Sam's got trouble. He's Leaped into a young half-breed Indian named Wickie - with no background, no mission, and no word from Al.
Meanwhile, Al's found something more interesting than Sam's mission. A beautiful woman name Janna ... Janna Calavicci. as in Mrs. Al Calavicci.
But marital bliss may be short-lived as time runs out for Sam. And Al must make a deadly choice. Because helping Sam could change more than Wickie's future. It could erase Janna from his life forever....
Not by any stretch "great literature." But enjoyable. It's always fun to read extensions of a universe you're already familiar with. If I didn't love Quantum Leap and Sam and Al I probably wouldn't be remotely interested in this book. It was an easy, quick read.
Once upon a time, a popular show would find itself being licensed out for books. You like Star Trek- well, here are two whole series of books based on either crew. Like seaQuest - well, we have 3 books about Darwin, the talking Dolphin. Lois & Clark fan - yeah, we have books for them too. So, of course, Quantum Leap also had books - many books (I would say short of Star Trek, Star Wars, or Doctor Who, Quantum Leap would be 4th in the total number of books published). And once upon that same time- I use to read these books. As soon as I got a copy, I had it on the TBR pile, near the top. (Stupid College - how dare they expect me to put aside Sam Beckett for Sam Beckett!!!!) But when the show ended, I knew that the only new adventures of Sam and Al I could find would be in the books. So, I was more...frugal in my reading. One a year - usually in the summer time. And then LIFE happened - marriage, jobs, moving, family, more work, other books and other series... And before I knew it, 23 years goes by between the books. Which is fine - just means that I can get back into my habit of reading one a year.
So, why did I read this one? Well, today (3/26/2019) is the 30th anniversary of the when the pilot movie was shown. And what better way to honor the series then by reading a book in the series. And in this case, one where Sam is in the body of a 20 something half Native American, dealing with a town bully, a pregnant teen, and a choice. But Sam is not alone- Al finds himself with Wife number 6...or is it 7? 8? Well, whatever the number, where once there was Tina, now there is a Mrs. Al - and while Al remembers both a life with and without his wife. And he is falling for the life of a Married Man more than the Life of a Swinging bachelor. And this is going to cause issues for Sam.
On a person note, this book ends on June 10, 1973 - my Dad's 43 birthday. It was kind weird reading the last chapter and thinking "The umborn baby in the book would be a few years younger than me - mid-40's." Also, it talked about how Sam had been jumping around for 10 years - from 1995 to 2005. And while 2005 seemed like the far distance future at the time of publishing (1995), I am reminded of what was going on in my life, 14 years ago, in 2005....
This was quite a good character piece on Al, who doesn’t often get the spotlight in the series. I really felt his indecision in helping Sam knowing that by doing so, the beautiful woman he’s suddenly currently married to, will most likely revert to being a complete stranger to him. This leaves Sam to fend for himself as he has to completely wing it an alcoholic barman/handyman. The premise itself was pretty straightforward and cemented the series’ focus on even the tiniest of acts can have huge implications (however tenuous).
Ashley McConnell seemed to write the best Quantum Leap novels, and as it almost always appears to be the case this one involves the duo meeting someone from one of their pasts and wanting to change their future. A pretty good, easy read that fans of the show will enjoy.
Sam and Al save the day again! And this time with some personal cost to one of them. I love when the author stays true to the characters and basic premise of a T.V show. it’s like you can see and hear the characters and go on a new adventure with them. Happy reading.🙂