An unbreakable bond. A magical trap. One bad day that never ends.
Lucy is having a bad day. Things are awkward with Sam. She's failing history. One of her roommates is missing and the other is crazy. Her evil dad is at it again, and this time, he's not playing around.
Lucy has a choice: leave the pack or stay trapped in this day forever. What do you do when the only way to save the people you love is to abandon them? Will Lucy fight to stay in the pack or fight to save them?
The Time Loop is the sixth book in the Werewolf High series of YA paranormal novels. If you like kick-ass female characters, true love and friendship that overcomes all obstacles, then click "buy now" to get started on Anita Oh's latest action-packed page turner.
Author Anita Oh’s previous book in this series came out in mid-July, so I wasn’t expecting to see the newest book so soon. It was released just a little over a month after the one before it, so when I stumbled upon it—and saw its title—I was honestly thrilled.
Let’s start with a brief recap of the series so far. Lucy O’Connor attends the secluded, exclusive, possibly magical Amaris High. During her freshman year, the school fell under The Truth Spell, she was shrunk by The Tiny Curse, and she and rich, aloof Tennyson Wilde experienced The Body Swap. Residual effects between them lingered into sophomore year as they felt The Soul Bond, but The Love Potion interfered with that.
Like I’ve said many times before with this series, my reviews are spoiler-free for the book I’m reviewing. And like I’ve said many times before, I can’t make that same guarantee regarding earlier books in the series. And as I say that you’ve been warned, like I have many times before, I feel like I’m caught in a time loop.
It’s three months after the events of the last book, and Lucy is on her way to an early morning picnic, prepared by her childhood best friend and current boyfriend Sam. They’ve been together since the end of the last book, but Lucy has sensed all along that something’s not quite right between them. Then, they go to a full-school assembly where it’s announced that the body of Hannah Morgan (who disappeared in the third book) has washed ashore. Lucy ain’t buyin’ that. There’s a school dance that night, and the main characters have different opinions and attitudes about that. And Lucy receives a threatening phone call from her evil father, demanding that she remove herself from Tennyson’s werewolf pack, but she refuses.
Then at midnight, the blue lightning strikes, and Lucy wakes up the next morning. Except that it’s NOT the next morning. It’s the same morning, and it will continue to be the same day over and over again until Lucy can break the titular time loop.
Time loops—like many of the other supernatural occurrences that have befallen Lucy in this series—aren’t anything new. I cherish the film Groundhog Day, and given Lucy’s penchant for pop-culture references, I knew she’d mention it eventually. Though it came later than I expected, the exchange of dialogue that accompanied it was absolutely priceless.
So what’s a girl to do when stuck in a time loop and she’s the only one to remember it all? Try to figure out what mistake you have to undo, or what event is the clue to getting out. But where Oh makes this time loop unique hers is in its sinister construction. There are some dangerous consequences for remaining in the loop for too long which build the stakes very well, and the climax includes some terrifying stuff with a game-changer of an ending leading into the next book, which I assume will take place during Lucy’s junior year.
I found this installment to be the most enjoyable one of the six so far. The character interactions between Lucy and the other four pack members (Tennyson, Althea, Nikolai, and Sam) are the strongest they’ve been. Lucy’s roommate Katie, who became quite intriguing in the previous book, is memorable considering she has limited appearances. But mostly, the story as a whole was mostly tightly plotted. Though everyone’s actions in the time loop provided variety as Lucy altered her behavior, some of Lucy’s narrated explanations were repeated a little too often. That could have been intentional to give the reader the feeling of a time loop’s monotony, but in another book, it would read as not the best editing.
But that’s something really minor. I’ve said it before, and I’ll loop back: this is my favorite of the series. After that ending, I can’t wait to find out what comes next. If you read The Time Loop, you might want to read it again (and again…) because it’s good enough to get FOUR AND A HALF STARS.
Great Series about teens away at a private school where you will find great friends and many enemies. Some who want to destroy you. Will you give yourself up to these evil people to save your friends or find a way to do both.
The book itself was a good read...but I got the impression that there were 6 books in the series...as the rest all stated book 4/6 and book 5/6 etc...so bought this to finish series...Imagine my surprise to find I now had to wait for book 7...good heavens how many are you going to write...the books are not the longest that I have read and to be fair could be more value for money seeing as you seem to be writing so many of them...its a pity as I enjoy your style of writing...dissapointed.
This is the last book in the second year at Werewolf High and it starts as a normal school Friday. Lucy is actually now together with Sam but things don't feel right (hey, I told you so..). Hannahs body has turned up, her roommate Katie acts weird (again) and after all, the pack only wants to enjoy the school dance. But with Lucy's evil dad on the loose there is no rest. He traps them in a time loop and only Lucy remembers. I normally don't like stories fideling with time-space. They never seem to get it “right”. But the author states quite at the beginning the “scientific” framework of the time bubble which sounds feasible and prevents me from constantly wondering “what if...”. Although, the “conduct element” in the end is a bit out of the blue. Lucy wouldn't be Lucy if she wouldn't try to make fun out of it (eating as much as you want or dye your hair – there is nothing to loose – or gain weight from those pastries). And although she seems to have all the time in the world to solve the problem, Lucy realises sooner or later that yes, it could be worse, but still this is no state for forever. But the best part of the book is that Lucy gets enough time to evaluate her feelings and I definitely like where this is heading – although her actions and the consequences are tremendous and well, leave a lot to carry on in the books to come!
i really like these books! even though there are three books in each year, each book is actually a story in itself. the main characters are well developed and very different from each other. the main character is hilariously sarcastic and has a great sense of self. she finds humor in her worst situations and always finds a reason to keep going. a great example for teens. really enjoyable series!
some swearing but her most used derogatory word is jerk often with some great adjective added to it.
There's a reason I've given each novel in this series 5 stars, they're written with both attention to detail and deserved excellence. My only complaint is that the series sticks firmly to a strict formula: problem, group focus on research and problem solving, and Lucy the reckless, faithful hero.
It would be nice to have something fresh to grip onto and perhaps the introduction of a couple of new characters. Whatever the case may be, the series could certainly benefit from an injection of material that lifts the novels with something new and positive, and I don't mean just another roommate for Lucy.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The premise is a little out there, and if you enjoyed the movie Groundhog Day, with the constant repetition of the same day over and over...you may find it easier to wrap your head around the punishment that Lucy's dad has cooked up for her in this story. If you are a fan of YA paranormal literature and werewolves, I'd recommend adding this book to your TBR list.
I have been given this book free in exchange of an honest review.
While I love the all the books in this series, I admit this one seemed to drag on a little bit in a few spots. But, overall a great book. I can't wait to see wht kind of trouble Lucy seems to find herself in next.
As always I enjoyed Lucy’s attitude and sass. Her initial reaction to the time loop was amusing. Also it is good to have Lucy & Sam realise they are not meant to be together clearing the way for Tennyson & Lucy. One thing I don’t get is why Tennyson’s mother/alpha is so down on Lucy. Especially as she is supposedly so protective and welcoming of Sam who became a werewolf under similar circumstances to Lucy. And I don’t buy the Lucy is trouble excuse because all the events in the first 4 books are basically a result of someone going after the werewolves and Lucy being caught up in it rather than Lucy’s fault. So looking forward to the next one.