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nicolemhewitt's review
4.0
Check out my review and current giveaway of this book on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Clay Lion is a time travel story that focuses on the emotional repercussions. When Brooke's beloved brother dies of a disease that could have been prevented if he'd avoided an unknown trigger, she vows to go back in time and save him. Though the government monitors time travel and doesn't allow travelers to make changes to their timelines, Brooke is sure that she can outsmart them. She researches her brother's disease and finds two likely causes - and then she sets off to prevent him from encountering them. However, neither her first attempt or her second attempt at saving her brother are successful (you find this out right at the very beginning of the book, so it's not a spoiler) and Brooke finds that her actions are causing harm to herself and others around her. She has to decide if she's willing to risk inflicting more pain or if she can learn to accept the things she cannot change.
What Fed My Addiction:
Brooke and Branson.
I loved the closeness of Brooke and Branson's sibling bond. These two were typical teenagers but they had a deep, abiding love for each other that ran deeper than we often see in YA books. I could completely understand why Brooke felt like her life was crumbling around her when Branson died and why she would go to such lengths to save him!
Charlie.
Once Brooke (mistakenly) believes she's saved Branson in her second repeat timeline, she lets go of the tension she's been holding onto and allows herself to fall for Charlie. Of course, at first she's a bit nervous at first since she knows she's changing more than just her brother's future, but she can't help herself - and once she's with Charlie she falls fast. Charlie is extremely sweet, and I loved his relationship with his little sister. Unfortunately, things get complicated between Brooke and Charlie, but I was rooting for them right till the very end. I loved that Brooke kept her promises to Charlie in the end, even when it caused her pain.
The final repeat timeline.
This one was definitely my favorite and shows how much Brooke has grown throughout her experiences - good and bad. I loved the messages in the final section of the book and I thought that Brooke made incredibly mature decisions that brought her to a better place in the end.
Touch of faith.
I loved that Brooke's religious faith was touched on in this book (but wasn't a major focus at all). In a story about life and death and fate, the questions that Brooke asks herself about faith fit in seamlessly.
What Left Me Wanting More:
Some time travel related plot holes that nagged at me.
One aspect of the plot that I just couldn't get past was why Brooke didn't just tell Branson why she didn't want him to do certain things. After all, everyone knew about time travel, so it's not like he wouldn't have believed her if she'd confided in him. She spent so much time trying to get Branson to avoid the things that she suspected may have caused his disease when she could have just told him that she had traveled back through time to help him avoid a terrible fate. Considering how close they were, it seemed like the logical way to do things. But she never considered this avenue, even for a moment - and I didn't understand why (besides the fact that it would have taken away half the plot of the book). This really bugged me through parts of the book because it was so illogical.
I also had trouble believing that most people who went back in time supposedly went back without changing anything. First of all, it seems to me that many people would be way too tempted to "fix" something that had gone wrong in their lives, even with numerous warnings about how dangerous it was. It would be really hard to resist, and I can't imagine that most people would completely manage it. Plus, these people went back and re-lived up to six months of their lives. How could someone possibly re-live six months of their life and keep everything the same, even if they tried to? You couldn't possibly remember every action you'd taken, all the little things you'd said and done (especially if you went back in time quite a bit). Inevitably, things would change - and tiny changes could have huge repercussions. Unfortunately, I spent much of Brooke's first trip back in time pondering these things and it took me longer to connect with the book because of it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this bittersweet story about love in all its forms. Though there were a few logistics with the time traveling that gave me pause, I thought this story had a beautiful message, and I definitely plan to read the next book in the series. I went back and forth on my rating for this one, but finally settled on 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
The Clay Lion is a time travel story that focuses on the emotional repercussions. When Brooke's beloved brother dies of a disease that could have been prevented if he'd avoided an unknown trigger, she vows to go back in time and save him. Though the government monitors time travel and doesn't allow travelers to make changes to their timelines, Brooke is sure that she can outsmart them. She researches her brother's disease and finds two likely causes - and then she sets off to prevent him from encountering them. However, neither her first attempt or her second attempt at saving her brother are successful (you find this out right at the very beginning of the book, so it's not a spoiler) and Brooke finds that her actions are causing harm to herself and others around her. She has to decide if she's willing to risk inflicting more pain or if she can learn to accept the things she cannot change.
What Fed My Addiction:
Brooke and Branson.
I loved the closeness of Brooke and Branson's sibling bond. These two were typical teenagers but they had a deep, abiding love for each other that ran deeper than we often see in YA books. I could completely understand why Brooke felt like her life was crumbling around her when Branson died and why she would go to such lengths to save him!
Charlie.
Once Brooke (mistakenly) believes she's saved Branson in her second repeat timeline, she lets go of the tension she's been holding onto and allows herself to fall for Charlie. Of course, at first she's a bit nervous at first since she knows she's changing more than just her brother's future, but she can't help herself - and once she's with Charlie she falls fast. Charlie is extremely sweet, and I loved his relationship with his little sister. Unfortunately, things get complicated between Brooke and Charlie, but I was rooting for them right till the very end. I loved that Brooke kept her promises to Charlie in the end, even when it caused her pain.
The final repeat timeline.
This one was definitely my favorite and shows how much Brooke has grown throughout her experiences - good and bad. I loved the messages in the final section of the book and I thought that Brooke made incredibly mature decisions that brought her to a better place in the end.
Touch of faith.
I loved that Brooke's religious faith was touched on in this book (but wasn't a major focus at all). In a story about life and death and fate, the questions that Brooke asks herself about faith fit in seamlessly.
What Left Me Wanting More:
Some time travel related plot holes that nagged at me.
One aspect of the plot that I just couldn't get past was why Brooke didn't just tell Branson why she didn't want him to do certain things. After all, everyone knew about time travel, so it's not like he wouldn't have believed her if she'd confided in him. She spent so much time trying to get Branson to avoid the things that she suspected may have caused his disease when she could have just told him that she had traveled back through time to help him avoid a terrible fate. Considering how close they were, it seemed like the logical way to do things. But she never considered this avenue, even for a moment - and I didn't understand why (besides the fact that it would have taken away half the plot of the book). This really bugged me through parts of the book because it was so illogical.
I also had trouble believing that most people who went back in time supposedly went back without changing anything. First of all, it seems to me that many people would be way too tempted to "fix" something that had gone wrong in their lives, even with numerous warnings about how dangerous it was. It would be really hard to resist, and I can't imagine that most people would completely manage it. Plus, these people went back and re-lived up to six months of their lives. How could someone possibly re-live six months of their life and keep everything the same, even if they tried to? You couldn't possibly remember every action you'd taken, all the little things you'd said and done (especially if you went back in time quite a bit). Inevitably, things would change - and tiny changes could have huge repercussions. Unfortunately, I spent much of Brooke's first trip back in time pondering these things and it took me longer to connect with the book because of it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this bittersweet story about love in all its forms. Though there were a few logistics with the time traveling that gave me pause, I thought this story had a beautiful message, and I definitely plan to read the next book in the series. I went back and forth on my rating for this one, but finally settled on 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
leahka89's review
3.0
FIND THIS REVIEW AND MORE AT SOUTHERN BRED, SOUTHERN READ BOOK BLOG.
**WARNING: MILD SPOILERS**
This book was a slam dunk all the way until the end of the first time travel. I was so into it and was on the edge of my seat while Brooke tried to navigate her way through the past. I was rooting for her so hard and wanted all of the things her and the doctor spoke about to about Branson's disease. When it was time for her to go home, I wish it would've given a short follow up about what failed and then the epilogue. The time travel piece itself would've been cool to read about it, but it was very vague and only alluded to. I wanted to know more about the government regulated time travel and later the private time travel. It would've added a lot more to story to be a little more plot driven and focus less on the characters.
The second time travel was so hard to get through. I found myself skimming pages because it veered so far away from what the original story and focused so much on the new timeline with Charlie that I forgot why Brooke was even there. I understand that it was setting up everything for the THIRD time travel, but by that point I really didn't care. Brooke had screwed things up SO much by this point that it was hard to read. When the third time travel finally ended and we got this long drawn out feel good speech from Brooke where she finally realizes that she really did all of this for herself (surprise) since Branson was doomed regardless.
The feel goods were lost on me. If this would've ended after the first time travel, it would have been a five star book. Unfortunately, this was one of those books where the author just couldn't stop veering off and taking twists and turns to tack on to the story and page count. This is a good example where less would've been more. The ending ended up being very predictable (especially the epilogue... c'mon) and lowered my rating from three stars to two and a half.
**WARNING: MILD SPOILERS**
This book was a slam dunk all the way until the end of the first time travel. I was so into it and was on the edge of my seat while Brooke tried to navigate her way through the past. I was rooting for her so hard and wanted all of the things her and the doctor spoke about to about Branson's disease. When it was time for her to go home, I wish it would've given a short follow up about what failed and then the epilogue. The time travel piece itself would've been cool to read about it, but it was very vague and only alluded to. I wanted to know more about the government regulated time travel and later the private time travel. It would've added a lot more to story to be a little more plot driven and focus less on the characters.
The second time travel was so hard to get through. I found myself skimming pages because it veered so far away from what the original story and focused so much on the new timeline with Charlie that I forgot why Brooke was even there. I understand that it was setting up everything for the THIRD time travel, but by that point I really didn't care. Brooke had screwed things up SO much by this point that it was hard to read. When the third time travel finally ended and we got this long drawn out feel good speech from Brooke where she finally realizes that she really did all of this for herself (surprise) since Branson was doomed regardless.
The feel goods were lost on me. If this would've ended after the first time travel, it would have been a five star book. Unfortunately, this was one of those books where the author just couldn't stop veering off and taking twists and turns to tack on to the story and page count. This is a good example where less would've been more. The ending ended up being very predictable (especially the epilogue... c'mon) and lowered my rating from three stars to two and a half.
alhj's review
5.0
What a wonderful book! It's not often I have a book that I just can't put down at night. Sleep usually trumps extended reading for me, but that was not the case with this story. I found myself really caught up in the story and the time-travel concept. I have lost some hours of sleep this week and it was well worth it! The characters are beautifully developed. The way time-travel works in this book has stayed with me as well. I find myself thinking about whether I would use my trip, and where and when I would use it.
A delightful read! I can't wait for another book from this author!
A delightful read! I can't wait for another book from this author!
giralka's review
2.0
I am sorry to say this but, this book has been a complete waste of time. Let me just summarise the whole thing here. The Clay Lion is about Brooke who lost her brother, Branson, and is now having a very hard time coping because they were very close and all that.
Anyway, they live in an alternate universe where time travelling is not only possible, but each person gets a ticket once they turn eighteen. The catch is, you only get one chance.
Naturally, once she lost her brother, Brooke had the dumbest idea to travel back in time to save Branson from dying even if it's illegal to do such alteration. Of course, everyone agreed... smooth as butter. But then Brooke messed up during her first trip, so in the present time, Brandon is still dead!
Again, naturally, she wants another go because she's an idiot like that (but you can call her brave if that's how you see it) and she gets another chance because she's the main character right? What's new? Oh yes I'll tell you what's new, a boy named Charlie who seemed to be THE ONE within a few days of meeting. My eyes, at this point, have rolled out of their sockets. Bitch literally lived in the past for a few weeks...
Guess what? She messed up during the second trip AGAIN! This time more people died because of her selfishness and recklessness. Honestly I wouldn't mind if she died too.
The third trip, idiot Brooke decides that getting herself into a car accident would be the best solution to prevent her brother from going to the camping trip that would kill him. She nearly died in that timeline. She's so stupid??
In the end Branson is STILL DEAD in the present timeline! And to think that this is the first to a series of, I don't know, three books??? Hahahahaha
Anyway, they live in an alternate universe where time travelling is not only possible, but each person gets a ticket once they turn eighteen. The catch is, you only get one chance.
Naturally, once she lost her brother, Brooke had the dumbest idea to travel back in time to save Branson from dying even if it's illegal to do such alteration. Of course, everyone agreed... smooth as butter. But then Brooke messed up during her first trip, so in the present time, Brandon is still dead!
Again, naturally, she wants another go because she's an idiot like that (but you can call her brave if that's how you see it) and she gets another chance because she's the main character right? What's new? Oh yes I'll tell you what's new, a boy named Charlie who seemed to be THE ONE within a few days of meeting. My eyes, at this point, have rolled out of their sockets. Bitch literally lived in the past for a few weeks...
Guess what? She messed up during the second trip AGAIN! This time more people died because of her selfishness and recklessness. Honestly I wouldn't mind if she died too.
The third trip, idiot Brooke decides that getting herself into a car accident would be the best solution to prevent her brother from going to the camping trip that would kill him. She nearly died in that timeline. She's so stupid??
In the end Branson is STILL DEAD in the present timeline! And to think that this is the first to a series of, I don't know, three books??? Hahahahaha
thecozyreaderwbo's review against another edition
1.0
I was unable to enjoy the beginning of this book.
I did give it several chapters but was not able to connect.
So sorry.
I did give it several chapters but was not able to connect.
So sorry.
elspethw's review
1.0
Gave this a try based on the mountain of positive reviews and am now positively baffled. What an awkwardly written, repetitive and trite mess this was. Full of plot holes. Dialogue that made me cringe so hard I think I sprained something. Flat characters with relationships that never feel fully real. Time travel that follows no sensible logic. No sense of time or place. This is just bad. Really bad.
pjfiala's review
5.0
Exceptional "The Clay Lion" by Amalie Jahn is a book that will stay with you for a long time after you put the book down.
Have you ever wanted to go back in time and change something that happened? What if you could only go back one time? How would that change your present?
Charmingly written with characters that you will feel are your own family. Don't miss out.
Have you ever wanted to go back in time and change something that happened? What if you could only go back one time? How would that change your present?
Charmingly written with characters that you will feel are your own family. Don't miss out.
julieannie0729's review
4.0
I'm a sucker for a good time travel read which is probably why I added this to my TBR pile back in 2016. Recent events in my life have drawn me to books about grief so finally it was time to reach for this one. I've shifted away from YA reads more and more but this one drew me in by the second chapter. This book was a sad read at times, took a detour I wasn't expecting, but still found a way to end up hopeful with heartbreak. I didn't realize it was part of a series and I'm not entirely sure I'll continue with it but this was worth the read.
thecozyreader's review against another edition
1.0
I was unable to enjoy the beginning of this book.
I did give it several chapters but was not able to connect.
So sorry.
I did give it several chapters but was not able to connect.
So sorry.