Anticipation

A Novel

By: Melodie Winawer

Narrated by: Jacques Roy, Samantha Desz, Jonathan Davis, Lisa Flanagan

From the author of the “engrossing historical epic” (Booklist) The Scribe of Siena comes a thrilling tale set in the crumbling city of Mystras, Greece, in which a scientist’s vacation with her young son quickly turns into a fight for their lives after they cross paths with a man out of time.

After the death of her beloved husband and becoming a single parent to her nine-year-old son Alexander, overworked scientist Helen desperately needs an escape. So when Alexander proposes a trip to Greece—somewhere he's always dreamed of visiting—Helen quickly agrees.

After spending several days exploring the tourist-filled streets, they stumble upon the ancient city of Mystras and are instantly drawn to it. Its only resident is Elias, a mysterious tour guide living on the city’s edges…both physically and temporally.

In 1237, Elias’s mother promised his eternal service to the Profitis Ilias in Mystras in exchange for surviving a terrible illness. But during his 800 years of labor, he’s had one common enemy: the noble Lusignan family. The Lusignan line is cursed by a deadly disease that worsens with each generation, and a prophecy hints that Elias’s blood is their only hope for a cure. He has managed to survive throughout the centuries, but the line has dwindled down to the last Lusignan and he is desperate to avert his family’s destiny.

When Elias runs into Helen, he meets his match for the first time—but he unwittingly puts both her and her young son in danger as a result. With time running out and an enemy after them, Elias and Helen are forced to choose between the city they love, and each other.

Blending the historical romance of Diana Gabaldon, the rich detail of Philippa Gregory’s novels, and Dan Brown’s fast-paced suspense, Anticipation is a thrilling and satisfying read like no other.

Another story I couldn’t put down!

I loved Melodie’s first novel and have listened to it multiple times on audible. Anticipation is another win for me, I want to start it over and listen again! The characters are likable and dynamic, and the story is captivating. Keep writing, I can’t wait for your next book!

Ok but too long

Too long and complicated for me to truly enjoy. Some of the narration wasn’t clear and became quiet in places which made the names and passages in Greek even more difficult to understand. Great story but could have been equally good without so much detail.

Entertaining

This is a great book to make you think about different perspectives. A little fantastical, a little romance, a little historical…just a great blend!

It was pretty good

Overall I enjoyed the book. The storyline wove between different centuries. However I felt the ending was anticlimactic with no resolution of the underlying problem that the story focused on.

Great Greek history

I knew nothing about Greek history before this book, so that was really interesting. The story as a whole was a little weakly put together, and the science that ran through the story was not resolved, nor was the creepy docent. Disappointing ending