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Chronicles of the Tempus #1
The Queen Must Die
Why is Katie Berger-Jones-Burg under a sofa in Buckingham Palace? The last thing she can remember is reading in her bedroom, trying to block out the sound of the TV. Now she is in London, at the height of Queen Victoria's reign. Something very strange is going on.
Together with her two new friends - Princess Alice, the young daughter of Queen Victoria, and James O'Reilly, the son of the royal doctor - Katie must discover why she has been sent back in time. And who are the weird and frightening creatures who seek her out? The key, it seems, lies with the enigmatic Bernardo DuQuelle. As the dark forces moving through the royal household begin to take control, Katie and her friends uncover a plot to assassinate the Queen and unearth an even darker mystery...
Together with her two new friends - Princess Alice, the young daughter of Queen Victoria, and James O'Reilly, the son of the royal doctor - Katie must discover why she has been sent back in time. And who are the weird and frightening creatures who seek her out? The key, it seems, lies with the enigmatic Bernardo DuQuelle. As the dark forces moving through the royal household begin to take control, Katie and her friends uncover a plot to assassinate the Queen and unearth an even darker mystery...
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2010
20 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
K.A.S. Quinn
4 books17 followersK.A.S Quinn was born and raised in California. She was educated at Vassar in New York, where she took a degree in History and English, receiving honours for her thesis on tuberculosis and its representation in Victorian painting and literature (Conspicuous Consumption). For the past ten years she has been the publisher of the prestigious Spectator magazine. Her office in the row houses of Doughty St. abutted Charles Dickens’ home. She has written for The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent and The Wall Street Journal as well as appearing on Any Questions, A Good Read, Famous Lives and Broadcasting House for the BBC. In 2003 she was a judge for the Jewish Quarterly Literary Award. She is married to Stephen Quinn, the publishing director of Vogue magazine. They live in London and have two small boys. She still reads children’s books, in bed, with a torch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 17, 2011
The first thing that I have to mention about The Queen Must Die is the cover, it is absolutely gorgeous. I know it looks good online in an image but the actual cover itself is even better in the flesh with sparkly stars finishing it off.
Aside from my little detour :) The Queen Must Die sounds sounds like a wonderful concept for a young girl from our time to be transported back in time to the reign of Queen Victoria, to be actually in Buckingham Palace and meet certain members of the royal family.
And to be fair I loved the members we met, I thought they interacted well with each other and were believable and when they met Katie they’re initial reactions were about right. I loved how elements of history were wound into the story making it not only in places an enjoyable read but also slightly educational – we even get a sneak peak at the crystal palace (though it’s nowhere near enough to effect exams (as the author points out near the end :) )
The story kept me guessing, and I was left wondering at points if the title was going to have any relevance to the plot. It does get there, trust me! For me however the story got going a little bit too late, for a story which has a time travel element there was only an occasional reference to it and the effects that Katie could have on the future by being there weren’t made until the story was almost over.
I think young readers will love it and gobble it up especially those with an interest in history.
Source: Corvus (Atlantic Books)
Aside from my little detour :) The Queen Must Die sounds sounds like a wonderful concept for a young girl from our time to be transported back in time to the reign of Queen Victoria, to be actually in Buckingham Palace and meet certain members of the royal family.
And to be fair I loved the members we met, I thought they interacted well with each other and were believable and when they met Katie they’re initial reactions were about right. I loved how elements of history were wound into the story making it not only in places an enjoyable read but also slightly educational – we even get a sneak peak at the crystal palace (though it’s nowhere near enough to effect exams (as the author points out near the end :) )
The story kept me guessing, and I was left wondering at points if the title was going to have any relevance to the plot. It does get there, trust me! For me however the story got going a little bit too late, for a story which has a time travel element there was only an occasional reference to it and the effects that Katie could have on the future by being there weren’t made until the story was almost over.
I think young readers will love it and gobble it up especially those with an interest in history.
Source: Corvus (Atlantic Books)
July 27, 2014
Pertama , aku benar benar menilai buku ini dari cover , covernya menarik . Dan membuat buku ini did alam daftar beli saya waktu itu . Saat kesampaian beli pas ulang tahun tahun 2012 . Aku langsung baca , yang bikin lumayan beda tentang pengarang di tulis di bagian awal . Struktur bukunya juga aga beda dari buku keluaran gramedia .
Ceritanya tentang Katie yang mulai melihat Hal Hal aneh di sekitarnya . Trus dia dapet Surat gitu dari Jaman Victoria saat baca suratnya Katie "terlempar" ke saman queen Victoria, bukan Tanpa sengaja tapi karena ternyata dia "dipanggil" untuk menyelsaikan sebuah masalah disana dia berteman dengan princess Alice dan cowo yang aku lupa namanya .
Author Bagus penggambaran tempatnya skematis bisa memadupadankan sejarah dan fiksi seperti fiksi bagian dari sejarah . Aku sambil belajar sejarah juga kaya perpjndahan era industri dan istana Berlian yang ternyata bener bener ada . Tentang gimana keaadan istana di zaman sebelum lampu anak anak di kurung dikamar udara yang terkesan lembab . Trus di buku ini juga banyak qoute .
"Kebenaran tidak selalu berarti kebaikan"
Queen must die /k.a.s quiin
Ceritanya tentang Katie yang mulai melihat Hal Hal aneh di sekitarnya . Trus dia dapet Surat gitu dari Jaman Victoria saat baca suratnya Katie "terlempar" ke saman queen Victoria, bukan Tanpa sengaja tapi karena ternyata dia "dipanggil" untuk menyelsaikan sebuah masalah disana dia berteman dengan princess Alice dan cowo yang aku lupa namanya .
Author Bagus penggambaran tempatnya skematis bisa memadupadankan sejarah dan fiksi seperti fiksi bagian dari sejarah . Aku sambil belajar sejarah juga kaya perpjndahan era industri dan istana Berlian yang ternyata bener bener ada . Tentang gimana keaadan istana di zaman sebelum lampu anak anak di kurung dikamar udara yang terkesan lembab . Trus di buku ini juga banyak qoute .
"Kebenaran tidak selalu berarti kebaikan"
Queen must die /k.a.s quiin
September 5, 2018
Bought the book when the author came to visit our school, I got it signed and everything. That was roughly 8 years ago. Loved everything about it. I was about 11 years old when I read this and I just remember reading it over and over again during the summer. ahhhhh. This book is a part of my childhood.
September 22, 2012
Misterinya cukup menegangkan dan penjelasan di akhir ceritanya sedikit rumit -_-
September 23, 2024
DNF at 18%.
I like the premise very much, but I could not stand the main character. She is AWFUL, and while I hope that this was meant as the start of an arc of redemption and growth, it was too much for me to put up with.
And as a counterbalance to the awfulness, Katie… READS. Yes, you heard right, she actually reads books and likes them! This is treated as a revolutionary concept on par with splitting the atom. The narration tells us how and why Katie likes reading, because it’s almost like she gets to know other people and go other places in her head. This is also treated as a huge dirty secret that she must hide, because certainly it was not acceptable in society in *checks notes* 2010 for a girl to read! Shock! Scandal! I don’t understand who Quinn thinks is going to be reading this book, but presumably said readers will be familiar with the concept of reading books.
By the time the story of Queen Victoria’s children was getting underway, I’d run out of patience (and commuting time for the day), so I just gave it up.
I like the premise very much, but I could not stand the main character. She is AWFUL, and while I hope that this was meant as the start of an arc of redemption and growth, it was too much for me to put up with.
