The Jewel and the Key (2024)

This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com.

I'm not known for my love of time travel books. I tend to dislike them (though there have been exceptions) because they often feel like an excuse for an author to have a character act modern morals while keeping the historical setting. I can't accuse Spiegler of this. She has a very specific reason for sending the main character, Addie, back to 1917 and it totally and completely makes sense given the story she crafted. The problem for me was that the story felt entirely too fragmented. It was really two stories at once and neither was resolved enough to satisfy me.
In the modern day, Addie has been trying--unsuccessfully--to break into her school's cliquey drama scene. She knows she's a talented actress and, what's more--her heart and soul is given over to The Play. In contrast, her friend Whaley is directionless and keeps talking about joining the Army. When she travels intp the past, Addie finds herself in the thick of the Seattle theater world. She receives the acceptance she's been looking for. And it doesn't hurt that the theater's owner has a handsome son named Reg. Too bad HE wants to enlist, too.
The parallels between Whaley and Reg are designed to explore the question of why boys are so eager to go to war. In Whaley's case, he's directionless and feels like he serves little purpose in the life that he's currently living. Reg's motivations are more complex and at the same time, simpler. He seems to think that going off to war will be a great adventure. The realities of war aren't clear to either boy but, honestly, Whaley's story is the more compelling. This may be because Whaley's situation is relatable while Reg merely comes off as a spoiled little boy rebelling against his mommy.
I guess this is as good a time as any to tell you that I didn't really like Reg. There comes a moment towards the end of the book where Addie realizes what I've just said--that Reg is spoiled. I waited with baited breath to see what difference the realization would make...and was completely disappointed. Addie likes him anyway. I found Reg obnoxious, immature and arrogant. There was never any indication of a possible romance between Addie and Whaley...but I would much rather have preferred to see a relationship develop between those two than between Addie and Reg.
Additionally, I was unclear about the message this book was supposed to be giving. It seemed to be saying that the reason Addie was never able to break into the drama clique at her high school was because she was destined to be a director and not an actor. It wasn't so much that the group was exclusive but that she wasn't as good an actress as she'd thought. There's never any resolution with that storyline in the present--only the past.
Finally, this novel didn't feel complete to me. There were too many gaps. Where is Addie's mother? What about Whaley's parents? Why is Addie's father never around? What are Addie, Whaley and Reg going to do now? This is a book that needs a sequel. Only, I'd prefer to write it in my own head.

Set in Seattle! Historical fiction, time traveling adventure. Anti-war stuff, drama/theater stuff, a tiny bit of romance, and lots of really great/fun Seattle/WA history particularly union history. Sounds super heavy but it’s not. Good for local teens, anyone interested in theater, and local history, lefty teens etc.

This my first time travel story and I thought it was really good. Addie finds a magical mirror that sends her back to the early twentieth century after the city is struck by an earthquake. She isn't sure what is going on at first but she soon figures it out. In her own time she tries out for a play at her school but because of the popular girl clique she doesn't get the part. When the mirror sends her to 1917 she gets a chance to attend a professional rehearsal in a real theater. She becomes quick friends with the cast and crew and feels this is where she belongs. The theater, The Jewel, in her time has fallen into disrepair. The only way to save it is to return to the past in order to prove it's historical significance. This is also set in the time of WWI when so many soldiers leave to fight. Between the war and the prejudice against the Wobblies, people who are opposed to the war, tensions are high.
Through all this, Addie makes some great friends and falls in love. Though the story is fictional, there are some true elements. Every time I read a historical fiction I learn something I didn't know.

I don't know why there aren't more reviews of this book. It's outstanding!

It's realistic fiction, historical fiction, plus time-travel with a magic mirror. What's not to love?! The heroine is gorgeously written, her (two) love interests are uniquely different and yet much the same. Both time periods feel real and believable. And World War I as a setting is increasing in popularity. Maybe this novel was a few years early for the audience? Anyway, I highly recommend this book.

I was meh about this book. Didn't love it, but didn't hate it. The story wasn't particularly engaging or really all that believable and the characters weren't well developed.

Time travel! I had no idea this was going to be a time travel book (the blurb did such a good job of not giving everything away!). I thought this was going to be a murder mystery or a psychological thriller, but instead, it was time travel, with a character going back and forth! I was not ready for it to be over when it ended.

This review may also be found on A Thousand Little Pages.

It was definitely the mirror and the earthquake that started it all. One moment, Addie is strolling through the crumbling streets and frantic crowds of Seattle; and the next, she is amongst weirdly dressed people who apparently make a habit of injuring each other with bricks. It is in this parallel world that Addie meets Reg and discovers the Jewel, a professional theater and any budding actress’s dream. When she is offered a job as assistant director, Addie makes every effort to return to this old version of Seattle as frequently as possible. When events in each world seem to almost mirror each other, Addie realizes that there is a lot more at stake than her own desires.

I am often weary of time travel books, as it is very easy to butcher them. However, I enjoyed The Jewel and the Key immensely. The fact that I had never heard of the Industrial Workers of the World, an organization central to the novel’s plot, was very surprising considering the long hours I’ve spent in various high school U.S. history classes. The author’s incorporation of history and theatrical arts sets up a great background for the novel.

Also like every other YA story, there is lurrrve. What seems like a love triangle at first quickly becomes more of a line segment or a diatomic covalent molecule (if you are in a particularly chemistry-oriented mood like yours truly). The object of Addie’s affections is young Reg, a flamboyant actor with quite a dramatic personality. Their relationship was adorable, and the conclusion succeeded in stealing a few tears from me. I actually went back and reread the ending a few times after finishing the novel. I guess it can be described as bittersweet without going overboard with cheesiness. Mostly, it was just heartbreaking.

The Jewel and the Key is a quaint historical novel that packs quite a punch. It also contributed to my lack of sleep, as I couldn’t stop myself from reading late into the night instead of sleeping like the rest of the normal human beings in my time zone.

Book Source: ARC via Flamingnet

Addie McNeal's life gets turned upside-down when she discovers an antique mirror hidden in her father's bookstore. This mirror transports her to 1917. In both time periods there are many parallels. In the present day, America is at war once again and there are anti-war demonstrations in Seattle just as there were in 1917. In both time periods, people Addie cares about might go off to war and lose their lives. Also, the main parallel is that the "Jewel", a magnificent theatre, is a prominent character in the book. Addie lives for theatre and drama. In 1917, the Jewel is thriving and bustling with life. In the present day, the theatre is dilapidated and at risk of disappearing forever. As Addie travels back and forth in time, she tries to find ways to save the ones she loves and save the Jewel as well.
This was definitely an interesting take on historical fiction, and for the most part it worked. Addie was a bit hard to understand and relate to as a character, but the setting and historical parts were fabulously written. I felt that the parts that dove into drama and plays were a bit heady and I skimmed a lot. I know that theatre was a main theme, but I felt that all the intense descriptions and dialogue took away from other elements in the book.

review via Cracking the Cover
“The Jewel and the Key” is a surprising book. The plot is layered in sophisticated way one would not initially expect. Nor would one expect the magical, time-traveling elements to be so simple. Author Louise Spiegler doesn’t go into the mechanics of time travel, rather she uses it as a way to get Addie where she needs to be in order to move the story forward.

Addie is a modern girl who values the past and that shows in her everyday actions. She appreciates vintage clothing, architecture and antiques. She’s very much a renaissance woman in the making.

Readers who’ve never been to Seattle will still appreciate the city seen through Spiegler’s lens — both now and in 1917. Though in her notes at the end of the book Spiegler admits to taking some liberties, it’s clear a lot research was taken into account.

“The Jewel and the Key” doesn’t pack the punch that some of its contemporaries do, but it doesn’t need to. There’s action here, but the overall tone of the book is quieter, more understated and, at times, slower. It’s a combination that works and adds variety to the large selection of paranormal reads now on the market.

Almost 4 stars. Didn't realize this was a YA book until it came in on my hold shelf from the library. Still worth the read, and I would recommend it as a refreshing read for YA. I was originally attracted to the book because it is set in my home town of Seattle and involves time travel [back to the beginnings of WWI]. The central character, Addie, is someone who should appeal to young women who are passionate about the theatre, intelligent, compassionate, and not immune to falling a bit in love with a man from the past. The story also explores the more serious theme of war—patriots vs. pacifist—through the eyes of two of Addie’s young male friends who choose to enlist, one from present day and the other in WWI. Through it all, Addie attempts to understand why she has the “key” to step through time and what “role” she is meant to play. I loved the last paragraph of the book: "And suddenly she had that taste on her tongue again, just as she had the day she'd sat on the loading dock with Reg in the sunlight. The taste of real life stretching out in front of her."

(3.5 stars) Addie has just auditioned again for the school play and is disappointed that the role will likely go to one of the popular girls again. In the family’s bookstore, she finds some old costumes and materials from a local theater, including a small pocket mirror. After an earthquake, she is on the way to check on an elderly friend of a friend when she experience a warp in time, taking her back to 1917, although she does not initially realize what is happening. As she goes back and forth in time, the key to her travel seems to be the Jewel Theater. The time periods have interesting parallels, both are in the shadow of war, both are dealing with civil unrest and fear, and both have young men getting ready to enlist for an uncertain future. Addie works to save the future of the Jewel Theater while trying to preserve the past and the people she has become entangled with at the theater.

I really do not consider myself a true lover of historical fiction, but, I loved this book!

