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bickleyhouse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was recommended by my manager at the library. It's the first book in a series that has at least twenty books in it, now. I'm a fan of time travel stories, so I checked it out. Boy, am I glad I did!
We are introduced, in this book, to our "hero," Madeleine Maxwell, usually referred to as "Max" in the story. She is recruited to join an outfit called "St. Mary's," that is funded, apparently, by a local university. Before she can even be interviewed, she must sign a NDA, stating that she can never discuss what she sees that day with anyone outside of St. Mary's. Once she finally learns what is happening, she is all in.
The writing and story line, here, remind me quite a bit of Connie Willis's work. I haven't read all of hers but have read some, and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Willis's work is a bit more serious, I think, as there were many moments in Just One Damned Thing when I was laughing out loud. But it has its deadly serious moments, as well, especially in the two major time jumps that the team does.
At one point, they go back to the Cretaceous period, which is thrilling. And one discovery that is made during that jump (or actually after it) leads them to the last jump of the book and what is attempted there. I'm not going to say any more about that one, in order to avoid spoilage.
I was amused, early on, by a line that seem to sum up the attitude of Max perfectly. When told to think carefully about her decision as to whether she will join up with St. Mary's, her thought was "Thinking carefully is something that happens to other people." I rather love that line. Later on, it is almost repeated as she thinks, "Health and Safety is something that happens to other people."
And just to add a little spice to the story, there is a sudden and almost unexpected (but not quite) sex scene on page 163 that is quite intense. As far as I can remember that is the only such scene in the book.
I am quite looking forward to continuing in the series. I just looked at a favorite website, Book Series in Order, which recommends that I read The Very First Damned Thing next, even though it is the tenth volume in the series, as it is billed as a "prequel."
We are introduced, in this book, to our "hero," Madeleine Maxwell, usually referred to as "Max" in the story. She is recruited to join an outfit called "St. Mary's," that is funded, apparently, by a local university. Before she can even be interviewed, she must sign a NDA, stating that she can never discuss what she sees that day with anyone outside of St. Mary's. Once she finally learns what is happening, she is all in.
The writing and story line, here, remind me quite a bit of Connie Willis's work. I haven't read all of hers but have read some, and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Willis's work is a bit more serious, I think, as there were many moments in Just One Damned Thing when I was laughing out loud. But it has its deadly serious moments, as well, especially in the two major time jumps that the team does.
At one point, they go back to the Cretaceous period, which is thrilling. And one discovery that is made during that jump (or actually after it) leads them to the last jump of the book and what is attempted there. I'm not going to say any more about that one, in order to avoid spoilage.
I was amused, early on, by a line that seem to sum up the attitude of Max perfectly. When told to think carefully about her decision as to whether she will join up with St. Mary's, her thought was "Thinking carefully is something that happens to other people." I rather love that line. Later on, it is almost repeated as she thinks, "Health and Safety is something that happens to other people."
And just to add a little spice to the story, there is a sudden and almost unexpected (but not quite) sex scene on page 163 that is quite intense. As far as I can remember that is the only such scene in the book.
I am quite looking forward to continuing in the series. I just looked at a favorite website, Book Series in Order, which recommends that I read The Very First Damned Thing next, even though it is the tenth volume in the series, as it is billed as a "prequel."
mandriol's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was not a great book unless you know that going in. It’s a fun book to read if you want wild and crazy things happening with no explanation or buildup. A lot of stuff didn’t make sense but it was fun at a certain point giving up trying to understand the Swiss cheese plot and leaning into the drama. Oh and it’s very very very British.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Child death
kersknowe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
dennasus's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I really, really enjoyed this one. I had heard about this series a long time ago, but was hesitant at first, because I sort of lost interest in this blend of sci-fi / history stories. But I finally got around to start with this and I got hooked quickly. I liked the narrator's "Max" voice quite a bit, not too serious, but not too superficial either. The sci-fi / "time-travel" bit was explained easily enough, the characters were quirky and lovable, there was/is a romance aspect, which I always like. The pacing of the story was well done as well, I did not get bored at all, but there were still enough quiet and tender moments. The next book of the series is ordered already. [written 9 May 2024]
[I've stopped giving star ratings in May 2024]
[I've stopped giving star ratings in May 2024]
katerockreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mbenzz's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun little jaunt through history!
Lately, I've been in a series kind of mood (something that RARELY happens) and this is one hell of a series! I loved the time travel escapades of St. Mary's Historians (DON'T call them Time Travelers!) and Max is a fun and quirky heroine.
My only gripe with this book is there are a LOT of characters. Some are referred to by their first names, most are called by their last name, but every now and again she would switch it and call someone who's been referred to mainly by their last name by their first name. It was very difficult to keep people straight.
Time was also very hard to follow (and not because it's a book about time travel). There's no indication of how much time has past. At one point I thought Maxwell had only been at St. Marys for a few months when she mentioned she bought a pair of shoes she was about to wear a few years AFTER joining St. Marys. A few YEARS?! I had no idea! And near the end, we learn she's been there for 5 years!
Those couple things aside though, I really enjoyed this book. Immediately upon finishing it, I downloaded and started Book 2. If you're a 'Doctor Who' or time travel fan, I definitely recommend this book. I can't yet comment on the series as a whole but it's certainly off to a great start.
Lately, I've been in a series kind of mood (something that RARELY happens) and this is one hell of a series! I loved the time travel escapades of St. Mary's Historians (DON'T call them Time Travelers!) and Max is a fun and quirky heroine.
My only gripe with this book is there are a LOT of characters. Some are referred to by their first names, most are called by their last name, but every now and again she would switch it and call someone who's been referred to mainly by their last name by their first name. It was very difficult to keep people straight.
Time was also very hard to follow (and not because it's a book about time travel). There's no indication of how much time has past. At one point I thought Maxwell had only been at St. Marys for a few months when she mentioned she bought a pair of shoes she was about to wear a few years AFTER joining St. Marys. A few YEARS?! I had no idea! And near the end, we learn she's been there for 5 years!
Those couple things aside though, I really enjoyed this book. Immediately upon finishing it, I downloaded and started Book 2. If you're a 'Doctor Who' or time travel fan, I definitely recommend this book. I can't yet comment on the series as a whole but it's certainly off to a great start.
jen1988's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
lindong524's review against another edition
I suffered through nine and a half hours to finish this audiobook so I could write a fair review. I had hoped it would get better but it just kept getting worse and worse and worse.
The plot is so forced and just simply makes zero sense other than it serves where Taylor wants the story to go. Two sexual offenders just made their way into the story very unconvincingly. The sex scene and fight scene between Max and Chief did absolutely nothing to serve the story, it served Taylor's fantasies. The storytelling is also just horrible with the training days being repeatedly described as grueling, intensive, and rigorous, but like how!? It felt like they were just f**king around the whole time. And Max being forced out of St. Mary's could've honestly been done away with. The loss of the baby? The chest infection? Are we really resorting to miscarriages to demonstrate the character's loss? It's just so cheap and so unnecessary. Here's the thing though, it didn't even make me feel anything. It would've had the same effect if Max just overturned Izzie right when she got back. But no, Taylor decided to put us through an extra hour of misery.
Also, Max is the world' biggest pick-me girl that constantly believes that she's different from all the other girls in the world (if I could get a penny for all the times I rolled my eyes because of the pick-me-isms...). She never built any real relationship with any women in the book, and simply just impressed the men because of how kick-ass she is. Of course Izzie simply had to be the biggest bitch, without any other personality than "bitch," because Max doesn't like her. Feels like Taylor just doesn't like another lady, who is different from her, and decided to write a character that would get slapped around by Max in those most gratifying way possible (for her), without ever entertaining the notion of looking just a little deeper into the person she hates.
Is it actually believable that Max, a new historian, would be the one to "discover" they could bring back dying objects or save them? That even if she was the one to actually "discover" it, that she would be placed in charge of organizing a mission of that scale without any prior experience? Taylor just spat on the professions of historians and managers alike. She showed no respect.
Most of the times, if I don't like a book, I still try to focus on the good parts of it. Maybe it's the language and writing, maybe it's the story, and maybe it's the author's philosophy. The reason why I was absolutely disgusted with Just One Damned Thing After Another is because it does harm. Stories like these do harm. There are going to be young girls out there reading this story and learning from Max, taking the narrative of Max at face value because they likely don't know better yet and that just makes me shudder.
It's fine that books like these exist, that people with different values exist. But there also has to be discussion over its failings and flaws and the author's philosophies. I remember what my college professor said, just because someone can write doesn't make them an author. It's important that we challenge the narrative given and think critically every single time we read a book. Look at the premise that the story is built on. Pull a little further away.
The plot is so forced and just simply makes zero sense other than it serves where Taylor wants the story to go. Two sexual offenders just made their way into the story very unconvincingly. The sex scene and fight scene between Max and Chief did absolutely nothing to serve the story, it served Taylor's fantasies. The storytelling is also just horrible with the training days being repeatedly described as grueling, intensive, and rigorous, but like how!? It felt like they were just f**king around the whole time. And Max being forced out of St. Mary's could've honestly been done away with. The loss of the baby? The chest infection? Are we really resorting to miscarriages to demonstrate the character's loss? It's just so cheap and so unnecessary. Here's the thing though, it didn't even make me feel anything. It would've had the same effect if Max just overturned Izzie right when she got back. But no, Taylor decided to put us through an extra hour of misery.
Also, Max is the world' biggest pick-me girl that constantly believes that she's different from all the other girls in the world (if I could get a penny for all the times I rolled my eyes because of the pick-me-isms...). She never built any real relationship with any women in the book, and simply just impressed the men because of how kick-ass she is. Of course Izzie simply had to be the biggest bitch, without any other personality than "bitch," because Max doesn't like her. Feels like Taylor just doesn't like another lady, who is different from her, and decided to write a character that would get slapped around by Max in those most gratifying way possible (for her), without ever entertaining the notion of looking just a little deeper into the person she hates.
Is it actually believable that Max, a new historian, would be the one to "discover" they could bring back dying objects or save them? That even if she was the one to actually "discover" it, that she would be placed in charge of organizing a mission of that scale without any prior experience? Taylor just spat on the professions of historians and managers alike. She showed no respect.
Most of the times, if I don't like a book, I still try to focus on the good parts of it. Maybe it's the language and writing, maybe it's the story, and maybe it's the author's philosophy. The reason why I was absolutely disgusted with Just One Damned Thing After Another is because it does harm. Stories like these do harm. There are going to be young girls out there reading this story and learning from Max, taking the narrative of Max at face value because they likely don't know better yet and that just makes me shudder.
It's fine that books like these exist, that people with different values exist. But there also has to be discussion over its failings and flaws and the author's philosophies. I remember what my college professor said, just because someone can write doesn't make them an author. It's important that we challenge the narrative given and think critically every single time we read a book. Look at the premise that the story is built on. Pull a little further away.
katyab's review
DNF. I just... ugh... I wanted to like this. Especially since I picked it up by recommendation (I'm sorry!).
I just didn't like it. And I do feel guilty about leaving unhappy reviews, partly because of that recommendation - knowing it's someone's favourite book makes it hard. But this is my experience. It's an unhappy review, but it's an honest one.
I applied my usual 'if it doesn't get you hooked by page 100, it's probably not for you' policy, and then added another 70 pages (albeit skim-read) - and I still couldn't get into it. Despite the premise and the title giving an impression of a book that was witty and self-deprecating and adventurous - a concoction that I'm usually interested in - it seemed to crash and burn. Unfortunately, it was on page 1 that I had a feeling I was going to be disappointed, and perhaps I should have listened to instinct. And maybe rethink my 'hook' policy...
