In “Mist in Time,” the second installment of Pam C Golden’s “Tree Spirits in Time” series, readers rejoin protagonist Jenni as she continues her temporal adventures into the Stone Age. While the cover blurb highlights a tense moment where Jenni encounters a mysterious scream in the forest—forcing her to make a split-second decision that reveals her developing courage—this scene represents just one of many engaging moments in Jenni’s ongoing story.
The Author builds upon the foundation established in “A Tree in Time,” delving deeper into prehistoric Britain with rich, sensory details that make the Stone Age setting come alive. As Jenni navigates this earlier period, readers witness her adaptation to a society that has evolved differently from her previous Mesolithic experience. The author balances archaeological and historical elements with engaging storytelling, creating an educational yet entertaining narrative for young readers.
The spiritual aspects of the story are particularly compelling in this sequel. Jenni’s astral soul travel through the mist adds a fascinating metaphysical dimension, while her reconnection with the wise Druantia explores concepts of reincarnation and spiritual mentorship in an accessible way for the target audience. These elements elevate the novel beyond a simple time-travel adventure, offering young readers gentle exposure to deeper philosophical concepts.
Character development continues to be one of the Author’s strengths, with Jenni showing noticeable emotional growth as she develops “more understanding of others” and learns “exciting and sometimes dangerous new skills.” The dialogue remains credible throughout, allowing readers to connect with both familiar and new characters introduced in this installment.
The steady pacing keeps the story moving forward while allowing sufficient time to explore the Stone Age setting and Jenni’s internal journey. The plot successfully balances Jenni’s immersion in prehistory with the lingering problems she left behind in the future, creating tension that propels the narrative forward.
One notable shortcoming is the unresolved thread involving secondary characters Ciara and Jonti. After quickly mastering the tree-shifting ability that Jenni struggled with, their storyline seemingly disappears when they return home while Jenni continues her adventures alone. Their absence creates an expectation gap—readers might reasonably anticipate their reappearance, either accompanying Jenni or attempting tree-shifting independently given their enthusiasm. This dangling narrative thread feels like a missed opportunity for added complexity and stakes.
Nevertheless, “Mist in Time” stands as a worthy sequel that expands the series’ unique premise while maintaining its core values of environmental appreciation, historical curiosity, and personal growth. The Author’s passion for the Earth, nature spirits, and prehistory shines through in this thoughtful continuation that will keep young readers invested in Jenni’s ongoing journey through time.
I award 4 stars.