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The Time Trials #1
Time Trials
EARTH'S PAST MAY HOLD THE KEY TO ITS FUTURE
Prepare for a pulse-pounding adventure that transcends time itself in the riveting Time Trials. Meet Marty Cohen, a brilliant linguist turned woodworking shop owner who thought he had left behind the politics and rivalries of academia for good.
But when his woodworking business takes a hit, an offer he can't refuse pulls him back into the world of Egyptology. Marty is summoned to an off-the-grid archaeological dig, where ancient texts may hold the key to Earth's past and future. With the promise of riches, Marty embarks on a journey that defies belief.
As the texts unlock the secrets of protohistoric North Africa, a land plagued by horrors and in desperate need of heroes, Marty and his team are thrust into a battle against otherworldly overlords who resemble the gods of Ancient Egypt. Behind this perilous war lies a greater they are chosen to be champions of all Earth and must undertake a harrowing gauntlet to save humanity from extinction.
Failure is not an option.
Prepare for a pulse-pounding adventure that transcends time itself in the riveting Time Trials. Meet Marty Cohen, a brilliant linguist turned woodworking shop owner who thought he had left behind the politics and rivalries of academia for good.
But when his woodworking business takes a hit, an offer he can't refuse pulls him back into the world of Egyptology. Marty is summoned to an off-the-grid archaeological dig, where ancient texts may hold the key to Earth's past and future. With the promise of riches, Marty embarks on a journey that defies belief.
As the texts unlock the secrets of protohistoric North Africa, a land plagued by horrors and in desperate need of heroes, Marty and his team are thrust into a battle against otherworldly overlords who resemble the gods of Ancient Egypt. Behind this perilous war lies a greater they are chosen to be champions of all Earth and must undertake a harrowing gauntlet to save humanity from extinction.
Failure is not an option.
Audible Audio
First published March 7, 2023
182 people are currently reading
4189 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Rothman
83 books325 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author, M.A. Rothman, is one of the most unlikely novelists you'll ever meet. He's an engineer first and foremost, with a background in the sciences, and somehow or another, this writing habit of his has turned into a bit more than just a run-of-the-mill hobby.
He primarily writes stories that focus on two things: technology and international intrigue. This writing tends to span the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and mainstream thrillers.
When not writing, he enjoys cooking, learning about new technology, travel, and spending time with his family.
He primarily writes stories that focus on two things: technology and international intrigue. This writing tends to span the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and mainstream thrillers.
When not writing, he enjoys cooking, learning about new technology, travel, and spending time with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 17, 2023
A Very Entertaining Story
A story with an interesting plot, great characters, historical figures, along with science and mystical things. I loved it. Marty is my favorite character, he seems to be exactly perfect for his role in this story. I cannot wait to read more.
A story with an interesting plot, great characters, historical figures, along with science and mystical things. I loved it. Marty is my favorite character, he seems to be exactly perfect for his role in this story. I cannot wait to read more.
September 24, 2023
This is an example of a very Baen book. IF you like that, this book is for you. What do I mean by a very Baen book? Great question.
The book is well written and a fast, easy read. Everything moves right along and you're through it before you know it. Full of action and adventure. It's also full of a team of people who are borderline library resources of knowledge. They know so many things that almost no mundane detail becomes an issue. Of course you know how to hollow out local flora and create a vessel to carry water with you. Doesn't everyone just know that? I mean you learned it right after the hieroglyphic class when you were doing your doctoral dissertation on the exact time period we're time traveling to... right? They are all very physically capable as well. Not hulking, crashing action movie types, but somehow amazingly strong and hard trained fighters. Of course the heroes survive. They've pushed through all the challenges and they're ready for the next one!
I finished this book quite quickly, but I found the constant level of character expertise became distracting. Never quite otherworldly or 'chosen one' level, but I could see that coming in the next story.
So, if you really like Baen style adventure books, this one is definitely for you.
The book is well written and a fast, easy read. Everything moves right along and you're through it before you know it. Full of action and adventure. It's also full of a team of people who are borderline library resources of knowledge. They know so many things that almost no mundane detail becomes an issue. Of course you know how to hollow out local flora and create a vessel to carry water with you. Doesn't everyone just know that? I mean you learned it right after the hieroglyphic class when you were doing your doctoral dissertation on the exact time period we're time traveling to... right? They are all very physically capable as well. Not hulking, crashing action movie types, but somehow amazingly strong and hard trained fighters. Of course the heroes survive. They've pushed through all the challenges and they're ready for the next one!
I finished this book quite quickly, but I found the constant level of character expertise became distracting. Never quite otherworldly or 'chosen one' level, but I could see that coming in the next story.
So, if you really like Baen style adventure books, this one is definitely for you.
March 18, 2024
This book was a random bookstore find that I had not heard anyone talk about or mention but it ended up being a good pickup. This is a story about a group of archaeologists who find something strange in the Egyptian desert and end up traveling through time to ancient Egypt. They have to use their combined skills and knowledge to figure out what is happening and why and this leads to some really good character arcs and adventure.
This book is really a mix of fantasy, sci fi, historical fiction, and adventure/thriller. Also, unbeknownst to me when I picked it up it has a little litRPG thrown in as well. I've always liked Indiana Jones and time travel stories so this book kind of hooked me immediately. I also like a group of individuals going on a quest which this also has. Throw in the historical elements, magic, and monsters and you're really speaking my language. Also the pacing was relatively fast and the book was less than 400 pages which is what I needed to deal with a Thomas Covenant-induced reading slump. I just kept coming back to it because I wanted to know what was happening and what the characters would get into next.
I mentioned earlier that this is low-key a litRPG which I didn't know going into it. If I had I may not have read it and missed out on a good story. Even though I'm glad I read it the litRPG elements, even though they are very subtle here, are really something that I enjoyed the book in spite of and not because of. Even though the characters don't really understand it so they aren't "grinding for XP" you still have characters saying things like "I'm guess I'm level 3 now." It just sounds dumb and makes me cringe every time. The characters getting powers and such is fine with me, but I think it's when it gets self-aware it takes me out of it a bit. It's a minor quibble in a otherwise a good story. I'm hoping it doesn't get more prevalent in the sequels.
Overall I really enjoyed this and I'll be picking up book 2 when it comes out.
This book is really a mix of fantasy, sci fi, historical fiction, and adventure/thriller. Also, unbeknownst to me when I picked it up it has a little litRPG thrown in as well. I've always liked Indiana Jones and time travel stories so this book kind of hooked me immediately. I also like a group of individuals going on a quest which this also has. Throw in the historical elements, magic, and monsters and you're really speaking my language. Also the pacing was relatively fast and the book was less than 400 pages which is what I needed to deal with a Thomas Covenant-induced reading slump. I just kept coming back to it because I wanted to know what was happening and what the characters would get into next.
I mentioned earlier that this is low-key a litRPG which I didn't know going into it. If I had I may not have read it and missed out on a good story. Even though I'm glad I read it the litRPG elements, even though they are very subtle here, are really something that I enjoyed the book in spite of and not because of. Even though the characters don't really understand it so they aren't "grinding for XP" you still have characters saying things like "I'm guess I'm level 3 now." It just sounds dumb and makes me cringe every time. The characters getting powers and such is fine with me, but I think it's when it gets self-aware it takes me out of it a bit. It's a minor quibble in a otherwise a good story. I'm hoping it doesn't get more prevalent in the sequels.
Overall I really enjoyed this and I'll be picking up book 2 when it comes out.
August 19, 2025
This being my first book in the genre of Lit RPG, it wasn’t bad. I definitely felt like I was playing an old school RPG without getting frustrated from dying. I will most likely try more in this genre, like Dungeon Crawler Karl.
March 9, 2023
Worth the read
Fun story with good character development. Lots of action to keep the reader interested, and a beautiful back story that's a perfect setup for upcoming books.
Fun story with good character development. Lots of action to keep the reader interested, and a beautiful back story that's a perfect setup for upcoming books.
March 29, 2024
A fine adventure. I liked our team of travelers, and will likely read the next book.
December 17, 2023
The premise of time travel and mythical persons was interesting and intriguing but the characters and their interactions were flat and unconvincing. The speech of most of the main characters was incongruous with their supposed cultural and\or national heritage, making it difficult to buy in to the narrative. Their reactions and subsequent actions when finding themselves in an entirely different place and time also did not seem very plausible. It feels more like a cheesy super hero comic book with which someone decided to write a book series.
April 18, 2025
Wow, what a wild ride! I read an ad by the author on Facebook. At that time I started reading it, and wasn’t drawn in. That was during my shapeshifter romance phase, which may be finished.
Once the income taxes were finished and filed, and I found none of my other half-read books appealing, I picked up Time Trials again, this time borrowing it from the library as an audiobook to listen to as I attended to neglected spring cleaning.
I was immediately sucked in. I read the approximately eleven hours in just a few marathon sessions.
I liked the reader’s voice, and his ability with accents, but there were quite a few places where foreign words were mispronounced and certain names Americanized or Briticized when the author could have provided proper pronunciations. Pet peeve. Yes, if I had just read the actual book…
The action in this book is at times quite intense. Battle scenes left me breathless, but I mostly felt I followed all the motions of the characters well enough. Some of the violence, which I clearly saw in my mind’s eye, was horrific, and I gasped out loud, or cried out OH NO!
The author’s decision to make the main characters able to understand and speak all the languages they encountered was clever: no time was wasted with dithering about. I felt that if they had not been able to comprehend, the group would have been dead minutes after arrival.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable time travel science fiction action adventure book which I’m glad didn’t fulfill the blurb. It was much more than I expected.
I guess my house isn’t clean enough, I’m about to start book 2, The Ice Trials.
EDIT:
The reference I made to the blurb really was about the Facebook ad I saw. It’s possible I forgot some details because of the delay before I began reading in earnest, because I was just now returning the audiobook from my phone, and the description I saw was pretty specific. Oh well, I still enjoyed it.
Once the income taxes were finished and filed, and I found none of my other half-read books appealing, I picked up Time Trials again, this time borrowing it from the library as an audiobook to listen to as I attended to neglected spring cleaning.
I was immediately sucked in. I read the approximately eleven hours in just a few marathon sessions.
I liked the reader’s voice, and his ability with accents, but there were quite a few places where foreign words were mispronounced and certain names Americanized or Briticized when the author could have provided proper pronunciations. Pet peeve. Yes, if I had just read the actual book…
The action in this book is at times quite intense. Battle scenes left me breathless, but I mostly felt I followed all the motions of the characters well enough. Some of the violence, which I clearly saw in my mind’s eye, was horrific, and I gasped out loud, or cried out OH NO!
The author’s decision to make the main characters able to understand and speak all the languages they encountered was clever: no time was wasted with dithering about. I felt that if they had not been able to comprehend, the group would have been dead minutes after arrival.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable time travel science fiction action adventure book which I’m glad didn’t fulfill the blurb. It was much more than I expected.
I guess my house isn’t clean enough, I’m about to start book 2, The Ice Trials.
EDIT:
The reference I made to the blurb really was about the Facebook ad I saw. It’s possible I forgot some details because of the delay before I began reading in earnest, because I was just now returning the audiobook from my phone, and the description I saw was pretty specific. Oh well, I still enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2023
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. This was a really imaginative story with an intricate plot. An archaelogical team finds a previously undiscovered underground crypt in Egypt with some unknown hieroglyphics. Enter Marty Cohen, an expert in languages and inEgyptian hieroglyphics. But while the team is investigating the main tunnel they open a passageway that teleports them to a distant time and place where they must do battle with legends come to life. If you like sci-fi and/or Eyptology this is a good read for you. I have come to expect great characters from Rothman and he does not disappoint here. His characters are diverse and well constructed and their interactions heighten the plot. In addition he brings in historical notes to offer the reader a complex yet compelling read. The story does drag a bit in places but its worth hanging in for the climax. And best of all they have left an opening for a sequel.
August 27, 2025
This is what I call a "perfect four" of a book, a very good read that holds my attention.
My primary quibble relates more to my own expectations from speculative fiction. I want more Tolkien and less action, but understand that most readers of the various speculative genres delight in such action -- and in "magic systems".
Still the story held my interest: about a group from an archeological dig in contemporary Egypt transported to North Africa at the time of Narmer, the historical first pharaoh. And with survivalist skills and adaptation to supernatural threats, they must make their way across the continent for a render-vous with destiny, if you will.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
My primary quibble relates more to my own expectations from speculative fiction. I want more Tolkien and less action, but understand that most readers of the various speculative genres delight in such action -- and in "magic systems".
Still the story held my interest: about a group from an archeological dig in contemporary Egypt transported to North Africa at the time of Narmer, the historical first pharaoh. And with survivalist skills and adaptation to supernatural threats, they must make their way across the continent for a render-vous with destiny, if you will.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 5, 2023
Enjoyable first novel of a new time travel series. The authors are careful to try and get the history as accurate as possible, while still telling a science fiction/fantasy adventure story. The character writing is good as they start developing interesting people and the added supporting cast as the story moves along are well done too. This read fits what I already know in history and implies an historical culture that is logical for the time period. The fantasy element is well done and fitting. This is a well written time travel action story in a time period and geographic location that is ignored so that is another plus. I am looking forward to the next book.
May 16, 2023
This book was a mix of sci-fi/fantasy and a little LitRPG. It involves a group of archeologist who are on site in Egypt and need someone who can decipher the messages. Upon discovering the instructions to open the door at the end of a tunnel they are transported to another place and time. They are required to pass a "test" set by an unknown group that will determine the fate of humanity.
I enjoyed the book and the approach to the story telling. The book was well done without any noticed typos and was an easy read even if long.
Look forward to further books in this series.
This book was checked out from the library.
I enjoyed the book and the approach to the story telling. The book was well done without any noticed typos and was an easy read even if long.
Look forward to further books in this series.
This book was checked out from the library.
August 11, 2023
I bought this book because I like D.J. Butler, but either he wasn't much involved in this book or he got lazy. The beginning is great – a bunch of interesting characters are thrown into the 31st century BC, where they have to save proto-Egypt from animal-headed aliens. I put up with the litRPG elements until I was about 80% of the way through the novel and we started yet another side-quest with an unclear connection to the main goal. I might have stuck it out if I'd had more faith in the authors' research. Aliens aside, I want to learn something real about Egyptian archaeology when I read a book about an Egyptian archaeologist.
August 17, 2023
Linguist and Egyptologist Marty Cohen has been pushed out of academia for spurious reasons and now runs a custom furniture store. An old colleague begs him to come to a new dig in Egypt where very curious writing has been found. At the dig, Marty and a few of the team are transported back to pre-dynastic Egypt. But things take an even stranger turn as mythical creatures turn out to exist, at least in this version of the past.
The novel is a serviceable and enjoyable Alternate History adventure, especially if you have some interest in Ancient Egypt history. It never becomes really epic, focusing instead on the dynamics of the small group of time travelers.
The novel is a serviceable and enjoyable Alternate History adventure, especially if you have some interest in Ancient Egypt history. It never becomes really epic, focusing instead on the dynamics of the small group of time travelers.
March 22, 2023
Wow, fantasy historical sci-fi time travel, other genres
How does a system of hieroglyphics created by a kid find its way onto a panel on a wall of a tunnel that's been buried in Egypt for thousands of years?
A great quest, ancient Egypt, time travel (or something a lot like it), mythical beings that are trying to stop the quest, a super race somewhere in the cosmos, players that "level up" when they accomplish certain tasks.
A whole lot of ideas stirred together that resulted in a terrific story.
I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
How does a system of hieroglyphics created by a kid find its way onto a panel on a wall of a tunnel that's been buried in Egypt for thousands of years?
A great quest, ancient Egypt, time travel (or something a lot like it), mythical beings that are trying to stop the quest, a super race somewhere in the cosmos, players that "level up" when they accomplish certain tasks.
A whole lot of ideas stirred together that resulted in a terrific story.
I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
May 2, 2023
Great storytelling and adventure ahead!
What happens when two storytelling masters work together? Readers win! This book starts a time jumping adventure that will hold your attention from the beginning and lead you through both fantasy and history while telling a great story. Both DJ Butler and M. A. Rothman a!ways work hard at providing us with great stories and adventure. This book is no exception and sets the reader's appetite for another chapter in the greater tale. READ THIS BOOK!
What happens when two storytelling masters work together? Readers win! This book starts a time jumping adventure that will hold your attention from the beginning and lead you through both fantasy and history while telling a great story. Both DJ Butler and M. A. Rothman a!ways work hard at providing us with great stories and adventure. This book is no exception and sets the reader's appetite for another chapter in the greater tale. READ THIS BOOK!
June 20, 2023
Help me read more books
Interesting book that crosses some genre lines. It's scifi (in the vein of stargate), and it has (some) LitRPG elements rolled into the story as well. It's not a book you'd read if you're looking for a LitRPG story, but if you like LitRPG, then it might be one you could add to your list if you're also a scifi fan, since there's not a whole lot of those. It's apparently the first in a series, so shsould be interesting to watch this one, and see where it goes.
Interesting book that crosses some genre lines. It's scifi (in the vein of stargate), and it has (some) LitRPG elements rolled into the story as well. It's not a book you'd read if you're looking for a LitRPG story, but if you like LitRPG, then it might be one you could add to your list if you're also a scifi fan, since there's not a whole lot of those. It's apparently the first in a series, so shsould be interesting to watch this one, and see where it goes.
April 16, 2023
Reads like a D&D campaign
...and perhaps the DM controlled the narrative a little two tightly. The characters speaking of 'gaining abilities' and 'leveling up' kept me from getting fully immersed in the story, and the characters, while interesting and unique, seemed to wrestle more with what to do and less with who they were. Despite this, the book was still an enjoyable, well-paced adventure that provided a fun way to explore the beginnings of recorded Egyptian history.
...and perhaps the DM controlled the narrative a little two tightly. The characters speaking of 'gaining abilities' and 'leveling up' kept me from getting fully immersed in the story, and the characters, while interesting and unique, seemed to wrestle more with what to do and less with who they were. Despite this, the book was still an enjoyable, well-paced adventure that provided a fun way to explore the beginnings of recorded Egyptian history.
September 24, 2023
I DNFed at 10%. It seemed intriguing because I'm always into historical/sci-fi fiction, and Dan Brown's books used to be some of my favorite, but I think I got a little way in and couldn't take the inner dialogue of the main character. It was basically every special main MMC who every girl seems to be into or flirts with. I used to read those books, but really not into any more.
It seemed average, honestly. Also, his name is Marty :/
Might give this a go again to give an updated review.
It seemed average, honestly. Also, his name is Marty :/
Might give this a go again to give an updated review.
March 30, 2023
The Future is the Past
I enjoyed very much all the webs woven into this story. Sir I thank you for the way you took both truths and fiction to tie this story together. I would recommend reading this story to anyone. If you love history you will love this story. I give it a 10 out of 10.
I enjoyed very much all the webs woven into this story. Sir I thank you for the way you took both truths and fiction to tie this story together. I would recommend reading this story to anyone. If you love history you will love this story. I give it a 10 out of 10.
March 31, 2023
Non stop action
An outstanding book. Join this group as they are transported back into time to fight mythical beasts and save mankind. You can’t read this in one sitting but I couldn’t wait to get back to this book every day. What an adventure. One of the best books I’ve read in a while.
I received this book free through Goodreads.
An outstanding book. Join this group as they are transported back into time to fight mythical beasts and save mankind. You can’t read this in one sitting but I couldn’t wait to get back to this book every day. What an adventure. One of the best books I’ve read in a while.
I received this book free through Goodreads.
April 2, 2023
More Fantasy than Science fiction.
Interesting story in the first book but some what repetitive in the second and third. Pretty lucky team to barely get scratched in several battles. The story was full of action and entertaining but I didn't need that much garbage to tell the story. Finally, what moved Time Trials from four stars to three. The story is CONTINUED.
Interesting story in the first book but some what repetitive in the second and third. Pretty lucky team to barely get scratched in several battles. The story was full of action and entertaining but I didn't need that much garbage to tell the story. Finally, what moved Time Trials from four stars to three. The story is CONTINUED.
March 13, 2023
2 of my favorite ideas in 1 book. Love the history lessons that go with this thriller of a fantasy story. We always wonder what would happen if something like this story was to happen. The story was taken to a time not really written about which makes it exciting. Great job!!👍🏽
April 1, 2023
A fascinating book! It seems to be a fantasy, but it is from Baen Books. Baen has published series in the past that seem to be fantasy, but turn out to be science fiction in the end. I hope that there will be more from these authors.
April 4, 2023
Very enjoyable
I really enjoyed this book, but would hate to try and categorize it. History, science fiction, and litrpg? It does have some elements of game play, and I would guess a bard, druid, cleric and fighters are present.
I really enjoyed this book, but would hate to try and categorize it. History, science fiction, and litrpg? It does have some elements of game play, and I would guess a bard, druid, cleric and fighters are present.
April 17, 2023
Excellent!
An intriguing novel from the team-up of two successful writers.
The protagonists undergo the first test of what appears to be a series of contests with the fate of humanity at stake. Well done
An intriguing novel from the team-up of two successful writers.
The protagonists undergo the first test of what appears to be a series of contests with the fate of humanity at stake. Well done
May 15, 2023
Hello, When I first started reading it was smooth and a even pace. But, then it became uninteresting. Which I always keep reading for a few pages when that has happened in other books. The time zone is very interesting in it's self. I just really lost interest and could not even finish the book.
June 3, 2023
A group of archaeologists investigating Egyptian ruins are sent back in time to ancient Egypt where they acquire super powers and learn that ancient gods of Egypt are actually aliens who they must fight in order to acquire new powers like in a video game. Also like an episode of wishbone.
August 29, 2023
An awesome read
Worth every dollar - can't wait to read the next book or two in the series. It's 1.44am and I have spent most of the night reading this book because I couldn't put it down! I think that says everything you need to know!
Worth every dollar - can't wait to read the next book or two in the series. It's 1.44am and I have spent most of the night reading this book because I couldn't put it down! I think that says everything you need to know!
June 14, 2024
TIME TRAVEL, MYSTERY AND ALIENS,OH MY!
Great story line and characters could not put it down, This book is a must especially if you have an interest in ancient history. Looking forward to the next book with great interest.
Great story line and characters could not put it down, This book is a must especially if you have an interest in ancient history. Looking forward to the next book with great interest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews