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jenhurst's review against another edition
4.0
This story is about Harry August and his first 15 lives. On his 11 life a little girl appears before him and says "I almost missed you Dr. August, it's up to you to save the world". The end is coming sooner.
I think the story was very intriguing and very different from anything that I'd read or seen on TV before. It would make a great film. It's very much a character-driven story, with just the right amount of plot thrown in.
I liked how Harry had such development and seemed so mature compared to everything else. Even as a 6 year old, he was like a little adult. It makes sense with what he was and I like how it was shown. After he made it through a few lives, he found a good friend who was like him.
The book covered WWII, the fall of the Berlin Wall, Soviet Russia and other major parts of the 20th century as he experienced them all first hand. After his third or fourth time in the War, he figured out to avoid it.
I was very impressed by Claire North's ability to jump from life to life and back to a previous life in a seamless way. It was apparent, which life Harry was looking back on. I think this is actually something that made the story more enjoyable to me. There was a lot of dry humour thrown in that I don't think gets mentioned enough. Harry was a great narrative. Believable, likeable and relatable but still not completely relatable as he had lived so many times.
My issue is how you kill the type of people like Harry, it seemed very complicated to solve the issue. And personal issue. Time Travel fucks me up to much. I think of the butterfly effect too much, and about all the changes. This was a little too close to that. Still a fun, intriguing read.
I recommend this to older teens and up. Ever if you don't like fantasy it's a great read, because it only marginally touches on fantasy. It's more of a speculative fiction like David Mitchell. The different ways that Harry affects everyone and the idea of free will vs fate, it's touched on and is very thought provoking.
I think the story was very intriguing and very different from anything that I'd read or seen on TV before. It would make a great film. It's very much a character-driven story, with just the right amount of plot thrown in.
I liked how Harry had such development and seemed so mature compared to everything else. Even as a 6 year old, he was like a little adult. It makes sense with what he was and I like how it was shown. After he made it through a few lives, he found a good friend who was like him.
The book covered WWII, the fall of the Berlin Wall, Soviet Russia and other major parts of the 20th century as he experienced them all first hand. After his third or fourth time in the War, he figured out to avoid it.
I was very impressed by Claire North's ability to jump from life to life and back to a previous life in a seamless way. It was apparent, which life Harry was looking back on. I think this is actually something that made the story more enjoyable to me. There was a lot of dry humour thrown in that I don't think gets mentioned enough. Harry was a great narrative. Believable, likeable and relatable but still not completely relatable as he had lived so many times.
My issue is how you kill the type of people like Harry, it seemed very complicated to solve the issue. And personal issue. Time Travel fucks me up to much. I think of the butterfly effect too much, and about all the changes. This was a little too close to that. Still a fun, intriguing read.
I recommend this to older teens and up. Ever if you don't like fantasy it's a great read, because it only marginally touches on fantasy. It's more of a speculative fiction like David Mitchell. The different ways that Harry affects everyone and the idea of free will vs fate, it's touched on and is very thought provoking.
backlistbch's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
woozy8310's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tommulhern's review against another edition
4.0
Very original and interesting concept. Enjoyed the story and the writing
zoefruitcake's review against another edition
4.0
Having read this straight after reading The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell I have to say of the two very similar books I enjoyed this one the most
hebberelle's review against another edition
2.0
DNF at 46%. Couldn't get into it. The way it keeps jumping around chronologically is annoying to keep up with, and the writing style just sounded flat and dull.
Utterly, crushingly boring unless you enjoy chapters full of unemotional facts about the war. Which war? Well what year is it this chapter? Who knows.
Utterly, crushingly boring unless you enjoy chapters full of unemotional facts about the war. Which war? Well what year is it this chapter? Who knows.
daffodilcherry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Oh my goodness if you are going to read this book I would 100% recommend the audiobook. Peter Kelley's narration absolutely brings Claire North's excellent prose and story to life, and I'm so glad I gave this long term denizen of my tbr a chance!
Harry August lives an ordinary life, only to find that when he dies, he is instead born again, with all his memories of his past life intact. Centuries of his lifelong timeloop later, he is warned that the world is ending faster, and sets about trying to find out why and to maybe stop it.
I loved so much about this book, the plot, the fucked up timeloop ethics, the quantum physics, the various settings and scenes, the characters, and as I said, Peter Kelley turned this into an absolute amazing piece of art. This is what happens when you hire crazy talented voice over actors for your epic historical sci-fi audiobooks!!! Do NOT adjust the speed and instead revel in Kelly's mastery!
I was absolutely hooked from the get go on this book, and the final third was so hard to put down (to sleep or like work lol). Definitely a top book for the year.
Wheelhouse items: fucked up timeloop ethics!!!, large cast, quantum physics but explained in a way that you can actually understand, my friend my enemy, secret societies.
Triggers (it's a very dark book at times): lots of torture, like there's quite a lot, medical institutionalisation, suicide, dying, murder, cancer, AIDS, electroshock, opiate use,radiation poisoning in depth, discussing killing children/pregnant people.
Harry August lives an ordinary life, only to find that when he dies, he is instead born again, with all his memories of his past life intact. Centuries of his lifelong timeloop later, he is warned that the world is ending faster, and sets about trying to find out why and to maybe stop it.
I loved so much about this book, the plot, the fucked up timeloop ethics, the quantum physics, the various settings and scenes, the characters, and as I said, Peter Kelley turned this into an absolute amazing piece of art. This is what happens when you hire crazy talented voice over actors for your epic historical sci-fi audiobooks!!! Do NOT adjust the speed and instead revel in Kelly's mastery!
I was absolutely hooked from the get go on this book, and the final third was so hard to put down (to sleep or like work lol). Definitely a top book for the year.
Wheelhouse items: fucked up timeloop ethics!!!, large cast, quantum physics but explained in a way that you can actually understand, my friend my enemy, secret societies.
Triggers (it's a very dark book at times): lots of torture, like there's quite a lot, medical institutionalisation, suicide, dying, murder, cancer, AIDS, electroshock, opiate use,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Addiction, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Murder, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Child death
ifigeneiatsa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
I really enjoyed reading this book. The story was unique and innovative. It was an extremely fast-paced novel, especially with all the going back and forth between the lives of Harry August, to the point that at times I was a bit confused about what was happening, but the author made a good job with reminding the reader who was who. The only thing I wish it had was a bit more of a confronting ending. I would have liked to see Vincent realise that Harry has been lying to him for all these lives and see the realisation of his failure in his face. Overall, this was such an exciting read.
Quote: "They say that the mind cannot remember pain; I say it barely matters, for even if the physical sensation is lost, our recollection of the terror that surrounds it is perfect"
Quote: "They say that the mind cannot remember pain; I say it barely matters, for even if the physical sensation is lost, our recollection of the terror that surrounds it is perfect"
mistydawnwaters's review against another edition
5.0
Utterly. Brilliant. Author, story, and narrator. All of it. Absolutely brilliant.
j4ndo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25