An Echo in Time: Atlantis

The Ancient Future #2

by Traci Harding

"The narrow stairway inside the mountain led to a door, that opened onto a huge marble plateau. Upon this stood a stone circle, that consisted of nine of the largest hunks of polished crystal Tory had ever seen. A turbulent cloud erupted overhead, its core alive with electromagnetic activity."

For twenty years the kingdoms of Prydyn, Dumnonia and Dalriada have prospered in peace under the guidance of their High King, Maelgwn of Gwynedd, and his good Queen, Tory.

But when the High King is stricken with madness and a mysterious plague, Britain is set to be thrown into the chaos of yesteryear. Tory seeks the advice of the triple Goddess, and is told of an advanced civilization that thrived long before recorded history, where men of great learning and miracles were abundant. The women of the Otherworld agree to aid Tory to make her passage back through time. But once in Atlantis, Tory must use her own devices to find the cure she seeks and a way to return to her loved ones in the Dark Age.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction Fantasy, Audiobook

672 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

Traci Harding, is an Australian science-fantasy author who currently has twelve books in publication, on the Voyager label of HaperCollins Publishers Australia.

Her work blends fantasy, fact, esoteric belief, time travel and quantum physics, into adventurous romps through history, ulternative dimensions, universes and states of consciousness.


The Ancient Future Trilogy
Book 1 -The Ancient Future 1996
Book 2 -An Echo in Time 1997
Book 3 - Masters of Reality 1998

Stand Alone Novels
The Alchemists Key 1998
Book of Dreams 2002
Ghostwriting 2003

The Celestial Triad
Book 1 – Chronicle of Ages 1999
Book 2 – Tablet of Destinies 2000
Book 3 – The Cosmic Logos 2001

The Mystique Trilogy
Book 1 – Gene of Isis 2005
Book 2 – The Dragon Queens 2007
Book 3 – The Black Madonna 2008


Triad of Being
Book 1 - Being of the Field 2009
Book 2 - The Universe Parallel 2010
Book 3 - The Light Field 2012

The Time Keepers
Book 1 - Dreaming of Zhou Gong 2013
Book 2 - Forthcoming
Book 3 - Forthcoming

The Ancient Future is currently listed on both the Dymock’s Top 101 Books. Along with The Alchemist's Key, The Ancient Future has been published in Complex Chinese for worldwide release.

The first book of the Mystique Trilogy -Gene of Isis is now to be published in Russian, Czech, Slavic, Greek and Romanian, as is book two The Dragon Queens.

Reviews

[Lis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was marginally better than the first. It had more action, and less of the ridiculous, grating 'old' speak. The characters were mildly more likable, but still rather irritating and transparently shallow.

The only reason I read this one was because I borrowed it from the library at the same time as the first. I would not have picked it up and chosen to read it, after the abysmal effort of the first book in this series.

I found the ignorant nature, and child-like moods of the main characters really annoying. The way that they acted and the choices they made I found confusing at best, teeth-grindingly painful at worst.

Tory seems to be perpetually confused between being a take-no-shit ass kicker, and a mother hen.
She brushes off a would be rape, but is blindingly quick to revert to hard violence at the slightest provocation.

The reoccurring theme throughout the book of 'everyone MUST get married and live happily ever after with their one true love' is quite offensive and sickening. Coupled with the 'orgy' scene (which tastelessly clashed with the PG rating of 85% of the rest of the book) was a clumsy excuse to make everyone mad at everyone else so that they could all make up and become happy again. Forced drama, yay!

All that said, it was easy to read and an ok way to pass spare time. But really, why waste your time when there are so many great books out there?

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Tory and Maelgwn have been ruling for 20 years but then an old enemy resurfaces (with the help of the Saxons) and casts a spell on Maelgwn. When he is cured of this he suffers from "Yellow fever" which history tells Maelgwn dies from. To thwart history Tory is set back in time to Atlantis to find a cure. Here she gets aid from previous incarnations of her allies (including Maelgwn's previous incarnation).

Tory doesn't think Mahoud can find her here in the past, but she is mistaken. Mahoud finds her in the past when a mad Atlantian scientist takes nuclear warheads and threatens to blow up Atlantis and her chance at finding the potion.

I liked this book. This series is easy to read and is fairly fast paced. It is kind of a cross between fantasy and sci-fi. Keeping a track of all the characters and their incarnations is a bit tricky though.

[Anna Hamilton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the ancient future, book one. Loved it. But its also been 12 years since I read it. My GOD this second one was horrible. The writing was terrible. The story, overly convenient. She doesn't mourn the death of anyone and learns new magic by simply WANTING to. I actually hated it. Turan and Xavier were the only interesting characters. Ohhhhhhh it was boring.

I do NOT recommend. Arghhhhhh 600 pages! Why. Rhun said EAT ME to Mahaud. Truly. Terrible horrible writing. The worst.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy the book but found that it was a bit drawn out in places. Enjoyable storyline

[Sharon Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I found it a little better than the first. I loved the material, just felt it was a little longwinded.
I'm looking forward to the third book, but must admit. I'm happy to leave it and get to it after I've read a couple of others in my TBR pile.
Overall, I'm still keen to read the third and have another two trilogies by the same author that I'd also like to read.

[Timothy Herzog · Rating 1 out of 5]

A poorly written book in a series with few redeeming qualities. This is an author self-insert fantasy where she is an invincible, immortal, infallible matchmaker, and literal 'goddess' amongst mortals.
I got through book one by the skin of my teeth and the mantra "It's good to read something different" but I had to put this one to rest unfinished 100 pages in. Setting the childish storyline, appalling pacing, and total lack of character development (or even semi-believable stagnant characters) aside, the writing is almost impossible to follow. From one line to the next, you will jump to a different character in another part of the world with no warning, or delineation in the text. Then back again a paragraph and a half later. You will get whiplash reading this. The author takes every opportunity to jolt you out of any degree of immersion in the 'story'.
The biggest challenges and trials are surprisingly solved in a couple of lines by wishful thinking and a quick song (yes, I'm serious), leaving you wanting for any sort of meaningful resolution.
The only way I would recommend this book is to illustrate terrible writing that still manages to be published.

[kashiichan · Rating 1 out of 5]

20 years have passed since the first book ended, and Maelgwyn has fallen ill to the plague. The only way for Tory to save him is to travel back to where it all began - roughly 12,000 years in the past, to the fabled city of Atlantis.

I hated this book. Tory is still completely "perfect and talented". Everyone still loves her as soon as they meet her, rape attempts aren't a big deal, she learns new magic by simply WANTING to, and everything is solved with "technology" (magic) so there are barely any stakes. The amount of cupid-style match-making Tory does is even worse than in the first book, with a blink-and-you'll-miss-it "orgy" scene used solely to prove how right she was. Along with a complete lack of character depth and development, the writing is just plain bad. So little of Atlantis or the wider world is described that it actually became frustrating. I couldn't tell you anything about Atlantis except that everything works by imagining it working. The only good thing about this book is that there is hardly any of Harding's ‘ye olde language’ included.

[Alexandra Creasy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full disclosure to begin: I found this book in an op shop after looking for some fantasy to cut my teeth on. Only books 2 and 3 were there so I bought them, 50c each. I have to say, that was the WORST dollar I have EVER SPENT.
Second full disclosure: I only got as far as about page 200, and I pushed myself to get that far. So this review will be on 30% of the 2nd book.
It was crap. Utter crap. Let me elaborate.
I didn't mind that I was thrown into a plot and a world already in full swing from the first book. Actually it didn't matter at all. There really didn't seem to be any sensible plot, and as there was no description whatsoever of the world (or anything really), I was none the wiser about anything at all after 200 pages. There was basically no action at all, which meant the story moved forward (although no, not really) by way of dialogue. Dialogue you say? If you enjoy the sound of fingernails being drawn down a blackboard, you might have been able to stomach it. But in reality it was an excruciatingly painful jumble of 20th century idiom juxtaposed with some sort of attempt of bastard old English. Not even that. It was peppered heavily with thees and thous, with subject (sometimes when it should have been object) randomly paired up with declensions of the verbs to be or to have (we hast, anyone?) that was SO uncomfortable to read that I couldn't concentrate on the action. Oh, probably because there wasn't any. This was almost completely a "tell, don't show" book. No description, no action, no suspense, no work for me to do except constantly put down the book and laugh at the awful, awful writing. Here's an example of the worst way to write what could have, should have been an opportunity to do some "show" but, er, wasn't. (I don't have page numbers or direct quotes because the book is presently awaiting to be recycled into something useful to mankind.) One of the characters (can't remember who, doesn't actually matter, a son of the queen or something?) had to deliver several things (some sort of magic bag or something, can't remember, so badly written) so instead of having some sort of little adventure series to achieve this, he just teleported there and back several times to the various recipients to drop off his booty, and the whole thing took one paragraph. I mean, seriously? you just teleport here and there, get stuff done, and it's just all done??? I dunno, it came off as totally stupid but maybe I'm missing something.
I would like to talk about character development, or even character distinguishing, but I can't because nobody did anything interesting, said anything sensible (or readable) or was in the least bit individual. Honestly, a piece of paper is more 3 dimensional than ANYONE in this book. There are 4 young men (I think 3 are brothers, the other may be somehow related) and apart from their names, there is absolutely no way to tell any of them apart. They have no individuality, no unique qualities, no different ways of speaking or thinking, and they might as well all be just one character. Same for all of the Lords or whatever they were. Just no differentiating them, and I couldn't remember who was who. Fortunately I didn't care. I didn't care about anything in this book, especially not the protagonist. Aren't you supposed to care just a little about the main character? There was nothing about her that I could relate to ... because there was no description, action, growth, thought, feeling, or anything at all that helped me to get to know her even just a little bit.
This was a stupid, stupid book (well the first third was, I can't comment on the rest, I suppose) and I can say, with certainty, that my 13 year old daughter can write much, much, much better than this author.
I'm bewildered by any review above 1 star, and for those who gave it 5 stars, what planet are you from??? And what other literature are you even reading??
I did not like this book, I cannot recommend it to anyone except for as a "how NOT to do EVERYTHING with regards to writing a book", and my copy, and its probably just as awful sequel are, as I previously mentioned, awaiting a second life as something ... else, anything really.
Shame on you, Voyager Publishing. SHAME. ON. YOU.

[Sandra qt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the continuing story.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite authors. Really different but still excellent. Love it.

[Nikki Balzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series I read every few years for the fun of it all

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still terribly written and cliched, but good heavens is it nostalgic!

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read some reviews about this book before reading it immediately after Book 1. Some of those reviews were not very glowing. Normally, I disregard these until I've read the book myself, as is the right way, and I don't always agree with them. This time, I almost did. However, I still enjoyed this book and have launched into Book 3 already.

In 'An Echo in Time: Atlantis', our hero, Tory Alexander, has made her home and life back in the 6th century, with her husband Maelgwyn, and her son Rhun. 20 years have passed and Maelgwyn has fallen ill to the plague. The only way for Tory to save him is to travel back to where it all began - roughly 12,000 years in the past, to the fabled city of Atlantis. There she finds the most advanced culture and society ever known, where humanity has reached a heightened level of consciousness and has developed the type of technology that would put what we know today to shame. Her quest leads her to find a potion that will save Maelgwyn - an immortality potion. But is she too late to save him, and will the evil witch, Mahaud, foil her at last?

Traci Harding has built the world of Atlantis in such a way that you believe it actually did exist in this form. However, my biggest criticism is the amount of cupid-style match-making Tory is involved in, which seems to be far more than in Book 1. Some of this stuff is OK, but not to this level. The concept of every person pairing with every other person (seemingly) is even more far-fetched than a fantasy novel warrants. But, I enjoyed every other aspect of the story.

Here's hoping that Book 3, 'Masters of Reality: The Gathering', backs off the hooking-up a bit.

[Kirstyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good, in the whole plot and the idea of Atlantis and all that. My only problem is with the major amount of errors in there (did anyone even EDIT this?), the fact that things are just a BIT too convenient, and that everyone seems to fall in love within a minute of meeting each other. I get that they bond over lifetimes and that is showing how strong their love is and how they're meant to be together, but there is no way this can happen with so many people over so many lifetimes. Love is much more complicated, and I'd rather read a slow building of relationships rather than, for example, Teo deciding to live with Donna after one night together because they are in love. But other than those complaints, it was pretty easy to read, and I am really unsure of how to rate it, so for now I will give it an average rating and ponder that for a while.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all-time favourite of Traci Harding's books. Hey there, if you are reading this, how about join my 'Traci Harding' group? Just type in 'Traci Harding' under a group search and you should find it. I just started it today and would like to get it really humming. There is also a listopia list under 'Best of Traci Harding' in the Fantasy section if you want to vote on your favourite three of her titles.

This series is amazing yeah? Don't you wish the Tori and Maelgwn story could go on and on forever???!!!!

Penny :)

[Anethallin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, um..

I felt like this book may have been rushed, or something. The overall style of writing and portrayal of the relationships was super cringe-worthy at times. For example, one moment a beloved character dies, then in the following paragraph, people are hugging, kissing, and flirting in the same room of said characters corpse. It's clumsy and dare I say, tacky? I'm pretty easy to please with most novels, but there were a good few moments that sparked an eye roll or an "are you serious?" out of me.

Overall, great story, but the style of writing could definitely be improved.

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

the whole book had a sort of dreamy feel to it. I prefer books that seem more real..more err crispy? lol if that makes sense. anyway yes: got me in a daze. mind you that i read this book years ago. and i was currently in love with the first book, Ancient Future, i also fell in love with this. The ending was sad though!!! :(

[Kelly Mason-Wynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again I love everything by Traci Harding, I have given this book 4 instead of 5 stars because 5 stars I reserve for the books that completely knock me out, which her first book did. It would be hard for a second in a series to do the same. I love this book because it delves into atlantis, which I have a small obsession with.

[Don · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to about a quarter of this book. Not for me . Very disappointing as I thought it would be a better story line. Did not like the narrator's voice. I think she made the story much harder to follow than it probably was and online reviews have it as a 4 star book. I'm not going to rate it all. May have another crack at it and see.....

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, amazing, awe-inspiring and all-out fun to read. As always, really! :-)

I re-read this series a lot, and no matter how often I read these books, I am continually amazed and delighted by them.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This just didn't grab me for some reason. The Atlantis technology and experience was interesting, the manipulation of time and the issues that it brings was compelling, but I really couldn't get into it.

[Sarah Smit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going back in time into Atlantis was something that drew me, the idea of the place being real tugs at the bookworm in me. The books are written well enough to hook me no matter how often I come back to them (once a year)

[Karon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant series of books!

[bluetyson]

isbn,original

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must like the first, I loved it just as equally. Traci Harding's imagination never fails to amaze me. I would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy novels.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this ages ago (and obvious it is time to re-read it) and I don't remember much of it, just that I liked it.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traci Harding would have to be one of my favourite authors. The imagination and depth of research really shows, with descriptive language whisking you off to another land.

[Becci · Rating 5 out of 5]

To save her husband, Tori travels to ancient Atlantis - only to find familiar faces...

[Kerrie Fewings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing... couldn't put the whole series down

[Tesreena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was alright. Not as catchy as the 1st book.