An Argumentation of Historians (The Chronicles of St Mary’s #9)

Im so torn. There are things about this series that I love and others that tend to bug me. This book did have one of the best slap me in the face reveals at the end though so props to Jodi Taylor for that.

I love the history. Since Im completely rubbish at historical stuff it is all new and interesting to me. Even when I do know a little about the historical event it is made better because it is shown with a new twist to it. That is really what makes the books really fun.

An Argumentation of Historians is more linear than most of the series in that Max gets stuck in one time Medieval St Marys for the majority of the book. It was as always interesting to learn the customs and ways of a culture in a different time and I totally liked that aspect of the story. I was a bit concerned that the book was going to try and Outlander type situation but I’m okay with how that particular arc was carried out.

But because Max in on her own for a good portion of the book we miss out on some of the fun shenanigans of all the historians together. It is just a different feeling to the story and while there is some spectacular fun at the beginning and a mess OMG reveal at the end I really missed the crew in the middle.

The thing that is difficult for me is that sometimes the author just doesnt follow through on a few things. Like the Teapot pod, it shows up the time police are chasing it Leon takes it off someplace but then later he is back in the story and we have no idea where/when the teapot is and how they are keeping the time police off the trail.

There are a few things like this throughout the story that I feel are just left kinda dangling. Like when Max is back in the past (view spoiler below)

This is the book when I start wondering how much longer this series is going to go. I enjoy it but it seems like we should be getting to a point where we are wrapping things up a little. I mean how many times can Ronan be the bad guy? If nothing else that arc should have an end.

So while I like the series I really wish that sometimes a little more wrap up was done on certain sub arcs, but overall the entire thing is fun.

Spoilers in

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why didnt she at least try to find a place to leave a message for a future St Marys. Why didnt she even think about trying? So far they have buried multiple things there so why didnt she look in those locations and leave something. Also the Time Police tend to show up when people disturb the time line so why didnt she try to do that to get their attention. I would have appreciated at least so thoughts by the character on these points and why she couldnt/wouldnt do them.

This book has it all–laugh-outloud humor, romance, History and history, drama, and more twists than a corkscrew.

All the characters we’ve come to know and love–or loathe–are back, even if only in our fond memories. We’re transported to Persepolis and medieval St. Mary’s. We share in love and loss and love reaffirmed. In short, it’s a rollicking good read.

SPOILER ALERT! And there’s the mother of all cliffhangers. Please let book 10 come out soon!

I’ve read all of Ms. Foster’s books–I think this is one of her best. Highly recommended.

Now if she’d only reconstruct those 20,000 words dealing with the Princes in the Tower…

And she’s the only author I love as much as the sorely missed Terry Pratchett!

Call me blasphemous, because I am a huge fan of this series…but I’m getting a bit bored with fighting Clive Ronan.

I still enjoyed the hell out of this book, despite the slow start. One thing I did appreciate about it is seeing the evolution of St. Mary’s relationship with the Time Police. They’ll never be more than reluctant allies, but at least they’re not trying to murder each other unnecessarily anymore.

For all that Max has said in previous books that people displaced in time have absolutely no chance, she certainly made a go of it. It certainly wasn’t easy, and Max had a few benefits on her side (such as a working knowledge of the time period and passable Latin), but there was very much the sense that any day could see her death. Except — the narrative made it very clear that Max was retelling all of this from safely in the future, with eliminated some of the tension.

On the other hand, it was a lovely dive into a specific period of history concerning day-to-day life. Usually the historians are there for a Major Event, so this slower look isn’t as accessible. Note that an historian is involved, so there are still appropriate levels of mayhem.

This novel also took an interesting look at relationships that I very much enjoyed. Tears were definitely involved, because Taylor is my favorite author who can make me both cry and laugh out loud in the space of a single scene. Max and Leon are my OTP, but Taylor definitely makes us root for Max no matter what situation she has found herself in.

And the ending…so close to a certain conclusion and yet so far. But events I was absolutely no expecting happened, and I continue to applaud Taylor for her deft hand with surprises.

The problem with reading (or watching for that matter) a series, after about book 3 or 4 you keep expecting a lemon to turn up or for the writer to simply run out of ideas. Fans of the series will be glad to hear that this is not that book.

Max and the St Marys team return, ready to reap havoc up and down the timeline. Have there been changes? Yes. The characters are evolving and growing up. They are taking their responsibilities and, for some, their new positions more seriously. (Well occasionally).

This book explores a subject that has only been hinted at in the other books. What exactly does an historian do to survive in the past if all hope of rescue is lost?

Like the books themselves I think Jodi Taylors writing is evolving. I have no idea how she keeps track of all the twists and turns from the various books but she does. I dont know how many more books there will be but whilst ever Jodi keeps on writing them I will keep on buying. This is fabulous reading.

Im totally exhausted! What an incredible number of twists and turns. Max is a bit lost, well more than a bit lost. Stuck, more like. Just when the poor reader(me) thinks that normality and hilarity has resumed, theres yet another twist. Finally, a totally breathtaking ending -I never imagined that ending and as usual, I read the end first, hoping that thered be a good marital love scene….
When I finally reached the last few pages, I was breathless and gasping OMYGOD OHMYGOD.
Reader, you will not encounter any spoilers. Mr Markham is excellent in his new role as the head of security, Dr Bairstow reveals how he contacts the time police. Hooray, hooray! This book is an excellent long read. Thanks Jodi. I can hardly wait for the next installment.

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