Tuesday 6 August 2013

Review: A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication date: August 6th 2013
My rating: 3.5 stars 


Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea. One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility. With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

A Tale of Two Centuries for me was a huge step up from Harris’ debut novel; My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century. I thoroughly enjoyed going back to the sixteenth century with Cat and watching her trying to fit in with everyone else. But when it came to Alessandra coming to Cat’s world I was even more excited.

Once again Alessandra found herself having to go through Reyna’s riddles before being able to return back home. But Alessandra never thought that she would actually end up loving where Cat lived so much that she’d rather stay there forever. Alessandra had lived a rather conservative lifestyle back home, so it was a lot of fun watching Alessandra take in the dramatic changes in the current world. Despite seeing everything at first in horror and shock, it was great seeing Alessandra adapt to everything so well. I adored the strong Alessandra which emerged, who wasn’t afraid to show a bit of flesh, had big bold colours put in her hair and wasn’t afraid to take a risk with bad boy Austin.

Austin was one of those guys who everyone had already made assumptions about; he was the devastatingly gorgeous bad boy that everyone wanted to be with. He had a devilish charm and grin which could make any girl weak at the knees, but never really let anyone in to know him that bit more. I actually fell for Austin’s charms from his very first scene and couldn’t believe how Alessandra held off for so long. I loved the banter between these two characters, Austin was quick to get Alessandra riled up, but she was also very witty with her comebacks, I think as no other girl had done this before to Austin, it’s what drew him more to Alessandra’s character. Also the fact that he thought Alessandra was majorly strung up and needed loosening up a bit, he felt this was his big mission he had to carry out. With everyone assuming that Alessandra should stay away from Austin, especially Cat, it panned out that Austin and Alessandra were exactly what both of them needed to bring out the best in one another.

Overall A Tale of Two Centuries was a super fun read. Rachael Harris certainly knows how to mix it up well with swoony characters, a sweet romance and great character growth.


18 comments:

Jessica@Booked Up! said...

I absolutely LOVE the storyline in this book. Although I haven't actually started this series yet, I am determined to after reading what A Tale of Two Centuries is about. I took part in the blog tour for this book and got to share an excerpt which was hilarious - something about Alessandra discovering a thong for the first time. Haha! :D

Austin sounds like a character I want to meet very much! And I really enjoy witty comebacks and banter that winds the other character up but in a jokey, sarcastic way. My favourite kind of humour in a book. :)

Thank you so much for sharing this lovely review with us, Jasprit! I'm glad that you found this to be something you enjoyed. :)

Leanna Elle said...

I haven't read the first book, but both books sound like super cute light reads! :)

Siiri said...

Haven't read #1 yet, but I own an e-copy. I've heard this series is so much fun and your review truly makes me excited. I think I'd love this one more than #1, because seeing people costum their assumptions and traditions to our era of technology is always way more fun than our generation going back in time. That's just my opinion though. I think it's easier for us to adabt than for people from past to adapt with our society. Anyhow, the romance sounds awesome! I love these kind of relationships:) I need to give this series a try asap!! Thanks for your lovely thoughts, hon!

Keertana said...

I love a sweet romance and this one seems adorable! I'm only getting tired of these bad boy tropes, lately, though, so I'm not sure if I'll enjoy this when I read it but I'm determined to at least give it a try. Lovely review, Jasprit!(:

Melanie said...

I have yet to read this series but I love the sound of a sweet romance! I need some of those in my life.

Fab reivew, Jasprit! <33

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

I haven't read the first book yet, but it sounds like this is a sweet, fun and simple series in which to lose yourself. That's exactly what I've been looking for lately, too! Fantastic review, Jasprit! :)

Anonymous said...

From your rating, it seems like I enjoyed this a little more than you did, but I'm glad that you had fun with it. It was exactly the same for me too. I had a lot of fun reading it because it was so entertaining. Austin definitely managed to charm me in his first scene too! Great review, Jasprit! :) Happy that you liked this!

Sara @ Forever 17 Books said...

I'm not sure why I didn't have these on my radar before last week but I love the sounds of both!

Jenny said...

You had me at devastatingly gorgeous bad boy Jasprit! Yes, I'm that easy when it comes to books ;-) I do so love to swoon and I have no doubt Austin and his charms will make sure that happens. I'm glad this book improved upon the first, it's always fun when a sequel outshines its predecessor!

brandileigh2003 said...

I like the premise and the sound of Austin!

Unknown said...

Dagnabbit, I seriously need to get to MSSC soon! Seen so many fab reviews for Tale of Two Centuries and I'm glad that Austin didn't disappoint. Nothing worse than a YA boy you can't swoon over ;)
Brill review, Jasprit!

Emma said...

I haven't even read this series, but I have seen so many raving reviews about it that I'm curious about this bitter-sweet romance. I'm not usually a historical romancy kind of girl but this definitely sparks my interest. Great review, Jasprit! :)

Unknown said...

This is probably not for me. I'm not so hot on time jumping and historicals alike. Glad you enjoyed it, nonetheless. :)

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Sounds like a cute book; perfect for the summer. While I like the idea of time travel, not sure this is quite my speed. :)

MƄїƐƂ»-(¯`v´¯)-» said...

I still have to read the first book in this series, but I have read many positive reviews so I am very excited to get my hands on it. Plus, I LOVE bad boys and I am now dying to meet Austin! He sounds fantastic! I'm glad you enjoyed this, Jasprit! Great review! :D

~ Maida
Literary Love Affair 

Unknown said...

I enjoyed MSSSC, and thought Alessandra was such a good character. I like that the time travel is to the future in this one. I'm glad you enjoyed it more, Jasprit. Lovely review!

Rachel Harris said...

Thank you so much, girl! I'm so glad you enjoyed Less's story ;) Your entire review had me smiling, but I admit this is going on my wall, "Rachel Harris certainly knows how to mix it up well with swoony characters, a sweet romance and great character growth."

Thanks so much for reading!
xoxo
Rachel

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

I remember reading a lot of great things about the first book, so I'm definitely curious about this series. Austin and Alessandra sound like great characters! I can't resist a bit of good banter. :) I'm glad you enjoyed this overall, Jasprit, and great review!

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