Breaking Time by Sasha Alsberg
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher, Inkyard Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Breaking Time in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Gist
I have been staring at my screen trying to find something to say about this story, but words aren’t coming easily today. Or perhaps there isn’t really anything to say.
I don’t mean to sound nasty. And maybe I just don’t have that much patience lately, but it’s been hard finding a good story these days.
Just look at my previous ratings of books. Mostly 2 stars. I feel like I’m just repeating myself these days.
I knew nothing about Breaking Time or the author, but was genuinely looking forward to a YA time travel story.
The Details
There was so much going on in the first chapter, I had no idea what to make of it all.
We are introduced to the first protagonist and pretty much learn his complete backstory and that of his best friend. Plus some weird stuff is going on in the shadows. I felt like my mind was pulled in too many directions. It was impossible to focus. Or even figure out which part of the info dump one is supposed to focus.
Also, I don’t think back in the 1500’s – I’m assuming that’s when the chapter takes place – “streets” was a commonly used word. I could be wrong, but it felt very modern in that scene.
Then we time travel about a half century to read about a rather grumpy, spoiled and self-centred young woman in her late teens, complaining how she is going to end up an old maid.
We also get to read about how her mother bought Scottish antiques in North America to make the Scottish inn that is actually located in Scotland look and feel more Scottish…
If you feel like throwing in the towel just reading this review, you can imagine how I felt reading Breaking Time.
To say that the writing is chaotic is an understatement. The characters are unlikeable, to say the least.
With that I must stop before the big blue vein inside my head pops.
The Verdict
Overall, I feel very discouraged thinking about Breaking Time. It makes me want to curl up in bed and never read again.
Maybe I have finally outlived my time reading YA stories.
About the Author
Sasha Alsberg is the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Zenith, the first book in The Androma Saga. When Sasha is not writing or obsessing over Scotland, she is galavanting across social media with her two dogs, Fraser & Fiona. Sasha lives in London, England.
