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queenkronic's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Despite this being the second in a series, I read it without having read the first (Continuum) and did just fine, thank you.
We start the story with Chandler getting sent back in time by time traveling genius Dr. Wells in order to protect the great-grandmother of Elise (main character in first book.) Chandler gets to hang out at a circus/magic show because Elise's grandmother is a magical assistant. Only, someone's obviously trying to kill her because they're messing with the magical props.
The circus bits, and later on, the world fair descriptions were the parts I most enjoyed. I get easily confused by time traveling paradoxes, although this one was pretty straight forward even when it became increasingly clear who the grandfather was going to be. This is a novella, and so while I wished we could have lingered longer in the World Fair, or had more dastardly sabotage attempts of the magic show, things moved along speedily.
Fun little entertaining piece.
We start the story with Chandler getting sent back in time by time traveling genius Dr. Wells in order to protect the great-grandmother of Elise (main character in first book.) Chandler gets to hang out at a circus/magic show because Elise's grandmother is a magical assistant. Only, someone's obviously trying to kill her because they're messing with the magical props.
The circus bits, and later on, the world fair descriptions were the parts I most enjoyed. I get easily confused by time traveling paradoxes, although this one was pretty straight forward even when it became increasingly clear who the grandfather was going to be. This is a novella, and so while I wished we could have lingered longer in the World Fair, or had more dastardly sabotage attempts of the magic show, things moved along speedily.
Fun little entertaining piece.
herbalmoon's review against another edition
2.0
Part of me feels bad that I can't read a book without nitpicking anymore; but the other part says that if I'm not criticizing, I've probably given up on the book, so it's actually a good thing?
Minor spoilers!
*****
A few chapters in: I believe it's the second chapter when Wendy mixes up briefing and debriefing...which I'll give a partial pass on, since it literally depends on who's talking.
- Dr. Wells says, "You need a debriefing, don't you?"
No, Chandler needs to be briefed.
Without the "de", it's a pre-action report: Wells is filling Chandler in on what he needs to know. With the "de", it's a post-action report: Chandler is telling Wells what he found. (But it can also be argued that Chandler reporting back is briefing, which is why it's tricky!)
- Repeated use of the word "Midwestern". I get not wanting to invent a new town or trying to find one that existed in the era Chandler goes back to, but if you're going to be specific enough to say "on the shores of Lake Huron", you might as well just say "a small Michigan town", because Huron touches Michigan and Ontario. That's it.
- Conflating Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. As I just mentioned, Wendy said the town was on the shores of Lake Huron, and then she mentions a bay.
"What bay?" I thought.
Then she mentions Saginaw Bay a little later. Then the lake again. Then the sun is setting over the bay.
Minor spoilers!
*****
A few chapters in: I believe it's the second chapter when Wendy mixes up briefing and debriefing...which I'll give a partial pass on, since it literally depends on who's talking.
- Dr. Wells says, "You need a debriefing, don't you?"
No, Chandler needs to be briefed.
Without the "de", it's a pre-action report: Wells is filling Chandler in on what he needs to know. With the "de", it's a post-action report: Chandler is telling Wells what he found. (But it can also be argued that Chandler reporting back is briefing, which is why it's tricky!)
- Repeated use of the word "Midwestern". I get not wanting to invent a new town or trying to find one that existed in the era Chandler goes back to, but if you're going to be specific enough to say "on the shores of Lake Huron", you might as well just say "a small Michigan town", because Huron touches Michigan and Ontario. That's it.
- Conflating Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. As I just mentioned, Wendy said the town was on the shores of Lake Huron, and then she mentions a bay.
"What bay?" I thought.
Then she mentions Saginaw Bay a little later. Then the lake again. Then the sun is setting over the bay.
hisham's review
3.0
Just like The Continuum, this book tries to play with some interesting ideas. I enjoyed the story, but felt like it could have been so much better.
The pacing was well done until the last 18% of the story where it felt very rushed.
The pacing was well done until the last 18% of the story where it felt very rushed.
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