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A review by gesch
TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow
2.0
This book is the first installment in yet another formulaic young adult series. It relies on the typical story of a teenager that is recruited into a secretive organization and given the opportunity to perform tasks that are unusual or even fantastic.
With this series we see an alternative to the dystopian post-apocalyptic narratives that have been trending in this literary genre. In this case we are witness to the recruitment of three characters saved from imminent death under the condition that they serve as part as a time traveling agency whose objective is to prevent other time travelers affecting the global timeline.
The themes this series works with are interesting in spite of being simplistic in their exploration. This may be a fault of the YA genre but it may also be due to the fact that it is the first book in a series. Another criticism would be that the whole time-traveling logistics seem overly simplistic and trivial, this may be challenged with the rapid aging and contamination that comes with its use. I feel the use of the female protagonists is acceptable though I’d have liked them to be more involved in the action. I do however like the humanist values that are reinforced throughout the story as well as the team working aspect.
The book is fast-paced enough to keep you entertained and perhaps slightly annoyed for the quick descriptions that are made of the most interesting aspect of the story – the alternate timelines. In this case I’d have liked to know much more of a Nazi-occupied U.S.A.
I’d recommend this book to young readers, who are obviously the target audience. Personally I don’t think I’ll be exploring this series any further (after all I was reading a ARC that was gifted to me).
With this series we see an alternative to the dystopian post-apocalyptic narratives that have been trending in this literary genre. In this case we are witness to the recruitment of three characters saved from imminent death under the condition that they serve as part as a time traveling agency whose objective is to prevent other time travelers affecting the global timeline.
The themes this series works with are interesting in spite of being simplistic in their exploration. This may be a fault of the YA genre but it may also be due to the fact that it is the first book in a series. Another criticism would be that the whole time-traveling logistics seem overly simplistic and trivial, this may be challenged with the rapid aging and contamination that comes with its use. I feel the use of the female protagonists is acceptable though I’d have liked them to be more involved in the action. I do however like the humanist values that are reinforced throughout the story as well as the team working aspect.
The book is fast-paced enough to keep you entertained and perhaps slightly annoyed for the quick descriptions that are made of the most interesting aspect of the story – the alternate timelines. In this case I’d have liked to know much more of a Nazi-occupied U.S.A.
I’d recommend this book to young readers, who are obviously the target audience. Personally I don’t think I’ll be exploring this series any further (after all I was reading a ARC that was gifted to me).