I received this book as a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This debut novel had a lot of potential, but it didn’t fully deliver for me. While the ideas behind the story were strong and promising, the execution left me wanting more.

World-Building: 4/5
The concept of Epoch and its magic system was intriguing and unique. I wish we had spent more time exploring Eliza’s process of learning to use it. Personally, I enjoy training arcs, so this felt like a missed opportunity to dive deeper into the world’s mechanics.

Plot: 3/5
The foundation of the story was solid, but the pacing felt off. There was a lot of buildup to conflicts, but the resolutions often came too quickly. I would’ve liked more time with the intense moments to really feel their impact.

Characters: 2/5
I struggled to connect with the characters, especially the main ones. Dusty and Fiahd had potential, but since I wasn’t particularly attached to them, their relationships and dynamics didn’t feel as engaging.

Writing: 3/5
The writing style had its moments, capturing the atmosphere and tone of someone grappling with depression. At times, it felt slow or overly subdued, but that did help immerse the reader in the protagonist’s perspective. It had a classic literary vibe that I think some readers will appreciate.

Overall, this book had some standout ideas and a unique feel, but the execution left me wanting more. While it wasn’t my favorite, I see potential for the author’s future works.

Im surprised I haven’t heard more about *Time is a Room* by Sarah K. Trainor because the premise was so good. It’s about time and the people who can control it, which hooked me right away. I struggled to put it down, even when I was supposed to be working or finishing other projects.

That said, the main character, Eliza, was a bit of a challenge for me. I couldn’t relate to her constant disappointment with the world and everyone around her. She came across as one of those people who are never happy, and her addictions—to alcohol and even people—made it harder to connect with her.

The book really picks up about two-thirds of the way in. Some of the side characters stood out, and I found myself imagining their backstories, which was fun because we don’t actually get much about them. You can tell the author poured so much into this book. The descriptions of the epoch and the different places in the story are beautifully written. You can see the care in how every sentence is crafted to explain something clearly.

Still, there were parts I struggled with. The switch between third and second person narration threw me off a bit, and the ending felt rushed. It wrapped up too quickly, leaving me wishing it had taken more time to fully develop.

Even with its flaws, I think this book is worth picking up. The concept alone is so creative, and the author’s passion really shines through.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review

I had such difficulty with the writing style of this author in TIME IS A ROOM. Author Sarah Trainor has written this book in a stream of consciousness, daydream-like style that is so murky I often lost interest or just lost the plot. Is our protagonist depressed, visionary, psychotic or… incredibly inwardly focused. Some parts of the book really stand out in terms of mood and place creation. But apparently I am not the right reader for this book. I received my copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

Book Review: Time is a Room by Sarah K. Trainor
Sarah K. Trainor's debut novel Time is a Room is an enthralling journey into the complexities of time, love, and destiny. The first book in The Doyen Series, this dark contemporary fantasy grips readers with its compelling world-building, morally complex characters, and philosophical exploration of choice and consequence. Fans of V.E. Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic and Blake Crouch’s Dark Matter will find themselves at home in Trainor’s intricately woven narrative, though the book confidently carves out its own identity in the genre.

A Captivating Premise: Time is Malleable
The novel opens with Eliza Martin living an ordinary life until her boyfriend Connor disappears without a trace. Enter Alden, a mysterious figure offering Eliza a deal that changes her world forever. The concept of Epoch, a town that exists outside time, and the idea of time as something malleable yet precariously balanced, immediately set the stage for a high-stakes narrative. Trainor’s exploration of alternate realities and timelines isn’t just a flashy backdrop—it is the beating heart of the story. The author’s deft handling of complex temporal mechanics, combined with a palpable emotional core, makes the story both intellectually and emotionally engaging.

Characters: Tangled Loyalties and Intriguing Chemistry
Eliza Martin is a relatable and resilient protagonist whose personal struggles and determination anchor the fantastical elements of the plot. Her evolution from a heartbroken woman to someone capable of navigating the intricate threads of time is both believable and inspiring. The supporting cast enhances the richness of the story, particularly Alden, who is as enigmatic as he is charismatic. His morally ambiguous nature keeps readers questioning his true intentions, adding depth to the central dynamic.

Sid, a scientist with charm and wit, serves as a delightful counterbalance to Alden’s brooding intensity. The growing camaraderie and potential romantic tension between Eliza, Alden, and Sid form a triangle that is more about trust and loyalty than traditional romance, which is refreshing. Meanwhile, Connor’s absence lingers as a poignant reminder of what Eliza is fighting for, giving her quest a deeply personal urgency.

Themes: Choices, Sacrifices, and the Nature of Time
At its core, Time is a Room is about the sacrifices we make for love and the rippling effects of our choices. Trainor delves into questions of free will and destiny, using time as both a literal and metaphorical lens. The shadowy force eliminating entire realities introduces an existential threat that raises the stakes beyond Eliza’s personal journey, though her emotional struggle remains central. The juxtaposition of grand, universe-altering events with intimate character moments is one of the book’s greatest strengths.

World-Building: A Universe Worth Getting Lost In
Epoch, the town outside time, is richly imagined and teeming with mystery. Trainor’s descriptions evoke a surreal yet grounded setting, filled with curious artifacts and eccentric inhabitants. The rules governing time and parallel realities are complex but never overwhelming, thanks to the author’s clear explanations and Eliza’s gradual immersion into this strange new world.

The ominous presence of a force collapsing universes adds a layer of tension and urgency, keeping readers on edge. Yet Trainor balances the darker elements with moments of wonder, whether it’s Eliza discovering her abilities or the fleeting glimpses into alternate versions of her life.

Pacing and Writing Style
Trainor’s prose is evocative without being overly ornate, striking a balance between vivid descriptions and snappy dialogue. The pacing is deliberate in the first half, as Eliza learns about her abilities and the mechanics of Epoch, but accelerates in the latter half as the stakes rise. This gradual build allows readers to fully invest in the characters and their journey before being swept into the whirlwind of action and revelation.

One minor critique could be that some secondary characters and subplots feel underexplored, perhaps a consequence of the book setting up threads for future installments. However, this does little to detract from the overall impact of the story.

Final Thoughts
Time is a Room is an ambitious and captivating debut that combines intricate plotting with emotional resonance. Sarah K. Trainor masterfully blends dark fantasy, romance, and science fiction into a story that feels both personal and epic. The book’s exploration of time, identity, and sacrifice lingers long after the final page, leaving readers eager for the next installment in The Doyen Series.

Whether you’re a fan of thought-provoking speculative fiction or character-driven narratives, Time is a Room is a must-read. Trainor has established herself as a bold new voice in contemporary fantasy, and her ability to balance high-concept ideas with heartfelt storytelling is a testament to her talent.

Rating: 4.5/5
Highly recommended for anyone who loves stories that make you think as much as they make you feel.

[DNF at ca. 30%]
Unfortunately, this book was not for me so I decided not to finish it. The cover initially drew me to it and the premise sounded really intriguing, but I couldn't quite get into the writing style. There were instances where the main character's internal monologue would be something like "This is the moment where my life will change." - which I feel like is just not how a person thinks about their own life. Also unfortunately the MMC Alden wasn't for me, as he's introduced as someone who's overstepping boundaries just to be #mysterious. What I really did like were the imaginative world descriptions and the 2nd person snippets that really got the dream-like state of mind across!

I think this book had a lot of potential, but it didn’t quite come through. This book is a debut novel, as well as the first in a series. While I do think there was some missed potential in this book, I think the ideas are very strong which shows a lot of promise for the author’s future works.
World-building: 4/5
I think Epoch is a really interesting idea, and the magic system is fascinating, though I do wish we spent a little more time on Eliza learning to use it (but I’m personally a huge fan of training arcs in general, so that’s just personal preference).
Plot: 3/5
I think the plot had a strong foundation, but could have been executed a little better. I feel like we spent a lot of time building up to conflicts, and then a lot of time resolving them, but I personally would have loved some of the tenser scenes to last longer.
Characters: 2/5
Personally, I didn’t really connect to any of the characters. I really liked Dusty, but since I wasn’t super attached to the main characters, I also wasn’t as invested in their relationships.
Writing: 3/5
I think the writing is effective. There are some periods where it feels a little dull (especially in the beginning), but I think that helps to immerse the reader into the perspective of someone who seems to be suffering from depression. It kinda has the feel of older classics at times, which I could definitely see some people loving.

Thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Well this book was really great! I wasn't expecting it to be so good as it was. I read it as an experience for me to get out of my comfort zone but I really enjoyed it.

This book had a lot of promise and it was compared to one of my favorite books ever so I gave it a read and was pretty disappointed. It lacked a lottttt. It was poorly written and felt like a teenager write it. I wish it was better, and stuck to the synopsis. It was underexplained with far too many loopholes and plot holes, so it was just lazy writing in my opinion


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!