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allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This science fiction adventure borrows mystery/thriller elements, exploring a conspiracy that extends outside time. The story starts in a near future world where time travel is controlled and monitored by the US government. It's a source of tourism, but there are set rules to visiting the past so that the timeline isn't altered. Protagonist January was once a law enforcement agent that sussed out criminals trying to bend or break those rules. Her career of moving through the timestream at a high frequency resulted in a condition where she mentally slips through time and will eventually progress to a coma-like state. Benched to run security at the main hotel for time traveling tourists, January is gearing up to host a summit that will finalize the privatization of time travel, auctioned off to one of four self-satisfied trillionaires who each have their own plans for getting their hands on the past.
The elements I loved most in the book were twofold. There's a great cast of queer characters. January's a lesbian, her love interest is a trans woman, and there's a prominent side character who is non-binary. Also, January delivers some really awesome insults, especially hurled at the ultra-wealthy and powerful. I can only aspire to her creativity and wish I had the opportunity and boldness to mimic her in that regard.
Unfortunately, the story didn't grip me to the degree I hope for in the best thrillers. The tension lacked a sense of urgency despite the dinosaurs, assassination attempts, and timey-wimey dangers. Also, the science fiction elements weren't the kind to be fascinating or mind-boggling, but they somehow were still difficult for me to follow in terms of the rules and limitations of time travel for this world. I braced myself each time a new round of explanations was necessary because I didn't get far with them. Finally, there are themes in this story about grief and vulnerability that could have been very powerful. However, I didn't find the story engaged with them on a deep or personal enough level to say something profound or trigger an emotional reaction in me. I think part of the issue was that the characters fell into trope-y roles and stock personalities that prevented me from connecting with them on an empathetic level. In some ways, their actions and emotional trajectories were predictable because they were following a common path.
I don't think this is a book with a bad message or one that I would warn readers away from. It just didn't live up to either of the genres it drew from in my opinion, and I wish the characters were more fully realized. I think readers who enjoy smartass detectives and time travel will enjoy the story if they're content to engage with the tropes at surface level.
The elements I loved most in the book were twofold. There's a great cast of queer characters. January's a lesbian, her love interest is a trans woman, and there's a prominent side character who is non-binary. Also, January delivers some really awesome insults, especially hurled at the ultra-wealthy and powerful. I can only aspire to her creativity and wish I had the opportunity and boldness to mimic her in that regard.
Unfortunately, the story didn't grip me to the degree I hope for in the best thrillers. The tension lacked a sense of urgency despite the dinosaurs, assassination attempts, and timey-wimey dangers. Also, the science fiction elements weren't the kind to be fascinating or mind-boggling, but they somehow were still difficult for me to follow in terms of the rules and limitations of time travel for this world. I braced myself each time a new round of explanations was necessary because I didn't get far with them. Finally, there are themes in this story about grief and vulnerability that could have been very powerful. However, I didn't find the story engaged with them on a deep or personal enough level to say something profound or trigger an emotional reaction in me. I think part of the issue was that the characters fell into trope-y roles and stock personalities that prevented me from connecting with them on an empathetic level. In some ways, their actions and emotional trajectories were predictable because they were following a common path.
I don't think this is a book with a bad message or one that I would warn readers away from. It just didn't live up to either of the genres it drew from in my opinion, and I wish the characters were more fully realized. I think readers who enjoy smartass detectives and time travel will enjoy the story if they're content to engage with the tropes at surface level.
Graphic: Classism, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Lesbophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, Cultural appropriation, Gun violence, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
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