Title: Inheritance of Shadows
Series: Lost in Time
Author: A.L. Lester
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Time Travel
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Publisher: Self
Pages: 160
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
It’s 1919. Matty returns home to the family farm from the trenches only to find his brother Arthur dying of an unknown illness. The local doctor thinks cancer, but Matty becomes convinced it’s connected to the mysterious books his brother left strewn around the house.
Rob knows something other than just Arthur’s death is bothering Matty. He’s know him for years and been in love with him just as long. And when he finds something that looks like a gate, a glowing, terrifying doorway to the unknown, it all starts to fall in to place.
Matty’s looking sicker and sicker in the same way Arthur did. What is Rob prepared to sacrifice to save him?
The answer is in the esoteric books…and with the mysterious Lin of the Frem, who lives beyond the gate to nowhere. It’s taken Matty and Rob more than a decade to admit they have feelings for each other and they are determined that neither social expectations or magical illness will part them now.
The Review
In December of 2017, AL Lester published a free novella titled “The Gate”, it became the prequel for the “Lost In Time” series. “The Gate” introduced: Arthur Weber, his brother Matty, friend Rob Curland, Lin of Frem and the mysteries of the Gate. With “The Gate” as the first chapter, Lester has extended their story with “Inheritance of Shadows”. The tale delivers more about what Arthur had discovered from the green book and how it leads to Matty and Rob becoming involved in the mystery of the Gate.
“The Gate” novella really piqued my interest the first time around and I always wished there was more about Matty and Rob. With the “Inheritance of Shadows” AL Lester brings her creative talents at world building and what lies beyond the Gate. The added chapters open the door to new and strange characters. Doctor Sylvia Marks has a very strong presence in this novella along with: Peter Marchant and Lin of Frem who live beyond the Gate with the Ternants, Delflanders and the creatures Carnas. Lester also builds more Into the relationship of Matty and Rob. I am glad AL Lester continued to add more to “The Gate”. “Inheritance of Shadows” developed into a novella that brings much more to the magic, fantasy, mystery and dangers of the “Lost In Time” series.
I also have to give mention to “A Small, Secret Smile” that is offered in AL Lester’s newsletter. This informative and surprising tale takes place after “The Flowers of Time.” It tells of Frances Jones and Edie Merton, now married and living in England. The author treats us to the tale of how “Frances” is now “Franklin” and only a very few are privileged to know the secret.
Frances is still engrossed in her science and Edie still busy with her flowers and fauna. Edie also has a wonderful talent in painting and has taken on family portraits. While painting a portrait of young Charles, Edie has discovered a secret. She makes the decision to reveal the secret to Frances. The discovery opens up new questions and adds to all the mysteries of the Border.
AL Lester created this wonderfully written short story that answers some questions and leaves us with a new mystery that ties in with the “Lost In Time” series. I’m very excited about how much the “Lost In Time” series has grown and I know AL Lester will have more amazing tales to add to this entertaining series.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.