And the Rest is History

While I love all Jodi Taylor’s books and short stories, this one was difficult for me. It is well-written, fast-moving, and has those moments of crazy humor that her books do so well. However, there is a lot of pain in this book also. And some questions from Book 7 are answered, such as what was Leon doing when he swooped in from a different time to rescue Max and team from the blizzard.

Some time ago I read an essay by Jodi Taylor about her writing career. She told how as a child her stories always ended with everyone dying. When she planned her first St. Mary’s book she originally had everyone dying in the end. Thank goodness she changed her mind about that! But, without going into Spoiler territory, I would say, “Please, please, please, Jodi, quit killing off the characters we’ve grown to love!” Much more of this and I won’t be able to keep reading for the heartbreaks. And I want so very much to keep enjoying the adventures of St. Mary’s.

That said, I now have a much better understanding of the events of 1066 and the defeat of Saxon England by the Norman who wanted to be England’s King–William the Conqueror. Jodi brings that dreadful battle to life (with a lot of death!), as well as the events that led up to the final confrontation. One of Jodi’s great gifts as a writer is her ability to bring historical events to life so vividly that the reader comes away feeling like, “Yes, that must be exactly what it was like to be there. And, of course, that was the way it happened.”

I am pretty sure that my only problem with Jodi Taylor’s writing is the slowness with which she produces new St. Mary’s books. She’s looking at one per year, more or less; I’m looking for one per week, more or less. [I read (and reread them) them in less than a day.]

I would not recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t read the earlier books in the Chronicles of Saint Mary’s series– each book is heavily dependent on those that went before. There are eight full-length books in the series, plus almost as many short stories and novellas. If you’re looking for where to begin, read “Just One Damned Thing After Another”, the first novel.

Ms. Taylor knows her history, and has a deft comic touch. The stories are very British, to the point that I had to check Google Maps a few times– who knew that in a country the size of England there are no fewer than four rivers all named “Ouse”? With the historians of St. Mary’s investigating the invasions of 1066, the reader’s knowing that the Viking invasion that preceded that of the Normans took place at the River Ouse in the northern Yorkshire and not at the River Great Ouse in East Anglia, makes a real difference in understanding the defeat of the Saxons by William the Conqueror. English geography isn’t much taught in the American schools I attended, but it’s quite necessary to finding your way around English battles. Thank heavens for Google Maps…

Highly recommended.

I love this series, but I did not love this book. It was as well written as the others, BUT…. I read this series in part for it’s light-hearted craziness. THIS entry in the series was just one tragic event after another, with the occasional mitigation. At no time did I feel the little bubble of happiness that I normally associate with the series. Ms. Taylor did a great job of making me feel the desolation of her characters, which confirms her talent, but the problem is I don’t enjoy feeling it! (I can find reasons for desolation in the newspaper, the TV news, etc.). I realize that she probably thought the heroes had remained unrealistically unscathed until now; although that may be true, I prefer it that way. I will of course look forward to the next entry in the series, which I hope will be less sad.

(SPOILERS) Please don’t read this unless you’ve already read the book. (SPOILERS)
(SPOILERS) ************************* (SPOILERS)

WOW!!!! I mean, serious wow. The book starts off innocently enough, but not even halfway in your heart is torn to shreds and never quite put back together again. First, I’m completely devastated that we lost Helen, but as a grandmother, seeing Matthew get kidnapped was devastating. And Max’s reaction was heartbreaking. Now Peterson is a shell of himself, Leon found Matthew, but not until he was 8 years old, and he doesn’t trust women, which means Max when from having a cute little baby who was a momma’s boy to having a glaring little 8 year old who doesn’t trust her. The development of Matthew throughout the book, from being a scared, filthy little boy to a boy who hangs out with Lingoss, blowing up stuff, and who might have special abilities with time was very well done. I applaud you, Jodi Taylor.

I suspect (and hope) that Matthew going to live with the Time Police, who also have other children with special abilities living with them, means we will eventually have a whole Matthew Farrell series of books.

I will also confess that since this is a time travel series, I’m hoping that Helen somehow shows up again, maybe a Helen from a different time or different reality.

I couldn’t believe how much is in this book. Story after story,adventure after adventure. And how it unveils too, shock, after shock. No I won’t put any spoilers but it’s a rip roaring ride right up to the last page. Unbelievable

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