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Rewind #3
Reckless
Alex and KJ have rescued their friends from the Center that held them captive all their lives, but they are not yet safe. Discovering a community of free spinners also reveals the full extent of the plots against them, and the true threat is not the Center, nor even the Central Office, but Kronos, a shadowy international organization that has masterminded the spinners’ suppression for centuries.
When their escape from the Center brings Kronos’s attention to the very refuge that is protecting them, Alex is determined to act. Back on the cold streets of Portland, she and KJ find out Kronos’s chilling new plan to eliminate spinners forever.
As the danger mounts, Alex has to decide how far she will go to save her friends. Time is running out and evading the enemy is no longer enough. To win this battle, Alex must face Kronos itself.
When their escape from the Center brings Kronos’s attention to the very refuge that is protecting them, Alex is determined to act. Back on the cold streets of Portland, she and KJ find out Kronos’s chilling new plan to eliminate spinners forever.
As the danger mounts, Alex has to decide how far she will go to save her friends. Time is running out and evading the enemy is no longer enough. To win this battle, Alex must face Kronos itself.
306 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2021
5 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn O'Doherty
3 books23 followersCarolyn O'Doherty lives on a floating home in Portland, OR, where, most disappointingly, time moves only at a very predictable pace. When not writing, she uses her free time to develop affordable housing. Carolyn earned degrees in psychology and urban planning so she figured the best possible use of an expertise in both people and places was to make up entirely new ones.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 1, 2023
A satisfactory conclusion to the Rewind trilogy. If you read my reviews you know I don't give away any spoilers and this will be no different. This is the third book in a young adult sci-fi series where some small percentage of the population has the ability to stop time and then rewind it. If that sounds like an interesting premise, I recommend you try this series. Oh, also, Happy New Year!
May 6, 2021
Carolyn O’Doherty, your masterpiece continues! Reckless, the 3rd book of the Rewind Series, follows Alex Manning in the final push to protect time spinners from total elimination, a genocide, as it were. O’Doherty takes us on a thrilling ride, weaving through various Portland neighborhoods, the Columbia River Gorge and Tacoma, Washington.
Alex and a small portion of the population have the ability to stop time, rewind time and observe past actions. This YA novel is steeped in prejudice, distrust and atonement in a war between spinners and Norms (those without the time stopping ability). In Reckless, we have the added perspective of Dr. Margaret Ellery, a director for Spinner Affairs but also a research scientist for Kronos, an international secret agency founded to control the spinners via containment and propaganda. As a part of her personal agenda, she convinces Kronos that spinner elimination is required to protect the world of the Norms. Not only does Alex become aware of a brand new enemy in Kronos, she is also introduced to a world of adult spinners she did not know could or did exist. The conflict between Ellery and Alex explores the morality of time spinners’ abilities. Alex sees her unique trait as something in her genes, nothing inherently evil, whereas Ellery believes the time freezes are innately evil.
KJ, Alex’s love interest, is a talented sleuthing partner. Alex particularly admires his reserve to be "so clear about what is right and wrong". She questions her own "recklessness" throughout the novel as KJ believes she is acting reckless because she doesn’t think she will survive. She embraces her spinner abilities but this could result in her martyrdom. Given the choice of a newly discovered "cure", Alex is unsure of this option as she wonders, "If my skills go away, what will be left behind that makes me special?"
The author does a masterful job of engrossing the reader in all of the novel’s tense moments: feelings of claustrophobia, entrapment and general angst. I want to reread Rewind and Unleashed and repeat the entire adventure!
Alex and a small portion of the population have the ability to stop time, rewind time and observe past actions. This YA novel is steeped in prejudice, distrust and atonement in a war between spinners and Norms (those without the time stopping ability). In Reckless, we have the added perspective of Dr. Margaret Ellery, a director for Spinner Affairs but also a research scientist for Kronos, an international secret agency founded to control the spinners via containment and propaganda. As a part of her personal agenda, she convinces Kronos that spinner elimination is required to protect the world of the Norms. Not only does Alex become aware of a brand new enemy in Kronos, she is also introduced to a world of adult spinners she did not know could or did exist. The conflict between Ellery and Alex explores the morality of time spinners’ abilities. Alex sees her unique trait as something in her genes, nothing inherently evil, whereas Ellery believes the time freezes are innately evil.
KJ, Alex’s love interest, is a talented sleuthing partner. Alex particularly admires his reserve to be "so clear about what is right and wrong". She questions her own "recklessness" throughout the novel as KJ believes she is acting reckless because she doesn’t think she will survive. She embraces her spinner abilities but this could result in her martyrdom. Given the choice of a newly discovered "cure", Alex is unsure of this option as she wonders, "If my skills go away, what will be left behind that makes me special?"
The author does a masterful job of engrossing the reader in all of the novel’s tense moments: feelings of claustrophobia, entrapment and general angst. I want to reread Rewind and Unleashed and repeat the entire adventure!
May 7, 2021
On the run from the police after rescuing 20 children from an ‘untimely’ demise, where do you go? A goat farm, of course!
The beginning scenes of the fast paced and suspenseful conclusion to the Rewind trilogy, Carolyn O’Doherty’s Reckless continues to entertain and captivate readers with the adventures of Alex Manning. Like the 20 children she has rescued from The Center, an institutional group home for children with abilities to freeze and rewind time, Alex and her best friend and bae, KJ, are spinners. In search of refuge and through ingenuity and a little luck, Alex and KJ find an underground group of sympathizers to help protect and shelter spinners from those who wish to do them harm.
Time on the farm is short lived, though, as the walls close in and the nefarious Kronos, an international organization whose sole purpose is to discredit and capture spinners for scientific research, has initiated Project Zed: the complete elimination of spinners that know too much.
In order to save themselves and their friends, Alex and KJ must go back into the fray, confront old enemies, and take on the formidable Kronos.
Throughout her novel, O’Doherty masterfully weaves themes particularly relevant for our time – rejection, fear, and hatred for people that “aren’t like us” and institutional and systemic corruption. However, through the bravery of her characters, O’Doherty gives the reader a better path to take: acceptance and transparency.
Like Rewind and Unleashed, with Reckless I found myself wanting to read “just one more chapter” (despite the waning hours of the night and the single digits on my alarm clock) - I can’t wait to see what O’Doherty takes on next!
The beginning scenes of the fast paced and suspenseful conclusion to the Rewind trilogy, Carolyn O’Doherty’s Reckless continues to entertain and captivate readers with the adventures of Alex Manning. Like the 20 children she has rescued from The Center, an institutional group home for children with abilities to freeze and rewind time, Alex and her best friend and bae, KJ, are spinners. In search of refuge and through ingenuity and a little luck, Alex and KJ find an underground group of sympathizers to help protect and shelter spinners from those who wish to do them harm.
Time on the farm is short lived, though, as the walls close in and the nefarious Kronos, an international organization whose sole purpose is to discredit and capture spinners for scientific research, has initiated Project Zed: the complete elimination of spinners that know too much.
In order to save themselves and their friends, Alex and KJ must go back into the fray, confront old enemies, and take on the formidable Kronos.
Throughout her novel, O’Doherty masterfully weaves themes particularly relevant for our time – rejection, fear, and hatred for people that “aren’t like us” and institutional and systemic corruption. However, through the bravery of her characters, O’Doherty gives the reader a better path to take: acceptance and transparency.
Like Rewind and Unleashed, with Reckless I found myself wanting to read “just one more chapter” (despite the waning hours of the night and the single digits on my alarm clock) - I can’t wait to see what O’Doherty takes on next!
June 19, 2021
The plot of this book was incredibly well-done. The story started out at a rapid pace that didn’t let up until the end. It had plenty of twists and excitement, and it kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire time. But the climax was especially thrilling, and O’Doherty did a great job heightening the tension at the very end of the book.
Of course, I also really enjoyed the characters, too. But as interesting as they were on their own, I mostly enjoyed the different relationships and interactions between them. I liked the contrast between Alex and Shannon; their different perspectives were just very fascinating to me.
I also liked the way O’Doherty wrote the relationship between Alex and KJ as being wholly healthy and supportive. There wasn’t any unnecessary angst and miscommunication. To be fair, that can make for an interesting read at times, but it was also nice to just see two people who easily worked well together.
Finally, O’Doherty’s descriptions of the Spinners’ time-warping abilities were as excellent as ever. She puts an incredible amount of detail into developing their skills and their limitations. And of course, there’s all the technology that can affect them; that’s honestly one of the most interesting aspects of the story. In short, it all just feels very realistic and believable.
All things considered, I recommend reading this series! It has plenty of excitement and plot twists, plus a bunch of interesting sci-fi/dystopian aspects. If you’re a fan of thrillers, science fiction, or dystopian books, then you’re likely to enjoy this one. Though, obviously, you should start with the first two books before reading this one.
Of course, I also really enjoyed the characters, too. But as interesting as they were on their own, I mostly enjoyed the different relationships and interactions between them. I liked the contrast between Alex and Shannon; their different perspectives were just very fascinating to me.
I also liked the way O’Doherty wrote the relationship between Alex and KJ as being wholly healthy and supportive. There wasn’t any unnecessary angst and miscommunication. To be fair, that can make for an interesting read at times, but it was also nice to just see two people who easily worked well together.
Finally, O’Doherty’s descriptions of the Spinners’ time-warping abilities were as excellent as ever. She puts an incredible amount of detail into developing their skills and their limitations. And of course, there’s all the technology that can affect them; that’s honestly one of the most interesting aspects of the story. In short, it all just feels very realistic and believable.
All things considered, I recommend reading this series! It has plenty of excitement and plot twists, plus a bunch of interesting sci-fi/dystopian aspects. If you’re a fan of thrillers, science fiction, or dystopian books, then you’re likely to enjoy this one. Though, obviously, you should start with the first two books before reading this one.
January 5, 2026
Woohoo! First finished book of 2026 and what an action-packed end to such a fun trilogy! I will say this book took a little longer to read because I was reading so many other books in between reading this one, but every time I did pick “Reckless” up, I was definitely invested.☺️
I really enjoyed the whole concept of spinners and their power to control the passing of time. I’m pretty sure I said this same thing after reading the first book of this trilogy, but I still love the concept regardless. It fascinates me.🤯
The Rewind trilogy overall was incredibly fun and immersive and I had a blast! If you enjoy the possibility of controlling time, I think that this trilogy will definitely fascinate you like it did for me.🥰🫶
I really enjoyed the whole concept of spinners and their power to control the passing of time. I’m pretty sure I said this same thing after reading the first book of this trilogy, but I still love the concept regardless. It fascinates me.🤯
The Rewind trilogy overall was incredibly fun and immersive and I had a blast! If you enjoy the possibility of controlling time, I think that this trilogy will definitely fascinate you like it did for me.🥰🫶
May 16, 2021
Reckless, Carolyn O'Doherty's concluding book of the Rewind series, takes the reader on an action-packed romp around the Pacific Northwest. Alex, KJ and friends from the spinner Center risk everything to be free and accepted for who they are in Norm society. The book is a skillful blend of nail-biting action, intrigue, and serious consideration about what it means to be different. O'Doherty takes on themes of bigotry, self-doubt and identify, weaving them into an adventurous story that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. This may be O'Doherty's best book of the series. Highly recommended!
June 15, 2021
An exciting, swiftly paced book. In this last of the Rewind trilogy, we watch intrepid Alex face even-more challenging situations and also to begin to understand what it’s like to be negatively stereotyped simply for being who you are.
December 23, 2023
Second book was good but not as much as the first. Gets a little confusing on who to trust.
June 7, 2021
What a great ride and an amazing conclusion to the Rewind series.
Alex never gets a chance to rest with Kronos on her heals. We learn more and more about the history of spinners and the secret society that is trying to keep them in check, and eventually wants to eradicate them all together.
A wonderful book, one that will give your adrenaline a boost and send horror through your veins. What would you be willing to do to protect the world from spinners? For some, they would do anything.
Alex never gets a chance to rest with Kronos on her heals. We learn more and more about the history of spinners and the secret society that is trying to keep them in check, and eventually wants to eradicate them all together.
A wonderful book, one that will give your adrenaline a boost and send horror through your veins. What would you be willing to do to protect the world from spinners? For some, they would do anything.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews