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Tiny Time Machine 2: Return of the Father
★★★★★ "A new high-concept idea for time travel!" - Reader review
Josh and Meg and the Tiny Time Machine are back in a brand new book! And this time it's personal. They will travel to the past to save Meg's father, or die trying. A new adventure from Amazing Stories.
John E. Stith is a Nebula Award finalist for Redshift Rendezvous. Aboard the hyperspace liner Redshift, the speed of light is ten meters per second.
In Tiny Time Machine 1 , Meg and Josh, two loners on the run from the cops, discovered a time machine built into a cellphone and used it to avert a disastrous future. But along the way, Meg's father, the inventor, was killed.
Now, Meg and Josh are back in a second stand-alone adventure. Their to decipher Meg's father's cryptic notes and enhance the time machine, so it can not only visit their future, but also open the door to their past.
But even as they race to get far enough into the past to save dad, they must battle dad's ex-partner, who will do anything to snatch the tiny time machine back from them. And as if that's not enough, a powerful billionaire and his daughter may be allies--or not.
TTM2 revisits the characters and time machine introduced in TTM1. Like TTM1, this is also a stand-alone adventure, one that can be enjoyed without having read TTM1. But why not double your fun and try both?
Tiny Time Machine 2: Return of the Father
An Illustrated science-fiction time-travel novella
About Stith's prior
“Stith writes in the best hard-sf manner, dropping characters into a situation that can be solved only by thought and reason, but he also, more modernly, creates real and believable characters. He is becoming one of the most eloquent modern hard-sf practitioners.” — Booklist
"This is the kind of story that brought me to SF. Put a little fun back into your life." - Science Fiction Chronicle
Josh and Meg and the Tiny Time Machine are back in a brand new book! And this time it's personal. They will travel to the past to save Meg's father, or die trying. A new adventure from Amazing Stories.
John E. Stith is a Nebula Award finalist for Redshift Rendezvous. Aboard the hyperspace liner Redshift, the speed of light is ten meters per second.
In Tiny Time Machine 1 , Meg and Josh, two loners on the run from the cops, discovered a time machine built into a cellphone and used it to avert a disastrous future. But along the way, Meg's father, the inventor, was killed.
Now, Meg and Josh are back in a second stand-alone adventure. Their to decipher Meg's father's cryptic notes and enhance the time machine, so it can not only visit their future, but also open the door to their past.
But even as they race to get far enough into the past to save dad, they must battle dad's ex-partner, who will do anything to snatch the tiny time machine back from them. And as if that's not enough, a powerful billionaire and his daughter may be allies--or not.
TTM2 revisits the characters and time machine introduced in TTM1. Like TTM1, this is also a stand-alone adventure, one that can be enjoyed without having read TTM1. But why not double your fun and try both?
Tiny Time Machine 2: Return of the Father
An Illustrated science-fiction time-travel novella
About Stith's prior
“Stith writes in the best hard-sf manner, dropping characters into a situation that can be solved only by thought and reason, but he also, more modernly, creates real and believable characters. He is becoming one of the most eloquent modern hard-sf practitioners.” — Booklist
"This is the kind of story that brought me to SF. Put a little fun back into your life." - Science Fiction Chronicle
150 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2023
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1 person want to read
About the author
John E. Stith
23 books57 followersPUSHBACK , a mystery-suspense novel, was published in November 2018 and is a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, mainstream category.
PUSHBACK : At his ten-year high-school reunion, an investment counselor finds he doesn't know one person there, and soon realizes he must outwit an unknown antagonist who wants him dead.
"...unsettling Hitchcockian thriller...Judicious use of humor provides some relief from the dark plot line. Fans of Daniel Palmer-esque intelligent suspense will be pleased." -- Publishers Weekly
"Ordinary Hijacked by Extraordinary, With Comedy... what’s most captivating about PUSHBACK is that even with people like Dave Barlow—just an average guy doing average things—life can take a shocking turn for the worse. But the book reminds us that, also like Dave, we have the power to turn it right-side up again, with humor at the center of our inner strength." -- The Big Thrill, magazine of International Thriller Writers
Science-fiction author John E. Stith's works include REDSHIFT RENDEZVOUS (Nebula Award nominee from Ace Books), MANHATTAN TRANSFER (Hugo Award Honorable Mention from Tor Books), REUNION ON NEVEREND, and RECKONING INFINITY (on Science Fiction Chronicle's Best Science Fiction Novels list for its publication year, on the Nebula Award preliminary ballot).
His other novels are SCAPESCOPE, MEMORY BLANK, DEATH TOLLS, and DEEP QUARRY.
He's the author of ALL FOR NAUGHT, which collects "Naught for Hire," and "Naught Again" both first appearing in ANALOG. If you hear about "Naught for Hire" verbally, you might think the title is "Not for Hire" but it's not. Check out the Naught for Hire website for even more info on the upcoming webisode series starring Ben Browder.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 15, 2024
Tiny Time Machine is a trilogy of novellas (343 pages altogether) that cleverly mix time travel with high-action adventure. These page-turners are full of tense chase scenes, strong writing, imaginative science and intriguing characters.
They’re in the first-person point of view of 17-year-old Meg, who shares the adventures with her love-interest Josh and friend Olivia. There are well-drawn bad guys after them, and even a hologram/avatar companion who is vain, smug and sarcastic as it shape-shifts from one form to another to add comic relief.
Although the three main characters are 17 at the start of the trilogy, because they graduate from high school by the second installment, and because there’s mature subject matter (one sex scene and frequent other sexual material), it feels more like a new-adult book for twenty-somethings.
I like the way it includes humor, and the time-travel material is laudably original, if occasionally so high-tech it’s hard to follow. Certainly, the chase scenes and tension are first class.
Sadly, it is brought down by several weaknesses, all of which force one to question if the author is out of touch with today’s young people.
First, there’s constant sexualizing of the women and situations, likely to offend any gender in this day and age.
Then there’s frequent reference to dated movies and other pop culture, to which today’s teens are unlikely to relate (Howdy Doody, Butch Cassidy, Men in Black, MacGyver).
There’s inappropriate use of words like Eskimo and powwow (dated and culturally inappropriate).
And finally, there’s a romantic triangle that feels forced, overblown and over-milked (for two of the three books) focusing on Meg feeling constantly obsessed by and intimidated by Olivia’s physical looks, a shallow theme perhaps more acceptable to readers a few decades ago.
But don’t take my word for it. The author seriously uses the word “cleavage” four times:
• The gun pushed into her cleavage.
• Josh’s gaze periodically came to rest on Olivia’s legs and cleavage.
• Josh had been momentarily distracted by Olivia's cleavage.
• The future could be really conservative. They might even outlaw cleavage, for instance.
And then there’s the sexual harassment and male characters’ supposed inability to keep their minds off sexual matters. Legit for one or two instances, but so frequent it feels out of date and over the top and… icky.
• Another security guard appeared right in front of me and I was boxed in. He gave me an arrogant smile and said, “Hey, Sweetie. How’s it going?”… They grabbed me, more roughly than they needed to. And a lot more intimately than they needed to. Bastards.
• “Trust me. You will like this a lot less if I have to search you while you sit there.” He sounded almost hopeful that I would be stubborn….
• [Josh] wasn't far away… He was in the living room. With a stunningly beautiful woman [the hologram]. And she wore nothing but a bikini. And not one of those burka-like bikinis. One of the bikinis that seemed to have been designed and fabricated during a severe cloth shortage.
• “Quit looking at her butt.”
• The guy seemed focused on my chest as I ran. This time I felt less flattered and more irritated.
• I could see why Josh and Mr. Hyatt would both be attracted to her curvier body.
• Today, Valex [hologram] looked like a barely dressed fashion model, so Dad's ability to focus was even more impressive.
