A Trick of the Light

The Pages of Time #1.5

by Damian Knight

A deadly game of cat and mouse is about to begin… It’s the summer of ’69, and as Apollo 11 prepares to touch down on the Moon, the Vietnam War still rages in Southeast Asia. Michael Humboldt, a nineteen-year-old volunteer horrifically injured in the line of duty, is plagued by terrifying seizures that leave him unstuck in time. But instead of the Purple Heart that his sacrifices deserve, Michael’s reward is incarceration at a secure military hospital. His doctors think he is a madman, a threat to himself and others. All except one… Isaac Barclay is a rising star in the Californian medical community. He’s also the architect of a new drug that slows time perception in users. His creation has been contracted to the US military, but Isaac believes it could help control Michael’s seizures and embarks on a series of off-the-record trials. It is a decision that will have dire consequences, the shockwaves of which will be felt for decades to come. When Michael disappears on the day of the Moon landings, Isaac thinks he has seen the last of his patient. But the two men’s futures are already entwined, and while Michael wants only to be the master of his own destiny once more, he finds that a taste of power can be addictive.

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2017

About the author

Damian Knight lives in London with his wife and their two daughters. He works in a library and, being surrounded by books, probably has the best day job ever. When not writing, reading, parenting or working, he often falls asleep fully clothed on the sofa.

The Pages of Time Series includes The Pages of Time (Book 1), A Trick of the Light (Book 1.5), Ripples of the Past (Book 2) and Shadows of the Future (Book 3).

Reviews

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the The Pages of Time series is as good as the first. Thrilling, stunning action packed episodes of carnage and trial and error for Michael as he confronts his past and creates his future with the help of a pill after fighting for his country. One of the best books I have read this year. The pages of time book one and A Trick of the light is most definitely must read. I Loved It!!!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of the story started in The Pages of Time albeit in novella format this time. Sadly, whilst I enjoyed the concept of the story line, the writing style has not improved.
Characters are somewhat one-dimensional and I struggled to separate certain characters in my mind.
The implications of the time travelling power that Michael has (and Sam in the earlier book) is never properly explained and how the two of them (and more?) can exist at the same time is beyond me.

[Scott Spotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book features a villain as the main character, so it's tricky for the reader to identify with him. However, the motives and the circumstances surrounding Michael were spelled out carefully, enabling us to at least understand why he commits those atrocious acts. Actually, we'll never understand, but those vital linkages are provided to show what is prompting his thinking.

Other points of confusion were why his last name changes as needed depending on whom he identifies himself, and also why he didn't travel back further in time in order to avoid the most crippling experience of his life. I did get the sense that with this powerful chemical, one can only travel back into time up to a few days at best.

A fun and short addition to The Pages of Time. This should be seen as a spin-off book to enhance the reader's curiosity.

[Nikelola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a nice easy read and it filled in a lot of the gaps left from book 1. I appreciate the character development of Michael and it was interesting to see how and why his character transformed the way it did. Even though he was dealt a set of cards that seemed to be not in his favor, he was left with a gift from tragedy however a greed thirsty villain seems to have also surfaced despite as a result. I look forward to seeing how both Michael and Sam's journey continue to unfold in a nail-biting suspense and am curious if their paths will cross in this now altered timeline Sam has created.

[maria arcara · Rating 3 out of 5]

conflicted about this one

This book was filled with much more graphic violence than I prefer, so I am conflicted about how to rate and review it. I, as with book one, liked the story aside from the violence.
I will begin book two now and hope the plot does not include anywhere near this much violence.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant sequel, awfully menacing, page turner.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the full series and I'm looking forward to the continuation.