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qualimali's review against another edition
As other reviews have said, you probably CAN read this book without having read the CHRONOS series (which I haven't), but I don't recommend it. This book was seriously confusing, and I felt like I was missing huge chunks of information.
paisleypikachu's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the original review and more on NovelKnight!
This book was provided by the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Way back in 2014, I stumbled across a little book called Timebound. This was in the peak of my Doctor Who/time travel loving days, so a YA time travel book with a love triangle(oh the glory days)? I was all about it, and I fell in love. The Chronos Files books are still some of my favorites, in both print and audio format, so when I found out that Rysa Walker was writing an origin story for the Chronos organization I knew I had to read it. And wow, I can't tell you how good it felt to be back in the world of Chronos while reading Now, Then, and Everywhen! This book was a blast, with so much that I loved from the original series, a new cast of characters that are to die for, and all the glorious time travel a nerd could ask for.
Now, Then, and Everywhen alternates points of view between Maddie in 2136 and Tyson in 2304, with news clippings and diary entries interspersed between. I loved both of their storylines, and honestly can't pick a favorite. I never found myself in a rush to get back to one or the other's chapters. They were both so entertaining and dynamic, with clear voices. The different groups of characters surrounding the two main characters were also really well done, adding different personalities to the story. Getting to see a few favorites(and not-so-much favorites) from the first series was also a real treat.
The story of this one had all of the attention to detail that made me fall in love with Walker's writing years ago. So much history! And normally history bores me to death, but the way it's presented in this book is just so much fun to read. I felt like I was absorbing facts without even realizing it. And the time travel aspect is so well done. Time travel in books always tends to make my brain hurt to some extent, but the way it's presented here makes for effortless reading, I love it. This story was so much fun, and the way old things tied in and new threads began tying together was fantastic.
The only thing keeping this book from reaching five stars for me is that I do feel like some who haven't read the original series might have a hard time keeping up at some points. I've read The Chronos Files, but it's been a few years, and there were moments where I felt like I should be remembering something from those books, some plot point or character, but couldn't quite recall it. I honestly wish I'd done a reread marathon before starting this one. It didn't affect my experience too much, but might for others who haven't read those books. The world building is exquisite though, really setting itself up on its own, and the story doesn't rely on the other books to the point where it's detrimental. So if you're okay with maybe having a few moments where it feels like you're missing out on something in the background, then I'd say it's safe to read this book without having read any of the others.
Now, Then, and Everywhen is a delightful journey through time, with all the heart and emotion that I find lacking in a lot of the sci-fi I try to read. With an ending that left me begging for just a few more pages, I'll be eagerly waiting for the next installment. Rysa Walker has become my go to recommendation for anyone wanting to brave the time travel genre, and her writing never ceases to amaze me.
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Way back in 2014, I stumbled across a little book called Timebound. This was in the peak of my Doctor Who/time travel loving days, so a YA time travel book with a love triangle(oh the glory days)? I was all about it, and I fell in love. The Chronos Files books are still some of my favorites, in both print and audio format, so when I found out that Rysa Walker was writing an origin story for the Chronos organization I knew I had to read it. And wow, I can't tell you how good it felt to be back in the world of Chronos while reading Now, Then, and Everywhen! This book was a blast, with so much that I loved from the original series, a new cast of characters that are to die for, and all the glorious time travel a nerd could ask for.
Now, Then, and Everywhen alternates points of view between Maddie in 2136 and Tyson in 2304, with news clippings and diary entries interspersed between. I loved both of their storylines, and honestly can't pick a favorite. I never found myself in a rush to get back to one or the other's chapters. They were both so entertaining and dynamic, with clear voices. The different groups of characters surrounding the two main characters were also really well done, adding different personalities to the story. Getting to see a few favorites(and not-so-much favorites) from the first series was also a real treat.
The story of this one had all of the attention to detail that made me fall in love with Walker's writing years ago. So much history! And normally history bores me to death, but the way it's presented in this book is just so much fun to read. I felt like I was absorbing facts without even realizing it. And the time travel aspect is so well done. Time travel in books always tends to make my brain hurt to some extent, but the way it's presented here makes for effortless reading, I love it. This story was so much fun, and the way old things tied in and new threads began tying together was fantastic.
The only thing keeping this book from reaching five stars for me is that I do feel like some who haven't read the original series might have a hard time keeping up at some points. I've read The Chronos Files, but it's been a few years, and there were moments where I felt like I should be remembering something from those books, some plot point or character, but couldn't quite recall it. I honestly wish I'd done a reread marathon before starting this one. It didn't affect my experience too much, but might for others who haven't read those books. The world building is exquisite though, really setting itself up on its own, and the story doesn't rely on the other books to the point where it's detrimental. So if you're okay with maybe having a few moments where it feels like you're missing out on something in the background, then I'd say it's safe to read this book without having read any of the others.
Now, Then, and Everywhen is a delightful journey through time, with all the heart and emotion that I find lacking in a lot of the sci-fi I try to read. With an ending that left me begging for just a few more pages, I'll be eagerly waiting for the next installment. Rysa Walker has become my go to recommendation for anyone wanting to brave the time travel genre, and her writing never ceases to amaze me.
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danlewisfw's review against another edition
4.0
I had read Timebound from Rysa Walker a few years ago and then picked up Times Echo and enjoyed them so I decided to read Now Then and Everywhen next since its a prequel series and the third book came out not long ago. I enjoyed this, I kept looking up the various Beatles songs that I was not sure about since I do not know a lot of the titles. I actually found one I had not heard before! (was never really interested in them until the last year or so) Since I had just finished watching the three part movie on Disney this was an excellent timing for me to read this book. So if you have watched that series pick this book up next it will add a nice element for you. I enjoyed the book and will be reading the 2nd book in the series soon. Thanks Rysa Walker for keeping this series exciting!
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I didn't expect this to be as good as the first Chronos series... but I was still disappointed.
There were some things that I really liked. Basically, all of Madi's story line was cool. I don't want to spoil anything, so I can't say much, but I really liked the wibbly wobbly timey wimey aspect of her discovery and her connections to the past and the future.
Tyson's story line was not very interesting to me. All the references to historical events and figures are a bit too much to keep up with when you're not that familiar with American History. And you really need detailed knowledge or at least much more interest in these historical events to understand the significance of minor changes. I didn't have these issues in the past because the changes made to history directly affected the main characters, whereas here the changes were more ... abstract. It just didn't have the same effect.
It also doesn't help that I didn't care much for any of the characters. I like Madi and her group and there are some things about them, I am interested in, but there is not much that makes me care for them emotionally. Even less so with Tyson & co.
And the book lost me at the end, tbh. I couldn't follow the "science" anymore, and I still don't understand what is/was/will be going on with the bad guys in this story. There is nothing at the end of the book that is intriguing enough to make me want to read the next one. I will probably still give it a chance.
There were some things that I really liked. Basically, all of Madi's story line was cool. I don't want to spoil anything, so I can't say much, but I really liked the wibbly wobbly timey wimey aspect of her discovery and her connections to the past and the future.
Tyson's story line was not very interesting to me. All the references to historical events and figures are a bit too much to keep up with when you're not that familiar with American History. And you really need detailed knowledge or at least much more interest in these historical events to understand the significance of minor changes. I didn't have these issues in the past because the changes made to history directly affected the main characters, whereas here the changes were more ... abstract. It just didn't have the same effect.
It also doesn't help that I didn't care much for any of the characters. I like Madi and her group and there are some things about them, I am interested in, but there is not much that makes me care for them emotionally. Even less so with Tyson & co.
And the book lost me at the end, tbh. I couldn't follow the "science" anymore, and I still don't understand what is/was/will be going on with the bad guys in this story. There is nothing at the end of the book that is intriguing enough to make me want to read the next one. I will probably still give it a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Medical content, Racism, and Blood
kimberlynann's review against another edition
4.0
Fair warning: this is not a standalone series. It's been several years since I read the original chronos books and even though I thoroughly enjoyed them, I was more than a little lost with regards to the connections to the previous series. Otherwise, a very enjoyable and quick read
trishjbutler's review against another edition
3.0
Technically heavy, historically researched time travel mystery
Two time-travelers, from different points in the future, are in the 1960s when changes in their own timeline hit them with a physical force. They return to their respective times to find out what happened and how to fix things back to their original status. They and their teams are protected from the effects of the changes within CHRONOS fields, and their advanced computers tell them exactly how many people have been lost, many effectively disappearing out of existence. They have to learn how to fix things and why they happened in the first place.
It’s an exciting premise that caught my attention. I love time-travel fiction, but I realized, when reading this book, that I don’t like it enough to be interested in all the technicalities. Of course, the plot jumps between the two future timelines and the 1960s, which is entirely expected and not something I have a problem reading. What I found frustrating was a ‘chapter’ finally reaching an interesting climax with a discovery or some action, only for it to end and I’m back reading the technical explanation behind it all.
Halfway through the book, I discovered that there are earlier CHRONOS books by this author that might have given me a ‘beginners’ guide’ and perhaps the technical sections would have proved more attractive. Assuming some of the same characters appear in those books, I might have also been more invested in them.
The most interesting sections of the book were set in the 1960s with Dr Martin Luther King Jnr. and John Lennon, amongst others, making an appearance. Clearly, a lot of research went into the activities of all of these people, the feel of the times and fashions, and it showed.
If not already a fan of this author, I would recommend a reader interested in a story about time-travel who loves all the intricacies of how it would work to give this a try. Be aware, however, that though this story is resolved, there is a bit of a cliff-hanger.
Two time-travelers, from different points in the future, are in the 1960s when changes in their own timeline hit them with a physical force. They return to their respective times to find out what happened and how to fix things back to their original status. They and their teams are protected from the effects of the changes within CHRONOS fields, and their advanced computers tell them exactly how many people have been lost, many effectively disappearing out of existence. They have to learn how to fix things and why they happened in the first place.
It’s an exciting premise that caught my attention. I love time-travel fiction, but I realized, when reading this book, that I don’t like it enough to be interested in all the technicalities. Of course, the plot jumps between the two future timelines and the 1960s, which is entirely expected and not something I have a problem reading. What I found frustrating was a ‘chapter’ finally reaching an interesting climax with a discovery or some action, only for it to end and I’m back reading the technical explanation behind it all.
Halfway through the book, I discovered that there are earlier CHRONOS books by this author that might have given me a ‘beginners’ guide’ and perhaps the technical sections would have proved more attractive. Assuming some of the same characters appear in those books, I might have also been more invested in them.
The most interesting sections of the book were set in the 1960s with Dr Martin Luther King Jnr. and John Lennon, amongst others, making an appearance. Clearly, a lot of research went into the activities of all of these people, the feel of the times and fashions, and it showed.
If not already a fan of this author, I would recommend a reader interested in a story about time-travel who loves all the intricacies of how it would work to give this a try. Be aware, however, that though this story is resolved, there is a bit of a cliff-hanger.
timetoread_more2022's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyable albeit a bit confusing with the same-name characters.
dorigray's review against another edition
5.0
Fans of the CHRONOS series will throughly enjoy this peek into the origins of CHRONOS while being taken on an incredible new ride. Didn’t read the original series? You’ll want to after reading this! Looking forward to the next book in this new series. As always I need more CHRONOS!
jillfrussell's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the mind twisting time travel parallel universes aspect of it, but felt overwhelmed by the number of characters to track.
hblackmon's review against another edition
4.0
It's been years since I read the Chronos series, but I enjoyed diving back into the world of time travel in this new series. It's intriguing to see how Rysa explores historical events from the perspective of "historians" in the future who can now travel to and engage with any event in history - and the impacts that can have on all events. The period selected is very relevant with the current focus on racial inequality, which adds an interesting element to the storyline.