And as a counterbalance to the awfulness, Katie… READS. Yes, you heard right, she actually reads books and likes them! This is treated as a revolutionary concept on par with splitting the atom. The narration tells us how and why Katie likes reading, because it’s almost like she gets to know other people and go other places in her head. This is also treated as a huge dirty secret that she must hide, because certainly it was not acceptable in society in *checks notes* 2010 for a girl to read! Shock! Scandal! I don’t understand who Quinn thinks is going to be reading this book, but presumably said readers will be familiar with the concept of reading books.
By the time the story of Queen Victoria’s children was getting underway, I’d run out of patience (and commuting time for the day), so I just gave it up.
May 7, 2017
Despite how short this book was, I found it really slow to get through. I can't pinpoint why because I liked the characters well enough, I liked the plot and the time travel as well as the villains. I thought it was a little bizarre, the explanation for them, but I could accept it. I think it was that I didn't really connect with the book enough? I just wanted it to finish. I didn't particularly care about it at all, but I was more apathetic than outright dislike. Maybe it was because it wasn't the right time for me to read this book but I don't think I will be continuing on with the series (despite it being on Kindle Unlimited).
December 3, 2019
A fun little time travel romp! Though sometimes I got confused when the perspective briefly swapped to a different character, I liked this story a lot!
Also, this book plus the last two I read were all about middle school age girls, and all included some discourse over weight/EDs/appearance which I think was interesting. While this I think is important, at times it came across as the main character being “not like other girls” - for example in this book, Katie thought her love of reading stood apart from other girls her age.
Also, this book plus the last two I read were all about middle school age girls, and all included some discourse over weight/EDs/appearance which I think was interesting. While this I think is important, at times it came across as the main character being “not like other girls” - for example in this book, Katie thought her love of reading stood apart from other girls her age.
December 9, 2023
Dude, I've searched for this book since three months ago with absolutely no clue and vague memories about it. All I can remember was the cover, that gorgeous silver glitter shimmered all over it, one of the prettiest book covers I've ever seen for real. Then I finally found it since I've always searched for it with weird keywords. That's why I ain't get the right book until fifteen minutes ago, sofa or whatever the hell Kate used to time travel was the answer all this time.
Read
July 22, 2019This was an amazing historical fiction that really opened up my imagination. I absolutely adored this book.
October 3, 2020
Like the historical element, makes me want to know more about princess Alice whom historians often overlook.
May 16, 2023
Bardzo mi się podobała <3
February 5, 2019
Have you ever read "Prada & Prejudice" before reading this one? I did and one of the reasons I picked this book in the first place was because the resemblance on the concept of 'time-travel'. So, reading this book kinda remind me of reading Prada & Prejudice due to the resemblance in the time-traveling concept. I did enjoy the book, tho. The plot is kinda simple and lack of the element of surprise, but it was a good reading to fill your time with.
Overall score: 3.7⭐⭐⭐
Overall score: 3.7⭐⭐⭐
June 12, 2011
The Queen Must Die is a time travel adventure story featuring Katie Berger-Jones-Burg, a young girl from New York who finds herself in the palace of Queen Victoria, at the time when the Crystal Palace was being built. With the help of Princess Alice and a doctor's boy called James O'Reilly, Katie discovers a plot to assassinate the queen and has to try everything to prevent it from coming to pass. But there are sinister figures creeping through the palace at night, and supernatural forces at work - Katie is not the only time-traveller in the city...
On the whole I really enjoyed The Queen Must Die by K. A. S. Quinn. It was exciting, dark in places, and very humorous, but I had a few niggles as I was reading it.
I think the biggest issue is that this novel felt a lot like setting up the idea of time travelling and the forces of good and evil that utilise the art of time travelling. It is the first in a planned trilogy, and therefore a few of the details were slightly sketchy.
The strongest part of the novel was the characterisation. Katie was a fabulously strong voice - a brave and sassy American girl, who is able to use her wits under pressure. She's also presented as being a reader - and, of course, I'm massively in favour of seeing characters like this in children's books! Princess Alice was presented very ably as a product of her time - meek at times, and realising that her place in society is limited by her sex. The comparison that can be made between Katie and Alice shows just how much life has changed for women over the years. James O'Reilly is an excellent foil for both the girls - dour and grumpy most of the time, reluctantly admiring of Katie's tomboy abilities, such as catching balls and climbing.
Quinn wraps historical facts into the story with evident glee and a love for her research. The sweet relationship between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is written beautifully, including a very touching midnight scene between them as they research their work on desks side by side.
The introduction of supernatural elements was a little of a sideways swerve into a different story. I could quite happily have read more about Katie adjusting to life in Victorian times - that would have made for a very entertaining read - and so I struggled once the 'three children', the Tempus Fugit, were added.
Behind the immediate plot, there was some rather nice discussion on the nature of motherhood and the different approaches; and also how cause leads to effect within time travel stories. Both of these themes were tackled in a way that made it very easy for younger readers to analyse as well.
As I say, on the whole this was a fun little book and I would certainly not object to reading the second in the series. It is suitable for readers 8-12, in my opinion, but older readers would find enough to enjoy as well. An exciting romp through history with a lovely female protagonist.
On the whole I really enjoyed The Queen Must Die by K. A. S. Quinn. It was exciting, dark in places, and very humorous, but I had a few niggles as I was reading it.
I think the biggest issue is that this novel felt a lot like setting up the idea of time travelling and the forces of good and evil that utilise the art of time travelling. It is the first in a planned trilogy, and therefore a few of the details were slightly sketchy.
The strongest part of the novel was the characterisation. Katie was a fabulously strong voice - a brave and sassy American girl, who is able to use her wits under pressure. She's also presented as being a reader - and, of course, I'm massively in favour of seeing characters like this in children's books! Princess Alice was presented very ably as a product of her time - meek at times, and realising that her place in society is limited by her sex. The comparison that can be made between Katie and Alice shows just how much life has changed for women over the years. James O'Reilly is an excellent foil for both the girls - dour and grumpy most of the time, reluctantly admiring of Katie's tomboy abilities, such as catching balls and climbing.
Quinn wraps historical facts into the story with evident glee and a love for her research. The sweet relationship between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is written beautifully, including a very touching midnight scene between them as they research their work on desks side by side.
The introduction of supernatural elements was a little of a sideways swerve into a different story. I could quite happily have read more about Katie adjusting to life in Victorian times - that would have made for a very entertaining read - and so I struggled once the 'three children', the Tempus Fugit, were added.
Behind the immediate plot, there was some rather nice discussion on the nature of motherhood and the different approaches; and also how cause leads to effect within time travel stories. Both of these themes were tackled in a way that made it very easy for younger readers to analyse as well.
As I say, on the whole this was a fun little book and I would certainly not object to reading the second in the series. It is suitable for readers 8-12, in my opinion, but older readers would find enough to enjoy as well. An exciting romp through history with a lovely female protagonist.
June 8, 2016
This is the story of Katie Berger-Jones-Burg. One minute, she's under the bed of her New York apartment, and the next she's in Buckingham Palace, at the height of Queen Victoria's reign—a dangerous place to be. The Royal Family is in mortal peril. In the secret passages of the palace, a plot is afoot. Suspicious figures huddle in the gaslit streets of London. And Katie is not the only time-traveler in the city.
Even though this is a children's book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can see myself at age 9 or 10 and beyond really liking this book. Filled with adventure, time travel, a bit of magic, some fantasy and lots of interesting history about Queen Victoria and her family, this book kept me intrigued from start to finish. Packed with adventure, mystery and secrets (along with secret passages) I could see this being a great family read-aloud with the kids hollering to find out what happens to Katie in the next book in this 3 book series. I also like the relationship between Princess Alice, James and Katie as well as the fact that the author had the children turn to books when they needed information to continue or explain what what was happening. I would recommend this book to upper elementary and older readers.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
"..Katie-kid, but why so many books?.....It's like, a trip away...It's like I'm really going someplace. I'm flying in my head, a journey, just me, my own mind. It belongs to me--I make it happen. And I get to make new friends-not just the people in the book, but the person who writes the book too, and the story, and..."
"I used to feel like it was just me--that everyone else was living this fun happy life, and I was all alone, like in a bubble, just watching. Then Alice came along, it's like she popped the bubble. I think that's how you're supposed to feel about a sister, or brother--that they're on your side, always."
"Why shouldn't all people be equal? Why should some live in squalor and ignorance. while others wallow in the soft folds of opulence? Why should we subjugate entire nations to our imperial will? What right have spoilt monarchs to dictate the lives of millions?" (These would be great discussion questions for a group read by an older group of children."
"No,....it is not the best of times. But I can't believe that my own world is beyond saving. To abandon my time would be just like destroying the world. And I cannot believe that I am the child who does that. I need to go back, to live. I count. And I can make a difference. Whether there's anyone there who knows or cares, that doesn't matter. What matters is that I choose to do it."
Even though this is a children's book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can see myself at age 9 or 10 and beyond really liking this book. Filled with adventure, time travel, a bit of magic, some fantasy and lots of interesting history about Queen Victoria and her family, this book kept me intrigued from start to finish. Packed with adventure, mystery and secrets (along with secret passages) I could see this being a great family read-aloud with the kids hollering to find out what happens to Katie in the next book in this 3 book series. I also like the relationship between Princess Alice, James and Katie as well as the fact that the author had the children turn to books when they needed information to continue or explain what what was happening. I would recommend this book to upper elementary and older readers.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
"..Katie-kid, but why so many books?.....It's like, a trip away...It's like I'm really going someplace. I'm flying in my head, a journey, just me, my own mind. It belongs to me--I make it happen. And I get to make new friends-not just the people in the book, but the person who writes the book too, and the story, and..."
"I used to feel like it was just me--that everyone else was living this fun happy life, and I was all alone, like in a bubble, just watching. Then Alice came along, it's like she popped the bubble. I think that's how you're supposed to feel about a sister, or brother--that they're on your side, always."
"Why shouldn't all people be equal? Why should some live in squalor and ignorance. while others wallow in the soft folds of opulence? Why should we subjugate entire nations to our imperial will? What right have spoilt monarchs to dictate the lives of millions?" (These would be great discussion questions for a group read by an older group of children."
"No,....it is not the best of times. But I can't believe that my own world is beyond saving. To abandon my time would be just like destroying the world. And I cannot believe that I am the child who does that. I need to go back, to live. I count. And I can make a difference. Whether there's anyone there who knows or cares, that doesn't matter. What matters is that I choose to do it."
April 27, 2015
Katie is a modern teen, who finds it hard to get on with her peers, and likes nothing better than camping out under her bed with her books. After falling asleep whilst reading one day, Katie suddenly finds herself in Victorian England, under a sofa in Buckingham Palace.
The majority of the book is a historical adventure. Katie is discovered by Princess Alice, the young daughter of the Queen, and then by James, the son of the royal doctor. Whilst trying to work out how Katie has gotten there, and finding a way home for her, they uncover a plot to assassinate the Queen. The three young people learn to work together, to find all the answers.
The historical aspect is handled really well, especially the descriptions of The Crystal Palace, which was built for the 1851 Great Exhibition. It lead me to find out a little more, and anything which encourages further reading/ research in children has to be good!
The adventure part of the story does run all the way through, but it picks up more in the second half. It was during this second half that I found myself drawn back to the book much more.
Towards the end of the book, the issue of Katie’s time travelling is explored in greater detail, as the books strays into the realm of science fiction / fantasy. For me, this aspect of the book didn’t work quite as well as the historical and adventure aspects. However, if the author hadn’t explored this issue, I’m not sure how Katie’s existence there would have been explained. Plus, of course, in the days of the like of Dr Who, this aspect will probably actually be welcomed by young readers.
The Queen Must Die is the first in a new trilogy, and I understand the main characters will be returning. I’m certainly interested to see where the author will take the story in the next book, and I will be encouraging my daughter to take a look too.
The majority of the book is a historical adventure. Katie is discovered by Princess Alice, the young daughter of the Queen, and then by James, the son of the royal doctor. Whilst trying to work out how Katie has gotten there, and finding a way home for her, they uncover a plot to assassinate the Queen. The three young people learn to work together, to find all the answers.
The historical aspect is handled really well, especially the descriptions of The Crystal Palace, which was built for the 1851 Great Exhibition. It lead me to find out a little more, and anything which encourages further reading/ research in children has to be good!
The adventure part of the story does run all the way through, but it picks up more in the second half. It was during this second half that I found myself drawn back to the book much more.
Towards the end of the book, the issue of Katie’s time travelling is explored in greater detail, as the books strays into the realm of science fiction / fantasy. For me, this aspect of the book didn’t work quite as well as the historical and adventure aspects. However, if the author hadn’t explored this issue, I’m not sure how Katie’s existence there would have been explained. Plus, of course, in the days of the like of Dr Who, this aspect will probably actually be welcomed by young readers.
The Queen Must Die is the first in a new trilogy, and I understand the main characters will be returning. I’m certainly interested to see where the author will take the story in the next book, and I will be encouraging my daughter to take a look too.
July 3, 2015
Ini adalah buku pertama dari seri Gadis Penjelajah Waktu, yang seri keduanya sudah gue review duluan. Secara keseluruhan, gue lebih suka buku pertama ini dibanding dengan buku kedua, proses Katie mengungkap penyebab dia terlempar ke abad 19 sangat mengasyikkan. Setiap scene-nya dibuat mendebarkan dan lembut. Proses James menerima Katie juga nggak kalah menarik. Proses, di mana-mana memang mengasyikkan.
Dibuku pertama ini, pembaca ngga Cuma diajak berpetualang dengan Katie, Alice dan James, pembaca juga (Include me) diajak mengetahui sejarah zaman Victoria. Ratu Victoria memang punya anak bernama Alice dikehidupan nyata, juga Ratu yang menyayangi Pangeran Alberth sepenuh hati, tak lupa istana kristal memang ada di dunia ini, Cuma beberapa abad yang lalu.
Yang gue suka banget dari buku ini adalah alurnya, suka banget, pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang muncul di benak Katie dan lain-lain. Baca buku ini, gue jadi sadar kalau kebenaran belum tentu berarti kebaikan. Well, masih banyak hiukmah yang bisa diambil dari buku ini, tentang kebenaran dan kebaikan.
Karakter yang gue suka adalah Bernardo DuQuelle, meskipun penuh misteri tapi omongannya terasa benar, tentang politik dan dunia. Gue ngebayangin kalau DuQuelle itu V di V For Vendetta, keren binggo.
Scene yang paling gue suka adalah bagian klimaksnya, saat percobaan pembunuhan Mama Alice, adegan Katie yang pura-pura jadi uskup hampir ketahuan karena salah duga.
Overall, 4/5 bintang untuk novel ini
Dibuku pertama ini, pembaca ngga Cuma diajak berpetualang dengan Katie, Alice dan James, pembaca juga (Include me) diajak mengetahui sejarah zaman Victoria. Ratu Victoria memang punya anak bernama Alice dikehidupan nyata, juga Ratu yang menyayangi Pangeran Alberth sepenuh hati, tak lupa istana kristal memang ada di dunia ini, Cuma beberapa abad yang lalu.
Yang gue suka banget dari buku ini adalah alurnya, suka banget, pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang muncul di benak Katie dan lain-lain. Baca buku ini, gue jadi sadar kalau kebenaran belum tentu berarti kebaikan. Well, masih banyak hiukmah yang bisa diambil dari buku ini, tentang kebenaran dan kebaikan.
Karakter yang gue suka adalah Bernardo DuQuelle, meskipun penuh misteri tapi omongannya terasa benar, tentang politik dan dunia. Gue ngebayangin kalau DuQuelle itu V di V For Vendetta, keren binggo.
Scene yang paling gue suka adalah bagian klimaksnya, saat percobaan pembunuhan Mama Alice, adegan Katie yang pura-pura jadi uskup hampir ketahuan karena salah duga.
Overall, 4/5 bintang untuk novel ini
August 2, 2020
Gimana, ya, aku sebenarnya sih cukup dibuat ternganga sama buku ini. Aku kurang excited sama kejadiannya, cuma ketika udah baca pas di akhir, rasanya jadi pengen baca lagi astaga! Ya ampun, aku tidak ada harapan buat menemukan seri selanjutnya 😭❤️
October 8, 2013
Refreshing to see this period in history used for a time travel story.
Katie feels unwanted - her former pop star mother remarries at the drop of a hat, forcing more hyphens on her daughter and swanning off. She has no friends apart from her books. Reading a letter of Queen Victoria's daughter Alice, Katie finds herself stuck in the weeks leading up to the opening of Prince Albert's Great Exhibition. Can she get home? Does she want to? And is there a plot to kill the Queen she can do anything about?
Little history readers will enjoy this adventure, and it may open up curious minds to a very interesting period and royal family, discussing V&A's relationship, haemophilia, the Crystal Palace, even child labour.
There's a little confusion (for me at least) with the loyalties and motivations of a few characters, but lots of history and science and social history wrapped up in a good little 'save the queen' race against time. Katie is an "okay" protagonist, couldn't actually determine her age, liked her relationship with Princess Alice. Thought doctor's son James was a little underwritten and stiff.
Easy to read, good period detail.
Katie feels unwanted - her former pop star mother remarries at the drop of a hat, forcing more hyphens on her daughter and swanning off. She has no friends apart from her books. Reading a letter of Queen Victoria's daughter Alice, Katie finds herself stuck in the weeks leading up to the opening of Prince Albert's Great Exhibition. Can she get home? Does she want to? And is there a plot to kill the Queen she can do anything about?
Little history readers will enjoy this adventure, and it may open up curious minds to a very interesting period and royal family, discussing V&A's relationship, haemophilia, the Crystal Palace, even child labour.
There's a little confusion (for me at least) with the loyalties and motivations of a few characters, but lots of history and science and social history wrapped up in a good little 'save the queen' race against time. Katie is an "okay" protagonist, couldn't actually determine her age, liked her relationship with Princess Alice. Thought doctor's son James was a little underwritten and stiff.
Easy to read, good period detail.
August 25, 2011
The characters' behaviour sounds sometimes a bit anachronistic for the XIX century, but perhaps it's just my imagination. I found James and Katie's arguments very funny and their relationship, cute, even if it's only friendship. Alice is very interesting. In the way the author describes her she would have been a very good queen...
The story is sometimes very slow and boring, sometimes too intrepid. The end seems quite hurried and out of the blue, ending at that moment in the story when you think you're going to learn more about the whole thing (even if it is at the point when you learnt a lot). After a lot of information the explanation how Katie is in the past and why sounds quite spontaneous and pulled out of the hat. Probably if you read the three books one after the other it would make sense, but after just the first one, it was weird.
But the dialogues all along the book are so good... only because of that the book is worth it :) And the chapter about the cricket match and Katie catching the ball like in baseball was hilarious xDD
The story is sometimes very slow and boring, sometimes too intrepid. The end seems quite hurried and out of the blue, ending at that moment in the story when you think you're going to learn more about the whole thing (even if it is at the point when you learnt a lot). After a lot of information the explanation how Katie is in the past and why sounds quite spontaneous and pulled out of the hat. Probably if you read the three books one after the other it would make sense, but after just the first one, it was weird.
But the dialogues all along the book are so good... only because of that the book is worth it :) And the chapter about the cricket match and Katie catching the ball like in baseball was hilarious xDD
June 15, 2017
I read this book and I liked it.
It's funny... I read some reviews of the book and I found out some people took the book because they found the cover so attractive.
Well... In my case it was rather the opposite.
I read the book in polish and the polish edition of the cover is quite dissuasive.
So this book was waiting for me to read it for two years (I know it is a lot of time but I just had other books to read in meantime) and after I read it I understood that the book is actually interesting and good and doesn't deserve this kind of a cover:
http://lubimyczytac.pl/ksiazka/159858...
Now I know I shouldn't have waited so long with it but you always get to understand your mistakes after you've done them.
It's funny... I read some reviews of the book and I found out some people took the book because they found the cover so attractive.
Well... In my case it was rather the opposite.
I read the book in polish and the polish edition of the cover is quite dissuasive.
So this book was waiting for me to read it for two years (I know it is a lot of time but I just had other books to read in meantime) and after I read it I understood that the book is actually interesting and good and doesn't deserve this kind of a cover:
http://lubimyczytac.pl/ksiazka/159858...
Now I know I shouldn't have waited so long with it but you always get to understand your mistakes after you've done them.
April 3, 2017
• 2.5 stars •
Ehhhh. I really enjoyed this in the beginning, but after about 60% it became equal parts boring and confusing. My main issue is that sometimes it was so fast paced that I feel like it missed vital parts out that would of explained what was happening and occasionally, the way Alice or James talked didn't fit the time period which made it feel unauthentic.
I was really intrigued by this series and I wanted to love it since it sounded so different but I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the trilogy.
Ehhhh. I really enjoyed this in the beginning, but after about 60% it became equal parts boring and confusing. My main issue is that sometimes it was so fast paced that I feel like it missed vital parts out that would of explained what was happening and occasionally, the way Alice or James talked didn't fit the time period which made it feel unauthentic.
I was really intrigued by this series and I wanted to love it since it sounded so different but I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the trilogy.
February 28, 2025
This is my first re-read after years. Dulu aku baca di perpustakaan umum, impressed a lot by the genre (i was a huge fantasy reader back then, this book was the starting point of my interest to historical fiction). Kayaknya aku pernah bikin review panjang dulu, tapi filenya hilang nggak tau ke mana. I still enjoy this book a lot, meski nggak terkesan seseru pertama kali aku baca pas masih SMP. Terjemahannya bagus, lugas dan nggak berbelit.
April 1, 2012
I haven't finished reading it yet, but so far it is fantastic. It's about a girl who doesn't fit in anywhere and who sees visions everywhere she goes. Kate Berger-Jones-Burg thinks she's crazy until she gets thrown back in time and she realizes all these visions are for a reason- she must save the queen.
February 6, 2013
This was great - a few of those moments where you wonder if the dialogue feels authentic...would a 19th Century Princess have spoken to a stranger who has arrived from 2011 New York City in that way...however this is fantasy and it is a kid's book... I thoroughly enjoyed and read from start to finish in one sitting.
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March 27, 2012this book is a little boring, if I can say. it's make me sleepy, 'cause that I need a longer time to finish it (I bought this book since August 3, 2011--well ahahaha)
Well, I will read this for the beginning (again) if I have some time.
Well, I will read this for the beginning (again) if I have some time.
August 18, 2021
awal cerita kurang menarik karena gambaran mengenai bayang bayang yang datang pada Katie tidak terlalu jelas. cukup menarik pada bagian Katie yang datang pada dunia lalu. but i feel so pity for her bcause she've crazy mom.
July 8, 2011
Simply incredible!
October 28, 2011
Belum bisa cerita banyak,.. intinya sih tentang petualangan melintasi waktu...
November 30, 2013
AMAZING!!! I can't wait for the next ones :) I'm so glad a friend lent this to me. he has great taste :)
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