Ana is still hurting from her break up with her boyfriend. Having to face him every day on a planned group holiday isn’t helping, and she is only just holding it together. Falling apart in front of her university friends has been embarrassing, not to mention her studies being thrown out the window. She just has to get through the holiday and try to force him from her mind.

A covert trip into a cave system guided by two local guys one night sounds like a fun way to try and forget. The caves prove to be awesome, with candles flickering, music playing and alcohol flowing – and someone looks interesting. But then the ground begins to shake.

Fleeing through falling rocks and hearing screams from all directions, Ana stumbles out of the entrance with others into… daylight. And a raging battle.

Ana’s problems with her ex, her shame and her shattered heart are nothing to what she is about to face. She is suddenly on her own, being hunted, tied up, rescued, or doing some rescuing of her own. Learning she is no longer in the 21st century, but the Year of Our Lord 1303, is too confusing to comprehend. She is alone with strangers – some of which want to kill her, capture her, or determine if she is a witch.

Leon is confused by this strange girl who seemed to appear from nowhere. Her clothing is skant, her mouth foul and her courage huge. Who is she and where is she from? It is this stranger that bandages his wounds and then fills his mind for days as she is taken, then found then taken again. Does his enemies have her? Is she part of some prophecy? His feelings go from responsibility, to repaying a debt, to something more. If only he can find her again.

Told in two points of view, The Lost Saint is masterfully written, with a rich medieval backdrop and constantly clashing characters. Being thrown back more than 700 years into the past is the largest time-slip gap I have read in a long time, and the contrasts between the two were most entertaining.

I loved the way main character Ana stood up to the condescension of the men she met, how she tricked them with her acting talent and how she got herself out of many terrifying situations. Other characters were introduced, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better as this series progresses.

Some characters were aggravating, and I’m hoping for their comeuppance. Romance is only just touched upon with a few lingering kisses, but there is a very strong possibility of more sparks flying in future episodes.

Author – Rachael Craw

Age – 14+

(2025, Allen & Unwin, NZ Author, New Zealand Author, Series, Time travel, Action, Romance, Conflict, Courage, Fantasy, Historical, Magic, 1303, Medieval, Prophecy, Palace, Rescue, Escape, Saint, Sword play, War Horse)