Time Trap

Red Moon trilogy #1

by Micah Caida

Rayen wakes up in a strange place called Albuquerque with no memory of how she landed in a desert where she’s captured. While the authorities search for a way to identify her, she’s sent to an unusual institution where she’s shocked to see paper. When a power inside her manifests unexpectedly, she opens a portal, sending her and two unlikely sidekicks to a place harboring a deadly secret that can destroy this world … and the future. All she wants is to regain her memory and go home. The only person who can help her is an elite fighter of the future, who is trapped in a fantastical world where killing the enemy and surviving is all that matters. With one impulsive action to save a child, she proves she's his enemy.

A breathtaking debut trilogy where Isaac Asimov meets Hunger Games.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Time Travel, Paranormal, Fiction, Dystopia

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2013

About the author

USA Today bestseller Micah Caida is the melding of two voices, two personalities and two minds - one NYT bestseller and one Award-winner - which often turns up the strangest ideas. Micah enjoys exploring how different characters react and deal with similar situations. Life is often filled with the unexpected - both good and bad. While creating the Red Moon series, Micah hit upon a very unusual "what if" that exploded into an epic story filled with teenagers who face impossible odds, but are the only ones who can save the world from itself.

For more information, visit http://www.MicahCaida.com or Micah Caida on Facebook

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Let me start by saying my brain automatically tries to figure out what is going to happen in a book almost as soon as I start reading it. I try to make predictions, or solve the story. With Time Trap, I let myself get sucked into the amazing story because there was no way to try to figure it out early. Just let yourself get sucked into the Red Moon Series. You won't regret it!

Micah Caida has created a magnificent and unique world that gets better and better with each page! The main character, Rayen, wakes up in a strange place with no memory of who she is. So...as she is trying to gain some information, the reader is also introduced to this new series, and all of the cool new things that comes with it!

I can't wait for Book #2 to come out! Time Trap did an amazing job introducing the series, and the story really moved along, while still leaving enough mystery to keep me wanting more of the story! Awesome!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked
- this book is definitely different to any YA dystopian you’ll likely find. So it wasn’t too predictable or boring.
- no insta-love or Insta-trust
- an interesting future to play off of
- and oddly enough. Not really know anything. You know as much as the MC (Rayen) does and that’s not much.
- good world building.


What I didn’t like-
- Callan constantly switching from not trusting to almost trusting to completely untrusting to .... seriously. Use your brain.
- the book didn’t feel long but I would have liked to walk away with more of an idea of what is going on. I get the general idea but minutia/details are what matter to me in a good story and they are sadly lacking.
- not know what is going on. (I know. I know. I said I liked it. But I also didn’t. So...)

[Meegy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I got confused at the start because I honestly did not know what was going on, but it became clearer later on in the book.

[S.R. Toliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rayen is a 17-year-old girl who has no idea where she came from, what she knows, who she knows, or how she got where she is. This detail truly effects the entire story because she can't answer basic questions about her heritage or family even though she does remember some things, like what an elder is or how to defend herself.

Rayen wakes up in the middle of a desert in New Mexico with some beast-like monster chasing her. Eventually, though, she gets away from the monster, is found by local authorities, and is taken to a special boarding school for extremely intelligent children. Because she doesn't know who her family is or where she came from, the school commences to do a blood test, and while she waits for the results, she is sent to a computer class.

In this class, she is paired with the misogynistic and slightly racist, Tony, who detests having her as a partner. They go to an old computer room to begin looking for computer parts to use for the completion of their project. Once there, they run into Gabby, the girl with the colorful ponytails who seems to have janitorial duties for some reason (it's alluded to, but we don't know exactly why she's receiving this punishment). Suddenly, the three of them get sucked into a computer that catapults them into the future. But, will they be able to make it home, and will Rayen ever find out who she really is?

What I liked most about this novel is that it was different - completely different from pretty much any book I've read this year. There's a mix of science fiction, dystopian, and fantasy concepts, so there are great technological advancements, a society in ruins because of something (they didn't fully explain how the world got to what it's like now, but they hinted that a man-made virus could have caused the turmoil), and there is also some innate, spiritual, magical elements as well. The author(s) use this first installment of the series to build their futuristic world, and I must admit that some things were confusing (I re-read various parts multiple times to come up with a visual of the plants, the animals, the people, etc.), but using descriptors to create the picture was a fun endeavor.

