Caught in a Moment

The Alex Trueman Chronicles #1

by Martin Dukes

Whilst all the world stands still, Alex Trueman wanders alone in the silent streets of the city. All around are the motionless figures of his fellow citizens, caught in a moment, solid as marble. “He’s a Daydreamer,” states his school report and no one who knows Alex would disagree. But this mental state, this condition of temporary disassociation from reality is one that Alex has immersed himself in once too many times. He has daydreamed himself unwittingly into the strange world of Intersticia, a world outside of ordinary time that exists in the slender intervals between instants. At first it seems that he alone is free to wander these hushed streets with their motionless cars and people. But he is not alone. Alex soon discovers that he shares this world with others and that he has a rare power with the potential to change future, past and present.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Time Travel

Unknown Binding

First published February 1, 2012

Reviews

[C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a curious collection of short stories - well, I remember it as curious - by Brian Caswell, called A Dream of Stars. One of the stories in that collection is about a person who discovers that he or she (it's been a while) can stop time, at will, and re-start it again. He or she uses this unique ability to make quite a bit of money, as you can imagine. But one day! He or she meets a person who is unaffected by his or her powers and who objects to his or her use of his or her abilities for such base purposes. He or she turns the full force of his or her power on this second person, and succeeds in freezing them. However, he or she emerges from the casino to find that the whole world remains frozen, no matter what he or she tries to do. The story ends with a depiction of utter despair.

This book reminded me a lot of Caswell's story, as it is based on a very similar idea. But it is a rather different take, as if the concept has remained stationary but the execution moved several paces to the left. The book's protagonist, Alex Trueman, discovers that he can (effectively) stop time and has a considerable amount of fun with his ability, until he finds himself trapped. But, we soon discover that he has not so much stopped time as become trapped in between two instants, in an "interstice". The world of the interstices, of which there are an infinite number, is known as Intersticia and it is inhabited by a motley collection of individuals who have made their way there by varied means.

It's an interesting concept, and although the execution isn't perfect (hence the three rather than four stars), this book is highly entertaining and written in a lightly humorous tone that is a pleasure to read. I quickly became engrossed in the plot and very much enjoyed finding out more and more about the operation of Intersticia as the information was gradually revealed over the course of the book. What it lacked in profundity it well and truly made up for by sheer entertainment value. If Dukes was to write another book, I'd read it - and that's a significant compliment.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caught in a Moment was written as a young adult story; however, I never for one moment felt like the subject matter, the characters, or the story line were too juvenile for me. I enjoyed the plot line immensely and felt connected to the characters through out the entire story. From beginning to end, this book was incredibly entertaining and I found myself looking for more. The only hope I would have as an adult, would be to see the characters grow and form adult, mature relationships and attachments. The concept of this story is one that has been done before, but the ramifications presented in this book are new to the scene of "stopping time" or "time altering" related plotlines. This allowed me to develop internal debates as well as discussions with others about what we genuinely thought it would be like to stop time. Finding a book that creates interest and desire to engage with others about it's contents is a rare find these days. Caught in a Moment is a book I would not hesitate to recommend to readers of any age.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was contacted by the author and sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I actually had this book sitting on my pile for about a month, it came through but what with doing NaNoWriMo and some blog tours it got neglected (sorry Martin!) As December came through and I had completed my NaNo, i picked this up. I will admit, I like the clocks on the cover but the colours don't stand out much and the angel statue on the front reminds me a bit of the crying angels from Doctor Who which is a bit freaky but this just shows that you can't judge a book by it's cover.
I started it in my lunch break at work on Saturday and read about a hundred pages, I went out in the evening so had to finish it today (Sunday).
I was surprised how much I got into this book actually, before I started I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I started to read and Alex's pranks in 'stopped time' reminded me a lot of an old TV show I used to watch called 'Bernard's Watch' and it made me smile, the novel soon moves on to a more 'serious' scenario as you are introduced to Intersticia.
This is one of those books that if you think too hard about it, it makes your head hurt, the physics and logic behind the multiple levels of time and how it all works, but if you just read the book and embrace what you have got it's actually very enjoyable. Things are explained well and I didn't get too confused which is good.
Alex at first is one of those cheeky guys, not so much a trouble maker but likes to have fun. He reminded me so much of some boys I knew at school, as the story progresses you really see him grow up and develop as a character which was nice to see.
I really liked meeting all the people in the story, such a great mix of personalities. I didn't like Kelly much to start with but she softens and grows on you too.
I loved the jinx put on Paolo so every time he tries to swear he shouts the name of a vegetable - made me laugh.
I did guess at the big mystery at the end linked to one of the characters, as I assumed there was more of a point to an earlier event but it was well written and not quite how I expected so it kept me hooked.
I didn't particularly like Ganymede as a character but without being completely evil etc he actually makes quite a good 'baddie'. More sort of skin crawling - I want to slap him sort of baddie.

I have been informed that this will be a trilogy and I must admit that I really do want to know what happens next. It could be read as a stand alone, but I'm curious enough to want to know more. There are some things left open and un-answered that I want to find out. So I will be looking out for the next installment.

Well worth a read, it offers a unique look into a different world and will make you question how much time you spend daydreaming! :D

[Anna (Enchanted by YA) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I received the paperback as a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review***

I admit that I have a thing for books that involve/focus on varied use of time, whether it’s stopping it or backtracking etc. So when I saw this book in a goodreads giveaway I just had to have it! Then goodreads decided to be a pain in the ass and give it to someone else, but all was not lost because after chatting to Martin Dukes I have my very own signed copy! (I have now forgiven goodreads).

It is everything I thought it would be; aka great. The writing is so fluent and engaging that from the get go you are engrossed in the characters stories. I think this is always an accomplishment for an author because when you use the first few chapters as an introduction to the characters personalities, and don’t dump the reader straight into the action, personally I’ve found that the book can lose my attention before it even begins. Thankfully this wasn’t the case with Caught in a Moment and the light humour was just as entertaining as the action further on.

There were of course times when what I thought was supposed to be jokes (flying seals/whales… you can’t blame me) ended up being vitally important to the story, and actually it all made sense as you found out more about Intersticia over the course of the novel. “Intersticia” is a world trapped between two instants, an “interstice”, and this is where our protagonist Alex has been deserted.

After figuring out his power to stop time he of course has a little fun with it. Humiliating the school bullies and confusing the teachers is I think what we’d all do if we could stop time ourselves, I know it’s only the tip of the iceberg of what I’d do. So Dukes captures the essence of teenagers perfectly and Alex turns out to be a highly relatable and simply great character with a vivid personality that leaps of the page.

The ending was a very abrupt finish for the characters and while this may have been the idea, a little epilogue wouldn’t have hurt… I did love its finish though, because Dukes stuck with his story and characters; he didn’t try to over dramatize it like some authors think they need to just because it’s the end.

As a standalone it was appropriate and while I wouldn’t say no to a sequel, it was satisfying so I’ll have to make do with reading any other books of his.

Wait, wait, wait.

Looking up his other books I found that Caught in a Moment is not indeed a stand-alone but the start of a trilogy! I can’t believe I read the whole book and didn’t realise once! Anyway, I can’t wait to read this ground-breaking sequel called “Worm Winds of Zanzibar” (even just the name has me intrigued). But back to Caught in a Moment, well, I think it’s safe to say I recommend it!

Posted on: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine if when you were idly daydreaming you suddenly realized that everything around you had stopped. That you were now caught in a time between moments.
This is the world that Martin Dukes creates.
Alex Trueman is a 15 year old boy who ends up in this moment. The existence he finds is surreal and full of oddities. Who knew that manatees could fly.
I will be honest this book wasn’t an easy read .I spent the first few pages unsure of whether I was going to like it or not. Dukes is not shy about showing off his flair for language. He has a singular knack for threading words together into intricate descriptions that tend toward the grandiose. They are beautiful, but sometimes a bit distracting. Pair this with the rather indirect storytelling method and the reader must pay close attention. I personally enjoyed this challenge. This is not a book for light, turn your brain off, spread it over a few weeks reading. It is an intense read. It is also set in England and as such has some turns of phrase and ideas that require a second glance from an American to truly get. Luckily I am married to a Englishman and had some 2nd hand experience with some of these cultural concepts.
The story in and of itself is fascinating. I have read a lot of books and have never come across this story line before – or anything really similar. A world existing within ours and yet separate. A world where time as we understand it has no meaning. Peopled with people who aren’t even sure how or why they are there.
I enjoyed discovering the quirks and realities of the realm as much as the character driven storyline itself. As you discover more about how this moment world is created you are also forced to reevaluate how you feel about the characters you have already met and most likely formed a like or dislike for.
As this supposed to be part of a trilogy, I am looking forward to the next book. Hopefully Dukes will delve deeper into the realms he hinted at and briefly introduced in this book.
This is an intriguing and mentally stimulating book. It was nice to come across a book that did not hide that it would require you to think and work for the reward of the great story it is. As I said this is not a casual read and there is nothing wrong with that.

I was provided a free copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it.

[Rob Slaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly and as is typical it must be noted that I didn't pay for this book; the author approached me about it on GoodReads and asked me for an opinion. Despite the kindness of a free book I give my candid opinions below. Also, since this is a children's book it should be noted that I approach the review from a different viewpoint, focusing on appropriateness for young readers and general coherence and execution.

On the question of appropriateness for young readers, this book has done marvelously. In general I scowl at any children's book that contains sexual or drug content and this novel contains neither problem. It does have some light violence but nothing that kids won't have picked up from any mainstream cartoon. In the vein of profanity I don't tend to judge harshly but this novel even avoids that problem and does so in a clever and entertaining way that's consistent with the general story line. Dukes' novel is as pure as the driven snow and somehow still remains very real and entertaining. It doesn't SEEM sanitized but through some miracle of authorship it really is.

Stepping back and speaking more generally about the novel, the author has provided a brilliant and witty take on what is, I'm am sure, a standard daydream of every young person. Our protagonist has ultimate and unlimited freedom but what happens when suddenly he doesn't? What tangled complications await in a world with no responsibility and limitless possibilities? In addition to its tendency to provoke deep contemplation, the writing style is witty and made even me, a perennial curmudgeon, laugh aloud in spots. The writer has found that intangible balance between teaching the reader something and entertaining them at the same time. Any teen will stumble upon a hoard of new words begging to be looked up in the dictionary and probably spare at least a few cycles for the complexities of causality and consequences of seemingly simple actions. That lesson is worth the price of admission.

In summary, this one was a rare treat. After a long recent string of losers, 'Caught in a Moment' is just the sort of book I'd want my own kids to read. Clean, erudite and with a moral or two hidden in spots for those who will only seek.

[Megan (The Book Babe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Okay, that was totally awesome. Seriously. When I started this book, I wasn't sure what to expect, because it seemed like it might be some kind of odd science fiction. But when I got about thirty pages in, I realized that it is nothing like what I first assumed.

For one, it's more of a modern day fantasy novel. Every bit of this book just screams fantasy, but not in a (as my dad would say) unicorns and rainbow farts kind of way. It definitely presents it in a more modern, less dragon-y kind of way, and I honestly enjoyed it. Thankfully, it wasn't a fantasy where none of the words made sense--the author took the time to make us mere mortals understand it.

All of the characters were well developed, and the plot was very good. The writing was good too--it seemed very descriptive, and I really could imagine every bit of the story, and the progression. It was just a bit hard to hold onto the idea of a fantasy world, though, no matter how well written it was. It was just a bit confusing, but not enough to take away from the story.

Back to the characters--I liked the character of Alex quite a bit. He seemed like a nice guy, and I kind of like reading about guy main characters once in a while. For instance, while I was reading this book, I started thinking about how there are so very few books that appeal to boys out there, and I think that this one would. It would actually probably appeal to boys more than girls, honestly.

All in all, Caught in a Moment was a very imaginative debut that really makes you think differently about fantasy as a genre.

*This book was provided by the author for review.

[Tricia Kristufek · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I don't runner bean believe it. We're like Robin turnip Hood or something."

Alex Trueman finds himself with a very unusual ability--he can daydream himself between time. What starts as a harmless wandering, pulling pranks on his classmates, turns into something more when he gets stuck in Intersticia. Alex learns he's not alone in this daydream and there are rules that must be followed or all of the inhabitants of Intersticia will be at risk.

This delightfully fresh tale follows Alex as he struggles with the position his daydreams have put him in. A wide range of personable characters make up the world of Intersticia with Alex, helping and hindering him in his quest to return to normal time.

The language is very British/European, so American readers may have to use context to get a few of the slangs and references, but that shouldn't stop readers from reading. And while the ending was appropriate, it was also abrupt, though probably intentionally so.

Challenging our outlook on time itself, Caught in a Moment is sure to entertain young adult and adult readers alike.

[John Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if time stood still? For fifteen year old Alex Trueman, this is exactly what happens. Dukes wastes no time in introducing Alex's amazing ability, leading us into his first brief 'moment', just a couple of pages in. In the first two chapters, Alex has fun with this new ability, exacting comical revenge on the school bullies, although he begins to realise that getting time going again isn't quite as easy; and by chapter three, he is 'caught in a moment'...

The world of Intersticia, and the motionless world of Statica which sits all around it, are described in such tremendous detail that you feel you are there with the equally well-described characters. This is one of those books that if you read a chapter or two before bed, you suddenly find you've been up most of the night. There are endless possibilities for sequels featuring new characters entering 'Sticia, or maybe a prequel telling how Ganymede's ended up where he is.

I enjoyed this story immensely, but am left with one lingering, niggling question – why do the manatees and dugongs fly?

[Carrie Kilgore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable adventure into a strange place... A daydreaming teen gets far more than he bargained for when he steps outside normal time. The world he discovers is based on a dandy premise that is both intriguing and fun. The characters are believable, relationships plausible, and personal developments understandable. Some nice twists and turns force the central character (Alex) to repeatedly revise his thinking, and the ending sequence is both thrilling and satisfying. Good solid writing; the few grammatical errors won't trouble (or perhaps even be noticed by?) most readers. The author is British, so some Americans may trip over a word here and there, but that shouldn't cause confusion--I found the voice and tone refreshing. The "cure" for Paolo's swearing is hilarious! Well-crafted, well-paced, and imaginative, adults and teens alike (as well as pre-teens) will enjoy this romp.

[Oezay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you making connections group and Martin dukes for providing me with this free copy to review.

i absolutely loved this book, from the idea of getting stuck in between time to the atmosphere that is created while you read it. The author takes us on a journey through the mind of our protagonist Alex Trueman, who looks quite average but will go to any length to protect his friends.
This book aims to make you a part of that world, with vivid descriptions that make your imagination fly. People who read fantasy,sci fi or young adult books will find this book a treat to their imaginations and will most probably get tongue tied over the name of the dimension which i will not mention, read it and find out.

[Linda Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book more star ratings but it only gives you 5 so what I'am saying is I really liked this book the thing Alex can do the disassociation think where he goes some were else I know a bit about that as I can do that myself at the drop of a hat and my kids tell me off for it & another thing is that my kids like the book to and want me to read the book for them at bed time and there is not a lot of books that I can say they would want me to read so that in its self is a very good thing. So when are the other books coming out and where can I get them with lots of luck in your writing keep the good books coming.xx

[Karlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read of an entirely new idea for a story. As a result everything felt fresh. Geared maybe more towards a young adult novel? I will read the sequels and hopefully find them fresh too. This isn't an amazing "oh my you Have to read it" book but was a welcomed change of pace and i recommend it to my friends with a little sci fi flare. It has been awhile since I found a book that I hated putting down due to its non predictability. Note: It was free on Amazon when I got it.
update....tried the sequel and simply couldn't get into it. Not going to return to it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Trueman daydreamed his way in to Sticia; a place between one moment and the next. To him, everything is frozen and he is stuck in a place that makes little sense to him. He wants to make it back into "The Real World" before Cactus Jack gets to him, but he also has to tries to understand and change things for the better.

[Myry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caught in a Moment/A Moment in Time by Martin Dukes introduces us to a world of alternate realities and extraordinary abilities.
We are introduced to Alex, a typical pupil and the struggles of his age. Yet, as the story progresses, Alex's journey takes a transformative turn as he ventures into a parallel world with its own distinct rules and structures. Along the way, he discovers newfound powers and encounters a diverse array of characters, each adding layers of depth to the supernatural elements of the narrative. As the story goes, the lines between reality and fantasy blur, delving deeper into the essence of the supranatural aspect.
Initially, the pace may seem slow as the narrative prioritizes character development and world-building. However, this deliberate approach serves to enrich the story, providing a solid foundation for the extraordinary events that unfold. The supernatural accent can be sensed right from the beginning, introduced by the concept of stopping time.
The book provides readers with an engaging and thought-provoking journey. With its richly developed world and compelling narrative, this novel promises a reading experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in Alex's adventure.

[J Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some problems–it was self published–but I really did enjoy it. The ending was great and full of action!

The author seems to be a bit inexperienced in that there was little development for some of the main characters (Will, Kelly... how have they changed by the end?), there were instances where some happenings seemed to be contradictory to the rest of the story (ex. characters getting hungry when they are frozen in time but having no bowel movements), and the layout of the book was a bit amateur.

Dukes may still be finding his footing here, but he knows how to lay down the basic plot which is more than enough to reel you in. I'm excited to read the two other books in the trilogy and see how his writing develops, as well as see what's in store for Alex and Kelly.

Rating: 3.75 stars

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Caught In A Moment" blends time-travel, science-fiction, and adventure with a dash of mystery into a riveting tale for teens and young adults. It begins when Alex Trueman, a fifteen year old who's bullied at school fantasizes in class to break his boredom and anxiety, only to discover he can freeze time. But soon he learns that his daydreams are more potent than he ever expected when his town of Cardenbridge is frozen in time and he's swept away to Intersticia. Freaked out, Alex sidesteps immobile people and cars only to bump into Will who introduces him to others in this space out of time.

Endowed with a rare skill to be able to move objects between Reality and Intersticia, Alex Trueman discovers that his power is not only coveted by rebels like Paulo and his girlfriend, but it could eventually destroy his sector at the heart of 'Statica'. In a race to save this world with all its eccentricities Alex enlists the help of the angel Malcolm and together they struggle to correct all the anomalies.

Martin Dukes sets the stage for Alex's story in Intersticia, a sector of motionless 'Statica' governed by Ganymede, a testy old vagrant appointed by a Council of powerful Angels. In this fast-paced, action-packed plot filled with powerful entities and people caught in a timeless space, Alex not only must correct the irregularities his forbidden activities created, save the life of a girl he's come to care for, but also to stay clear of a political scheme to undermine Ganymede's authority.

Skilfully the author builds tension and suspense in a supernatural tale that includes wondrous creatures like dugongs and snarks, the thinkers; imaginative devices like the molecular transponder; and terrifying immortals like Cactus Jack, Death's emissary in Intersticia. In this intoxicating tale of a teen's flight into a world of daydreams to escape the harassment and boredom of school only to find himself embroiled in an adventure in a place beyond time and reality, events unfold quickly and smoothly and end in a cliff-hanger that has the reader begging for the next book.

The characters like the plot are well-developed and realistic; the complexity of each personality with its weaknesses and strengths adding to the drama, energy and spice of this inventive tale. Alex Trueman , a teen with big ears from a broken home has no physical courage, relying on his highly intelligent and blunt friend Henry for help when confronted by bullies. In school he tends to be submissive, wallow in self-pity and to daydream to escape his misery. During his stay in Intersticia Alex begins to undergo a dramatic change becoming more self-confident and outspoken especially with Ganymede and the Angels. Paulo Potts is a self-confident troublemaker who rebels against authority. His girlfriend Kelly a gusty scrounger finds Paulo's free spirit charming but is drawn to the warmth and honesty of Alex. The head of the sector is the rough, power-hungry vagrant Ganymede who consistently spars against Alex in wits and will. I loved his intolerance of Paulo's foul-mouth, changing his swear words into the names of vegetables.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the second book the "Worm Winds of Zanzibar" which I won through Goodreads Giveways I knew I had to read "Caught In A Moment" and wasn't disappointed. I look forward to Alex's next adventure in Martin Dukes' third novel.

[Yiota · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Nina.

This book was asked to be read and reviewed by the author. I was lucky enough to be provided with a printed copy, which I think was amazing.

I liked by the synopsis that it had to do with parallel worlds. I haven't read a book like that for a long time and I instantly felt curious. The characters, even though young, were nice enough and I liked that they weren't stupid or too scared to do nothing. There are all different, so you can possibly relate with them. I, personally, couldn't, only with some of their decisions.

The descriptions were amazing. I noticed that the author is British, and I don't know if that counts, but I found the language used rich and being used better than other books. It was kind of difficult to adjust in the beginning, it didn't look like a book for younger readers, not because of its content, but due to its rich and well used language. Probably, because I'm not used in reading British novels.

I thought it was a stand alone novel, but it turned out to be a trilogy, which I don't understand. It looked just brilliant and complete. The ending was fast-moving and so very anxious. I was sitting at the edge of my chair until I reach it. And it left you with some small, but smart questions, like the movies, where you can imagine what will happen next, but you're not completely sure, because there are many possibilities.

But it was perplexed. There were various things with which the author was playing. Angels, science fiction and weird creatures, all mixed together. Sometimes it felt out of control. And as the story was flowing, new facts were getting in the way, that I, at some point, felt lost and tired.

Bottom line, I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I loved the writing and the end. On the other hand, I hated how complicated it became. Now, it's up to you to choose if you're going to try and read it or not.

[Jason H · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****I received this book for free as a Goodreads Giveaway*****

Caught in a Moment is ostensibly a YA novel about a high school kid that ends up in a secret world that exists between moments in time. It features some absurdist fantasy elements, but mostly feels set in the normal world (a la Harry Potter). It's firmly British, using features and language that keeps it rooted on the island there. It's the first in a series, but works well enough as a solo book.

I think this was the author's debut novel, and as usual some of that shows through in a need for tighter editing. The writing falls just short of what I would call "strong" -- it's not weak or bad, but there is room for improvement. (As an aside: I've already started the second in the series, and at 10% in it already feels better written.) The pacing is one of the better characteristics, as the novel never really dragged or bored.

I do wish that the characters had been better developed -- it was hard to care about most of them, even the more interesting folks felt a bit cardboard cutout. That hurts the series, as I'm as happy to see them return in book 2 as I could be.

So, then, why 4 stars? Simply put, I enjoyed reading the book. I liked the idea behind the story -- this frozen speck of time and the struggles that come with getting stuck there. Dukes was honest with his characters' reactions, generally (what high schooler wouldn't at first be thrilled at getting to torment his bullies?), with believable fear and sadness mixed in with humor. I think the best thing about it was what it wasn't: every other YA book that's come out in recent years. No vampires. No zombies. No overwrought romance. No death battles. Just dugongs and snarks.

I recommend the book for that and I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes.

[Ned Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering the fact that I do know the writer first hand (He's my ex-art teacher) I warn you this review may be biased.
First we shall start with the cover highly Photoshop(That is not a bad thing) and although it diverts your attention towards it then over once all the images have been taken in seems a bit busy with things there and other things there.There is an angel on the front I must not blinkOverall not a bad cover

The book title screamed Vampires *SPOILERS* There were none however the main Alex was likable enough however I really wish he had been given a different name PEDROwith some other character getting some much needed character development before it was to late.This may sound bad but through oout the book I wished for a love interest nothing more just to see the main character PedroAlex in the suitatio.Now Ganymede I feel bad I though he was a baddie when I started reading and being unable to read the main baddie's name did admittedly cause me soon problem but looking over his name he was good baddie and all 7.5 on the baddie scale

However with the good there must always be the bad I am not saying it's terrible but I personally felt the vocab and lengthy descriptions in some places I felt where not needed.The point of the description is to describe the setting not to bore the reader with the non essential ity bits

Overall the book should be praised on its use of vocab imaginary setting and baddie I couldn't say the name of was good to say the least (I feel like I am not doing it justice) My advice is just read it and don't be put off by the language however hard the vocab is it will never be as hard and Parade's End (I have read) or A Song Of Ice And Fire (I have also read all 5ish books)

Pasta La Vista

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have all had ideas of what we would do if we could freeze time, finishing off the last school essay, catching the bus on time, even getting that bit extra in bed.  When Alex discovers he has the ability to do just that when he daydreams, he goes through some hilarious ways to prove it to his friend, which mainly invoke getting back at the bully who plagues his school life.  But soon he finds its not all fun and games when he literally gets Stuck in a Moment, and can't make time start again. Scared and worried he makes his way home and bumps into other daydreamers like himself. Alex must find a way to traverse his new surroundings with Will, Kelly and Paulo, without risking the wrath of Ganymede.

When I initially began reading Caught in a Moment I found it hard to relate to the characters and found myself struggling to read it. After putting it down and reading another book I came back to pick up where I left off and soon found myself engrossed within the pages.

The story telling by Martin Dukes was unique and completely different to anything I have read. As the story progressed, while I wouldn't say I felt any closer to the characters, the storyline itself kept me entertained and I had to keep reading to find out what would happen, not only with Alex, but with Kelly, Paulo and the rest of his new friends.  The world that Alex now lives in is full of interesting things, with rules about what is and isn't allowed, and while having the ability to stop time sounds interesting, after reading Caught in a Moment, I seriously doubt it would be as fun as I imagined it to be.  Caught in a Moment was an enjoyable read that once it had hold of me kept me wanting more.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Trueman daydreams a lot, which brings him into the world of Intersticia. Intersticia exists only in the small moments between time. While he is there he is not allowed to interact with Statica which the “normal” world, where everything appears to be frozen. Alex finds the others who exist in this sector of Intersticia and as he learns the inner workings he discovers he may have the power to make a small change which results in a different outcome for some Intersticians.

‘Caught in a Moment’ is the thought-provoking story of a boy who finds himself suddenly in a world he never knew existed. It’s an odd, yet touching, novel with some very interesting characters and some good insights into human nature. Mr. Dukes has a way of writing which has the story flowing along quickly and keeps your interest. Some of the characters stood out more for me, while others faded into the background, which I felt was the point. You could see those who had sort of ‘resigned’ themselves to their Intersticia lives and then those who were still vibrant. While some of the more vibrant characters can be crazy and/or unlikable, as you read on you understand more about how they became who they are today. I greatly enjoyed ‘Caught in a Moment’ and while I felt the story wrapped up neatly, it is my understanding it’s the first in a trilogy. Pick it up and get caught up in ‘Caught in a Moment’.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this were an adult novel, I would likely have given it three stars, rather than four. However, as a young adult book, it truly ranks as excellent. In addition to a likeable protagonist, the world created by author Martin Dukes is interesting and believable, despite the unlikely hook of people existing in interstices of time apart from the real world.

Alex Trueman is the hero of the story. A high school student who has been bullied, he discovers that he remains active while the world around him stops in time. After several brief experiences, he finds himself trapped in such a situation. He meets a number of others similarly trapped, and subjected to the whims of the leader of their sector of the world outside normal time. When Alex demonstrates abnormal abilities, he is thrust into a power struggle that gives him leverage to try to find his way back to reality and help a friend in the process.

The story takes a while to really get off the ground, but once it does, it moves at an exciting pace, with a number of twists along the way. I would recommend this book enthusiastically to fans of young adult fantasy.

[Rebekah Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I should state that I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

And I have to say that I'm very glad that I did. The book is a wonderfully crafted tale of twists and turns that just hooked me and had me keen to know exactly what would happen next.

The lead character, Alex Trueman, is a daydreaming teen who finds himself trapped in a single moment in time, with only the few other that are similarly caught for company. Alex is a great character with plenty of depth and a personality that just leaps off the pages. The rest of the characters, especially the enigmatic Ganymede are also vividly described.

If you like your stories with a mix of sci-fi fantasy, mystery and a healthy dash of angelic intervention then this is definitely the book for you!

[Bekki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't have a lot to say about this book. It didn't thrill me, it drew me in just enough to keep me reading for a couple more pages, with quite long stints in between of dull over-description. I think this book would be better suited for a boy around 13. I personally couldn't find any of the characters relatable and that made it really hard for me to read about them. Overall, not an awful book, but definitely not for me.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading time travel novels this summer, and this book caught my eye. It's not really a time travel story. It's more of a time stopped story. I liked it even though I had a hard time wrapping my head around the concepts. It's one of those books with an unbelievable plot, but it's understandable to the reader. It's just difficult to describe it to others without it sounding ridiculous.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story and easy to read. Very different though.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come.