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The multiverse is collapsing. The time machine is broken. And humanity’s last hope? Might already be dead.
Seven months after the EMPs brought the world to its knees, a handful of scientists are racing against extinction—and each other. Somewhere in a flooded skyscraper lies a wormhole generator that might be able to undo the apocalypse. If they can find it. If it still works. If it doesn’t kill them first.
Meanwhile, Diego Nadales wakes in a cell, his face bloodied and his memories fractured. He's being accused of terrorism, treason, and time travel. The last one, at least, is true.
Isabel is trapped inside a biodome ruled by the man she once trusted. But her bees—microscopic drones designed to save the planet—have been hijacked and weaponized. If she doesn’t find a way out soon, her creation will wipe out the last threads of life on Earth.
Old friends return. New enemies rise. And somewhere in the chaos, one small spark of hope just might be enough to ignite a revolution.
The clock isn’t ticking. It’s blowing up.
Seven months after the EMPs brought the world to its knees, a handful of scientists are racing against extinction—and each other. Somewhere in a flooded skyscraper lies a wormhole generator that might be able to undo the apocalypse. If they can find it. If it still works. If it doesn’t kill them first.
Meanwhile, Diego Nadales wakes in a cell, his face bloodied and his memories fractured. He's being accused of terrorism, treason, and time travel. The last one, at least, is true.
Isabel is trapped inside a biodome ruled by the man she once trusted. But her bees—microscopic drones designed to save the planet—have been hijacked and weaponized. If she doesn’t find a way out soon, her creation will wipe out the last threads of life on Earth.
Old friends return. New enemies rise. And somewhere in the chaos, one small spark of hope just might be enough to ignite a revolution.
The clock isn’t ticking. It’s blowing up.
- GenresScience Fiction
406 pages, Hardcover
Published November 4, 2025
13 people are currently reading
5080 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Orton
8 books480 followersAWARD-WINNING AUTHOR DL ORTON lives in the Tropics with her husband, a golden retriever mix, a Siberian cat, and a bazillion geckos.
In her spare time, she's building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.
Website:
http://DLOrton.com
Ms Orton is a graduate of Stanford University's Writers Workshop and a past editor of "Top of the Western Staircase," a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.
You can email her at dlo at dlorton dot com.
In her spare time, she's building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.
Website:
http://DLOrton.com
Ms Orton is a graduate of Stanford University's Writers Workshop and a past editor of "Top of the Western Staircase," a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.
You can email her at dlo at dlorton dot com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 12, 2026
Jump is book two in the Madders of Time series and really is the absolute perfect sequel to Dome
It's a dystopian sci-fi fantasy thriller in which we again follow humanity’s last remaining survivors who are in a race against time to hold off against complete extinction of the human race. Enter our intrepid heroes, Diego, who's locked up in a cell and accused of numerous offences. And Isobel, trapped inside a biodome as her greatest creation, her bees, have been weaponised in order to destroy all remaining life on Earth.
Can they both escape? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So first, let's talk about the cover. It's a great spacey image, mysterious and vivid. Guaranteed to leap out on any shelf. I will say though, I was a little disappointed to not find a stunning inside cover like Dome has.
So all in all, this was a real rollercoaster of emotions. You'll laugh, you might cry, you'll be surprised, you'll be astonished and in awe.
It's well paced, and for, me, is on the slower side, but that's not a negative. Not all books should or need an incredibly fast pace.
The story is intelligent, and is sure to captivate and pull you in. There's tension, there's some very human moments, there's love and sacrifice.
Can't wait to read book three ( Dome ) and I hope @thewritereads tours it as I'll be jumping to sign up.
One of my favourite reads of the year up to now.
A huge 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
#fatguyreading #bookstagam #Ad #thewritereasd
It's a dystopian sci-fi fantasy thriller in which we again follow humanity’s last remaining survivors who are in a race against time to hold off against complete extinction of the human race. Enter our intrepid heroes, Diego, who's locked up in a cell and accused of numerous offences. And Isobel, trapped inside a biodome as her greatest creation, her bees, have been weaponised in order to destroy all remaining life on Earth.
Can they both escape? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So first, let's talk about the cover. It's a great spacey image, mysterious and vivid. Guaranteed to leap out on any shelf. I will say though, I was a little disappointed to not find a stunning inside cover like Dome has.
