The Gods Time Forgot Review

The Gods Time Forgot is an enemies-to-lovers to lovers romantasy inspired by Irish mythology written by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez. Read my 3-star review.

Out: Now

Rua remembers nothing but her name. So she lets the wealthy Harrington family think she is their missing daughter Emma while she tries to figure out the truth. She has memories of another world, one laced with darkness. Trying to fit in 1870s Manhattan society, she is drawn to the 'not for her' Lord of Donore, come for business from Ireland. He also feels like he knows her. An ancient secret connects them, and as they rediscover it they must save the future.

It is like we emerge into the story, no introduction, no prologue — nothing, though certainly in an attention-grabbing way. We are discovering this world along with the protagonist and share her sense of newness and that something is not right. The mystery of why she looks like social pariah Emma and the glimpses of another place elevate the intrigue. The frequent use of consecutive short paragraphs caters to a state of immediacy enhances the need to know what happens next. But the narrative has a tangible stillness, a solemnity even when things go crazy. The author uses gorgeous figurative speech to bring forth vivid imagery that is deeply expressive.

The writing has a descriptive nature that helps us visualize the time period admirably, the environment, the societal pressures, the prejudices, the position of women. Trying to be in the good graces of this so-called high, though certainly self-serving, society is exhausting for our main characters and there is drama. Thanks to their backhanded or outright nasty comments, their hurtful actions, there are quite a few characters I would like to slap silly. Rua does not take it lying down and answers accordingly and boy do her remarks cut them down to size.

The protagonists' humorous 'meet-hate' ignites a spark and you get excited for this prospective couple. She is delightfully feisty and her comments are chuckle-worthy zingers but he holds his own. I love the fact that they are trying not to like each other but cannot resist, and this turmoil of emotions — including the way they feel like they already know one another — is depicted deliciously. There are some unfortunately repetitive thoughts, too many comments about reputation, even on the same page, that threw me out of the generally good flow of the story. But I am so glad we get to see both sides of this budding/possibly renewed relationship. Their encounters are swoon-inducing with romance and often comical due to unexpected things occurring.

Details of the inspired by Irish mythology fantastical element lightly season the narrative from the beginning. The upper-class drama is interesting, though I do wish some scenes were tighter to give more time to the fantasy aspect of the story. I needed more of the fantasy side of the story. Leading to the finale, things get intense as the truth gradually sneaks up on them and I couldn't put it down. Their situation turns on the heart-wrenching, becoming increasingly dangerous and leads to an undeniably wild ride of an ending.

A second chances, very different enemies to lovers historical romance, captivating and yearnful.