Marking Time (The Immortal Decentants #1) By April White

Marking Time by April White

Age: YA
Format: Paperback/ Ebook
Price: Ebook-free

Pages: 442

Publisher: Corazon Entertainment

Publication Date: November 5, 2012

Seventeen-year-old tagger Saira Elian can handle anything...a mother who mysteriously disappears, a stranger who stalks her around London, and even the noble English Grandmother who kicked Saira and her mother out of the family. But when an old graffiti tag in a tube station transports Saira to the 19th Century and she comes face-to-face with Jack the Ripper, she realizes she needs help after all. Saira meets Archer, a charming student who helps her blend in as much as a tall, modern American teen can in Victorian England. He reveals the existence of the Immortals: Time, Nature, Fate, War and Death, and explains to Saira that it is possible to move between centuries – if you are a Descendant of Time. Saira finds unexpected friendships at a boarding school for Immortal Descendants and a complicated love with a young man from the past. But time is running out for her mother, and Saira must embrace her new identity as she hides from Archer a devastating secret about his future that may cost him his life.

About a month ago I was asked to read and review this book, for an up and coming author.  I was excited from the moment I read the synopsis.  It sounded like my kind of book.  She didn’t disappoint in the slightest. 

Though this book is technically a young adult novel, April White writes in a way that could be enjoyed by all ages.  It was fast paced, funny, and exciting.  I became hooked on the book from the moment I began the first chapter. Though this book is fast paced, I must say this is not a quick read.  The book has a very complex plot, and takes time to digest all that is going on with the characters, and all the time traveling.  It is well worth the time reading it though.  April White created a beautiful debut novel that is vivid, complex, and has many intriguing characters. 

 I enjoyed almost all of the characters, but by far Ringo was my favorite.  He has a quirky and witty attitude that just made me love him from the beginning.  Besides Ringo I really enjoyed the main character Saira, she was funny, spunky, and confident heroine.  I was a refreshing change from the melodramatic characters most young adult literature today. 

I wonder if this book will be made into a series, or if it will be a stand-alone book.  The book has a good ending, thank goodness no big cliff hangers, but is left open enough that if the author wished she could write another.  I really hope another book comes out.  I really loved reading this one, and have become quite attached to all the characters.