The Map Across Time (The Gates of Heaven Series)

I enjoyed the first book in C.S. Lakin's Gates of Heaven Series, The Wolf of Tebron . I'd read Grace Bridges' review and it sounded like something right up my alley--"a fairy tale for adults." It's a great story.I liked The Map Across Time even better, though!The Gates of Heaven series isn't a real series in that the books can be read out of order. They take place in the same world, but aren't necessarily chronological.The Map Across Time is the story of twins, Adin and Aletha. Their mother the queen is deathly ill. Their father the king is suffering the effects of the curse that has invaded their land. Their future is doomed until Adin stumbles across a talking pig who brings him to a hermit's house. And the hermit leads Adin to a map that will take him back in time, where Adin must find the cause of the curse and its cure.The concept is simple. The execution is not. The story is complex, and rich, and twisty is such a lovely way! Time travel is one of those concepts that makes my brain feel as if it's being pinched. I just can't wrap my mind around the paradox. Lakin, though, laid out a story that wove the crossed-over timeline perfectly. Brilliant.The only--and I mean only--thing that bothered me was the use of the "old language." Where words in italics were thrown in here and there, words that all seemed to have randomly placed apostrophes. I doubt this will bother most people, but it is a pet peeve of mine. I will say that their use thinned out as the book went on, and it never once got even close to bugging me enough to make me stop reading. Every ounce of the rest of the book was enjoyable. And the use of the old language was actually integral to the plot!I highly recommend the book for fantasy and fairy tale fans.

I loved this book: The Map Across Time. It was very imaginative and yet relatable. I loved the two protagonist, and at first I thought Aletha was the main one, but it turned out to be her twin brother. One of my favorite characters, besides Aletha and Adin was Reya. She could influence Aletha and Adin without them realizing she was. The mother's part-Queen- turned firebird was brilliant. The entire book was filled with adventure. From the enchanted pig, to the wonderful creative maze to the map, and Aletha tracking Adin through his footprints, to Adin living in the cabin, and he was the old man that had talked to Aletha and Adin by the wall about their mother. At the end when Aiden finally gets to live back with his twin sister and her family-was a peaceful and accepting ending to a long journey. Since I have a twin sister, I was hoping all the way through the book that they would get to be together again. When they just kept missing each other when Aletha went to find Adin, I kept thinking, Aletha-Adin's been hurt-and he's so close. I wanted to reach through the book and put Aletha right in front of Adin.Very creative because there was no way I could have guessed the ending. Kudos for a great book. I always enjoy a book that is different and yet inspirational. I tried guessing at every chapter-the outcome of the storyline and characters, but it was more imaginative than I would have ever thought. Great book. Laura/Helland/Stolmeier

Once I began reading this book, I could not put it down! I loved reading this book on several levels.First, the story has the flavor of a classic fairy tale. There is magic in travelling through time, but it is used in a positive manner to correct a curse that was placed on the kingdom far back in history. The magic in this book is the opposite of the dark, paranormal stories that have become trite.Secondly, the characters are well developed.I sympathized with the brother, cheered on the sister, and felt a keen interest in all her characters. They are very well developed and drew me even further into the story. I wondered about some, loved others, disliked those meant to be disliked. I was engrossed on an emotional level as a reader due to the great characters.Third, there is a circular nature to the time travel that I don't see in many similar books. I can't say too much about that without giving any spoilers, but there are several odd moments which become clear towards the end of the story. I love the story structure of this, as I could not predict what would happen next based on "clues". The ending is beautiful, as is the journey throughout the book.I would recommend this book to teens through older adults.

I enjoyed reading this adventure story. The characters are interesting and the plot moves along at a good pace.It got a little confusing toward the end - the story kept going and going, beyond what you'd expect. It made me wonder if the author was unsure how to end the story or was perhaps considering a sequel. It might have been easier to read if the last several chapters were made into a second book.Overall it was enjoyable.

Of all the Gates of Heaven series books, this one made the deepest impression on me. All of Mrs Lakin's books are special...even magical in the their transportive power, but I was engrossed in The Map Across Time from the beginning of the first chapter. Consequently, I've been unable to put the series down since the first of this year. I highly reccomend this book for anyone searching for a good story, an allegory, a fantasy tale, or anything Christian-themed.

Map Across Time is gripping right from the start! I could not put it down, and it kept me reading right through the end. The characters stay with you, long after the book is over, and I found myself wanting to know what happened to them further down the road.This is an excellent read, extremely creative and fascinating.I highly recommend it!

This is a wonderful book full of surprise, hidden meanings that keep you wondering, and well designed characters that you fall in love with. I hated to have it come to an end.

Bought for my 13 year old son. He couldn't put it down!