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The Chronos Files #3.5
Simon Says: Tips for the Intrepid Time Traveler
A CHRONOS Files Novella
Simon Rand's life isn't exactly linear, but he's okay with that. He was older than his mother when they first met, and he's traveled pretty much everywhere and everywhen the CHRONOS key can take him. Much of his childhood was spent in the 1890s on the Cyrist Farm with his friend, Kiernan Dunne, but summer vacations meant hanging out with his grandfather in the 2020s, training to be Saul Rand's right-hand man and fixing bits of history to help build Cyrist International.
But that's just Simon's day job. His true passion is time tourism--jumping right smack into the middle of historical events to see what really happened. Sometimes, however, simply witnessing an event can change it, and when Simon and Kiernan investigate the death of Simon's teenage obsession, Marilyn Monroe, it may just unravel the history he knows and loves.
Simon Rand's life isn't exactly linear, but he's okay with that. He was older than his mother when they first met, and he's traveled pretty much everywhere and everywhen the CHRONOS key can take him. Much of his childhood was spent in the 1890s on the Cyrist Farm with his friend, Kiernan Dunne, but summer vacations meant hanging out with his grandfather in the 2020s, training to be Saul Rand's right-hand man and fixing bits of history to help build Cyrist International.
But that's just Simon's day job. His true passion is time tourism--jumping right smack into the middle of historical events to see what really happened. Sometimes, however, simply witnessing an event can change it, and when Simon and Kiernan investigate the death of Simon's teenage obsession, Marilyn Monroe, it may just unravel the history he knows and loves.
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2015
110 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
About the author
Rysa Walker
74 books1,521 followersRYSA WALKER is the author of the bestselling CHRONOS Files series. Timebound, the first book in the series, was the Young Adult and Grand Prize winner in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. The CHRONOS Files has sold nearly half a million copies since 2013 and has been translated into fourteen languages.
In addition to speculative fiction, she occasionally writes mysteries as C. Rysa Walker.
Rysa currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two youngest sons, and a hyperactive golden retriever. When not working on the next installment in her CHRONOS Files universe, she watches shows where travelers boldly go to galaxies far away, or reads about magical creatures and superheroes from alternate timelines. She has neither the time nor the patience for reality TV.
If you see her on social media, please tell her to get back into the writing cave.
For updates, check her website: www.rysa.com.
In addition to speculative fiction, she occasionally writes mysteries as C. Rysa Walker.
Rysa currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two youngest sons, and a hyperactive golden retriever. When not working on the next installment in her CHRONOS Files universe, she watches shows where travelers boldly go to galaxies far away, or reads about magical creatures and superheroes from alternate timelines. She has neither the time nor the patience for reality TV.
If you see her on social media, please tell her to get back into the writing cave.
For updates, check her website: www.rysa.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 19, 2015
Fun novella told from Simon's POV. I really loved the wibbly wobbly timey wimey aspects of how something so minor can have such a huge affect on a time line! And... I really like this younger Simon!! Never saw that coming!!
Rysa promises more Simon stories! Can't wait!!
Rysa promises more Simon stories! Can't wait!!
March 27, 2017
It was interesting seeing Simon's earlier life. It's sad really, if not for Saul's influence, he probably wouldn't have gone as awful.
For some reason I thought that Simon was born closer to where Saul is stranded, but now that I know it makes sense that he was born in the same era as Keirnan, given that he wouldn't be using or under a key until he was older, and Simon and Kiernan knew each other as kids.
It was cool seeing more into Saul's planning. When you think about it, he's really not all that present in the series. Simon is more the visible villain.
For some reason I thought that Simon was born closer to where Saul is stranded, but now that I know it makes sense that he was born in the same era as Keirnan, given that he wouldn't be using or under a key until he was older, and Simon and Kiernan knew each other as kids.
It was cool seeing more into Saul's planning. When you think about it, he's really not all that present in the series. Simon is more the visible villain.
March 18, 2016
Nice little novella featuring Simon. I actually didn't hate him in this like I did in the main novels. He's just misunderstood is all. I just love this series so much, and I'm sad to see it over.
March 26, 2016
This is a fun little short story for those familiar with the series. It mainly focuses on Simon's love of history and his relationships with Kiernan and his "family."
January 9, 2021
Enjoyable book and well written. It's been so long since I read the other Chronos books that I really don't remember much about who everyone is. Recognize all the names, but not the nitty gritty of who was whom. Still, a good listen.
February 17, 2019
Although this was a fun story, it missed one BIG POINT in my opinion. The whole point of these ".5 books" from what saw was to give back story and kind of show how each of the characters formed into what they were.
The Keirnan backstory told us more about his relationship with the "other" Kate and why she was so important to him.
The Prudence backstory told us how she went to the future, ended up with Saul. It showed how she had some bad tendencies to being with. Then how Simon treated her and the things Saul did to turn her into the nut case she is now.
But the Simon backstory just didn't explain much. There didn't seem to be anything about how he evolved into the sadistic, alcoholic, maniac that he turned in to. In fact, it almost did the opposite. It made him seem a lot more 'tender' than his character is in the main books.
For that reason, primarily, I have to down-rate this book. Even though the story was good, I feel it missed the primary objective.
The Keirnan backstory told us more about his relationship with the "other" Kate and why she was so important to him.
The Prudence backstory told us how she went to the future, ended up with Saul. It showed how she had some bad tendencies to being with. Then how Simon treated her and the things Saul did to turn her into the nut case she is now.
But the Simon backstory just didn't explain much. There didn't seem to be anything about how he evolved into the sadistic, alcoholic, maniac that he turned in to. In fact, it almost did the opposite. It made him seem a lot more 'tender' than his character is in the main books.
For that reason, primarily, I have to down-rate this book. Even though the story was good, I feel it missed the primary objective.
April 6, 2018
Better than expected. Had put off quite a while then when the power went out last night and the book I was reading wasn't available on my tablet (and NO wifi for me!!) scampered to this which I had gotten onto this new tablet. Presently getting MORE on now that power is FINALLY back on. Anyway, hastened with reading this novella as just had little interest and believe it had come out AFTER I had already moved onto other things when finished with the Chronos Files as they stood at that time. It was STRANGE to not have Simon be such an a**hole and all that as he is within the series or as I recall him now. Though I suppose can definitely see his development into doing the wrong thing and not necessarily for the right reasons. That is for damned sure. So gave it 4 stars after all. Not sure that it earns the entire 4. But couldn't just give it 3 after all this time now.
June 30, 2018
Nice
Though I have read the other novellas in this series I was a bit surprised that this one covers such a short period of Simon's lifespan. Each of the other novellas covered a broader reach of how the main protagonist lived the majority of their life, but this one only extends over a single decade. Other than brvty it is a good read and serves the purpose of filling in some blanks in the main story well.
Though I have read the other novellas in this series I was a bit surprised that this one covers such a short period of Simon's lifespan. Each of the other novellas covered a broader reach of how the main protagonist lived the majority of their life, but this one only extends over a single decade. Other than brvty it is a good read and serves the purpose of filling in some blanks in the main story well.
June 25, 2020
It's very good reading stories from Simon's point of view. The teenager who appears here is way different from the Simon we are used to. Interesting history tips, too. The only thing I thought is that this novella should be read before the third book of the trilogy, and not after. Once there is no main spoiler here, it would be better to meet this Simon before getting the final part of Kate's adventure.
September 6, 2022
It's a sign of a good writer that they can write a character piece that isn't part of the main story, but clearly lays out the motivation and characteristics in a way that clarifies the reader's view of that character. Rysa does this extremely well in this short cameo by Simon that shows his humanity and how its limitations and past can lead to his actions in the main books. And, it's a fun time travel story in its own right.
July 26, 2017
Shorter than I wanted...
This novella was a much quicker read than I wanted it to be. On one hand, I don't want to spend too much time inside nasty Simon's head, but on the other hand, I expected there to be more meat on the story about Marilyn. I was surprised when that whole story was completely anticlimactic, and quickly wrapped up.
This novella was a much quicker read than I wanted it to be. On one hand, I don't want to spend too much time inside nasty Simon's head, but on the other hand, I expected there to be more meat on the story about Marilyn. I was surprised when that whole story was completely anticlimactic, and quickly wrapped up.
March 10, 2018
Eh. It was ok. It may have change my opinion of Simon a bit but he still turned out evil .. still love Kiernan ... guess I will move onto his novella. I do have to say Rysa walker is very detailed in her books and does not write lazily. This series is super interesting .. this has been my least favorite book though.
March 6, 2020
Interesting
This short story showed a bit more of Simon's "training" and explained more of why he turned out the way he did. But it also shows a bit of a different side to him. He did learn that sometimes curiosity isn't worth the outcome. A very good example of what a little, tiny change can do to the outcome of time in general. I love the way Ms. Walker thinks!
This short story showed a bit more of Simon's "training" and explained more of why he turned out the way he did. But it also shows a bit of a different side to him. He did learn that sometimes curiosity isn't worth the outcome. A very good example of what a little, tiny change can do to the outcome of time in general. I love the way Ms. Walker thinks!
Read
July 6, 2020Wonderful to see such a different perspective on an important character of the series
Simon is almost unrecognizable from his own point of view and does raise many points to consider about cause and effect and nature vs nurture. The time travel gives some interesting vignettes as well as a nice twisty mess to solve.
Simon is almost unrecognizable from his own point of view and does raise many points to consider about cause and effect and nature vs nurture. The time travel gives some interesting vignettes as well as a nice twisty mess to solve.
April 22, 2022
This one didn't contribute much to the main plot, which if fine. But it also didn't help me understand Simon as a character. His backstory is kind of boring compared to the other novellas. And I still don't like him, so I did not enjoy reading about him. However, I liked the second part since it shows how even a tiny glance can alter history immensely.
June 22, 2017
Who knew Simon was likable?!
I love the Cronos trilogy and like getting to know characters not featured in the main novels. I've also found that both Simon and Pru are not as horrible in their own stories.a good companion to the trilogy.
I love the Cronos trilogy and like getting to know characters not featured in the main novels. I've also found that both Simon and Pru are not as horrible in their own stories.a good companion to the trilogy.
May 23, 2017
I really liked the first half of the book as it told the story of the villan of the series. But then it wondered off into his following Marilyn Monroe around which seemed totally pointless and out of sync with the rest of the series.
July 3, 2019
Chronos series
I’ve purchased all the books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them. Very kewl storyline and great landing....er ending. History IS fun. Enjoy, she’s a wonderful author.
I’ve purchased all the books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them. Very kewl storyline and great landing....er ending. History IS fun. Enjoy, she’s a wonderful author.
March 21, 2020
Great novella...
About Simon’s beginnings. At about the three-quarter mark, Simon goes back to solve the mystery of Marilyn Monroe’s death and accidentally makes a tiny mistake resulting in major changes to history.
About Simon’s beginnings. At about the three-quarter mark, Simon goes back to solve the mystery of Marilyn Monroe’s death and accidentally makes a tiny mistake resulting in major changes to history.
May 9, 2020
I loved this... but also kinda hated it, why’d you gotta humanise the devil Rysa?
Hating myself for not hating him as much, and having a few interests in common with a few psychopathic fictional character, still a great novella though.
Hating myself for not hating him as much, and having a few interests in common with a few psychopathic fictional character, still a great novella though.
January 4, 2021
An interesting snippet of a character you love to hate. These novellas help remind me that the "final product" I see in a person took years to build. I enjoyed this historical glimpse into an iconic moment in history as well.
February 21, 2022
Good novella
Gives more depth and even a few ounces of likability to Simon :). Interest reflections on Kiernan as well. Enjoyed it. Looking for more! [Get back into the writing cave :).]
Gives more depth and even a few ounces of likability to Simon :). Interest reflections on Kiernan as well. Enjoyed it. Looking for more! [Get back into the writing cave :).]
March 26, 2023
Even the wiçked were once innocent
Takes a really good storyteller to make readers care about the villain. Rysa Walker has done it again. Simon was my least favorite character, and now I have at least a little sympathy for the child Simon. Bravo!
Takes a really good storyteller to make readers care about the villain. Rysa Walker has done it again. Simon was my least favorite character, and now I have at least a little sympathy for the child Simon. Bravo!
August 20, 2025
Simon Says is a quick novella told from the viewpoint of Simon about his first few years of jumping. It wraps up the Timebound series completely. It’s a very quick read with interesting insight into young Simon and Kiernan.
February 3, 2017
Different perspective
It was good seeing things through Simon's eyes. He is not as bad as I thought. Keep up the good work.
It was good seeing things through Simon's eyes. He is not as bad as I thought. Keep up the good work.
June 1, 2017
Insight into Simon
This is a great companion book and helps the reader understand a little more about how Simon thinks. Still a sleaze, but I get why K was friends with him.
This is a great companion book and helps the reader understand a little more about how Simon thinks. Still a sleaze, but I get why K was friends with him.
March 29, 2018
A quick fun read
I don't like Simon so I didn't think I'd enjoy this novella, but it was fun visiting Marilyn Monroe at the end!
I don't like Simon so I didn't think I'd enjoy this novella, but it was fun visiting Marilyn Monroe at the end!
July 25, 2018
Simon does not seem so bad after reading this.
October 22, 2018
Interesting perspective from Simon on his early years with the Chronos key.
February 8, 2019
Overall a good short story. It was fun to see Simon before he got all psycho.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews