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Time Rats #1
The Trouble with Time
It's 2045. Jace Carnady works for the Time Police, dedicated to the prevention of timecrime. Life is good; he loves his girlfriend and enjoys his work. But when the team get wind of a rogue time machine and fail to find it, Jace suspects one of his colleagues may be involved, and his life begins to unravel . . . In 2015, Floss Dryden is snatched from her own time and taken to the future - but will this really prevent the extinction of humanity?
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2016
107 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Lexi Revellian
19 books102 followers
Remix
is my third novel; it's the story of Caz Tallis, who is startled one quiet Sunday morning to find a stranger asleep on her roof terrace...
I enjoy reading intelligent, pacey books with humour, and that's what I try to write. I believe it's a crime to bore the reader.
My day job (using my real name, Lexi Dick) is designing and making jewellery and silver; I've made pieces for Lady Thatcher, the Athenaeum and Her Majesty the Queen.
I enjoy reading intelligent, pacey books with humour, and that's what I try to write. I believe it's a crime to bore the reader.
My day job (using my real name, Lexi Dick) is designing and making jewellery and silver; I've made pieces for Lady Thatcher, the Athenaeum and Her Majesty the Queen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 17, 2017
The Trouble with Time (Time Rats #1) by Lexi Revellian is a pretty good time travel book. I read the second book first and liked it and just now getting to the first one. I liked it but I think book 2 was better. It got a little confusing in places and I had to re-read it but mostly it was pretty good. They are like time cops and then they has to deal with a rogue machine but there might be a insider that has gone bad. Interesting and kept me reading.
May 12, 2016
This is an interesting twist on time travel. Very quickly after it is invented, the powers that be decide that chaos will ensue if travel to the past is allowed and it is outlawed. Designated officials are allowed limited travel to the future only to avoid problems that might occur for humanity. The twist comes when illegal trips are taken by several persons, each causing a jump, skip, or turn in the plot. Well done.
March 14, 2017
Great start to this time traveling series!!!
This was great from start to finish. Excellent character development and there are plenty of interesting characters including a German Shepard. There are a few jumps that will keep you on your toes. This was a really nice easy read and that finished faster then I hoped. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
This was great from start to finish. Excellent character development and there are plenty of interesting characters including a German Shepard. There are a few jumps that will keep you on your toes. This was a really nice easy read and that finished faster then I hoped. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
January 19, 2019
Great time travel story
This is my 2nd time reading this and it was really great going back and finding lots of things I did not remember. The future is bleak. Then after a whole lot of stuff the future is b.... nope read it for yourself.
This is my 2nd time reading this and it was really great going back and finding lots of things I did not remember. The future is bleak. Then after a whole lot of stuff the future is b.... nope read it for yourself.
August 1, 2016
Impressively written, the physics of time travel are avoided in favour of a very personable couple of characters. I was reminded of the muted books in tone but Graham Storrs in personability of character and I look forward to seeing wha happens in subsequent installments.
November 6, 2016
The author is one of very few whose work I will buy without hesitation, because I’ve never read a bad one yet. This one didn’t break the pattern, but for me it wasn’t quite the unalloyed pleasure of her previous books. This is mostly because of the time travel theme, one that I find tricky at the best of times. I like a nice, linear plot that proceeds at a steady pace from A to Z without too many meandering deviations. Time travel stories start at A, but after that all bets are off. They may proceed to Z, then jump back and forth, or they may abandon all decorum and simply loop the loop and twizzle about like a demented fly. This one felt quite comfortable and I was keeping up nicely until the midpoint when it suddenly went into a Primer-like tailspin and I got hopelessly confused. I felt I should have been taking notes!
The other unsettling issue with this book was the characters. None of them quite grabbed me, and at times I wasn’t quite sure who I was supposed to be rooting for. Jace? But he was off the scene for long spells and isn’t terribly likable. Floss? She doesn’t show up until late in the day, and doesn’t seem particularly interesting at first. Quinn? He’s a charmer, but hardly a hero. Kayla? No, not really. The ending felt like a neat way to set things up for the rest of the series, so maybe the problem is just the weight of setup detail.
All that aside, the book was still an enjoyable read, and I was never tempted to abandon it. I enjoyed the portrayal of London at different times, and the various futures were very well done. Sometimes people made the transition to a different era too easily, particularly Floss in the future, but this is far better than filling the books with endless descriptions of characters being astonished by changes in technology. I liked the idea that a lot of current technology will survive more or less unchanged over the next thirty years (there’s still email and phones, for instance), whereas other aspects (like human-driven cars) have virtually disappeared.
So plenty to like about the book, even if the whole time-travel business made my head hurt. Recommended for anyone whose brain is more capable than mine. Three stars.
The other unsettling issue with this book was the characters. None of them quite grabbed me, and at times I wasn’t quite sure who I was supposed to be rooting for. Jace? But he was off the scene for long spells and isn’t terribly likable. Floss? She doesn’t show up until late in the day, and doesn’t seem particularly interesting at first. Quinn? He’s a charmer, but hardly a hero. Kayla? No, not really. The ending felt like a neat way to set things up for the rest of the series, so maybe the problem is just the weight of setup detail.
All that aside, the book was still an enjoyable read, and I was never tempted to abandon it. I enjoyed the portrayal of London at different times, and the various futures were very well done. Sometimes people made the transition to a different era too easily, particularly Floss in the future, but this is far better than filling the books with endless descriptions of characters being astonished by changes in technology. I liked the idea that a lot of current technology will survive more or less unchanged over the next thirty years (there’s still email and phones, for instance), whereas other aspects (like human-driven cars) have virtually disappeared.
So plenty to like about the book, even if the whole time-travel business made my head hurt. Recommended for anyone whose brain is more capable than mine. Three stars.
May 25, 2016
Jace Carnady works for the Time Police, the group responsible for tracking down and stopping illegal time travel. He lives in 2045. Floss Dryden is taken from the year 2015 because it is believed her actions will lead to a worldwide event that will end all of humanity. Together, Jace and Floss will have to try and restore their lives as they begin to unravel.
Truthfully, I am not the biggest fan of time travel stories. i feel they quite often use time travel to be sloppy in the details of the plot. This story didn't suffer from that quality really. Yes, the storyline did change a few times as the characters travelled through time. But, the overall plot stayed consistent for the most part. In some ways, it was like reading one of those pick your own path books. The characters would make certain decisions and go down certain paths until they ended. But then through other actions of either the good or bad guys ( a nice touch allowing both sides to be able to manipulate events to their advantage), you would be on another path as time was rewritten.
Truthfully, I am not the biggest fan of time travel stories. i feel they quite often use time travel to be sloppy in the details of the plot. This story didn't suffer from that quality really. Yes, the storyline did change a few times as the characters travelled through time. But, the overall plot stayed consistent for the most part. In some ways, it was like reading one of those pick your own path books. The characters would make certain decisions and go down certain paths until they ended. But then through other actions of either the good or bad guys ( a nice touch allowing both sides to be able to manipulate events to their advantage), you would be on another path as time was rewritten.
August 2, 2017
WoW ! ...I really liked this book and I am pleased to have found a new Author (to me) that is very new and refreshing!. I actually made myself stay up till 12;30 am last night to finish this story I just couldn't go to sleep without finding out what happens . A very interesting story of time travel,a subject that has always fascinated me, This story was very well told ,brilliant characterisation, its nice to have a female lead for a change in this sort of story. I was there in the story watching what was going on I did not find it hard to follow at all .The main idea of the story as the title subjects in being about how ,if time travel were possible, how easy it would be to change the course of time, whether for good or bad .A thoughrally well researched story!, thank you Lexi Revellian for an entertaining story I am looking forward to Time Rats #2 now ........
July 14, 2017
An adventure and twist-filled, suspenseful read.
'It’s hard to arrest a man who owns a time travel device; if he sees you coming he can press a couple of buttons and be sometime else.'
Now that's an enticing beginning of a book, sure ensnared me promptly.
Rather a brilliant time travel tale. No paradoxes, just subtle shifts in the timeline brought on by the actions of the time traveller(s). Cleverly done, deftly woven
Solid, likeable characters, and an antagonist that's so very easy to loathe. .
Thoroughly enjoyed the jaunt around future (and past) London, the well integrated, paradox free time travel and the interesting mix of characters. The remainder of this series is definitely on my download list!
'It’s hard to arrest a man who owns a time travel device; if he sees you coming he can press a couple of buttons and be sometime else.'
Now that's an enticing beginning of a book, sure ensnared me promptly.
Rather a brilliant time travel tale. No paradoxes, just subtle shifts in the timeline brought on by the actions of the time traveller(s). Cleverly done, deftly woven
Solid, likeable characters, and an antagonist that's so very easy to loathe. .
Thoroughly enjoyed the jaunt around future (and past) London, the well integrated, paradox free time travel and the interesting mix of characters. The remainder of this series is definitely on my download list!
February 24, 2017
Nice
This was a really good story except after jason appeared to have died ,it was not really clarified , then Quinn seemed to appear alive and well out of no where . I had to keep going back to see if I missed something . I didn't . I think . Other then that I will be reading next book now . If that happens again I will cry , and stop reading a would be great story
This was a really good story except after jason appeared to have died ,it was not really clarified , then Quinn seemed to appear alive and well out of no where . I had to keep going back to see if I missed something . I didn't . I think . Other then that I will be reading next book now . If that happens again I will cry , and stop reading a would be great story
August 18, 2016
Not your typical time travel story—no dinosaurs, no Hitler assassination, etc., but a very captivating and extraordinarily well written story. Masterful twists and turns. One of those books that keeps you engrossed and wondering all the way through and beyond. Can’t wait for the sequel.
June 30, 2018
Fun stuff! I’ve read LOTS of time travel stories and this one managed to do something none of the others had- surprise me. Criss-crossing timelines, red herrings, dangling clues as to causes of future developments, characters easy to love, and to hate. Started the second one already!
Want to read
April 24, 2016Ok ok! This sounds exactly like something I would LOVE to read!! But why is there just one book?!!! :(
Patience is not a virtue of mine!!! NOT FAIR!!!!
Patience is not a virtue of mine!!! NOT FAIR!!!!
Read
June 30, 2018A good beginning to a good series. Entertaining, plausible, good characters and character development. Well written and enjoyable. A good read.
January 17, 2019
I really enjoyed this story and the characters - even the villain. I'll be reading the next book in the series.
April 14, 2020
My Rating 75/100 This was excellent! Easy to read and a real page turner. (edited to add: Have read books 2 and 3 since I wrote this review, and they are considerably worse, my rating is 57 for book 2 and only 27 for book 3).
Surprising the world as depicted in 2050 in this novel seemed to me to be quite realistic (although not much detail was given). This is in stark contrast to everybody else who makes predictions of what the future will be like in a few decades time, which are invariably ludicrous. I'd make an exception with the notion that a time travel device will be invented though. I think backwards time travel is impossible, not impossible as in the sense that we will never have the technological prowess, not even impossible in the sense that physical laws forbid it, but rather *metaphysically* impossible. It is my opinion that the future and past do not exist; only the present exists. So we could no more visit the past than we could visit Narnia (Of course Einstein showed we can visit the future, but it would be a one way trip. It would merely represent a shifting present and hence does not negate the notion that only the present exists).
Regardless of my belief in the impossibility of time travel, I still like time travel novels, and movies, and this is one of the best. The characters were interesting too.
Surprising the world as depicted in 2050 in this novel seemed to me to be quite realistic (although not much detail was given). This is in stark contrast to everybody else who makes predictions of what the future will be like in a few decades time, which are invariably ludicrous. I'd make an exception with the notion that a time travel device will be invented though. I think backwards time travel is impossible, not impossible as in the sense that we will never have the technological prowess, not even impossible in the sense that physical laws forbid it, but rather *metaphysically* impossible. It is my opinion that the future and past do not exist; only the present exists. So we could no more visit the past than we could visit Narnia (Of course Einstein showed we can visit the future, but it would be a one way trip. It would merely represent a shifting present and hence does not negate the notion that only the present exists).
Regardless of my belief in the impossibility of time travel, I still like time travel novels, and movies, and this is one of the best. The characters were interesting too.
June 9, 2017
Ce n'est pas le genre de livre que j'aime.
Premièrement, j'étais rendue presqu'à la moitié du livre quand l'histoire revient en arrière et recommence. Un tronc commun, mais à un point critique les évènements diffèrent et change complètement la première histoire.
Je m'étais attaché à cette histoire, ces personnages et là, bang, changement de cap. J'ai failli arrêter de lire.
J'ai continuer, et comme je tournais la page pour lire le prochain chapitre. Je me suis rendu compte que j'étais rendu à la fin. C'était la dernière page...
Je ne lirais pas le prochain tome et je pense que je vais éviter cette auteure à l'avenir.
C'est comme si la moitié du livre ou presque, aurait pu être retiré du livre sans que cela change quoi que ce soit à l'histoire. Lamentable.
Premièrement, j'étais rendue presqu'à la moitié du livre quand l'histoire revient en arrière et recommence. Un tronc commun, mais à un point critique les évènements diffèrent et change complètement la première histoire.
Je m'étais attaché à cette histoire, ces personnages et là, bang, changement de cap. J'ai failli arrêter de lire.
J'ai continuer, et comme je tournais la page pour lire le prochain chapitre. Je me suis rendu compte que j'étais rendu à la fin. C'était la dernière page...
Je ne lirais pas le prochain tome et je pense que je vais éviter cette auteure à l'avenir.
C'est comme si la moitié du livre ou presque, aurait pu être retiré du livre sans que cela change quoi que ce soit à l'histoire. Lamentable.
December 30, 2017
3 1/2 stars. I was pleasantly surprised reading this time travel tale I picked up on special. The story is fairly interesting, the characters are perhaps a bit stereotypical but decent, and the time travel is interesting enough without being mind-numbingly nit picky. It was a tad disappointing to find out that the Time Police don't actually accomplish much, nor do they act much like police, since I was hoping for more police procedural in this book. But it was a fun read, and I will probably pick up the next one in the series.
May 13, 2020
I enjoyed this fast-paced time travel adventure. It was a pleasant and easy read with well-defined characters and plenty of twists. My only complaint is that the ending is rather abrupt. I was expecting the twists at the end to work themselves out more gradually. I guess I did not want to put the book down! In terms of great literature, it is more of a three-star but I gave it four for enjoyment.
January 9, 2017
Time travel is confusing enough !!
My point is that you don't have to use the whole book to prove it. I felt the "travelling" expanded at the expense of the story line ,however ,using one scenario about 3/4 times(rescue of Jace) was very clever and def filled up the word count. Read through in about 5 hours so not worth £3.35
My point is that you don't have to use the whole book to prove it. I felt the "travelling" expanded at the expense of the story line ,however ,using one scenario about 3/4 times(rescue of Jace) was very clever and def filled up the word count. Read through in about 5 hours so not worth £3.35
October 9, 2018
Alright but very predicable, possibly wont read amy more
May 10, 2022
3.5 really. I do very much like the characters.
February 14, 2017
Very good. Nice,light time travel story. Gives a nod here and there to hitch hikers
January 15, 2017
Made no sense, didn't get gripped by the story so sbdf
December 27, 2016
To be honest, it was always painful to give review with less than 3 stars rating. But I really don't like the story. I don't say it was bad. It just I don't really understand what this story is all about. You can say I am not used with this kind of story. I don't even know who is the main characters. I can understand some people will like it. Unfortunately, I really really dislike it. I am disappointed because I have high hope for this story but it fails me.
Actually I really like Jace Carnady and Florence character but it still cannot save this story. Jace is smart and kind, Florence also smart and kind. And then you have Ryker who is also interesting character. But the author fail to develop their characters. He/she is much more interested with time travel paradox instead of making enjoyable and engaging story. If the author is willing to tone down and give some semblance to the story, I have no doubt it would make one hell of a story. Unfortunately, that's not what happen. I don't understand one bit how the time travel paradox working in this story. Call me stupid if you want but I am not reading fiction story to learn about science.
What makes it worse, the bad guy win every time. Killing him doesn't make him lose because the good guy still die tragically. If the author want to make Quinn as main character, it works badly because I hate him so much. Nothing about him screaming the characteristic of good main character. I keep reading until the end to see whether it becomes better but it seems I set my hope too high. I feel like I wasted my time so much. Anyway, there's my rant. Once again this is just my personal feeling.
Rating : 2.5 of 5
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Actually I really like Jace Carnady and Florence character but it still cannot save this story. Jace is smart and kind, Florence also smart and kind. And then you have Ryker who is also interesting character. But the author fail to develop their characters. He/she is much more interested with time travel paradox instead of making enjoyable and engaging story. If the author is willing to tone down and give some semblance to the story, I have no doubt it would make one hell of a story. Unfortunately, that's not what happen. I don't understand one bit how the time travel paradox working in this story. Call me stupid if you want but I am not reading fiction story to learn about science.
What makes it worse, the bad guy win every time. Killing him doesn't make him lose because the good guy still die tragically. If the author want to make Quinn as main character, it works badly because I hate him so much. Nothing about him screaming the characteristic of good main character. I keep reading until the end to see whether it becomes better but it seems I set my hope too high. I feel like I wasted my time so much. Anyway, there's my rant. Once again this is just my personal feeling.
Rating : 2.5 of 5
www.sharing55tories.blogspot.com
July 26, 2016
The Trouble With Time, by Lexi Revellian, is a reverse grandfather paradox time travel story. Many writers of time travel tend to be sloppy with the story and ignore any plot holes under the auspice of time travel wonkiness. I was pleased that Lexi chose to work within the confines of her story, and any loose ends that the story introduced were mostly explained away by the end of the book.
A big issue with anthropomorphic time travel, is that there can never be a story, since, as Lexi put it in the opening lines of this story, “It’s hard to arrest a man who owns a time travel device; if he sees you coming he can press a couple of buttons and be sometime else.” And so starts an adventure through times. (That’s supposed to be times, plural.)
There are a bunch of twists throughout. Some are predictable, but most are a surprise. I love it when a story has a false ending. The book seems to conclude, but there are still a bunch of pages left to read. Lexi does a great job with these twists and false endings and overall; the book is an excellent read.
My only real complaint with The Trouble With Time is that the story is standard science fiction fare. Nothing got me thinking at a different level or really wowed me with the exception of multiple false endings. I’ve seen some preliminary work on the sequel, Dreams of the Machines, and I’m not sure how Lexi plans to weave the two stories together, but I’m eager to read to find out.
The Trouble With Time is a fun read and a good science fiction adventure. An easy four and a half stars, and a science fiction time travel adventure that I highly recommend.
A big issue with anthropomorphic time travel, is that there can never be a story, since, as Lexi put it in the opening lines of this story, “It’s hard to arrest a man who owns a time travel device; if he sees you coming he can press a couple of buttons and be sometime else.” And so starts an adventure through times. (That’s supposed to be times, plural.)
There are a bunch of twists throughout. Some are predictable, but most are a surprise. I love it when a story has a false ending. The book seems to conclude, but there are still a bunch of pages left to read. Lexi does a great job with these twists and false endings and overall; the book is an excellent read.
My only real complaint with The Trouble With Time is that the story is standard science fiction fare. Nothing got me thinking at a different level or really wowed me with the exception of multiple false endings. I’ve seen some preliminary work on the sequel, Dreams of the Machines, and I’m not sure how Lexi plans to weave the two stories together, but I’m eager to read to find out.
The Trouble With Time is a fun read and a good science fiction adventure. An easy four and a half stars, and a science fiction time travel adventure that I highly recommend.
June 23, 2016
"It's 2045. Jace Carnady works for the Time Police, dedicated to the prevention of timecrime. Life is good; he loves his girlfriend and enjoys his work. But when the team gets wind of a rogue time machine and fails to find it, Jace suspects one of his colleagues may be involved, and his life begins to unravel . . .
In 2015, Floss Dryden is snatched from her own time and taken to the future – but will this really prevent the extinction of humanity?"
I enjoyed the concept of the time travel. It was a good, fast read (I was on holiday) and finished it quickly.
Can't wait for the next installment Three and a half stars
In 2015, Floss Dryden is snatched from her own time and taken to the future – but will this really prevent the extinction of humanity?"
I enjoyed the concept of the time travel. It was a good, fast read (I was on holiday) and finished it quickly.
Can't wait for the next installment Three and a half stars
July 12, 2017
I wasn't sure I'd like this book. The writing is good, the characters have depth, and the world the author has created is well-defined, but the beginning felt rather predictable--bad cop putting the blame of a crime on a rookie. Then it picked up, and the story delved into the time travel and paradoxes. Some of this could have been explained a little better, so it didn't feel like a giant jump from one set of outcomes to another, but after that the story proceeded at a good pace and was easy to keep track of--jumping around in three different time periods.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
July 19, 2016
The Trouble with Time (Time Rats Book 1) is an interesting take on time travel. It reminded me of a bit of the movies Minority Report and Inception due to several unexpected twists and turns. Jace is from 2045 who works for the Time Police, those that track down illegal time travelers, and Floss is from 2015. Together they try to identify and prevent the end of humanity. Thankfully this is earmarked as the first book in the series and other volumes will follow. I received a copy of this book as part of the Kindle Scout program.
November 11, 2016
This book is well-written and thought out. It revolves around time travel, which has been declared a crime. Our hero, Jace, is a member of a force that polices time crimes. But things have gone wrong and he becomes a victim. In this story, we have good guys, bad guys, bad that should be good, and good that should be bad. Time flips between decades, and potential paradoxes abound.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews