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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
3.5 stars, really neat concept. thanks to Edelweiss for prepub
adventurous
medium-paced
Interesting how people have different experiences with the same book. Looking at other reviews, I wonder why they didn't enjoy Paradox Bound as much as me. I suppose it would be a dull world if we all liked the same things.
I really enjoyed Cline's conception of, not time travel, but history travel. I think I would have enjoyed it better if he had infused more of the details of history into the plot. For example, in his end notes, he mentions that one of the characters was actually his many-greats grandfather. It would have been interesting to get to know him and his exploits a little better. Same with the other characters they met with on their travels, as also with the events through which they travelled.
Nonetheless, any novel that has the power to take my mind off a treadmill slog long enough to be surprised that I've completed my workout is a good one for me!
I really enjoyed Cline's conception of, not time travel, but history travel. I think I would have enjoyed it better if he had infused more of the details of history into the plot. For example, in his end notes, he mentions that one of the characters was actually his many-greats grandfather. It would have been interesting to get to know him and his exploits a little better. Same with the other characters they met with on their travels, as also with the events through which they travelled.
Nonetheless, any novel that has the power to take my mind off a treadmill slog long enough to be surprised that I've completed my workout is a good one for me!
https://onlysixthgun.wixsite.com/readalot
For a better look into my review. The book was given to me by Blogging For Books!
For a better look into my review. The book was given to me by Blogging For Books!
This is probably not my favorite Peter Clines book. It took me a while to truly get invested in reading this. That being said, it was totally worth the read.
This rating is 3.5 rounded up. This was an entertaining book about 'searchers' trying to find the lost 'American Dream'. As the title indicates this book is about paradoxes, 'history' travel and friendship. While the premise is somewhat ridiculous, the author has written an entertaining read which is enjoyable as long as you don't think about the plot too much or how US-centric this whole thing is. It's definitely not for everyone, but has made a nice change for the large helpings of dystopia I've been reading lately. It has inspired my want to go on a long road trip on my leave :)
I have gradually become a big fan of Peter Clines over the years. I read a couple of his early "Superheroes vs Zombies" books back during the huge zombie boom in books/movies/TV/everything, and I thought they were entertaining but forgettable. Then he went and wrote The Fold and 14, both of which I loved. 14 in particular is one of my favorite weird-horror novels, being a sort of modern, hip and funny update on "House on the Borderland". So I was really looking forward to this one.
In short - Our hero encounters a mystery woman in an antique car at varying points in his life, until eventually he joins her in a time travel adventure spanning the history of the United States where they search for the American Dream (an actual reality-warping object/spell created by the Founding Fathers which enabled immigrants to realize their hopes in the new country). It's been stolen and is lost somewhere in history. They are relentlessly pursued by the Faceless Men, nightmarish bureaucrats out of a dystopian Pink Floyd video.
It's all a lot of fun. There are pop culture references aplenty, but the book doesn't hang from them entirely like other retro novels of late. Still, if you're geekily inclined at all, you're sure to enjoy bits such as time travelers arguing about whether they can use the "transparent aluminum" defense in regard to altering history. It's loaded with twisty-turny timey-wimey stuff and some of the fun of the narrative comes in parsing the nonlinear nature of events.
I enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as 14 but it was definitely on par with The Fold. My sole criticisms are that the main character is a bit of a void - He's essentially the same wisecracking, quipping guy as starred in both prior books. Also, I felt the middle bit sagged a little. The gradual unveiling of the scope of the adventure was great, then the adventure itself feels a bit random and padded, but then it ties all up into a really excellent ending and all is well.
Recommended. Extra-recommended for anyone who enjoyed Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
In short - Our hero encounters a mystery woman in an antique car at varying points in his life, until eventually he joins her in a time travel adventure spanning the history of the United States where they search for the American Dream (an actual reality-warping object/spell created by the Founding Fathers which enabled immigrants to realize their hopes in the new country). It's been stolen and is lost somewhere in history. They are relentlessly pursued by the Faceless Men, nightmarish bureaucrats out of a dystopian Pink Floyd video.
It's all a lot of fun. There are pop culture references aplenty, but the book doesn't hang from them entirely like other retro novels of late. Still, if you're geekily inclined at all, you're sure to enjoy bits such as time travelers arguing about whether they can use the "transparent aluminum" defense in regard to altering history. It's loaded with twisty-turny timey-wimey stuff and some of the fun of the narrative comes in parsing the nonlinear nature of events.
I enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as 14 but it was definitely on par with The Fold. My sole criticisms are that the main character is a bit of a void - He's essentially the same wisecracking, quipping guy as starred in both prior books. Also, I felt the middle bit sagged a little. The gradual unveiling of the scope of the adventure was great, then the adventure itself feels a bit random and padded, but then it ties all up into a really excellent ending and all is well.
Recommended. Extra-recommended for anyone who enjoyed Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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:
No
It seems the more science fiction books I read, the more I become engrossed by them. If you came across a young woman in Revolutionary War garb driving a 1920s car, you'd be as intrigued and curious as Eli Teague. Traveling through history, murderous car chases, a long sought after mystery to solve; these elements kept me reading more and more everyday. I can not wait to add this to my personal library and see what other books Clines has to offer.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No