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The Infinity Engines #1
Anachronist: A Time Travel Adventure
"Something unique and wonderful - a disarming blend of historical fiction and sci-fi/fantasy." ★★★★★ Travelling into the past using the timelines of ancient artefacts, the Oblivion Order explores the forgotten centuries, ones that never made it into the history books.
Weaving back through time, the secret society of eccentric anachronists ensures the best possible future for humanity, making subtle adjustments to the past – saving us from oblivion.
Every alteration is carefully calculated, and nothing is left to chance. Until the day Joshua Jones, a teenage thief, breaks into one of their station houses and finds himself transported back to 1944 – where he accidentally changes the outcome of WW2. Josh is inadvertently pulled into their secret world of alternate realities, temporal guilds and chaos demons. With the help of Caitlin, a beautiful librarian, he learns to harness his abilities as she shows him a future he never dreamed he could have.
But beyond the temporal borders, an ancient evil is gathering, threatening to devour every moment that ever was.
Will Josh fulfil his destiny? Will he come to terms with his past?
A fast-paced, time travel adventure, Anachronist will take you on a journey into a world not bound by the rules of time, exploring history and the consequences of changing it. Reviews have "...if you're a fan of British sci-fi (like me) then you're in for a real treat with a very slight shade of Doctor Who (without the Aliens), but with secret societies, a healthy dose of science, quantum gadgets and conspiracies that weave in real historical figures…" ★★★★★ "I love that it is intertwined with real historical events …" ★★★★★ "An interesting mix of history and sci-fi that takes you on a journey into another world…" ★★★★★ "The novel moves at a fantastic pace, and the author has seamlessly blended real historical moments with his own time travel mythology, along with vibrant characters and relationships, page-turning twists and a little sprinkling of romance. " ★★★★★
Weaving back through time, the secret society of eccentric anachronists ensures the best possible future for humanity, making subtle adjustments to the past – saving us from oblivion.
Every alteration is carefully calculated, and nothing is left to chance. Until the day Joshua Jones, a teenage thief, breaks into one of their station houses and finds himself transported back to 1944 – where he accidentally changes the outcome of WW2. Josh is inadvertently pulled into their secret world of alternate realities, temporal guilds and chaos demons. With the help of Caitlin, a beautiful librarian, he learns to harness his abilities as she shows him a future he never dreamed he could have.
But beyond the temporal borders, an ancient evil is gathering, threatening to devour every moment that ever was.
Will Josh fulfil his destiny? Will he come to terms with his past?
A fast-paced, time travel adventure, Anachronist will take you on a journey into a world not bound by the rules of time, exploring history and the consequences of changing it. Reviews have "...if you're a fan of British sci-fi (like me) then you're in for a real treat with a very slight shade of Doctor Who (without the Aliens), but with secret societies, a healthy dose of science, quantum gadgets and conspiracies that weave in real historical figures…" ★★★★★ "I love that it is intertwined with real historical events …" ★★★★★ "An interesting mix of history and sci-fi that takes you on a journey into another world…" ★★★★★ "The novel moves at a fantastic pace, and the author has seamlessly blended real historical moments with his own time travel mythology, along with vibrant characters and relationships, page-turning twists and a little sprinkling of romance. " ★★★★★
458 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2018
1934 people are currently reading
2846 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Hastie
25 books155 followersAndy was born in 1967, and grew up with a love of science fiction inspired by the TV shows of the late 70s. Having always had a creative eye, he graduated with a BA Honours in Graphic Design, and has gone on to have a successful career as a Creative Director within a number of digital agencies, creating award-winning work for some of the largest global brands. During this time he nurtured his passion for writing sci-fi and secured a commission with the BBC for his first script, The Department of Unknown Origins, a Victorian X-Files set in the Natural History Museum, exec produced by Jon Plowman and considered by BBC Drama and Sky One.
The Anachronist is his first novel, one of a three part series called 'The Infinity Engines.' You can find out more about it on his blog: www.infinityengines.com
He lives in Surrey with his wife, two teenage daughters and a troublesome puppy.
The Anachronist is his first novel, one of a three part series called 'The Infinity Engines.' You can find out more about it on his blog: www.infinityengines.com
He lives in Surrey with his wife, two teenage daughters and a troublesome puppy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
May 14, 2018
I was very torn on the rating. On the one hand, the story is inventive and new. The plot and main character history is inventive and somewhat complex. Then we have the slightly unrefined writing style and grammar errors. I had thought perhaps the author was young, but realize now he probably just needs a better editor if indeed one was used at all.
As for the story, yes the plot was interesting, but like many other recent sci-fi or fantasy novels, you can't fill in the difficult parts of a plot by allowing the protagonist to just magically whisk away the conflict...or at least not in every single case. And no one is that lucky to just happen to think of the perfect idea to save the world within milliseconds (in every chapter).
However, it definitely kept my interest so I've just downloaded the 2nd book, mainly because of its novelty. I hope to see improvement with the next book, as the author grows in experience. Hate to be harsh, but I'm only doing so because this book COULD BE SO GOOD! Would love to see the story given a better publisher or editor to take full advantage of all the good ideas in the author's head.
As for the story, yes the plot was interesting, but like many other recent sci-fi or fantasy novels, you can't fill in the difficult parts of a plot by allowing the protagonist to just magically whisk away the conflict...or at least not in every single case. And no one is that lucky to just happen to think of the perfect idea to save the world within milliseconds (in every chapter).
However, it definitely kept my interest so I've just downloaded the 2nd book, mainly because of its novelty. I hope to see improvement with the next book, as the author grows in experience. Hate to be harsh, but I'm only doing so because this book COULD BE SO GOOD! Would love to see the story given a better publisher or editor to take full advantage of all the good ideas in the author's head.
July 21, 2018
There's quite a bit to enjoy here: a relatable, down-to-earth hero, an interesting plot, and a lot of potential with the time continuum. But the book is let down by mainly a few factors:
- bad editing: I lost track of the number of grammatical errors, wrong or missing words, etc. It just feels very amateurish.
- non-consistent world: I'd be ok with not explaining in detail how time manipulation works, if only it were consistent. But there are too many examples of situation that just don't fit with each other.
- shallow secondary characters: the fact is that Josh, the main character, occupies all the screen time. The others around him hardly merit more than a couple of sentences on their feelings or background.
I might start on the second volume but only to see if it's improved on these points. The dramatic cliffhanger isn't effective because the reader is just not very connected with the character in question.
- bad editing: I lost track of the number of grammatical errors, wrong or missing words, etc. It just feels very amateurish.
- non-consistent world: I'd be ok with not explaining in detail how time manipulation works, if only it were consistent. But there are too many examples of situation that just don't fit with each other.
- shallow secondary characters: the fact is that Josh, the main character, occupies all the screen time. The others around him hardly merit more than a couple of sentences on their feelings or background.
I might start on the second volume but only to see if it's improved on these points. The dramatic cliffhanger isn't effective because the reader is just not very connected with the character in question.
April 17, 2017
On my lookout for new authors to read on my commute to work, I came across Anachronist in the Amazon top sellers, so took a punt on it... and certainly wasn't disappointed!
To give away many details of the plot, I think would take away from the enjoyment of being absorbed into the lore of time travel the author has created. The core of the story, however, revolves around Josh, a young man who has overcome many challenges in his life, and who slowly finds himself drawn into the complications of time, watched over for millennia by members of the Oblivion Order.
The novel moves at a fantastic pace, and the author has seamlessly blended real historical moments with his own time travel mythology, along with vibrant characters and relationships, page-turning twists and a little sprinkling of romance.
I read through Anachronist in a couple of days, and can't wait to see where The Infinity Engines series goes next!
To give away many details of the plot, I think would take away from the enjoyment of being absorbed into the lore of time travel the author has created. The core of the story, however, revolves around Josh, a young man who has overcome many challenges in his life, and who slowly finds himself drawn into the complications of time, watched over for millennia by members of the Oblivion Order.
The novel moves at a fantastic pace, and the author has seamlessly blended real historical moments with his own time travel mythology, along with vibrant characters and relationships, page-turning twists and a little sprinkling of romance.
I read through Anachronist in a couple of days, and can't wait to see where The Infinity Engines series goes next!
May 4, 2021
This started promisingly, not a very original idea, young man is living with problems (in with a bad crowd, mother with M.S.) and has a talent he doesn't know about, the ability to time travel.
What I felt was rushed , almost as if the author wanted to move on and get to what he thought were the more exciting parts, is his meeting with the travelling fraternity and his subsequent training. I would have been happier staying in this section but it rushed forward leaving me a little baffled.
I'm afraid to say I got more and more baffled the more I read, time travel gives me a headache at the best of times and when there's thousands of people doing it without much rules it makes no sense.
I bought book two which I found almost incomprehensible, so I won't be continuing.
What I felt was rushed , almost as if the author wanted to move on and get to what he thought were the more exciting parts, is his meeting with the travelling fraternity and his subsequent training. I would have been happier staying in this section but it rushed forward leaving me a little baffled.
I'm afraid to say I got more and more baffled the more I read, time travel gives me a headache at the best of times and when there's thousands of people doing it without much rules it makes no sense.
I bought book two which I found almost incomprehensible, so I won't be continuing.
July 13, 2024
This narrator is superb. I'm actually listening to this series only because of him. After I listened to the last book he narrated, I had to find more books he performed.
The story has is a decent time travel plot with well developed characters.
The story has is a decent time travel plot with well developed characters.
June 15, 2019
A bit stereotypically opportunistic at times, but an impressive achievement nonetheless. Downloaded it for free on Amazon prime as it was sold for the lovers of Doctor Who, and it was an easy and very enjoyable read. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series right away.
June 10, 2017
Really enjoyed this- not usually into time travel (hurts my head to cope with things changing) but even I managed to keep up with what was going on! Was really engrossed from start to finish and I can't wait for the next one!
January 24, 2020
17 year old Josh lives with his sick mother in a South London housing estate. He owes money to the local gang leader Lenin and has been in and out of trouble since he was 12 years old. When he sees a local eccentric leave the door to his house open one morning Josh sees an opportunity to steal something - instead he is transported back to 1944 and General Stauffenberg's attempt to kill Hitler.
The local eccentric, nicknamed the Colonel by Josh's gang, takes Josh under his wing and introduces him to a secret society of time-travellers, will Josh use his new powers to get away from his life of crime or will he use it to further his life of crime?
This book was recommended by my sister and when I saw i could borrow it free on Amazon Prime I leapt right in. It has everything, poverty, gangs, WWII, ancient Rome, cool gadgets, romance, intrigue, fast cars, mythical creatures, and more.
And the ending … Can't wait to start the next one.
The local eccentric, nicknamed the Colonel by Josh's gang, takes Josh under his wing and introduces him to a secret society of time-travellers, will Josh use his new powers to get away from his life of crime or will he use it to further his life of crime?
This book was recommended by my sister and when I saw i could borrow it free on Amazon Prime I leapt right in. It has everything, poverty, gangs, WWII, ancient Rome, cool gadgets, romance, intrigue, fast cars, mythical creatures, and more.
And the ending … Can't wait to start the next one.
August 17, 2025
I really loved this book; I give this book 5 ⭐ which is pretty rare for me! After all, I haven't read a whole lot of books that I'll end up rereading but I'm glad that I can add this book to that list!
I normally don't like reading historical fiction because I just don't really understand it but this book is different! I like how it only describes a small part of each time and place.
This book had a very authentic feel and good world-building. The Author sets up a series of scenes in which you can't help but care for Josh right away. It's like the perfect time travel book, in and out of different times, mysterious, love interests, and an interesting bad guy.
There were some parts that I had skimmed over because they didn't pique my interest enough, but overall a great book! I definitely recommend this book especially if you like time travel mystery novels with some romance!
I normally don't like reading historical fiction because I just don't really understand it but this book is different! I like how it only describes a small part of each time and place.
This book had a very authentic feel and good world-building. The Author sets up a series of scenes in which you can't help but care for Josh right away. It's like the perfect time travel book, in and out of different times, mysterious, love interests, and an interesting bad guy.
There were some parts that I had skimmed over because they didn't pique my interest enough, but overall a great book! I definitely recommend this book especially if you like time travel mystery novels with some romance!
February 9, 2024
This is easily one of the best books I've read in a very long time. Yes, the book itself could've used some editing, with a few grammatical errors, but it wasn't nearly severe enough to prevent me from enjoying the book. I literally couldn't put this one down! All things considered, it was a somewhat of a slow start, but quickly picked up speed. It's obvious that Hastie has both a passion for sci-fi and for history. Every single chapter felt necessary in moving the plot forward, and Hastie made me feel like I was transported through time along with Josh without boring me to tears with the historical setting. It was a careful balancing act between historical accuracy and knowing the audience, and this author pulled it off without a hitch. He made me genuinely care about the characters involved, which seems rare these days. I cannot wait to start the next in the series!
November 27, 2022
I was looking forward to reading this book after hearing such good things about it. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me. I abandoned it after 150 pages - something I haven't done for years. I'm sure this novel, and the following books, have a strong fan base, but I found the writing to be slightly immature. I realise Andrew Hastie was aiming this book at the YA demographic - that certainly doesn't make it a bad book. I've read some superb YA fiction recently - but this was just poorly written, structured, plotted and executed - yes, I didn't finish it, so it may seem unfair to review a book without completing it. But, if after struggling through 150 pages, and I'm feeling no connection? Then yeah, I'm making the decision to abort it and move onto something else.
June 6, 2017
This book was recommended to me by a friend who thought it was just my kind of thing and as I'm always on the lookout for new authors/book series I figured I'd give it a go.
I was certainly not disappointed, I was hooked within a few pages. I don't want to go into any detail about the story as I don't want to spoil it for any future readers, but present day London mixed with some moments throughout history and some great characters made for a very enjoyable read. Looking forward to book 2.
I was certainly not disappointed, I was hooked within a few pages. I don't want to go into any detail about the story as I don't want to spoil it for any future readers, but present day London mixed with some moments throughout history and some great characters made for a very enjoyable read. Looking forward to book 2.
October 19, 2018
Pretty good read. I just wish the author had gone into more detail , or had more of the adventure and story when the characters were in a different time.. but I feel this may come with the following books which I’m definitely going to read.
February 19, 2023
Utterly fabulous read. Felt like a combination of Back to the Future, Harry Potter, and The Matrix, seamlessly woven together to create the most amazing universe. If you have a fascination with time travel this book is utterly unmissable.
August 13, 2019
My Grade = 85% - B
First Published 2017. 441 pages.
Oh, Wow! I found another new British time traveler series (trilogy).
As the story opens, young Josh Jones is doing community service in London for another of his minor transgressions. Josh is an unwilling member of a gang and lives in one of London's many public housing "projects" with his ailing mother (MS). He notices an eccentric old man who everyone calls the "Colonel" because of his long dark khaki green trench coat. Josh notices that the Colonel has left his house and has left the door open, so Josh hopes to sneak in and steal something he can sell to pay off his huge debt to his gang leader.
He picks up one of the first things he finds, a WWII war medal, and when he examines it, he finds himself transported to an underground German bunker in 1944. He makes it back to almost present day London (at some point I think I remember seeing the "present" date as 2022), but he is naked. We learn later that his synthetic clothing cannot pass the "time barrier."
It also seems that this one very short trip changed history in a major way. All this happens within the first 14 pages.
The Colonel finds Josh in his (the colonel's) back yard and, hoping to rectify things, takes him back to 1944, but this time in period clothing.
Long Story Short = It seems the Colonel is a high ranking member of a major time travelling network that keeps moving around in time hoping to rectify things.
At one point Josh is lauded for finding a missing Michaelangelo painting.
After many adventures in many times and places Josh finds himself a major role in this very complex organization which is divided into groups who call themselves the Draconians, Antiquarians, Fatalists, Copernicans, Determinists, Reavers, and Scriptorians.
After the story seems to have ended, Josh and his hopefully-soon-to-be-girlfriend, Caitlin, are picnicing in the past when the leader is treated to the cliffhanger leading to Book 2, Maelstorm.
All in all a good read, and Book 2 should be arriving from ebay any day.....
First Published 2017. 441 pages.
Oh, Wow! I found another new British time traveler series (trilogy).
As the story opens, young Josh Jones is doing community service in London for another of his minor transgressions. Josh is an unwilling member of a gang and lives in one of London's many public housing "projects" with his ailing mother (MS). He notices an eccentric old man who everyone calls the "Colonel" because of his long dark khaki green trench coat. Josh notices that the Colonel has left his house and has left the door open, so Josh hopes to sneak in and steal something he can sell to pay off his huge debt to his gang leader.
He picks up one of the first things he finds, a WWII war medal, and when he examines it, he finds himself transported to an underground German bunker in 1944. He makes it back to almost present day London (at some point I think I remember seeing the "present" date as 2022), but he is naked. We learn later that his synthetic clothing cannot pass the "time barrier."
It also seems that this one very short trip changed history in a major way. All this happens within the first 14 pages.
The Colonel finds Josh in his (the colonel's) back yard and, hoping to rectify things, takes him back to 1944, but this time in period clothing.
Long Story Short = It seems the Colonel is a high ranking member of a major time travelling network that keeps moving around in time hoping to rectify things.
At one point Josh is lauded for finding a missing Michaelangelo painting.
After many adventures in many times and places Josh finds himself a major role in this very complex organization which is divided into groups who call themselves the Draconians, Antiquarians, Fatalists, Copernicans, Determinists, Reavers, and Scriptorians.
After the story seems to have ended, Josh and his hopefully-soon-to-be-girlfriend, Caitlin, are picnicing in the past when the leader is treated to the cliffhanger leading to Book 2, Maelstorm.
All in all a good read, and Book 2 should be arriving from ebay any day.....
January 19, 2025
First time I read a book that mixes so well fantasy with reality, keeping you always on your toes and needing to read another chapter. I’m definitely hooked and can’t wait to read the second one. I only wish the author had added more details about the scenes in the past, kinda feel some research was missing there, or maybe it wasn’t the priority, but this serie is definitely worth a read.
June 27, 2017
Great book
Confusing at times in that the travel through times can be rewound a few minutes, but a really exciting read. The characters develop very nicely and josh is finally accepted.
Confusing at times in that the travel through times can be rewound a few minutes, but a really exciting read. The characters develop very nicely and josh is finally accepted.
June 29, 2017
Just completed this book a couple days ago, it was phenomenal. The pace was excellent - I think it took me just 3 sittings to get through this book. Tough to put down once you get going.
November 11, 2022
I enjoyed this book, which has the feel of a YA novel. The characters were intriguing and easy to root for or root against. The storyline was good and the protagonist's situation was compelling. There were some gaps in the plot that I questioned but the story picked back up. Like all good stories, this one provided more than one antagonist. I look forward to the next in the series.
December 27, 2017
Loved this book, what a cliff hanger though! Especially when the next book isn’t out yet!!
February 7, 2024
Interesting idea, poorly executed
June 3, 2017
Great book
This book was well written. Loved the characters and the world that the author created. Can't wait for the next book!
This book was well written. Loved the characters and the world that the author created. Can't wait for the next book!
January 26, 2018
Great book.
Great story, love the characters and interplay between them all. Have already pre booked the next one. I highly recommend this book.
Great story, love the characters and interplay between them all. Have already pre booked the next one. I highly recommend this book.
September 17, 2017
A good read occasionally even very good. The writing is seamless - the mark of a talented writer. The plot is intricate and the characters are convincing. Wish I could write so well! Something however stops it being a truly great book. Not sure what it is, but I suspect it just needs more polishing.
October 22, 2018
What an enjoyable read!!
I wouldn't say I'm a sci-fi fan. I watch a few films but wouldn't go out if my way to read a book about time-travellers.
I am so glad that this book came as a recommendation. Thoroughly enjoyable from the first page. Very well written with glimpses of the past interwoven with the present.
Can't wait to read the next one !!
I wouldn't say I'm a sci-fi fan. I watch a few films but wouldn't go out if my way to read a book about time-travellers.
I am so glad that this book came as a recommendation. Thoroughly enjoyable from the first page. Very well written with glimpses of the past interwoven with the present.
Can't wait to read the next one !!
September 4, 2017
Hidden gem
I had ran out of things to read an stumbled across this by accident. It's not my usual stuff an tried it as a wild card an couldn't be happier it was thoughtful well written an has shades of a Harry potter novel as the author creates a secret world within world feel.... I eagerly await the next
I had ran out of things to read an stumbled across this by accident. It's not my usual stuff an tried it as a wild card an couldn't be happier it was thoughtful well written an has shades of a Harry potter novel as the author creates a secret world within world feel.... I eagerly await the next
January 25, 2024
This book . . . it just doesn't work. His editors and proof readers did him no favors (forget surface level spelling and grammar, which isn't great) deep, deep flaws within the story and the illogical consistencies are mind numbing.
Everything with time travel is left on the grounds of "Suspension of Disbelief." It is left there crying and wishing to simply be put out of its misery.
None of this story make any sense. ANY. ANY.
They can travel back in time, but not forward, but they can travel back in time, change the past thereby creating a new future, and then travel into this changed future without repercussions. Wouldn't people from the future be traveling back to meet our present and then traveling back to their present, thereby traveling into the future? Wouldn't changing the past systematically create a new future which now cannot be traveled into because it hasn't been played out yet? Wouldn't they be traveling into the future from this new past and therefore be traveling into an unknown future?
Okay, forget that one.
They change the past in some incredibly dramatic ways, including changing the reasons they are where they are. We are told, "the universe has systems in place" to make sure you don't become your own grandpa, but they change the ending to WWII without repercussions. Our main character is a bum because of an action they directly change, only to then be in the same place and time for the same actions to occur? Josh is given one rule (immediately breaks it, because story gotta story) but the change makes no difference. Everything is exactly the same.
Okay, forget that one.
Why is there a time limit or constraint or crunch at all? The Colonel disappears, and should immediately reappear. No matter what happens, he should reappear at the exact moment he left. There should never be a hurry or a concern in any meaningful way. The only reason there would be a delay is because of a manufactured one the people create for . . . dramatic effect I guess. He should immediately reappear, and then simply tell everyone how he survived to make sure the same sequence of events occurs.
Okay, forget that one.
Why are Dalton and his mother antagonistic? How does this society function or work at all? There are an entire army of people able to travel through time, although it seems far more likely that they just happened upon a watch that allowed them to travel. Lenin travels through time at one point, so can anybody travel if they have a watch? Is the watch worthless to the professor then? Could it actually be used by him? Why is he in this thing? Why can't Josh go shoot Lenin when he's on the john, or go back and keep his mom from being kidnapped, or go back and retrieve the watch? Even if he doesn't go, have Caitlin go back and fix these basic things because they are easy fixes for someone who can travel through time.
Okay, forget that one.
So these different time travelers all have different abilities . . . and yet they can all do what they want to do . . . and they are able to live in pockets outside of time . . . but also fully live within different time periods, and fail tasks, and yet try again. Wouldn't, while trying to steal from Marie Antoinette, Josh have to contend with all the other trainees that are also all trying to steal from her at the same time. Wouldn't it be an army of people, all at the same time trying to find a box that if they had gone back a week earlier they could have found without all the difficulty. I'm not sure why that was such a big deal.
Okay, forget that one.
Isn't everything made up of natural elements? Unless we are talking about true synthetics, which would limit your travel to only a hundred years or so, then wasn't everything before (let's just say) 1900 be made of natural material and impossible to travel with. What does this guy think books were made out of? Leather is cow hide, paper is wood, so I'm confused on the whole "we can't use natural materials to travel" idea because everything is basically natural materials.
Okay, forget that one.
So . . . nobody thought mentioning to Josh that there existed actual time monsters who would eat him and everyone he cared about without a moment's notice. Nobody thought, "hey, let's get your W-4 filled out, and oh yeah, watch out for the literal time witches and vampires." And then, after having given Josh no warning and one of their own sending a time-vampire after him (which is never investigated, kind of odd) they then decide to kick him out of the order because he used a bone knife to jump.
Okay, forget that one.
After using said bone knife, they then travel further than anyone is supposed to travel. I thought he said there was a limit to how far anyone can travel. Did Josh just do something nobody had ever done? Go back further than anyone ever had gone back? No. But he is rescued by people easily able to travel there and back. So there really isn't a limit. This is another paradox as Josh and Cait never do the things that got them saved, thereby never being able to be saved. They say they are going to to do them, but then never do them.
Okay, forget that one.
Phew. Realize, of course, that I don't consider any of that spoilers. It largely has nothing to do with the story as a whole; which decides to have three or four rising actions (we don't get started until page 200), three or four climaxes (Time-witches, Mesolithic period, the pirates, Lenin), and then caps off with three or four conclusions, ultimately ending on a cliff hanger which is really another paradox.
This thing is a freaking mess. I honestly have no reason why I kept reading it or finished the thing. I guess Josh is lovable enough . . . A fairly standard down-on-his-luck protagonist who stumbles into a secret world, has magic powers, and is (of course) the Chosen One.
This book was more like a train wreck, a blimp wreck, and a sinking ship all slamming together at the same time. For whatever reason I couldn't force myself to look away. It was a huge waste of time, didn't make any sense, and was so, so, so bad.
Everything with time travel is left on the grounds of "Suspension of Disbelief." It is left there crying and wishing to simply be put out of its misery.
None of this story make any sense. ANY. ANY.
They can travel back in time, but not forward, but they can travel back in time, change the past thereby creating a new future, and then travel into this changed future without repercussions. Wouldn't people from the future be traveling back to meet our present and then traveling back to their present, thereby traveling into the future? Wouldn't changing the past systematically create a new future which now cannot be traveled into because it hasn't been played out yet? Wouldn't they be traveling into the future from this new past and therefore be traveling into an unknown future?
Okay, forget that one.
They change the past in some incredibly dramatic ways, including changing the reasons they are where they are. We are told, "the universe has systems in place" to make sure you don't become your own grandpa, but they change the ending to WWII without repercussions. Our main character is a bum because of an action they directly change, only to then be in the same place and time for the same actions to occur? Josh is given one rule (immediately breaks it, because story gotta story) but the change makes no difference. Everything is exactly the same.
Okay, forget that one.
Why is there a time limit or constraint or crunch at all? The Colonel disappears, and should immediately reappear. No matter what happens, he should reappear at the exact moment he left. There should never be a hurry or a concern in any meaningful way. The only reason there would be a delay is because of a manufactured one the people create for . . . dramatic effect I guess. He should immediately reappear, and then simply tell everyone how he survived to make sure the same sequence of events occurs.
Okay, forget that one.
Why are Dalton and his mother antagonistic? How does this society function or work at all? There are an entire army of people able to travel through time, although it seems far more likely that they just happened upon a watch that allowed them to travel. Lenin travels through time at one point, so can anybody travel if they have a watch? Is the watch worthless to the professor then? Could it actually be used by him? Why is he in this thing? Why can't Josh go shoot Lenin when he's on the john, or go back and keep his mom from being kidnapped, or go back and retrieve the watch? Even if he doesn't go, have Caitlin go back and fix these basic things because they are easy fixes for someone who can travel through time.
Okay, forget that one.
So these different time travelers all have different abilities . . . and yet they can all do what they want to do . . . and they are able to live in pockets outside of time . . . but also fully live within different time periods, and fail tasks, and yet try again. Wouldn't, while trying to steal from Marie Antoinette, Josh have to contend with all the other trainees that are also all trying to steal from her at the same time. Wouldn't it be an army of people, all at the same time trying to find a box that if they had gone back a week earlier they could have found without all the difficulty. I'm not sure why that was such a big deal.
Okay, forget that one.
Isn't everything made up of natural elements? Unless we are talking about true synthetics, which would limit your travel to only a hundred years or so, then wasn't everything before (let's just say) 1900 be made of natural material and impossible to travel with. What does this guy think books were made out of? Leather is cow hide, paper is wood, so I'm confused on the whole "we can't use natural materials to travel" idea because everything is basically natural materials.
Okay, forget that one.
So . . . nobody thought mentioning to Josh that there existed actual time monsters who would eat him and everyone he cared about without a moment's notice. Nobody thought, "hey, let's get your W-4 filled out, and oh yeah, watch out for the literal time witches and vampires." And then, after having given Josh no warning and one of their own sending a time-vampire after him (which is never investigated, kind of odd) they then decide to kick him out of the order because he used a bone knife to jump.
Okay, forget that one.
After using said bone knife, they then travel further than anyone is supposed to travel. I thought he said there was a limit to how far anyone can travel. Did Josh just do something nobody had ever done? Go back further than anyone ever had gone back? No. But he is rescued by people easily able to travel there and back. So there really isn't a limit. This is another paradox as Josh and Cait never do the things that got them saved, thereby never being able to be saved. They say they are going to to do them, but then never do them.
Okay, forget that one.
Phew. Realize, of course, that I don't consider any of that spoilers. It largely has nothing to do with the story as a whole; which decides to have three or four rising actions (we don't get started until page 200), three or four climaxes (Time-witches, Mesolithic period, the pirates, Lenin), and then caps off with three or four conclusions, ultimately ending on a cliff hanger which is really another paradox.
This thing is a freaking mess. I honestly have no reason why I kept reading it or finished the thing. I guess Josh is lovable enough . . . A fairly standard down-on-his-luck protagonist who stumbles into a secret world, has magic powers, and is (of course) the Chosen One.
This book was more like a train wreck, a blimp wreck, and a sinking ship all slamming together at the same time. For whatever reason I couldn't force myself to look away. It was a huge waste of time, didn't make any sense, and was so, so, so bad.
December 24, 2024
I wanted to like this based on the premise but in the end I couldn’t get past the way it feels like the fantasy of a horny teenager — nothing against horny teens but between the weird sexualization of all the female
characters in a way that felt (to me) like the author’s own voice rather than the author writing as a 17 year old boy, the awkward and stilted dialogue, and unfortunate stylistic choices I just couldn’t suspend disbelief long enough to really get into the story. I do think it could have been massively improved with better (any?) editing, but the plot isn’t THAT original that I feel motivated to slog through the last 10%.
characters in a way that felt (to me) like the author’s own voice rather than the author writing as a 17 year old boy, the awkward and stilted dialogue, and unfortunate stylistic choices I just couldn’t suspend disbelief long enough to really get into the story. I do think it could have been massively improved with better (any?) editing, but the plot isn’t THAT original that I feel motivated to slog through the last 10%.
August 23, 2018
There are a bunch of literary things I could knock stars off for, but you know what? This was a proper, fantastic, ripping yarn. It's immensely creative and enjoyably detailed in its imagined universe. Andrew Hastie has poured his creative soul into it and I admired his fast paced and descriptive execution of the story and its worlds-building and timelines-building. There are lots of places that the writing could be tighter, but I feel like that's small, mean pickings when his story is such good fun from start to finish. So, five stars. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 21, 2018
The Infinity Engines - Anachronist
A down to earth protagonist who is quite believable and likeable....then begins time travel, an elderly mentor, a love interest and adventure all mixed together in a way that reminded me of both Warehouse 13 and The Librarians.
A fun read and will certainly be reading the next in the series to see what happens to Josh and his gang of travellers
A down to earth protagonist who is quite believable and likeable....then begins time travel, an elderly mentor, a love interest and adventure all mixed together in a way that reminded me of both Warehouse 13 and The Librarians.
A fun read and will certainly be reading the next in the series to see what happens to Josh and his gang of travellers
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