• Zeke's mother had been a beautiful woman who took advantage of her looks to manipulate the multiple men in her life to indulge her every whim. Zeke had wound up with a deep-seated aversion to beautiful women…
• Very short skirts seemed to be in again. The women must have been chilly, unless you could now take a pill to alter your metabolism, but I was sure Josh would be happy.
As for the supposed love triangle that gets tiring and is way over-focused on physical looks…
• Olivia… turned to Josh. “I’ll do anything you want.” I felt a sudden flash of irritation at being neglected. And annoyed that this gorgeous female was focusing herself on Josh. Josh gave her a sly grin. “Anything?” “Darn it!” I said. “Keep it in your—”
• Her top was cut really low. The old phrase, “When you've got it, flaunt it,” came to mind. And Josh had to be the only intended target.
• Tonight she wore a white sleeveless top and what could be a tennis skirt except it looked too tight for that.
• Whenever Olivia was around, I automatically felt less than, at least physically, and I don't know that it was good for Josh to contrast Olivia at her best with me at my worst.
• [Olivia] looked like she'd come directly from the beauty parlor. Her hair glistened under the lights. She wore another short skirt and a tight fuzzy sweater, the kind that makes acquaintances without boundaries say, “Oh, can I feel?”
• So this was what it felt like to be a duckling in the presence of the Queen Swan.
• Olivia: “I've been seeing someone off and on, but I'm not sure he's a keeper… and we've been having a few too many deadwood episodes…” I found it difficult to believe any man with Olivia would have that problem, but maybe she was as intimidating in bed as she could be out of bed.
• Olivia Teicher stretched her arms, slowly, first over her head and then reaching back. Josh did a pretty fair job of demonstrating that Olivia's provocative pose held no power over him.
Yes, there are attempts to portray intelligence as more important than looks, and to present the girls as courageous and Josh as thoughtful. But given the strange preponderance of the looks/sexuality obsession, it just feels out of touch and gross.
That said, I repeat that the plot and characters are otherwise well drawn, with the threesome saving the world from ecological disaster, then rescuing people by upgrading the time machine to perform impressive feats. The plot gets sidetracked at one point by political issues that don’t seem to fit, and one bad guy ends up admitting motivations that seem not to fit at all. But anyone who loves a time-travel tale laced with danger and action, and who can ignore the outdated sexual stuff, will enjoy this read.
Pam Withers is founder of https://yadudebooks.ca/
They’re in the first-person point of view of 17-year-old Meg, who shares the adventures with her love-interest Josh and friend Olivia. There are well-drawn bad guys after them, and even a hologram/avatar companion who is vain, smug and sarcastic as it shape-shifts from one form to another to add comic relief.
Although the three main characters are 17 at the start of the trilogy, because they graduate from high school by the second installment, and because there’s mature subject matter (one sex scene and frequent other sexual material), it feels more like a new-adult book for twenty-somethings.
I like the way it includes humor, and the time-travel material is laudably original, if occasionally so high-tech it’s hard to follow. Certainly, the chase scenes and tension are first class.
Sadly, it is brought down by several weaknesses, all of which force one to question if the author is out of touch with today’s young people.
First, there’s constant sexualizing of the women and situations, likely to offend any gender in this day and age.
Then there’s frequent reference to dated movies and other pop culture, to which today’s teens are unlikely to relate (Howdy Doody, Butch Cassidy, Men in Black, MacGyver).
There’s inappropriate use of words like Eskimo and powwow (dated and culturally inappropriate).
And finally, there’s a romantic triangle that feels forced, overblown and over-milked (for two of the three books) focusing on Meg feeling constantly obsessed by and intimidated by Olivia’s physical looks, a shallow theme perhaps more acceptable to readers a few decades ago.
But don’t take my word for it. The author seriously uses the word “cleavage” four times:
• The gun pushed into her cleavage.
• Josh’s gaze periodically came to rest on Olivia’s legs and cleavage.
• Josh had been momentarily distracted by Olivia's cleavage.
• The future could be really conservative. They might even outlaw cleavage, for instance.
