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Deadlock #3
The Broken Clock
Frank Hinkle and his friends must stop Zed from achieving his ultimate goal: saving the world. In King's Crossing, Wisconsin, lives a nine-year-old girl who can pull on time. Residents of the town know odd details about the future, and there's a twisting tree growing in a park near the center of town. It's here Zed has chosen to enact the final phase of his plan to defeat the ancient beings who pursue him. And it's here that Frank, Sophie, and Mason will make their stand against both Zed and his enemies. The final chapter of the Deadlock Trilogy is upon us.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2015
90 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 14, 2016
I'm so glad that I got to read this fast-paced, exciting series. This book wraps everything really well, I think. You learn a lot about the background of Zed which was awesome and added a whole layer to the world. Definitely recommend this for people looking for a unique story with realistic characters.
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September 10, 2019
I spent a little while after umm-ing and ahh-ing whether to go for 3 or 4 stars for this one. In the end, I went for 4 stars purely because I spent 3 hours in the bath, topping up the warm water, and read the entire thing. I enjoy the feeling when a book makes you want to keep reading until the very end.
The final book in the Deadlock trilogy and we come to the end of quite a story. The plot itself is a little convoluted-it becomes more so during book two and three-and often it feels like there is too much happening, but the writing itself is nice enough to keep you interested without falling off completely.
I never quite got in to any of the characters: I don't think they were expressly fantastic but neither were they dull. They just seemed to perfome their duties very well, with maybe the exception of Frank, the more-protagonist than any other, who becomes the very centre of the story quite quickly. He develops nicely if not as much as one would hope, but overall the characters are fitting.
Without researching it a little more, the book does feel self-published. There are a lot of typos, so many mistakes and you can definitely tell it needed either an editor, or a better one. There were also times when it took a fair few pages to tell something that should really only take a couple of sentences, which any good editor could do.
Aside from these things, it is a very nicely done trilogy. It needs a bit more editing and probably quite a lot more proof-reading, but otherwise it is definitely enjoyable. The switching of timeline narrations was a little jolting at first, but once you realise what they're telling you, they become much easier to digest.
The plot, whilst it goes a little weird at the end of the first book and during the second for a little, turns in to something quite interesting with the show of those who are after the main antagonist Zed, though the fact they're not mentioned until quite late in makes it feel like it was a slightly rush job.
Honestly, this is a really nice trilogy, written well but with too many mistakes that are very easily rectified. It is fast-paced (at times) but with a really good editor it could be a very good fantasy series.
The final book in the Deadlock trilogy and we come to the end of quite a story. The plot itself is a little convoluted-it becomes more so during book two and three-and often it feels like there is too much happening, but the writing itself is nice enough to keep you interested without falling off completely.
I never quite got in to any of the characters: I don't think they were expressly fantastic but neither were they dull. They just seemed to perfome their duties very well, with maybe the exception of Frank, the more-protagonist than any other, who becomes the very centre of the story quite quickly. He develops nicely if not as much as one would hope, but overall the characters are fitting.
Without researching it a little more, the book does feel self-published. There are a lot of typos, so many mistakes and you can definitely tell it needed either an editor, or a better one. There were also times when it took a fair few pages to tell something that should really only take a couple of sentences, which any good editor could do.
Aside from these things, it is a very nicely done trilogy. It needs a bit more editing and probably quite a lot more proof-reading, but otherwise it is definitely enjoyable. The switching of timeline narrations was a little jolting at first, but once you realise what they're telling you, they become much easier to digest.
The plot, whilst it goes a little weird at the end of the first book and during the second for a little, turns in to something quite interesting with the show of those who are after the main antagonist Zed, though the fact they're not mentioned until quite late in makes it feel like it was a slightly rush job.
Honestly, this is a really nice trilogy, written well but with too many mistakes that are very easily rectified. It is fast-paced (at times) but with a really good editor it could be a very good fantasy series.
May 30, 2018
Read this in two days!
July 3, 2016
Video review(1.2m): https://youtu.be/I48THvRsomA
Highlights:
There aren't many well-known published authors that can pull off a complex storyline like this as well as what P. T. Hylton did. I really enjoyed this book and series. All of the answers I've been looking for were answered and they were answered really well in this third book. You can tell that Hylton spent a lot of time planning and drafting these stories to make sure everything made sense without plot holes and I respect that because some award winning/best-selling authors don't even do that. Bottom line is that this third book delivered.
Sure, the prose isn't the most amazing prose, it mostly focuses on pushing the break-neck plot forward, but the writing gets better with each book, and the complexity of the plot makes up for it. I just had a fun time reading these books, they are quick, and I think it is a trilogy that will only get better over time when I think about it. Hylton has made me a fan. From his excellent Zane Holloway novellas to this series, he is one of the good self-published authors.
4/5
18/25 Possible Score
Plot - 4(Strong)
Characters - 3(Good)
World Building/Setting - 5(Excellent, really tied the entire series together nicely)
Writing Style - 3(Good)
Heart & Mind Aspect - 3(Good)
Highlights:
There aren't many well-known published authors that can pull off a complex storyline like this as well as what P. T. Hylton did. I really enjoyed this book and series. All of the answers I've been looking for were answered and they were answered really well in this third book. You can tell that Hylton spent a lot of time planning and drafting these stories to make sure everything made sense without plot holes and I respect that because some award winning/best-selling authors don't even do that. Bottom line is that this third book delivered.
Sure, the prose isn't the most amazing prose, it mostly focuses on pushing the break-neck plot forward, but the writing gets better with each book, and the complexity of the plot makes up for it. I just had a fun time reading these books, they are quick, and I think it is a trilogy that will only get better over time when I think about it. Hylton has made me a fan. From his excellent Zane Holloway novellas to this series, he is one of the good self-published authors.
4/5
18/25 Possible Score
Plot - 4(Strong)
Characters - 3(Good)
World Building/Setting - 5(Excellent, really tied the entire series together nicely)
Writing Style - 3(Good)
Heart & Mind Aspect - 3(Good)
June 9, 2018
It was all a bit anticlimactic.
Every question you ever had about the tools and Zed are answered yet there's something missing. It's a big battle to save the world from the exiles but, there's just something not quite as riveting about this book. Maybe it's the lack of suspense or the lack of mystery. There are so many explanations no stone is left unturned and sadly the mystery of it all was what I loved much in the beginning.
So yes, definitely read it. If you've got this far with the trilogy you may as well continue. But don't expect to be as satisfied as you were before.
Every question you ever had about the tools and Zed are answered yet there's something missing. It's a big battle to save the world from the exiles but, there's just something not quite as riveting about this book. Maybe it's the lack of suspense or the lack of mystery. There are so many explanations no stone is left unturned and sadly the mystery of it all was what I loved much in the beginning.
So yes, definitely read it. If you've got this far with the trilogy you may as well continue. But don't expect to be as satisfied as you were before.
December 5, 2018
Normally I do not read this genre, and don't usually go for books that are part of a series. This one was well worth making an exception. If you are looking for something that is an entertaining, well written and a story outside the usual, this is a good one.
If I had the ability of one in the book, I'd give that rope a pull back...... and enjoy it all again.
If I had the ability of one in the book, I'd give that rope a pull back...... and enjoy it all again.
October 23, 2019
This review is more for the entire trilogy than for this book. First of all, I hate time travel books. There are too many paradoxes and problems with them. They are hard to follow and track, and are often full of deep set logic problems. This is not that kind of series.
These books include a manipulation of time, but not in ways that are generally explored. These are deeply unique. These books fall somewhere between contemporary fantasy, dystopian, and science-fiction. So if you like your genres mixed up, this is for you.
I'm generally a great fan of character driven books. This isn't that kind of series either. Although Frank Hinkle is clearly the protagonist of all three books, he isn't as big of a character throughout as you would think. He shares the spotlight with a whole cast of characters, and although the characters can be dynamic, most are stock characters with very distinct agendas. I usually hate this kind of storyline, but I was pleasantly surprised with this plot driven series.
This is a series that is basically about a group of aliens who want to destroy the earth to harvest the potential energy of its population. Humans help/harm them along the way. Deciding who is evil or not is a big theme. There are magic tools, alternate dimensions, evil governments, blind followers, and epic heroes.
Overall, this is a series that basically follows the outline of an epic hero, only without a real epic hero. Very interesting, incredibly original, and fun to read. I read the entire series, so the first book drew me in and kept me guessing. The beauty is the constant mystery and wonder at what is really going on behind the scenes. Who can you really trust?
I'd recommend it.
These books include a manipulation of time, but not in ways that are generally explored. These are deeply unique. These books fall somewhere between contemporary fantasy, dystopian, and science-fiction. So if you like your genres mixed up, this is for you.
I'm generally a great fan of character driven books. This isn't that kind of series either. Although Frank Hinkle is clearly the protagonist of all three books, he isn't as big of a character throughout as you would think. He shares the spotlight with a whole cast of characters, and although the characters can be dynamic, most are stock characters with very distinct agendas. I usually hate this kind of storyline, but I was pleasantly surprised with this plot driven series.
This is a series that is basically about a group of aliens who want to destroy the earth to harvest the potential energy of its population. Humans help/harm them along the way. Deciding who is evil or not is a big theme. There are magic tools, alternate dimensions, evil governments, blind followers, and epic heroes.
Overall, this is a series that basically follows the outline of an epic hero, only without a real epic hero. Very interesting, incredibly original, and fun to read. I read the entire series, so the first book drew me in and kept me guessing. The beauty is the constant mystery and wonder at what is really going on behind the scenes. Who can you really trust?
I'd recommend it.
October 13, 2017
Crazy… crazy… super crazy story that I really enjoyed! It was so far out in left field which was what I needed to spice up my reading list.
This third book managed to answer all my questions regarding Zed, the exiles and what the series title Deadlock meant... plus so much more.
I must say that this is not the type of trilogy that everyone will appreciate… just glad I bought it :)
This third book managed to answer all my questions regarding Zed, the exiles and what the series title Deadlock meant... plus so much more.
I must say that this is not the type of trilogy that everyone will appreciate… just glad I bought it :)
May 14, 2018
Awesome and unexpected final installment of this series. This was a highly enjoyable, well thought out story with likeable yet flawed characters. So glad I stumbled upon it and decided to give it a go. It only gets a 4 from me because of annoying typos and grammatical errors scattered throughout the books.
May 29, 2018
Excellent Series
Being a teacher, I read a great deal, but especially during my summer break. I am so glad the first book in this series popped up in my suggested reading. I was hooked! Great character development! Loved Frank! Very unique and interesting cause of an apocalyptic event. The various human reactions to change were extremely well done! Read this series!!
Being a teacher, I read a great deal, but especially during my summer break. I am so glad the first book in this series popped up in my suggested reading. I was hooked! Great character development! Loved Frank! Very unique and interesting cause of an apocalyptic event. The various human reactions to change were extremely well done! Read this series!!
April 19, 2019
Outstanding
I normally don't read books that continue I start the second book but get bored. I eventually finish but it takes a long time, these three flew so fast I would have read a fourth!! What a fantastic story teller. I look forward to more of his books.
I normally don't read books that continue I start the second book but get bored. I eventually finish but it takes a long time, these three flew so fast I would have read a fourth!! What a fantastic story teller. I look forward to more of his books.
July 4, 2019
Weird but excellent series
I bought the rest of the books in this series after reading the first one. It was very different from other stories that I have read, and addictive. I highly recommend this author and the series.
I bought the rest of the books in this series after reading the first one. It was very different from other stories that I have read, and addictive. I highly recommend this author and the series.
April 19, 2020
Great Original Trilogy
Great original story
Great characters
Great plot twists that keep you interested
Definitely recommend. I read tons of science fiction books and rarely recommend any of them
Great original story
Great characters
Great plot twists that keep you interested
Definitely recommend. I read tons of science fiction books and rarely recommend any of them
April 11, 2018
Fantastic finale to an amazing series.
August 30, 2018
I very much enjoyed this trilogy. A great read for those who enjoy time travel, mystery and the unknown!
November 28, 2018
Deadlock
This story was memorizing. Incredibly well written with fantastic characters. Truly worthwhile reading. This trilogy would make foe a really terrific movie!
This story was memorizing. Incredibly well written with fantastic characters. Truly worthwhile reading. This trilogy would make foe a really terrific movie!
May 11, 2020
What a thrilling end.
This author? Wow, where does he even come up with such ideas for a story like this?
It was brilliant, layers of time, taking certain things out of the river of time.
Loved it
This author? Wow, where does he even come up with such ideas for a story like this?
It was brilliant, layers of time, taking certain things out of the river of time.
Loved it
October 9, 2020
Excellent read
Excellent read, plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Plenty of rabbit holes to keep you wondering where its all going to end up.
Excellent read, plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Plenty of rabbit holes to keep you wondering where its all going to end up.
August 26, 2015
I am sad that this trilogy is complete, but happy to hear that Hylton plans to return to a few of these characters in future stories. This installment focuses on finally defeating the enemy by forming a unified battle plan and filling in gaps regarding his modus operandi. We find out why certain locations were taken out of time, the significance, and further purposes of the tools presented in the first two books.
We also travel to Kings Cross, Wisconsin to meet some new characters who will mingle with old favorites for the final showdown. I liked hearing Zed's origin story, and flip flopping between trying to decide if he was a total villain, or more an anti-hero. The struggle for power is still a paramount theme. I LOVED the inclusion of the town library, and the Rough-Shod Readers group that served a secret extra purpose.
I hope that more people will pick up this trilogy because Hylton is a great writer and constructs a very well-paced, engaging mystery/thriller/time travel/dystopian/multi-genre book! I believe most readers would enjoy this, it's not heavy on gore or violence, and it will keep you guessing.
We also travel to Kings Cross, Wisconsin to meet some new characters who will mingle with old favorites for the final showdown. I liked hearing Zed's origin story, and flip flopping between trying to decide if he was a total villain, or more an anti-hero. The struggle for power is still a paramount theme. I LOVED the inclusion of the town library, and the Rough-Shod Readers group that served a secret extra purpose.
I hope that more people will pick up this trilogy because Hylton is a great writer and constructs a very well-paced, engaging mystery/thriller/time travel/dystopian/multi-genre book! I believe most readers would enjoy this, it's not heavy on gore or violence, and it will keep you guessing.
July 18, 2015
If you're looking for a fast paced mind bending series, you've found it!
The third book in the series does not disappoint. You get to experience a new town, discover Zed's origins, including how and why he turned up in Rook Mountain naked, and meet the beings that scare him! This a perfect conclusion to a fun and very enjoyable series.
The third book in the series does not disappoint. You get to experience a new town, discover Zed's origins, including how and why he turned up in Rook Mountain naked, and meet the beings that scare him! This a perfect conclusion to a fun and very enjoyable series.
March 8, 2016
great trilogy!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews