It takes a skilled writer to walk the fine line of visually rich descriptions and providing so much iformation a reader loses the plot of the story. This book takes you through Victorian England and mixes in magic, folklore and new characters to entertain you.

This is a really good second book in the series that introduced Xanthe, the Witches Daughter.

I recommend this to fans of magic, mystery and period pieces.

This is book 4 of the "Found Things" series. When I requested and received this book, I did not realize that I had skipped book 1 and 3 (I had only read Book 2). While it took me to about the 25% mark to get caught up, I don't feel like that hindered me in the least!

I enjoyed all the time travel, how it was done, the people that we meet along the way, good and bad people...

My thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. This book released November 23, 2021.

One of my most favorite series has returned and the magic and history came with it. Each new volume in this series instantly transports me more so than the previous. I cannot explain how much I enjoy these.

I LOVE Paula's books! I am glad I didn't pick up on the clues I should have and enjoyed an "old" friend making an appearance. I sincerely hope this does not mark the last adventure for Xanthe because I will surely miss them dearly. I can not recommend her books and the Found Things Series enough to all the historical fiction fans in my life because they are so unique, lovely and beautiful. Give me more Spinner stories with the trio, PLEASE!

Well this is another excellent addition to the Found Things series. The main protagonist in the series is Xanthe, a time spinner who can “feel”objects that then transport her to different time periods.

In this book Xanthe must travel to Victorian times to find her boyfriend Liam, who was torn from her at the end of the 3rd book by her mentor Lydia Flyte, Why would Mistress Flyte betray her like this? Can she find Liam and bring him back to their time? While searching for Mistress Flyte and Liam, Xanthe meets the Visionary society, a group of corrupt Time Spinnes who sell secrets to the highest bidder. Just becasue someone is a Time Spinner, it does not mean they are a good or decent person.

I have enjoyed the way the books have expanded the world of the Time Spinners, from the 1st book where Xanthe thought she was the only one, to the current book in the series where she is involved in the politics and ethical aspects of time travel.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a supernatural series with some great characters thrown in. Though the books can be read as stand alones, I do recommend reading the series in order to have a greater understanding of Xanthe and what she has gone through, and the recurring characters and development,.

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

City of Time and Magic by Paula Brackston is the fourth book in this amazing time travel Found Things Series. If you thought the previous books were exciting then you are in for a rip roaring ride this time. Xanthe is on the hunt to find Liam who was kidnapped at the end of their last adventure. No time to waste but also the need to choose and go wisely.

This is a suspenseful series more intriguingly suspenseful than scary suspenseful. This installment fits it exactly. Even when unpredictable dangerous events happen the author writes so well that I was completely engrossed that I never had time to find any of it scary. In fact it is so well written that I was as concerned for Liam as Xanthe was that I wanted to give her a helping hand if only I could. Then someone from another series does that very thing. Oh, to only be a Spinner! Read this book and you will want to be one too.

I did not read this series in order but read the first book after the second and third. Because I found a name mentioned early on from the first book I want to go back and reread them all. I am thinking that I have missed other connections too. For that reason a new reader may want to read the books in order but not entirely necessary since I didn’t.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The City of Time and Magic is a fabulous continuation of Xanthe's time-travel adventures. Needing to go back in time to rescue Liam, she finds three objects that sing to her but this only confuses her as now she has to figure out which one will take her back to Liam. Which one will it be? This new journey of Xanthe's was just as exciting and full of adventure and suspense as the previous books. New characters are introduced that assist Xanthe when she travels back in time, and I loved them all, especially Elizabeth who had her own special magic. I loved everything about this book. Ms. Brackston is an amazing storyteller and helps the reader escape to another time. I am hoping this series will continue as I would love to see where Xanthe's time-traveling takes her to next.

I received an e-galley and an audio galley of this book so I was able to go back and forth from the ebook to the audiobook. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for these galleys.

This is the fourth installment in the Found Things series, and I absolutely adore the main character Xanthe, and this whole series. The last book ended on a cliff-hanger so I couldn't wait for this one to come out!

The premise of the series is that Xanthe is a time spinner, and certain objects from the past sing out to her, encouraging her to travel back to a particular time and place. But there are others out there who'd love to use her power for their own gains, and she has to be doubly careful because she's still learning how it all works herself, and time travel doesn't always go smoothly.

In this fourth book, Xanthe goes back and meets another of the author's amazing heroines, Elizabeth Hawksmith from The Witch's Daughter! Brackston has such a way of painting a visual picture that I always feel completely emersed in another place and time when I'm reading her books. They are a beautiful mix of both cozy and exciting and blend historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy (or maybe magical realism) so seamlessly. Once I start one of her books I am never able to put it down until the very last page.

This is the perfect book (and series) for this time of year, so you'll definitely want to pick it up if you haven't already.

City of Time and Magic by Paula Brackston is another tale of Spinners, which is a travel novel. Xanthe was, for the rest of the world, her mother's assistant in the antiques shop, but to a select few she was a Spinner, a time traveler whose goal is was to right wrongs. On her last trip back, her friend, Liam, who was not a Sinner but had been traveling with her was lost, kidnapped, she believed. Now she had to find him and rescue him from his kidnapper, Miss Whyte. She had no idea where to go. She had to find that item which would pull her to the right time and place. The item that would sing to her was not in the shop. Her mother had had an interesting call from a man with artifacts to sell, so Xanthe decided to follow up on that call. There she found some exciting items for the shop as well as several possibilities of items to help in her search for Liam.

This story arc is an interesting one, as time travel usually is. It is a little different in that the travelers have an agenda. And it's all about the bad guys, usually other Spinners. Why Miss/Mistress Whyte had resorted to kidnapping instead of imply asking for help was the question at hand. Xanthe is an interesting character that has not always known she had this power. Being by her side as she explores and learns what she can do is gripping. She shows tremendous growth. The plot was quite good, with bad guys galore, as well as the other interesting people she met along the way. The pacing is a little slow: I sometimes had for force myself to continue. Over all, it was a decent book and I feel secure in recommending it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of City of Time and Magic by St. Martin's Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #stmartinspress #paulabrackston #cityoftimeandmagic

This was great! I have really enjoyed this series so far so I was excited to read this newest installment. This book picks up shortly after the events of the first book so I do recommend reading this series in order. I found this book to be incredibly entertaining and I love the historical detail and the wonderful characters at the heart of this story.

Liam was left in an uncertain situation at the end of the last book and Xanthe is desperate to do whatever it takes to get him back. She starts looking for something that will call her to him wherever in time Mistress Flyte has taken him. She finds three items and must decide which one will be the one she needs. Her choice leads her to meet some really interesting characters that end up playing a huge role in the story. She soon learns that there are some very serious things that she cannot ignore and it will test her abilities greatly.

The characters in this book were wonderful! Xanthe has embraced her role as a spinner and is doing everything in her power to do good. Liam was very understanding and I love the fact that he is willing to put himself in danger if that is what is required of him. I love the fact that Harley got to play a larger role in this book and hope to see that again in future installments. It was great meeting Elizabeth who I understand is a character from Brackston’s previous novels and I loved what she added to this story.

The mystery in this story kept me guessing. I had no idea how Xanthe and the rest of her group would pull off everything that they needed to do but I was excited to go along for the ride. There were some pretty big developments that should have a big impact on the series moving forward. I found this book to be very entertaining with a lot of excitement. The historical details also added a lot to the story.

I would recommend this series to others. It is an incredibly well-done take on moving through time with characters that are easy to care about. I cannot wait to read more of this author’s work.

I received a review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press.

A great next chapter in Xanthe’s adventure as a Spinner. As she gets a better grip on her abilities and her mission, we get to see her rescue loved ones and involve them more in her life. You might think romance would take a back seat to perilous time travel, but no, we’re able to see her relationship with Liam flourish. The picture painted in the Victorian era is beautiful and poignant and exactly the setting I’d hoped for.

