In the Shadow of Time by Kevin Ansbro 
[Review]

Print length: 388 pages
Publisher: 2QT Limited (Publishing)
Publication date: 30th August 2021

Price: £10.99

My Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

"I was in Mexico City for three months, and yet returned to England on the same day that I left..."

Through her time-travel research, physicist Dr Sofia Ustinova has attracted the interest of higher beings from a distant galaxy...

Luna, a porcelain-skinned teenager, lives alone in a Danish forest where she guards an astonishing secret...

Pablo, an optimistic shoeshine boy, struggles to earn a living on the sweltering streets of Mexico City...

Meanwhile, Hugo Wilde, a British secret agent, embarks on a mission to kill a Russian assassin, unaware that his life is about to change in ways he could never have imagined...

Review

This is the first novel that I have read written by Kevin Ansbro and I know it will definitely not be my last. I fear that I will not be able to write a decent review for this extraordinary story as my words alone cannot even begin to articulate the journey this story took me on. 

This book is so beautifully written, I could literally picture Silkeborg Forest in Denmark where you are first introduced to a fair skinned young lady who is not what she appears to be. It's 1970 and she has just become an orphan but thankfully the Gods were looking out for poor little Luna as she is taken in by a man that teaches her how to stay alive and to hide her true self. By 1986 Luna is a sixteen year old girl fending for herself in the forest whilst guarding her heavy secret. 

Throwing time forward to 2020 where physicist Dr Sofia Ustinova is eagerly awaiting her husband's departure, but instead comes face to face with a British MI6 agent who is there to deliver some sweet karma to Sofia's monstrous husband but to both of their surprise, the hardened MI6 agent falls head over heels with Sofia. This is just the beginning of an amazing journey that Kevin takes you on. 

Kevin does an absolutely stellar job in intricately weaving the different time frames and instead of it feeling jarring, it flows smoothly and pleasantly, taking you on a ride of your life. I was concerned at the beginning that following many characters may become confusing but the story was perfectly composed and each character felt like family.

The machine takes Sofia, Hugo and his friend Vincent back to the past. These odd individuals make a humorous bunch but also a heart-warming family which only becomes more unique with the addition of Pablo and Luna. This is a very brief overview of the wonderful story that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface in all reality, you just have to delve straight into it and experience it for yourself.

I cannot thank Kevin Ansbro enough for transporting me to this magical realm where wrongs are put to right, where love can be found even in the darkest of places and lastly for providing me with a positive story that warmed my heart and my soul. 

Amazon purchase link: In the Shadow of Time: Amazon.co.uk: Ansbro, Kevin: 9781914083228: Books

About The Author

I was born of Irish parents, and have also lived in Malaysia and Germany.
My formal education was at Hamond's Grammar School in Swaffham, and at the Norfolk College of Arts and Technology (Stephen Fry being a much more famous former student).
I write in the magical realism genre, meshing otherworldliness into the harshness of our real world. I also like to handcuff humour and tragedy to the same radiator.
Perhaps incongruously for an author, I have a background in karate and kickboxing and travel extensively - particularly in the Far East.
I'm married (to Julie) and currently live in Norwich, England.
Stuff about me: I'm a foodie and an avid reader who values good manners, love and friendship above all else. I am constantly putting my foot in it, am reputed to have a wicked sense of humour and love to laugh, but sometimes do that 'snorty pig' noise when I do.
I'm also easy-going and extremely friendly. Come on over and have a chat - I'll put the kettle on!

(Taken from Goodreads).

Follow Kevin Ansbro on Twitter here: @kevinansbro

Find more info about Kevin Ansbro here: Homepage - Kevin Ansbro