Shadow of Time
Jen Minkman
Publication: January 1st 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance | Supernatural Fantasy
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All Hannah needs is a nice and quiet vacation after her first year of teaching French at a high school. She joins her brother Ben for the summer in their mom’s log cabin in Arizona. There, she meets Josh again, Ben’s childhood friend from the Navajo reservation. The little boy from the rez has grown up fast, and Hannah can’t help but feeling more for him than just friendship.
But fate apparently has something else in store for her. And it’s not peace and quiet. Night after night, Hannah is plagued by strange nightmares about the past of Navajo Nation and terrifying shadows chasing her. They seem to come closer – and why is Josh always present in her dreams?
Sometimes, the past has a way of catching up with you.
But fate apparently has something else in store for her. And it’s not peace and quiet. Night after night, Hannah is plagued by strange nightmares about the past of Navajo Nation and terrifying shadows chasing her. They seem to come closer – and why is Josh always present in her dreams?
Sometimes, the past has a way of catching up with you.
I didn't know what to expect when I started Shadow of Time. Fantasy, perhaps, because of the cover and the labels found on Goodreads. But I was pleasantly surprised that it's actually a mix genres and elements: Chick-lit Romance, Historical Mystery, and Paranormal Romance that leans more toward Supernatural because of the Navajo and spiritual lore, with tendrils reminiscent of time-travel and reincarnation. All was weaved to make a lovely and wonderful spectrum of a story. Jen
While the first half of the book focused more on the romance between Hannah and Josh, and I could've done without some of her fretting over his feelings, her own feelings, and their slight age difference, I really liked the friends-to-lovers aspect and how it, as well as all the other relationships, played an unexpected, atypical role in the plot. Hannah and Josh were not just kindred spirits and romantically drawn to each other as adults; they unknowingly found one another when they were children and were bound before even then. It was incredibly romantic (and heart-breaking) as the rest of the story develops and unfolds.
And I love how the story does. The second half of this book was amazing. I adored all the characters and their interaction. With how the relationships developed, there was a very strong sense of family and it expanding. The supernatural elements were believable and so well described that I got the chills.
But what really captivated me was the Navajo history and beliefs. Jen Minkman, the author, transported me to a different time and culture with historical and primitive details. They enriched the book and added great depth to what could have been just the average Paranormal Romance. I immediately started researching and reading more on the community after I finished the book, wanting to know more and what was and wasn't true fact.
If you're a fan of Paranormal Romance and historical novels, looking for a new take on both, you might want to try Jen Minkman's debut, Shadow of Time.
eBook provided by Jen Minkman in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Jen Minkman (1978) was born in Holland, in the town of Alphen aan den Rijn. When she was 19, she moved between The Hague, Salzburg (Austria), Brussels (Belgium) and Cambridge (UK) to complete her studies in intercultural communication. She is currently a teacher of English, career counsellor and teenage coach at a secondary school in Voorburg, Holland. She tries to read at least 100 books a year (and write a few, too!).
In her spare time, she plays the piano, the guitar and the violin. For every novel she writes, she creates a soundtrack.
In her spare time, she plays the piano, the guitar and the violin. For every novel she writes, she creates a soundtrack.
Thank you SO much for your review, Rayna! I appreciate it :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thank you for the opportunity to read it. :)
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