Trails and Errors

Robert Kroon

Timekeeper chronicles #2

April 17, 2024 by Devika

Trails and Errors is the second part of the Timekeeper chronicles by Robert Kroon. I found his debut quite confusing due to the many storylines and am really hoping they will come together in this part of the series. What will Robert Kroon have in store?

Despite all efforts, Highpoint Keep has fallen. The General and her three companions have escaped, but are on the run from an overwhelming force. Can they stay ahead of the Daenor and reach Malachon before the shadows take over the General’s mind?

The older brother, captured and wounded, seeks a way to escape his bonds. Finding an unlikely ally, he tries to find out what has become of his brother. Is he able to outsmart his captors, or will he pay the price for his defiance?

In Daenus, the King is faced with a heavy decision: betray the trust of his people or risk losing his crown. The usurper is returning from Highpoint Keep with an army, but there seems to be a way out. Can the King and his daughter turn the tide, even if it means trusting an enemy?

The diplomat, forced into a corner, has chosen to fight his way out. In a battle for more than just his life, he is facing overwhelming odds. Is there still an opportunity to find peace for the country, and more importantly, himself?

Meanwhile, the founder of an ancient order is sharpening his blade. Deeming those who control unnatural powers a danger, he seeks to kill them all. Will his equally unnatural blade be enough, or will he find his match?

A Keeper is faced with his conscience. Torn between his guilt and his duty, he looks elsewhere for answers. Will he choose for his brothers and sisters, or his beliefs?

Just like Elements Unleashes this book has many storylines. During this book only two of them come together, but more hints are given to the connection between all the storylines. Therefore it keeps getting easier to connect all the dots in these books.

There was one storyline I enjoyed most in this book, the one with the elemental fight, but it kept getting interupted by the other ones making the tension doesn’t keep it’s high throughout the story. In my opinion, the storylines could have more chapters after one another in stead of changing after just one chapter.

The writing style in this book is really drawing your attention even though the lots of changes in storylines might scare some readers away. All in all, I think this book is a lot better than the first parts and I am looking forward to see if the dots will be even more connected in the third part in this series. I give Trails and Errors a 3 star rating.

Elements Unleased

Robert Kroon

Timekeeper chronicles #1

April 16, 2024 by Devika

Elements Unleashed is the start of the Timekeeper chronicles by Robert Kroon. Even though the cover is quite simple, the synopsis sounded exciting. Making me looking forward to reading this debut. What will this book have in store?

Times are changing. The Elements are returning, and with them, chaos. People are discovering their powers and learning how to control them. But at what cost?

Follow the story of two brothers, torn apart by fate. One determined to find his younger sibling, to tell him of the things he has learned, the other dreaming of times long past. Dreams of a man returned to the earth ages ago, seeming to guide his hand every step of the way. But are the dreams real? And if so, what do they mean? And why him?
Wander with the firewalker, taking bad luck wherever he goes, on a quest for answers to questions he is afraid of asking. Will he find the thing he is looking for without losing his life, or worse, his sanity?
Accompany the princess who uncovers dark secrets within the Daenor palaces. Is she prepared to face the truth, even if it means losing everything?
And the Archai general who finds out the people she trusts are hiding the truth from her. She discovers there’s a girl like her and vows to save her. But when push comes to shove, who will she choose? Her soldiers or the girl?
What will the return of the Elements bring? And what will be left when the dust settles?

This book has lots of storylines, which is a bit confusing in the start. Only one of the storylines is introduced with a subheading: 700 years ago, while the rest of the storylines don’t have a subheading making you wonder each time you enter a new chapter which the storyline is. In addition, the storyline seems to jump a lot since there are always multiple chapters of other storylines in between.

Even though I found the start really confusing due to the multiple storylines, I had hoped the storylines would come together during the story. However this didn’t come true, making it a though read throughout. I would have rather seen every storyline be put in one single book, making this a series of standalones which would have been easier and more fun to read.

I liked the elements in the story and most characters have a nice personality. Once you get a hold on all the different storylines, it is a bit easier to read. For a debut, the writing style is good and worldbuidling is done really nicely.

Because of the many storylines which just don’t all fit together, it was a bit hard to get through this book. Nevertheless I still enjoyed reading Elements Unleashed giving it a 2,5 star rating.