Time Warper: Fated

Gr 9 Up—In this previously self-published YA novel, Sage Hannigan is living in Charleston in 2004 when she impulsively purchases a stone pendant necklace at her local bookstore. She is weirdly drawn to it, and after putting it on and going to sleep, she awakens in 1904. Sage is immediately attacked by a vampire and taken into the care of Cerberus, a group of individuals who deal with supernatural creatures. She discovers she is a Time Warper and has been chosen because of her Celtic ancestry to stop some impending crisis in the past using her ability to freeze time. First, Sage must learn to use her powers and train to fight the witches and vampires while also being a lady in the Victorian era. As she gets to know Elaine, who runs Howell House and teaches her etiquette, she also learns to fight with the very handsome and charming Dr. Aldwin Blake. Sage falls in love with the secret-keeping Dr. Blake, begins her mission to be the pretend mistress of the vampire Soren, and uncovers a plot to assassinate President Roosevelt. While the story strives to hit all of the high points of the genre, the plot is tragically convoluted and the protagonist is underdeveloped. In overreaching attempts at building romance, Martinez fails to deliver a satisfactory love triangle. Although the cliff-hanger ending does leave readers wondering what is in store for Sage, it will not be enough to inspire teens to seek the next installment.