Thank you to Netgalley for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

I've really enjoyed reading this author's previous works, so I was excited to pick up her latest witchy creation. Little did I know that this was the 4th novel in a series that I haven't read before. While it would probably have helped if I had read the previous books in the series, it wasn't difficult to pick up on what was going on. I enjoyed all of the characters and was surprised to see a character from her witch series show up- a sort of series cross over.

City of Time and Magic is the fourth book in the Found Things series by Paula Brackston. A captivating paranormal fantasy that is sure to sweep you off your feet and leave you wanting more. A story that is filled with emotion and wonder, some suspense, some romance, and a great deal of adventure. I can't wait to read the previous books in this series and more from the author.

The third book of Paula Brackston’s Found Things series ends on a terrible cliff hanger, time travel/spinner Xanthe Westlake’s boyfriend Liam has been pulled from her arms and is left lost in time and space. In the terrific City of Time and Magic Found Things #4, Xanthe must figure out the who, what, and where of Liam’s reality. The who is fairly easy, Xanthe realizes her former ally, the one who has taught her so much about being a time traveler/spinner is the one who kidnapped Liam.
Lydia Flyte has served at Xanthe’s teacher, friend, guide, in her journeys through time helping people. Why would Lydia commit such a betrayal?
Xanthe must find the antique item that will “sing” to her, guiding her back to Liam, this time not to people who need her help.
Xanthe has found three unique pieces in the sale items of a kindly old man who is minimizing this possessions. They sing to her and will guide her back to Victorian times, where Xanthe has determined Liam and Mistress Flyte are waiting for her, but which item?
Xanthe travels back using one of the items. She almost immediately encounters the man Lydia was so in love with, but with whom she still ended their affair. Erasmus Balmoral is Lydia’s former lover and he imparts important information as does his wife, Elizabeth. Can we all say Easter Egg?
Each found object and each trip back to Victorian times leads Xanthe closer to Liam, Lydia and a wicked group that will change the future as a result of their greed.
I rarely read paranormal, fantasy, time travel etc books. Brackston has been an exception as her writing is so exceptional. All of the elements of a great adventure are present but she gives us the bonus of meticulous historical research, characters that are a half bubble off the usual, tropes that are at least turned around if not turned upside down.
Xanthe and her mom, Flora moved to the market town of Marlborough, Wiltshire after Xanthe’s dad shockingly demanded a divorce from Flora. The mother and daughter bought the Little Shop of Found Things from the estate of the man who started the charming shore. Xanthe mostly sources the stock and her Flora does any necessary restoration.
It is the combination of Xanthe’s affinity for certain small antiques that have started singing to her along with cries for help; and a small ancient blind house (lock-up) in the located on two strong ley lines in the back garden of the shop/flat that starts Xanthe on her time traveling adventures.
In City of Time and Magic both in modern and past times Xanthe continues her lessons in learning to trust, love and learn; because of the these lessons Xanthe has acquired more allies; more knowledge of the book she has found and guards with her life, and more responsibilities.. Xanthe also has strong lesson in the meaning of justice and how even small moments will make a large difference in the lives of many.
The other three books in this series aren't necessary to read before City of Time and Magic,, but I wouldn't miss them either. None are a replay on the other, all very original.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC for review purposes.

I was able to read Paula Brackston's "City of Time and Magic" through NetGalley before it was published. This was the fourth book in the Found Things series. I have read the previous three also. Book Three ended on quite the cliff-hanger and this one picks up right there. I was not disappointed with this book. All the characters I like were in it and some great characters were added. There was suspense and mystery and love.

From the gorgeous cover to the very last word. I was completely enthralled with Paula Brackston’s City of Time and Magic. I have truly enjoyed the author’s Found Things series, and this latest installment could be a very satisfying end to the series, or a delightful segue to the main character’s next time travelling adventure.

Ms. Brackston is a talented researcher and storyteller. Her brilliant details emersed me in the 1878 London. I loved the rich details that made the story vividly come to life. Her characters, whether primary or secondary, sparkle. I appreciated Xanthe’s growth in confidence and skill in this latest book,, especially since her talents were truly put to the test. I adored getting a second look at one of Ms. Brackston’s characters from a different series. The inclusion of Elizabeth from The Witch's Daughter series delighted this fan of the author, and for new readers, that addition will not have the same meaning, but will not detract from the story.

The suspense and danger ramped steadily in City of Time and Magic. Readers were left hanging from a cliff in book 3, The Garden of Promises and Lies, and from page one, Xanthe is on a mission to right a grievous wrong. The story arc is perfection. I was a bit disappointed in the pace at a key point in the story; the plot point might have been important but I could have done with a little less focus on that particular plot point. Overall, a fantastic time-travel story that is rich in historical detail and tightly woven storylines.

4.5 stars

We've once again gone back in time to see how Xanthe plans to save Liam from the spinner that has taken him and return him to the current time.

This time around Xanthe has confided even more in her close knit group of friends and in order to get back to Liam she takes someone along with her in case back up is needed. We learn so much more about the world of spinners and Xanthe herself. Many of the things she didn't even know and now future itself is at risk and Xanthe is tasked to ensure it doesn't happen.

This one ends on a note of finality with it left loose enough that there could be more books. No big cliffhanger in this installment.

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

CITY OF TIME AND MAGIC continues the Found Things series with a continuing adventure for Xanthe. At the end of the previous book, her traveling partner, Liam, had been taken by another Spinner somewhere in time. Unable to go directly to him, she must find an object that calls to her that will take her back to the right time and place.

As she deciphers where and when she needs to go, the Spinner who took Liam, Lydia Flyte, is working on her true purpose, and one for which she is seeking/forcing Xanthe's help. The Visionary Society is a group of corrupt Spinners that use their skills to travel into the future and give advantageous tips to paying members of their society - with potentially disastrous consequences. After all, time is a fragile thing.

As Xanthe searches for Liam and then learns the true mission behind Mistress Flyte's deceptions, she enters into something much larger and much more dangerous than she ever could have expected.

This was an intriguing sequel. While it takes a little while to really get to the meat of the story, it builds up the Spinners, their politics, and their ethics in a new way. The world-building around their skills and the consequences of what they could do are really expanded in this new story. As per usual in these stories, I also really enjoyed the thoroughly researched historical context and antiques information as well as the friends Xanthe has made in her own time, who are beginning to be brought in on her special skills.

Overall, this is another delicious adventure for Xanthe as she spins her way through time. This is a fantastic series that I highly recommend picking up for fans of historical, sci-fi, or fantasy reads.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Paula Brackston doesn't fail to deliver a well-written story encompassing history, magic, time travel and of course ... love.

Reading City of Time and Magic was like getting together with old friends and learning about what they've been up to. A fantastic addition to the magical adventures of Xanthe (and her loved ones)!

I just adore Xanthe and her fierce love and loyalty. Getting to see a different side of her as she grew into her abilities more fully this book, was a treasure. The side characters in Brackston's books never feel like they are on the side. Getting to watch Liam and Harley just flourish was so nice! Also, the cross over here with Elizabeth and Eramus was just ... perfection. I was ecstatic when I realized we get more of those beloved characters.

I really enjoyed this installment, watching Xanthe and her merry crew take down some Spinners who are abusing their gift for personal gain. I can't wait for more as Xanthe sets out to protect!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and Paula Brackston for the copy to review!

"City of Time and Magic” picks up where the cliffhanger in the third series installment, “Garden of Promises and Lies” left off. If you aren’t up to date in the series, I suggest reading the previous three stories first; there are a lot of back story details that help make sense of this time travel series.

The basic premise is that Xanthe and her mother Flora own an antiques business in a small English village. Xanthe has the ability to be transported through time by some of the objects from times past. As the series has progressed, Xanthe’s skills in time travel, and her responsibilities to the society of Spinners (time travelers) have developed.

This is an easy series to get immersed in and enjoy the glimpses of life in other times and places. The characters are starting to feel like well known friends!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.