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joshhall13's review
4.0
Coops does something in this series that not many authors (can?) do. Each book in the trilogy offers us something brand new. A new aspect to the world in which the story lives. While many other authors, by their 2nd or 3rd book in a series, change the story into something episodic in nature. Their subsequent books are just series of events that happen in that universe, to the same basic cast of characters.
This series, though, has a new gimmick (the word gimmick seems to generic though). It keeps the series entertaining and binge-worthy.
This series, though, has a new gimmick (the word gimmick seems to generic though). It keeps the series entertaining and binge-worthy.
ryanpfw's review
5.0
I needed a book to close out 2019 with and two days to read, so I spun the wheel of to-read books and The Day After Never came up. I was immediately concerned because while it’s only 500 pages, these books are dense. The time travel rules are elaborate, consistent, and require slow reading and conscious thought to follow, so I wasn’t sure I’d make it in 48 hours.
I did, with time to spare, and this was easily my favorite of the three. It’s strange that such a detail oriented trilogy is meant to be read as a stand-alone, and while I think you’d be very lost if you jumped into the second or third book, people do it and enjoy it.
I will say that if there’s any time gap between books for me, I usually need a primer or a refresher or a helpful author to lightly recap where we were. Van Coops doesn’t do that, and it’s complicated, detail specific material, and I felt that I was able to pull it all together. I only had to look up on event late in the book. That’s outstanding, especially for a reader like me who can’t remember where his car keys are half the time.
I won’t spoil here, which is sad for me because in five years I’ll be trying to recall those details. This is the story of two Bens (technically up to 4) who are dealing with the fallout from the end of the second book while trying to deal with a villain backing up the time stream. Plots here remind me of Blake Crouch’s Dark Matter, as well as The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, but who is to say what originated where. It works very well here. Moments, especially in the first third, seemed quite cinematic. While I felt buried under exposition and too many characters in early books, I felt on the edge of my seat here.
So much of reading is the mood you’re in when you picked up the book. If that’s the case, my initial concern was unwarranted, and I picked the right day to read The Day After Never.
Tucket wins a ribbon.
This one is absolutely on my favorites list.
I did, with time to spare, and this was easily my favorite of the three. It’s strange that such a detail oriented trilogy is meant to be read as a stand-alone, and while I think you’d be very lost if you jumped into the second or third book, people do it and enjoy it.
I will say that if there’s any time gap between books for me, I usually need a primer or a refresher or a helpful author to lightly recap where we were. Van Coops doesn’t do that, and it’s complicated, detail specific material, and I felt that I was able to pull it all together. I only had to look up on event late in the book. That’s outstanding, especially for a reader like me who can’t remember where his car keys are half the time.
I won’t spoil here, which is sad for me because in five years I’ll be trying to recall those details. This is the story of two Bens (technically up to 4) who are dealing with the fallout from the end of the second book while trying to deal with a villain backing up the time stream. Plots here remind me of Blake Crouch’s Dark Matter, as well as The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, but who is to say what originated where. It works very well here. Moments, especially in the first third, seemed quite cinematic. While I felt buried under exposition and too many characters in early books, I felt on the edge of my seat here.
So much of reading is the mood you’re in when you picked up the book. If that’s the case, my initial concern was unwarranted, and I picked the right day to read The Day After Never.
Tucket wins a ribbon.
This one is absolutely on my favorites list.
lukaron's review
5.0
I don't even know where to begin.
Wow.
The Day After Never is the finale to what is possibly the best time travel adventure story I have ever read in my entire life. While it is the third book in a series, the author does an excellent job of crafting this and the other two books in such a manner that they stand on their own, and though you would need to read the second book, The Chronothon, to understand some of the concepts and events mentioned in this book, it isn't necessary.
I have to give applause to Nathan Van Coops though.
When I started doing research-reading for my own time travel-based stories I plan to write, I started with In Times Like These, and I was hooked. You did an amazing job with this, sir.
The only negative I can think to mention is the fact that it's over.
"I'm Ben Travers."
"I'm a time traveler."
Goosebumps.
Anyway - I certainly hope this isn't the last we see of Ben and Mym.
Superb job.
Wow.
The Day After Never is the finale to what is possibly the best time travel adventure story I have ever read in my entire life. While it is the third book in a series, the author does an excellent job of crafting this and the other two books in such a manner that they stand on their own, and though you would need to read the second book, The Chronothon, to understand some of the concepts and events mentioned in this book, it isn't necessary.
I have to give applause to Nathan Van Coops though.
When I started doing research-reading for my own time travel-based stories I plan to write, I started with In Times Like These, and I was hooked. You did an amazing job with this, sir.
The only negative I can think to mention is the fact that it's over.
"I'm Ben Travers."
"I'm a time traveler."
Goosebumps.
Anyway - I certainly hope this isn't the last we see of Ben and Mym.
Superb job.
mirandakate's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Very slow after others. Considering stopping the series after this one, enjoyed first two
krakentamer's review
3.0
I'm finally done with this series, and ... meh. This book wasn't as exciting as the second one. I liked how the author brought up some interesting ideas about AI rights that we as a society might have to face sooner than most people realize. But the whole idea of the Neverwhere was just a little too metaphysical / spiritual for me to really get behind. Perhaps if the book were about half the length I wouldn't have minded as much. As it is, I spent a bit too much time waiting for the book to end.
amynbell's review
4.0
I read a lot of time travel novels, and it's rare that I encounter truly new concepts, but this one has two that really stand out. The first is a the concept of a Neverwhere--a strange and dreamlike world that time travelers go to when they make failed time travel jumps. The second is the inclusion of Zurvan, the twin-spirited god of infinite time and space, popular in the years 226 to 651 CE. While this is the 3rd book in the series, I think all of the books stand well alone and have ideas unique to the genre.
The time travel concept in this series allows for the existence of parallel worlds created by time travelers. Thus, in one world, Ben is fine. However, another version of Ben has landed himself in the Neverwhere through a time travel mishap. One of the parts I looked forward most while experiencing this novel was exploring the concept of the Neverwhere. However, to explain it here would be to spoil this experience for future readers. The two Bens learn to communicate with each other in order to search for their kidnapped girlfriend and to fight against Zurvan whose actions and plans threaten the existence of the galaxy.
I always enjoy Van Coops' vision of the future. My favorite gadget of his imagined future world is a type of virtual glasses that nearly everyone wears which allows wearers to see the world in a different way. A common person can appear as whatever avatar they would like. Drab buildings can be transformed into palatial paradises. But, of course, the world is also filled with virtual advertisements. Again in this novel, Van Coops has explored the idea of a world where there is a stark contrast between people who are fully human and those with technological modifications (synths). The ideas of social relations between these groups is explored quite imaginatively.
This novel is truly a 4.5-star novel, but GoodReads doesn't allow for half stars. The missing half star is mainly for the wordiness of the ruminations that interject themselves into action scenes and slows down the reading a bit. Really, it's a great read. Just like in his previous novel where the original idea of a time race (or chronothon) sticks in the reader's mind, the idea in this novel of a Neverwhere where misplaced time travelers go will be in the reader's mind for a long time after reading. This is the perfect ending to a great time travel series. All's well that ends well.
The time travel concept in this series allows for the existence of parallel worlds created by time travelers. Thus, in one world, Ben is fine. However, another version of Ben has landed himself in the Neverwhere through a time travel mishap. One of the parts I looked forward most while experiencing this novel was exploring the concept of the Neverwhere. However, to explain it here would be to spoil this experience for future readers. The two Bens learn to communicate with each other in order to search for their kidnapped girlfriend and to fight against Zurvan whose actions and plans threaten the existence of the galaxy.
I always enjoy Van Coops' vision of the future. My favorite gadget of his imagined future world is a type of virtual glasses that nearly everyone wears which allows wearers to see the world in a different way. A common person can appear as whatever avatar they would like. Drab buildings can be transformed into palatial paradises. But, of course, the world is also filled with virtual advertisements. Again in this novel, Van Coops has explored the idea of a world where there is a stark contrast between people who are fully human and those with technological modifications (synths). The ideas of social relations between these groups is explored quite imaginatively.
This novel is truly a 4.5-star novel, but GoodReads doesn't allow for half stars. The missing half star is mainly for the wordiness of the ruminations that interject themselves into action scenes and slows down the reading a bit. Really, it's a great read. Just like in his previous novel where the original idea of a time race (or chronothon) sticks in the reader's mind, the idea in this novel of a Neverwhere where misplaced time travelers go will be in the reader's mind for a long time after reading. This is the perfect ending to a great time travel series. All's well that ends well.
paperbacksandpaws's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5/5 🌟
"I kick a piece of bark back into the neighbor’s yard. “Is it so hard to just meet a nice girl and be happy? No, you had to pick a time traveler. . . and then die. And then not stay dead. Stupid idiot." ⏳
The Day After Never was another 5🌟 read! I don't want to spoil anything so I'll keep this short. Time travel, a cult, the neverwhere (not living, not fully dead), some romance, humor, adventure and many thrilling moments... What's not to love! And surprisingly it was just as good as the first one, which usually isn't the case with series books! I suggest reading the first two before this one though, it does tie into them and has many of the original characters at least show up at some point, which I loved!
Yep, Nathan Van Coops is an auto-buy author for me now and I'm slowly reading through his backlist. 😊
"I kick a piece of bark back into the neighbor’s yard. “Is it so hard to just meet a nice girl and be happy? No, you had to pick a time traveler. . . and then die. And then not stay dead. Stupid idiot." ⏳
The Day After Never was another 5🌟 read! I don't want to spoil anything so I'll keep this short. Time travel, a cult, the neverwhere (not living, not fully dead), some romance, humor, adventure and many thrilling moments... What's not to love! And surprisingly it was just as good as the first one, which usually isn't the case with series books! I suggest reading the first two before this one though, it does tie into them and has many of the original characters at least show up at some point, which I loved!
Yep, Nathan Van Coops is an auto-buy author for me now and I'm slowly reading through his backlist. 😊
mylhibug's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
liantener's review
5.0
Extraordinario cierre de la historia que venía contándose desde el segundo libro. Me gustó más que este por cierto.
Durante los dos libros anteriores Van Coops nos estuvo hablando de que nadie sabe a dónde van los viajeros que no tienen un ancla, que saltan a un tiempo sin lugar. Pues en esta historia descubrimos esto, y forma parte de la trama principal. No puedo hablar más porque la trama depende del final del segundo libro.
Se ve que el autor trazó muy bien la historia antes de la publicación, pues eventos que vimos en el segundo libro, pero que nunca se explicaron, se retoman acá, dando cierre a todas las subtramas y a todos los cabos sueltos. Ese tipo de detalles que quienes amamos el viaje en el tiempo valoramos mucho cuando se hace bien.
El libro es más largo, pero es porque nuevamente Van Coops se toma su tiempo en desarrollar las cosas, en explicar cómo funciona el universo que nos muestra, y como ahora vemos dos tramas distintas al mismo tiempo, es obvio que toma mucho más.
De ahí en fuera conserva es estilo de los anteriores, los personajes se mueven y evolucionan de manera correcta, la historia tiene muchos giros de la trama estupendos, y te mantiene super entretenido.
El único punto débil es que el esquema para llegar al final es predecible. El misterio que rodea al villano de la historia se guarda tanto, que ya sabemos que las cosas van a ir mal para los buenos y bien para los malos, puesto que esta será la única forma de saberlo todo. Y aunque es el mismo recurso que todas las películas y novelas de acción usan hoy en día, es inevitable que te desilusione un poco.
Eso no evita que lo disfrutase enormemente, y que tenga toda la trilogía entre mis lecturas favoritas. Como decía en mis comentarios de los otros dos, la prosa no es extraordinaria, pero la aventura sí lo es.
Durante los dos libros anteriores Van Coops nos estuvo hablando de que nadie sabe a dónde van los viajeros que no tienen un ancla, que saltan a un tiempo sin lugar. Pues en esta historia descubrimos esto, y forma parte de la trama principal. No puedo hablar más porque la trama depende del final del segundo libro.
Se ve que el autor trazó muy bien la historia antes de la publicación, pues eventos que vimos en el segundo libro, pero que nunca se explicaron, se retoman acá, dando cierre a todas las subtramas y a todos los cabos sueltos. Ese tipo de detalles que quienes amamos el viaje en el tiempo valoramos mucho cuando se hace bien.
El libro es más largo, pero es porque nuevamente Van Coops se toma su tiempo en desarrollar las cosas, en explicar cómo funciona el universo que nos muestra, y como ahora vemos dos tramas distintas al mismo tiempo, es obvio que toma mucho más.
De ahí en fuera conserva es estilo de los anteriores, los personajes se mueven y evolucionan de manera correcta, la historia tiene muchos giros de la trama estupendos, y te mantiene super entretenido.
El único punto débil es que el esquema para llegar al final es predecible. El misterio que rodea al villano de la historia se guarda tanto, que ya sabemos que las cosas van a ir mal para los buenos y bien para los malos, puesto que esta será la única forma de saberlo todo. Y aunque es el mismo recurso que todas las películas y novelas de acción usan hoy en día, es inevitable que te desilusione un poco.
Eso no evita que lo disfrutase enormemente, y que tenga toda la trilogía entre mis lecturas favoritas. Como decía en mis comentarios de los otros dos, la prosa no es extraordinaria, pero la aventura sí lo es.