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Toch Island Chronicles #3
Legacy Rewound
Melinda knew Kalek’s music created powerful visions, but it wasn’t supposed to actually send her into the past!
It definitely wasn’t supposed to bring someone back to the present with her. Especially not someone tied so tightly to Melinda’s own past, someone to prove, once again, that her family ancestry was made up of psychopaths who should never have existed.
Now it’s her chance to change her lineage--and history--forever.
It definitely wasn’t supposed to bring someone back to the present with her. Especially not someone tied so tightly to Melinda’s own past, someone to prove, once again, that her family ancestry was made up of psychopaths who should never have existed.
Now it’s her chance to change her lineage--and history--forever.
- GenresFantasy
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2016
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Kat Heckenbach
35 books233 followersKat Heckenbach grew up in the small town of Riverview, Florida, where she spent most of her time either drawing or sitting in her “reading tree” with her nose buried in a fantasy novel…except for the hours pretending her back yard was an enchanted forest that could only be reached through the secret passage in her closet… She never could give up on the idea that maybe she really was magic, mistakenly placed in a world not her own…but as the years passed, and no elves or fairies carted her away…she realized she was just going to have to create the life of her fantasies. She shares that life with her husband and two homeschooling kids.
Kat is a graduate of the University of Tampa, Magna Cum Laude, B.S. in Biology. She spent several years teaching, but never in a traditional classroom–everything from Art to Algebra II. Her writing spans the gamut from inspirational personal essays to dark and disturbing fantasy and horror, with over forty short fiction and nonfiction credits to her name.
Kat is a graduate of the University of Tampa, Magna Cum Laude, B.S. in Biology. She spent several years teaching, but never in a traditional classroom–everything from Art to Algebra II. Her writing spans the gamut from inspirational personal essays to dark and disturbing fantasy and horror, with over forty short fiction and nonfiction credits to her name.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 17, 2024
While I was not a fan of the book, I didn't quite expect it to go the time travel route.
Melinda again ended up being the main protagonist for this story. I'm surprised there isn't more discussion about how Melinda's family is the main family focused throughout the series.
The book briefly notes late in the book but it does take place immediately after the events of the second novel. The events of the third book only span over 1-2 days at most. I want to emphasize this because the timeline of events is almost a blur that it's unclear when one day ends and the next one begins.
The book again suffers similar downsides like the other two books: Not enough world-building, not finding closure for certain storylines, and the rules of magic are unclear.
I will say, in my previous review, I did ask about the history between the Elven and Humans did get addressed. I appreciated that.
The story dragged though because a lot of the book felt like a lot of talking between the main characters about plans and what other characters are thinking. The characters, if I'm not mistaken are all between 17-18 years old at this point, but again they do a lot of things behind their parents' back.
Another question that got acknowledged I had after book two was the magical wood wish that Angel had. It confirms that she did not verbally wish for Zack (if you remember how Zack gets to Toch Island you'll understand this). I figured that out in book two, but I'm glad it was validated. Although the wish was never used or given to someone else.
The majority of the story focused on the time travel Melinda and Kalek when combining magic. The plot in that sense is predictable. Someone from the past comes to the present, so how do the characters get them back is the main focus of the story.
Angel, Adyen, Doran, and Zack did not get much character development again which is disappointing hence I wonder if Melinda is the true protagonist of the series despite Angel's main role in book one. Ayden is probably my least favorite character and doesn't do much until the plot needs to. Zack doesn't get much of a role either until the plot needs him too. A lot of the other supporting characters on the island are nonexistent.
I didn't find the ending that satisfying even after the time travel storyline was completed. It felt like a couple of chapters after the epilogue were left out and loose ends were not tied up especially in regards to Melinda and Angel's past in Florida with their families there.
Again, the magic was a bit weird in its implementation of rules. Is it moved from emotion, by understanding scientific basics, or both? Why did Melinda suddenly have a more natural touch to it comparatively to Angel? Yes, emotions helped amplify magic. However, wasn't magic explained in book 1 that a person needs to understand the flow of magic and nature together?
While an interesting time-travel story, I feel like Kat Heckenbach really missed out on some world-building and storylines to flesh out the characters. I think it's noticeable since each book is progressively shorter. What a disappointing ending for a series that I felt like had an interesting magical world.
I would only recommend the first book to people since that felt like a stand-alone story.
Melinda again ended up being the main protagonist for this story. I'm surprised there isn't more discussion about how Melinda's family is the main family focused throughout the series.
The book briefly notes late in the book but it does take place immediately after the events of the second novel. The events of the third book only span over 1-2 days at most. I want to emphasize this because the timeline of events is almost a blur that it's unclear when one day ends and the next one begins.
The book again suffers similar downsides like the other two books: Not enough world-building, not finding closure for certain storylines, and the rules of magic are unclear.
I will say, in my previous review, I did ask about the history between the Elven and Humans did get addressed. I appreciated that.
The story dragged though because a lot of the book felt like a lot of talking between the main characters about plans and what other characters are thinking. The characters, if I'm not mistaken are all between 17-18 years old at this point, but again they do a lot of things behind their parents' back.
Another question that got acknowledged I had after book two was the magical wood wish that Angel had. It confirms that she did not verbally wish for Zack (if you remember how Zack gets to Toch Island you'll understand this). I figured that out in book two, but I'm glad it was validated. Although the wish was never used or given to someone else.
The majority of the story focused on the time travel Melinda and Kalek when combining magic. The plot in that sense is predictable. Someone from the past comes to the present, so how do the characters get them back is the main focus of the story.
Angel, Adyen, Doran, and Zack did not get much character development again which is disappointing hence I wonder if Melinda is the true protagonist of the series despite Angel's main role in book one. Ayden is probably my least favorite character and doesn't do much until the plot needs to. Zack doesn't get much of a role either until the plot needs him too. A lot of the other supporting characters on the island are nonexistent.
I didn't find the ending that satisfying even after the time travel storyline was completed. It felt like a couple of chapters after the epilogue were left out and loose ends were not tied up especially in regards to Melinda and Angel's past in Florida with their families there.
Again, the magic was a bit weird in its implementation of rules. Is it moved from emotion, by understanding scientific basics, or both? Why did Melinda suddenly have a more natural touch to it comparatively to Angel? Yes, emotions helped amplify magic. However, wasn't magic explained in book 1 that a person needs to understand the flow of magic and nature together?
While an interesting time-travel story, I feel like Kat Heckenbach really missed out on some world-building and storylines to flesh out the characters. I think it's noticeable since each book is progressively shorter. What a disappointing ending for a series that I felt like had an interesting magical world.
I would only recommend the first book to people since that felt like a stand-alone story.
June 16, 2017
The third installment takes a twist and focuses on Angel’s friend Melinda this time. Melinda experiences a big character arc, not just from Book 1 to Book 3 but from beginning of Book 3 to the end. Don’t worry, she still wears her combat boots.
Others have experienced Kalek’s music, but not Melinda. Maybe because she is new to the island. Maybe because she is new to magic. But just like traditional school was not a good fit, traditional magic training doesn’t work for Melinda either. She learns her own way, finds her own way. So when she finally experiences Kalek’s music, it is completely unique to her—so unique that her friends don’t believe it actually happened. Until it affects everyone on the entire island.
The Toch Island Chronicle trilogy is some of the best Christian fantasy writing out there. Kat Heckenbach does not write magic as others do—it’s better. While others use it as a back up escape plan as though one can do anything with it; Heckenbach gives magic scientific limitations or boundaries. Nothing just *poof* disappears. It must go somewhere or transform. Even the transformations are logical.
If you’ve read C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien, give Toch Island. If you like magic and fantasy, give Toch Island a try.
Did I mention there are dragons and Elven that like to rock out?
Others have experienced Kalek’s music, but not Melinda. Maybe because she is new to the island. Maybe because she is new to magic. But just like traditional school was not a good fit, traditional magic training doesn’t work for Melinda either. She learns her own way, finds her own way. So when she finally experiences Kalek’s music, it is completely unique to her—so unique that her friends don’t believe it actually happened. Until it affects everyone on the entire island.
The Toch Island Chronicle trilogy is some of the best Christian fantasy writing out there. Kat Heckenbach does not write magic as others do—it’s better. While others use it as a back up escape plan as though one can do anything with it; Heckenbach gives magic scientific limitations or boundaries. Nothing just *poof* disappears. It must go somewhere or transform. Even the transformations are logical.
If you’ve read C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien, give Toch Island. If you like magic and fantasy, give Toch Island a try.
Did I mention there are dragons and Elven that like to rock out?
May 28, 2018
The beginning and ending of this book are perfect, but there's a little bit of a saggy middle.
Between the beginning and end, there's way too much characters guessing what other characters are thinking or feeling. And I still don't like Ayden. And I don't like the "pulls of destiny" bits (the book never uses that phrase, but it's pretty clear that's what happening in a couple places).
If it weren't for those few things, I'd give this 5 stars.
I love pretty much all the characters except Ayden, especially Melinda.
Between the beginning and end, there's way too much characters guessing what other characters are thinking or feeling. And I still don't like Ayden. And I don't like the "pulls of destiny" bits (the book never uses that phrase, but it's pretty clear that's what happening in a couple places).
If it weren't for those few things, I'd give this 5 stars.
I love pretty much all the characters except Ayden, especially Melinda.
April 6, 2025
Great read
I enjoyed this third book every bit as much as the first two. Full of characters you'll fall in love with and want to visit again and again. Although this can be read as a stand-alone novel, I would definitely recommend starting at the beginning of the series in "Finding Angel". It gives so much background on how all of the characters are connected. Fantastic series, I definitely recommend these books.
I enjoyed this third book every bit as much as the first two. Full of characters you'll fall in love with and want to visit again and again. Although this can be read as a stand-alone novel, I would definitely recommend starting at the beginning of the series in "Finding Angel". It gives so much background on how all of the characters are connected. Fantastic series, I definitely recommend these books.
August 8, 2016
So worth the wait! I've been a fan of Kat Heckenbach's Toch Island series since Finding Angel released. Finding Angel, Seeking Unseen, and Legacy Rewound are all mysteries. One of the longest loose threads was the broken temple where Kalek, the rocker Elf celebrates nature with his electric guitar music. The temple itself is something of a character itself in Legacy Rewound, and the payoff is so satisfying. I read Seeking Unseen not long after it was released and didn't do a reread before picking up Legacy Rewound. I think it took me about three paragraphs before I was once again on Toch Island. Kat is fantastic with her visual descriptions. In a few sentences, I can see her magical world. With every series, it's about the characters for me. They're all back Kalek the brood tattooed Elf (swoon), snarky Goth-girl Melinda, Angel, and Ayden as well as family and friends we've come to know. Minor characters play a larger role this go around as well as new characters from a different era. Legacy Rewound uses a fun device where Melinda via Kalek's gift is transported back in time to the origin story of Talents. Once again, Kat shows off her best gift - allegory. The story of how Talents were bestowed on humans as well as elves is familiar and yet both fresh and subtle. The story of how the temple was destroyed is another that is a bit more obvious but not at all heavy-handed.
I was given a copy of Legacy Rewound in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy of Legacy Rewound in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2016
Another amazing adventure, set on magical Toch Island. Legacy Rewound is the third volume in the Toch Island Chronicles, please read the other two first, Finding Angel and Seeking Unseen, as this novel includes plot points from both preceding novels.
In this third volume in the series we get to learn some of Toch island's history.
Melinda thinks she's finally getting swept away by Kalek's music. Turns out she was getting swept away through time.
I have a deep love of time travel stories, so I know how confusing they can get. Without spoiling the ending, I can promise you that this is one of the really well done ones.
In this third volume in the series we get to learn some of Toch island's history.
Melinda thinks she's finally getting swept away by Kalek's music. Turns out she was getting swept away through time.
I have a deep love of time travel stories, so I know how confusing they can get. Without spoiling the ending, I can promise you that this is one of the really well done ones.
August 6, 2016
I had already read the first 2 books in this series so I picked this one up too but when I read the back of the book I thought, "Ug, time travel. Do I really want to read this?" But I really wanted to know what happened with Angel after reading the other 2 books so I did. It was definitely not what I expected, in a good way. The time travel was really well done and not cliche. I really loved figuring out what each persons Talent was. I loved the characters and would really like to read about more adventures in this world.
September 10, 2016
I've been a fan of the Toch Island series since it first released, and wow...is this ever a fabulous ending!
First off, we have more of my favorite guitar-playing elf, Kalek. Second, we have time travel, and a twisty plot, and more delving into the history of the island and the author's magic system. It pretty much made me want to pack up my family and belongings and move to Toch Island.
It's definitely not a stand-alone, so I highly recommend the entire series.
First off, we have more of my favorite guitar-playing elf, Kalek. Second, we have time travel, and a twisty plot, and more delving into the history of the island and the author's magic system. It pretty much made me want to pack up my family and belongings and move to Toch Island.
It's definitely not a stand-alone, so I highly recommend the entire series.
August 25, 2016
As soon as the newest Toch Island novel appeared, I pounced and devoured the story. Heckenbach proves her storyweaving talents once again. Prepare for a delightful tale of rockin' elves and magical time-travel. If have never read an adventure on Toch Island, you must first read Finding Angel and Seeking Unseen. The trilogy reads best when enjoyed in succession. When the author launches her next speculative novel, I'll be ready to grab a copy as soon as possible.
April 5, 2017
Legacy Rewound is the third and final volume of the Toch Island Chronicles by Kat Hechenbach. It picks up immediately after Seeking Unseen and again is told primarily from the perspective of Melinda though Angel still has several chapters written from her perspective. (Though I didn’t really see how they were necessary or added anything that couldn’t have just been done from the Melinda's point of view.)
The blurb pretty much tells the premise - the combination of Melinda and Kalek's talent results in inadvertently sending her to the past and accidentally bringing someone back with her. Melinda and her friends have to find this person and set things right the damage to the timeline is irrevocable. The time-travel was interesting - one of those “she was always supposed to have been there” situations but then Melinda did things in the past for no reason other than she knew it was supposed to be that way in the future which frustrated me. I prefer when things happen in the past and that explains why things are in the future, not when they are deliberately done because that's how it's supposed to be someday...
I'm also a little confused about some of the core issues in the story – supposedly humans always had magic but forgot it, but then an elf seemed to be giving it to the humans and I wasn’t sure if he was the one responsible for humans having magic or just rediscovering it? But only some humans have it, right? He also seemed like he was supposed to be a Christ-like figure but I wasn’t sure why he was so special? And throughout the story there was an emphasis that we are all special, even as ordinary humans, but then at the end of the book I felt like that message was diluted by certain discoveries.
The romance was much better this time - still a little instalove but I finally got the pairing I'd been looking forward to. ;) And one of the questions I had from Seeking Unseen was addressed so that was a pleasant surprise. All in all, this was a nice wrap-up to the series.
The blurb pretty much tells the premise - the combination of Melinda and Kalek's talent results in inadvertently sending her to the past and accidentally bringing someone back with her. Melinda and her friends have to find this person and set things right the damage to the timeline is irrevocable. The time-travel was interesting - one of those “she was always supposed to have been there” situations but then Melinda did things in the past for no reason other than she knew it was supposed to be that way in the future which frustrated me. I prefer when things happen in the past and that explains why things are in the future, not when they are deliberately done because that's how it's supposed to be someday...
I'm also a little confused about some of the core issues in the story – supposedly humans always had magic but forgot it, but then an elf seemed to be giving it to the humans and I wasn’t sure if he was the one responsible for humans having magic or just rediscovering it? But only some humans have it, right? He also seemed like he was supposed to be a Christ-like figure but I wasn’t sure why he was so special? And throughout the story there was an emphasis that we are all special, even as ordinary humans, but then at the end of the book I felt like that message was diluted by certain discoveries.
The romance was much better this time - still a little instalove but I finally got the pairing I'd been looking forward to. ;) And one of the questions I had from Seeking Unseen was addressed so that was a pleasant surprise. All in all, this was a nice wrap-up to the series.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews