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The multiverse is collapsing. The time machine is broken. And humanity’s last hope? Might already be dead.
Seven months after the EMPs brought the world to its knees, a handful of scientists are racing against extinction—and each other. Somewhere in a flooded skyscraper lies a wormhole generator that might be able to undo the apocalypse. If they can find it. If it still works. If it doesn’t kill them first.
Meanwhile, Diego Nadales wakes in a cell, his face bloodied and his memories fractured. He's being accused of terrorism, treason, and time travel. The last one, at least, is true.
Isabel is trapped inside a biodome ruled by the man she once trusted. But her bees—microscopic drones designed to save the planet—have been hijacked and weaponized. If she doesn’t find a way out soon, her creation will wipe out the last threads of life on Earth.
Old friends return. New enemies rise. And somewhere in the chaos, one small spark of hope just might be enough to ignite a revolution.
The clock isn’t ticking. It’s blowing up.
Seven months after the EMPs brought the world to its knees, a handful of scientists are racing against extinction—and each other. Somewhere in a flooded skyscraper lies a wormhole generator that might be able to undo the apocalypse. If they can find it. If it still works. If it doesn’t kill them first.
Meanwhile, Diego Nadales wakes in a cell, his face bloodied and his memories fractured. He's being accused of terrorism, treason, and time travel. The last one, at least, is true.
Isabel is trapped inside a biodome ruled by the man she once trusted. But her bees—microscopic drones designed to save the planet—have been hijacked and weaponized. If she doesn’t find a way out soon, her creation will wipe out the last threads of life on Earth.
Old friends return. New enemies rise. And somewhere in the chaos, one small spark of hope just might be enough to ignite a revolution.
The clock isn’t ticking. It’s blowing up.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
406 pages, Hardcover
Published November 4, 2025
10 people are currently reading
4926 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Orton
8 books480 followersAWARD-WINNING AUTHOR DL ORTON lives in the Tropics with her husband, a golden retriever mix, a Siberian cat, and a bazillion geckos.
In her spare time, she's building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.
Website:
http://DLOrton.com
Ms Orton is a graduate of Stanford University's Writers Workshop and a past editor of "Top of the Western Staircase," a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.
You can email her at dlo at dlorton dot com.
In her spare time, she's building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.
Website:
http://DLOrton.com
Ms Orton is a graduate of Stanford University's Writers Workshop and a past editor of "Top of the Western Staircase," a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.
You can email her at dlo at dlorton dot com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 18, 2026
Jump (Madders of Time, #2) by D.L. Orton
3.5/5 stars
The last few books I read weren't the easiest to review. And this is another one that has me completely all over the place. I read the first book last year. I enjoyed it, saw the potential but it was also really slow and not exactly my type of book. So when a book tour came around for the second one I didn't sign up. Until I heard the author specifically asked for me and I just couldn't say no.
The book picks up right after the first one. The multiverse is in an imbalance and several other selves are spread through time and trying to warn younger or older selves in hope of bettering the future. I really loved every iteration and variation of the character Diego. He and Isabel were by far my favorite characters and I enjoyed the chapters they were in the most. They are separated at the start of the book and don't know where the other one is in this book.
This novel has a lot of main characters and a lot of character point of views. Diego, Isabel, Matt, Cassie, Lani, Kai, Dave, Sabina and Yuki. Like the first book the story is told really slowly. There is a lot of emphasis on the conversations and scenes are long and very thorough. They were too long and too slow for me.
The book starts so exciting, Diego travels to an alternative timeline and meet his younger self that needs to give a message to Isabel. Things go wrong.
They are building the Einstein Rosen Bridge and it's not going well and people die. Diego and Isabel are trying their hardest to get back together but so much is going on.
The bees got AI implemented in them, becoming autonomous. Dave is still trying to screw everybody over. I love how brave Lani is in this book. And I adored Kai with all my heart.
But it all felt so jumbled. It gets exciting, and then it gets so, so slow. I could easily put the book down and wasn't invested in the slower parts. But the thing with this novel is. You get a glimpse of brilliance and things that spoke to me, then it gets slow and I lose my connection with the book, and then suddenly something exciting happens and I am like wtf I need to continue NOW, all in order to fall into a slow pattern again. The last 50 pages were very 50/50 too. A lot happens in like 25 pages, then it's like 20 pages of slowness and my boy.. the last 5 pages the author pulls something out of the bag and I was like well now I need to read number 3 as well. I love that surprise. I loved that ending. But it is so difficult to rate this book as a whole.
I love parts, but a lot of parts weren't for me either. I still believe that combining book 1 and 2, maybe even 3 would have suited the story better. The pacing would improve, excitement would vibrate through the entire book. Now a lot of times my heart wasn't really in it. But the author just has a knack that when I'm thinking about tapping out, he puts something incredible in the book that keeps you glued to the pages.
So I'm a bit all over the place. I think I'll settle on 3 or 3.5 stars overall. And I know myself. I will read the third one. I just have too. But I hope with all my heart he pacing will be faster and that book is more plot driven. So we'll see! My journey with Madders of Time isn't over yet. ♥
3.5/5 stars
The last few books I read weren't the easiest to review. And this is another one that has me completely all over the place. I read the first book last year. I enjoyed it, saw the potential but it was also really slow and not exactly my type of book. So when a book tour came around for the second one I didn't sign up. Until I heard the author specifically asked for me and I just couldn't say no.
The book picks up right after the first one. The multiverse is in an imbalance and several other selves are spread through time and trying to warn younger or older selves in hope of bettering the future. I really loved every iteration and variation of the character Diego. He and Isabel were by far my favorite characters and I enjoyed the chapters they were in the most. They are separated at the start of the book and don't know where the other one is in this book.
This novel has a lot of main characters and a lot of character point of views. Diego, Isabel, Matt, Cassie, Lani, Kai, Dave, Sabina and Yuki. Like the first book the story is told really slowly. There is a lot of emphasis on the conversations and scenes are long and very thorough. They were too long and too slow for me.
The book starts so exciting, Diego travels to an alternative timeline and meet his younger self that needs to give a message to Isabel. Things go wrong.
They are building the Einstein Rosen Bridge and it's not going well and people die. Diego and Isabel are trying their hardest to get back together but so much is going on.
The bees got AI implemented in them, becoming autonomous. Dave is still trying to screw everybody over. I love how brave Lani is in this book. And I adored Kai with all my heart.
But it all felt so jumbled. It gets exciting, and then it gets so, so slow. I could easily put the book down and wasn't invested in the slower parts. But the thing with this novel is. You get a glimpse of brilliance and things that spoke to me, then it gets slow and I lose my connection with the book, and then suddenly something exciting happens and I am like wtf I need to continue NOW, all in order to fall into a slow pattern again. The last 50 pages were very 50/50 too. A lot happens in like 25 pages, then it's like 20 pages of slowness and my boy.. the last 5 pages the author pulls something out of the bag and I was like well now I need to read number 3 as well. I love that surprise. I loved that ending. But it is so difficult to rate this book as a whole.
I love parts, but a lot of parts weren't for me either. I still believe that combining book 1 and 2, maybe even 3 would have suited the story better. The pacing would improve, excitement would vibrate through the entire book. Now a lot of times my heart wasn't really in it. But the author just has a knack that when I'm thinking about tapping out, he puts something incredible in the book that keeps you glued to the pages.
So I'm a bit all over the place. I think I'll settle on 3 or 3.5 stars overall. And I know myself. I will read the third one. I just have too. But I hope with all my heart he pacing will be faster and that book is more plot driven. So we'll see! My journey with Madders of Time isn't over yet. ♥
February 12, 2026
Jump is book two in the Madders of Time series and really is the absolute perfect sequel to Dome
It's a dystopian sci-fi fantasy thriller in which we again follow humanity’s last remaining survivors who are in a race against time to hold off against complete extinction of the human race. Enter our intrepid heroes, Diego, who's locked up in a cell and accused of numerous offences. And Isobel, trapped inside a biodome as her greatest creation, her bees, have been weaponised in order to destroy all remaining life on Earth.
Can they both escape? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So first, let's talk about the cover. It's a great spacey image, mysterious and vivid. Guaranteed to leap out on any shelf. I will say though, I was a little disappointed to not find a stunning inside cover like Dome has.
So all in all, this was a real rollercoaster of emotions. You'll laugh, you might cry, you'll be surprised, you'll be astonished and in awe.
It's well paced, and for, me, is on the slower side, but that's not a negative. Not all books should or need an incredibly fast pace.
The story is intelligent, and is sure to captivate and pull you in. There's tension, there's some very human moments, there's love and sacrifice.
Can't wait to read book three ( Dome ) and I hope @thewritereads tours it as I'll be jumping to sign up.
One of my favourite reads of the year up to now.
A huge 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
#fatguyreading #bookstagam #Ad #thewritereasd
It's a dystopian sci-fi fantasy thriller in which we again follow humanity’s last remaining survivors who are in a race against time to hold off against complete extinction of the human race. Enter our intrepid heroes, Diego, who's locked up in a cell and accused of numerous offences. And Isobel, trapped inside a biodome as her greatest creation, her bees, have been weaponised in order to destroy all remaining life on Earth.
Can they both escape? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So first, let's talk about the cover. It's a great spacey image, mysterious and vivid. Guaranteed to leap out on any shelf. I will say though, I was a little disappointed to not find a stunning inside cover like Dome has.
So all in all, this was a real rollercoaster of emotions. You'll laugh, you might cry, you'll be surprised, you'll be astonished and in awe.
It's well paced, and for, me, is on the slower side, but that's not a negative. Not all books should or need an incredibly fast pace.
The story is intelligent, and is sure to captivate and pull you in. There's tension, there's some very human moments, there's love and sacrifice.
Can't wait to read book three ( Dome ) and I hope @thewritereads tours it as I'll be jumping to sign up.
One of my favourite reads of the year up to now.
A huge 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
#fatguyreading #bookstagam #Ad #thewritereasd
February 15, 2026
✨️Book Review✨️
4.5⭐️ for Jump by DL Orton
Last year I read book one of the Madders of time series and I quite enjoyed it, so when The Write Reads reached out with book two I happily accepted, and am so glad I did.
It's a read that took me out of my comfort zone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it; multiple POVs, multiple timelines, time-travel...it all makes for a great adventure, though it once again ends in a cliffhanger that left me wanting more!
A sci-fi thriller with a touch of romance, it follows humanity's last survivors, and what they'll go through to try and save it; it makes the reader (as well as the characters) reflect on what they'd be willing to do for the greater good, and touches on matters of free will, responsibility, ethics, existentialism by weaving these themes into the story. Each time jump carries with it consequences, and asks how far each character is willing to go in the face of those consequences.
Well-paced, insightful, thought-provoking, with a hint of dystopia and romance, I loved this one! I'm excited for the story to continue in book 3, Dome, out in May 2026.
Thank you so much to The Write Reads for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
4.5⭐️ for Jump by DL Orton
Last year I read book one of the Madders of time series and I quite enjoyed it, so when The Write Reads reached out with book two I happily accepted, and am so glad I did.
It's a read that took me out of my comfort zone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it; multiple POVs, multiple timelines, time-travel...it all makes for a great adventure, though it once again ends in a cliffhanger that left me wanting more!
A sci-fi thriller with a touch of romance, it follows humanity's last survivors, and what they'll go through to try and save it; it makes the reader (as well as the characters) reflect on what they'd be willing to do for the greater good, and touches on matters of free will, responsibility, ethics, existentialism by weaving these themes into the story. Each time jump carries with it consequences, and asks how far each character is willing to go in the face of those consequences.
Well-paced, insightful, thought-provoking, with a hint of dystopia and romance, I loved this one! I'm excited for the story to continue in book 3, Dome, out in May 2026.
Thank you so much to The Write Reads for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
March 1, 2026
Find this review and more on my blog at
Worlds Unlike Our Own
.
Thank you to TheWriteReads for including me in this blog tour and also to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
The world has begun to fall apart. Diego Nadales finds himself in a cell, bruised and battered and accused of time travel and much more. Isabel is trapped in one of Kirkland’s biodomes and discovers that her bee drones, originally designed to save the planet, have been modified and weaponized, and if they are not stopped in time, could be the reason for its destruction instead. Meanwhile, a group of scientists are racing to build a time machine that could be humanity’s last chance of survival against the catastrophe that draws ever closer.
💭Initial Thoughts: I was so excited for the opportunity to continue reading this series and signed up for this blog tour as soon as I saw it – and it did not disappoint.
🌎Plot, World building & Atmosphere: Despite having read the first book fairly recently, I would have appreciated a recap of events thus far rather than piecing it together as I read this book. Jump picks up not long after where Hive left things and the interference from various parties in the main timeline appear to have escalated things rather than mitigate them. The plot held my attention right from the first page and every arc of the story was equally interesting to follow. Matt Hudson’s was probably the central arc as he works to build a time machine with a group of scientists. Diego and Isabel’s journeys to find each other overlapped with this main plotline several times as the unfolding events kept drawing them away from their goal time and again.
In terms of world building, I was most intrigued by the Eden domes which, in the main timeline, were still under construction, along with the AI Guardian in Eden-17 which eventually becomes Madders in the far future timeline. It was so fascinating to see this early version of the AI when it was still at the learning stage. This dark and dystopian like world drew me straight back into the story as the stakes rose higher than ever before. The sci-fi elements continued to fascinate me and as this sequel continued to expand upon them, I liked that things remained believable within the realm of the story. The author has clearly put a lot of thought into this aspect of the plot and it shows in how well constructed the arc is.
✍🏻Writing & Narration: Jump was a pretty fast paced read and despite the frequent switches in POV like last time, it maintained the pacing throughout. Things were also much more consistent in terms of the pacing of the timeline itself and the plot was much more linear this time, which made it an easier read for me. I also found a definite improvement in the writing style and didn’t feel like the story dragged at any point.
👥Characters: In the previous book, it was Dr Hudson’s plotline that held my attention most of the time, but with the character arcs much better developed this time, I found myself equally invested in all three, both for what was going on with the characters themselves and also around them as each POV gave us glimpses of how the regular people out there were dealing with the devastating events.
Diego and Isabel’s arcs in particular were much more compelling this time around and are seemingly about to be even more so given the events at the end of the book. I’m particularly interested in how the main timeline’s Dave Kirkland is going to turn out as he already seems significantly different in his motivations from the time travelling one. There were also several new characters who fit easily into the story alongside those we’ve met before and none of them ever felt superfluous.
🎬Ending: The ending was something I had been waiting to see since the first book – to have a main timeline character jump to the past, which will really start to impact things – so I was glad to see it finally happen. The older Diego’s jump and the resulting consequences were something I didn’t see coming. I didn’t think that far future timeline was one we’d visit again and I’m curious to see how that arc will play out in the next books.
❓Final Thoughts & Recommendation: Jump was an excellent sequel and an even better read than Hive. I’m really enjoying the way the plot continues to unfold across multiple perspectives and timelines and am looking forward to reading the next book whenever it’s out. Highly recommended for fans of the genre!
Thank you to TheWriteReads for including me in this blog tour and also to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
The world has begun to fall apart. Diego Nadales finds himself in a cell, bruised and battered and accused of time travel and much more. Isabel is trapped in one of Kirkland’s biodomes and discovers that her bee drones, originally designed to save the planet, have been modified and weaponized, and if they are not stopped in time, could be the reason for its destruction instead. Meanwhile, a group of scientists are racing to build a time machine that could be humanity’s last chance of survival against the catastrophe that draws ever closer.
💭Initial Thoughts: I was so excited for the opportunity to continue reading this series and signed up for this blog tour as soon as I saw it – and it did not disappoint.
🌎Plot, World building & Atmosphere: Despite having read the first book fairly recently, I would have appreciated a recap of events thus far rather than piecing it together as I read this book. Jump picks up not long after where Hive left things and the interference from various parties in the main timeline appear to have escalated things rather than mitigate them. The plot held my attention right from the first page and every arc of the story was equally interesting to follow. Matt Hudson’s was probably the central arc as he works to build a time machine with a group of scientists. Diego and Isabel’s journeys to find each other overlapped with this main plotline several times as the unfolding events kept drawing them away from their goal time and again.
In terms of world building, I was most intrigued by the Eden domes which, in the main timeline, were still under construction, along with the AI Guardian in Eden-17 which eventually becomes Madders in the far future timeline. It was so fascinating to see this early version of the AI when it was still at the learning stage. This dark and dystopian like world drew me straight back into the story as the stakes rose higher than ever before. The sci-fi elements continued to fascinate me and as this sequel continued to expand upon them, I liked that things remained believable within the realm of the story. The author has clearly put a lot of thought into this aspect of the plot and it shows in how well constructed the arc is.
✍🏻Writing & Narration: Jump was a pretty fast paced read and despite the frequent switches in POV like last time, it maintained the pacing throughout. Things were also much more consistent in terms of the pacing of the timeline itself and the plot was much more linear this time, which made it an easier read for me. I also found a definite improvement in the writing style and didn’t feel like the story dragged at any point.
👥Characters: In the previous book, it was Dr Hudson’s plotline that held my attention most of the time, but with the character arcs much better developed this time, I found myself equally invested in all three, both for what was going on with the characters themselves and also around them as each POV gave us glimpses of how the regular people out there were dealing with the devastating events.
Diego and Isabel’s arcs in particular were much more compelling this time around and are seemingly about to be even more so given the events at the end of the book. I’m particularly interested in how the main timeline’s Dave Kirkland is going to turn out as he already seems significantly different in his motivations from the time travelling one. There were also several new characters who fit easily into the story alongside those we’ve met before and none of them ever felt superfluous.
🎬Ending: The ending was something I had been waiting to see since the first book – to have a main timeline character jump to the past, which will really start to impact things – so I was glad to see it finally happen. The older Diego’s jump and the resulting consequences were something I didn’t see coming. I didn’t think that far future timeline was one we’d visit again and I’m curious to see how that arc will play out in the next books.
❓Final Thoughts & Recommendation: Jump was an excellent sequel and an even better read than Hive. I’m really enjoying the way the plot continues to unfold across multiple perspectives and timelines and am looking forward to reading the next book whenever it’s out. Highly recommended for fans of the genre!
February 14, 2026
Jump by D. L. Orton is the second book in the Madders of Time series, following on from the success of Hive. It is a character-driven sci-fi thriller that blends time travel, romance, parallel universe, philosophical inquiry and high-stakes suspense into a cleverly woven thriller.
The story follows Isabel and Diego, whose experimental technology allows consciousness to “jump” across parallel timelines, which can be both a lifeline and a curse. In this story, Isabel is trapped in a bio dome by her morally sketchy billionaire ex, while he weaponises her bee technology for his own premises. Meanwhile, Diego is imprisoned for treason and time jumping. In the midst of this, different versions of themselves are leaping around time trying to fix the current crisis and prevent the extinction of mankind, and even bumping into versions of themselves. The author balances big scientific ideas in Jump with emotional depth, focusing on love, loss, and moral responsibility. The pacing is steady, with escalating tension as each jump raises the stakes. What begins as a scientific breakthrough quickly becomes a desperate attempt to correct catastrophic events. Each jump carries consequences, which are a mix of ethical, emotional, physical and existential. Orton uses this mechanism not just for plot twists, but to explore questions about fate, free will, and responsibility. If you could fix a mistake by rewriting reality, should you? And at what cost?
One of Jump's strengths is its balance between intimate character development and high-concept science fiction. Isabel is portrayed as brilliant, yet vulnerable, driven by both intellect and love. Diego provides emotional grounding while wrestling with the moral implications of their actions. Their relationship feels authentic. It is both complex, and strained, but also deeply committed. The emotional stakes are often as gripping as the physical danger.
The scientific explanations are detailed and, while I may not have always understood the technicalities, the story very much resonated with me. Readers who enjoy hard sci-fi will appreciate the efforts to make the speculative elements feel plausible. Thematically, Jump stands out for its exploration of love across time and space. It’s not merely about altering events; it’s about how far people will go to protect the ones they love. Orton avoids simplistic answers, instead presenting a morally complex landscape where even good intentions can lead to unintended consequences.
Overall, Jump is an intelligent, emotionally resonant science fiction novel. It will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy speculative fiction that blends romance and ethical dilemmas with scientific imagination; stories where the greatest risks are not just to the world, but to the human heart.
#jump #DLOrton #Maddersoftimetwo #book2 #booktour #thewritereads
The story follows Isabel and Diego, whose experimental technology allows consciousness to “jump” across parallel timelines, which can be both a lifeline and a curse. In this story, Isabel is trapped in a bio dome by her morally sketchy billionaire ex, while he weaponises her bee technology for his own premises. Meanwhile, Diego is imprisoned for treason and time jumping. In the midst of this, different versions of themselves are leaping around time trying to fix the current crisis and prevent the extinction of mankind, and even bumping into versions of themselves. The author balances big scientific ideas in Jump with emotional depth, focusing on love, loss, and moral responsibility. The pacing is steady, with escalating tension as each jump raises the stakes. What begins as a scientific breakthrough quickly becomes a desperate attempt to correct catastrophic events. Each jump carries consequences, which are a mix of ethical, emotional, physical and existential. Orton uses this mechanism not just for plot twists, but to explore questions about fate, free will, and responsibility. If you could fix a mistake by rewriting reality, should you? And at what cost?
One of Jump's strengths is its balance between intimate character development and high-concept science fiction. Isabel is portrayed as brilliant, yet vulnerable, driven by both intellect and love. Diego provides emotional grounding while wrestling with the moral implications of their actions. Their relationship feels authentic. It is both complex, and strained, but also deeply committed. The emotional stakes are often as gripping as the physical danger.
The scientific explanations are detailed and, while I may not have always understood the technicalities, the story very much resonated with me. Readers who enjoy hard sci-fi will appreciate the efforts to make the speculative elements feel plausible. Thematically, Jump stands out for its exploration of love across time and space. It’s not merely about altering events; it’s about how far people will go to protect the ones they love. Orton avoids simplistic answers, instead presenting a morally complex landscape where even good intentions can lead to unintended consequences.
Overall, Jump is an intelligent, emotionally resonant science fiction novel. It will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy speculative fiction that blends romance and ethical dilemmas with scientific imagination; stories where the greatest risks are not just to the world, but to the human heart.
#jump #DLOrton #Maddersoftimetwo #book2 #booktour #thewritereads
February 23, 2026
As soon as I finished the first book in the series, Hive, I knew I needed to pick up the second book immediately. So how very lucky for me that the stars and planets aligned to have Jump delivered to my doorstep just as I was finishing book one. Small things like this make me insanely happy.
Jump picks up where Hive left off, so make sure to read that one first! Diego and Isabel are separated, neither knowing where the other one is, and Matt's team is struggling to find a way to make the space time bridge work amid growing pressures.
D.L. Orton has a way of writing that immediately makes me feel compelled to keep turning the pages. I'll admit, I said "Just one more chapter" way too many times while reading this book... It was great to see the relationships between the various characters deepening, while also having other characters play a bigger role in the narrative. And these were possibly some of my favourites - I loved, loved, loved every scene with Cassie and Picasso or with Lani in them. There are some brilliant minds and some top-notch banter in this book, and despite the high stakes and all the end-of-the-world stuff going on, I giggled more than once while reading this book.
The plot definitely thickens in this book, and the stakes have never been higher. Quite a lot of pieces that were introduced in the first book fall into place while also leaving several open questions, making this a deeply satisfying read. I still had a few issues with the pacing, though they were less pronounced than in the first book, but I enjoyed spending time with these characters nonetheless so it didn't end up particularly bothering me. The ending took a turn I definitely wasn't expecting and my jaw dropped - I need to read the next book! Lucky for me it's set to release in only a few months 😉
I received a free copy of this book as part of the blog tour organised by TheWriteReads. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
Jump picks up where Hive left off, so make sure to read that one first! Diego and Isabel are separated, neither knowing where the other one is, and Matt's team is struggling to find a way to make the space time bridge work amid growing pressures.
D.L. Orton has a way of writing that immediately makes me feel compelled to keep turning the pages. I'll admit, I said "Just one more chapter" way too many times while reading this book... It was great to see the relationships between the various characters deepening, while also having other characters play a bigger role in the narrative. And these were possibly some of my favourites - I loved, loved, loved every scene with Cassie and Picasso or with Lani in them. There are some brilliant minds and some top-notch banter in this book, and despite the high stakes and all the end-of-the-world stuff going on, I giggled more than once while reading this book.
The plot definitely thickens in this book, and the stakes have never been higher. Quite a lot of pieces that were introduced in the first book fall into place while also leaving several open questions, making this a deeply satisfying read. I still had a few issues with the pacing, though they were less pronounced than in the first book, but I enjoyed spending time with these characters nonetheless so it didn't end up particularly bothering me. The ending took a turn I definitely wasn't expecting and my jaw dropped - I need to read the next book! Lucky for me it's set to release in only a few months 😉
I received a free copy of this book as part of the blog tour organised by TheWriteReads. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
February 18, 2026
Set immediately after the events of Hive, the stakes are higher, the timelines are messier, and the multiverse itself is on the brink of collapse. The Biodome—once humanity’s last sanctuary—is now in danger of being destroyed. And if that falls, what’s left?
This series takes me out of my comfort zone in the best way. Multiple POVs. Multiple timelines. Time travel layered over political intrigue and survival stakes.
It could feel overwhelming, but instead, it feels like an intricate puzzle unfolding in real time. The banter offers just enough relief to balance the relentless pacing. It keeps the story from becoming too heavy while still honoring the emotional depth.
The scientific explanations are detailed and grounded. I won’t pretend I understood every technical aspect—but I appreciated the effort to make the speculative elements feel plausible. Readers who love hard sci-fi will absolutely enjoy that depth.
Beyond the science, though, this story asks bigger questions:
How far would you go to save humanity?
Does the greater good justify personal sacrifice?
If you can rewrite a timeline, should you?
Head over to Summon Fantasy to read more: https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews...
This series takes me out of my comfort zone in the best way. Multiple POVs. Multiple timelines. Time travel layered over political intrigue and survival stakes.
It could feel overwhelming, but instead, it feels like an intricate puzzle unfolding in real time. The banter offers just enough relief to balance the relentless pacing. It keeps the story from becoming too heavy while still honoring the emotional depth.
The scientific explanations are detailed and grounded. I won’t pretend I understood every technical aspect—but I appreciated the effort to make the speculative elements feel plausible. Readers who love hard sci-fi will absolutely enjoy that depth.
Beyond the science, though, this story asks bigger questions:
How far would you go to save humanity?
Does the greater good justify personal sacrifice?
If you can rewrite a timeline, should you?
Head over to Summon Fantasy to read more: https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews...
February 16, 2026
after reading the first book (hive) I was so excited to read more from this series. I have not been left disappointed. This book I was worried wouldn't arrive in time for my Review but thankfully it did. I went straight to reading and finished it in a couple of days (I know thats not fast for some readers, but for me thats quick), I just couldnt put it down. Similar to the first its a dystopian sci fi fantasy thriller, we get to follow our fave characters from the first book race against time to save humanity from extinction. You have Diego locked up and accused of crimes he hasn't committed and isabel trapped in a biodome with her creation (her bees) hijacked to attack and destroy all life on Earth. Its a well paced book and for me being a slower reader its so well written you end up loosing yourself in it. The Story has tension, love, sacrifices and very human moments that keep the reader captivated. Thank you D.L.Orton and the writereads for such an amazing read and tour. I will be keeping my eye out for the next book.
February 21, 2026
Blurb
The multiverse is collapsing. The time machine is broken. And humanity’s last hope? Might already be dead.
Seven months after the EMPs brought the world to its knees, a handful of scientists are racing against extinction—and each other. Somewhere in a flooded skyscraper lies a wormhole generator that might be able to undo the apocalypse. If they can find it. If it still works. If it doesn’t kill them first.
Meanwhile, Diego Nadales wakes in a cell, his face bloodied and his memories fractured. He's being accused of terrorism, treason, and time travel. The last one, at least, is true.
Isabel is trapped inside a biodome ruled by the man she once trusted. But her bees—microscopic drones designed to save the planet—have been hijacked and weaponized. If she doesn’t find a way out soon, her creation will wipe out the last threads of life on Earth.
Old friends return. New enemies rise. And somewhere in the chaos, one small spark of hope just might be enough to ignite a revolution.
The clock isn’t ticking. It’s blowing up.
Review
I was glad to be able to get hold of the second book in this series, having absolutely loved the first book, Hive, which was one of my favourite reads of 2025. However, I was a bit worried starting book 2 in case it didn’t live up to the expectations set for it in book 1 - in the end I should not have worried, this was another great book and only got better and better as the book progressed. So much so I was sad when it finished, and I definitely need to know what happens next as it left so many timelines at key points in the series. It’s now an impatient wait for the third book in the series which is published in May 2026.
The book picks up from where the first book left off, and is told through log entries focused on three different central characters: Diego Nadales, Isabel Sandborn and Matthew Hudson (Madders). Diego Nadales wakes up finding himself a prisoner, accused of multiple crimes; Isabel is trapped in a biodome with her ex-husband and Lani (who is pregnant with Isabel’s ex-husband’s child). Dave Kirkland, her ex-husband, is involved in weaponising Isabel’s invention (microscopic bee drones). If that wasn’t enough amongst all this they are fighting to save a collapsing multiverse, and find a wormhole generator which may be the only thing that can save the multiverse. Watch out also for characters arriving from alternate timelines, and the ultimate paradox this always brings.
This series has quickly become one of my favourite science fiction series, with great characterisation, excellent plotting and more layers than the average onion! It is filled with so many elements, ethical, moral and environmental factors. Like all books involving time travel it plays with your mind, hurts your head as you try to keep all the different elements together. If you then throw in the love story that runs through the series and you have something for every reader all within one book or series.
There is plenty of high octane action throughout the book and plenty of characters you will grow to love and care about deeply. As the book progresses the tension just builds and builds, and you just cannot put the book down. I really do not know how the author will resolve all the various timelines in the next book, it must be as much a headache (in a nice way) to write as it is to read.
One thing that I feel would be good to include in the book and future books in the series is a synopsis of what has happened so far, as it can often be many months between reading the books in the series as they are published and at the beginning of the book it can be hard to hold onto all that has happened, although the author does do a good job of refreshing moments from the first book as the story progresses.
I seriously cannot recommend this book and series highly enough, it is a must read if you love high quality science fiction that has great depth to it. I just cannot wait for the next book, but in the meantime I am going to lie down in a darkened room to still my over active mind and calm my heart rate down.
What are you waiting for, get hold of this book.
Book Info
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Category: Adult
Number of Pages: 406 Pages
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/5...
Amazon: https://a.co/d/00yKORb8 (Canada) https://a.co/d/0dgPIeNa (USA) https://amzn.eu/d/0gyyLYFE (UK)
About the Author
The BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, D. L. ORTON, lives in the foothills of Colorado where she and her husband are raising three boys, a golden retriever, two Siberian cats, and an extremely long-lived Triops. Her future plans include completing the books in the BETWEEN TWO EVILS series followed by an extended vacation on a remote tropical island (with a Starbucks).
When she’s not writing, playing tennis, or helping with algebra, she’s building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.
Ms. Orton is a graduate of Stanford University’s Writers Workshop and a past editor of “Top of the Western Staircase,” a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica.com, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.
Her debut novel, CROSSING IN TIME, has won numerous literary awards including an Indie Book Award and a Publishers Weekly Starred Review. It was also selected as one of only 12 Great Indie Stars by BookLife’s Prize in Fiction.
The multiverse is collapsing. The time machine is broken. And humanity’s last hope? Might already be dead.
Seven months after the EMPs brought the world to its knees, a handful of scientists are racing against extinction—and each other. Somewhere in a flooded skyscraper lies a wormhole generator that might be able to undo the apocalypse. If they can find it. If it still works. If it doesn’t kill them first.
Meanwhile, Diego Nadales wakes in a cell, his face bloodied and his memories fractured. He's being accused of terrorism, treason, and time travel. The last one, at least, is true.
Isabel is trapped inside a biodome ruled by the man she once trusted. But her bees—microscopic drones designed to save the planet—have been hijacked and weaponized. If she doesn’t find a way out soon, her creation will wipe out the last threads of life on Earth.
Old friends return. New enemies rise. And somewhere in the chaos, one small spark of hope just might be enough to ignite a revolution.
The clock isn’t ticking. It’s blowing up.
Review
I was glad to be able to get hold of the second book in this series, having absolutely loved the first book, Hive, which was one of my favourite reads of 2025. However, I was a bit worried starting book 2 in case it didn’t live up to the expectations set for it in book 1 - in the end I should not have worried, this was another great book and only got better and better as the book progressed. So much so I was sad when it finished, and I definitely need to know what happens next as it left so many timelines at key points in the series. It’s now an impatient wait for the third book in the series which is published in May 2026.
The book picks up from where the first book left off, and is told through log entries focused on three different central characters: Diego Nadales, Isabel Sandborn and Matthew Hudson (Madders). Diego Nadales wakes up finding himself a prisoner, accused of multiple crimes; Isabel is trapped in a biodome with her ex-husband and Lani (who is pregnant with Isabel’s ex-husband’s child). Dave Kirkland, her ex-husband, is involved in weaponising Isabel’s invention (microscopic bee drones). If that wasn’t enough amongst all this they are fighting to save a collapsing multiverse, and find a wormhole generator which may be the only thing that can save the multiverse. Watch out also for characters arriving from alternate timelines, and the ultimate paradox this always brings.
This series has quickly become one of my favourite science fiction series, with great characterisation, excellent plotting and more layers than the average onion! It is filled with so many elements, ethical, moral and environmental factors. Like all books involving time travel it plays with your mind, hurts your head as you try to keep all the different elements together. If you then throw in the love story that runs through the series and you have something for every reader all within one book or series.
There is plenty of high octane action throughout the book and plenty of characters you will grow to love and care about deeply. As the book progresses the tension just builds and builds, and you just cannot put the book down. I really do not know how the author will resolve all the various timelines in the next book, it must be as much a headache (in a nice way) to write as it is to read.
One thing that I feel would be good to include in the book and future books in the series is a synopsis of what has happened so far, as it can often be many months between reading the books in the series as they are published and at the beginning of the book it can be hard to hold onto all that has happened, although the author does do a good job of refreshing moments from the first book as the story progresses.
I seriously cannot recommend this book and series highly enough, it is a must read if you love high quality science fiction that has great depth to it. I just cannot wait for the next book, but in the meantime I am going to lie down in a darkened room to still my over active mind and calm my heart rate down.
What are you waiting for, get hold of this book.
Book Info
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Category: Adult
Number of Pages: 406 Pages
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/5...
Amazon: https://a.co/d/00yKORb8 (Canada) https://a.co/d/0dgPIeNa (USA) https://amzn.eu/d/0gyyLYFE (UK)
About the Author
The BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, D. L. ORTON, lives in the foothills of Colorado where she and her husband are raising three boys, a golden retriever, two Siberian cats, and an extremely long-lived Triops. Her future plans include completing the books in the BETWEEN TWO EVILS series followed by an extended vacation on a remote tropical island (with a Starbucks).
When she’s not writing, playing tennis, or helping with algebra, she’s building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.
Ms. Orton is a graduate of Stanford University’s Writers Workshop and a past editor of “Top of the Western Staircase,” a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica.com, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.
Her debut novel, CROSSING IN TIME, has won numerous literary awards including an Indie Book Award and a Publishers Weekly Starred Review. It was also selected as one of only 12 Great Indie Stars by BookLife’s Prize in Fiction.
February 17, 2026
4.5*
I really love this series and I was so glad to get stuck back in with all of these lovable characters and the chaos that is the end of the world and time travel! So much more happens in this story than book 1 and it is such a wild ride from start to finish. There is also a lot of science terms which I wouldn’t usually understand but it is always explained well enough so that I know what is happening which is really helpful for people like me.
The book starts off immediately after the events at the end of book 1 so it is very important that you read that one first! I love the characters in this series so much, especially Isabel and Diego and this instalment even adds multiple versions of the same characters from the multi-verse who also interact. Everyone knows that the first rule of time travel is to never interact with yourself but this is dealt with very cleverly and it was so fascinating learning about the different iterations and their stories.
This book also adds some new characters who I also loved including Lani who really grows into the story and becomes one of my favourite characters, especially due to her growing friendship and banter with Isabel. Yuki was also an interesting character as in the first book Dave was the villain but it seems that Yuki has even more control than him and she was a lot more ruthless! I also loved being back with other recurring characters such as Cassie, Picasso and Sam who are always fun to read about and I loved how their story is developed.
There are a few plot twists that I didn’t see coming, especially one early on which made me so much more intrigued about what could happen. I was constantly worried about the characters and what they had to do to save the world but also enjoyed the high stakes situation of it all too! I really liked how each chapter always starts off with a log from Madders about what is happening in the world which was fascinating but also terrifying as things were gradually getting worse and I loved the theories about other timelines and how they all connected.
Of course, the story ends on a brilliant cliff hanger which had my jaw drop in shock and I cannot wait to read the next instalment of this insanely brilliant science fiction series.
I really love this series and I was so glad to get stuck back in with all of these lovable characters and the chaos that is the end of the world and time travel! So much more happens in this story than book 1 and it is such a wild ride from start to finish. There is also a lot of science terms which I wouldn’t usually understand but it is always explained well enough so that I know what is happening which is really helpful for people like me.
The book starts off immediately after the events at the end of book 1 so it is very important that you read that one first! I love the characters in this series so much, especially Isabel and Diego and this instalment even adds multiple versions of the same characters from the multi-verse who also interact. Everyone knows that the first rule of time travel is to never interact with yourself but this is dealt with very cleverly and it was so fascinating learning about the different iterations and their stories.
This book also adds some new characters who I also loved including Lani who really grows into the story and becomes one of my favourite characters, especially due to her growing friendship and banter with Isabel. Yuki was also an interesting character as in the first book Dave was the villain but it seems that Yuki has even more control than him and she was a lot more ruthless! I also loved being back with other recurring characters such as Cassie, Picasso and Sam who are always fun to read about and I loved how their story is developed.
There are a few plot twists that I didn’t see coming, especially one early on which made me so much more intrigued about what could happen. I was constantly worried about the characters and what they had to do to save the world but also enjoyed the high stakes situation of it all too! I really liked how each chapter always starts off with a log from Madders about what is happening in the world which was fascinating but also terrifying as things were gradually getting worse and I loved the theories about other timelines and how they all connected.
Of course, the story ends on a brilliant cliff hanger which had my jaw drop in shock and I cannot wait to read the next instalment of this insanely brilliant science fiction series.
February 18, 2026
See this and other reviews at https://www.thebookdragondotblog.word...
I was given a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
DL Orton brings us back to the end of the world as Isabel, Diego, and Matt continue their efforts in the sequel to Hive. Madders, the AI from the future, still shares his logs and probabilities with us, which is still one of my favorite parts of the book! Getting a glimpse into the worldwide consequences as well as the statistics of how likely certain events are really help put everything that our three main characters are doing into perspective.
Speaking of our characters, they're a bit less optimistic and lighthearted this time around. They're also (for the most part) in groups of notable characters, and so I think we lost a little of their specific idiosyncrasies that we had in the first book. Plus... Lucky and Tolstoy?? I didn't realize how much I enjoyed having them in the first book until I didn't get to hang around them in this one. :(
But at least we got some of our questions from the first book answered in this one! As well as some new questions...
As for the plot, it's heating up, what with our characters in the full decline of the world. We get new characters, new time jumpers, and new domes! New problems, too. The tension is higher, the characters are closer to their deaths (and the death of their world) than ever before, and I was on the edge of my seat. I will admit that it did take me a bit longer to get into the swing of things with this book, but once I got halfway, I was sat. That's when the real story began.
Overall, expect less romance and lighthearted, fuzzy warm feelings than the first book. More tension and glimpses into the darker part of their (our) world. I will definitely be continuing the series, but I'm also scared of what I may find...
I was given a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
DL Orton brings us back to the end of the world as Isabel, Diego, and Matt continue their efforts in the sequel to Hive. Madders, the AI from the future, still shares his logs and probabilities with us, which is still one of my favorite parts of the book! Getting a glimpse into the worldwide consequences as well as the statistics of how likely certain events are really help put everything that our three main characters are doing into perspective.
Speaking of our characters, they're a bit less optimistic and lighthearted this time around. They're also (for the most part) in groups of notable characters, and so I think we lost a little of their specific idiosyncrasies that we had in the first book. Plus... Lucky and Tolstoy?? I didn't realize how much I enjoyed having them in the first book until I didn't get to hang around them in this one. :(
But at least we got some of our questions from the first book answered in this one! As well as some new questions...
As for the plot, it's heating up, what with our characters in the full decline of the world. We get new characters, new time jumpers, and new domes! New problems, too. The tension is higher, the characters are closer to their deaths (and the death of their world) than ever before, and I was on the edge of my seat. I will admit that it did take me a bit longer to get into the swing of things with this book, but once I got halfway, I was sat. That's when the real story began.
Overall, expect less romance and lighthearted, fuzzy warm feelings than the first book. More tension and glimpses into the darker part of their (our) world. I will definitely be continuing the series, but I'm also scared of what I may find...
February 23, 2026
D L Orton definitely ups the ante in Jump, book 2 in the Madders of Time series! Where Hive lays the groundwork and introduces us to this world of timelines, Armageddon, and the end of the world, Jump throws us right back in where we left off, with the imminent end to life and the world unfolding across multiple timelines, each more precarious than the last. With multiple versions of characters, and multiple versions of the end, the scale feels bigger, the stakes are higher, and the emotional moments hit harder.
Orton balances high-concept time travel and sci-fi with deeply human moments, and it is this that makes this series stand out. It is extremely clever and sophisticated in its descriptions, with intricate and multilayers time travel elements, but it never feels overwhelming. Instead, this helps to build tension beautifully, with impossible choices, scientific breakthroughs, and consequences that ripple throughout.
The blend of humour, emotion, and brilliant suspense keeps the pages turning. And what an ending! Just when you think you know where you are heading, and that you may actually have a handle on the story, Orton pulls the lever and the reveals have you reeling. Right up until the final second. The cliffhangers are superb in this gripping, emotionally charged sci-fi sequel that raises the stakes and has left me desperate for book three!
Orton balances high-concept time travel and sci-fi with deeply human moments, and it is this that makes this series stand out. It is extremely clever and sophisticated in its descriptions, with intricate and multilayers time travel elements, but it never feels overwhelming. Instead, this helps to build tension beautifully, with impossible choices, scientific breakthroughs, and consequences that ripple throughout.
The blend of humour, emotion, and brilliant suspense keeps the pages turning. And what an ending! Just when you think you know where you are heading, and that you may actually have a handle on the story, Orton pulls the lever and the reveals have you reeling. Right up until the final second. The cliffhangers are superb in this gripping, emotionally charged sci-fi sequel that raises the stakes and has left me desperate for book three!
February 12, 2026
This is the second book in the Madders of Time series. The first is Hive, which I read in February of 2025. (The 3rd book in the series is Dome, which will be out in May of this year.)
I love the covers on these books!
This is one of those stories that while not particularly pleasant, I can’t help but root for the characters and humanity in general. Hoping humanity survives is my reason for reading dystopian sci-fi.
I’m not going to talk in any detail about the plot (in case you want to read it). In some ways it’s your typical end-of-civilization story. However, this one includes some interesting tech. First and foremost, is the development of a wormhole generator to move in time. A handful of scientists are attempting to change the past, and in turn, change the future. Despite the fact that story pivots on the tech, the reader is not asked to understand theoretical physics.
Instead, the story is told through the experiences of the characters. There are three viewpoint characters - two environmental scientists, Isabel Sanford and Diego Nadales, and Matt Hudson, one of the geniuses behind the wormhole generator. There is also a host of secondary characters: more scientists, a military man, and a narcissistic billionaire. The characters are 3-dimensional rather than caricatures. The author makes all of them believable and memorable.
As the story unfolds, the chapters switch between the three viewpoint characters, and are written in first person.
DL Orton is an excellent writer. I had no trouble envisioning what she describes. I was never taken out of the story by wondering what was meant. Or feeling that something didn’t make sense.
If you enjoy dystopian sci-fi that is equally plot and character driven, this trilogy might be for you.
I love the covers on these books!
This is one of those stories that while not particularly pleasant, I can’t help but root for the characters and humanity in general. Hoping humanity survives is my reason for reading dystopian sci-fi.
I’m not going to talk in any detail about the plot (in case you want to read it). In some ways it’s your typical end-of-civilization story. However, this one includes some interesting tech. First and foremost, is the development of a wormhole generator to move in time. A handful of scientists are attempting to change the past, and in turn, change the future. Despite the fact that story pivots on the tech, the reader is not asked to understand theoretical physics.
Instead, the story is told through the experiences of the characters. There are three viewpoint characters - two environmental scientists, Isabel Sanford and Diego Nadales, and Matt Hudson, one of the geniuses behind the wormhole generator. There is also a host of secondary characters: more scientists, a military man, and a narcissistic billionaire. The characters are 3-dimensional rather than caricatures. The author makes all of them believable and memorable.
As the story unfolds, the chapters switch between the three viewpoint characters, and are written in first person.
DL Orton is an excellent writer. I had no trouble envisioning what she describes. I was never taken out of the story by wondering what was meant. Or feeling that something didn’t make sense.
If you enjoy dystopian sci-fi that is equally plot and character driven, this trilogy might be for you.
March 11, 2026
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader. If you like this post, you might like others on that site. Consider checking it out!
---
WHAT'S JUMP ABOUT?
This picks right up from the end of Hive, but we get to see a more global scale—it's not just around the Denver area that things are bad all over the world. And getting worse. There are a handful of efforts to save the world—more efforts to save portions of humanity (read: powerful and rich, with a few smart ones to keep things running)—and, of course, our rag-tag group of scientists and dimension-travelers.
And, I really don't know what to say without getting way too complicated (it ain't easy recapping multiverse stories and all their varying apocalypses). What's Jump about? It's about what happens after Hive, and before Dome (coming soon from D.L. Orton). While the world races past dystopia toward chaos, mass starvation, and general devastation—some people try to save it. Or at least another universe from falling into the same hole.
WHY DID I PICK THIS UP? WHY DID I KEEP READING?
I picked this up because I was curious about where Orton was going to go with things.
Why did I keep reading? That's simple—once you read a few pages, you can't help keep going—I could probably come up with a list of things I could fault Orton's writing for if I wanted to (I don't want to, see no need to, etc...I'm just saying I could). But getting the reader to keep turning the pages as fast as they can wouldn't show up anywhere near that list. Her writing is like that old Pringles slogan, "Once you pop, you just can't stop."
WHAT DOES THIS BOOK TELL US ABOUT HUMANITY?
Nothing good, sadly. Well...let me take that back. Before I get too far with the thing that has really captured my mind over the last day, something I thought about while reading is just how immutable certain things in the multiverse may be: Diego and Isabel (in whatever variants of spelling/language/nicknames they may be known by) are gaga over themselves. Have the same interests and pursuits—and name their kids the same thing (although they don't all have them, they plan on using the same ones). Dave is an evil, manipulative, scumbag everywhere (with some minor variation of degree possible). Matthew is basically Matthew wherever.
Compare that to the multiverses in Fringe for example—some parts of Olivia are the same on both sides, but not nearly as much. The Walters are freakishly different. And so on. Or even the variations in the Spider-Mans in the last movie—differences in powers, Mary Janes, villains, life experiences (only one has been to space!).
Whatever minor variations Orton does show, they are so small as to be negligible. I just think that's strange.
Now back to the nothing good—there are essentially three groups of people we see in this book (more than Hive).
First, you have the overwhelming mass of humanity—they're starving (and it'll get worse), their access to electricity, heat, medicine, is severely limited. It's a barbaric existence for them—and it's about to get so much worse. It's all about survival from one day to the next for them.
Then you have the "Elite"—they're rich, they're powerful, they use government resources (and then pretty much ignore all the governments that are helping them) to "save humanity." As long as that humanity helps them get richer (because that's important), can give them access to the disappearing resources of Earth, and/or can keep things running. They couldn't care less about the people outside of the Domes, and will do horrific things to preserve said Domes.
Even our "good guys" who are—to be the one to travel. Period. End of discussion. So what does he do? He takes off on a risky mission for the sake of the woman he loves—and (no offense, Isabel) she really doesn't seem to have a role to play in the "saving the world" bit. I'm not saying let her die, or anything—but we're talking about the fate of humanities, here. Also—the princess can save her self, thank you very much.
You still like them, you're still rooting for them, you still smile at their jokes—but, when the book is done and you can breathe and reflect? They may end up saving multiple realities (or even just one!), but I'm not sure they're heroic. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, you just prefer them to be a bit more so.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT JUMP?
It's exactly the kind of escapist read that helps you unwind after a long day.
It moves, it's fun—yes, it's full of existential despair, but it keeps the focus on the non-despair inducing/horrific things—the characters and situations are compelling. And there's part of you (well, part of me, and hopefully I'm not alone in this) that keeps thinking "if I just stick with it, I'll actually understand all the various multiverse strands." That part isn't quite as important, but if I tried to diagram it all, it wouldn't be pretty. It'd also be pretty inaccurate.
I'd love for Orton to show us all how she kept everything straight.
The tech is very cool—particularly the "baby" version of the old AI we meet in Hive. Orton gives you enough to understand how it all works and to visualize it clearly without bogging down the pace with paragraphs and paragraphs of details. The plausibility of it all? Eh, it's SF, it's plausible enough if you come with a standard level of suspension of disbelief needed for time travel/multiverse travel.
Because of the pacing, Orton's able to get away with a few things that maybe she couldn't in a slower-moving book. The depth of the characters that could be brought out are merely nodded to, or you have to assume them. You have to assume there's something about the tech elites that got them where they are, despite being horrible people who can miss a whole lot of things their underlings are doing—and to keep working together despite the clear animosity.
I thought this last time, and I'm more certain of it now, most of my problems can be laid at the feet of the pacing—to keep things moving, she can't develop these things with much more than a nod. I'm not necessarily wild about how things work out because of that, but I understand the reasoning, and can sit back and enjoy it.
I want to stress, however, in the moment, you don't think about this (and if you do, you brush it off because you don't want to step out of the movement). Everything works, everything clicks while you're reading and speeding off to the next twist/revelation. It's only after you get to the ending that leaves you holding onto the cliff's edge with your fingers that this might occur to you if you stop and think about it. Mostly, you're going to be thinking about how long it will be until you can get your hands on the next book, Dome.
It's easily enjoyable, engrossing, and entertaining. You should give it a try.
---
WHAT'S JUMP ABOUT?
This picks right up from the end of Hive, but we get to see a more global scale—it's not just around the Denver area that things are bad all over the world. And getting worse. There are a handful of efforts to save the world—more efforts to save portions of humanity (read: powerful and rich, with a few smart ones to keep things running)—and, of course, our rag-tag group of scientists and dimension-travelers.
And, I really don't know what to say without getting way too complicated (it ain't easy recapping multiverse stories and all their varying apocalypses). What's Jump about? It's about what happens after Hive, and before Dome (coming soon from D.L. Orton). While the world races past dystopia toward chaos, mass starvation, and general devastation—some people try to save it. Or at least another universe from falling into the same hole.
WHY DID I PICK THIS UP? WHY DID I KEEP READING?
I picked this up because I was curious about where Orton was going to go with things.
Why did I keep reading? That's simple—once you read a few pages, you can't help keep going—I could probably come up with a list of things I could fault Orton's writing for if I wanted to (I don't want to, see no need to, etc...I'm just saying I could). But getting the reader to keep turning the pages as fast as they can wouldn't show up anywhere near that list. Her writing is like that old Pringles slogan, "Once you pop, you just can't stop."
WHAT DOES THIS BOOK TELL US ABOUT HUMANITY?
Nothing good, sadly. Well...let me take that back. Before I get too far with the thing that has really captured my mind over the last day, something I thought about while reading is just how immutable certain things in the multiverse may be: Diego and Isabel (in whatever variants of spelling/language/nicknames they may be known by) are gaga over themselves. Have the same interests and pursuits—and name their kids the same thing (although they don't all have them, they plan on using the same ones). Dave is an evil, manipulative, scumbag everywhere (with some minor variation of degree possible). Matthew is basically Matthew wherever.
Compare that to the multiverses in Fringe for example—some parts of Olivia are the same on both sides, but not nearly as much. The Walters are freakishly different. And so on. Or even the variations in the Spider-Mans in the last movie—differences in powers, Mary Janes, villains, life experiences (only one has been to space!).
Whatever minor variations Orton does show, they are so small as to be negligible. I just think that's strange.
Now back to the nothing good—there are essentially three groups of people we see in this book (more than Hive).
First, you have the overwhelming mass of humanity—they're starving (and it'll get worse), their access to electricity, heat, medicine, is severely limited. It's a barbaric existence for them—and it's about to get so much worse. It's all about survival from one day to the next for them.
Then you have the "Elite"—they're rich, they're powerful, they use government resources (and then pretty much ignore all the governments that are helping them) to "save humanity." As long as that humanity helps them get richer (because that's important), can give them access to the disappearing resources of Earth, and/or can keep things running. They couldn't care less about the people outside of the Domes, and will do horrific things to preserve said Domes.
Even our "good guys" who are—to be the one to travel. Period. End of discussion. So what does he do? He takes off on a risky mission for the sake of the woman he loves—and (no offense, Isabel) she really doesn't seem to have a role to play in the "saving the world" bit. I'm not saying let her die, or anything—but we're talking about the fate of humanities, here. Also—the princess can save her self, thank you very much.
You still like them, you're still rooting for them, you still smile at their jokes—but, when the book is done and you can breathe and reflect? They may end up saving multiple realities (or even just one!), but I'm not sure they're heroic. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, you just prefer them to be a bit more so.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT JUMP?
It's exactly the kind of escapist read that helps you unwind after a long day.
It moves, it's fun—yes, it's full of existential despair, but it keeps the focus on the non-despair inducing/horrific things—the characters and situations are compelling. And there's part of you (well, part of me, and hopefully I'm not alone in this) that keeps thinking "if I just stick with it, I'll actually understand all the various multiverse strands." That part isn't quite as important, but if I tried to diagram it all, it wouldn't be pretty. It'd also be pretty inaccurate.
I'd love for Orton to show us all how she kept everything straight.
The tech is very cool—particularly the "baby" version of the old AI we meet in Hive. Orton gives you enough to understand how it all works and to visualize it clearly without bogging down the pace with paragraphs and paragraphs of details. The plausibility of it all? Eh, it's SF, it's plausible enough if you come with a standard level of suspension of disbelief needed for time travel/multiverse travel.
Because of the pacing, Orton's able to get away with a few things that maybe she couldn't in a slower-moving book. The depth of the characters that could be brought out are merely nodded to, or you have to assume them. You have to assume there's something about the tech elites that got them where they are, despite being horrible people who can miss a whole lot of things their underlings are doing—and to keep working together despite the clear animosity.
I thought this last time, and I'm more certain of it now, most of my problems can be laid at the feet of the pacing—to keep things moving, she can't develop these things with much more than a nod. I'm not necessarily wild about how things work out because of that, but I understand the reasoning, and can sit back and enjoy it.
I want to stress, however, in the moment, you don't think about this (and if you do, you brush it off because you don't want to step out of the movement). Everything works, everything clicks while you're reading and speeding off to the next twist/revelation. It's only after you get to the ending that leaves you holding onto the cliff's edge with your fingers that this might occur to you if you stop and think about it. Mostly, you're going to be thinking about how long it will be until you can get your hands on the next book, Dome.
It's easily enjoyable, engrossing, and entertaining. You should give it a try.
February 21, 2026
When I read the first "Madders of Time" book, called Hive, I praised the author’s skill at character building. (You can find my review of that book here.) As a reader you get a strong sense of these characters. This is a series of books built around the author’s interest in multiverses and time travel. Those concepts that can be difficult to grasp, so having characters you can root for is a must.
I also expressed my frustration at the cliffhanger ending. That was almost a year ago, but this week I picked up the sequel and learned what happened next.
Book 2, called Jump, is full of action as the world around these characters is verging on apocalypse. The main characters, Diego and Isabel built a relationship in the first book. But were forcibly separated at the end, and spend much of Jump finding their way back to one another.
Other returning characters are Dave, Isabel’s first husband and an end-of-capitalism evil tech titan, scientist Matthew Hudson, his daughter Cassandra, and more. They are joined by some new characters. Phil, a traumatized scientist who had worked on the first time travel project joins the good guys. Evil tech-bro Dave is joined by Yuki, his Japanese counterpart. Yuki proves to be much more capable of carrying out some of Dave’s more nefarious plans.
We also meet the Artificial Intelligence called Guardian. This AI will eventually be known as Madders, as it is influenced by Matthew Hudson. Madders, who uses “peeper” technology to see across timelines, is the ostensible author of the book.
Madders begins each chapter with a summary of the further deterioration of the world, and an assessment of how closely events are adhering to the original timeline. Each chapter is then told in the first person, from the viewpoint of the character Madders is peeping on.
Diego and Isabel’s journey back to each other is the heart of this book. As the story progresses it becomes increasingly clear that Diego holds the key to averting the looming end of humanity. That point is driven home by a couple of other characters, time traveling alternate versions of Diego who appeared in the first book but play a much larger role here.
This book ends on a cliffhanger just like the first one. However, in my opinion, it’s a much more natural place for the book to end, as it helps to emphasize the centrality of the relationship of Diego and Isobel. The series gets all its atmospherics from the time travel and the multiverse and the futuristic bot tech. It plays the capitalism-gone-too-far card for its bad guys. But at its heart it’s a love story.
I can’t wait to see what Book 3 will bring.
I also expressed my frustration at the cliffhanger ending. That was almost a year ago, but this week I picked up the sequel and learned what happened next.
Book 2, called Jump, is full of action as the world around these characters is verging on apocalypse. The main characters, Diego and Isabel built a relationship in the first book. But were forcibly separated at the end, and spend much of Jump finding their way back to one another.
Other returning characters are Dave, Isabel’s first husband and an end-of-capitalism evil tech titan, scientist Matthew Hudson, his daughter Cassandra, and more. They are joined by some new characters. Phil, a traumatized scientist who had worked on the first time travel project joins the good guys. Evil tech-bro Dave is joined by Yuki, his Japanese counterpart. Yuki proves to be much more capable of carrying out some of Dave’s more nefarious plans.
We also meet the Artificial Intelligence called Guardian. This AI will eventually be known as Madders, as it is influenced by Matthew Hudson. Madders, who uses “peeper” technology to see across timelines, is the ostensible author of the book.
Madders begins each chapter with a summary of the further deterioration of the world, and an assessment of how closely events are adhering to the original timeline. Each chapter is then told in the first person, from the viewpoint of the character Madders is peeping on.
Diego and Isabel’s journey back to each other is the heart of this book. As the story progresses it becomes increasingly clear that Diego holds the key to averting the looming end of humanity. That point is driven home by a couple of other characters, time traveling alternate versions of Diego who appeared in the first book but play a much larger role here.
This book ends on a cliffhanger just like the first one. However, in my opinion, it’s a much more natural place for the book to end, as it helps to emphasize the centrality of the relationship of Diego and Isobel. The series gets all its atmospherics from the time travel and the multiverse and the futuristic bot tech. It plays the capitalism-gone-too-far card for its bad guys. But at its heart it’s a love story.
I can’t wait to see what Book 3 will bring.
February 24, 2026
This book was provided for review by The Write Reads, and the author D.L. Orton. Thank you!
What do you mean I have to wait??
Much like with book 1, these were the words I wailed when I finished Jump, book 2 in the Madders of Time series. Unlike with book 1 however, I know when books 3 and 4 are set to be released so I can add them to my To Be Read list. Because believe me, dear reader, I will be adding these!
Picking up almost immediately where Hive leaves off, Jump takes us on a whirlwind ride. Several months have passed and with each day humanity is one step closer to extinction. Supplies like food and fresh water are becoming harder and harder to find. People are literally beginning to starve to death.
The tiny robots that were supposed to help are starting to take over. Space in one of the handful of bio-domes that are safe from the robots is scarce. People are willing to pay top dollar for a spot and Dave Kirkland is willing to take their money. The apocalypse is coming fast and a handful of people are trying desperately to stop it.
The narrative shifts between our three main characters – Diego, Matt, and Isabel. Each adds to the overall story line, showing the decline and eventual collapse of the world. Through their eyes, whether in the hidden base beneath the mountain with Matt, or in one of the few bio-domes with Isabel, we see the tolls that some decisions make. Their decisions are never easy and all come with a cost.
The majority of the story is told through Matt’s eyes. He, along with a handful of other scientists, are the ones struggling to build a working time machine. Something that will allow them to jump back and try to fix the problems that are amassing. Isabel’s and Diego’s story lines are equally important even though the majority of the time they are focused on finding the other.
As with the first book, the writing is engaging and easily draws the reader in. The story is chock full of action and intrigue, especially when other characters are introduced. There are some quieter moments too, that offer a nice balance. Emotions definitely run high at times and leave you wanting for more.
Like the first book, I can definitely recommend this one to my readers. I enjoyed it immensely and will be looking forward to seeing what happens next.
November 27, 2025
JUMP is the perfect sequel to HIVE, the first in Orton’s Madders of Time series.
Readers are thrust back into the action with our leads Diego & Isabel, each trapped in perilous conditions after the events of the first book, facing their own worst nightmares. It’s the raw, human aspect of Orton’s writing that endears the reader to these characters and their own going plights. She delivers dark, emotional stories with just a sliver of hope to keep the reader ensconced in the narrative.
Although the stakes are high, the book is not without its humour which strikes the perfect balance, relieving some of the continuous pressure set by the pacing throughout.
JUMP is a wonderful expansion of this sci-fi universe and will leave readers desperate for more.
Readers are thrust back into the action with our leads Diego & Isabel, each trapped in perilous conditions after the events of the first book, facing their own worst nightmares. It’s the raw, human aspect of Orton’s writing that endears the reader to these characters and their own going plights. She delivers dark, emotional stories with just a sliver of hope to keep the reader ensconced in the narrative.
Although the stakes are high, the book is not without its humour which strikes the perfect balance, relieving some of the continuous pressure set by the pacing throughout.
JUMP is a wonderful expansion of this sci-fi universe and will leave readers desperate for more.
December 3, 2025
A Breathtaking Sci-Fi Adventure Novel
JUMP: MADDERS OF TIME BOOK 2 by D. L. Orton is a compelling and entertaining science fiction novel. As the second installment in the Madders of Time series, readers will enjoy it more if they read Book 1 first. The author’s creativity shines through, especially in world-building and storytelling.
The plot thickens as Kirkland has both Isabel and Diego separated and under his control, manipulating them to do his bidding while they cling to their love and hope of saving each other. Meanwhile, the worsening "drought crisis" — caused by a sharp decline in the bee population — is exploited by Kirkland, who pretends to offer solutions but actually aims to turn the bots into deadly machines for his greed.
This edition offers a more immersive and suspenseful experience, leaving readers eager to see if Isabel and Diego will reunite, save each other, resolve the crisis, and save humanity. In this edition, action scenes are more frequent, adding excitement for fans of intense storytelling.
The author employs multiple narrative voices, improving the story's flow and making it easier to understand and follow. Events are seamlessly connected, maintaining clarity and purpose throughout. Each chapter begins with a photo ID and an introduction or "target," helping readers identify the current narrator.
The book is well-written, professionally edited, and free of grammatical errors. Scenes are thoughtfully crafted and vividly detailed, allowing readers to visualize the events as if watching a film. Fans of time-travel sci-fi will find this book engaging.
JUMP: MADDERS OF TIME BOOK 2 by D. L. Orton is a compelling and entertaining science fiction novel. As the second installment in the Madders of Time series, readers will enjoy it more if they read Book 1 first. The author’s creativity shines through, especially in world-building and storytelling.
The plot thickens as Kirkland has both Isabel and Diego separated and under his control, manipulating them to do his bidding while they cling to their love and hope of saving each other. Meanwhile, the worsening "drought crisis" — caused by a sharp decline in the bee population — is exploited by Kirkland, who pretends to offer solutions but actually aims to turn the bots into deadly machines for his greed.
This edition offers a more immersive and suspenseful experience, leaving readers eager to see if Isabel and Diego will reunite, save each other, resolve the crisis, and save humanity. In this edition, action scenes are more frequent, adding excitement for fans of intense storytelling.
The author employs multiple narrative voices, improving the story's flow and making it easier to understand and follow. Events are seamlessly connected, maintaining clarity and purpose throughout. Each chapter begins with a photo ID and an introduction or "target," helping readers identify the current narrator.
The book is well-written, professionally edited, and free of grammatical errors. Scenes are thoughtfully crafted and vividly detailed, allowing readers to visualize the events as if watching a film. Fans of time-travel sci-fi will find this book engaging.
December 3, 2025
Jump is a wild, inventive, and adrenaline-charged ride through a collapsing multiverse where hope feels as fragile as time itself. DL Orton expertly weaves together Diego’s fractured memories, Isabel’s desperate fight inside a dangerous biodome, and a race to recover a wormhole device that could rewrite humanity’s fate. The stakes are sky-high, the twists relentless, and the science wonderfully imaginative. While the story occasionally overwhelms with its many moving parts, the emotional core, friendship, survival, and sacrifice keeps it grounded. Bold, tense, and packed with action, Jump is a thrilling installment that pushes its characters, and its readers, to the edge.
February 18, 2026
Jump: Madders of Time – Book 2 by D. L. Orton’s continues the series with even more excitement and heart. This is the second book and what stands out is that the sci-fi elements feel believable and well-thought-out, and so are the characters. They’re funny, imperfect, and so real that you immediately care about what happens to them.
This book is a fast, imaginative, and thrill-packed dive through a chaotic multiverse. D. L. Orton’s creativity shows clearly in the world-building and storytelling, making this a highly engaging and entertaining read.
This book is a fast, imaginative, and thrill-packed dive through a chaotic multiverse. D. L. Orton’s creativity shows clearly in the world-building and storytelling, making this a highly engaging and entertaining read.
November 24, 2025
If Hive was the spark that lit D.L. Orton’s dystopian, time-tangled universe, Jump is the wildfire that follows—hotter, messier, and impossible to look away from. The second installment throws you straight into the chaos without a safety net, expanding the world in ways that are bolder, darker, and more emotionally charged.
Where Hive built its tension on impending collapse, Jump plunges us into the aftermath. The multiverse is crumpling in on itself, the timelines are misfiring, and humanity’s last shot at salvation lies buried in a half-drowned skyscraper—if it hasn’t already imploded. It’s the kind of high-concept premise that could easily spiral into confusion, but Orton roots it in the raw, beating hearts of her characters.
Diego’s storyline hits like a punch to the gut. He wakes up battered, accused of crimes he may or may not have committed, and forced to piece together both his memory and the remnants of a world gone sideways. His chapters thrum with claustrophobic urgency—every revelation tilts the timeline a degree off-center, and you feel the ground shifting with him.
Isabel’s arc is just as tense but cuts deeper emotionally. Trapped in a biodome run by someone she once trusted, she has to confront the nightmare her innovations have become. Her bees—those tiny, brilliant creations meant to heal the planet—have been twisted into instruments of annihilation. Isabel’s quiet resilience, rage, and grit give the book its emotional spine, especially as she navigates a world where hope is a far thinner resource than air.
And then there’s Madders. The AI is back—acerbic, earnest, infuriatingly logical—and his logs continue to be some of the smartest, funniest, and most poignant moments in the book. Old allies return, new threats emerge, and the ensemble expands in a way that makes the world feel both larger and more claustrophobic at the same time.
Orton maintains her signature blend of scientific imagination and character-driven storytelling, but Jump feels sharper and more kinetic than its predecessor. The pacing rarely lets up—twist after twist ricochets through the narrative, and the stakes aren’t just high, they’re multiversal. Yet, despite the scale, the story never loses sight of the small, human moments: a shared look, a broken memory, a stubborn flicker of hope.
If there’s a challenge to the reading experience, it’s the sheer density of everything happening at once. The collapsed timelines, fractured realities, and interconnected plotlines demand attention. But for readers who love immersive sci-fi that trusts them to keep up, this complexity is part of the thrill.
By the end, Jump leaves you breathless, a little devastated, and desperate for Dome, the next chapter in this unraveling tapestry of love, loss, and quantum catastrophe. It’s a sequel that not only lives up to Hive, but fearlessly broadens the horizon—proving once again that Orton is at her best when she’s balancing big ideas with bigger feelings.
Smart, suspenseful, and deeply human, Jump cements the Madders of Time series as a standout in time-travel fiction. If Hive hooked you, Jump will leave claw marks.
Where Hive built its tension on impending collapse, Jump plunges us into the aftermath. The multiverse is crumpling in on itself, the timelines are misfiring, and humanity’s last shot at salvation lies buried in a half-drowned skyscraper—if it hasn’t already imploded. It’s the kind of high-concept premise that could easily spiral into confusion, but Orton roots it in the raw, beating hearts of her characters.
Diego’s storyline hits like a punch to the gut. He wakes up battered, accused of crimes he may or may not have committed, and forced to piece together both his memory and the remnants of a world gone sideways. His chapters thrum with claustrophobic urgency—every revelation tilts the timeline a degree off-center, and you feel the ground shifting with him.
Isabel’s arc is just as tense but cuts deeper emotionally. Trapped in a biodome run by someone she once trusted, she has to confront the nightmare her innovations have become. Her bees—those tiny, brilliant creations meant to heal the planet—have been twisted into instruments of annihilation. Isabel’s quiet resilience, rage, and grit give the book its emotional spine, especially as she navigates a world where hope is a far thinner resource than air.
And then there’s Madders. The AI is back—acerbic, earnest, infuriatingly logical—and his logs continue to be some of the smartest, funniest, and most poignant moments in the book. Old allies return, new threats emerge, and the ensemble expands in a way that makes the world feel both larger and more claustrophobic at the same time.
Orton maintains her signature blend of scientific imagination and character-driven storytelling, but Jump feels sharper and more kinetic than its predecessor. The pacing rarely lets up—twist after twist ricochets through the narrative, and the stakes aren’t just high, they’re multiversal. Yet, despite the scale, the story never loses sight of the small, human moments: a shared look, a broken memory, a stubborn flicker of hope.
If there’s a challenge to the reading experience, it’s the sheer density of everything happening at once. The collapsed timelines, fractured realities, and interconnected plotlines demand attention. But for readers who love immersive sci-fi that trusts them to keep up, this complexity is part of the thrill.
By the end, Jump leaves you breathless, a little devastated, and desperate for Dome, the next chapter in this unraveling tapestry of love, loss, and quantum catastrophe. It’s a sequel that not only lives up to Hive, but fearlessly broadens the horizon—proving once again that Orton is at her best when she’s balancing big ideas with bigger feelings.
Smart, suspenseful, and deeply human, Jump cements the Madders of Time series as a standout in time-travel fiction. If Hive hooked you, Jump will leave claw marks.
February 17, 2026
If you thought Hive was intense, get ready. Jump takes everything from the first book and explodes it across timelines. Somehow, it still feels truly human.
First, this is Book 2 in the Madders of Time series, and you really should read them in order. Jump picks up several months after Hive ends, with no easy way back in. The world is fractured. The time machine is broken. The stakes are apocalyptic. I loved that there was no hand-holding, just instant immersion into chaos.
The dystopian world-building here stands out. There are flooded skyscrapers, weaponized micro-drone bees, biodomes ruled by dangerous men, and a wormhole generator hidden like a mythic relic. It’s gritty, cinematic, and fully immersive. I could feel the moist concrete, the claustrophobia, and the immediacy.
Now, about the science. If you’re a strict time-travel purist, you might have your own thoughts. That’s not me. I’m happy to suspend disbelief when the story earns it, and this one does. I was too invested in the characters and their emotions to worry about wormhole details. The story draws you in so much that the mechanics don’t really matter.
And the characters? I felt every moment.
Diego wakes up chained, accused of terrorism and treason, with fractured memories. It hits hard. Isabel is trapped in a biodome, watching her life’s work turned into a weapon. That’s heartbreaking. The emotional tension between them, across timelines and broken realities, carries real weight. Orton develops these characters so carefully that each choice feels important. Every reunion feels deserved. Every loss stays with you.
The pacing rises and falls in a manner that feels like real survival. Some chapters are full of adrenaline, while others slow down enough for the emotions to sink in. I loved that balance. It made the chaos feel real, not just nonstop.
I don’t want to give too much away because discovering the story is part of the magic, and I won’t spoil it. Just know that old alliances change, new enemies appear, and hope shows up in the most fragile, unexpected ways.
Jump is smart, intense, and emotionally charged. It leaves you thinking about fate, choice, and what we’re willing to give up to change the future.
If you enjoy immersive dystopian sci-fi with heart, complex relationships, and time-travel stakes that feel real, this series is worth your attention. And yes, I’m definitely continuing with the series.
First, this is Book 2 in the Madders of Time series, and you really should read them in order. Jump picks up several months after Hive ends, with no easy way back in. The world is fractured. The time machine is broken. The stakes are apocalyptic. I loved that there was no hand-holding, just instant immersion into chaos.
The dystopian world-building here stands out. There are flooded skyscrapers, weaponized micro-drone bees, biodomes ruled by dangerous men, and a wormhole generator hidden like a mythic relic. It’s gritty, cinematic, and fully immersive. I could feel the moist concrete, the claustrophobia, and the immediacy.
Now, about the science. If you’re a strict time-travel purist, you might have your own thoughts. That’s not me. I’m happy to suspend disbelief when the story earns it, and this one does. I was too invested in the characters and their emotions to worry about wormhole details. The story draws you in so much that the mechanics don’t really matter.
And the characters? I felt every moment.
Diego wakes up chained, accused of terrorism and treason, with fractured memories. It hits hard. Isabel is trapped in a biodome, watching her life’s work turned into a weapon. That’s heartbreaking. The emotional tension between them, across timelines and broken realities, carries real weight. Orton develops these characters so carefully that each choice feels important. Every reunion feels deserved. Every loss stays with you.
The pacing rises and falls in a manner that feels like real survival. Some chapters are full of adrenaline, while others slow down enough for the emotions to sink in. I loved that balance. It made the chaos feel real, not just nonstop.
I don’t want to give too much away because discovering the story is part of the magic, and I won’t spoil it. Just know that old alliances change, new enemies appear, and hope shows up in the most fragile, unexpected ways.
Jump is smart, intense, and emotionally charged. It leaves you thinking about fate, choice, and what we’re willing to give up to change the future.
If you enjoy immersive dystopian sci-fi with heart, complex relationships, and time-travel stakes that feel real, this series is worth your attention. And yes, I’m definitely continuing with the series.
March 7, 2026
Jump is a direct sequel to DL Orton's Hive, a dystopian sci-fi that explores the advent of the potential end of the world. This second installment in the Madders series comprises more technicality, suspense and action in my opinion, while it continues to follow the perspectives of Isabel, Diego, and Matt, and their differing timelines.
I loved to see the inner workings of the biodome, and how it simultaneously is utilized as a safe haven and a means to live selfishly, a shield from all the other "unworthy" humans. With all the negative exploration of AI and accelerated technology that's present in literature, the author flip flops between its great potential and how humans can abuse it — like Isabel's bees, that were supposed to be life-changing for Earth but ended up being transformed into a weapon by her covetous ex, Dave Kirkland.
There is also an interesting approach to AI, specifically the entity Madders. It's rather used in a positive light — something almost sentient, akin to a child full of wonder and innocence, something that can be molded depending on other humans' intentions and desires. Every singer chapter (like Hive), starts with a list of brief observations and predictions of a particular character and their timeline, noted by Madders. I very much enjoyed this part, though I do feel that with all of Isabel's brilliance, her own observations would have shown her intelligence even more, though that would partly dampen the point and importance of Madders as a newfangled, impressive AI entity.
One other thing I appreciated in the book was that the dialogue did improve from the first installment. The dialogue felt a little more purposeful, albeit the jokes sometimes still landed a bit flat and they were too cheesy for my liking. This is overall a sci-fi book with a very particular humor, the characters may feel like archetypes at times. While Hive took more of its time establishing the characters and their personalities, Jump focused more on the expanding worldbuilding in my opinion, which I prefer. Jump can be a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading the first installment as it provides a lot of context that gets easier to follow as it progresses.
I loved to see the inner workings of the biodome, and how it simultaneously is utilized as a safe haven and a means to live selfishly, a shield from all the other "unworthy" humans. With all the negative exploration of AI and accelerated technology that's present in literature, the author flip flops between its great potential and how humans can abuse it — like Isabel's bees, that were supposed to be life-changing for Earth but ended up being transformed into a weapon by her covetous ex, Dave Kirkland.
There is also an interesting approach to AI, specifically the entity Madders. It's rather used in a positive light — something almost sentient, akin to a child full of wonder and innocence, something that can be molded depending on other humans' intentions and desires. Every singer chapter (like Hive), starts with a list of brief observations and predictions of a particular character and their timeline, noted by Madders. I very much enjoyed this part, though I do feel that with all of Isabel's brilliance, her own observations would have shown her intelligence even more, though that would partly dampen the point and importance of Madders as a newfangled, impressive AI entity.
One other thing I appreciated in the book was that the dialogue did improve from the first installment. The dialogue felt a little more purposeful, albeit the jokes sometimes still landed a bit flat and they were too cheesy for my liking. This is overall a sci-fi book with a very particular humor, the characters may feel like archetypes at times. While Hive took more of its time establishing the characters and their personalities, Jump focused more on the expanding worldbuilding in my opinion, which I prefer. Jump can be a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading the first installment as it provides a lot of context that gets easier to follow as it progresses.
March 9, 2026
Let's start here: this remains one of my favorite science-fiction series, and I went into Jump with very high expectations. Somehow, D.L. Orton still managed to exceed them. This Jump by D.L. Orton review reflects why the series continues to stand out among modern science-fiction thrillers.
The story picks up the fractured threads left behind in earlier books and weaves them into an even more complex and compelling narrative. Familiar characters — Isabel, Diego, Matt, and Kirkland — continue to anchor the story, while new additions expand the emotional and narrative stakes without losing the heart of what made the series so immersive in the first place.
As the race to save the multisphere accelerates, the tension feels immediate and personal. Alliances shift, difficult choices come into focus, and Madders' calculated odds of survival grow slimmer by the moment. The pacing is urgent, but never chaotic, allowing both action and character growth to carry equal weight.
Readers who enjoy science-fiction thrillers will appreciate the blend of high-stakes storytelling, layered world-building, and vivid cinematic imagery. The scale is expansive, yet the emotional core remains deeply human.
In Conclusion:
Jump is a powerful continuation of the Madders of Time series and a reminder of why I've followed D.L. Orton's work since first discovering Crossing in Time. The combination of intricate plotting, emotional resonance, and unforgettable characters makes this a series I recommend without hesitation. For longtime readers and newcomers alike, it feels like both a continuation and an evolution - exactly what great science fiction should deliver.
Read my full review of the series and more indie gems like this on www.ginaraemitchell.com.
The story picks up the fractured threads left behind in earlier books and weaves them into an even more complex and compelling narrative. Familiar characters — Isabel, Diego, Matt, and Kirkland — continue to anchor the story, while new additions expand the emotional and narrative stakes without losing the heart of what made the series so immersive in the first place.
As the race to save the multisphere accelerates, the tension feels immediate and personal. Alliances shift, difficult choices come into focus, and Madders' calculated odds of survival grow slimmer by the moment. The pacing is urgent, but never chaotic, allowing both action and character growth to carry equal weight.
Readers who enjoy science-fiction thrillers will appreciate the blend of high-stakes storytelling, layered world-building, and vivid cinematic imagery. The scale is expansive, yet the emotional core remains deeply human.
In Conclusion:
Jump is a powerful continuation of the Madders of Time series and a reminder of why I've followed D.L. Orton's work since first discovering Crossing in Time. The combination of intricate plotting, emotional resonance, and unforgettable characters makes this a series I recommend without hesitation. For longtime readers and newcomers alike, it feels like both a continuation and an evolution - exactly what great science fiction should deliver.
Read my full review of the series and more indie gems like this on www.ginaraemitchell.com.
February 14, 2026
This book is an awesome ride! I loved the first book but this one really got me from the first page where Diego meets Diego and tries to stop Diego from doing typical Diego things (which will probably destroy the world). Oh and also Diego saves the girl who is about to be killed by some sort of inter-dimensional sphere thing that was probably sent by Diego. Meanwhile Diego is imprisoned in a giant military complex and is pressured to go back in time to do something (nobody exactly knows what) so he can help Diego save the world. (Almost certainly from Diego)
Meanwhile Isabel is trying to escape from her ex husbands dystopian nightmare of a goldfish bowl, ironically called Eden, so she can find, yes you guessed it - Diego, oh and also a guy called Matt is in it doing science and stuff.
Ok ok this review is not the best but honestly the book is brilliant. I’m just trying to get across how imaginative and twisty the plot is. It must have taken Orton ages to work it all out and the way it all interweaves across timelines and books (or else she is just some sort of super genius). It’s super clever with great characters and just the perfect sci fi read. Easy five stars from me and big thank you to the write reads for introducing me to this author’s fabulous series and gifting me (a really pretty) physical copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Meanwhile Isabel is trying to escape from her ex husbands dystopian nightmare of a goldfish bowl, ironically called Eden, so she can find, yes you guessed it - Diego, oh and also a guy called Matt is in it doing science and stuff.
Ok ok this review is not the best but honestly the book is brilliant. I’m just trying to get across how imaginative and twisty the plot is. It must have taken Orton ages to work it all out and the way it all interweaves across timelines and books (or else she is just some sort of super genius). It’s super clever with great characters and just the perfect sci fi read. Easy five stars from me and big thank you to the write reads for introducing me to this author’s fabulous series and gifting me (a really pretty) physical copy of the book in return for an honest review.
February 20, 2026
I really enjoyed this sequel.
The first thing I have to say is you need to have read the first book. This is not a series, like some, where the books are only loosely linked. The links with the first book are intricate, almost to the point of being too much. You nearly need to reread the fist book again before starting, just so you remember who is where, what is what and what the threats are.
My favourite character arc in this was definitely Isabel's. She wakes up in her xhusbands Eden dome having had a miscarriage in the last book and now he wants her to restart work on the robot bees which she had developed in book one. He really refuses to take no for an answer and eventually she is forced to try to escape. But what I loved was that she took dave's (almost problematically young) new girlfriend with her. Lani is pregnant with dave's baby but needs to find her brother who is still somewhere outside in the world. Dave had promised to help find him but has done nothing.
Ok I am starting to just summarise the plot, so suffice it to say I was hooked. I also enjoyed Diego and Matt. They were engaging in their own right, but I did feel like Isabel was the heart of the story. The time travel elements, most notably in the form of an old Diego from the prologue of book one are good, but more in the background. Thank you to the tour organiser for my copy.
The first thing I have to say is you need to have read the first book. This is not a series, like some, where the books are only loosely linked. The links with the first book are intricate, almost to the point of being too much. You nearly need to reread the fist book again before starting, just so you remember who is where, what is what and what the threats are.
My favourite character arc in this was definitely Isabel's. She wakes up in her xhusbands Eden dome having had a miscarriage in the last book and now he wants her to restart work on the robot bees which she had developed in book one. He really refuses to take no for an answer and eventually she is forced to try to escape. But what I loved was that she took dave's (almost problematically young) new girlfriend with her. Lani is pregnant with dave's baby but needs to find her brother who is still somewhere outside in the world. Dave had promised to help find him but has done nothing.
Ok I am starting to just summarise the plot, so suffice it to say I was hooked. I also enjoyed Diego and Matt. They were engaging in their own right, but I did feel like Isabel was the heart of the story. The time travel elements, most notably in the form of an old Diego from the prologue of book one are good, but more in the background. Thank you to the tour organiser for my copy.
February 13, 2026
Jump is the second book in Orton's time travel sci fi series Madder's of Time. Once again we have the 3 same main characters and madders logs. Things have taken a major downward turn since the last book. The world is falling apart, the bots are multiplying and taking over, people are trying to find places in Dave Kirkland's domes and our three main characters are trying to do something to avert catastrophe.
I think the main story arc is told through Matt's chapters. He seems to have the best overall picture of what is going on in the world as he struggles to build a time machine to go back and fix things. Diego and Isabel are more focused on their own personal plotlines. Both want to find the other but both are being pulled in different directions.
I think the writing, like with the first book is again very good, and the pacing while possibly a little slow in places is generally nippy, especially at the end where things really start happening fast. There is some great banter between characters and overall its just a well done dystopian sci fi that sets things up nicely for the next book in the ongoing series.
I think the main story arc is told through Matt's chapters. He seems to have the best overall picture of what is going on in the world as he struggles to build a time machine to go back and fix things. Diego and Isabel are more focused on their own personal plotlines. Both want to find the other but both are being pulled in different directions.
I think the writing, like with the first book is again very good, and the pacing while possibly a little slow in places is generally nippy, especially at the end where things really start happening fast. There is some great banter between characters and overall its just a well done dystopian sci fi that sets things up nicely for the next book in the ongoing series.
February 13, 2026
I really enjoyed Hive so I was looking forward to the sequel. It did not disappoint. The Madders of Time series is set in a near future world where billionaire Dave Kirkland has created giant domes to protect the rich while making a nano bot army of semi autonomous bees, ostensibly to help pollinate crops and avoid famine, but in actuality to control the population and wipe out any who resist his company. Or, at least that is the end result of his machinations, though I think many of the consequences were not necessarily what he intended and things spiral out of his control.
Our three main characters Diego, Matt and Isabel are doing their best to avert disaster and we follow them through alternating point of view chapters. I can't say which of the three is my favourite, while I feel Isabel and Diego are the main characters I actually found Matt's relationship with his daughter Cassie to be the most engaging aspect of the story.
I'm not convinced that it is quite as good as book one. I think more of a 4.5 stars. But what the hell, I'll give it 5 too. I received a beautiful print copy of the book for the tour, but that has had no impact on my review.
Our three main characters Diego, Matt and Isabel are doing their best to avert disaster and we follow them through alternating point of view chapters. I can't say which of the three is my favourite, while I feel Isabel and Diego are the main characters I actually found Matt's relationship with his daughter Cassie to be the most engaging aspect of the story.
I'm not convinced that it is quite as good as book one. I think more of a 4.5 stars. But what the hell, I'll give it 5 too. I received a beautiful print copy of the book for the tour, but that has had no impact on my review.
February 12, 2026
I really enjoyed Jump. Its the sequel to Hive, which I loved and picks up right where that left off with our three main characters each with there own separate but interweaving stories.
Matt and his adopted daughter Cassie are doing their best to get the time machine working.
Diego is imprisoned in the same place and being pressured to be the guinea pig for it.
And Isabel finds herself recovering in one of Dave Kirkland's Domes.
My favourite of the story lines was definitely Isabel. We follow her as she is being pressured by her ex husband Dave Kirkland to rejoin his endeavours and then as she escapes with his new girlfriend Lani, who is pregnant with his child. We then follow them as Lani tries to find her brother and Isabel attempts to find Diego.
Its very fast paced, very well written and there is lots of emotion. The climax is really good, with the bots swarming and people struggling to break into the biodomes to escape them. Can't wait for the third book! Big thank you to the write reads for providing me with a lovely copy of the book!
Matt and his adopted daughter Cassie are doing their best to get the time machine working.
Diego is imprisoned in the same place and being pressured to be the guinea pig for it.
And Isabel finds herself recovering in one of Dave Kirkland's Domes.
My favourite of the story lines was definitely Isabel. We follow her as she is being pressured by her ex husband Dave Kirkland to rejoin his endeavours and then as she escapes with his new girlfriend Lani, who is pregnant with his child. We then follow them as Lani tries to find her brother and Isabel attempts to find Diego.
Its very fast paced, very well written and there is lots of emotion. The climax is really good, with the bots swarming and people struggling to break into the biodomes to escape them. Can't wait for the third book! Big thank you to the write reads for providing me with a lovely copy of the book!
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