[Review] Crimson Time by Emily VanderBent

Well-written, engaging, and intriguing...

Adelaide has been looking for answers since the night her parents died. So when a mysterious invitation beckons her to join a secret society, Adelaide thinks the society might just be her only shot at the answers she desperately wants. But when the society isn't all it appears to be, Adelaide finds herself stranded in history, sent on a seemingly impossible mission with ten strangers, all vying for a coveted spot within the society. For Adelaide, winning a game in the past might mean answers to her present. But first, she will have to put her history knowledge to the test in a fight for survival.

I absolutely loved this story! Emily VanderBent created a unique twist on the time travel trope, and this story kept me guessing about which direction VanderBent would take me in next. I found Adelaide to be a sympathetic, relatable character with a strong, dynamic arc. I also loved that, even though there were several viable candidates to choose from, there wasn't any romantic subplot to keep the characters busy during lulls in the action. Rather, VanderBent kept the characters busy with action on the page and it made for an engaging story. This story reads like any you find on the bestseller lists; Crimson Time is intriguing, engaging, and has a great cast of characters set against a tumultuous, historical backdrop. Highly recommended for any fans of historical fiction, science fiction, or fans of well-written plots.