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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
"Liked it" is the correct zone for this one - it was reasonably entertaining but not nearly as good as [b:14|15062217|14|Peter Clines|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1338999953s/15062217.jpg|20716929].
I think your affection for this story will turn on your feelings about the central Macguffin. No spoilers, but I actually found it pretty stupid. Overall, I feel this suffered from over-explaining everything. Looking back, I wish there had been a bit more mystery, beyond the repetition that Harry has only heard these things through the grapevine.
The characters were OK, but could have used more detail and flair. The main character's only notable characteristic is that he's never left his poky old small town. The bad guys are the most interesting, but still come off more as serviceable imitations of villains from Stephen King and Joss Whedon than original inventions. That's not a terrible thing - King and Whedon are masters at intriguing and scary villains!
This was a fun diversion - nothing earthshaking but it was a fun ride once I just went with it. The travel premise and the road trip aspect are compelling, and leave opportunities for more stories - which might actually be more fun now that the groundwork is laid and the central goal of this novel is squared away.
I think your affection for this story will turn on your feelings about the central Macguffin. No spoilers, but I actually found it pretty stupid. Overall, I feel this suffered from over-explaining everything. Looking back, I wish there had been a bit more mystery, beyond the repetition that Harry has only heard these things through the grapevine.
The characters were OK, but could have used more detail and flair. The main character's only notable characteristic is that he's never left his poky old small town. The bad guys are the most interesting, but still come off more as serviceable imitations of villains from Stephen King and Joss Whedon than original inventions. That's not a terrible thing - King and Whedon are masters at intriguing and scary villains!
This was a fun diversion - nothing earthshaking but it was a fun ride once I just went with it. The travel premise and the road trip aspect are compelling, and leave opportunities for more stories - which might actually be more fun now that the groundwork is laid and the central goal of this novel is squared away.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I tend to not like books about time travel as there are always plot holes. This book was fun. I tended to be less concerned about time travel and more concerned about what was going to happen next. Solid 4.5 for me.
Another interesting idea, mixed with something i was not bothered about. Hunting for the American dream (great idea) via the use of classic automobiles (i hate driving and cars). Throw in some history travel (not time travel), being chased by faceless bad guys, and smidgen of romance, and you have yourself a plot.
This was a well paced book, and i enjoyed how a complex process was presented. Reminding readers that some things could be out of order, without spoiling that, was a great achievement.
I much prefer Peter Clines one off books, as he crams a lot of character in them, with a fair amount of quirk.
This was a well paced book, and i enjoyed how a complex process was presented. Reminding readers that some things could be out of order, without spoiling that, was a great achievement.
I much prefer Peter Clines one off books, as he crams a lot of character in them, with a fair amount of quirk.
If Neil Gaiman's American Gods is a masterful take by one of the greatest Fantasy writers of our time on the Great American Novel, then Paradox Bound is in my view its long lost half brother!
A mesmerising, witty and subtly moving epic that encapsulates Americana in such a loving, timeless way, that a select few novels ever have succeeded in achieving.
A mesmerising, witty and subtly moving epic that encapsulates Americana in such a loving, timeless way, that a select few novels ever have succeeded in achieving.
This was an interesting take on the search for the American Dream. I liked the story but prefer other books by this author (14 and The Fold).
I think Peter Clines is one of the most original and exciting voices working speculative fiction these days. Paradox Bound is another example of his creative storytelling. I think he's far under-appreciated and under-read. Give the lad a try. Ye shan't be disappointed.
4.5 Stars
Forrest Gump always said “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get” and that statement also applies to books. Sometimes you get a dud and sometimes it’s a hidden gem. Paradox Bound is of the latter sort – I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into but I loved every second of this bookish roadtrip. From the very first chapter I was pretty much hooked – a girl named Harry who travels through history in her Model A, runs out of fuel at an inopportune moment and thus meets little Eli Teague, changing his life.
Harry (Harriet) Pritchard and Eli Teague are kind of the epitome of likable characters. They’re both good people with honorable goals and they jive really well together. The secondary characters vary – the travelers introduced are much the same, but the Faceless Men…. They’re pretty creepy. Let me do a bit of backtracking now because the Faceless Men are important. First of all, Harry and Eli (and the other travelers) are trying to find the physical manifestation of the American Dream, which has been missing for years. Since its creation, the Dream has been guarded by the Faceless Men who, despite the disturbing lack of facial orifices, can function beyond the capacity of normal humans because they have Certainty. Certainty is best described in the book – it’s like being your house in the dark; you can still navigate without eyesight because you just know where everything is. The Faceless Men no longer search for the missing Dream, but now hunt down travelers searching for it because they are out of place in history. I picture them as a cross between Slenderman and the Observers from Fringe. Gives me the heebie-jeebies.
It’s difficult for me to explain exactly why I liked this book so much and it seems to have just struck the right chord with me. A combination of the characters (good and bad), concept, and plot mixed together turned out like the perfect chocolate chip cookie. The whole roadtrip thing is like quintessential Americana. Cruising across the US with the windows rolled down with your pals… just my kind of thing. Paradox Bound is a quirky time-traveling adventure that I absolutely loved!
Forrest Gump always said “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get” and that statement also applies to books. Sometimes you get a dud and sometimes it’s a hidden gem. Paradox Bound is of the latter sort – I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into but I loved every second of this bookish roadtrip. From the very first chapter I was pretty much hooked – a girl named Harry who travels through history in her Model A, runs out of fuel at an inopportune moment and thus meets little Eli Teague, changing his life.
Harry (Harriet) Pritchard and Eli Teague are kind of the epitome of likable characters. They’re both good people with honorable goals and they jive really well together. The secondary characters vary – the travelers introduced are much the same, but the Faceless Men…. They’re pretty creepy. Let me do a bit of backtracking now because the Faceless Men are important. First of all, Harry and Eli (and the other travelers) are trying to find the physical manifestation of the American Dream, which has been missing for years. Since its creation, the Dream has been guarded by the Faceless Men who, despite the disturbing lack of facial orifices, can function beyond the capacity of normal humans because they have Certainty. Certainty is best described in the book – it’s like being your house in the dark; you can still navigate without eyesight because you just know where everything is. The Faceless Men no longer search for the missing Dream, but now hunt down travelers searching for it because they are out of place in history. I picture them as a cross between Slenderman and the Observers from Fringe. Gives me the heebie-jeebies.
It’s difficult for me to explain exactly why I liked this book so much and it seems to have just struck the right chord with me. A combination of the characters (good and bad), concept, and plot mixed together turned out like the perfect chocolate chip cookie. The whole roadtrip thing is like quintessential Americana. Cruising across the US with the windows rolled down with your pals… just my kind of thing. Paradox Bound is a quirky time-traveling adventure that I absolutely loved!
3.5 stars. This fun little time travel romp through American history was positively delightful.