And then there’s the sexual harassment and male characters’ supposed inability to keep their minds off sexual matters. Legit for one or two instances, but so frequent it feels out of date and over the top and… icky.
• Another security guard appeared right in front of me and I was boxed in. He gave me an arrogant smile and said, “Hey, Sweetie. How’s it going?”… They grabbed me, more roughly than they needed to. And a lot more intimately than they needed to. Bastards.
• “Trust me. You will like this a lot less if I have to search you while you sit there.” He sounded almost hopeful that I would be stubborn….
• [Josh] wasn't far away… He was in the living room. With a stunningly beautiful woman [the hologram]. And she wore nothing but a bikini. And not one of those burka-like bikinis. One of the bikinis that seemed to have been designed and fabricated during a severe cloth shortage.
• “Quit looking at her butt.”
• The guy seemed focused on my chest as I ran. This time I felt less flattered and more irritated.
• I could see why Josh and Mr. Hyatt would both be attracted to her curvier body.
• Today, Valex [hologram] looked like a barely dressed fashion model, so Dad's ability to focus was even more impressive.
• Zeke's mother had been a beautiful woman who took advantage of her looks to manipulate the multiple men in her life to indulge her every whim. Zeke had wound up with a deep-seated aversion to beautiful women…
• Very short skirts seemed to be in again. The women must have been chilly, unless you could now take a pill to alter your metabolism, but I was sure Josh would be happy.
As for the supposed love triangle that gets tiring and is way over-focused on physical looks…
• Olivia… turned to Josh. “I’ll do anything you want.” I felt a sudden flash of irritation at being neglected. And annoyed that this gorgeous female was focusing herself on Josh. Josh gave her a sly grin. “Anything?” “Darn it!” I said. “Keep it in your—”
• Her top was cut really low. The old phrase, “When you've got it, flaunt it,” came to mind. And Josh had to be the only intended target.
• Tonight she wore a white sleeveless top and what could be a tennis skirt except it looked too tight for that.
• Whenever Olivia was around, I automatically felt less than, at least physically, and I don't know that it was good for Josh to contrast Olivia at her best with me at my worst.
• [Olivia] looked like she'd come directly from the beauty parlor. Her hair glistened under the lights. She wore another short skirt and a tight fuzzy sweater, the kind that makes acquaintances without boundaries say, “Oh, can I feel?”
• So this was what it felt like to be a duckling in the presence of the Queen Swan.
• Olivia: “I've been seeing someone off and on, but I'm not sure he's a keeper… and we've been having a few too many deadwood episodes…” I found it difficult to believe any man with Olivia would have that problem, but maybe she was as intimidating in bed as she could be out of bed.
• Olivia Teicher stretched her arms, slowly, first over her head and then reaching back. Josh did a pretty fair job of demonstrating that Olivia's provocative pose held no power over him.
Yes, there are attempts to portray intelligence as more important than looks, and to present the girls as courageous and Josh as thoughtful. But given the strange preponderance of the looks/sexuality obsession, it just feels out of touch and gross.
That said, I repeat that the plot and characters are otherwise well drawn, with the threesome saving the world from ecological disaster, then rescuing people by upgrading the time machine to perform impressive feats. The plot gets sidetracked at one point by political issues that don’t seem to fit, and one bad guy ends up admitting motivations that seem not to fit at all. But anyone who loves a time-travel tale laced with danger and action, and who can ignore the outdated sexual stuff, will enjoy this read.
Pam Withers is founder of https://yadudebooks.ca/
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June 28, 2023Short book, sequel to "Tiny Time Machine". A man had invented a tiny time machine that looks like a cell phone that has serious limits. Someone tried to steal it and the man died. His daughter, her boyfriend, and another woman try to improve it as they saved the world in the first book.
Now she tries to get it to work far enough back to save her father, while the thief is still after her.
Illustrated by Nikolett Timar.
Now she tries to get it to work far enough back to save her father, while the thief is still after her.
Illustrated by Nikolett Timar.
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