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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I'm always fascinated by the idea of time travel and love the different ways authors deal with the conundrum of changing the past. I read a huge compendium recently ([b:The Time Traveller's Almanac: The Ultimate Treasury of Time Travel Fiction - Brought to You from the Future|18516712|The Time Traveller's Almanac The Ultimate Treasury of Time Travel Fiction - Brought to You from the Future|Ann VanderMeer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379507602l/18516712._SX50_.jpg|25095611]) which had a wonderful variety of ways to tackle it, and another book even more recently ([b:The Ultimate Dinosaur|1408119|The Ultimate Dinosaur|Robert Silverberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1183368244l/1408119._SX50_.jpg|1398393] with some fun takes on it. In this book we're given a fusion of Einstein's physics and Plato's philosophy and a man's desperate quest to get back to the time 15 years ago when everything went wrong.
It's set in South London and we have parallel stories unfolding. There's Esso, a teen getting caught up in gang violence and trying, trying to fix it so he and his mates don't get taken out. In his stress he shouts nastily at his mother, who then hands over his absent father's journal. This weird collection of philosophy and physics begins his own strange 'visions' and ends up with his 15-year obsession. Then there's Rhia, 15 years in the future, who is a foster kid and a football prodigy. She needs to do better at school and so her foster mother finds her a maths & physics tutor. Cue Esso, 15 years older.
I really like the body that's given to both their stories. Esso has the lads he's grown up with - the ones who are his best mates, and the ones who've become the most feared - and the girl Nadia who maybe he has a chance with ... and who fills his mind. Rhia has her best friend Olivia - also fostered by the same people - and her prickly nature and problems of identity and belonging. I really like how alive their talking comes across - the slang that's ever-present but not overpowering. I really like the small things in Rhia's story that show that we're in the future - nothing wacky, nothing that doesn't seem fully possible. I really like the mix of introspection and action - we find out who the characters truly are, and we have some excellent action scenes.
And I love the ending!
It's set in South London and we have parallel stories unfolding. There's Esso, a teen getting caught up in gang violence and trying, trying to fix it so he and his mates don't get taken out. In his stress he shouts nastily at his mother, who then hands over his absent father's journal. This weird collection of philosophy and physics begins his own strange 'visions' and ends up with his 15-year obsession. Then there's Rhia, 15 years in the future, who is a foster kid and a football prodigy. She needs to do better at school and so her foster mother finds her a maths & physics tutor. Cue Esso, 15 years older.
I really like the body that's given to both their stories. Esso has the lads he's grown up with - the ones who are his best mates, and the ones who've become the most feared - and the girl Nadia who maybe he has a chance with ... and who fills his mind. Rhia has her best friend Olivia - also fostered by the same people - and her prickly nature and problems of identity and belonging. I really like how alive their talking comes across - the slang that's ever-present but not overpowering. I really like the small things in Rhia's story that show that we're in the future - nothing wacky, nothing that doesn't seem fully possible. I really like the mix of introspection and action - we find out who the characters truly are, and we have some excellent action scenes.
And I love the ending!
Interesting book. I was worried about the math/physics parts, but they go into a lot of detail and explain everything.
An intriguing tale which flits forwards and backwards in time as we follow two connected characters in their quest to navigate their current troubles and understand where they fit in the world. The author included heavy references to theoretical/quantum physics and relating equations but explained it in a way which was easy(ish) to understand.
The pace did unfortunately slow down about midway through the book. I think I must have spent a week or two moving from 50 to 60% but then it picked back up again. The dialogue was a bit boggy at times and could have been tightened up. It's still head and shoulders above some other books I've read. and understandable for a debut novel from a physicist-turned-author.
Overall though I really enjoyed visiting this world and it's characters. The ending was cute and I'm not surprised Netflix have already picked up the film rights. I could almost see it page to screen and will definitely check out the adaptation.
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Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
The pace did unfortunately slow down about midway through the book. I think I must have spent a week or two moving from 50 to 60% but then it picked back up again. The dialogue was a bit boggy at times and could have been tightened up. It's still head and shoulders above some other books I've read. and understandable for a debut novel from a physicist-turned-author.
Overall though I really enjoyed visiting this world and it's characters. The ending was cute and I'm not surprised Netflix have already picked up the film rights. I could almost see it page to screen and will definitely check out the adaptation.
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Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
challenging
informative
sad
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
Concept is really cool, but narrative voice is sometimes lacking.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
I don’t normally read sci-if but for some reason I was drawn to this. Absolutely loved it, I started to read it then quickly switched to audible so I could listen to it the car, back and forth from work. Such an enjoyable listen.
I loved the humor in - and plot of - this and only some of the time was the physics completely over my head, haha.
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes