Guest Review: Time's Twisted Arrow

Time's Twisted Arrow

The Chronos Files Series Book #1 

By Rysa Walker 

Publication date: October 1st 2012

Genre: YA Science Fiction

"Sharp writing, a flair for dialogue and a big, twisting imagination." - Kirkus Reviews

They weren't panic attacks. Of that, seventeen year old Kate is certain, no matter what the shrink told her parents. But it's even harder to accept the explanation offered by her terminally ill grandmother - that Kate has inherited designer DNA from the time-traveling historians of CHRONOS, who were stranded in the past by a saboteur. Kate knows that her grandmother's story could easily be the brain tumor talking, but that doesn't explain the odd medallion or the two young men - one of them hauntingly familiar -- who simply vanish before her eyes on the subway. It doesn't explain Trey, the handsome stranger who now occupies Kate's assigned seat in trig class. And it definitely doesn't explain why Kate is now in an alternate timeline, where leaders of a previously unknown cult hold great power and are planning a rather drastic form of environmental defense.

In this new reality, Kate's grandmother was murdered at age twenty-two on a research trip to the past, which means that Kate's mother was never born, her father doesn't know her and, for all intents and purposes, she doesn't exist. The only thing keeping her from disappearing entirely is the strange blue medallion around her neck, and the only thing keeping her sane is her burgeoning relationship with Trey. To restore the time line, Kate must travel back to 1893 and keep herself and her grandmother clear of H.H. Holmes, the serial killer who is stalking young women at the Chicago World's Fair. But that choice comes at a price - she'll remember the past few months with Trey, but when he looks at her, he'll see a total stranger.

First, I’d like to thank Girls *Heart* Books for allowing me the guest review.  I am much honored.  Thanks also to the author for the writing of it. ^_^ Secondly, since I really, really want everyone to read this for themselves, I am going to make this as spoiler free as possible. 

I’d like to begin by pointing out- I don’t usually read time travel books.  For some reason I’ve never been able to enjoy, (or keep the timeline straight) with such books.  Now that I’ve pointed it out, I have to say this book was fantastic and certainly not what I expected of a time travel book.

The environment is in an almost constant state of change.  While expected it wasn’t confusing in the least.  When needed the description were apt enough to provide a clear visual without bogging the story down with environment details.

Kate is a great heroine.  She thinks for herself for the most part (with guidance sometimes when warranted).  What’s greatly relieving is that she’s not a whiny girl waiting to be rescued or to be handed the answer.  She has no problem in acting.

Trey is… well, Trey.  I have no words for Trey.  He’s a bit more typical of the heroine counterpart found in most YA yet he has a little something that makes him original in his own sense.  Being the story is mostly about Kate I wasn’t too over concerned with Trey’s slight mainstream feel.

The plot moves.  There’s no way to just read one chapter.  The chapters lead into each other and there’s always something happening or something that warrants needing to know what’s going to happen next before going to bed.  I recommend a good hiding spot that will allow a three hour block of time to read.  No interruption is almost necessary for this book.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised.  I will admit I began as skeptical – it’s not really what I would have picked out for myself – but I’m glad Mel asked for a guest review.  I would have never found such a wonderful read otherwise.  Definitely for readers that like time travel and/or history.  

My Rating: