Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez’s debut novel The Gods Time Forgot presents an intriguing premise that marries Irish mythology with Gilded Age Manhattan society, creating a world where ancient gods walk among New York’s elite in 1870. While the concept sparkles with potential, the execution reveals both the author’s creative ambition and the growing pains inherent in such an ambitious first offering.
The Enigma of Identity and Belonging
The story centers on Rua, a woman who awakens with no memory of her past, only to be mistaken for Emma Harrington, a missing debutante from Manhattan’s upper echelons. What begins as a case of mistaken identity evolves into something far more complex when Rua discovers she is actually Macha, one of the Morrígan goddesses from Irish mythology. Parallel to her journey is Finn, the Lord of Donore, who harbors his own mysterious connection to Ireland’s legendary past as Cú Chulainn, the mythical hero.
Gonzalez demonstrates a genuine understanding of the immigrant experience in 19th-century America, particularly the Irish struggle for acceptance in a society that viewed them with suspicion and disdain. Finn’s position as an Irish lord attempting to establish himself among Manhattan’s Protestant elite provides a compelling backdrop that feels historically grounded. The author’s research into the period’s social dynamics, from the rigid class structures to the anti-Irish sentiment prevalent in American society, adds layers of authenticity to the narrative.
Mythology Meets Manhattan: A World Rich in Possibility
The integration of Irish mythology into the bustling world of 1870s New York proves to be both the novel’s greatest strength and its most significant challenge. Gonzalez crafts atmospheric scenes that successfully blend the mystical with the mundane—hellmouths hidden in Central Park, ancient curses manifesting in modern consequences, and immortal beings navigating the rigid social expectations of Victorian society.
The author’s prose often captures the haunting quality of ancient tales, particularly in the flashback sequences to Macha and Cú Chulainn’s original story. These moments, filled with betrayal, blood oaths, and tragic love, demonstrate Gonzalez’s ability to channel the dark romanticism inherent in Celtic mythology. The scenes where Macha is forced to participate in Cú Chulainn’s death are particularly powerful, conveying the weight of sisterhood bonds that supersede even true love.
However, the novel struggles with pacing inconsistencies that prevent it from achieving its full potential. The first act moves at a deliberate pace as Rua navigates her new identity, but the revelation of her true nature and the subsequent mythological elements feel rushed in comparison. The transition between genres—from historical fiction to fantasy romance—lacks the seamless integration that would elevate the work from promising to exceptional.
Character Development: Strength in Duality
Rua emerges as a compelling protagonist whose journey from confused amnesia victim to self-aware goddess provides the novel’s emotional core. Gonzalez skillfully portrays her internal conflict between the woman she’s become and the deity she was, creating tension that drives the narrative forward. Her relationship with Mara, Emma’s devoted maid who understands more about the supernatural world than she initially reveals, adds depth to the supporting cast.
Finn presents a more complex characterization challenge. As both the modern Irish lord and the legendary Cú Chulainn, he must balance his desire for social acceptance with his growing awareness of his mythological identity. The author succeeds in making his internal struggle believable, though his romantic scenes with Rua occasionally veer into territory that feels more contemporary than period-appropriate.
The supporting characters, particularly the sharp-tongued Flossie Harrington and the mysterious Mara, provide color and conflict to the narrative. Flossie’s desperate social climbing feels authentic to the period, while her treatment of the daughter she believes to be Emma reveals the darker aspects of Victorian family dynamics.
Romance in the Shadow of Ancient Tragedy
The central romance between Rua and Finn carries the weight of their mythological past, where their love story ended in betrayal and death. This adds a layer of tragic inevitability that distinguishes their relationship from typical historical romance fare. Gonzalez explores themes of redemption, second chances, and whether love can transcend not just time but the very nature of divine destinies.
The intimate scenes between the protagonists are handled with appropriate restraint for the historical setting, though some of their dialogue occasionally feels anachronistic. When Rua and Finn finally acknowledge their true identities and shared past, their conversations gain emotional depth that elevates the romance beyond mere attraction to something more profound and mythologically resonant.
Technical Craftsmanship: Promise and Growing Pains
Gonzalez’s writing style shows considerable promise, particularly in her descriptive passages and ability to create atmosphere. Her depiction of both the Harrington estate in the Catskills and the bustling streets of Manhattan demonstrates strong observational skills and historical research. The author excels at creating tension through dialogue, and her characters often speak with distinct voices that reflect their social positions and backgrounds.
However, the novel suffers from structural issues that impact the overall reading experience. The pacing feels uneven, with some scenes lingering too long on period details while others rush through crucial mythological revelations. Additionally, certain plot elements—particularly the mechanics of how the immortal beings arrived in 1870s New York—remain frustratingly vague.
The author’s handling of Irish mythology is generally respectful and well-researched, though some liberties taken with the traditional stories may not satisfy purists. The Morrígan’s portrayal as complex beings capable of love and regret, rather than simply harbingers of doom, adds nuance to the familiar legends.
Cultural Authenticity and Historical Context
One of the novel’s strongest elements is its authentic portrayal of Irish-American experience in the 19th century. Gonzalez captures the prejudice faced by Irish immigrants, even those like Finn who possessed wealth and noble titles. The author’s research into the social hierarchies of Gilded Age New York society feels thorough and adds credibility to the characters’ struggles for acceptance.
The contrast between Finn’s treatment as an Irish lord versus the poverty-stricken Irish immigrants he encounters at St. Brigid’s orphanage provides social commentary that enriches the historical setting. These scenes demonstrate the author’s awareness of the complex class dynamics within immigrant communities.
Areas for Improvement
While The Gods Time Forgot shows considerable promise, several elements prevent it from achieving its full potential. The novel would benefit from tighter pacing, particularly in the middle section where the mythological reveals feel rushed. Some secondary characters, including the villainous sisters Badb and Nemain, remain underdeveloped despite their importance to the central conflict.
The ending, while emotionally satisfying, leaves several plot threads unresolved in ways that feel incomplete rather than deliberately ambiguous. The fate of the real Emma Harrington, the mechanics of the hellmouths, and the broader implications of immortal beings living among mortals could all use more thorough exploration.
Recommendations for Similar Reads
Readers who enjoy The Gods Time Forgot might appreciate:
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – For its blend of historical fiction and supernatural elements
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – For themes of immortality and forgotten identities
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow – For portal fantasy elements and historical settings
- Starling House by Alix E. Harrow – For mythology in historical American settings
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – For atmospheric historical gothic elements
- The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden – For Slavic mythology in historical settings
Final Verdict
The Gods Time Forgot represents an ambitious and largely successful debut that establishes Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez as a writer to watch in the historical fantasy genre. While the novel doesn’t quite achieve the seamless integration of its various elements, it offers enough compelling characters, atmospheric world-building, and emotional depth to satisfy readers seeking something beyond typical historical romance fare.
The book’s exploration of identity, belonging, and the weight of ancient sins feels particularly relevant to contemporary audiences, while its historical setting provides escapist pleasures. Gonzalez has created a foundation for what could develop into a remarkable voice in fantasy literature, and despite its flaws, The Gods Time Forgot succeeds in creating a world readers will want to revisit.
For readers willing to embrace a story that reaches for something greater than the sum of its parts, this debut offers a satisfying blend of romance, mythology, and historical drama that lingers in the memory long after the final page. As a debut novel, it promises even greater achievements to come from this emerging talent.
