‘The Book Of Lost Hours’ By Hayley Gelfuso – Book Review

Time travel is something I totally geek out about. If I hear about a tv show, a movie or a book with the concept of time travel, I am so there. Additionally, I am a huge fan of historical fiction books. So when I read the synopsis of Hayley Gelfuso’s debut novel, The Book of Lost Hours, it was a no brainer, I was reading this book.

Did I enjoy this book? Read on for my spoiler free review.

The Book of Lost Hours Synopsis via Amazon:

Enter the time space, a soaring library filled with books containing the memories of those have passed and accessed only by specially made watches once passed from father to son—but mostly now in government hands. This is where eleven-year-old Lisavet Levy finds herself trapped in 1938, waiting for her watchmaker father to return for her. When he doesn’t, she grows up among the books and specters, able to see the world only by sifting through the memories of those who came before her. As she realizes that government agents are entering the time space to destroy books and maintain their preferred version of history, she sets about saving these scraps in her own volume of memories. Until the appearance of an American spy named Ernest Duquesne in 1949 offers her a glimpse of the world she left behind, setting her on a course to change history and possibly the time space itself.

In 1965, sixteen-year-old Amelia Duquesne is mourning the disappearance of her uncle Ernest when an enigmatic CIA agent approaches her to enlist her help in tracking down a book of memories her uncle had once sought. But when Amelia visits the time space for the first time, she realizes that the past—and the truth—might not be as linear as she’d like to believe.

Perfect for fans of The Midnight Library and The Ministry of Time, The Book of Lost Hours explores time, memory, and what we sacrifice to protect those we love.

Cover Art

 

My Thoughts

The Book of Lost Hours is one of my top reads this year. This book is an incredible debut novel. Hayley Gelfuso does a superb job of creating a unique and engaging story while blending the timelines in this book.

What makes this book incredible is, well…so many things. I can’t really go into a lot of detail, because that would spoil many of the big reveals in this story. This story is magical and heartfelt set within a place called the Time Space. Time Space is a library of memories of those who have passed on. There are people who have found access to this Time Space, certain people who have watches that were specially made for this.

The story opens in 1938 with eleven year old Lisavet Levy. Her father is a watchmaker, and he ends up pushing her into this Time Space to hide her from the Nazis. Because she doesn’t have a watch, she is trapped inside. While waiting for her father to return, she learns of the government entering this Time Space and destroys memories and sets out to protect as many memories as she can. Her efforts draw attention to her and she ends up meeting an American spy Ernest Duquense in 1949.

We then flash forward to 1965 and meet sixteen year old Ameila Duquense, who is mourning the disappearance of her uncle Ernest. She is sought out by a CIA agent to aid in finding a book of memories that Ernest was in search of. When Amelia visits the Time Space for the first time, she begins to learn so much more than she ever imagined.

To find out more, you just have to read this book. I enjoyed everything about this book. The prose, the characters, the historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy aspects of it. Hayley Gelfuso blends all of this into such an amazing story. For me, it was an entire vibe, not just a book. A book that will stay with you long after you finish reading.

Final Thoughts:

If you enjoy historical fiction, with elements of science fiction, fantasy, mystery and romance, this book is for you. If you are new to reading these types of books, The Book of Lost Hours is a great introduction. You will not be disappointed with this book.

This is Hayley Gelfuso’s debut novel, I added her to my list of must read authors, can’t wait for future books. You may learn more about her on her website.

The Book of Lost Hours is available now at most book retailers and online.