Diversity Elements:

The main character is a Native-American woman;
Gabby - secondary character - is Asian
The futuristic people are various colors - blue, brown, etc.
The major diversity aspects were in Rayen and Gabby's racial makeup, and I don't think their races/their cultures added to the depth of the story. The racial information only gave Tony fodder to make insensitive jokes, and Gabby seemed a little stereotypical to me. I would have liked to see more done with the racial aspect to provide more nuance. But, I also think that stories like this paired with more accurate portrayals of diverse identities are necessary to bring to the conversation to discuss how authors could enhance their racially diverse characters.

[Katie O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Fun! Fast-paced read with a twisty plot and richly drawn characters.

Part time travel, part sci fi, part coming of age adventure, this book was well-written and well plotted, with richly drawn worlds and characters.

Okay, the blurb isn’t the greatest. If I had read that first, I’m not sure I would’ve tried this book, but I saw it recommended somewhere else and decided to take a chance. I’m very glad I did – this was a really fun book! I look forward to reading more in this series and can’t wait to see what happens next.

Most of the book is from Rayen’s point of view. As the main character she is perfect to introduce us to the new worlds, as she wakes up with her memory completely wiped. She experiences and describes everything as if it is new – which it is, both to her and to the reader. Only after the other characters have been thoroughly vetted by Rayen do we get a few chapters from their points of view, which adds to the richness of the story an the complexity of the plot. I enjoyed the insight into Tony’s and Gabby’s minds, as well as the confusion we hear from hunky Callan as he fights his attraction to Rayen.

Even with over 300 pages, the book was over far too quickly. As I said, I look forward to the next installment and can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced, captivating and well-written blend of sci-fi, time travel and fantasy with lots of twists and turns, unique and richly-drawn characters, and an exciting world where technology and science was at war with the mystical and magical. In my opinion, it was a great introduction to the series.

Rayen was a strong, likeable heroine, and I found myself pulled right along with her into the confusing, strange predicament she found herself in. The tantalizing glimpses and hints scattered throughout the story served to pique my interest and whet my appetite for discovering exactly who and what she was.

I liked that the romance was not instant or overwhelming as is the case in so many young adult books. Callan was hunky and hot, to be sure, but I was so grateful that Rayen didn't spend all her time swooning helplessly over his chiseled physique or mesmermizing eyes. :)

I hope that Ms. Caida publishes the next book soon. I'm anxious to plunge back into the world of the TeKnatis and MystiKs.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have to read the next in the series,when you start this book you want to put it down,too confusing,you think and you continue to read because something has you hooked and you want more information and so the story progresses.How do you describe this book,as it is nothing I have read before.so here is my vision of it Harry Potter meet science fiction not wizardry,throw in a bit of Avatar blending with a touch of Dr Who.give it a touch of teenage romance,spice up with the dome of the hunger games where the folk don't know they are gamer,s,throw in a mix of Washington political power games. That is about the best I can do to describe this book I give a bow to Micah Caida for giving the reader some thing different.

[Casey Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, at first I was a little confused as to what was going on and couldn't quite figure out what was going to happen. But I think I kind of liked that I couldn't immediately figure out the plot like most books these days.
Our heroine is strong, even though she knows nothing of who she is/was. I love a strong heroine she isn't whiney and all complainey. If you are open minded and like a bit of light sci-fi romance then this is a good read. Its not going to blow your mind away with deep complicated plot and politics but I really enjoyed it and loved the romance. Much love <3

[Tamara aka SoMysteriousLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit I'm very weary of YA Dystopian stories and time travel isn't my thing either. But, I plunged into this story as it's the final book in 'The Perfect Ten' Nook deal so had to read it just because.

I'm very happy I did! Once I got around the rather odd beginning as it unraveled and pieces fell into place, I found it quite challenging, adventurous and intriguing. Then, I get to the end only to find I have to wait until November to continue the story! What?!? But, but, what will happen to Callan and Co in their future time while Rayen struggles to come to terms with her own past in the past?

I'm now anxiously awaiting the continuation!

[Vanewolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do If you could not remember Who you were, where you are, or how you got there, on top of all this you are being chased by a beast which can apparently change shape. Rayen, a young girl experiences this and more, Arrested by law enforcement, released into the custody of some people she has never met who run an institute for talented youth. Full of action and adventure this the first book in the Red Moon Cycle, takes you through her first but not her last harrowing adventure.

[Shannon Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome find!

