Breaking Time (Breaking Time, #1) by Sasha: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
When I first stumbled upon Breaking Time, I must admit my curiosity got the better of me. The premise of a time-traveling romance set in the mystical landscapes of Scotland appealed to my inner wanderlust and romantic aspirations. Add to that the buzz surrounding Sasha, a minor internet celebrity turned author, and you can see why I was intrigued. Little did I know I was signing up for an experience that would oscillate between deep disappointment and unintentional entertainment.
From the get-go, the story features Klara, an all-too-familiar heroine who seems to exist primarily as a self-insert for Sasha. She’s a rather vague amalgamation of traits—vaguely spunky, vaguely nerdy, and intriguingly lacking in any substantial character development. Klara’s supposed intellect is represented through an awkward understanding of scientific concepts that fell flat more times than I can count. Honestly, when I read quotes like, “Circumstantially, if Callum was from another time – big if – it explained some things,” I couldn’t help but think that perhaps Sasha should have spent some of those six years refining her protagonist’s voice rather than crafting unnecessary cliffhangers.
Then there’s Callum, the Scottish heartthrob whose character development is as thin as the dialogue he speaks. The reliance on phonetically written accents felt like a gimmick that distracted me rather than added to the authenticity of his character. While he’s written as brooding and heroic, he never quite transcends the trope of the handsome savior, lacking any real motivations beyond his attractiveness and a vague commitment to protect Klara.
As far as the plot goes, it’s a whirlwind of time travel, mystical encounters, and clichéd romantic beats that ventures from Scotland’s stunning locales to a baffling array of magical figures. It often felt like the characters were churning through one cultural landmark after another with little purpose. The recurring cycle of strange conversations with mystical beings only solidified my growing frustration, as they presented the same information repeatedly but somehow made everything feel less clear than before. It was almost as if I had stepped into a labyrinth where every turn led to more questions than answers.
Sasha’s writing was another layer altogether—gritty, raw, and riddled with errors that made it seem as if it hadn’t been so much polished as hastily thrown together. While I’m often forgiving of stylistic decisions like sentence fragments, they felt jarring here, contributing to an uncomfortable reading experience rather than enhancing the prose. Lines like, “He looked back up at the torch sconce. Though old with age, it could possibly be of help to him,” exemplified the awkward phrasing that peppered the narrative.
Yet, I found moments of dark humor amidst the critique, especially in its melodrama. A scene where Callum slips into the realm of “muschled. Ripped. Svelte” left me chuckling rather than swooning. There’s an attempt at romantic tension that, despite being painfully trite, did manage to elicit a few eye rolls and laughs.
So, who might enjoy Breaking Time? Perhaps fans of formulaic YA fantasies who are just looking for something light and fluffy—you might overlook its shortcomings in favor of escapism. However, for those of us who appreciate depth and rich character exploration, this book may feel more like a missed opportunity than a soaring adventure.
In the end, my experience with Breaking Time encapsulated much more than just a story about time travel. It was a reminder of the craft of writing—the effort, dedication, and artistry that authors like my friends pour into their work. While Sasha may have a platform that catapults her into the publishing arena, I couldn’t help but ponder: how does one spend six years crafting a labor of love that feels strikingly devoid of passion? It’s an experience that left me reflecting not only on the book itself but on the nature of recognition in the literary world.
So here we are, a mix of disappointment and fascination. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a lesson or two in here for all aspiring authors, myself included. It might not be the masterpiece we hoped it would be, but it certainly left a few lasting impressions along the way.
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