Time Walker By Meghan Ciana Doige

Time Walker (Spirit Bound #1 of the Cascadian Chronicles)
Author: Meghan Ciana Doidge
YA Book
Fantasy
 4 out of 5 Stars
Review by: Lauren Henry

Synopsis

Beth was sneaky. No lock could hold her. No cage could confine her. No door could bar her way. But, when your adoptive mother is a Spirit Binder, and all your siblings are elementals, being sneaky doesn't really rank.
That is until the devastation of a city draws her omniscient mother's attention, and her siblings go missing one by one, then Beth's sneakiness is the only thing standing between her, her loved ones, and the worst enemy she'll ever face: herself.



My Review

17 year old Beth is picking locks. A great opening scene and, like this book, completely and unexpectedly, wonderfully well written.

Beth lives with her adoptive family in their kingdom Cascadia, a land not of this time or world even. Guests have arrived at their castle in Cascadia for Beth's youngest adoptive sister, Rose's, coming of magical age ceremony. Beth is using the opportunity to hone in on her magical abilities, what with so many pieces of luggage laying around. See, every one of Beth's adoptive siblings have incredible powers. Unfortunately, Beth's abilities seem to be limited to shadow walking and...picking locks. She is not bitter or resentful but painfully aware that among her "brothers" and "sisters", Beth is the least powerful BUT she does take pride in her small, special skill. Their adoptive mother Theo, the most powerful being in Cascadia, was the accidental cause of the transfer of magic that spirit bound them all together. She may be all powerful but she still makes time to encourage Beth's abilities and reminds her that she is still coming into her magic.

The night after Rose's ceremony, Beth is awakened by what seems to be a premonition. She runs to save Rose after hearing her scream in a dream. Beth is able to pull Rose to safety just in time as an earthquake threatens to collapse the castle. Theo prevents any damage being done to the castle itself but their kingdom is left in ruins. Theo, her husband, and the magical guests in the kingdom that were attending the ceremony mount their horses and ride off to assist the Cascadians, leaving Beth to take care of her siblings and attend to the guest's children, Finn and his twin, Calla. That's when the storyline really picks up.

Their family left defenseless in their castle leaves Beth feeling on edge. A stranger is spotted in the forbidden tower, so Finn and Beth go to investigate. Fearing for their families safety, they confront the stranger only to find that it is Beth, an adult Beth, who has snuck into the castle. Adult Beth demands that 17 year old Beth open the door to the forbidden tower and the consequences will be dire to her family and the one she loves if she doesn't...

Beth, faced with losing everyone she holds dear to her heart, must find the courage to do what she must to save them. Even if that means the impossible, time walking.

An honest opinion of Time Walker: it was very good! This series has a lot of potential to be great with a little more explanation and some thorough background history. Admittedly, I did not read the book about Theo and the prophecy that would have prooobably made THIS book make a little more sense in the beginning. In saying that, it Can be read as a stand alone and is again, very good. What I'm trying to put into words here is this, consider investing in Ms. Doidge's other work if, like me, you had some questions! As for Beth, she had to grow on me. I wasn't too sure about the insecure, almost unattractive lock picker until I realized how much love she had for her family. After a couple of chapters, I really liked this cunning and caring young woman who would do anything for her adoptive siblings. She is bold and sassy, just a little bit too hard on herself yet sensitive and sweet when she wants to be. I think you'll end up liking her and this story too.

Happy Reading!