I stumbled upon this series and am so glad that I did. Even though it’s a tad bit out of my wheelhouse, it truly sucked me right in and had me hooked from the first page. Way to start a book! Wow.

The characters were very well drawn, the pacing was great and the love story was a gradual progression that was believable. I am definitely looking for book 2 now! Great job!

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

Throughout the first half of this story, the reader is just as confused as Raylen. Nothing makes any sense. Once the characters land in the other sphere, the confusion only intensifies.

Full review in April 2013 issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Trubble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time Trap is a unique, fascinating book that you will not want to put down! The world-building, characters, plot, action, twists- all of it is incredible! The most refreshing YA book I have ever read! Cannot wait for the series to continue! Micah Caida is going to be a hit with young and old alike!

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Definitely different than anything I have read. Intriguing, creative, and fascinating ideas. The storyline is compelling. The mysterious elements keep the reader glued. Characters are multifaceted.

[Cogito_ergo_sum · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

So much potential, but unfortunately this story is far, far from polished. It looks like it’s still in the raw draft stage, as in, the author came up with a timeline and what’s going on with different characters, but she threw them all into one book without any regard to how it would fit into the narration, tone, and pacing of the story. Kind of jarring. One of the POVs sounded like it was just there to info dump through dialogue for a chapter straight. Bored me out of my mind.

Another problem is that this story is lacking character development. We are presented with an amnesiac who wants to find her identity and where she came from. She embarks on a journey that solves this mystery. However, the problem with this story is that it’s missing the character growth that comes along with such a journey. She didn’t grow. She didn’t overcome personal demons or moral beliefs. For example, a coward learning to find courage. This character was a stoic warrior from start to finish. She didn’t experience change.

To illustrate what I mean, I bring up the Fever series by Karen Moning as an example. In book one, the heroine transforms from an airy persona wanting to run away from her problems to wanting to be the one to take charge of her destiny. In book two, she transforms from someone morally good to morally dark, tainted. And so forth. By the end of the book 5, her character balances out as she battles her internal struggles and personal beliefs in each book. Her character changes with each book..

In contrast, I didn’t see any kind of character growth whether positive or negative in Time Trap. The main character didn’t change. She remained stagnant. Learning birth certificate facts and genealogy about yourself doesn’t constitute as character growth. Forming connections to other characters doesn’t count as character growth unless she was anti-social to begin with, but that’s not the case with this story. The amnesiac on a character journey wasn’t handled well.

Something else that bothers me is why Tony, a character forced to accompany the heroine on this journey, was made into a racist. What was the point of that? How did that help the story?

Furthermore, there are small details that don’t make sense. This story is trying to be sci-fi with paranormal abilities, but it takes a hard dive into magic fantasy territory at other times. For example, it’s got a shape shifting creature that was engineered. But how would you engineer shapeshifting? This creature doesn’t even observe the law of mass conservation. It becomes a small creature one time and a large creature. Where does the mass go? Also, something that happened to another character near the end, feels more in the realm of magic than paranormal sci-fi.

This story really does feel like it’s still at the idea stage and the author is still playing the “what if” game without getting to the “but how does this detail impact the story?” part of the process to know if it actually belongs in the story. In a nutshell, this book lacks cohesiveness. Too many parts that don’t fit well together.

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads Synopsis:
Micah Caida's stunning debut young adult book TIME TRAP is like nothing before it, according to early readers.
Time Trap, book one in the Red Moon series
Her memory is blank.
Her future's in question.
Her power is dangerous.
Waking up in an unknown world, Rayen learns only that she's seventeen and is hunted by a sentient beast. Terrified that she may never learn who she really is or find her way back to her home, she's captured in a land that is at times familiar even if the people and the structures seem alien. When local law enforcement delivers her to a private school, she's labeled as a Native American runaway, and Rayen discovers a secret with deadly repercussions. Forced into an unlikely alliance with a computer savvy street punk and a gifted oddball girl to save their world - and the future - Rayen finds the key to an identity that no person would want.

My Review:
Honestly I didn't like this book, up until about 30% of the way through. I thought it was confusing, the characters didn't have much life, and I didn't know what to expect for the remaining part of the book. Then something changed. I was so sucked into the story that I didn't realize how much of the book I had actually read. The characters became more interesting, and the story started taking turns I didn't expect. I wasn't bored anymore, I couldn't put it down!
Rayen wakes up in a desert, with amnesia. A ghost tells her that she's seventeen, her name is Rayen, and that she's allergic to peanuts. She doesn't understand the world around her, and she really has a hard time. She gets arrested and taken to a boarding school, and some of the kids in the school are really rude to her, they think she's a foster child turned criminal, and they're determined to figure her out. The only problem is, what could they find out? She doesn't know anything about herself.
The story itself is a little slow at first, but if you give it a chance, I'm sure you'll feel the same as I do. This is an action packed exciting novel in what I imagine must look like a dr. seuss story type world of tomorrow. Any question I had reading this, were pretty much answered at the end. The characters although a little annoying at first are great once you get to know them a little better. It's unlike anything I've read before, and that's a good thing. I don't want to spoil any part of the story for anyone so I'll end it at that. Definitely check it out! I got it for free on amazon.

Thanks for reading! See this and more up on my blog.
(radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)

[LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rayen wakes up in the desert, not knowing who she is or where she has come from. She hasn’t begun to figure things out at the school where she is taken before she and a couple classmates are whisked through a computer to another world full of danger and strange warrior children. Rayen, whose physical characteristics are Native American, is a teenage Jason Bourne with super powers who brings new punch to the concept of “strong female character”. This is a plot-driven book that will keep you turning the pages. It is very visual so that I kept thinking what a stunning movie it would make. Strong world-building. Most of the characters are interesting, with their secrets and purple skin, but I found Rayen’s classmate Tony too stupidly self-centered to be believable. Tony does grow in the course of the story, and one hopes that he will be able to turn the tide as the series develops.

This is the first of a series. I would have found the ending more satisfying if it had ended a few pages earlier. We had succeeded in one important goal and seen growth in the characters’ relationships even as many questions were left unanswered. Then the last few pages threw a bunch of new complications at us. Instead of feeling motivated to read the next book because I was involved with the characters (which I was) and wanted to know what happened to them (which I did), I felt manipulated. That said, as a 60 something retired librarian, I am not part of the primary target audience for this book. I suspect that the target teens eat up such cliff-hangers. I WILL be looking for the next book.

[Gillian Paulus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know who this author was or what to expect, but grabbed this book when it was on sale (for the perfect price of free!) since the plot looked interesting. Turns out that the author is actually two authors writing under a pen name, and one of the authors (Dianna Love) is one I've read before. Guess that's who I found the book. I got it awhile ago and couldn't remember, other than the free part, lol. Anyway, the important part is that the book is fantastic. It's a YA book but is also great for adults like me. It's very interesting and suspenseful. Basically a real page-turner. I really like the main character, Rayen, and her new friend Gabby. Their other new friend, Tony, can be an arrogant jerk but he's a good guy deep down. That's all I figure you need to know, since I just checked and the book is still on sale for free. I've already bought the second book in the series, which I'm sure will be well worth the $3 that I snagged it for on sale.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time Trap: ( Red May on Trilogy) by Micah Caida
I could not put this book down! It definitely was a page turner. I was intrigued, kept wondering and wanting to know the very same questions that the main character, Rayen had about herself. Rayen time traveled to 2013 where she met two other teens at a school for brilliant minds. At this school Rayen was assigned to another student, Tony who was quite abrasive. The both of them had to create a science project together. When looking for a workable computer she met another their student, Gabby who was trying to assist in getting the computer to turn on Before they could figure things out something had pulled them through a computer. A porthole in which they found themselves in 2179 . Here they find out who the threats are that the people in power try to erase people from this time period.
I’m looking forward to reading the next two books in this trilogy.

[Esmeralda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for a book battle. This is the only reason I kept on reading this book. There was a lot of potential in this book and with some support this author could really be big, but in this book I feel like Micah Caida dropped the ball a few times. First of all, the story sounds like it could be a good one and still I wasn't motivated to keep on reading. I was bored and wanted to go read my good books. I also think the character development could've been better. Example (that doesn't spoil the plot) Tony is supposedly an Italian-American who grew up in New Jersey. The moment that was mentioned again, further in the book, I had totally forgotten about that. He could've been any random generic guy and it didn't show in his behavior at all. He could've been anyone. I'm sure that with the right support and education Micah Caida has a bright future as an author in front of her.

[a u d r e y ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I rarely read science fiction because I find the made up words/languages/etc tedious to get through. Now, don't get me wrong, that's still the case with this book but I also was quite intrigued with the story line and with the characters. I felt like the story adequately followed the main trio around on their great adventure while still providing the "out of this world" experience you can expect from a sci-fi novel. It took almost 12 chapters before I was genuinely interested in the story but once I was I hard a surprisingly hard time putting the book down. Even with all this, this is still a tragic YA novel and obviously two characters, from different worlds fall in love and all that. But aside from those rare moments of eye-roll inducing mush I think it was an alright story and a quick read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth plowing through

The title kind of sums it up. It's a bit bulky and somewhat more secretive than typical...which also adds to it being a little slow to start and gives it a feeling of being cumbersome.

It leaves the reader a bit confused, rather than simply guessing and wanting answers, until well into the middle of the book.

I'd also have to say the synopsis of the book could be so much better to indicate what you're getting into. Because once in the midst of the story...it's really captivating and GOOD. Heck! I even shed a few tears.... Something I RARELY do. And, it was so good that I purchased Book 2.

In sum, it may take a bit to get into the story, but once in, it becomes worthwhile.

[Marie Harbon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love time travel stories either as a book or movie, but Time Trap #1 wasn't executed well enough to hold my interest. There's always a challenge writing in the first person as a character with amnesia but unfortunately this came across as too confusing to follow. I think circumnavigating this character flaw needed more thought, and the 18% I managed to read felt more like an early draft. The character voice wasn't strong enough, and the sidekicks appeared two-dimensional. I love stories that create intrigue but there's a point at which there just isn't enough to anchor readers, particularly as the world-building description was so superficial, you as the reader have absolutely no sense of place.
Nice concept but spoiled by poor execution.

[Renae Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote no notes to myself on this book. I have no idea why. I can't believe I wasn't burbling on even to myself. This book was very good. It began...strangely. I was very much at a loss at the beginning. I thought it was headed in a particular direction. Then the MC ends up at a school. Different weirdness and potentially much more dull.

But, wait! This amazing and bizarre thing happens and from there the story just rollicks on apace. Then, towards the end of the book, the much bigger horror of the situation begins to manifest. I can't say too much more than that because everything else I go to write would be a spoiler. Try it.

[Kimberly C. Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative

Not what I was expecting from the synopsis. Very original and entertaining. The characters and view of the world were just right. Not mired down with words but descriptive enough for you to picture it but keep the story flowing. Three characters that didn't know each other face adversity and make decisions that bring with it a fast unlikely friendship. Will it last when they are back in their normal environment? Will they solve the riddles of the past and save the future? Will they return to the sphere and if so what is happening there? Guess I need to read the next book!

[Linda Rorex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rayen a seventeen-year old Native American girl wakes up in the middle of the New Mexico desert with a strange beast-like creature chasing after her. Rayen is picked up by the local authorities who take her to a boarding school with special abilities. While in computer class she meets Tony and Gabby looking for computer parts for their school project. The trio are drawn into the computer and launched into the future. This fast-paced story of Rayen, Tony and Gabby go on a quest to unlock the past and save the future is filled with mystery action and time travel. I really enjoyed this thrilling mystery time travel adventure novel.

[Lynda Engler · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a teenage girl awakens in the dessert, with no memory of who she is or where she is, the authorities think she is a Native American runaway. A private school in Albuquerque takes her in, on scholarship, but that’s where her troubles really begin. A ghost in the dessert tells her her name… a deadly beast morphs into a bird and tries to kill her and her new friends … and finally they fall through a computer monitor into a strange new world where the colorful humanoid natives think they are deadly Tec-nah-tee.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable!!!!

Considering the current state of world events this book is a must read! I stumbled upon this treasure and I had to check when it was first released because it is that good a read. Not many people can get time travel and sci-fi done properly but these authors have done a fantastic job. I am sooo looking forward to the rest of this series and it would be great to see this story played out in the big screen!

[Mairi Krausse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story

This book started out with a bang, with amnesia, evil creatures and ghosts in the desert of Albuquerque. When it moved to time travel, it got confusing, and was hard to follow for awhile. But then it moved back to interesting and ended up leaving me wanting more. It may be aimed at teens, but had this “old lady” on the edge of her seat.

[JC · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was confused half the time through thus book... It wasn't until the point of view changed that the story got interesting, but the plot was fairly weak. I didn't like any of the characters enough to root for them. And then the teen angst really got to me. I downloaded the second book thinking it was going to improve... Yeah not so much.