the first book, Lost in Time. I will say that as much as I loved the first entry and the free short, The Gate, which introduces you to the Lost in Time world, I think I loved Shadows even more. Not a statement I often make when it comes to a series, sure I usually like the following entries as well but rarely better.

Lew and Alec are adjusting though they So I'm not going to say too much about Shadows on the Borders because not only do I not want to spoil this story I don't want to risk spoiling the first book, Lost in Time. I will say that as much as I loved the first entry and the free short, The Gate, which introduces you to the Lost in Time world, I think I loved Shadows even more. Not a statement I often make when it comes to a series, sure I usually like the following entries as well but rarely better.

Lew and Alec are adjusting though they aren't what I would call "settled" in their lives, which I always find welcoming to see couples continue to grow both together and individually and let's face it when one of the pair is from 2016 and the other is from 1919 there is always going to be growth😉, no matter when they end up. Fenn and Will are another intriguing pairing that made an interesting addition to this time-travel world of magic that is throughout the Lost in Time series.

I still love the blending of paranormal, mystery, historical, and romance. When stories have time-travel or paranormal elements sometimes history isn't explored well or even an alternative universe is created but the post-war fears and growth of the early 1920s is not only well written but at times you almost forget that you are sitting in 2019 reading the story of the past. I was able to lose myself in the pages so deeply that I almost expected to look up and find my television gone. Are there a few liberties taken? Of course, Shadows is a time-travel/paranormal story afterall but you can still feel the author's healthy respect for the past.

One last thing: this really is a series that must be read in order, perhaps the free short, The Gate doesn't have to be read first but Lost in Time definitely needs to be experienced before jumping into Shadows on the Border. I sure hope this isn't the last we've seen of this world by AL Lester but if it is, the friendship, the romance, the mystery, the time-travel adjusting, the history . . . well it's all here and will definitely be one I enjoy and re-visit again. ...more

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May 09, 2019 Lorraine Turnbull rated it really liked it

Having read another of A.L. Lester's books (LOst in Time) I was ready to read this and wasnt disappointed.
The follow on from Lost in Time and the relationship between the lovers is developing. I love the historical details, especially the police detail (I was once a police officer myself) and about attitudes in the 1920's.
Nice characters, but I really like the historical aspect and think A.L. Lester should be working on more historical stories - God knows there are plenty of real tales of the ...more

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Mar 07, 2019 R rated it liked it

Shelves: m-m, reviewed, series

Lew and Alec are still searching for the creature that has been terrorizing London. They are joined in the search by Will (a police officer that has the pull), and Fenn, a being from the other side of the border. Fenn wants to capture it and return it to its home. Everyone else wants it dead.

This book is just as strange as the first one. Interesting take on time travel and magic. It had nice primary and secondary characters, an almost gothic feel to the story, and a good mystery but it just ...more

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Apr 08, 2019 Brenda Moser rated it really liked it

The second book in the series picks up where the first book left off. The author once again delivers an interesting time travel story filled with magic and love. She does a great job describing the scenes in vivid detail and keeping you reading to the end with all the suspense and action throughout. I enjoyed reading.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

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May 29, 2019 Sandra rated it really liked it

I enjoyed the second book in this series. This is not a stand alone Lost in Time needs to be read so you have an understanding of the story line. This is a well written and suspenseful time travel story with lots of magic and mayhem. The author is so descriptive you feel like you are back in 1900's London fighting the evil from The Border with Lew and Alex. Looking forward to book 3 and how the relationships develop.

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Dec 13, 2019 PaperMoon rated it really liked it

The second (full length) book in the series is set in the same post-WW1 setting (slightly alternate given the fantasy elements introduced in earlier books) as a direct plot continuation. The focus is broadened to include a new character (of unclear gender) who is hunting the malevolent creature. Murder and mayhem continue leading up to a final showdown at the 'bottom of the garden' LOL! Cannot wait for the next instalment!

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Mar 11, 2019 Patricia Nelson rated it really liked it

The author has written another exciting, fascinating, raw, gritty, slow burning, intriguing, and totally awesome story filled with mystery, magic, madness, mayhem, monsters and time travel that pulled me in from the very first page.

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About A.L. Lester

A.L. Lester

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A. L. Lester likes to read. Her favourite books are post-apocalyptic dystopian romances full of suspense, but a cornflake packet will do there's nothing else available. The gender of the characters she likes to read (and write) is pretty irrelevant so long as they are strong, interesting people on a journey of some kind.

She has a chaotic family life and small children, and she has become the ...more