A review by neilsef
No Time Like the Past by Jodi Taylor

adventurous dark emotional funny informative lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is a roller coaster of a ride, both because of all the various times and events Max and the gang visit and the usual chaos that entails, but also for the wide array of emotional punches it delivers, some of which just left me reeling. 

All the characters are delightfully written with personalities that are so life-like and who, like real people, can and do surprise you with qualities and traits you didn't realise they had. 

Our intrepid band also visits another one of those points in history that most people are aware of, the battle at Thermopylae where 300 Spartans fought the Persians at the Hot Gates. Again, the take on events is masterfully handled, giving it that St. Mary's twist of humour and realism, while still conveying both the heroics and the horror that the Spartans displayed and endured.