Are you fascinated by the prospect of stepping into a different era? The allure of witnessing historical events firsthand, unraveling mysteries of the past, or simply experiencing life in another century is a powerful draw. This fascination fuels the captivating world of Time Travel Series, where authors transport us to bygone days, blending history with imagination.
Book cover of Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St. Mary's time travel series, showcasing the adventurous and historical fiction genre.
One standout example in the realm of time travel series is Jodi Taylor’s acclaimed 13-book saga, The Chronicles of St. Mary’s. This series isn’t just about history; it’s a wildly entertaining and often hilarious journey through time with a team of disaster-prone historians. Imagine a blend of historical investigation, witty banter, and the constant potential for temporal mishaps – that’s the essence of St. Mary’s.
The Allure of Time Travel Series
What makes time travel series so inherently appealing? It’s the blend of several captivating elements. Firstly, there’s the educational aspect. These series often delve into historical periods, sparking curiosity and offering intriguing glimpses into different societies and events. Secondly, the adventure element is undeniable. Time travel inherently involves exploring the unknown, facing challenges in unfamiliar settings, and often dealing with the paradoxes and complexities that arise from altering timelines. Finally, many time travel series incorporate elements of mystery, romance, or humor, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling that keeps readers hooked book after book.
Jodi Taylor’s Chronicles of St. Mary’s: A Masterclass in Humorous Historical Time Travel
Jodi Taylor’s Chronicles of St. Mary’s elevates the time travel series genre with its unique blend of historical fiction and laugh-out-loud comedy. The premise is simple yet brilliant: historians at St. Mary’s Institute for Historical Research use time travel to study history firsthand. However, these aren’t your typical detached academics. Taylor’s characters are wonderfully flawed, often bickering, and consistently finding themselves in chaotic and comical situations as they navigate different historical periods.
Whether they are dodging dinosaurs in the Pleistocene era or getting caught in the muddy mayhem of the Battle of Hastings, the historians of St. Mary’s bring history to life in vivid and often messy detail. Taylor’s writing is sharp and witty, reminiscent of Jasper Fforde’s humor and the adventurous spirit of Doctor Who. Her deep knowledge of history shines through, making the series both entertaining and surprisingly educational. Readers will find themselves effortlessly learning about various historical periods while being thoroughly amused by the antics of the St. Mary’s team. As the original reviewer aptly put it, on an “I-Wish-I’d-Written-It-Test,” these books score “150 out of 100”! The series masterfully combines historical accuracy (with a twist of imaginative license) and relatable characters dealing with very relatable workplace dynamics, even when their workplace is a time-traveling concrete outhouse.
Beyond St. Mary’s: Expanding Your Time Travel Series Horizons – The Timegathering Series
While The Chronicles of St. Mary’s offers a fantastic entry point into time travel series, the genre is rich and diverse, offering numerous other captivating journeys through time. Inspired by Taylor’s work, author Rachel Dacus created her own time travel series, The Timegathering Series. Dacus takes a different approach to time travel, focusing on the concept of “repairing” history rather than simply observing it.
In The Timegathering Series, a team led by George St. James works to correct damage inflicted on the past by rogue “Optimalists” from the future who seek to reshape history for their own ends. This series introduces a compelling conflict: the delicate balance of time and the potential consequences of altering the past. While perhaps not as overtly comedic as Taylor’s series, The Timegathering Series offers its own brand of intrigue and adventure, exploring themes of historical responsibility and the fight to preserve the integrity of time itself.
Book stack cover for Rachel Dacus's Timegathering time travel series, featuring Undoing Time, a novel about historical repair and adventure.
Dacus’s series, beginning with Undoing Time, presents a different flavor of time travel series, one that blends historical settings with a thrilling, almost espionage-like plot. Readers who enjoy time travel with a focus on action, suspense, and the ethical dilemmas of temporal manipulation will find The Timegathering Series a compelling alternative.
Start Your Time Travel Journey Today
Whether you’re drawn to the humorous historical escapades of The Chronicles of St. Mary’s or the time-repairing missions of The Timegathering Series, the world of time travel series offers a wealth of literary adventures. Explore the links provided and embark on your own journey through time!