So all in all, this was a real rollercoaster of emotions. You'll laugh, you might cry, you'll be surprised, you'll be astonished and in awe.
It's well paced, and for, me, is on the slower side, but that's not a negative. Not all books should or need an incredibly fast pace.
The story is intelligent, and is sure to captivate and pull you in. There's tension, there's some very human moments, there's love and sacrifice.
Can't wait to read book three ( Dome ) and I hope @thewritereads tours it as I'll be jumping to sign up.
One of my favourite reads of the year up to now.
A huge 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
#fatguyreading #bookstagam #Ad #thewritereasd
February 14, 2026
Jump by D. L. Orton is the second book in the Madders of Time series, following on from the success of Hive. It is a character-driven sci-fi thriller that blends time travel, romance, parallel universe, philosophical inquiry and high-stakes suspense into a cleverly woven thriller.
The story follows Isabel and Diego, whose experimental technology allows consciousness to “jump” across parallel timelines, which can be both a lifeline and a curse. In this story, Isabel is trapped in a bio dome by her morally sketchy billionaire ex, while he weaponises her bee technology for his own premises. Meanwhile, Diego is imprisoned for treason and time jumping. In the midst of this, different versions of themselves are leaping around time trying to fix the current crisis and prevent the extinction of mankind, and even bumping into versions of themselves. The author balances big scientific ideas in Jump with emotional depth, focusing on love, loss, and moral responsibility. The pacing is steady, with escalating tension as each jump raises the stakes. What begins as a scientific breakthrough quickly becomes a desperate attempt to correct catastrophic events. Each jump carries consequences, which are a mix of ethical, emotional, physical and existential. Orton uses this mechanism not just for plot twists, but to explore questions about fate, free will, and responsibility. If you could fix a mistake by rewriting reality, should you? And at what cost?
One of Jump's strengths is its balance between intimate character development and high-concept science fiction. Isabel is portrayed as brilliant, yet vulnerable, driven by both intellect and love. Diego provides emotional grounding while wrestling with the moral implications of their actions. Their relationship feels authentic. It is both complex, and strained, but also deeply committed. The emotional stakes are often as gripping as the physical danger.
The scientific explanations are detailed and, while I may not have always understood the technicalities, the story very much resonated with me. Readers who enjoy hard sci-fi will appreciate the efforts to make the speculative elements feel plausible. Thematically, Jump stands out for its exploration of love across time and space. It’s not merely about altering events; it’s about how far people will go to protect the ones they love. Orton avoids simplistic answers, instead presenting a morally complex landscape where even good intentions can lead to unintended consequences.
Overall, Jump is an intelligent, emotionally resonant science fiction novel. It will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy speculative fiction that blends romance and ethical dilemmas with scientific imagination; stories where the greatest risks are not just to the world, but to the human heart.
#jump #DLOrton #Maddersoftimetwo #book2 #booktour #thewritereads
The story follows Isabel and Diego, whose experimental technology allows consciousness to “jump” across parallel timelines, which can be both a lifeline and a curse. In this story, Isabel is trapped in a bio dome by her morally sketchy billionaire ex, while he weaponises her bee technology for his own premises. Meanwhile, Diego is imprisoned for treason and time jumping. In the midst of this, different versions of themselves are leaping around time trying to fix the current crisis and prevent the extinction of mankind, and even bumping into versions of themselves. The author balances big scientific ideas in Jump with emotional depth, focusing on love, loss, and moral responsibility. The pacing is steady, with escalating tension as each jump raises the stakes. What begins as a scientific breakthrough quickly becomes a desperate attempt to correct catastrophic events. Each jump carries consequences, which are a mix of ethical, emotional, physical and existential. Orton uses this mechanism not just for plot twists, but to explore questions about fate, free will, and responsibility. If you could fix a mistake by rewriting reality, should you? And at what cost?
One of Jump's strengths is its balance between intimate character development and high-concept science fiction. Isabel is portrayed as brilliant, yet vulnerable, driven by both intellect and love. Diego provides emotional grounding while wrestling with the moral implications of their actions. Their relationship feels authentic. It is both complex, and strained, but also deeply committed. The emotional stakes are often as gripping as the physical danger.
The scientific explanations are detailed and, while I may not have always understood the technicalities, the story very much resonated with me. Readers who enjoy hard sci-fi will appreciate the efforts to make the speculative elements feel plausible. Thematically, Jump stands out for its exploration of love across time and space. It’s not merely about altering events; it’s about how far people will go to protect the ones they love. Orton avoids simplistic answers, instead presenting a morally complex landscape where even good intentions can lead to unintended consequences.
Overall, Jump is an intelligent, emotionally resonant science fiction novel. It will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy speculative fiction that blends romance and ethical dilemmas with scientific imagination; stories where the greatest risks are not just to the world, but to the human heart.
#jump #DLOrton #Maddersoftimetwo #book2 #booktour #thewritereads
February 12, 2026
This is the second book in the Madders of Time series. The first is Hive, which I read in February of 2025. (The 3rd book in the series is Dome, which will be out in May of this year.)
I love the covers on these books!
This is one of those stories that while not particularly pleasant, I can’t help but root for the characters and humanity in general. Hoping humanity survives is my reason for reading dystopian sci-fi.
I’m not going to talk in any detail about the plot (in case you want to read it). In some ways it’s your typical end-of-civilization story. However, this one includes some interesting tech. First and foremost, is the development of a wormhole generator to move in time. A handful of scientists are attempting to change the past, and in turn, change the future. Despite the fact that story pivots on the tech, the reader is not asked to understand theoretical physics.
Instead, the story is told through the experiences of the characters. There are three viewpoint characters - two environmental scientists, Isabel Sanford and Diego Nadales, and Matt Hudson, one of the geniuses behind the wormhole generator. There is also a host of secondary characters: more scientists, a military man, and a narcissistic billionaire. The characters are 3-dimensional rather than caricatures. The author makes all of them believable and memorable.
As the story unfolds, the chapters switch between the three viewpoint characters, and are written in first person.
DL Orton is an excellent writer. I had no trouble envisioning what she describes. I was never taken out of the story by wondering what was meant. Or feeling that something didn’t make sense.
If you enjoy dystopian sci-fi that is equally plot and character driven, this trilogy might be for you.
I love the covers on these books!
This is one of those stories that while not particularly pleasant, I can’t help but root for the characters and humanity in general. Hoping humanity survives is my reason for reading dystopian sci-fi.
I’m not going to talk in any detail about the plot (in case you want to read it). In some ways it’s your typical end-of-civilization story. However, this one includes some interesting tech. First and foremost, is the development of a wormhole generator to move in time. A handful of scientists are attempting to change the past, and in turn, change the future. Despite the fact that story pivots on the tech, the reader is not asked to understand theoretical physics.
Instead, the story is told through the experiences of the characters. There are three viewpoint characters - two environmental scientists, Isabel Sanford and Diego Nadales, and Matt Hudson, one of the geniuses behind the wormhole generator. There is also a host of secondary characters: more scientists, a military man, and a narcissistic billionaire. The characters are 3-dimensional rather than caricatures. The author makes all of them believable and memorable.
As the story unfolds, the chapters switch between the three viewpoint characters, and are written in first person.
DL Orton is an excellent writer. I had no trouble envisioning what she describes. I was never taken out of the story by wondering what was meant. Or feeling that something didn’t make sense.
If you enjoy dystopian sci-fi that is equally plot and character driven, this trilogy might be for you.
November 27, 2025
JUMP is the perfect sequel to HIVE, the first in Orton’s Madders of Time series.
Readers are thrust back into the action with our leads Diego & Isabel, each trapped in perilous conditions after the events of the first book, facing their own worst nightmares. It’s the raw, human aspect of Orton’s writing that endears the reader to these characters and their own going plights. She delivers dark, emotional stories with just a sliver of hope to keep the reader ensconced in the narrative.
Although the stakes are high, the book is not without its humour which strikes the perfect balance, relieving some of the continuous pressure set by the pacing throughout.
JUMP is a wonderful expansion of this sci-fi universe and will leave readers desperate for more.
Readers are thrust back into the action with our leads Diego & Isabel, each trapped in perilous conditions after the events of the first book, facing their own worst nightmares. It’s the raw, human aspect of Orton’s writing that endears the reader to these characters and their own going plights. She delivers dark, emotional stories with just a sliver of hope to keep the reader ensconced in the narrative.
Although the stakes are high, the book is not without its humour which strikes the perfect balance, relieving some of the continuous pressure set by the pacing throughout.
JUMP is a wonderful expansion of this sci-fi universe and will leave readers desperate for more.
December 3, 2025
A Breathtaking Sci-Fi Adventure Novel
JUMP: MADDERS OF TIME BOOK 2 by D. L. Orton is a compelling and entertaining science fiction novel. As the second installment in the Madders of Time series, readers will enjoy it more if they read Book 1 first. The author’s creativity shines through, especially in world-building and storytelling.
The plot thickens as Kirkland has both Isabel and Diego separated and under his control, manipulating them to do his bidding while they cling to their love and hope of saving each other. Meanwhile, the worsening "drought crisis" — caused by a sharp decline in the bee population — is exploited by Kirkland, who pretends to offer solutions but actually aims to turn the bots into deadly machines for his greed.
This edition offers a more immersive and suspenseful experience, leaving readers eager to see if Isabel and Diego will reunite, save each other, resolve the crisis, and save humanity. In this edition, action scenes are more frequent, adding excitement for fans of intense storytelling.
The author employs multiple narrative voices, improving the story's flow and making it easier to understand and follow. Events are seamlessly connected, maintaining clarity and purpose throughout. Each chapter begins with a photo ID and an introduction or "target," helping readers identify the current narrator.
The book is well-written, professionally edited, and free of grammatical errors. Scenes are thoughtfully crafted and vividly detailed, allowing readers to visualize the events as if watching a film. Fans of time-travel sci-fi will find this book engaging.
JUMP: MADDERS OF TIME BOOK 2 by D. L. Orton is a compelling and entertaining science fiction novel. As the second installment in the Madders of Time series, readers will enjoy it more if they read Book 1 first. The author’s creativity shines through, especially in world-building and storytelling.
The plot thickens as Kirkland has both Isabel and Diego separated and under his control, manipulating them to do his bidding while they cling to their love and hope of saving each other. Meanwhile, the worsening "drought crisis" — caused by a sharp decline in the bee population — is exploited by Kirkland, who pretends to offer solutions but actually aims to turn the bots into deadly machines for his greed.
This edition offers a more immersive and suspenseful experience, leaving readers eager to see if Isabel and Diego will reunite, save each other, resolve the crisis, and save humanity. In this edition, action scenes are more frequent, adding excitement for fans of intense storytelling.
The author employs multiple narrative voices, improving the story's flow and making it easier to understand and follow. Events are seamlessly connected, maintaining clarity and purpose throughout. Each chapter begins with a photo ID and an introduction or "target," helping readers identify the current narrator.
The book is well-written, professionally edited, and free of grammatical errors. Scenes are thoughtfully crafted and vividly detailed, allowing readers to visualize the events as if watching a film. Fans of time-travel sci-fi will find this book engaging.
December 3, 2025
Jump is a wild, inventive, and adrenaline-charged ride through a collapsing multiverse where hope feels as fragile as time itself. DL Orton expertly weaves together Diego’s fractured memories, Isabel’s desperate fight inside a dangerous biodome, and a race to recover a wormhole device that could rewrite humanity’s fate. The stakes are sky-high, the twists relentless, and the science wonderfully imaginative. While the story occasionally overwhelms with its many moving parts, the emotional core, friendship, survival, and sacrifice keeps it grounded. Bold, tense, and packed with action, Jump is a thrilling installment that pushes its characters, and its readers, to the edge.
November 24, 2025
If Hive was the spark that lit D.L. Orton’s dystopian, time-tangled universe, Jump is the wildfire that follows—hotter, messier, and impossible to look away from. The second installment throws you straight into the chaos without a safety net, expanding the world in ways that are bolder, darker, and more emotionally charged.
Where Hive built its tension on impending collapse, Jump plunges us into the aftermath. The multiverse is crumpling in on itself, the timelines are misfiring, and humanity’s last shot at salvation lies buried in a half-drowned skyscraper—if it hasn’t already imploded. It’s the kind of high-concept premise that could easily spiral into confusion, but Orton roots it in the raw, beating hearts of her characters.
Diego’s storyline hits like a punch to the gut. He wakes up battered, accused of crimes he may or may not have committed, and forced to piece together both his memory and the remnants of a world gone sideways. His chapters thrum with claustrophobic urgency—every revelation tilts the timeline a degree off-center, and you feel the ground shifting with him.
Isabel’s arc is just as tense but cuts deeper emotionally. Trapped in a biodome run by someone she once trusted, she has to confront the nightmare her innovations have become. Her bees—those tiny, brilliant creations meant to heal the planet—have been twisted into instruments of annihilation. Isabel’s quiet resilience, rage, and grit give the book its emotional spine, especially as she navigates a world where hope is a far thinner resource than air.
And then there’s Madders. The AI is back—acerbic, earnest, infuriatingly logical—and his logs continue to be some of the smartest, funniest, and most poignant moments in the book. Old allies return, new threats emerge, and the ensemble expands in a way that makes the world feel both larger and more claustrophobic at the same time.
Orton maintains her signature blend of scientific imagination and character-driven storytelling, but Jump feels sharper and more kinetic than its predecessor. The pacing rarely lets up—twist after twist ricochets through the narrative, and the stakes aren’t just high, they’re multiversal. Yet, despite the scale, the story never loses sight of the small, human moments: a shared look, a broken memory, a stubborn flicker of hope.
If there’s a challenge to the reading experience, it’s the sheer density of everything happening at once. The collapsed timelines, fractured realities, and interconnected plotlines demand attention. But for readers who love immersive sci-fi that trusts them to keep up, this complexity is part of the thrill.
By the end, Jump leaves you breathless, a little devastated, and desperate for Dome, the next chapter in this unraveling tapestry of love, loss, and quantum catastrophe. It’s a sequel that not only lives up to Hive, but fearlessly broadens the horizon—proving once again that Orton is at her best when she’s balancing big ideas with bigger feelings.
Smart, suspenseful, and deeply human, Jump cements the Madders of Time series as a standout in time-travel fiction. If Hive hooked you, Jump will leave claw marks.
Where Hive built its tension on impending collapse, Jump plunges us into the aftermath. The multiverse is crumpling in on itself, the timelines are misfiring, and humanity’s last shot at salvation lies buried in a half-drowned skyscraper—if it hasn’t already imploded. It’s the kind of high-concept premise that could easily spiral into confusion, but Orton roots it in the raw, beating hearts of her characters.
Diego’s storyline hits like a punch to the gut. He wakes up battered, accused of crimes he may or may not have committed, and forced to piece together both his memory and the remnants of a world gone sideways. His chapters thrum with claustrophobic urgency—every revelation tilts the timeline a degree off-center, and you feel the ground shifting with him.
Isabel’s arc is just as tense but cuts deeper emotionally. Trapped in a biodome run by someone she once trusted, she has to confront the nightmare her innovations have become. Her bees—those tiny, brilliant creations meant to heal the planet—have been twisted into instruments of annihilation. Isabel’s quiet resilience, rage, and grit give the book its emotional spine, especially as she navigates a world where hope is a far thinner resource than air.
And then there’s Madders. The AI is back—acerbic, earnest, infuriatingly logical—and his logs continue to be some of the smartest, funniest, and most poignant moments in the book. Old allies return, new threats emerge, and the ensemble expands in a way that makes the world feel both larger and more claustrophobic at the same time.
Orton maintains her signature blend of scientific imagination and character-driven storytelling, but Jump feels sharper and more kinetic than its predecessor. The pacing rarely lets up—twist after twist ricochets through the narrative, and the stakes aren’t just high, they’re multiversal. Yet, despite the scale, the story never loses sight of the small, human moments: a shared look, a broken memory, a stubborn flicker of hope.
If there’s a challenge to the reading experience, it’s the sheer density of everything happening at once. The collapsed timelines, fractured realities, and interconnected plotlines demand attention. But for readers who love immersive sci-fi that trusts them to keep up, this complexity is part of the thrill.
By the end, Jump leaves you breathless, a little devastated, and desperate for Dome, the next chapter in this unraveling tapestry of love, loss, and quantum catastrophe. It’s a sequel that not only lives up to Hive, but fearlessly broadens the horizon—proving once again that Orton is at her best when she’s balancing big ideas with bigger feelings.
Smart, suspenseful, and deeply human, Jump cements the Madders of Time series as a standout in time-travel fiction. If Hive hooked you, Jump will leave claw marks.
February 14, 2026
This book is an awesome ride! I loved the first book but this one really got me from the first page where Diego meets Diego and tries to stop Diego from doing typical Diego things (which will probably destroy the world). Oh and also Diego saves the girl who is about to be killed by some sort of inter-dimensional sphere thing that was probably sent by Diego. Meanwhile Diego is imprisoned in a giant military complex and is pressured to go back in time to do something (nobody exactly knows what) so he can help Diego save the world. (Almost certainly from Diego)
Meanwhile Isabel is trying to escape from her ex husbands dystopian nightmare of a goldfish bowl, ironically called Eden, so she can find, yes you guessed it - Diego, oh and also a guy called Matt is in it doing science and stuff.
Ok ok this review is not the best but honestly the book is brilliant. I’m just trying to get across how imaginative and twisty the plot is. It must have taken Orton ages to work it all out and the way it all interweaves across timelines and books (or else she is just some sort of super genius). It’s super clever with great characters and just the perfect sci fi read. Easy five stars from me and big thank you to the write reads for introducing me to this author’s fabulous series and gifting me (a really pretty) physical copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Meanwhile Isabel is trying to escape from her ex husbands dystopian nightmare of a goldfish bowl, ironically called Eden, so she can find, yes you guessed it - Diego, oh and also a guy called Matt is in it doing science and stuff.
Ok ok this review is not the best but honestly the book is brilliant. I’m just trying to get across how imaginative and twisty the plot is. It must have taken Orton ages to work it all out and the way it all interweaves across timelines and books (or else she is just some sort of super genius). It’s super clever with great characters and just the perfect sci fi read. Easy five stars from me and big thank you to the write reads for introducing me to this author’s fabulous series and gifting me (a really pretty) physical copy of the book in return for an honest review.
February 13, 2026
Jump is the second book in Orton's time travel sci fi series Madder's of Time. Once again we have the 3 same main characters and madders logs. Things have taken a major downward turn since the last book. The world is falling apart, the bots are multiplying and taking over, people are trying to find places in Dave Kirkland's domes and our three main characters are trying to do something to avert catastrophe.
I think the main story arc is told through Matt's chapters. He seems to have the best overall picture of what is going on in the world as he struggles to build a time machine to go back and fix things. Diego and Isabel are more focused on their own personal plotlines. Both want to find the other but both are being pulled in different directions.
I think the writing, like with the first book is again very good, and the pacing while possibly a little slow in places is generally nippy, especially at the end where things really start happening fast. There is some great banter between characters and overall its just a well done dystopian sci fi that sets things up nicely for the next book in the ongoing series.
I think the main story arc is told through Matt's chapters. He seems to have the best overall picture of what is going on in the world as he struggles to build a time machine to go back and fix things. Diego and Isabel are more focused on their own personal plotlines. Both want to find the other but both are being pulled in different directions.
I think the writing, like with the first book is again very good, and the pacing while possibly a little slow in places is generally nippy, especially at the end where things really start happening fast. There is some great banter between characters and overall its just a well done dystopian sci fi that sets things up nicely for the next book in the ongoing series.
February 13, 2026
I really enjoyed Hive so I was looking forward to the sequel. It did not disappoint. The Madders of Time series is set in a near future world where billionaire Dave Kirkland has created giant domes to protect the rich while making a nano bot army of semi autonomous bees, ostensibly to help pollinate crops and avoid famine, but in actuality to control the population and wipe out any who resist his company. Or, at least that is the end result of his machinations, though I think many of the consequences were not necessarily what he intended and things spiral out of his control.
Our three main characters Diego, Matt and Isabel are doing their best to avert disaster and we follow them through alternating point of view chapters. I can't say which of the three is my favourite, while I feel Isabel and Diego are the main characters I actually found Matt's relationship with his daughter Cassie to be the most engaging aspect of the story.
I'm not convinced that it is quite as good as book one. I think more of a 4.5 stars. But what the hell, I'll give it 5 too. I received a beautiful print copy of the book for the tour, but that has had no impact on my review.
Our three main characters Diego, Matt and Isabel are doing their best to avert disaster and we follow them through alternating point of view chapters. I can't say which of the three is my favourite, while I feel Isabel and Diego are the main characters I actually found Matt's relationship with his daughter Cassie to be the most engaging aspect of the story.
I'm not convinced that it is quite as good as book one. I think more of a 4.5 stars. But what the hell, I'll give it 5 too. I received a beautiful print copy of the book for the tour, but that has had no impact on my review.
February 12, 2026
I really enjoyed Jump. Its the sequel to Hive, which I loved and picks up right where that left off with our three main characters each with there own separate but interweaving stories.
Matt and his adopted daughter Cassie are doing their best to get the time machine working.
Diego is imprisoned in the same place and being pressured to be the guinea pig for it.
And Isabel finds herself recovering in one of Dave Kirkland's Domes.
My favourite of the story lines was definitely Isabel. We follow her as she is being pressured by her ex husband Dave Kirkland to rejoin his endeavours and then as she escapes with his new girlfriend Lani, who is pregnant with his child. We then follow them as Lani tries to find her brother and Isabel attempts to find Diego.
Its very fast paced, very well written and there is lots of emotion. The climax is really good, with the bots swarming and people struggling to break into the biodomes to escape them. Can't wait for the third book! Big thank you to the write reads for providing me with a lovely copy of the book!
Matt and his adopted daughter Cassie are doing their best to get the time machine working.
Diego is imprisoned in the same place and being pressured to be the guinea pig for it.
And Isabel finds herself recovering in one of Dave Kirkland's Domes.
My favourite of the story lines was definitely Isabel. We follow her as she is being pressured by her ex husband Dave Kirkland to rejoin his endeavours and then as she escapes with his new girlfriend Lani, who is pregnant with his child. We then follow them as Lani tries to find her brother and Isabel attempts to find Diego.
Its very fast paced, very well written and there is lots of emotion. The climax is really good, with the bots swarming and people struggling to break into the biodomes to escape them. Can't wait for the third book! Big thank you to the write reads for providing me with a lovely copy of the book!
December 5, 2025
Jump catapults readers back into a collapsing multiverse where time travel, fractured loyalties, and the threads of human survival collide with explosive urgency. Seven months after the EMPs destroyed modern civilization, a scattered group of scientists races to locate a wormhole generator submerged in the ruins of a drowned skyscraper—one last chance to undo the apocalypse, assuming it hasn’t failed or turned lethal. Elsewhere, Diego Nadales awakens in a cell, battered and accused of treason, terrorism, and, inconveniently, time travel. Isabel, meanwhile, is trapped inside a biodome ruled by a man she once trusted, her brilliant technological “bees” twisted into weapons capable of erasing the last signs of life on Earth. As old friends reappear and new enemies emerge, the smallest spark of hope could be enough to ignite a revolution, if anyone survives long enough to strike the match.
Having read the first book in the series, it was deeply satisfying to step back into Isabel and Diego’s lives. Their world, broken, dark, and dangerous, remains anchored by characters who feel real, flawed, and often unexpectedly funny in ways that ground the story amid its high-concept stakes. The new characters blend seamlessly into the narrative, expanding the universe without overwhelming it. The science fiction elements are especially noteworthy; they feel believable and carefully constructed, never drifting into the kind of far-fetched territory that pulls a reader out of the moment. Instead, the scientific tension enhances the emotional weight of the story.
Orton strikes a balance between gripping action, sharp humor, and aching humanity, delivering a sequel that not only raises the stakes but deepens the connection to the characters at its core. Jump is an exhilarating continuation of a series that knows how to blend science, heart, and chaos into something genuinely compelling.
Having read the first book in the series, it was deeply satisfying to step back into Isabel and Diego’s lives. Their world, broken, dark, and dangerous, remains anchored by characters who feel real, flawed, and often unexpectedly funny in ways that ground the story amid its high-concept stakes. The new characters blend seamlessly into the narrative, expanding the universe without overwhelming it. The science fiction elements are especially noteworthy; they feel believable and carefully constructed, never drifting into the kind of far-fetched territory that pulls a reader out of the moment. Instead, the scientific tension enhances the emotional weight of the story.
Orton strikes a balance between gripping action, sharp humor, and aching humanity, delivering a sequel that not only raises the stakes but deepens the connection to the characters at its core. Jump is an exhilarating continuation of a series that knows how to blend science, heart, and chaos into something genuinely compelling.
December 11, 2025
DL Orton opens Jump: Madders of Time with riots and upheaval, and he keeps the journey high-stakes up until the final page.
Jump: Madders of Time is a blood-pounding journey. Set just after the events of the first book Hive, Orton ups the stakes, with the multiverse collapsing and the Biodome, previously humanity’s last sanctuary, in danger of being destroyed.
Orton managed to up the stakes on this novel- which is impressive considering the last one was so fun. I would recommend this book to fans of sci-fi and a good adventure!
Jump: Madders of Time is a blood-pounding journey. Set just after the events of the first book Hive, Orton ups the stakes, with the multiverse collapsing and the Biodome, previously humanity’s last sanctuary, in danger of being destroyed.
Orton managed to up the stakes on this novel- which is impressive considering the last one was so fun. I would recommend this book to fans of sci-fi and a good adventure!
December 11, 2025
Jump: Madders of Time Book 2 is a riveting time travel novel. It features two lovers and scientists, Isabel and Diego, who are racing to go back in time and rewrite the fate of a crumbling humanity. Jump is a fast-paced, time-bending novel set across multiple climes and times, but the action never lets up.
DL Orton's worldbuilding stands out throughout the novel. He delivered a chaotic and mesmerising world, collapsing on itself from past mistakes, and I was there all for it!
DL Orton's worldbuilding stands out throughout the novel. He delivered a chaotic and mesmerising world, collapsing on itself from past mistakes, and I was there all for it!
December 12, 2025
Explosive, fast-paced and intense, Jump takes us to a universe that's on the verge of collapse. While Isabel struggles to preserve the last biodomes keeping humanity safe, Diego, accused of time-travel (which is now a crime) must recover a wormhole device that could rewrite humanity’s fate. Jump is a wild ride set in a post-apocalyptic universe, perfect for sci-fi and adventure fans.
December 12, 2025
I enjoyed Jump: Madders of Time. It was set in a post-apocalyptic world, where only a few humans remain, and a band of scientists needed to work together to steal a time machine which could help them undo the wrongs that got thjem to this place. New alliances were formed with old enemies, and there was enough action to go around. This was a fun read that sci-fi fans would love.
November 5, 2025
Jump continues D.L. Orton’s fabulous storytelling from Hive, the first book in the Madders of Time series. Right from the prologue, I was completely pulled back into Isabel and Diego’s crazy, beautiful, time-twisting world. Madders’ chronicle of what’s going on in the world is as enlightening as ever, and the rest of the gang is back—making the best of it—along with some great new characters.
The science-fiction side feels believable, but it’s the characters that make it special—funny, flawed, and so real you can’t help caring about them. The story moves fast, full of twists and “oh no!” moments that kept me reading way too late. The way Orton weaves the story is just masterful.
The science-fiction side feels believable, but it’s the characters that make it special—funny, flawed, and so real you can’t help caring about them. The story moves fast, full of twists and “oh no!” moments that kept me reading way too late. The way Orton weaves the story is just masterful.
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December 11, 2025Jump: Madders of Time – Book 2 by D. L. Orton’s continues the series with even more excitement and heart. This is the second book and what stands out is that the sci-fi elements feel believable and well-thought-out, and so are the characters. They’re funny, imperfect, and so real that you immediately care about what happens to them.
This book is a fast, imaginative, and thrill-packed dive through a chaotic multiverse. D. L. Orton’s creativity shows clearly in the world-building and storytelling, making this a highly engaging and entertaining read.
This book is a fast, imaginative, and thrill-packed dive through a chaotic multiverse. D. L. Orton’s creativity shows clearly in the world-building and storytelling, making this a highly engaging and entertaining read.
February 13, 2026
Thank you to the giveaway organisers! Will update once I receive the book.
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February 13, 2026Full review to come.
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