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Time Chain #2
THE BALANCE OF TIME: A TIME TRAVEL NOVEL
Believing all their troubles are behind them, Dani and Aideen seek to lead a more simple life. Their final mission is to bring Orla from 1801 to live with them in 2022. Then they will find peace. Not so. Charles is still on the loose, and has become so powerful that even capturing and imprisoning him won’t stop him. Space is being pioneered in the future using, unfortunately, time travel, and a virulent blend of intelligent life is heading toward Earth. Finally, the false realities created by the missions to capture Charles are encroaching on the lives of Dani and Aideen and threatening the reality in which all of humanity resides. Someone must restore The Balance of Time , before it’s too late. Author’s Note : To fully enjoy each book in the Time Chain series, please read them in order.
312 pages, Paperback
Published April 24, 2023
337 people are currently reading
6899 people want to read
About the author
Steven Decker
25 books3,612 followersSteven Decker is the author of many novels, including the bestselling Time Chain series and Child of Another Kind. His love of writing was born on the day he threw a spitball at one of his 5th-grade classmates. Rather than punish him, his wise old teacher, Mrs. Brewer, called Steven to the front of the class and handed him a book of poetry. She quietly instructed him to memorize “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” by Robert Frost and informed him that he would be reciting the poem in front of the class the following day. Mrs. Brewer hit a home run.
Inspired by Frost’s ability to paint a picture and generate deep emotion with the written word, Steven fell in love with reading, writing, and storytelling. As an 8th grader, he read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, for fun. It wasn’t a homework assignment. As a student at the University of Virginia, he was thrilled at the prospect of writing a thesis as the culmination of his undergraduate studies. While traveling the world for work, Steven kept writing, and his experiences around the globe have influenced his novels in many ways.
When living in Appalachia while writing his first novel, Steven studied and practiced the art of storytelling. Since that time, he always edits his books by reading them aloud to himself. Novels are a story and need to sound like one. Fiction readers want to escape from their everyday lives when they read a novel. Thus the true job of a novelist is to imagine special things, sometimes even spectacular things, then write about them in a way that inspires the reader to go there, too, leaving the ordinary behind.
Steven lives and writes in both Arizona and Connecticut and travels throughout the world looking for new ideas and settings for his books. He enjoys spending time with Karen and Mr. Wilson, the beagle, walking in the countryside, and being with his family.
Inspired by Frost’s ability to paint a picture and generate deep emotion with the written word, Steven fell in love with reading, writing, and storytelling. As an 8th grader, he read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, for fun. It wasn’t a homework assignment. As a student at the University of Virginia, he was thrilled at the prospect of writing a thesis as the culmination of his undergraduate studies. While traveling the world for work, Steven kept writing, and his experiences around the globe have influenced his novels in many ways.
When living in Appalachia while writing his first novel, Steven studied and practiced the art of storytelling. Since that time, he always edits his books by reading them aloud to himself. Novels are a story and need to sound like one. Fiction readers want to escape from their everyday lives when they read a novel. Thus the true job of a novelist is to imagine special things, sometimes even spectacular things, then write about them in a way that inspires the reader to go there, too, leaving the ordinary behind.
Steven lives and writes in both Arizona and Connecticut and travels throughout the world looking for new ideas and settings for his books. He enjoys spending time with Karen and Mr. Wilson, the beagle, walking in the countryside, and being with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 3, 2023
time
It’s about time travel and all the intricacies and permutations that it entails and the characters and their interpersonal relationships are intriguing, a must read, but read the first one first. This is the second one and THERE US A THIRD ONE !!!
It’s about time travel and all the intricacies and permutations that it entails and the characters and their interpersonal relationships are intriguing, a must read, but read the first one first. This is the second one and THERE US A THIRD ONE !!!
May 17, 2023
The Balance of Time is the second book in the (Time Chain series) by Steven Decker, which is a science fiction series that involves time travel and the potential consequences of manipulating time. The main characters, Dani and Aideen, seek to lead a simple life after completing their final mission, which is to bring Orla from 1801 to live with them in 2022. However, they soon find that their troubles are not over, as they face new threats from a powerful villain named Charles and an approaching intelligent life from space.
