When I read the blurb for <b>The Ministry of Time</b> I was immediately curious and it become one of my most anticipated releases of the year.

I was not disappointed! The ministry of time brings a new (at least to me) twist on the time travel books, as it focuses on the adaptation, assimilation of culture by people brought from the past. This is an absolutely wonderful set up to explore some very important issues - racism, colonization, feminism, gender equality, religion, climate crises etc - while also giving plenty of opportunities to do it with humor.

The writing was beautiful, engaging, and full of British humor that made me laugh out loud several times. The characters are interesting and sweet, and written in a way that made me absolutely invested in their successful adaptation and hapiness.

And Graham Gore? I fell hard for this gentleman, and I’m not embarrassed about it.

This was a brilliant debut, and I’ll be looking forward for more books by Kate.

<i>I would like to thank Hodder & Stoughton | Sceptre and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.</I>

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book.

I’ve struggled a bit with how to rate this, as there were a lot of things I really loved about this and some that I didn’t. I felt like the overall concept was excellent and a really interesting idea, but not as well executed as I hoped for.

I loved the first 50% of the book, the pacing and build up of the relationships between the characters was great, but I felt it lost its way a bit after this. The last 25% of the book I regularly had to go back and reread passages as I found the storyline overly complicated and like the author was trying to cram too much in.

I was disappointed to see the relationship between the two MC’s break down after a great build up, and the conclusion to this then felt rushed and incomplete.

Also… I consider myself reasonably well read, but there were a large amount of words in this that I had to look up and seemed a bit out of place; a much higher amount than I would expect to need a dictionary for when reading a book! It disturbed my flow of reading quite a bit!

What an enjoyable read! Supremely creative, well-written and hard to put down. This clever book manages to be part love story, part thriller, part comedy, with a fair dose of political commentary thrown in, driven along by the interactions of its very well wrought characters from across the centuries. A unique story unlike any I've read before.

A young woman, working for the government, is appointed for a special mission : being the "bridge" between a man, Commandant Gore (that has been brought back from the past) and the english administration. He's back from english XIXth century, and has to adjust to the modern world.
Along the way, they both become friends, and then more. But suddenly, Gore discovers that bringing him back the past is not only philanthropist, but has a more strategic point. And that he's not sure to agree with it...

There are a lot of good things about this book. First : the time travel. I love a good time travel story, and here, it hits all the right spots ! Then, the romance. Not the main trope of the story, but still there. And finally, the writing. This is fun, and clever, and interesting. And I wanted to know what could happen to our heroes...

Time travel scenario manages hypothetical and theatrical.

4.5 stars

A debut? Very impressive! I found myself wondering why this hadn't been done before - an in-depth look at the emotional/psychological repercussions of time travel, from the past to the present.

In this dystopic our-world-not-quite, we have a 1984-sounding Ministry of Time which packs a range of genres and themes into one story of several humans catapulted from their own impending deaths to contemporary England.

One of these 'ex pats' as they are termed is observed/tutored as the rest are, and through this pair we see the effects on both of the attitudes, personality, experiences and cultural contexts as they clash over a period of many months. This in itself is fascinating. But then a Hollywood-esque time travel adventure also begins to raise its head.

I loved seeing General Gore's own history and time period, among the other men caught in the Arctic ice, doomed to a slow and painful death, interspersed with his new life in the 21st century and how the many missed events catch up with him.

This was the part I liked best really, the growing relationship between 'Bridge' and Ex-Pat, though the last act was quite exciting it almost felt as though it came from another book.

Gotta love a book with the ultimate Odd Couple, the time travel side of things made this doubly compelling. I managed to keep track of where I was with the audiobook, thought the last third last me sometimes with the time travel jiggery pokery, not as much my cup of Cream Soda.

Fascinating concept, one to relish.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.

Well. A spy thriller/time-travel/romance/workplace novel. There is a lot going on here! And it, works?

Graham Gore was on a doomed Arctic excursion in the 1800s and he is lifted from that time period and brought to the 21st century. A civil servant, perhaps a little out of her depth, is assigned to be his ‘bridge’ and they must live together for a year while he acclimates to the present.

This is a lot of fun! It starts out as more of a character study of Gore and the bridge and we learn about the other historical expats that are a part of the project. A lot of ‘what is this crazy thing?!?!’ and it’s a car. Which okay yeah that would be crazy if you were from the 1800s. Very ‘would this modern day thing kill a Victorian child?’ but with adults.

The bridge is British Cambodian and her internal struggles kind of mirror the environment she’s in. Whether she trusts her workplace and by extension really, the British empire.

Absolutely the book for you if you like something that makes you think ‘what is going on in here on this day??’

I really enjoyed this thought-provoking book, it’s clever, funny, and, for a time travel novel, remarkably coherent. Bradley’s book really defies categorisation – there are elements from romance, thrillers, spy dramas, and sci-fi. It’s the ultimate clash of cultures and lifestyles, but what holds it all together is a great cast of diverse characters that you can’t help but find interesting.
The story is well written, charming and captivating. It’s not often you get the chance to read something that feels so fresh and original.
Just days after I finished reading it I had a ‘shiver down your spine’ experience when I found myself for the first time in the Old Naval Chapel at Greenwich. At the entrance to the chapel, I spotted a marble memorial dedicated to the lost Franklin Expedition with lists of those on HMS Erebus and HMS Terror who perished, including Graham Gore and others mentioned in the novel. It was a weird coincidence which made the story I’d just read feel even more poignant.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

'The Ministry of Time' is a brilliantly clever and enjoyable time-travelling novel written from the perspective of a civil servant in the near future who is employed as a 'bridge' working with one of a number of 'expatriates' from the past. Our unnamed narrator is paired up with doomed Arctic explorer Commander Graham Gore from 1846 ('expatriates' have to be people who were going to die anyway so as not to alter history) and we follow their unusual relationship over the course of the novel.

Kaliane Bradley really commits to the social, emotional and ethical complexities of time travel. The five expatriates must adapt to a world which feels unrecognisable to them, not just in terms of technological innovations but in far more profound ways to do with gender and sexuality, race, language, etiquette and much more. There is plenty of humour here - for instance the early modern English which Margaret Kemble (rescued from the Great Plague of London in 1665) uses to describe the modern world - but also real poignancy as Gore must come to terms with the fact that 'Everyone I ever knew in my life is dead. Everything I had in my life is gone.' Bradley likens the experience of these 'expatriates' to that of refugees who are also 'strangers in a strange land', something which the narrator recognises as someone of Cambodian heritage whose mother escaped the Cambodian genocide.

The plot is full of twists and surprises, and paints a bleak picture of the future, but with a deeply touching relationship at its heart. This is bound to be one of the most popular books of 2024 and will appeal to fans of Gabrielle Zevin's 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' and R. F. Kuang's 'Babel'. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC to review.

"The Ministry of Time" is a decent time travel romance that I was very, very excited to read. A professional review described it as time travel adventure with a touch of colonial critique. I'm a mixed-heritage sci-fi nerd myself so loved the idea of reading a time travel adventure with a mixed-heritage protagonist. Bradley's writing style is light, and very easy to devour. However, I personally wouldn't say that it offered much critique in the end and I ultimately felt a little disappointed by the lack of depth some of the characters had. The protagonist's work buddy is Black but seems to only be there as a plot device to justify and/or critique the challenges of time travel.

Again, this is a really well written book and Bradley does clever things with the protagonist. I really didn't like her that much, but it felt like this was intentional. I found myself rolling my eyes and chuckling at her thoughts. She was very well constructed and imperfect! Not something I would normally expect from this genre and it was impressive. Hats off to Bradley for that!

I was really, very gripped with the first 100 pages and very much enjoyed Bradley's writing style. However, the approach and discussion of race and racism ended up sitting pretty uncomfortably with me. I'm not sure the nod to Fanon (immediately dismissed by the protagonist) was quite enough to justify what felt at times like colonial apologist literature.

The Ministry of Time is still a really fun and thoughtful read. Not sure I was quite the right audience for it.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of "The Ministry of Time."

‘The Ministry of Time’ by Kaliane Bradley is a debut novel spanning genres as deftly as its characters span time periods. Told by a civil servant specialising in languages who becomes a “bridge” assigned to an explorer from 1847 as part of a highly classified project led by the mysterious governmental organisation known as the Ministry of Time, this tale gave me ALL the feels and was hard to put down!

I really admired how the author blended sci-fi, romance, mystery and comedy to create an outstanding, all-encompassing story. The first-person narrator was likeable and relatable with a witty inner voice, and Commander Graham Gore (one of the “expats” gathered by the ministry as part of their project, assigned to our storyteller) was a unique character based on his experiences and outlook. I also enjoyed getting to know some of the other expats and their bridges.

The romance subplot had so many tender, hilarious and emotional moments and had my heart pounding, and the thriller elements took my breath away. The thought-provoking reflections on the state of the world in the future will stay with me for a while.

Overall, this book left me swaying between being speechless and wanting to talk to EVERYONE about it, so has to be five stars for me! I’m so excited to discover what this author creates next and would love to know your thoughts if/when you read it.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I very much enjoyed this story. I listened to the audiobook and have given a longer review about that,
This historical journal styled writing was extremely enjoyable. I Love Time Travel stories and was particularly excited by The concept of people from the past to The ‘now’ to be rehabilitated into the current day whilst being studied by living historians who have to file weekly reports about the historical figure in their charge.
I highly recommend this book. It has intrigue, mystery, racist overtones being tackled and the human link across the ages, a real exploration of humanity..

Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication and exchange for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to reading Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, I've heard a lot of interesting things about this book and with that pre-publication chatter it just made my excitement about the book grow. I find that I really enjoyed the first half of the story more than the second. I loved the build up in the relationship between the main character and Graham Gore, I liked the descriptions of the training involved and what detail is captured from the bridges. However, I felt like the pacing went from slow and meandering (but interesting!) into a breakneck speed in the final quarter of the book. I felt like if the pacing had gradually increased, I would have enjoyed things a bit more.

Still, it was an interesting premise, interesting characters and relationships I could get behind.

In a word: Crunchy.
THE MINISTRY OF TIME is spellbinding, endearing, bittersweet. A novel that's easy to relax into but never lets you relax. The satirical, espionage, political thriller, time-travel romance of dreams!
Our protagonist "the bridge" is both a canvas for the reader to project onto and a specifically realised person; Graham Gore both an historical man and a man our protagonist has plucked and moulded to her (and our) liking. The novel's examination of this tension, this in and out of time or existence, is what gives it it's unique bite. Margaret and Arthur are other highlights, and whilst the romance sweeps you away, the dynamic between these four core characters is truly the story's soul.
The writing style is fresh yet classic, evocative of something older, much like the plot itself. It's also very funny! Laugh out loud funny. The characters are wittier than I could ever hope to be, the narrative whip-smart.
I can't wait for this to make the literary splash it undoubtedly deserves (and for everyone to become as bonkers about the lost Franklin expedition of 1845 as me as a result).
Truly unique, and a joy to read.

A pleasant enough read with some time travel, romance, a good dash of history.

Not really my kind of thing (the romantic aspects), but I found myself reading along happily, sort of waiting for something to happen when nothing much does until towards the end, but not waiting in an impatient manner.

It's a great concept, of course. To compare it to Outlander is just simplistic, as this is fiendishly well written and thought out by Bradley. The character building in the expats is especially good, and there's also a strong streak of humour in their behaviours that made me smile often.

It's a nice novel, an easy read, cleverly written.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley’s debut, is a most impressive read. It’s a genre non confirming powerhouse, that will have you staying up late to read it.

The Ministry of Time is one of the most sumptuously written books I’ve recently read. Bradley’s writing is pretty stunning and demands to be read and luxuriated in at times. Her characters, some of whom are literally ripped from History, are all so distinctly drawn, each their own incredibly unique voices. This is the kind of book you’ll finish but then immediately want to pick up again to try and connect the dots you may have missed the first time round.

At its centre is our FMC, an unnamed civil servant who is now working for The Ministry. Her job is to act as a ‘bridge’ for her assigned expat from History, 1847 or Commander Graham Gore. She is to report on his experiences of assimilation as the Ministry tests the limits of time travel by gathering expats from across History. The pair grow into friends, and then evolve into more. Yet as the true shape of the project reveals itself, Gore, his bridge and the other expects are forced to face their pasts and their imagined futures.

This novel really is special; that it can be a sci fi, a romance, with a dash of historical fiction, contain both humour and peril, all whilst dealing with significant and challenging topics such as racism, colonialism, immigration, forced assimilation, generational trauma to name a few, and yet never do you feel lost or preached at. The way Bradley melds and weaves the genres together has created one hell of a story. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next.

Try to go into this one relatively blind. The twists and turns are brilliant, and make this very hard to put down indeed!

I was really surprised to discover this is a debut novel. Weirdly readable, it manages to blur a number of different genres including sci-fi, history, social commentary and romance to name a few. I did find the period language, which I'm sure was authentic, a bit annoying at times and the number of time travelling twists a bit overwhelming but the author kept me reading, and I feel sure this will be the start of a glittering career.
Thank you to netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advance copy of this book.

This was a bit of a change of genre for me. It wasn't about time travel, just taking a few individuals out of their own time. I was picturing some as the characters from the TV series Ghosts. I did get a bit confused at some points towards the end.

This wasn't at all what I expected; it leaned more towards contemporary fiction than pure sci-fi. It started off as a fish-out-of-water comedy but in the final pages, it morphed into a fast-paced spy-action sci-fi novel.

Initially, I was quite captivated, drawn in by the author's writing style and intriguing premise. However, my interest waned as the story progressed; it dragged in the middle, and not much happened. Additionally, my enthusiasm for the potential romance between the main characters dwindled, and by the time something significant occurred, I found myself pretty much indifferent.

The revelations at the end took me by surprise, and I'm satisfied with how everything unfolded. However, I can't say the book left a lasting impression on me or that I'll remember it forever. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to the TV adaptation; I believe they have the potential to do wonders with it.

A very different book. Very sophisticated for a debut novel with good plotting in a difficult genre to make believable. The mysteries are chilling - do people die? Or are they just? And the idea that that the timeline rejects is a concept that will impact lives.
Note to reader. There are stories by Jodi Taylor about time that, if you like this book, should also read. In particular the series about the Time Police.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for this book.

Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time appealed to me as an existing civil servant. It focuses on a ‘secret programme’ within the UK Government on time travel, bringing individuals who would otherwise have been destined to an untimely end through to the current day. Part sci-fi thriller, part romance and part historical fiction, it appeals to a range of audiences, and weaves in contemporary important themes such as colonialism, government corruption, climate change and human morality seamlessly. Would recommend.