The storyline was great! All the twists and turns right up until the end. Can you imagine looking into a mirror and then being transported to another time? I felt bad for Addie for falling for Reg and had high hopes of her and Whaler getting together. A few times, it was mentioned how much Reg reminded her of Whaler. I guess they truly were like brother and sister.

I really enjoyed the look back to World War One that Ms. Spiegler had given us. It was interesting to see what the people's thoughts and fears were especially with the war looming over all of our heads today.

If you believe that you enjoy historical fiction, or even if you are not sure, I highly recommend this book! I really cannot express how it had kept my interest all the way until the end.

I really liked the cover of this book - but it was totally different from what I was expecting. The historical elements were pretty well done, but I never felt fully drawn into the story. I would have liked a better connection with Addie. I saw all the things that happened to her, but I didn't really have any feelings for her. The romantic elements felt a little forced, but it didn't bother me too much - kind of because I was a little apathetic towards the story. I wasn't a big fan of the ending, I wanted more closure, something to grasp, but the author chose to take a different approach. Even though I didn't love this book, I might still recommend to people who like this genre. It just wasn't for me.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2011...

Fabulous I loved it, I liked how Addie was able to travel back an forth through time with the mirror. I was a little confused by both Whaley and Reg, I didn't see how they could be the same person, unless Reg was transported through time too when he looked into the mirror. But Addie had said that he was found sleeping on a bench and his step mom didn't want anything to do with him. Perhaps that was just a story to tell people because he didn't know what else to say when he found himself 100 years into the future. Ok, I know that's not exactly how it is, but wouldn't that be great! I love time travel and historic adventures.
Over all it was an incredible gripping story that gave me great pleasure in reading.

I was disappointed that the initial tension (would Addie get a role in the upcoming high school production, or would the "drama divas" win again?) was completely ignored by the time we were 1/4 in to the book. The time travel to WWI-era Seattle and the parallels between the people's feelings about the war then and the contemporary wars was interesting, particularly as many history classes don't cover that era and the IWW/Wobblies in as much depth as they used to. However, Addie's traveling between the eras, her attempts to save the Jewel, and her relationships with people in both times were retreads of other time-travel adventures I've read.

ARC provided by publisher.

Fabulaous I loved it, I liked how Addie was able to travel back an forth through time with the mirror. I was a little confused by both Whaley and Reg, I didn't see how they could be the same person, unless Reg was transported through time too when he looked in the mirror. But Addie had said that he was found sleeping on a bench and his stepmom didn't want anything to do with him. Perhaps that was just a story to tell people because he didn't know what else to say when he found himsef 100 years into the future. Overall it was an incredible, gripping story that gave me great pleasure in reading.

Kind of like Revolution, by Jennifer Donnelly, this story has some time-bending elements that allow Addie, a modern girl, to travel back to WWI era Seattle via a magic mirror. Addie really wants to be an actress, but the people in her high school drama club don't recognize her talents. When she discovers some old costumes that belonged to a historic theater, she gets involved in efforts to raise money to resurrect the old Jewel. She also finds a mirror that takes her back to the theater's glory days and she gets involved with the cast and crew back then. Mixed into all of this is war protests in two different eras. There's a lot going on here and it works, but seems a bit slow-moving.

The Jewel and the Key is one of those rare books where I finished it, and still don't know how I feel about it. Did I like it? Well, I can say I didn't dislike it. Did I love it? No. Did I feel for the characters? Certain ones, sometimes. Did I take anything from the story? Not really.

I would have given it a neutral 3 stars, but I use 3 stars too often to differentiate a 4-star book from a not-quite-4-star book. This one gets a 2, but it really is just a neutral opinion that I have of the novel.

Promising concept. A girl who loves theatre finds herself traveling back and forth in time to an old theatre during WW1, just as her contemporary Seattle faces the beginning of a war. But the vagueness with which Spiegler tried to avoid placing the modern day in a specific time got annoying for me, and Addie's character wasn't as well developed as I might have hoped.

This will be a short review, because I'm not quite sure what to say (plus I'm writing this on my mobile device). The premise/idea of this book was interesting, but it didn't prove to be interesting. I got bored very fast, and didn't finish it all the way. I'm not sure what it was, but it just stopped bing interesting and I didn't get the point of certain scenes. Definitely a disappointment.

3.5 stars.

Neat take on World War I history with the focus on the anti-war movements and protests. I also liked how the time travel concept was handled. Plus, finally a YA book without a love triangle - how refreshing!

Jul 11th

A wondrfl, romntc, time trvel story. Why dosn't this book have a highr scre?

I loved it so much!! it took awhile to read though

It was a refreshing book for me as it tampers with the timeline of the present and the future. Despite it's rather painful ending, it is a good one nevertheless. This one is suitable for the new readers who are looking for a mix of historical fiction and classic literature. ;)

My library does not offer this book anymore which is where I first got it from and I'm not interested in purchasing a copy for myself. The story was all right from what I remember.