The book deals with themes such as the balance of time and the consequences of manipulating it, as well as the potential dangers of advanced technology and the impact it can have on humanity.
Overall, I found the book to be an exciting and thought provoking look into how Time Travel, it is stuffed with action and drama ,with well developed Characters that you can’t help routing for as they are so likeable. I look forward to reading more from Steven Decker.
The book deals with themes such as the balance of time and the consequences of manipulating it, as well as the potential dangers of advanced technology and the impact it can have on humanity.
Overall, I found the book to be an exciting and thought provoking look into how Time Travel, it is stuffed with action and drama ,with well developed Characters that you can’t help routing for as they are so likeable. I look forward to reading more from Steven Decker.
July 20, 2023
This is my first read of this "Time Chain" and honesty I was tempted to read more parts of it.
The storyline involves Dani and Aideen who are in inseparable love and companionship, they travel through time to bring back Orla...but this is just a beginning and not so easy as they have planned.
The negative character "Charles" is on loose and want to temper the "Time Machine " and fail their plan. They set everything aside and try to restore the balance of time to maintain the normality.
What happens and how it happens will keep you engaged.
This is a fast paced and well drafted read. I enjoyed the way the subplots were progressing with gradual revealing the twists and turns.
I believe this is the charm of the author to keep a hold on progression of the story with maintaining the same interests.
The storyline involves Dani and Aideen who are in inseparable love and companionship, they travel through time to bring back Orla...but this is just a beginning and not so easy as they have planned.
The negative character "Charles" is on loose and want to temper the "Time Machine " and fail their plan. They set everything aside and try to restore the balance of time to maintain the normality.
What happens and how it happens will keep you engaged.
This is a fast paced and well drafted read. I enjoyed the way the subplots were progressing with gradual revealing the twists and turns.
I believe this is the charm of the author to keep a hold on progression of the story with maintaining the same interests.
April 13, 2023
An absolute winner of a novel!
Connecticut author Steven Decker is a world explorer - for business, for sport (he has been a traveling triathlete), and for the pleasure of examining and appreciating other cultures. He has published three novels to date - DISTANT FINISH, PROJECTOR FOR SALE, CHILD OF ANOTHER KIND, TIME CHAIN, and now THE BALANCE OF TIME - Book 2 of his Time Chain series.
Decker ventures quite comfortably into the paranormal and science fiction arenas, always in his own way - and always quite successfully tackling subject matter few authors can acquiesce. It is imperative to read Book 1 first as the characters are defined there. In this second volume, Dani and Aideen open the story as follows: ‘Since they hadn’t taken the pill that would make them look thirty years old yet (they were saving that until they retrieved Orla from 1801) Aideen still looked to be a woman of middle age, in good shape, with only a hint of gray in her fiery red hair, while Dani was a woman in her mid twenties, tall and fit…Based on their age difference, they could be mother and daughter…’ That degree of imaginative writing permeates this novel.
The plot overview: ‘Believing all their troubles are behind them, Dani and Aideen seek to lead a more simple life. Their final mission is to bring Orla from 1801 to live with them in 2022. Then they will find peace. Not so. Charles is still on the loose, and has become so powerful that even capturing and imprisoning him won’t stop him. Space is being pioneered in the future using, unfortunately, time travel, and a virulent blend of intelligent life is heading toward Earth. Finally, the false realities created by the missions to capture Charles are encroaching on the lives of Dani and Aideen and threatening the reality in which all of humanity resides. Someone must restore The Balance of Time, before it’s too late.’
Few authors can traverse the spectrum of time travel with the finesse Steven Decker imbues this novel. The manner in which he escorts his characters through the different dimensions signals a position in the top tier of contemporary writers. Very highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Connecticut author Steven Decker is a world explorer - for business, for sport (he has been a traveling triathlete), and for the pleasure of examining and appreciating other cultures. He has published three novels to date - DISTANT FINISH, PROJECTOR FOR SALE, CHILD OF ANOTHER KIND, TIME CHAIN, and now THE BALANCE OF TIME - Book 2 of his Time Chain series.
Decker ventures quite comfortably into the paranormal and science fiction arenas, always in his own way - and always quite successfully tackling subject matter few authors can acquiesce. It is imperative to read Book 1 first as the characters are defined there. In this second volume, Dani and Aideen open the story as follows: ‘Since they hadn’t taken the pill that would make them look thirty years old yet (they were saving that until they retrieved Orla from 1801) Aideen still looked to be a woman of middle age, in good shape, with only a hint of gray in her fiery red hair, while Dani was a woman in her mid twenties, tall and fit…Based on their age difference, they could be mother and daughter…’ That degree of imaginative writing permeates this novel.
The plot overview: ‘Believing all their troubles are behind them, Dani and Aideen seek to lead a more simple life. Their final mission is to bring Orla from 1801 to live with them in 2022. Then they will find peace. Not so. Charles is still on the loose, and has become so powerful that even capturing and imprisoning him won’t stop him. Space is being pioneered in the future using, unfortunately, time travel, and a virulent blend of intelligent life is heading toward Earth. Finally, the false realities created by the missions to capture Charles are encroaching on the lives of Dani and Aideen and threatening the reality in which all of humanity resides. Someone must restore The Balance of Time, before it’s too late.’
Few authors can traverse the spectrum of time travel with the finesse Steven Decker imbues this novel. The manner in which he escorts his characters through the different dimensions signals a position in the top tier of contemporary writers. Very highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
May 16, 2023
The Balance of Time: A Time Travel Novel is the second book in Steven Decker's Time Chain series. It begins with Dani and Aideen starting their last time mission when something fearsome takes place. They realize Charles has escaped from his prison in the future to change the past. His destructions are felt through the ages. Dani and Aideen must find a way to stop him, even if they have to break the rules and split up.
Time travel is a tricky occupation. One change in a person's life can affect generations and nations. Steven Decker continues his Time Chain Science Fiction series with The Balance of Time. The delicate balance is hanging on a bare thread as the characters strive to right the damage caused by Charles. They have to be careful they don't erase their existence when Charles deviously kidnaps a grandmother. This book keeps you anticipating their next move, as each adventure could be their last. I highly recommend this series and the creative author.
Time travel is a tricky occupation. One change in a person's life can affect generations and nations. Steven Decker continues his Time Chain Science Fiction series with The Balance of Time. The delicate balance is hanging on a bare thread as the characters strive to right the damage caused by Charles. They have to be careful they don't erase their existence when Charles deviously kidnaps a grandmother. This book keeps you anticipating their next move, as each adventure could be their last. I highly recommend this series and the creative author.
December 4, 2024
Unbalanced collection of thoughts
This sequel is not near as tight as the original. The same characters are utiluzed but poorly developed and inconsistent with the original while also being a collection of quick short stoties using the same chatacters and settings rather than a cohesive novel that sensibly moves forward. It feels like the whole book is a setup to move the technology and characters for another sequel. The antagonist from the first novel so quickly and easily dispatched - then Decker repeats that formula with mutiple events thst should have all been more of a challenge. All the characters are playing the story on beginner mode. The attempt to setup the next book keeps failing as the antagonist turned seeming protagonist with a sinister set of secrets is so poorly player its eiyher going to be an obvious set of reveals or an expected twist of him not bring evil after all in the next book. Skipnthisbsequel and stick to the original.
This sequel is not near as tight as the original. The same characters are utiluzed but poorly developed and inconsistent with the original while also being a collection of quick short stoties using the same chatacters and settings rather than a cohesive novel that sensibly moves forward. It feels like the whole book is a setup to move the technology and characters for another sequel. The antagonist from the first novel so quickly and easily dispatched - then Decker repeats that formula with mutiple events thst should have all been more of a challenge. All the characters are playing the story on beginner mode. The attempt to setup the next book keeps failing as the antagonist turned seeming protagonist with a sinister set of secrets is so poorly player its eiyher going to be an obvious set of reveals or an expected twist of him not bring evil after all in the next book. Skipnthisbsequel and stick to the original.
May 18, 2023
This is the second book in the Time Chain series and my fourth book by Decker. I’m always excited to read something new from him! This book doesn’t hesitate to immediately jump into action, with an immediate thrust into 1801 from 2022 on the hunt for Orla. One thing I like about Decker is that he doesn’t shy away from tough topics but doesn’t dive so deep as to put excessive focus on them. He has a knack for keeping pace in doing this.
Dani and Aideen, as with the last book, are my favorites. They are solid and well-written. As I’ve said before, they come off as genuine. The best part of this book is how they are just trying to wrap up their hectic lives so they can live peacefully. If you haven’t read the first book, this one can be a bit hard to follow; but it’s a great sequel to the first and well worth your time to give it a go.
Dani and Aideen, as with the last book, are my favorites. They are solid and well-written. As I’ve said before, they come off as genuine. The best part of this book is how they are just trying to wrap up their hectic lives so they can live peacefully. If you haven’t read the first book, this one can be a bit hard to follow; but it’s a great sequel to the first and well worth your time to give it a go.
May 10, 2023
An excellent time-travel book that will have you captivated from the start. The world-building is superb, and the descriptions are brilliant. The plot moves along swiftly and smoothly, and there are just enough twists that you can never be completely sure of what’s going to happen next. Dani and Aideen have to race against the clock to stop Charles, but he’s not the only obstacle they’ll face. You should read book 1 first, this isn’t a stand-alone, and you may find yourself lost if you dive into the series here. But you’ll definitely want to grab this series if you’re a fan of interesting worlds, convoluted plots that will keep you wondering, and amazing characters.
May 11, 2023
The Balance Of Time: A Time Travel Novel (TIME CHAIN Book 2) by STEVEN DECKER is another fantastic book by this author. This is the follow-up book to Time Chain and again is skillfully constructed plot-wise and with great characters. There are interesting scenarios, a strong sense of urgency, interesting development of the time travel theme, and more. The book truly pulls you in right from the beginning and holds your attention. For those who love time travel storylines, this is the perfect book to delve into. For those new to the genre, you might become addicted. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2023
A science fiction story, this one is the second book in the Time Chain series by Steven Decker, this book gave me all the feels about time travelers. To be honest one of the most interesting points in this story is about the consequences of manipulating time, and how all the evolution in science, technology can affect the future and in this case time in general.
A very interesting and exciting read, but must be read in order. The first one is Time Chain and you won’t be disappointed in that one either. I recommend this book if you enjoy a good sci-fi.
A very interesting and exciting read, but must be read in order. The first one is Time Chain and you won’t be disappointed in that one either. I recommend this book if you enjoy a good sci-fi.
September 24, 2024
Am ongoing tale
A lovely continuation of the love story. The characters are wonderful and rich. The technology is assumed so don’t expect a through analysis of time travel, just accept it. Looking forward to book 3.
A lovely continuation of the love story. The characters are wonderful and rich. The technology is assumed so don’t expect a through analysis of time travel, just accept it. Looking forward to book 3.
June 6, 2023
Time travel that's just all over the place, I'm not really a fan.
June 28, 2023
A well thought out story
Good and bad ways of controlling time travel. Who knows how it will turn out. Read the the next chapter to find out.
Good and bad ways of controlling time travel. Who knows how it will turn out. Read the the next chapter to find out.
October 9, 2023
Well written and fun
Good followup to Time Chain. Really keeps you turning the pages. The characters will make you want to read more.
Good followup to Time Chain. Really keeps you turning the pages. The characters will make you want to read more.
November 20, 2023
Very creative
January 12, 2024
I liked this sequel to The Time Chain very much. It expands into space and encounters unusual cultures which aren't exactly human. The adventure keeps the pages turning.
January 30, 2024
great book
Recommend to anyone who likes science fiction and time travel. Very detailed. Sometime a little to detailed. Very entertaining. Great read.
Recommend to anyone who likes science fiction and time travel. Very detailed. Sometime a little to detailed. Very entertaining. Great read.
April 23, 2024
After the first page
You will realize that this is the worst book you've ever picked up. Don't waste your money or your time
You will realize that this is the worst book you've ever picked up. Don't waste your money or your time
May 11, 2024
interesting time travel.
a little hard to keep track of the versions of the same person, but it is working out well
getting better all the time
a little hard to keep track of the versions of the same person, but it is working out well
getting better all the time
June 11, 2024
such an imagination!
The twists… and the solution… and the tech! Wow. What fun. And here are nine more words to many now.
The twists… and the solution… and the tech! Wow. What fun. And here are nine more words to many now.
May 9, 2025
The Balance of Time
This was a very good well thought out story! I enjoyed the characters and how they interacted.I would be interested in finding out what happened next!
This was a very good well thought out story! I enjoyed the characters and how they interacted.I would be interested in finding out what happened next!
June 2, 2025
read #1, #2
August 29, 2025
Loved the characters but
The story got a little weird. This was the second book I. The series. First was really good, this one okay but I won’t read the third. Totally lost interest
The story got a little weird. This was the second book I. The series. First was really good, this one okay but I won’t read the third. Totally lost interest
December 27, 2025
“The distinction between the past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.” ~ Albert Einstein.
Steven Decker's "The Balance of Time" is an exciting and imaginative addition to his Time Chain series. Readers who have read the first book in the series will appreciate the character development and plot progression in this second instalment. For those who haven't read the first book, it's imperative to do so to fully understand the characters and their motivations.
The author explores paranormal and science fiction elements in his own unique way. The story is centred around Dani and Aideen, who are on a mission to retrieve Orla from 1801. Decker's writing is imaginative and keeps readers on their toes, constantly guessing what will happen next. The characters are well-defined, and the plot is engaging.
"The Balance of Time" is a successful addition to the Time Chain series. Decker's writing style is masterful, and his ability to tackle complex subject matter in a unique way is admirable. Fans of science fiction and paranormal stories will thoroughly enjoy this novel.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
Steven Decker's "The Balance of Time" is an exciting and imaginative addition to his Time Chain series. Readers who have read the first book in the series will appreciate the character development and plot progression in this second instalment. For those who haven't read the first book, it's imperative to do so to fully understand the characters and their motivations.
The author explores paranormal and science fiction elements in his own unique way. The story is centred around Dani and Aideen, who are on a mission to retrieve Orla from 1801. Decker's writing is imaginative and keeps readers on their toes, constantly guessing what will happen next. The characters are well-defined, and the plot is engaging.
"The Balance of Time" is a successful addition to the Time Chain series. Decker's writing style is masterful, and his ability to tackle complex subject matter in a unique way is admirable. Fans of science fiction and paranormal stories will thoroughly enjoy this novel.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
January 29, 2024
The Balance of Time by Steven Decker is a fictional piece of work that explores the theme of time travel. The book presents Dani and Aideen as "best friends and lovers", who travel in the year 1801 to retrieve Orla, go back to 2022, and live a peaceful life. But not everything goes as planned, and neither did it work for the two of them, as they found out that Charles has escaped his prison and is trying to change the past.
One of the aspects that I liked about the book is that it’s fast-paced. Dani and Aideen are in a constant race to catch Charles, stop him from changing and damaging the timeline, and at the same time try to fix what he has already done. An insane race that is full of sorrow, danger, and sacrifice. I also liked how well-developed the characters were, bringing them closer to the reader and making them more relatable, like the relationship between the main characters.
One of the aspects that I liked about the book is that it’s fast-paced. Dani and Aideen are in a constant race to catch Charles, stop him from changing and damaging the timeline, and at the same time try to fix what he has already done. An insane race that is full of sorrow, danger, and sacrifice. I also liked how well-developed the characters were, bringing them closer to the reader and making them more relatable, like the relationship between the main characters.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews