Out of Time - Review

Out of Time by Lynn Abbey. Ace, 2000.

Here's an oldie but goody. Lynn Abbey has been writing fantasy for many years and doing a darn good job of it. I read this book a few years ago and really loved it. Perhaps some of the appeal was due to the protagonist being a librarian - I was a reference librarian for many years and still remain one in my heart. Usually we are portrayed little old ladies wearing their hair in a bun with no sense of adventure. Well, it's just not true. Please read on...


Emma, a 50 year-old university librarian, has led a fairly normal existence until the day she stumbles upon a strange box in her basement. Her real name, Merle Acalia, is written across the yellowed cardboard. Inside she finds a book of charms and spells and old letters, all left to her by Eleanor, the mother who abandoned her when she was very young. To her distress Emma becomes involved in a world of dimensions she had never imagined, a frightening world where curses take on form and must be hunted through time and destroyed lest they cause terrible suffering for those who live in the here-and-now. With reluctance Emma takes up the mantel of hunter-witch. Out of Time has a brilliant plot and intricate, believable characters. There is a proper ending, but with one part of the plot left unresolved, leaving it obvious that there will be at least one sequel.

If you go to the chapter sites you will also have a chance to read Lynn Abby's background notes. It's always interesting to me what writers have to go through on the way to publication.

Out of Time Ace 2000 Read chapter one...

Behind Time, Ace 2001 Read chapter one...

Taking Time, Ace 2004 Read chapter one...

Down Time, Ace 2005 Read chapter one...