Paradox

Travelers #2

by Claudia Lefeve

Everything is predestined.

Etta is slowly readjusting to life in her new reality, while still recovering from the shock over the news regarding her relationship with Cooper.

While learning more about her role as leader of the Council, she soon discovers that her future is linked to the five extraordinary individuals she must recruit in order to ensure her destiny.

Nothing is as it seems, as rivals become allies and friends become the enemy.

PARADOX is book two in the Travelers Series.

Genres: Time Travel, Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Fiction, Romance

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2012

About the author

Claudia Lefeve was born and raised so far down the Texas Gulf Coast she has to pull up a map to show people it’s nowhere near Houston. Now living in Northern Virginia, she is taking a temporary hiatus from a civilian career in law enforcement in order to write full-time. She lives with her husband and three dogs.

DESTINED FOR TROUBLE is now available!

Reviews

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradox (along with Parallel).... AMAZING!!! Once I read Parallel, I was so eager to read Paradox.... if only it was actually out!! After waiting what felt like ETERNITY I finally got Paradox. OMG I LOVED IT!! So good! But now that I've read it in like four hours while locked in my room, I have to wait until the third book, Paradigm, is out!! Claudia Lefeve, I have to hand it to ya, I'm 14 years old and I loved these books, and I bet all of the 'adults' reading these books would agree that your creativity in the books (and the ability to have me FREAKING OUT everytime something happens) is astounding. And that last sentence in the Epilogue of Paradox.... well lets just say Paradigm better be out soon;)

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

We're finally getting properly into the main plot, namely the whole time/ alternate reality travelling business, in this one - and by the time I was halfway through the book, I wished I were back in book 1, because at least straightforward teenage drama was a lot less of a confusing clusterfuck. This is hardly my first book featuring time travel or alternate universes, but most of them seem to make a lot more sense to me. Oh well. So, following Cooper's revelation of their connection to each other (hardly suprising by the time it came), Etta also learns that she needs to find five other people with supernatural powers to help with the rebellion she is supposed to lead in another reality, all of whom were part of her father's experiments. There's a basis for some really interesting stuff here, but alas... here's the problem: Etta and Cooper hop around different realities, trying to recruit a bunch of strangers to help them fight a war - and there is absolutely zero action at any point. It's all way too easy and the book really could have used some conflicts to spice things up. Also, I really wish we'd get a proper explanation for how the whole travelling thing here is supposed to work - essentially all the explanation we get is the author saying "There's a lot of difficult science stuff involved." and throwing some random physics terms around without actually attempting to give at least a basic believable understanding of how this supposed technology works. All in all, reading this book was mostly an exercise in frustration for me. There's a major plot twist at the end, though, that might make things a lot more interesting in part three, so I'm not giving up on the series just yet. 2.5/5

[Asu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting the band back together! ...


After that more or less predictable revelation at the end of the previous book which made me very happy (idk I like Etta and Cooper together, in the present as well as in the future), Cooper takes control and gentle nudges Etta toward her destiny of being the leader of the rebellion against Thornberry.

The Thornberrys are still gone so Etta starts looking for them, using her new found astral projection ability. We do get a clue of the Thornberry's whereabout but that's about it. In the meantime she and Cooper start recruiting their team by jumping into different realities. This opens the door to several new characters and another version of a character we already know. That is in fact an interesting revelation xD

What else is there? Well, let's just say Thornberry is not simply hiding but making up his own plans to ensure his favorite reality comes into play.

There's a really mean cliff at the end which throws everything off balance. I think you'll appreciate the warning ;)

Well yeah, it's nice. If you liked the first book you'll like this one, too.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here is my problem with this book: I'm confused. It took me 2 months to read this book and I'm the type of girl that finishes a book in 2 days (max). I just couldn't get into it with all my questions (or one really big question).

I'm not sure if I'm missing something or it hasn't been explained yet, but here I remain as the reader, confused.

This spoiler is where the whole book has started to fall aprt for me: Cooper is Etta's wife in the future, but comes back in time to get Etta. How does he end up marrying Etta if he is already Etta's husband? Are you following me?

I understood the loop explanation and it makes sense. I'm not sure if I'm getting lost in the details of the book or trying to understand something I'm not supposed to understand, but it just leaves me really unsettled.

From what I can tell, there are now 3 different time lines playing out. It all just gets more and more confusing and while I love time travel books, I'm not sure I can continue with this one, which is unfortunate because in here somewhere is an excellent book.

[Kate Copeseeley]

Beta read, so no review. The ending will make you crazy (in a good way)!! :)

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta Reader! It was amazing!!!!!!
Also PARALLEL IS FREE ON AMAZON RIGHT NOW!!!!!

[Ayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4/5 Stars. Much better than the first one :)

[Lynda Lafond · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun

Across so many dimensions & times! Paalells, paradoxes & more with a bit of physics & sci-fi science experimentation thrown in for fun.

[Amanda Luck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly had a bit of a rough time with this one. I loved the first one and I am not one to complete a series. Took me a bit to get through but of course the end brought me back in to actually finish this series.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parallel, the first book in the Travelers series by Claudia Lefeve, introduced me to the wonderful world of time travel in a mostly modern day setting with a set of believable, realistic characters that you grew to care about over the course of the book. You can check out my review of Parallel here.

Paradox picks up right where book one left off, with Etta having learned that Cooper was actually tasked with bringing her to her original reality after her father stashed her in a different one for safe-keeping. And what do you know, what crafty spitfire sent her husband Cooper to talk Etta into leaving the reality where she was an orphan? Alternate reality Etta, who is the leader of the uprising, and who also has a team of bad-ass renegades that needs to be assembled like the Justice League so they can begin training for the future assault against her father’s high-ranking government ex-buddy who wants to take over the world.

Etta is learning to use her telekinetic powers more in this book, and while she’s a natural, it does take hard work. She still has to cope with going to school and navigating a strange place that she’s only known for a few weeks, but she’s remaining strong. Of course she has a lot of help from her ever supportive aunt, and having a father around for the first time that she remembers is strange, but it’s Cooper that helps her cope in ways that no one else can.

Ah, Cooper. How strange is it that Etta is traipsing across the country with someone that she’s not only falling in love with, but that she knows she marries in the future? Of course he won’t tell her any of the details of their relationship, and he’s actually the alternate reality Etta’s husband–but the tension between these two is just killer. Etta is a teenager, she knows what she wants–it’s sitting right next to her for most of the book–but she can’t touch. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy.

The character development in this book is great. Etta is really growing into her own–not only is she not the typical whiny teenager often present in so many YA books, she knows that she will have a heavy burden of being a leader in the near future. And she carries that load with grace and anticipation. The new characters introduced as part of her team were fun, distinct, and brought their own unique set of skills to the story. I can’t wait to read the next book to see each of them more fleshed out.

I give Paradox a 4.5 out of 5. It’s really enjoyable to see Etta and Cooper assemble their team and fighting their attraction to each other, all while navigating the tricky landscape that is time travel and the politics that come with the different realities. The unfulfilled tension between Etta and Cooper is the only thing that’s holding me back from giving this one a straight up five, and I can’t wait for Etta to meet her Cooper in book three. And thankfully I won’t have to wait long since Paradigm will be out very soon.

Also on Bewitched Bookworms
Copy provided by author in exchange for honest review

[Kimberlee Vedder · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll admit that reading a good, young adult, dystopian novel is a guilty pleasure of mine. I'm not big into any Sci-Fi type of books so at the words 'Time travel' I would normally pass. However, Amazon lured me into the series with my favorite word, FREE. Reading Parallel, I was intrigued by the web of the characters' connections. The writing wasn't particularly outstanding, but it got me hooked enough to blow through the short book and intrigued enough to pick up Paradox., Will I be picking up the next book? Not a chance.

Yes, I knew what I was getting into when I picked up a book about traveling into alternate realities. I thought I'd branch out a little. The concept of traveling back in time to change the timeline did have some merit. Seeing Alexandria in different times was interesting. I enjoyed Etta's love for tv and movies and how even pop culture was changed in these different realities. The writing, however, made it somewhat difficult to follow. Throwing around physics terms did nothing to make this very juvenile writing sounds credible. The explanations also were contradictory. If traveling back in time changes the timeline, but you ultimately get your destined outcome, what the hell was the point in all of this? Speaking of juvenile writing, if Etta said "You scared the crap out of me!" one more time, my Kindle may have been thrown across the room. "The movie stunk the big one" "OMG" Seriously? I understand I may not be the target audience for this book, but young adults aren't you just a little insulted that this is how you're portrayed and how the author feels they need to speak to be at your level?

Etta trying to piece together how she came to have her abilities and what she needs to do to set the stage to lead her council in a future reality does make this plot move along. Several bombshell pieces of information about her dad's actions, Oliver Thornberry, and Jamie got my interest to keep reading. I think there were several missed opportunities though. First of all, I feel that Etta's character was underdeveloped to see her with Cooper, or even Alex. Alex was an angle that I also feel was quite underplayed. She dreamed about a relationship with Alex, but does nothing but sabotage it? Knowing that Etta ultimately marries Cooper in a future reality could have created a really interested love triangle plot point. Perhaps in the 3rd book? Guess I'll never know. Sorry, Travelers Series, I'm out!

[Martha Bourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most difficult things for YA writers to do is master the voice of their characters. From the very start of the Travelers series, Ms. Lefeve has handled it beautifully. I continue to love Etta just as much in Paradox as I did in Parallel. She sounds like a real teenager and she’s grappling with the same kinds of confusion and feelings that a typical teen would. Except in Etta’s case, they’re kicked up a notch. She has things to worry about that even many adults would find hard to take. She has a strong, real girl quality about her that I just love.

This particular book will become central to the series, as we are introduced to the rest of Etta’s future team that will help her change the future. Ms. Lefeve is very adept at characterization and introduces us to a colorful group of characters that I think will be interesting, dramatic and fun in the books to come. As she paints the picture of what the future is like, it also gives us an idea as to the enormity of Etta and her team’s task.

Paradox is aptly titled, as Ms. Lefeve begins to pull the puzzle together in this book. There are also a few twists, turns, and surprises in Paradox, as well as another cliffhanger that is sure to leave the reader wanting more. I was delighted with this book and will definitely be on the lookout for Book 3!

[Savannah (Books With Bite) · Rating 5 out of 5]

After getting hooked on the last book, I couldn't wait to read this one! I love the idea of time travel and well, lets just say the plot is enticing!

What I loved most about the book is once again, the amazing plot. Etta has learned more about herself and who she is to become in the future. Things clear up for the reader as many questions were answered. There are so many juicy and yummy secrets spilled that I was filled with happiness. The twist and turns in the book left me reading faster and wanting more.

The love interest came together as I suspected and then some. I enjoyed falling into Etta shoes and watching her fall in love slowly. She is precarious yet excited. I can totally tell that once she knows where her heart belongs she just wants to rush there fast but must wait for the right timing. At this point of the book I feel like time travel sucks! Cause so much can happen!! WHYYYYYY!

Still, the characters are more awesome as ever and by the end of the book, I am one very happy camper. My time reading this book felt short since I zoomed through it so quickly.

Paradox is an unexpected and fantastic book! The thrill of time travel and the prospects of the future are awesome. Paradox offers new ground for me to grace upon that I don't want to leave. Satisfying and exciting, Paradox is awesome!

[Kristy Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradox picks up where Parallel ends and Claudia does a phenomenal job of organically summarizing the events from Parallel to Paradox. In this sequel, Etta learns more about her future as Council leader, her father and his partner’s scientific experiments on children, and time travel. She also meets an eclectic cast of characters who like Etta, were child test subjects, and she learns that these are the people on her team in the future. All of them share one thing in common- they want to bring Etta’s fathers’ partner, the evil mastermind Mr. Thornberry, down. A lot of the questions I had from the first novel are answered in this one but new questions are created as well, which makes for an interesting read. Claudia does a great job of explaining time travel in a way for non-science people to understand. Paradox ends with another cliff hanger which compelled me to read the next quickly!

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a slow start. I found myself losing interest as I continued reading, but then it got better. More characters were introduced and they helped the story move more. I still have the same opinions I had with the first book. This series is too confusing. The author was kind enough to compare many explanations to time travel movies, etc and that helped me "get" some things, but I was still lost most of the time. I still liked it because it is a very interesting plot and I like the little twists that keep happening. I'll keep reading this series.

[Liane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is getting exciting. We're now looking further into Etta's past and securing their future. So far the quest hasn't had too many glitches, apart from possibly getting off on the wrong foot in some instances. I'd expected to be confused with all the jumping around between present Etta's thoughts, and then everyone else's but Lefeve has done a fantastic job keeping the balance between mystery and an easy-to-follow style of writing where there could have been potential for massive confusion. Have already bought the third installation!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parallel and Paradox are the sort of novels that wrap you up and don't spit you out until the final page is finished! Another fun read, though not as much as the first. This one felt like running a marathon without any coffee breaks, or if I was in shape, water breaks. Still the characters are what drives this story, not necessary the confusing plot. And I will most certainly read the next novel because I'm dying to know how the author is planning on tying this tangled web up!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the books, & I wouldn't have found the first one if not for BookBub which is why I bought the second one. I started getting kind of confused in the second one with following the different realities, timelines, etc & who came from which one. It got more confusing when Etta couldn't go with Cooper at the end. I really love the books, I just started having a hard time keeping realities, timelines, & who came from which one in the second book. I haven't bought the 3rd one yet.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found these 2 ebooks absolutely interesting! It’s a different turn on alternate realities. It almost makes you believe that it could exist the way it was described. I loved the magic, the romance and the adventure. The second book ends with a twist that will change everything in Etta’s life. Can’t wait for Paradigm to come out!

[Khaytie Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really another cliff hanger!! So not fair.

Now that an done bitching I really did enjoy the book!! It's funny and sweet!! And very imaginative. I would also say a little confusing so parts hurt my head a little! But HEY most books I read are about vampires and witches.

[Catherine Kesseler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way the book went into the future and the other realities. The author did a great job of bringing up plot points from the first book without being boring. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Suzy Partlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel to Parallel helped answer some of my questions. I hear that the next book, Paradigm, is even more informative... I eagerly await this! I love Cooper Everret, even though he seems almost too perfect. Maybe some day they'll make movies out of this story. I always loved Back to the Future.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was amazing! Can't wait til the next one comes out.

[Aura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it. Seemed all over the place to really enjoy it.

[Eden Steffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good. Etta is learning better how to use her power. Can't wait to read the third book.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

good

[Vickie Greenway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this second book in the series. The author has linked the first and second together nicely. I cannot wait for the third one to come out!

[Megs]

wana read

[Laura]

How can you read this online for free with no download

[Keris Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome