In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.
No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.
But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.
MY THOUGHTS
I both read this book in hardcover and listened to this book on audio. I switched between the two throughout the book.
Jules lives in a kingdom where time is currency. Days, weeks, months, and years can be extracted from someone via their blood. Her father is dying after extracting too much time in order to pay off debts. To save her father, and make money, Jules decides to work at Everless, the aristocratic household that her and her father once worked until they had to flee. Now Jules will have to confront her past, but being at Everless may just put her in more danger.
This book has an intriguing concept, but it had trouble grasping my attention. I actually fell asleep a couple of times while listening to the book. Not much happens in the middle of the book. I actually went back to make sure I didn't miss anything, and I really didn't miss anything that affected understanding the story.
Now, there is quite a lot of action in the beginning and the end. It also in these points that we see the concept the strongest. This book takes place in a world where time becomes currency. The rich live centuries, while the poor take months and years off their lives in order to pay debts. The magic in this world is unique and I think for the most part the concept was shown well in the book. The world itself does unfortunately sound familiar, with a high percent of the population in poverty and a small percent taking in excess what the poor had to pay to survive. I do think the book did a great job in showing this concept, yet I never felt like I was fully in this world. I think maybe it has to do with the fact that a big reveal in the story is based on a story passed down in this world that was not fully explained.
I think throughout the book I just felt like the plot was dragging. I knew I should care about these characters, but I didn't care as much as I should have. Closer to the end, the plot did pick up. While I didn't quite understand every reveal, it did take the book in a unique direction. I also liked how the book tried to expand upon how magic is used in this world, and how it used time in a way beyond the general concept.
As for romance, from the synopsis, I expected a love triangle and there wasn't really a love triangle (thank goodness). There are two guys, but Jules spends most of the time attracted to one and hating the other. There isn't really any romance in the book beyond attraction. I don't mind it when books have little romance (I actually prefer it when there isn't romance), but I got the feeling that we were supposed to read more into it and see a relationship and I just didn't.
Jules lives in a kingdom where time is currency. Days, weeks, months, and years can be extracted from someone via their blood. Her father is dying after extracting too much time in order to pay off debts. To save her father, and make money, Jules decides to work at Everless, the aristocratic household that her and her father once worked until they had to flee. Now Jules will have to confront her past, but being at Everless may just put her in more danger.
This book has an intriguing concept, but it had trouble grasping my attention. I actually fell asleep a couple of times while listening to the book. Not much happens in the middle of the book. I actually went back to make sure I didn't miss anything, and I really didn't miss anything that affected understanding the story.
Now, there is quite a lot of action in the beginning and the end. It also in these points that we see the concept the strongest. This book takes place in a world where time becomes currency. The rich live centuries, while the poor take months and years off their lives in order to pay debts. The magic in this world is unique and I think for the most part the concept was shown well in the book. The world itself does unfortunately sound familiar, with a high percent of the population in poverty and a small percent taking in excess what the poor had to pay to survive. I do think the book did a great job in showing this concept, yet I never felt like I was fully in this world. I think maybe it has to do with the fact that a big reveal in the story is based on a story passed down in this world that was not fully explained.
I think throughout the book I just felt like the plot was dragging. I knew I should care about these characters, but I didn't care as much as I should have. Closer to the end, the plot did pick up. While I didn't quite understand every reveal, it did take the book in a unique direction. I also liked how the book tried to expand upon how magic is used in this world, and how it used time in a way beyond the general concept.
As for romance, from the synopsis, I expected a love triangle and there wasn't really a love triangle (thank goodness). There are two guys, but Jules spends most of the time attracted to one and hating the other. There isn't really any romance in the book beyond attraction. I don't mind it when books have little romance (I actually prefer it when there isn't romance), but I got the feeling that we were supposed to read more into it and see a relationship and I just didn't.
IN CONCLUSION
Overall, this book has a really intriguing idea and I think it had some really interesting scenes, but a good chunk of the book felt drawn out and boring. The book ended on a pretty strong note, but I doubt I will continue the series. I just don't feel that compelled to know more about the characters, and the next book doesn't have that great of an average rating for a sequel/series conclusion.
I hereby give this book
3 Stars
Meaning: I liked it
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