Book Review: Rising Phoenix by Shanna Robillard
The Blurb
The future is now. During the mid-1980s, time travel was discovered, and future generations have grown up with both the ability and advantage of traversing time. Traveling is managed by Chronociti, the corporation established by Dr. Luther Thorsen, the physicist who discovered time travel. Using their Prism teams, Chronociti maintains order, ensuring no one disturbs the current Earth timeline or abuses the privilege of time travel.
One such Prism team member is Phoenix, an experienced Observer dedicated to chronicling historical events. She doesn't interfere or alter the events - no one does. Her job is to ensure accuracy is maintained and future generations can accurately learn from history.
However, her former lover and team leader, Caelum, has other plans. After she reported him for violation fundamental travel laws, Chronociti banished him. Now he's ready to dismantle his old employer, eager to see the wrongs of history made right, and he'll stop at nothing to see it done. What's more, he's obsessed with Phoenix, stalking her throughout time with his new team of travelers and trying to take her off mission. Last time she narrowly escaped with her life.
Unable to rely on Chronociti's in-house Security, Phoenix offers up her life-savings to a stoic bodyguard named Aurelius. In an attempt to escape the grief of his father's death, he agrees to protect her. As he accompanies her through time, their business arrangement evolves into something more complicated…and more intimate…
Caelum isn't deterred, however. Hellbent on seeing his vision of history come true, he's more determined than ever to rip both Chronociti and Phoenix's worlds apart.
The Review
This was tipped as a Bodyguard meets Time Cop vibe and I snagged it immediately. I am, granted more for the Time Cop than the Bodyguard but who cares. Time travel! I can take the slush!
This is a solid story. The author gave references for time travel theory and what could go wrong in her notes at the end which I liked. I like that a lot.
The history looked on point. They weren't my areas especially being mostly ancient history but I've taught a bit, and it all matched up with what I knew. I do love a thorough histfic.
The characters are fairly diverse. This is good. The villains were good: the main antagonist in particular.
The relationship didn't overpower the story, and was a nice healthy one. I can't tell you how much I appreciate reading a non toxic relationship in books. It's open door, some closed, medium spice maybe?
The FMC has past experience of a violent relationship which is referenced and talked about. Heads up for those who want to avoid that.
There were a couple of things that niggled.
Some of the character names are similar - Aurelius, Aquila, Auriga
Cetus, Crius - could be just me though and others will find it fine. It took me a while to sort them.
I didn't get enough of a sense of the FMC. She was reactive, more than proactive. Part of that could be background and I did like her. I would have liked to see more of her inner thoughts/emotions in her POV.
Overall it's an action packed jaunt through time with a formidable antagonist and a thoughtful love interest. I recommend. And I will be checking this author out for more time travel!