From said opening page, I felt it read like a children's book. The narrative voice Taylor chose had such a negative impact on my enjoyment of the story. Soooo much telling, all very objective, and sentences rarely varied. I think Taylor was aiming for that self-deprecating, emotionally quirky viewpoint for the MC, Max, showing that she does not think or react normally to things. I'm afraid this just ended up as a barrier between me and my interest in / empathy for Max. She was dense, dull, and I didn't care about her. Arguably the first is a character trait, but that does not excuse the other two.
The voice was also really detrimental to the premise of time-travel. I wanted to /feel/ I was there - the present, the past, anywhere! Just set the scene a bit more! I mean, for goodness' sake, they're HISTORIANS; you'd think they'd be a little more excited about new places! I know there was a bit of jumping and cheering before the Cretaceous period, but none of it seemed to pass through into actually /being/ there. I really missed the element of wonder and awe in this story.
All I seemed to get were very general descriptions. I could not sense these places, which should have been exciting, colourful, dangerous - the same way I could not fully imagine any of the characters as whole people. I wanted to be taken back in time with these characters, but the destinations were underwhelming, and the company was boring.
The plot structure, or just the way Taylor/Max conveys it, didn't help the situation either. It really clips along - hell, it's not even a rollercoaster. It moves far too fast for enjoyment. None of the elements I've outlined support each other in this novel: we'd maybe notice the character beats a bit more if we had characters we cared about and took the time to get to know. We'd maybe feel the excitement of being sucked into far-off times and places, if we actually knew what these places were like, and took the time to explore and feel them. But we don't get that time (and in a time travel novel, that's a little ironic).
I just didn't like it. And I do feel guilty about leaving unhappy reviews, partly because of that recommendation - knowing it's someone's favourite book makes it hard. But this is my experience. It's an unhappy review, but it's an honest one.
I applied my usual 'if it doesn't get you hooked by page 100, it's probably not for you' policy, and then added another 70 pages (albeit skim-read) - and I still couldn't get into it. Despite the premise and the title giving an impression of a book that was witty and self-deprecating and adventurous - a concoction that I'm usually interested in - it seemed to crash and burn. Unfortunately, it was on page 1 that I had a feeling I was going to be disappointed, and perhaps I should have listened to instinct. And maybe rethink my 'hook' policy...
From said opening page, I felt it read like a children's book. The narrative voice Taylor chose had such a negative impact on my enjoyment of the story. Soooo much telling, all very objective, and sentences rarely varied. I think Taylor was aiming for that self-deprecating, emotionally quirky viewpoint for the MC, Max, showing that she does not think or react normally to things. I'm afraid this just ended up as a barrier between me and my interest in / empathy for Max. She was dense, dull, and I didn't care about her. Arguably the first is a character trait, but that does not excuse the other two.
The voice was also really detrimental to the premise of time-travel. I wanted to /feel/ I was there - the present, the past, anywhere! Just set the scene a bit more! I mean, for goodness' sake, they're HISTORIANS; you'd think they'd be a little more excited about new places! I know there was a bit of jumping and cheering before the Cretaceous period, but none of it seemed to pass through into actually /being/ there. I really missed the element of wonder and awe in this story.
All I seemed to get were very general descriptions. I could not sense these places, which should have been exciting, colourful, dangerous - the same way I could not fully imagine any of the characters as whole people. I wanted to be taken back in time with these characters, but the destinations were underwhelming, and the company was boring.
The plot structure, or just the way Taylor/Max conveys it, didn't help the situation either. It really clips along - hell, it's not even a rollercoaster. It moves far too fast for enjoyment. None of the elements I've outlined support each other in this novel: we'd maybe notice the character beats a bit more if we had characters we cared about and took the time to get to know. We'd maybe feel the excitement of being sucked into far-off times and places, if we actually knew what these places were like, and took the time to explore and feel them. But we don't get that time (and in a time travel novel, that's a little ironic).