Monday, October 7, 2013

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Art of Stealing Time

For as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.

Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.

Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her animals, and can often be found lurking around online.

Speaking of online, you can find her at her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads too!


The Art of Stealing Time, TIME THIEF Book #2
     by Katie MacAlister


Synopsis:
Experts in the art of stealing time, Travellers live on the edge of both mortal and immortal realms. But a few fight their outlaw instincts…

Gwenhwyfar Byron Owens learned everything she knows about potions and spells from her two Wiccan moms, who are forbidden by Otherworld laws from teaching magic to mortals. But when their latest transgression results in the kidnapping of a mortal woman, Gwen figures the only place to hide them all is in Anwyn, the Welsh afterlife…

But Gregory Faa—a member of the Watch—is hot on their heels. A Traveller who has stolen time, he’s eager to prove himself worthy of the Watch, only he has a past with the dark-eyed Welsh beauty he’s been charged with bringing to justice. He’s tempted to just let Gwen disappear into Anwyn, until he realizes that she’s being pursued by a squad of goons and death’s minions.

Gwen is used to taking care of her moms and herself, so she can’t give in to her heart’s demand to trust Gregory, despite the fact that he’s as handsome as the day is long—and the days in Anwyn can last centuries…

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:

I was completely geared up for this book. I thoroughly enjoyed Time Thief, thought it was genius and fresh, and then after Time Crossed I was salivating because let's be honest, that was just a dirty tease. I'll be honest though, I got a good 30% into The Art of Stealing Time and was a bit worried. It just wasn't moving as fast as I had anticipated and I was waiting for something big to happen to kick things into gear. And then they entered Anwyn...

From that point on, it was the fantastic laugh-out-loud paranormal romance that I've come to know and love from the lovely Ms. MacAlister and I couldn't get enough!  

The TIME THIEF universe is incredibly unique to begin with, it's fresh, and multidimensional with subtle and overt nuances that make it decidedly its own. But in The Art of Stealing Time, Katie introduces another layer, the Welsh underworld, Anwyn and it's Alice-in-Wonderlandesque cast of characters.

Our heroine, Gwen, is an Alchemist with two trouble prone Wiccan mothers. While trying to clean up yet another of their messes, she finds herself a person of interest and target for several groups and her life becomes infinitely more complicated.  

Our hunky hero, Gregory, is the cousin of Peter Faa (the hero of book #1). He has just taken a probationary job with the Watch (sort of the supernatural police) when they're tipped off to some illicit activity that needs investigation. While doing so, Gregory crosses paths with Gwen and their lives and fates become inexplicably tangled.

MacAlister's books always make me laugh and this one is no exception. I enjoyed visiting the Welsh afterlife and can't wait to see where the next book in the Time Thief series will take me!

Anwyn was a trip! The place is crazy, the people even more so, and the magic and history that make up the very fabric of what Gwen and Gregory are thrown into is utterly fascinating. It was also so vividly written, and so perfectly entwined with the characters' stories, that I felt like I could literally see things as they happened and feel what went on as it did. I loved it!

The tension between Gregory and Gwen was stellar, and I think I enjoyed their tale so much because it was hard earned. There was no simply falling into bed for these two. There were trials, tribulations, bonds to break, trust to earn and so much more before they even gave it a go, and even then, things weren't completely balanced. It was anxiety riddled and fantastic to read.

Take that, add in some truly off the wall and loveable supporting characters, some epic one-liners and snark for the ages, heart pumping action, and PLENTY of surprise and you get The Art of Stealing Time.

I most definitely recommend this book, but I strongly suggest reading the series in order - Time Thief, Time Crossed and then The Art of Stealing Time - to get the most out of this novel. I also recommend that you stick it out through the slower set up pieces at the beginning of the book because once they hit Anwyn, it's non-stop goodness.

I can't wait to see what Katie has in store in Traveller-verse next...

The Art of Stealing Time


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